Chapter 77 Triumphant Return

More than ten days later.

The expeditionary force returned to Nest No. 77 when they had a chance. Melos led a team to explore the underground. The New Rock Tribe had become a dead zone, with alien corpses littering the underground world.

Even the Sunil soldiers with their steadfast hearts couldn't help but gasp at the hellish scene. Many players were even more shaken, unable to resist feeling more sympathy.

Melos, with a heavy heart, ordered the destruction of the Whisper Stone veins of the New Rock Tribe, then collected the alien corpses and burned them all to ashes.

The team also recovered the remains of their fallen comrades.

After the elimination of the New Rock Tribe, the campaign went smoothly. No nest as powerful as the New Rock Tribe appeared again. The strategy of fighting a batch and recruiting another proved fruitful.

After a long struggle by the expeditionary force, the last underground alien nest finally surrendered, and Melos and the others finally returned to the main city.

…

Early morning, light rain.

Outside the city of Senyuan, almost all the Sunil people came out, a dark mass of humanity, waiting in the rain to welcome the triumphant troops. Everyone was eagerly looking forward.

Whoosh—

More than a dozen spaceships flew from the distant mountains, breaking through the rain and landing outside the city.

The hatch opened, and Sunil soldiers disembarked, not wearing armor, but simple military uniforms, with undisguised fatigue on their faces. The players were in better condition, still quite spirited.

Melos walked off the spaceship, came to the front of the team, and led the expeditionary force toward the crowd.

"Heroes—"

Suddenly, countless Sunil people erupted in a tsunami of cheers, swarming up. Every civilian's face was filled with excitement, gratitude, and welcome for the expeditionary force that had fought abroad.

Melos was surrounded by countless people. All he could see were countless grateful faces. Everyone who looked at him had boundless respect in their eyes, leaving him slightly dazed.

The Sunil people already knew that the Black Star Army was willing to extend a helping hand because of Melos. In the eyes of all the Sunil people, Melos had surpassed everyone and become a well-deserved hero, an idol worshiped by every Sunil person.

The crowd cheered, praising the soldiers of the expeditionary force, including the players.

To be precise, the Sunil were grateful to the Black Star Army. In the hearts of the Sunil people, Han Xiao had become a savior-like figure of reverence, and the prestige of the Black Star Army was unparalleled.

"Thank you so much."

"You saved the Sunil!"

"Black Star Army, you are our benefactors."

Countless people surrounded the players, expressing their gratitude in a barrage of words.

Many players were stunned, and a sense of inexplicable fulfillment arose spontaneously. They felt that this mission had an extraordinary significance. Their collective actions had changed the future of the Sunil people and reaped so much gratitude.

This sense of accomplishment gave many people a different experience, feeling fulfilled and satisfied. This emotion was unrelated to benefits but was a spiritual satisfaction.

Many young soldiers reunited with their families. Facing their tearful families, these iron-blooded soldiers showed satisfied smiles on their tired faces, embracing each other and comforting their tearful families.

Parents welcomed their children, wives welcomed their husbands, and children welcomed their fathers.

Heartwarming scenes were constantly being played out.

Every day, the families of the soldiers were fearful, afraid that one day they would receive a death notice. Now everything was finally over. There would be no more misfortunes, and no one would sacrifice in the war again.

No more despair, no more fear, a bright tomorrow awaited them.

The dark period had passed, and the Sunil people saw the dawn of the future.

Days of peace and tranquility had finally arrived.

Looking at the smiling faces of their compatriots, many Sunil soldiers felt comforted—everything they had done for the family and compatriots behind them was worth it.

However, not everyone was happy.

A group of officers looked solemn as they handed over boxes containing the ashes of the fallen soldiers to their families.

Some were incredulous, some argued loudly, some cried while holding the urns, and some stared blankly at the urns.

The families of these fallen soldiers formed a stark contrast to the cheering crowds, and even the drizzling rain became sadder, and the temperature in the early morning seemed to drop a few degrees.

Lana's parents held his urn and knelt in the mud as if they had lost their souls.

Melos happened to see this scene and stepped forward to help Lana's parents up, whispering, "He is a hero of the race."

Lana's parents looked at him, dazed and speechless.

Seeing this, Melos knew that any comfort was futile. He pursed his lips, turned around silently, and walked away, clenching his fist—the Sunil people had experienced too many scenes of life and death. Fortunately, this should be the last time.

Looking up, he found Han Xiao standing outside the crowd with the army's cadres. Melos composed himself and walked over.

"It's finally over. Only the last step is left, and this mission will be completed."

Seeing him approaching, Han Xiao said.

Melos stared at Han Xiao and suddenly gave a solemn salute, his voice hoarse, "I thank you on behalf of the entire Sunil race."

"No need to react so strongly. I'm just fulfilling my promise to you."

Han Xiao said helplessly, reaching out to help Melos, but Melos insisted on not moving, his tone extremely serious.

"No, please let me finish."

Hearing this, Han Xiao raised his eyebrows, released his hand, and allowed Melos to maintain the salute.

Melos's heart was surging, and he said slowly, "Your name is enough to be recorded in the history of the Sunil. You are not only the benefactor of the Sunil, but also my benefactor…"

"In my eyes, this is not a promise, not a transaction, nor an employment… This is a favor that I cannot repay."

"Your Excellency Black Star, from now on, I am willing to become your battle blade, following you forever, until the end of the universe."

As soon as the words fell, many cadres were silent, staring at Melos with different expressions.

Is this loyalty… Han Xiao was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Okay."

Melos straightened up, smiled, and followed everyone's gaze, looking at the joyful and sorrowful civilians together.

"The price of peace is bloody hands," Jin Dai shook her head.

"I hope the Sunil can remember this war, remember what kind of atrocities we so-called heroes committed for the continuation of the race," Melos said with emotion.

"The survival of the fittest. Every civilization will eventually become a demon, carrying history forward."

Han Xiao casually said a sentence, then looked aside. A group of Sunil high-level officials came over one after another. This time, the person who came to negotiate was no longer O'Quiz, but the leader of the Sunil.

The leader of Sunil thanked him personally, and Han Xiao also responded.

After a period of communication, the leader of Sunil euphemistically stated that the employment reward would not be settled until Han Xiao had moved all the underground aliens out. Han Xiao naturally had no objection.

Watching a group of Sunil high-level officials leave, Sylvia slapped Melos on the back and said angrily, "These people are really annoying."

"I also hate politicians," Melos did not refute. He did all this not for the politicians.

At this time, Fording reminded, "Black Star, about the relocation…"

Han Xiao was about to answer when the communicator suddenly rang. He glanced at it and immediately smiled, "It's just in time."

The next moment, everyone's eyes went dark, and a huge shadow appeared abruptly, covering the crowd, and the area was still growing.

Whether it was the Sunil or the players, they were all surprised and looked up.

Hundreds of super-large transport ships slowly landed from the sky, covering the sky and the sun.

"The moving company I called is here."

Han Xiao let out a breath and smiled.

He borrowed a batch of large transport ships from two consortia, specially used to carry underground aliens. As long as they were transported a few times, all the underground aliens and Whisper Stones could be sent to a selected uninhabited planet. Anyway, the underground aliens lived on rocks and did not have such harsh requirements for the environment. It was easy to find a habitat.

The relocation plan had already been notified to the players. At this moment, seeing so many ships, many players were excited and talked to each other.

"That's the relocation team."

"Moving a race with billions of people is really a big scene."

"The underground aliens will not perish. Black Star really didn't disappoint me."

Seeing their own camp making such a big scene, the players were very proud, with a sense of collective honor. At the same time, many players strongly agreed with the Black Star Army's funding of the relocation of underground aliens.

After so long of fighting, the players had seen many tragedies and had already determined that the underground aliens were absolutely the weaker party.

Sympathy for the weak is a habit. When players think that underground aliens are pitiful, it indirectly increases their sense of identity with the relocation plan, and the result is that players have more sense of belonging to the Black Star Army.

Han Xiao was well aware of this. He himself had the intention of using sympathy to make this mission an unforgettable camp event in the players' minds, in order to increase the camp's profoundness.

The effect seemed to be good.

Next to him, Fording smiled slightly. He felt that this might be the best result for both sides.

Looking at Han Xiao's back, Fording had a thought.

He was growing very fast and was already able to suppress Morning Star in his body alone. Moreover, the conflict between him and Morning Star had almost been resolved, which meant that he no longer needed the help of the Black Star Army.

He had originally thought of saying goodbye at some point, but at this time, he felt that staying in the Black Star Army might also be a good choice.