"Although the Wardance Ceremony was interrupted, it must resume. Most visitors to the Luofu came specifically for this event. If it fails to proceed smoothly, the reputation of both the Luofu and the Xianzhou as a whole will suffer a significant blow."
"On the ceremony's opening day, a Borisin attempted to incite panic. Fortunately, Miss Lumina, who was attending as an observer, and The Vanquishing General, leading the Cloud Knights, averted the crisis and eliminated the madman."
"This authentic tale of heroism is sure to attract widespread attention and quell the rumors and criticisms sparked by Hoolay San's rampage."
Huaiyan smiled, his elderly features belying a keen understanding of what appeals to young and middle-aged people on the Xianzhou.
"Eh? Why am I being included in this?"
Hearing Huaiyan's words and sensing the old man's ulterior motives, Lumina remained unperturbed. Cradling the Phantylia Kitten in her arms, she feigned innocent confusion as she tilted her head and asked Huaiyan.
"Hahaha, Miss Lumina is the key figure in resolving this crisis. How could this old man possibly attribute all the credit to the Vanquishing General?" At this moment, Huaiyan appeared like a benevolent old grandfather, having lived through countless years and, nearing the end of his lifespan, harbored no ill intentions.
But the truth was more nuanced. While Huaiyan's words were sincere, containing no falsehoods or deliberate attempts to manipulate Lumina's feelings, there was undoubtedly a personal motive at play.
After all, including Lumina's name in the official narrative would essentially broadcast her presence on the Xianzhou Luofu to the outside world. With the weight of her reputation, prestige, and status behind it, any troublemakers planning to disrupt the Wardance Ceremony would surely be deterred.
Visiting tourists would feel reassured and completely at ease, allowing the Wardance Ceremony to proceed smoothly...
Lumina understood this perfectly well but didn't mind. She allowed Huaiyan to leverage her name to deter potential evildoers and reassure both the Luofu's residents and visiting crowds.
In Lumina's eyes, a debt was always meant to be repaid.
How exactly should it be repaid?
That was obvious—Feixiao would have to pay it back!
As Lumina pondered what Feixiao could use to compensate her, the three Generals continued their conversation.
"If Miss Lumina has no objections, we shall follow Elder Huaiyan's suggestion."
All three Generals turned their gazes toward Lumina, seeking her opinion on Huaiyan's earlier proposal.
"Hmm? I have no objections," Lumina replied with a smile and a nod. "After all, it's the truth. Many Cloud Knights aboard the Skysplitter witnessed the incident, so there's no need to hide it."
"Then Jing Yuan once again expresses the Xianzhou's gratitude to Miss Lumina," Jing Yuan said, offering another formal thanks.
Lumina responded with a simple smile, offering no further comment.
If it were Feixiao offering the thanks, Lumina would have said more, perhaps even offering some comfort...
"Miss Lumina, would you be willing to allow this old man to report both this incident and the earlier Phantylia matter to the Marshal?" Huaiyan asked slowly after Jing Yuan finished apologizing, his words carrying a clear implication.
"Oh?" Lumina raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by his words.
The Marshal couldn't possibly be unaware of the events on the Luofu—the earlier incident with Phantylia and the current situation with Hoolay.
Huaiyan's intention was crystal clear.
"Given Miss Lumina's contributions to the Xianzhou, I will propose to the Marshal that you be honored as an honored guest and friend of the entire Xianzhou Alliance."
"Should Miss Lumina ever require assistance from the Xianzhou Alliance, we will never refuse."
"Across the vast Sea of Stars and the boundless Galaxy, wherever Miss Lumina needs help, the Xianzhou Alliance will come!"
As expected, Huaiyan's subsequent words confirmed Lumina's suspicions.
His offer was essentially presenting her with a Xianzhou-wide Jade Abacus of Allying Oath, but one that required only unilateral commitment from the Xianzhou Alliance.
Hmm... While it's true, if the Xianzhou Alliance truly needed assistance, they would undoubtedly turn to me.
However, that old fox Huaiyan mentioned proposing it to the Marshal... meaning the final decision isn't guaranteed.
Though the Marshal will likely agree anyway.
Lumina mused to herself, her thoughts swirling.
She could think of no reason to refuse Huaiyan's proposal. With a warm smile, she nodded her assent. "It's enough for Old General Huaiyan to speak truthfully. Let the Xianzhou Marshal decide the rest."
"Hehehe... Considering Miss Lumina's contributions to the Xianzhou Alliance, the Marshal will almost certainly approve my proposal," Huaiyan chuckled, leaving himself some room for dignity by not stating it as an absolute certainty. "Even if the Marshal disagrees, I'm sure other preferential measures will be considered."
But the fact that the Xianzhou Alliance would grant Lumina special privileges because of this was undoubtedly true.
"In that case, Lumina would like to express her gratitude to the Marshal," Lumina said, her eyes darting around. An idea sparked in her mind, only to vanish moments later.
Lumina had briefly considered meeting the Xianzhou Marshal to discuss her future and the grand affairs of the Xianzhou Alliance.
After all, someone who could become the Xianzhou Marshal must be an incredibly cool and beautiful girl, right? Lumina found such prospects utterly irresistible.
Hmm... Lumina simply wanted to befriend the Xianzhou Marshal, purely to discuss the Xianzhou's future with her.
For example, "Marshal, you wouldn't want the Xianzhou to..."
Ahem...
But remembering her packed schedule, Lumina abandoned the idea.
After all, the Amphoreus promotional video she'd seen earlier clearly showed a world brimming with calamity and chaos, desperately in need of her intervention!
With so many beautiful girls lining up... no, with disaster looming, Lumina had no time to worry about making friends.
As the universally acknowledged Saintess of the Cosmos, Lumina naturally couldn't stand idly by while Amphoreus faced disaster.
Therefore, she thought contentedly, we'll address the matter of the Marshal after we've rescued Amphoreus.
But then again, she would be traveling with Herta.
What would happen when she made friends with the people of Amphoreus, and Herta was right beside her?
Hmm... oh well, it doesn't matter.
If they're my friends, they'll be Herta's friends too.
We're all one big family!