Chapter 135: Welcome
“The Orline Empire…?”
Emma stared at the fleet approaching across the horizon.
The flags above its ships confirmed the announcement.
“Noah, the attacks have stopped.”
The Orline Empire hadn’t yet entered the war.
Neither side’s commander could casually ignore a warning that further gunfire would bring another great power into the conflict.
One after another, the guns fell silent.
The two surviving Lunoa battleships passed through the enemy formation.
We had escaped, but the cost was severe.
All seven of the cruisers and destroyers that had accompanied the battleships were gone.
“At least the two battleships survived,” Emma said. “But why did the Orline navy mobilize for us?”
“I don’t know. For now, we should be grateful that they stopped the battle.”
“Do you think the Orline Empire intends to join the war?”
“We won’t know until we speak with them.”
Still carrying Emma, I flew toward the Orline fleet.
A man on the deck of one of the warships noticed us and raised his hand.
“Major General Willard!”
“General Tokel?”
The man welcoming us was General Tokel, whom I had met during the recent diplomatic visit.
He was an army general, so I hadn’t expected to find him aboard an imperial warship.
“It hasn’t been long, General Tokel.”
“Haha! Indeed. I didn’t expect our next meeting to be under circumstances like these.”
We landed on the deck.
“You saved us,” I said. “We had already prepared ourselves for annihilation.”
“When I saw the two of you flying alone, I understood that the situation was grave,” General Tokel replied. “Fortunately, we arrived before the remaining battleships were sunk. I regret that we couldn’t save the other ships.”
“Saving the battleships was already more than we could have asked for.”
“There’s no need for thanks. Helping one another is only natural between allies.”
General Tokel smiled.
“We intend to escort the Lunoa fleet safely into the Orline Empire. Will you accept?”
“Of course. We would be deeply grateful.”
“Then please board our ship. We have prepared rooms where you and Her Highness can rest.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
His assistance was extraordinarily thorough.
I couldn’t help wondering why General Tokel had personally come with the fleet or what the Orline Empire expected in return.
For the moment, however, I accepted his goodwill.
The surviving sailors needed safety and rest before anything else.