Chapter 52
After a full week of analysis and calculations by the Divination Commission, combined with input from the Xianzhou Yuque, the final decision was delivered to the Marshal.
They would maintain their current course and launch a preemptive strike.
The intensive training led by Tomomu Kanzaki had transformed many of the Cloud Knights. Their combat strength now far exceeded anything they had shown before.
The Xianzhou stood fully prepared for war. There was no chance the abominations of abundance could trap them.
That was the official statement.
Only those ranked Cloud Knight Vanguard or higher knew the harsher truth: the chance of Shuhu appearing stood near ninety percent.
The Xianzhou Luofu, positioned closer to the Cangcheng, had already readied Cloud Knight reinforcements to deploy at any moment.
When the Xianzhou Yaoqing learned of the potential large-scale abomination force, it altered its entire route to align with the Cangcheng's path.
The Yaoqing served as the Alliance's sharpest arrow. Its people were fierce and relentless, always leading the Hunt against abominations rather than focusing on commerce.
Altering course would cost the Yaoqing almost nothing.
If the voyage went smoothly, they could reach the Cangcheng in about five months and provide escort from half a light-year away.
Once the battle plan was set, the Xianzhou would send a Cloud Knight expeditionary force three days ahead of schedule.
Their task was to eliminate any abominations that might form a coalition before the main fleet entered the dangerous star sector.
General Teng Xiao would remain aboard the Cangcheng, staying alert for any sign of Shuhu.
One of the heaviest responsibilities fell squarely on Tomomu Kanzaki's shoulders.
Current intelligence showed six massive clusters of abominations of abundance scattered across the star sectors the Xianzhou would enter in six months.
Reports indicated that the civilizations on those worlds had already been completely overrun.
Tomomu Kanzaki's mission was to purge the abominations from two of those worlds.
This operation would involve planetary-scale battles and carried grave danger. The Divination Commission's predictions left no room for doubt.
Yet, just as Tomomu Kanzaki had said before:
Home lies right behind us. There is no retreat for anyone.
Danger meant nothing. Even if it became a catastrophe, the Cloud Knights would march forward with the resolve never to fear death and the determination to hunt down every last abomination.
Time was short. The departing Cloud Knights had only two days to rest and prepare.
Half a day of that could be spent returning home to say farewell to loved ones. No one could say for certain whether this departure would be their last.
When Tomomu Kanzaki reached home, he found visitors waiting, familiar faces.
"Yu Huai?"
Not only him, but his daughter Jingliu as well.
"Good evening, Marshal Kanzaki," Jingliu greeted politely, her young face slightly tense.
"Yes, good evening."
Tomomu Kanzaki gave a small nod, then turned his attention back to Yu Huai.
Before he could speak, Qiu Zhiyan entered carrying a plate of fruit. When she saw him, she paused, then forced a smile that did not reach her eyes.
"You have time to come home today?"
The smile hid the worry she could not show in front of guests.
Tomomu Kanzaki had not changed out of his armor. As a former Cloud Knight herself, Qiu Zhiyan understood exactly what it meant.
He was going to war.
"There are urgent matters in the army," he said as gently as he could, keeping his voice steady. "I will not be able to return for at least the next six months."
Qiu Zhiyan's eyes flickered. She was not surprised.
Yu Huai and Jingliu both froze, clearly caught off guard by the news spoken so openly.
"What a coincidence," Yu Huai said quickly. "In a few days, Hui Yu and I will be heading out as diplomatic representatives to Pier Point. We will be away from the Cangcheng for about five months as well."
A diplomatic mission to the Interstellar Peace Corporation headquarters. Tomomu Kanzaki quickly checked the star charts in his mind and confirmed their route would avoid the dangerous sector. He felt a small measure of relief.
"I wish you and your wife a safe journey."
"Haha, thank you. Actually, I have a rather bold favor to ask while I am here."
Yu Huai's tone grew serious.
"For this mission, could I trouble Aunt Qiu to look after Jingliu for a while?"
Qiu Zhiyan answered without hesitation. "Of course."
The child was bright, well-mannered, and endearing.
Jingliu looked up at her father, then at Qiu Zhiyan, and said obediently, "Jingliu will behave."
Yu Huai patted his daughter's head. "Father and Mother will return as soon as we can. Keep up with your studies and help Grandmother Qiu with anything she needs. Understood?"
Jingliu nodded. "Mhm."
Yu Huai turned to Qiu Zhiyan and bowed deeply. "I am sorry to impose on you."
"It is no trouble at all," Qiu Zhiyan replied with a warm smile.
"Marshal Kanzaki, thank you again for watching over this child during the military camp tour."
"No need for thanks between friends," Tomomu Kanzaki said, waving it off lightly.
After seeing Yu Huai and Jingliu off, the house fell quiet once more.
Qiu Zhiyan did not ask right away.
"Mother, I would like some of your noodles," Tomomu Kanzaki said, letting the stern mask of the Marshal slip away in the safety of home.
"Hehe… all right," Qiu Zhiyan answered with a soft laugh and stepped into the kitchen.
Before long, she placed a steaming bowl of noodles in front of him.
She sat across from him, watching her son eat, then asked quietly, "When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Will it truly be six months?"
"That is only a cautious estimate. It could be longer."
Qiu Zhiyan fell silent for a moment, her fingers tracing the edge of the table. "What did the Divination Commission say?"
"It will be dangerous," Tomomu Kanzaki answered honestly.
Qiu Zhiyan said nothing, unable to hide the worry in her eyes.
"Lately I have felt unsettled, as if something重大 is about to happen."
Tomomu Kanzaki knew what his mother wanted to say. She had felt the same way before the battle at Yueque.
"If anything goes wrong, both the Yaoqing and Luofu Cloud Knights will provide immediate support. Besides…"
He looked straight into her eyes.
"I must go."
He did not offer empty words of comfort. To her, they would mean nothing.
Qiu Zhiyan stared at him, momentarily lost for words. In the blood of the Tomomu Family, there had never been room for cowardice.
"Promise me you will come back alive."
"But Mother must also promise me that you will wait for my return."
Qiu Zhiyan blinked, then a gentle, understanding smile appeared on her face.
She understood why her son had said it.
"All right. I promise."
The next day, before dawn, Tomomu Kanzaki finished his preparations.
He took a step back, gave his mother a crisp military salute, then turned and walked out the door.
Qiu Zhiyan stood watching until his star skiff lifted off and vanished into the sky. Her gaze remained fixed on the horizon for a long time.
Above the port, ten thousand ships stood ready.
The Cloud Knights formed perfect ranks, silent and solemn.
Morning light broke through the clouds and glinted off silver armor, casting a cold shine.
Tomomu Kanzaki stepped onto the raised platform. His gaze swept across the countless faces below, and his voice rang out across the entire port.
"This journey is perilous. The worlds we are heading toward have already been destroyed by the Borisin."
"If we do not eliminate them, the Cangcheng will almost certainly face a fully formed abomination coalition once we enter that star sector."
"Should the flames of war reach our ship, our families and friends will all face mortal danger."
"Comrades, we set out on this Hunt expedition for one reason only."
"To protect the home behind us. To protect everyone aboard the Xianzhou. To protect those we hold dear."
Tomomu Kanzaki's voice rose like the clash of steel.
"Do you dare follow me into this danger?"
"We dare!"
Ten thousand voices answered as one, shaking the stars.
"Are you willing to fight for the Cangcheng?"
"We are!"
"Very well. Remember this oath: We are the Cloud Knights. Like clouds covering the sky, we protect the Xianzhou!"
Countless Cloud Knights roared in unison, their voices thundering across the heavens.
"We are the Cloud Knights! Like clouds covering the sky, we protect the Xianzhou!!!"
"The Xianzhou soars! The Cloud Knights are ever victorious!"
"The Xianzhou soars! The Cloud Knights are ever victorious!"
Every face burned with unshakable resolve. Every eye shone with a fighting spirit that refused to yield to death.
Tomomu Kanzaki turned sharply.
"All units, board the ships! Depart!"