Chapter 1298: Returning to the Daikong Star Alliance (2)

In the reception room of the Daikong Star Alliance ship, Aolana and Tuowake sat on the sofa, with two cups of hot tea placed before them.

Latin sat opposite them, his three eyes filled with deep emotion.

"Ms. Aolana, how have you all been getting by during this time?"

Aolana picked up her teacup and took a gentle sip.

"Not good. But not too bad either. We had food and shelter, and were not mistreated. We were just locked up and couldn't go out."

Latin nodded.

"Guilliman, did he give you any trouble?"

Aolana shook her head.

"No. He only asked some questions, about the Fengqi Star Alliance, about our delegation. No interrogation, no threats."

Latin was silent for a second.

"That man Guilliman, he is not simple. When we negotiated with him, it felt like talking to a precise machine. Every sentence, every condition, was calculated clearly."

Aolana nodded.

"Yes. He is not simple."

Latin looked at Tuowake.

"Academician Tuowake, what about you? How was it on your end?"

Tuowake set down his teacup.

"On my end? Just locked up, reading books, thinking about things. Their guards didn't talk much, but they weren't fierce either."

Latin nodded.

"That's good. That's good."

He stood up.

"You should rest first. It will still take two days to reach the Capital Star. If you need anything, call me at any time."

Aolana and Tuowake stood up.

"Thank you."

After Latin left, only Aolana and Tuowake remained in the reception room.

The two were silent for a long time.

Then Tuowake said in a low voice.

"He believed it."

Aolana nodded.

"Believed it. At least on the surface, he believed it."

Tuowake asked.

"What next?"

Aolana looked at the unfamiliar starry sky outside the window.

"Next, it is acting. Act well as Aolana, act well as Tuowake, act well as every diplomat. Wait for them to lower their guard, wait for them to trust us, wait for that 'someday'."

Tuowake was silent for a few seconds.

"You say, that 'someday', when will it be?"

Aolana shook her head.

"I don't know. But no matter when, we must be prepared."

She picked up her teacup and drank the remaining tea in one gulp.

"Now, rest. Once we reach the Capital Star, there will be even harder roles to play."

Tuowake nodded.

The two returned to their respective cabins.

Daikong Star Alliance Capital Star, Olivia.

At this moment, the entire planet was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

The Olivia main Starport had entered the highest-level reception state since early morning.

In the Starport plaza, tens of thousands of citizens gathered spontaneously, waving the flags of the Daikong Star Alliance in their hands.

Huge welcome banners hung on the buildings around the plaza, with words like "Welcome Home," "Heroes Return," and "Daikong Unyielding" written on them.

In the berthing area of the Starport, Diplomatic Commissioner Kewake stood at the very front.

Behind him stood General Serafen, the military representative; Doctor Tailanisi, the scientific research representative; Vitas, the trade representative; and Zuola, the Minister of Intelligence.

Further back were dozens of high-ranking officials and diplomatic personnel, all dressed in formal attire with solemn expressions.

Kewake checked the time. Ten minutes left.

"Where has Latin's fleet reached?" he asked.

Zuola looked at the Data Pad in his hand.

"It has already entered orbit and is descending. Expected to reach the berth in eight minutes."

Kewake nodded and took a deep breath.

Serafen stood beside him and said in a low voice.

"Commissioner, you are nervous."

Kewake glanced at him.

"Are you not nervous?"

"A little. But more than that... curious."

"Curious about what?"

Serafen watched the ship landing in the distance.

"I'm curious about what they actually experienced over at the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance. We have already agreed to Guilliman's conditions. We can learn some things about the internal affairs of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance through them."

Kewake did not respond.

He glanced at Zuola behind him.

Zuola's expression was calm, revealing no emotion.

Eight minutes later, a silver-gray ship slowly landed on the berth.

The hatch opened, and the first to walk out was Latin.

He walked up to Kewake, stood at attention, and saluted.

"Commissioner, the retrieval Task is complete. The Daikong Star Alliance diplomatic mission, twenty-three people, all brought back."

Kewake nodded and patted his shoulder.

"You've worked hard, Latin."

Latin stepped aside to clear the path.

Inside the hatch, Aolana was the first to walk out.

She was wearing the diplomatic attire of the Daikong Star Alliance; the silver-gray uniform was slightly wrinkled but still neat.

Her gaze swept across the crowd in the plaza, and then, she stepped down the gangway.

Behind her, Tuowake and the other twenty-one Diplomats filed out.

A thunderous cheer erupted in the plaza.

"Aolana! Aolana!"

"Hero! The hero has returned!"

"Daikong is unyielding! Long live Daikong!"

Aolana walked up to Kewake and bowed slightly.

"Commissioner, I have returned."

"It is good to be back. It is good to be back."

Kewake reached out and took Aolana's hand.

"You have suffered."

Aolana shook her head.

"Not suffering. Just... missed home."

Kewake nodded and turned to Tuowake.

"Academician Tuowake, you have also worked hard."

Tuowake bowed slightly.

"Commissioner, it is my honor to serve the Star Alliance."

Kewake patted his shoulder and then turned to the twenty-one Diplomats behind him.

"Everyone, welcome home. The Daikong Star Alliance is proud of you."

The cheers in the plaza rose again.

Serafen stepped forward and looked at Aolana.

"Ms. Aolana, over at the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, did they give you a hard time?"

Aolana shook her head.

"No. We had food and shelter, and were not mistreated. We were just locked up and couldn't go out."

Serafen nodded.

"That's good. That's good."

Tailanisi walked over and looked at Tuowake.

"Academician Tuowake, did you see the scientific research facilities over there?"

Tuowake thought for a moment.

"I saw some. But not many."

Tailanisi nodded.

"Understandable. After all, we are Alien... we are outsiders."

Vitas also walked over, his face full of smiles.

"Ms. Aolana, Academician Tuowake, welcome back! I have arranged a banquet tonight to welcome you home!"

Aolana responded with a smile.

"Your Excellency Vitas, you are too kind."

Vitas waved his hand.

"Not at all! It is only right! We have all seen the suffering you endured for the Star Alliance!"

Kewake walked to the podium in the center of the plaza, and the loudspeaker carried his voice across the entire plaza.

"Citizens! Today is a day worth remembering! Our diplomatic mission, after being detained for a long time by the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, has finally returned to their homeland!"

Thunderous cheers erupted in the plaza.

Kewake raised his hand to signal for quiet.

"During their detention, they faced powerful Alien Races and unknown fates, yet they never yielded! They maintained the dignity of the Daikong people and the honor of the Daikong Star Alliance! They are heroes! They are an example for us all!"

The cheers erupted again.

Kewake turned to face Aolana and the others.

"Ms. Aolana, Academician Tuowake, and all the Diplomats, on behalf of the Daikong Star Alliance Supreme Committee and all Daikong citizens, I extend to you our highest respects!"

He bowed deeply.

The officials behind him also bowed at the same time.