Don't be fooled by Jeff being just a shark with seemingly no attack power; this guy is quite a humorous character. With a puff of smoke animation, he can bite six hundred times in three seconds, and any energy shield is useless as he turns you into a plucked chicken.
The people from the Shi'ar Empire screamed and ran outside, shedding feathers all over the room as they went. But Pikachu's stern expression did not relax a bit. He said, "The nobles of the Shi'ar Empire have private armies. Every time they come, they bring two main ships with regular army soldiers on board. My tavern has been smashed twice by them, and this time they're probably coming again."
"You've dealt with them before?" Shiller asked.
"Of course, do I look like someone who would swallow my anger? When they caused a ruckus in my tavern, I turned around and poisoned them or found some strong folks to ambush them. I've troubled them a few times, but they're not stupid. They retaliated by smashing my bar."
"Only a few months have passed, and you've managed to stir up such a commotion. If you don't leave, I'll soon see your wanted notice on the Interstellar News Network." Shiller shook his head and said.
"We definitely need to go now." Pikachu hopped onto the staircase railing and beckoned to Shiller, saying, "Let's go out the back door. There's no need for a direct confrontation."
Shiller followed him, winding around the staircase to reach the back door. The backyard surprisingly featured a small garden filled with clusters of hops. Shiller said with some surprise, "Are you brewing Earth beer?"
"Of course, you have no idea how powerful Earth beverages are here. I'm even thinking of fermenting some grain to brew liquor."
"Don't aliens brew alcohol too?"
"You don't know? The Three Great Empires have alcohol bans. Their star zones prohibit brewing, and only the Centaurus areas, which are essentially lawless, have access to alcohol, mostly handcrafted with muddy, pale beer results. Only I have modern industrialized fine brew, which is a unique monopoly. Why do you think those nobles constantly cause trouble for me?"
Shiller quickly understood that these people couldn't compete with their own kin back home. So, relying on their technological gap, they wanted to delve into a money-making venture. Pikachu's tavern offered excellent alcohol amidst a place crowded with pirates and mercenaries, these professions dancing with danger. No one could resist the allure of alcohol, making business incredibly prosperous. It's no wonder they had their eyes on it.
They passed through the garden, ventured north along alleyways, and then from a small road behind, wound their way up to the rooftop. Sure enough, two small ships descended directly onto the street, and a crowd from the Shi'ar Empire noisily charged into the tavern and started smashing things.
"Are they trying to find your brewing place?" Shiller asked after observing the chaos, "The tavern's not valuable, your brewery is what's worth money."
"That's right. I set up a beer brewing production line on Earth, but I've hidden it away, and they can't find it. Let them smash things; I wasn't planning on continuing here anyway."
"Is that all the troops they have?"
"Pretty much. Previously, not so many came; I suppose they've realized you're about to escape, they're rushing, planning to expand their search range."
"What are we waiting for? Let's board their star ship." Shiller looked up and said, "Getting hold of a Divine Power Spear would be enough for purchasing ten taverns."
"Follow me," Pikachu said, "I've got a small ship."
Pikachu led Shiller down a small alleyway where they found a small ship. Once airborne, they quickly spotted the Shi'ar Empire's two main ships. Shiller turned into gray mist, bypassing the ship's alert system, and began rummaging around.
When he returned after a round trip, he said regretfully, "Too bad this ship can only be powered by Dual God Power. Dragging it back wouldn't be practical; otherwise, I would've taken it along."
"Heh, who doesn't know you? You love watching sheep run naked. You've left the ship because you want to catch a big fish, right?"
Shiller didn't deny it, merely smiling. Pikachu, too, laughed in schadenfreude, then said, "These guys are all spoiled brats, cruising around with their elders' ships. Now losing so much military equipment, let's see how they'll explain that!"
When they returned to the tavern, it had been thoroughly searched, and everything had been smashed. Pikachu sighed regretfully and said, "This place is unbearable even for a day. Let's go back for now."
"Don't rush. They didn't find what they wanted, and upon returning, they'll discover that their home has been thoroughly looted. The sunk costs are too high; they won't let it go easily."
"You mean..."
"As long as they capture you, all problems would be solved. They've probably attempted to move against you too, haven't they?"
"Yes, but I have this." Pikachu pulled out a ring from behind him. Shiller recognized it as a suspension ring. He remembered previously stealing electricity with Pikachu, acquiring some Faith Power, and Pikachu kept a portion for himself. Besides, he also had Yellow Lantern Power. During the Multiverse War, the compatibility codes of two universes were adjusted, so it should work now. Therefore, he could use the Mage's teleportation portal.
"No wonder," Shiller said, "But you're not truly a mage. Simply opening a portal with the ring has its limitations. They might risk giving it a shot."
"What are you planning?" Pikachu asked.
"When they come for you, pretend you're overpowered to hold them off. I'll find a way to capture them alive."
Pikachu nodded. So the two of them went upstairs. Shiller stood by the window, quickly sensing someone surrounding this direction. He gently picked up Tolik.
The little black cat was oblivious, still licking its paw in Shiller's embrace. Shiller carried him to a room at the inner end of the second floor. Soon, noisy footsteps echoed from the first floor.
"Quite a grand gesture," Shiller remarked. He felt the magnetic field of an energy blocking device. This thing can practically block all forms of energy shock attacks, presumably also resistant to Pikachu's 100,000 volts. But it's ineffective against those who control magnetic fields and mages, hence rarely appearing on human battlefields, it's specifically targeting civilizations using energy weapons.
Soon, Pikachu's scream was heard. This guy started cursing, unleashing a rapid sequence of East Coast rap, just as powerful as ever. Unfortunately, their language didn't translate, and they moved in to grab Pikachu.
Seizing the moment, Shiller rushed out, embracing Torick. A big cluster of tentacles burst from his mouth, a "swish," and the leading nobles were swallowed directly.
These Imperial People, being well-versed, instantly recognized the Cosmic Beast. They screamed miserably, dropping their weapons and fleeing outside.
Those from the Three Great Empires know the danger of Cosmic Beast-type creatures well. Otherwise, they wouldn't hunt them across the cosmos, nearly driving them extinct. Yet, even when hunting them, it requires a military siege, with potential casualties. Now, encountering just a few, not to mention the big cat and small cat, they had better run away. By tomorrow, who knows what might happen.
Pikachu breathed a sigh of relief, glancing down from the skylight and said, "These guys are really stupid, sending all the leaders. But what are you planning to do? Kill them?"
"If killing them was the plan, there wouldn't be so much fuss. Let's go visit an old friend."
Half an hour later, with an "ugh," several bird men were spat out in front of the tent door at the Ravagers base. Yondu turned into a statue from shock.
"God's dog crap!" Yondu cursed, "What kind of situation is this?!"
"Isn't this your old trade?" Shiller said.
"What kind of crap! I've never done kidnapping work!"
"Then this counts as your first job," Shiller said. "Go ask their family for ransom."
"If you want me dead, just say so!" Yondu spat furiously. "These are people from the Three Great Empires! Which kidnapper would dare kidnap them and ask for money? You're trying to kill me!"
"That was before; things are different now. Have you heard of the Queen's new policies? There's a major reform at home. Would anyone with status come here at such a crucial moment?"
"Even if they're nothing, they're still nobles from the Three Great Empires!"
"So I'm not asking you to contact the Queen, but privately reach out to their family and take them home. Precisely because it's a crucial time, their family wouldn't dare make a fuss. Isn't it reasonable to give you some hush money?"
"Forget it, this is a kidnapping. Even if they swallow their pride now, what about settling scores later?"
"Go hide somewhere else for a while."
"Where else can... you don't mean the Milky Way, do you?"
"You have an adopted son living on Earth, so technically you could apply for a family visit visa. Earth welcomes friendly aliens. If you get a visa and go hide there, what could they possibly do to you?"
"Even if I could go, my old buddies can't. I can't just watch them being exterminated by the Three Great Empires, can I?"
"I can put in a word with Loki and let you hide in the Nine Major Kingdoms. The Two Great Empires suffered defeats there, and even the Shi'ar Empire wouldn't dare venture too close. Don't worry."
Yondu squinted and stared at Shiller, saying, "You're being so nice; what's your angle?"
"Do you really plan on being a raider in this godforsaken place your whole life?" Shiller asked.
"What else can I do?" Yondu sat on a nearby stone seat, somewhat deflated, "If I leave, Centaurus might fall into their hands. This is my hometown..."
"Do you think they have the energy for that now? Honestly, the interstellar political center is moving to the Milky Way. What does Centaurus even count as?"
Yondu jumped up abruptly. He stared at Shiller for a while but quickly sat back down and said, "But even if I go to the Milky Way, what can I do?"
"The High Lord wants to set up an entertainment center there. Various people would inevitably come to support it. Asgardians always look down on others. Patrolling and guarding might be fine, but you know these places need someone to handle issues. Otherwise, it will undoubtedly cause trouble."
"You want us to help oversee this?"
"That's right. I know your capabilities. Centaurus being a frontier not under the control of the Three Great Empires, you deserve much of the credit. Even though it remains a no man's land and isn't controlled by others, you know the security situation here is not ideal. Continuously leaving it unchecked is not a solution, is it?"
Yondu furrowed his brow. He knew what Shiller meant. Escaping the control of the Three Great Empires comes at a cost; this is a hub for cosmic crime, with the cosmos's most dangerous fugitives roaming in one Star System, which isn't good for the lower civilizations.
After sitting and pondering for a long time, he clapped his thigh and said, "Alright! I'll go with you guys! I'll pack up and head over soon."
"Don't forget to demand ransom from those nobles. Even though we'll provide you with a base, you'll need funds for many things. You can't start without seed money."
Yondu gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, shouting outside, "Come on! Tie these guys up! Contact the Shi'ar Empire's informants. I'm going to carve out a piece of them!"