Chapter 1 Aftermath

After obtaining the World Tree's secrets, the three Universal Civilizations adopted Han Xiao's suggestion, adjusted their strategy, and no longer launched probes into the World Tree Civilization's territory. They reduced the possibility of information exchange between the two sides and instead increased their investment in the secondary dimension expeditionary force.

Han Xiao rested for a while, and with the help of the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleportation Device, he went to the World Tree Civilization territory again. This time, because he had the advantage of intelligence, he carefully avoided contact and completed the land grabbing mission without any mishaps, obtaining rewards such as [Infiltrate the Enemy Camp].

After that, Han Xiao did not continue to sneak into the World Tree Civilization territory to harass the enemy. He also reduced contact with the World Tree Civilization, stayed in the explored universe every day to build machinery, and occasionally went to the Sanctuary to check the monitoring of the Sons of Destiny, outwardly returning to a normal life.

In the short term, he did not plan to go to the World Tree Civilization territory to stir up trouble again. The enemy was now prepared, and he was afraid of messing up. Moreover, the information he currently had was enough, so Han Xiao did not intend to provoke the enemy again and instead focused on expanding his military strength.

The ignorant interstellar society still maintained the rhythm of daily life. As time passed, the heat of the three Universal Civilizations acknowledging the independent status of the Beyond Grade A Association gradually cooled down, but it did not disappear. The dissatisfaction of many interstellar citizens with the three Universal Civilizations settled down and remained in their hearts.

After the political status was written into the Interstellar Universal Law, the days of all Beyond Grade A forces became much better. No matter how complicated the civilizations in each star field felt about this, they still acknowledged it and conducted diplomacy with the Beyond Grade A Association with the attitude of dealing with a civilization, increasing cooperation.

Originally, all forces thought that the Beyond Grade A Association would take action next, but the association still developed as usual and remained quite low-key, as if they were not the hot topic of public opinion recently.

Whether the galaxy is chaotic or not is up to the big shots. Since the top forces were not causing trouble, life in the interstellar society gradually returned to the surface calm, and time slowly slipped away in this atmosphere.

Shining World, Black Star Army territory, Kundah Clan 77th settlement star.

More than a dozen small warships with the Legion's logo led three huge transport ships slowly landing on the planet's ground docking platform. The wind pressure continuously rolled out, blowing away the fine dust on the ground. The bottom of the ships popped out landing gear, which meshed with the platform's magnetic docking locks, and stopped steadily.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh - the hatches opened one after another, and groups of Kundah Clan people wearing Black Star Army standard armor walked off the spaceship. The leader was a tall Kundah Clan member wearing a special uniform from the logistics department, none other than Barton, who had been imprisoned and then pardoned by Han Xiao.

A group of people had been waiting on the ground, and they took the initiative to greet them, exchanging pleasantries with each other.

Barton was used to it, waved his hand, and said:

"This batch of supplies has been delivered. Help unload the goods."

His prestige was very high here. When everyone heard his words, they began to work, unloading batches of goods from the transport ships, loading them onto transport vehicles, and sending them to different cities.

Barton looked on with his arms crossed. At this time, a Kundah Clan member wearing a robe walked up to him and smiled:

"How long are you planning to stay this time?"

"... Half a day at most. The Legion's logistics department has been very busy recently, and I can't delay it. I'll leave after delivering this batch of supplies."

Barton looked back. The person speaking was an acquaintance of his, the person in charge of this settlement star, similar to a lord.

In the past few decades, the Kundah Clan planets had been successively unblocked, but under some interference, a unified regime had not been established. Each planet had a lord who was only responsible for the affairs of that planet. They were loosely allied with each other, like a confederation.

After decades of adaptation, the Kundah Clan gradually integrated into the interstellar society and became accustomed to the various systems and rules of the interstellar society, but they were still very weak and difficult to develop. Their industrial system was incomplete, so relying on the feedback from the espers was still the main way to obtain various supplies.

In recent years, a large number of Kundah Clan members had chosen to join the Black Star Army, exchanging various resources by serving the Legion. Because the share of subsidies for each planet was determined by these espers, their status was detached. The various Kundah Clan lords needed to win the support of the Kundah Clan espers, forming a relationship of dependence.

"Oh, the Legion's work is indeed more important. It's a pity that I still wanted to entertain you properly. Since you don't have time, then next time," said the person in charge.

"We are acquaintances, so there's no need to entertain me specially." Barton shook his head.

"How can that be? After all, you are a celebrity who came from our planet. Our 77th settlement star is developing well, thanks to your care," the person in charge said enthusiastically.

"... Alright, the next batch of supplies won't be less for you."

Barton sighed, knowing what the other party meant.

Decades ago, after he was pardoned by Han Xiao, he joined the Legion without saying a word, firmly following the route of giving back to the clan, starting from the bottom and slowly climbing up.

Because he was a mechanic, after passing the internal assessment, Barton joined the logistics department. At first, he was a grassroots researcher. Later, he successfully advanced to a Grade B esper before being promoted to a middle-level cadre in the logistics department. He was one of the highest-ranking Kundah Clan espers in the Legion.

Due to his position, he had discounts on purchasing supplies, so Barton's status in the Kundah Clan was very important, and his prestige was very high. The lords of each planet wanted to please him, and he was used to it.

"How are the internal thoughts of the clan now?" Barton changed the subject.

Hearing this, the person in charge turned to look at the clansmen who were working and said with a smile, "We have been conducting ideological education, and there are fewer and fewer radical people. Now most people yearn for peace."

"That's good."

Barton nodded, scanning the energetic Kundah Clan people in the field, and couldn't help but feel a burst of relief.

The Crimson Dynasty had the hatred of destroying their homeland, but the gap between the two sides was too great. Barton had always been using his position to require the lords of each planet to strengthen ideological education, so that generations of descendants would not be swayed by hatred.

The Kundah Clan had finally embarked on a path of positive development after years of hard work, and radical people were unstable factors. Who knew what they would cause under the drive of hatred? Barton did not want the clan to be implicated by a small group of radical people, so that the hard-won peaceful situation would be destroyed.

Fortunately, decades of life had reversed the thinking of most people. There were fewer and fewer radical people who tried to take revenge. Most Kundah Clan members were quite satisfied with their current life. Their lives were colorful, and they had hope for the future.

"I hope it can be peaceful like this forever."

Barton sighed in his heart.

...

Aquamarine Star, Bennett's Residence.

The courtyard was like a transparent greenhouse, with rows of plants planted in it. Bennett, with gray hair on his temples, walked among the plants, slowly watering them with a kettle. He was wearing ordinary clothes, like an ordinary old man at home. It was hard to see that this was the leader of a civilization.

"Father, we've come to see you."

The voice came from far to near. Nero pushed open the door with one hand and led Mia in with the other. The two walked into the courtyard.

Bennett put down the kettle and looked back. A kind smile bloomed on his wrinkled face, and he waved, "You're here. It's rare to have the leisure to see this old fellow who's half-buried in the ground."

"Don't say that. You're in good health and can live for a long time. Today is your birthday, so don't say such things."

Nero took Mia to Bennett and pretended to complain.

"H-Hello..."

Mia greeted shyly. A Calamity Grade esper who didn't blink an eye when killing people was now coy and nervous.

"You're here too. Don't just stand there. Let's eat together today and see how my cooking is." Bennett looked at Mia with a look in his eyes as if he were sizing up his daughter-in-law. He was very satisfied.

Nero had already taken Mia to meet his parents, and Bennett also knew that Mia and Nero were dating now. He didn't interfere much with his son's choice, and he was quite satisfied with Mia.

Bennett led the two to the restaurant next to the courtyard, then returned to the courtyard to pick some fresh plants, personally went to the kitchen to cook a table of dishes, and happily entertained the two for dinner.

The leader of a civilization and two Calamity Grade espers were eating at a table, talking about family matters, just like ordinary people at home.

After chatting for a while, Nero took out a tube of potion from his pocket and said with a smile, "This is a birthday gift that Godfather asked me to bring. Her Excellency Aurora personally made the life potion, which can continue to extend life and maintain youth."

"Thank Black Star for me."

Bennett accepted the potion with a smile.

"Godfather expected you to say that. He wants me to tell you that with your relationship, there's no need to thank him."

"Alright, that's his style."

Bennett shook his head with a wry smile, then turned to look at Mia and said with a smile:

"What about you? Do you have any plans to have children?"

Mia blushed immediately, her voice as soft as a mosquito, "That... I don't have such thoughts yet..."

Nero scratched his head and said embarrassedly, "The main reason is that the higher the level of life, the harder it is to have children. Mia and I have tried many times, and we've used all the positions, but unfortunately, we haven't been able to..."

Bang!

Before he could finish his words, a shy iron elbow hit his ribs, causing Nero to almost suffocate. His voice was interrupted immediately.

"D-Don't talk nonsense!"

Mia was furious and gave Nero an elbow strike out of love. She immediately remembered that Bennett was still opposite her, and quickly returned to her ladylike sitting posture, with a shy face, as if she was harmless to humans and animals.

"... Youth is so good." Bennett wiped his cold sweat. The Calamity Grade level elbow strike just now made his hair stand on end, and he couldn't help but look at Nero.

Good son, thank you for your hard work.

"It's... It's okay, I just like this kind of play..."

Seeing Bennett's complicated eyes, Nero hurriedly defended Mia, gritted his teeth and rubbed his ribs for a while before barely recovering, in pain and happiness.

After coughing twice, Nero changed the subject and suddenly said seriously, "By the way, Godfather also asked me to tell you something important."

"What is it?"

"Godfather said that after a while, he might move everyone on Aquamarine Star."

"Move the entire Aquamarine Star?" Bennett was surprised. "Where to?"

"He didn't say, just to give you a heads-up."

Nero replied.

Hearing this, Bennett restrained his smile, his expression became serious, and he touched his chin, with a look of contemplation, trying to figure out what Han Xiao meant.

He suddenly wanted to move Aquamarine Star. Could it be moved to the territory promised to the Beyond Grade A Association by the three Universal Civilizations? Or was it an emergency evacuation?

If it was an evacuation, could it be that some battle was about to break out? But wasn't the recent situation a great one with nothing happening...

"I feel like it's not a good thing..."

Various thoughts flashed through his mind, and Bennett was secretly worried.

At the same time, on a wilderness on Aquamarine Star, Hela and Aurora were walking slowly.

Not far away was a huge pit, with a large number of building wreckage scattered around, slanted into the ground, like fragments thrown by a violent explosion, like a ruin. This was the Germinal Organization site, which was now protected as a historical relic.

The two were originally visiting Ames, but because they came at the wrong time, they were kicked out. Suddenly, they wanted to revisit the old place, so they came to the Germinal Organization site to take a stroll.

"Do you remember? I used to be locked up here. At that time, I thought I would never get out of trouble."

Aurora squatted down, picked up a piece of metal fragment, played with it in her hand, and said with emotion.

Hela looked at the surrounding environment, and the past memories became fresh again. She also rarely said more, and said softly, "Yes, I did so many dirty jobs for the Germinal Organization. It was said to save you, but I was just as confused, and I became more and more deeply trapped like a walking corpse. If I hadn't met Black Star, I'm afraid I wouldn't have survived."

The two had experienced so many things, and now they could face the painful memories of the past with magnanimity. Recalling the past from the current perspective, it was like a dream.

Aurora suddenly chuckled, "Speaking of which, Black Star was so naive back then, not like he is now."

"People always have to grow up."

Hearing this, the corners of Hela's mouth curled up slightly. She remembered the experience of torturing Han Xiao for most of the year, and then thought of the Black Star who was now so famous, she had a kind of joy that "I saw a big man wetting the bed when he was a child". Although they were not real childhood sweethearts, they were also the oldest acquaintances, so the difference was not big.

But soon, Hela put away her smile and sighed softly, with complex emotions.

Seeing this, Aurora turned to look at her sister.

"What are you sighing about?"

"... I was thinking, if I had chosen to leave with him when he entered the interstellar space, maybe now... I wouldn't be one step behind."

Hela's tone was complicated and her expression was lost.

...

Aquamarine Star Outer Space, Longtan Floating Island.

"Are you leaving?"

"Yeah, when I rushed over, the machinery was only half built, so I have to go back and finish it."

Han Xiao put on his clothes, buttoned them up, covered his strong chest muscles, and prepared to go out.

At this time, two fair fingers pinched his hem and tugged it gently.

"Stay with me for a while longer."

"... Okay."

Not long after.

On the other side of Longtan Floating Island, Iso's residence.

The dishes on the table were jumping slightly, and the gravy spilled onto the table.

Iso held the tableware and looked helplessly at the ceiling corner. He saw the wall trembling slightly, and dust was falling down.

"Sigh, it's shaking again..."