No Money to Divorce

“One of our informants in the Glory Military Command took the risk to send this to us,” Zhong Yan quickly spoke into the terminal. “I passed the picture to you. It’s in…”

“I saw it.” Adrian was walking in the Headquarter’s hallway in a quick stride. Without hanging up the call, he went straight into the meeting room and continued to ask, “The current question is, is the military command of Glory the only one that has received this notice, or all of them?”

All the officers at the table stopped talking. They received an emergency call from Adrian to gather, but they didn’t know what the reason was. At this moment, when they heard Adrian talking to some unknown person, they were all listening closely.

Zhong Yan spoke, sounding battered, “I don’t know…I’ve already told all my contacts to check, but it’s mainly because the military commands and the council houses are two separate institutions, so I can only rely on my men within the military commands. But I don’t have many of those…The Glory System isn’t situated in a very important position. The rankings of the two universities participating in the joint protest in the Glory System are also relatively low in the rankings. There’s nothing special about it, so it’s reasonable to speculate that all military commands have received the orders.”

“I think so too. I’ll settle this meeting first. You go quickly pack up your language, and help me take out my emergency travel case too. It’s at the bottom of the closet. Remember to check all the doors and windows, you might not have the time later.”

Zhong Yan did not ask why. If the capital has already decided to use force to suppress the protests, then there’s no way Adrian would just stand idly by, not would he try to persuade him not to under such circumstances. Adrian had originally said he wanted to have dinner together with Zhong Yan tonight after coming home from work before sending him off in his ship, but it seems now that Zhong Yan may be rushing straight out as soon as he returns.

“Alright, we’ll keep in touch.” Zhong Yan said simply and hung up the call.

All the officers thought that Adrian was talking to someone from the intelligence department, all of them looked at each other when he told the other person to check the doors and windows at the back. They all realized that it was Zhong Yan.

When Adrian introduced the secret report he had just received to all the senior officers in the room, everyone was shocked.

“So the Capital has finally decided to use force?” One officer said, “That’s not right…The Capital’s council house has no military rights. Only ‘Butterfly’ has the rights to mobilize the troops. Seems like it really has gone mad.”

Another officer spoke up calmly and objectively, “It will not necessarily have a bad effect. It’s been centuries. For ordinary civilians, besides troops being sent out for rescue missions during major natural disasters, the only significance of the military commands’ existence is just as a precaution to other cosmic civilizations that nobody knows exist or not. The people have already forgotten that those weapons can also be used against mankind. The use of military force to suppress the people of our generation is a huge threat. Many people will be throw down their banners just because of this.”

“Who says the council has no say on the military commands? The supreme commanders of each military command only go to see ‘Butterfly’ once a year—our own supreme commander hasn’t even gone once—while those radical representative members can work in ‘Butterfly’s’ office every single day. Who knows whose idea it was? Anyway, the AI has no differences with any other normal human these days, right? I don’t even know if this is an evolution or degradation.”

“So, should we assemble our troops and head to Glory?”

“I don’t think we’ll make it. As soon as we have a large-scale military forces sent out, the entire world will know. It will take the Glory Military Command’s troops at least half an hour to arrive at the school after receiving the news, but we’ll need at least four.”

“We don’t even know if their orders are to move against all the participating schools at once. If all the military commands have received the order, then it’s impossible for us to split out troops all over the Federation, right?”

“Whatever it is,” Adrian said, “if we can’t make the first move since they’re closer than us, we just have to go by force. Put out the order right now. Assemble the first to the third regiment, and tell the entire military command to hold standby.”

Three officers sitting below sat up and saluted, “Yes!”

At this moment, the intelligence officer who had been nervously confirming the news from all sides suddenly said, “Commander! We have received a message from that person. It has been confirmed that the second and third military commands have received similar orders. We can just about ascertain that all the military commands under ‘Butterfly’s’ jurisdiction have received the order. That person also said…”

Adrian frowned. “What do you mean ‘that person’? Does he not have a name?”

The intelligence officer had been reporting to him this way for the past two years. Now that the ban on that name has been lifted, he couldn’t get used to it. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and said, “I’m sorry, I mean Sir Zhong. Sir Zhong had also said that all military commands near the Capital have already gathered their troops. All news from a reliable source.”

Adrian froze. A quick-tempered officer was first to speak. “What is the Capital gathering their troops for? There aren’t even any movements in the schools nearby the Capital.”

“The Supreme Institution does not belong to a star system. It is a directly administered planet,” Adrian spoke as if he were mumbling to himself, “The Supreme Institution is the initiator, so they want to cut them up as an example for the rest.”

Three hasty knocks sounded from the door. Under the state where they were prepared for battle, the orderly can meet the commander in chief directly without notification. The soldier entered and saluted. “Commander, all troops in the first to the third regiments have been assembled!”

Adrian quickly stood up and ordered, “Tell them to pull out of the camp and standby at the border. Our goal is the Federation’s Supreme Institution.”

As the roar of the small spacecraft’s engine came closer, Zhong Yan had already packed up his luggage and waited by yard.

Adrian and one of the guards jumped down from the vehicle that had yet to land. They took the suitcases in Zhong Yan’s hands, and the last was Adrian’s emergency luggage. He picked it up himself and found it heavier than he last remembered it. He couldn’t help but give the trunk a few extra glances. Zhong Yan could tell his suspicion. He looked awkwardly at the guard beside him before explaining in a whisper, “I packed you a few extra sets of clothes. You only have a thin coat inside. I was worried you’d get cold.”

He was afraid that Adrian Yate, the strongest human soldier that can fight in the most extreme environments would be afraid of the cold? The guard nearly fell down when he heard his words. He looed over in fright, just to see Adrian’s sharp warning gaze, and immediately moved his sight away. Just lower your head and look away, just pretend you’re both blind and deaf.

“Thank you dearest. You’re right, I packed this luggage during the summer.” While saying that, Adrian and his guard loaded the luggage onto the ship. The giant space rabbit’s food bowl was filled up, and the small rabbit had been entrusted to the steak shop’s owner. At the very last, Zhong Yan opened his terminal to check whether all the switches in the home were turned off before boarding the spacecraft.

Everything happened so suddenly that they didn’t have time for sad goodbyes. Zhong Yan had immediately started asking about their next plans as soon as he sat down because he was going to return to the Capital, and Adrian was getting ready to lead his troops to the Institution Star. They were both going different ways.

“You can follow my fleet for now. Once we leave Lebor, there will be a ship that can take you to the Capital.” Adrian said, “I picked out six men to go with you. They will be your temporary bodyguards.”

Zhong Yan said, “Wouldn’t that be too eye-catching?”

“If that is how it has to be. Your safety is important.” Adrian went on, “When it has all come to this, the Capital is now the most dangerous place you can be. The identities of those men are all based in Navi. AI has no control over them. They’re the best picks if you think about it.”

After exchanging what they knew of the current situation and reconfirming their respective follow-up plans, the ship had already docked in the warship. Adrian and Zhong Yan stepped off the vehicle side by side when someone immediately came to them. Adrian ordered, “Bring Sir Zhong’s luggage into the ship prepared for him. Notify the army to set off immediately for the Institution Star.”

Zhong Yan was shocked, but he did not say anything in front of Adrian’s subordinates. Once everyone had left, Zhong Yan hurriedly said, “You’re sending out your troops now? But the Capital’s troops haven’t even moved yet.”

“It’ll be too late when they move. The Capital is much closer to the Institution Star than we are.”

“Once you leave Lebor, the Capital won’t be the only one receiving the message. The entire Federation will hear of it. You won’t be able to hide this. Have you ever thought, just in case, that the Capital will pull back after hearing news of your arrival? They would rather sacrifice the Institution Star if it means being able to ruin your reputation. How are you going to explain to the world why you sent your troops to the Institution Star? Even if they did set their troops out, they can also say that they were just stopping you…”

“Then I just don’t have to explain.” Adrian was calm. “Compared to my reputation, the safety of the teachers and students in the Institution Star are more important to me.”

Zhong Yan opened his mouth but said nothing in the end. He just nodded and headed for the temporary waiting room.

But for him to give up persuading him again took Adrian by surprise. He was also worried whether Zhong Yan was angry with him. But the army had just set sail, there was too much to worry about. He didn’t have the time to ask Zhong Yan about his feelings, and headed straight to work.

Two hours later, the ship going full speed ahead had already arrived at Lebor’s border. After leaving Lebor, they will be exposed within “Butterfly’s” monitoring area. Then, there is no turning back. Whether they win or lose, this will be written down in the history books. Adrian Yate will become the very man to end peace after centuries of peace in the world of man.

Adrian walked in the hallway of the warship in his black and gold military uniform. at this moment, all the soldiers in the fleet were concentrated in the great hall of the warship, waiting for him to appear and give his speech.

He happened to bump into Zhong Yan right outside. Zhong Yan had already changed into a sleek formal suit, and without waiting for Adrian to speak, he said, “I’ll be going now.”

At the very last moment, Adrian couldn’t think of anything to say. His heart churned, but in the end, he said, “I wish you luck.”

Zhong Yan nodded and accepted his blessing before continuing, “I’ve just contacted the Supreme Institution. They will be issuing a statement that will be posted in a few minutes.”

“You…What statement?”

“The statement that the Institution Star is officially leaving the Capital and entering Navi, and requesting the Navi Military Command to send their troops over immediately.”

Adrian was shocked in place. Zhong Yan looked at him and said firmly, “I won’t let your name be tarnished. Your name shouldn’t be written down in the history books like that.”

Turns out that was what he was busy with earlier…Adrian felt his throat bob and he couldn’t hold back the emotions within his heart. He came closer and held Zhong Yan tightly in his arms. On the marching fleet, the Supreme Commander’s behavior should be firm and serious. But the oath-taking rally has yet to begin. He still had a few moments to himself.

After a few seconds, Zhong Yan gently pushed him away.

“I’ll be late. And you too.” Zhong Yan’s voice was light.

He carefully smoothed out the collar of Adrian’s uniform before taking in the sight of his silver eyes. He said solemnly, “Commander Yate, I too wish you a fateful battle.”

“One of our informants in the Glory Military Command took the risk to send this to us,” Zhong Yan quickly spoke into the terminal. “I passed the picture to you. It’s in…”

“I saw it.” Adrian was walking in the Headquarter’s hallway in a quick stride. Without hanging up the call, he went straight into the meeting room and continued to ask, “The current question is, is the military command of Glory the only one that has received this notice, or all of them?”

All the officers at the table stopped talking. They received an emergency call from Adrian to gather, but they didn’t know what the reason was. At this moment, when they heard Adrian talking to some unknown person, they were all listening closely.

Zhong Yan spoke, sounding battered, “I don’t know…I’ve already told all my contacts to check, but it’s mainly because the military commands and the council houses are two separate institutions, so I can only rely on my men within the military commands. But I don’t have many of those…The Glory System isn’t situated in a very important position. The rankings of the two universities participating in the joint protest in the Glory System are also relatively low in the rankings. There’s nothing special about it, so it’s reasonable to speculate that all military commands have received the orders.”

“I think so too. I’ll settle this meeting first. You go quickly pack up your language, and help me take out my emergency travel case too. It’s at the bottom of the closet. Remember to check all the doors and windows, you might not have the time later.”

Zhong Yan did not ask why. If the capital has already decided to use force to suppress the protests, then there’s no way Adrian would just stand idly by, not would he try to persuade him not to under such circumstances. Adrian had originally said he wanted to have dinner together with Zhong Yan tonight after coming home from work before sending him off in his ship, but it seems now that Zhong Yan may be rushing straight out as soon as he returns.

“Alright, we’ll keep in touch.” Zhong Yan said simply and hung up the call.

All the officers thought that Adrian was talking to someone from the intelligence department, all of them looked at each other when he told the other person to check the doors and windows at the back. They all realized that it was Zhong Yan.

When Adrian introduced the secret report he had just received to all the senior officers in the room, everyone was shocked.

“So the Capital has finally decided to use force?” One officer said, “That’s not right…The Capital’s council house has no military rights. Only ‘Butterfly’ has the rights to mobilize the troops. Seems like it really has gone mad.”

Another officer spoke up calmly and objectively, “It will not necessarily have a bad effect. It’s been centuries. For ordinary civilians, besides troops being sent out for rescue missions during major natural disasters, the only significance of the military commands’ existence is just as a precaution to other cosmic civilizations that nobody knows exist or not. The people have already forgotten that those weapons can also be used against mankind. The use of military force to suppress the people of our generation is a huge threat. Many people will be throw down their banners just because of this.”

“Who says the council has no say on the military commands? The supreme commanders of each military command only go to see ‘Butterfly’ once a year—our own supreme commander hasn’t even gone once—while those radical representative members can work in ‘Butterfly’s’ office every single day. Who knows whose idea it was? Anyway, the AI has no differences with any other normal human these days, right? I don’t even know if this is an evolution or degradation.”

“So, should we assemble our troops and head to Glory?”

“I don’t think we’ll make it. As soon as we have a large-scale military forces sent out, the entire world will know. It will take the Glory Military Command’s troops at least half an hour to arrive at the school after receiving the news, but we’ll need at least four.”

“We don’t even know if their orders are to move against all the participating schools at once. If all the military commands have received the order, then it’s impossible for us to split out troops all over the Federation, right?”

“Whatever it is,” Adrian said, “if we can’t make the first move since they’re closer than us, we just have to go by force. Put out the order right now. Assemble the first to the third regiment, and tell the entire military command to hold standby.”

Three officers sitting below sat up and saluted, “Yes!”

At this moment, the intelligence officer who had been nervously confirming the news from all sides suddenly said, “Commander! We have received a message from that person. It has been confirmed that the second and third military commands have received similar orders. We can just about ascertain that all the military commands under ‘Butterfly’s’ jurisdiction have received the order. That person also said…”

Adrian frowned. “What do you mean ‘that person’? Does he not have a name?”

The intelligence officer had been reporting to him this way for the past two years. Now that the ban on that name has been lifted, he couldn’t get used to it. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and said, “I’m sorry, I mean Sir Zhong. Sir Zhong had also said that all military commands near the Capital have already gathered their troops. All news from a reliable source.”

Adrian froze. A quick-tempered officer was first to speak. “What is the Capital gathering their troops for? There aren’t even any movements in the schools nearby the Capital.”

“The Supreme Institution does not belong to a star system. It is a directly administered planet,” Adrian spoke as if he were mumbling to himself, “The Supreme Institution is the initiator, so they want to cut them up as an example for the rest.”

Three hasty knocks sounded from the door. Under the state where they were prepared for battle, the orderly can meet the commander in chief directly without notification. The soldier entered and saluted. “Commander, all troops in the first to the third regiments have been assembled!”

Adrian quickly stood up and ordered, “Tell them to pull out of the camp and standby at the border. Our goal is the Federation’s Supreme Institution.”

As the roar of the small spacecraft’s engine came closer, Zhong Yan had already packed up his luggage and waited by yard.

Adrian and one of the guards jumped down from the vehicle that had yet to land. They took the suitcases in Zhong Yan’s hands, and the last was Adrian’s emergency luggage. He picked it up himself and found it heavier than he last remembered it. He couldn’t help but give the trunk a few extra glances. Zhong Yan could tell his suspicion. He looked awkwardly at the guard beside him before explaining in a whisper, “I packed you a few extra sets of clothes. You only have a thin coat inside. I was worried you’d get cold.”

He was afraid that Adrian Yate, the strongest human soldier that can fight in the most extreme environments would be afraid of the cold? The guard nearly fell down when he heard his words. He looed over in fright, just to see Adrian’s sharp warning gaze, and immediately moved his sight away. Just lower your head and look away, just pretend you’re both blind and deaf.

“Thank you dearest. You’re right, I packed this luggage during the summer.” While saying that, Adrian and his guard loaded the luggage onto the ship. The giant space rabbit’s food bowl was filled up, and the small rabbit had been entrusted to the steak shop’s owner. At the very last, Zhong Yan opened his terminal to check whether all the switches in the home were turned off before boarding the spacecraft.

Everything happened so suddenly that they didn’t have time for sad goodbyes. Zhong Yan had immediately started asking about their next plans as soon as he sat down because he was going to return to the Capital, and Adrian was getting ready to lead his troops to the Institution Star. They were both going different ways.

“You can follow my fleet for now. Once we leave Lebor, there will be a ship that can take you to the Capital.” Adrian said, “I picked out six men to go with you. They will be your temporary bodyguards.”

Zhong Yan said, “Wouldn’t that be too eye-catching?”

“If that is how it has to be. Your safety is important.” Adrian went on, “When it has all come to this, the Capital is now the most dangerous place you can be. The identities of those men are all based in Navi. AI has no control over them. They’re the best picks if you think about it.”

After exchanging what they knew of the current situation and reconfirming their respective follow-up plans, the ship had already docked in the warship. Adrian and Zhong Yan stepped off the vehicle side by side when someone immediately came to them. Adrian ordered, “Bring Sir Zhong’s luggage into the ship prepared for him. Notify the army to set off immediately for the Institution Star.”

Zhong Yan was shocked, but he did not say anything in front of Adrian’s subordinates. Once everyone had left, Zhong Yan hurriedly said, “You’re sending out your troops now? But the Capital’s troops haven’t even moved yet.”

“It’ll be too late when they move. The Capital is much closer to the Institution Star than we are.”

“Once you leave Lebor, the Capital won’t be the only one receiving the message. The entire Federation will hear of it. You won’t be able to hide this. Have you ever thought, just in case, that the Capital will pull back after hearing news of your arrival? They would rather sacrifice the Institution Star if it means being able to ruin your reputation. How are you going to explain to the world why you sent your troops to the Institution Star? Even if they did set their troops out, they can also say that they were just stopping you…”

“Then I just don’t have to explain.” Adrian was calm. “Compared to my reputation, the safety of the teachers and students in the Institution Star are more important to me.”

Zhong Yan opened his mouth but said nothing in the end. He just nodded and headed for the temporary waiting room.

But for him to give up persuading him again took Adrian by surprise. He was also worried whether Zhong Yan was angry with him. But the army had just set sail, there was too much to worry about. He didn’t have the time to ask Zhong Yan about his feelings, and headed straight to work.

Two hours later, the ship going full speed ahead had already arrived at Lebor’s border. After leaving Lebor, they will be exposed within “Butterfly’s” monitoring area. Then, there is no turning back. Whether they win or lose, this will be written down in the history books. Adrian Yate will become the very man to end peace after centuries of peace in the world of man.

Adrian walked in the hallway of the warship in his black and gold military uniform. at this moment, all the soldiers in the fleet were concentrated in the great hall of the warship, waiting for him to appear and give his speech.

He happened to bump into Zhong Yan right outside. Zhong Yan had already changed into a sleek formal suit, and without waiting for Adrian to speak, he said, “I’ll be going now.”

At the very last moment, Adrian couldn’t think of anything to say. His heart churned, but in the end, he said, “I wish you luck.”

Zhong Yan nodded and accepted his blessing before continuing, “I’ve just contacted the Supreme Institution. They will be issuing a statement that will be posted in a few minutes.”

“You…What statement?”

“The statement that the Institution Star is officially leaving the Capital and entering Navi, and requesting the Navi Military Command to send their troops over immediately.”

Adrian was shocked in place. Zhong Yan looked at him and said firmly, “I won’t let your name be tarnished. Your name shouldn’t be written down in the history books like that.”

Turns out that was what he was busy with earlier…Adrian felt his throat bob and he couldn’t hold back the emotions within his heart. He came closer and held Zhong Yan tightly in his arms. On the marching fleet, the Supreme Commander’s behavior should be firm and serious. But the oath-taking rally has yet to begin. He still had a few moments to himself.

After a few seconds, Zhong Yan gently pushed him away.

“I’ll be late. And you too.” Zhong Yan’s voice was light.

He carefully smoothed out the collar of Adrian’s uniform before taking in the sight of his silver eyes. He said solemnly, “Commander Yate, I too wish you a fateful battle.”