Chapter 438: Light And Darkness
"Thank you for everything, Zion," Wendell said as he patted the teenage boy's shoulder. "If you ever need help in the future, just say the word, and I'll be there."
"Thank you, Lord Wendell," Thirteen replied. "I'll see you in the Cygni Continent, three years from now."
The Monarch of the Dvalinn Federation nodded.
The young man shook hands with Wendell, then with the rest of the Thrones of the Dvalinn Federation before walking towards the Leventis Carrier, which he and the 69th Battalion would be riding for their return trip.
As he walked toward the ship, the Soldiers of the Alliance saluted him, showing their respect to their Supreme Commander who had achieved a legendary feat in Pangea.
The 69th Battalion, who was marching behind their Battalion Commander, wearing their light-green military uniforms, couldn't be prouder of themselves for being the subordinates of such a person.
The uniform they had hated in the past now served as the symbol of honor for being part of the Green Lanterns.
This trip to the Rigel Continent had not only shown them the horrors of the Jinns and Majins but also the ability of the human race to persevere against all odds.
As these brave young men and women boarded the Aircraft Carrier, Thirteen couldn't help but sigh, thinking how they had come a long way.
They were no longer the Rookie Soldiers they were when they first landed on the Rigel Continent, but seasoned veterans who had fought in one of the greatest wars in the history of Pangea.
A story that will be commemorated for all time, giving the 69th Battalion a spot in the pages of history.
"Everyone, salute!" Thirteen ordered as he saluted the members of the Alliance who had come to send them off.
The members of the 69th Battalion did as they were told. They lined up at the side of the carrier, saluting their fellow soldiers who had fought alongside them in battle.
Thirteen's gaze landed on the Valkyries who had also come to send them off.
They would return with the Grand and Field Marshal to the Sirius Continent after two days.
When his gaze landed on Shana, the young lady ended her salute and waved at him.
Thirteen smiled faintly and waved back at her.
Viola, Sharon, and Louise also waved back at him, with Sharon even giving him a flying kiss.
The three ladies had already contacted Shana's sister, Rianna, and the four of them decided to create the Zion Fan Club, which made Thirteen's liver itch when he found out about it.
A few minutes later, a loud horn was sounded on the Aircraft Carrier, warning everyone that they were about to set sail.
Slowly but surely, the ship started to move away from the Dvalinn Port.
Their next destination was the Aldebaran Continent.
Arthur and Michael would leave sometime in the afternoon using the Leventis Private Jet, which would allow them to get home faster.
Thirteen knew that the journey through the sea was longer, but he thought that it would be a good idea to spend more time with his subordinates. After all, he wouldn't be able to see them again for some time.
Once he arrived in the Aldebaran Continent, he would ask his Superiors for a temporary leave in order to prepare for his mission in Solterra.
Of course, that was only an excuse.
Thirteen's real goal was to repair the Main Canons of the Nautilus, as well as modify it in preparation for the Jinn Invasion in the Cygni Continent.
He couldn't afford to let other people repair it, so he would have to do it on his own, with the help of the Trolls and Ogres under his command.
Erasmus had also given Thirteen many high-quality Monster Parts, which the teenager planned to give his father, who would then use it to craft weapons and armor for his Monster Army.
When the Dvalinn Port was no longer in sight, Thirteen returned to his quarters with Cristopher and Colbert.
His left and right-hand man would be handling the 69th Battalion on his behalf while he was away, so he planned to give them some training regimen that would keep his soldiers busy.
But just as he was about to talk to the two of them, his communicator made a beeping sound.
Looking at the name that was flashing on the screen, the teenage boy couldn't help but smirk.
"What can I do for you, Lord Douglas?" Thirteen asked as soon as the projection of the Monarch of the Cygni Continent appeared in front of him.
"First and foremost, I would like to congratulate you for a job well done," Douglas replied. "The reason why I called is to let you know that you're always welcome to come here in the Cygni Continent. Just inform me in advance, and I will send my people to personally pick you up.
"We will handle your accommodation, and if you ever have any needs, all you need to do is say them. I hope that when the Jinn Invasion starts in full, you will also lend us your assistance."
Thirteen nodded. "Thank you, Lord Douglas, for your kind words and generosity. I will do my very best to return before the Jinn Invasion begins in the Cygni Continent. I look forward to working with you in the future."
The smile on Douglas' face widened after hearing Zion's positive reply. If possible, he wanted to poach the boy from the Central Government and the Leventis Family.
But he also knew that this was impossible, at least for now.
The most he could do was create a good connection with him so that they would be able to work together in the future.
"By the way, I will be sending a gift to you and your family," Douglas stated. "It will arrive in a few days."
"Thank you, Lord Douglas, for the gift," Thirteen said. "I hope that you and your family will stay in good health."
After a bit more small talk, Douglas finally ended the call.
"The Young Master sure is popular," Colbert, who had become a professional bootlicker, commented as soon as the connection was cut. "The Monarch of the Cygni Continent is already drafting you for the upcoming war.
"If there is one person in Pangea who can do it right, it will be none other than our Young Master. Isn't that right, Cristopher?"
Cristopher nodded. "You're right."
Unlike Colbert, Cristopher didn't feel the need to flatter his Young Master, especially after the two of them had a heart-to-heart talk in the Valbarra Archipelago.
The time they had spent on that god-forsaken land had made Cristopher understand that Thirteen truly trusted him as his subordinate.
In fact, Thirteen trusted him more than he trusted Colbert, allowing Cristopher to know some secrets that the boot licker wasn't aware of.
This trust he received had only strengthened his unwavering loyalty to his Young Master, who had changed his life for the better.
Sometimes, Cristopher would wake up in the morning, thinking that everything that he experienced was just a dream.
There were moments when he thought that he was still serving his former Master, Terrence.
Whenever that happened, a sense of dread and panic would wash over him like a tide. However, those feelings of anxiety didn't last for long because he knew the person whom he wanted to serve all his life.
Just like Thirteen had promised, he had cured Cristopher's mother of her ailment.
Currently, she was undergoing rehabilitation in one of the best medical institutions that belonged to the Leventis Family.
Back then, Cristopher didn't think that he would feel a happiness that would overflow from his heart.
But when his mother hugged him and called his name, he knew then and there that the chaotic world where he lived in, was still very beautiful.