Yun Yi was momentarily stunned. If he made this oath, his entire life would no longer be his own. He would be bound to this vow, dedicating his life to its fulfillment.

  Yun Yi had no objection to overthrowing the Iserlohn government and reestablishing the Zhao Song Empire. Similarly, killing Zagu and eliminating the government forces were his own desires. However, he didn’t want to tie his entire life to a goal that, for now, seemed so distant and unattainable.

  In Yun Yi’s heart, he had already begun to despise war. He hated the war that had taken his family, his comrades, and his friends. What he yearned for most was freedom—to live freely, unbound by anyone’s control, free to do what he wished, and to enjoy a peaceful, unrestrained life. That was his dream.

  But, in the end, it was just a dream.

  The debts of vengeance for his parents, his little sister, the gratitude he owed to the Zhao Song Empire, the heavy responsibilities entrusted to him by Zhao Xuanxin and the queen…

  The debts of vengeance must be repaid!

  The debts of gratitude must be fulfilled!

  After only a moment’s hesitation, Yun Yi opened his mouth to swear, "I swear, with all my life, I will—"

  "Stop!"

  A voice interrupted Yun Yi’s oath. It was the queen herself.

  "Uncle, please don’t make Yun Yi swear such an oath." The queen wiped away her tears and led Princess Xiyue to stand before Yun Yi and Zhao Xuanxin. She reached out and straightened the collar of Yun Yi’s military uniform, ignoring their shocked expressions, and said softly, "Our Zhao Song Empire has existed for over 800 years since its founding by Emperor Taizu. Countless people have devoted their lives to this country, working tirelessly, sacrificing everything. If the heavens have decreed that this empire must fall, then let me be its last ruler. Uncle, please don’t burden others with this heavy responsibility, alright? Yun Yi, your task is simply to live well and give Xiyue a happy family, to let her live a joyful life… Can you promise me that?"

  The queen’s words left Yun Yi and Zhao Xuanxin utterly stunned. Zhao Xuanxin, who had dedicated his life to the empire, had never considered the queen’s own feelings. He never imagined she would feel this way. Zhao Xuanxin fell silent. From the queen’s perspective, all of this was indeed a shackle, a chain that bound everyone tightly.

  "Ah…" Zhao Xuanxin said nothing more. In that moment, he seemed to have aged significantly.

  "Yun Yi." The queen spoke softly, handing him a card. "This is a universal bank card, opened in Xiyue’s name. It contains the remaining assets of the royal family and the Restoration Army. I hope you can use it wisely. When you are able, please use it to help the people who once lived under the empire’s rule, alright?"

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Yun Yi took the card, feeling as though this thin piece of exotic alloy weighed as much as a mountain. It wasn’t just a card filled with untold wealth; it also carried the last empress’s care and love for her people, even though they were no longer hers.

  Carefully storing the bank card, Yun Yi looked bravely into the queen’s eyes and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I promise I will take good care of Princess Xiyue and give her a happy family. In the future, when I am able, I will help the people of every inch of land that was once under the empire’s rule. I swear, I will do it!"

  Though the queen’s face was hidden behind her veil, Yun Yi could almost see the beautiful smile that spread across it.

  "Thank you, Yun Yi," the queen said softly. "Time is running out. Take Xiyue and leave immediately. Oh, and there’s one more thing I need to ask of you." She took out a letter from her robe and handed it to Yun Yi. "Please deliver this letter to Xiyue’s father… if you can find him."

  Yun Yi didn’t understand why the queen said this. Taking the letter, he asked, "Your Majesty, where should I look for her father?"

  The queen gave a bitter smile. "I don’t know. The only clue to her father’s identity is the necklace she wears. Don’t worry too much about it. If the heavens will it, you may meet him. That’s all."

  With everything settled, it was time to part.

  The soldiers sent to escort Yun Yi had arrived. Standing at the palace gates, Yun Yi saluted the three figures watching him, then turned and led Princess Xiyue into the hovercar without looking back, afraid that if he did, he wouldn’t be able to hold back his tears.

  "Commander Yun, your mecha has already been transported to this ship. I am Xiao He, captain of the Royal Fleet’s First Squadron, at your command."

  After the hovercar arrived at the spaceport, Yun Yi quickly boarded the ship Zhao Xuanxin had told him about. In the command room, he met the squadron captain responsible for protecting their escape.

  "Captain Xiao, when can we depart?"

  Xiao He had already received Zhao Xuanxin’s secret orders and had everything prepared. Hearing Yun Yi’s question, he immediately replied, "Commander Yun, everything is ready. We can depart at any time."

  "Then let’s go, the sooner the better!"

  While the entire base was frantically preparing to resist the enemy, the hundred ships of the Royal Fleet’s First Squadron, the most elite force, quietly left the spaceport. This action immediately caused panic among those who saw it, and rumors spread that the queen had abandoned them.

  Just as the unrest was about to escalate, the queen, along with Commander Zhao Xuanxin and Captain Solon, appeared at the spaceport. In full view of everyone, they boarded the Phoenix Sky and declared that the queen herself would lead the Royal Fleet into battle against the invading government forces. They also expressed that if the Royal Fleet were defeated, those remaining in the base could choose to surrender.

  After this speech, the morale of the entire base soared. Everyone resolved to fight to the death, refusing to live in shame!

  Watching the high spirits of the base and the fleet, the queen gazed in the direction where the First Squadron had departed and whispered, "My daughter, I hope you can leave safely. This is the only thing I can do for you. Perhaps it will buy you a little more time."

  On November 11, 5239 of the Universal Calendar, the fleet of the Iserlohn Democratic Republic arrived at the last stronghold of the Zhao Song Empire. After ten hours of fierce resistance by the empire’s remaining forces, the government forces suffered heavy casualties but ultimately succeeded in capturing the base. In the final moments, the queen and Commander Zhao Xuanxin detonated their flagship. Thus, the Zhao Song Empire, which had dominated the Fengzhou Star Domain for over 800 years, was utterly destroyed.