Late at night the following day, three warships of the Heavenly River Navy sailed as scheduled into the sector controlled by the South Heaven Gate Fleet.
Under the gaze of tens of thousands of Skyward Legionnaires, General Trent, representing the Heavenly River Navy, exchanged official seals with the representative from the South Heaven Gate Fleet. Once identities were confirmed, the South Heaven Gate general nodded, signaling that General Nate and the waiting Legionnaires could board the ships.
As soon as he set foot on the deck, General Nate quickly followed General Trent into the cabin.
When the wooden door swung open, General Nate froze. In the flickering firelight, he saw a host of familiar faces.
"General Nate, reporting to the Marshal!"
"Rise," Marshal Silver said, turning from the window. "You all performed admirably this time, but rewards will have to wait until you pass this final test."
"Marshal, you flatter us. We were only doing our duty. I would not dare claim credit."
After a simple salute, General Nate bowed and retreated into the ranks behind him.
In the cramped cabin, nearly every senior officer of the Heavenly River Navy was present—even General Ward, who handled administrative duties, was among them.
"What is all this for?" he couldn’t help but wonder.
But it was clearly not the right moment to ask questions.
Only the crackling of torches on the walls remained in the cabin. Everyone sat in silence, expressionless.
The air felt as if it had frozen solid.
Before long, a Heavenly General entered and reported, "Marshal, all handovers are complete."
"Issue the order—set sail."
"Yes, sir!"
The sails unfurled, and the three warships, guided by South Heaven Gate Legionnaires, slowly broke away from the fleet and headed northwest.
"This time, they’re bound to show themselves," Marshal Silver thought.
...
Gradually, clouds in the sky veiled the bright moon.