Zero tried hard to keep his expression under control. He looked calm on the surface, but in truth, he was panicking like crazy.
He slowly turned his head and, seeing the chief strategist behind him, finally let out a sigh of relief.
Zero subtly gave the other man a meaningful look.
The chief strategist had just finished dealing with people who were trying to cozy up to him. Holding a white flower in his hand, he stepped into the mourning hall, only to see his superior standing together with a pink-haired girl.
The pink-haired girl was crying so pitifully that it could make anyone's heart ache. Her tears streamed down nonstop like a faucet that couldn't be turned off.
Chief Strategist, 'If only I could beat you up…'
He took several deep breaths, suppressing his anger with difficulty while furiously cursing his superior in his heart.
'Who comes to a funeral and makes the daughter of the deceased cry! Making her cry is bad enough, but could you at least look at where you are? How can you cause a scene in the mourning hall, in front of the deceased!'
If it were him in that coffin, he'd have been so furious he would've come back to life, lifted the lid, and climbed out just to punch his superior in the face a few times.
With a dark face, the chief strategist stepped forward to offer the flower, then started talking to the pink-haired girl to clean up the mess his superior had left behind.
Zero let out a long sigh of relief and turned to leave the mourning hall.
For this trip, he had deliberately followed normal procedures, asking the chief strategist to report the itinerary to Chaoyan.
In the past, he would just hop into the Star-Destroyer ship and leave on a whim, not giving his subordinates any time to clear the area.
Whenever his subordinates learned which Xianzhou or planet he wanted to visit, the whole Scalegorge Waterscape would immediately go into lockdown. All passing fleets would have to halt operations.
But once operations stopped, it would result in countless credit-point losses.
Zero couldn't be bothered to make his subordinates go through all that trouble.
They were like startled cats, terrified that he might face another assassination attempt, willing to lose credit points just to guarantee his safety.
Zero tried to resist, but his subordinates had learned all his usual tricks too well.
'The Marshal doesn't want the Scalegorge Waterscape to shut down? Fine, then we'll build him a separate pocket dimension just for his personal use.'
Zero, "…"
He didn't want either option and decided to just stay holed up in Yaoqing, being a shut-in.
This time was a personal trip, and since the shareholder was holding the funeral in Yaoqing, he figured it wouldn't waste too many credit points, so he notified his subordinates in advance.
The moment Chaoyan heard the news, he began making arrangements, preparing over a dozen bodyguards hidden among the crowd to protect the Marshal's safety.
When people saw the chief strategist's face, they quickly guessed Zero's identity. They tried to approach and talk to him, but the undercover bodyguards in the crowd blocked them in advance.
Zero stood quietly in place, waiting.
Soon, the chief strategist appeared with the pink-haired girl.
Zero took a few steps forward and, in front of everyone, placed a hand on the girl's shoulder.
He waited until the crowd saw his gesture, then quickly withdrew his hand.
Zero didn't need to say anything unnecessary. Just showing up at the funeral and making his stance clear in public was enough.
After fulfilling his promise to the shareholder, he left together with the chief strategist.
When Zero sat back down at his desk, he suddenly said, "I forgot something."
The chief strategist's temple twitched. "…What is it."
Zero sighed. "Forgot to collect a debt."
The shareholder still owed him one patrol arrow.
Chief Strategist, "…Can you act like a human being for once? Who goes to a funeral to collect debts!"
Zero ignored his subordinate's ranting and began flipping through the papers on his desk. After going through five or six of them, he found that they were all letters and gifts sent from other planets to the Xianzhou, gestures of greeting and goodwill.
Most of the diplomatic gifts sent to the Xianzhou were priceless ancient artifacts or traditional handicrafts unique to those planets.
That was why these letters were placed before Zero for review.
He told the chief strategist to gather them all up and instructed, "As for returning the favor… see what they need. If it's too troublesome, forget the crafts, just build a school or a road instead."
"As for these antiques, let Chaoyan and the others pick some out and put them in the museum."
He casually asked, "By the way, why are so many planets suddenly sending gifts to the Xianzhou lately?"
For some reason, the chief strategist standing nearby didn't answer.
Zero didn't mind. He kept reading through the documents and came across one proposing the addition of a new public holiday.
His subordinates suggested creating a festival to commemorate those who had contributed to the Xianzhou.
On that day, every Xianzhou and the many planets directly under it would set off fireworks for one hour.
The entire Xianzhou, hundreds of planets, each setting off fireworks for one hour…
Zero didn't bother looking closely at the festival's name or date. He roughly estimated the cost, found it acceptable, and approved the proposal.
Then one day, Chaoyan and the chief strategist came to him, separated him from his desk without a word, and brought him onto a ship in Yaoqing.
Onboard, Zero saw all his subordinates who should have been stationed across different Xianzhou, as well as Akivili, who was winking at him.
Zero froze for a moment, then recalled how Akivili had deliberately changed the subject whenever Daiyang was mentioned, and how Akivili had repeatedly asked him about his birthday.
And finally, that document he hadn't looked at carefully.
He couldn't help but laugh softly and looked toward Daiyang. "When did you start planning this? Was it back when Akivili was at the Xianzhou?"
Daiyang's smile was strained; she couldn't quite read the Marshal's thoughts.
For the first time, she and her colleagues had gone against their superior's wishes and schemed against him.
They knew full well the Marshal disliked wasting credit points, yet they still declared his birthday to be the Xianzhou's public holiday, and named it 'Gratitude Day.'
Not only that, they even made the entire Xianzhou celebrate his birthday openly and brazenly sent that document straight to his desk.
They figured that as long as it was for the people of the Xianzhou, the Marshal wouldn't refuse.
As for the date, which could easily expose their intentions, well, his lover was the Xianzhou itself! How could he possibly remember his own birthday?
And just as they expected, the Marshal had indeed forgotten his birthday and approved it right away.
Facing Zero's gaze, Daiyang felt a pang of guilt.
She gave a sheepish smile. "Just as you thought…"
Zero understood instantly.
After meeting Akivili, his subordinates had tried to get the Aeon to ask about his birthday.
Once they found out the date, since they knew he hated wasting money, they disguised it under the pretext of honoring the Xianzhou's heroes and establishing a holiday, to celebrate him instead.
Zero closed his eyes briefly, then chuckled. "How unexpected…"
He didn't reject his subordinates' goodwill and recalculated the fireworks costs, deciding it would be more reasonable to set them off once every ten years.
But before he could say so, his subordinates, apparently mind readers, immediately started raising the roof.
"This month is your birthday month, so we decided to set off fireworks for one hour every day this month!"
"What? Only one hour? I think three hours sounds better!"
"What do you mean birthday month? We should have a birthday year! We can't let outsiders think we can't afford fireworks! I propose we do it daily, five hours at least!"
Zero, "…"
He was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Too wasteful. Once every five years is enough."
His subordinates exploded, all talking over one another.
'Please! How can it only be once every five years?'
All Xianzhou citizens, no, all humankind, should be grateful for the Marshal's sacrifices.
They talked about everything from his first battle to the meaning behind "Gratitude Day," then declared passionately,
"It must be a birthday year! This is our final bottom line, my Lord Marshal!"
Just thinking about the amount of money it would cost made Zero's heart ache.
He could only compromise again. "…Once a year, and that's my bottom line."
His subordinates all grinned from ear to ear and exchanged knowing looks.
'As expected of the Marshal! That trick works perfectly! Roof-raising success!'
Zero, "…"
He really had spoiled them rotten.
Zero sighed, and beside him, Akivili leaned over, pulling him to sit down.
The subordinates followed suit, all taking their seats.
Zero looked outside.
That round moon stirred faint memories long buried in dust.
In those shattered, incomplete recollections, the moon seemed to hold a special meaning.
He could faintly hear the sound of water; the ship was moving toward the center of a lake, probably to find the best spot to watch the fireworks.
He declined the fruit and snacks his subordinates offered and asked, "When do the fireworks start?"
Akivili shook their head. "Don't rush, dear friend, there's still a special gift."
As they spoke, the lights in the cabin dimmed.
Then, a projection appeared in the air, the only source of light.
The images switched rapidly, flashing through scenes of different planets' landscapes.
Then, they froze on a person.
That person was thin, dressed in worn, faded clothes, stammering awkwardly in Xianzhou speech as they offered blessings to Zero.
Then the image changed to another person.
This one was emotional, pointing to the code tattooed on their cheek, speaking in halting words of a language they barely knew, expressing their gratitude.
Zero watched the projection quietly.
He saw people of different races and ages.
Some bore the markings of slaves.
As slaves, they had been stripped of the right to live as humans, reduced to goods with price tags, passed from noble to noble, their dignity and souls crushed to dust.
Only after the Galactic Law for the Protection of Humanity was passed did they regain their freedom.
Now, they no longer hid their marks but proudly showed the numbers and letters on their skin.
They were no longer symbols of shame nor proof of slavery, but indelible evidence of their masters' crimes.
There were also those who had suffered disasters, forced to flee from bombardments and the Swarm, helplessly watching their homeworlds reduced to ruins.
They had been utterly alone, waiting for death in despair and fear.
Until the fleet arrived at their planet, and the Interstellar Peace Corporation brought supplies, bringing them new life and hope.
At the end of the projection, there was a child.
The child held a flower wreath.
It was woven from olive branches symbolizing peace and colorful blossoms.
The once-cracked, barren land had revived, sprouting fresh greenery and flowers once more.
The child stood on tiptoe and offered the wreath toward the camera.
At that same moment, Akivili, as if performing a magic trick, pulled out a hidden wreath and gently placed it on Zero's head.
Zero was speechless for a long time. When the lights came back on, he finally returned to himself and looked at the others.
"A very special gift. How long did it take to prepare?"
Everyone shook their heads. "Not that long!"
After the meeting ended, they all went out of their way to share the Marshal's words and that special gift with every Xianzhou citizen.
The Marshal had said that he granted them the freedom and courage to roam the sea of stars.
The Xianzhou people declared, 'Even if I die! Even as a ghost! I'll cling to Lord Marshal forever!'
The roaming sea rangers, who held the advantage on the front lines, set out at once to help other planets abolish slavery.
As they chattered, someone mentioned Akivili.
"And there's Lord Akivili's contribution too!"
"Well, yeah, wherever the Nameless Guest goes, something big always happens! Every sea ranger knows that!"
Akivili, "…I'm offended, you know!"
They turned their head away and began explaining how they and the Xianzhou generals had chosen this gift.
"Since other planets were sending you so many presents, we had to think long and hard to come up with ours."
Akivili looked at Chaoyan, who had received the first wreath, and continued, "For some reason, everyone kept sending you crowns, diamond ones, pure-gold ones, all kinds of jeweled crowns! There were thousands of them…"
Akivili looked indignant.
"Come on, you're the one who abolished slavery! How could you possibly want to ascend a throne?"
A friend who loved all people equally, how could he ever destroy what he had worked so hard to build?
Akivili spoke on, then suddenly changed the subject.
"Our rule as Aeons is that the birthday star has to grant us one wish, and even my dear friend isn't exempt."
They smiled broadly and extended a hand in invitation.
"Lord Marshal, on this day, would you become a follower of the Aeon of 'Trailblaze'?"
Zero smiled lightly and nodded.
"Of course. To become a follower of Lord Akivili… I'd be truly honored."
Akivili chuckled, then said, "In that case, your god will now bestow a blessing upon his most devoted, most extraordinary follower."
They lifted a hand, apparently wanting to pat Zero on the head, but they weren't tall enough, so they froze awkwardly mid-gesture.
Zero held back a laugh. "Do you need me to lower my head?"
Akivili coughed a few times, withdrew their hand, and stood up straight.
With a little huff, they straightened their back, looking down at the seated Zero from on high.
Akivili placed a hand over their chest and spoke in a deliberately grand tone, "My follower..."
This dear friend had given the Xianzhou people freedom and courage, and had restored life to the suffering.
And they, Akivili, as the Aeon of Trailblaze, could not fall behind.
Akivili's golden eyes, bright as the blazing sun, fixed on Zero.
In that instant, the Aeon closest to humanity revealed a rare trace of divinity.
In a soft voice, they said, "You possess unwavering courage, a heart full of compassion for the world, and wisdom that surpasses even the gods themselves."
Before this, Akivili had been at a loss about what blessing to give their friend.
The man before them had the bravery of a Nameless Guest, the love of a leader for his people, and wisdom even "Erudition" could not surpass.
This dear friend had brought life and hope to barren worlds, making the soil sprout anew.
This time, spring had truly come for all.
They no longer needed to endure suffering or despair, for their shattered hearts had already been made whole again.
So, standing before such a friend, what could they possibly say?
Akivili pondered long and hard and, during one of their journeys of Trailblaze, finally prepared their words.
They said to Zero, "May you stay true to your heart, may you see all the wonders of the stars with me, and may you, at the end of your journey, reunite with your ideals."