"Commander Yun..." Captain Xiao He of the Royal Fleet's First Squadron approached Yun Yi after speaking with the communications officer.

  Yun Yi was affectionately watching Princess Xiyue, who was captivated by the vast, mesmerizing expanse of space outside the window. Like anyone seeing the stars for the first time, she couldn’t tear her eyes away. Hearing Xiao He’s voice, Yun Yi turned and asked, "What is it?"

  "We’ve lost contact with the base," Xiao He said hesitantly, his tone heavy. "If I’m not mistaken, the base has fallen."

  Yun Yi’s body stiffened. He glanced back at the little girl, who seemed oblivious to the conversation, still gazing out the window in wonder.

  He sighed softly, not saying anything more, but feeling as though something heavy was pressing on his heart. Although he had mentally prepared himself for this moment when leaving the base, the news still struck him like a blow, leaving him with a profound sense of loss.

  "I understand," Yun Yi said, his voice firm, his eyes filled with determination. "We’re still in a dangerous area. We need to get out of here as quickly as possible."

  Xiao He saluted. "Yes, sir!" He returned to his post without another word, but as he turned away, Yun Yi’s sharp eyes caught the glimmer of tears in the middle-aged man’s eyes.

  "Xiyue, it’s time to stop looking and go to bed," Yun Yi said softly, walking over to the princess and gently patting her small shoulder.

  "Meow... just let me look a little longer," the girl pleaded, her spirits high and unwilling to sleep.

  Yun Yi was momentarily puzzled. "What’s 'meow'? Are you a kitten?"

  "Ah?" Xiyue’s face flushed, and she lowered her head, squirming in embarrassment. After a moment, she mumbled, "Meow, you’re teasing me. Mom always said I shouldn’t do that, but I just can’t help it."

  Yun Yi chuckled wryly, surprised that the little girl, raised by the queen herself, had such an adorable quirk. But then again, the queen wasn’t much older, probably in her early thirties, and likely didn’t have much experience raising children.

  "It’s fine, say it if you want to. It’s kind of cute," Yun Yi said with a smile, gently ruffling her hair.

  To his surprise, Xiyue’s face lit up with joy. She looked at him with her big, dark eyes, her expression pure and innocent. "Meow, really? At home, Mom always got upset when I said it, but I just couldn’t stop."

  "Mm, it’s fine. As long as you’re obedient, I won’t mind," Yun Yi said, taking her small hand. "Come on, it’s time to rest. Remember, you have to be a good girl."

  "Meow..." Xiyue nodded vigorously, her face bright with happiness. "Okay, Xiyue will go to sleep now."

  Princess Xiyue seemed quite independent. Without anyone to help her, she bathed herself and obediently climbed into bed, closing her eyes.

  Yun Yi gently closed the door to her room and sighed before returning to his own quarters.

  The base was gone. His last orders were to take care of this little girl. Although Yun Yi had been independent from a young age and wasn’t used to looking after others, Princess Xiyue was well-behaved and sensible, so she didn’t require much attention.

  What worried him was how he would handle it when Xiyue woke up crying for her mother.

  Lying in bed, staring at the white ceiling, Yun Yi found it impossible to sleep.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Memories of the base flooded his mind as if they had happened just yesterday. The kind Zhao Xuanxin, the seemingly cold but caring Solon, the dignified yet compassionate queen, and the comrades who were like brothers to him... Were they still alive?

  Quietly, he thought about the escape plan Zhao Xuanxin had arranged for them.

  If all went well, the fleet would reach the neighboring nation of the Iserlohn Democratic Republic, the Hilvarst Empire. Like the Zhao Song Empire, Hilvarst was a monarchy and had staunchly opposed the coup in Zhao Song. They had even provided significant material and naval support to the Restoration Army. The queen had mentioned that the Hilvarst emperor’s granddaughter had been her classmate and close friend. Though the queen hadn’t mentioned Xiyue for security reasons, her friend had readily agreed to help.

  If they could safely reach the Hilvarst Empire, Yun Yi believed that with the princess’s support, his own talents, and the help of a hundred warships, he could achieve great things. He had already planned to entrust Xiyue to the princess’s care and, together with Xiao He, establish a security company. Once they had built up their strength, they would return to Iserlohn and rebuild the Zhao Song Empire.

  Thinking of the future, Yun Yi couldn’t help but smile. He silently vowed to himself that he would be the one to restore the Zhao Song Empire to its former glory.

  In his half-asleep state, Yun Yi dreamed of commanding countless warships, charging into the Iserlohn Democratic Republic. Just as he was about to execute the evil dictator Zagu, the man suddenly began to wail, emitting a piercing "woo woo" sound.

  "Woo... woo..."

  Yun Yi jolted awake, realizing that the sound wasn’t Zagu’s crying in his dream but the alarm blaring throughout the ship.

  "Something’s wrong!"

  Yun Yi quickly dressed and rushed out of his room, activating his communicator as he went. "Captain Xiao, what’s happening?"

  "Commander Yun, I was just about to contact you. Please come to the command room immediately. We’ve detected a large number of government warships ahead."

  Yun Yi’s heart sank. He closed the communicator and hesitated for a moment outside Xiyue’s room but decided not to check on her. Instead, he hurried to the command room.

  As soon as he left, the door to Xiyue’s room creaked open, revealing a small, frightened face peeking out.

  "Commander Yun, the situation is dire," Xiao He said grimly as Yun Yi entered the command room. "Take a look at the star map."

  Yun Yi’s eyes turned to the large screen on the wall, and his face paled.

  Ahead of the fleet were no fewer than two thousand warships. From their models and insignia, it was clear they belonged to the government forces.

  "Why are there two government fleets here? Did they not send all their forces to the base?" Yun Yi wondered, glancing at Xiao He’s troubled expression. A thought struck him: "Could it be that the enemy knew about our movements?"

  Xiao He’s face darkened, and he snapped, "Commander Yun, what are you implying? My loyalty to the queen and the empire is beyond question. Don’t make baseless accusations."

  Yun Yi didn’t respond, simply meeting Xiao He’s gaze.

  "I know our fleet’s movements were highly confidential. Only the deputy squadron leader, the chief of staff, and I knew the exact route. All three of us have been with the base for nearly ten years. We’re comrades who can be trusted completely!"

  Xiao He’s words were firm, filled with conviction.

  Hearing this, Yun Yi’s doubts wavered, but his expression remained unchanged. He gave Xiao He a meaningful look and walked to the front of the command room, addressing the communications officer. "Can we establish contact with the enemy?"

  The officer hesitated, glancing at Xiao He, who nodded coldly. He knew what Yun Yi was planning but, confident in his own innocence, didn’t object.

  The connection was soon established, and a face Xiao He knew all too well appeared on the screen.

  "General Mitras? Why are you here?"

  Unlike Xiao He’s shock and fear, Yun Yi recognized the man immediately and stepped aside to avoid being seen. This was Mitras, the chief of staff for the base’s defense, a man whose authority was second only to Zhao Xuanxin and a few others.

  "Ah, Xiao He, it’s been a while," Mitras said with a laugh. His round face and portly frame were unmistakable as he lounged in the command chair of his flagship, sipping coffee. "Where are you off to in such a hurry, Commander Xiao?"

  Xiao He’s face twisted with anger. "General Mitras, tell me why you’re on an enemy ship!"

  Mitras chuckled, shaking his head. "This isn’t an enemy ship. It’s my flagship. Let me enlighten you. Although I’ve been in your pathetic little base, holding a high position, I’ve actually been Zagu’s closest ally. Long before you fled, Zagu sent me with a small force of elite government troops to infiltrate your ranks and lay low. It’s hilarious how that old fool Zhao scattered my men across different units to keep an eye on us. Well, now I’ve got my hands on almost all the base’s intelligence. Haha... I wonder if the old man would’ve died of anger if he’d known?"

  "Oh, and I forgot to tell you. Five hours ago, Zhao and that queen of yours, always hiding behind her veil, blew up the Phoenix Sky. By now, there’s probably nothing left of them. Haha..."