Chu Guang blinked. It took him a moment to recall that survivor state. “What about them?”

Cheng Yan’s tone grew strange. “They recently sent us an envoy as well. Their delegation has left the Lion Kingdom and should reach Falling Leaf City within three days. They request that we meet them at the border, apparently so they can mark our position on their map.”

Chu Guang couldn’t help but chuckle, though he kept a straight face. “They’re not here for the reserach committee too, are they?”

Cheng Yan shook his head. “Doesn’t seem so. From what the Lion Kingdom said, the Xilande delegation only intended to visit the Falcon and Camel Kingdoms. They hadn’t planned to go this far east. When they finally arrived at the Lion Kingdom, they caused a series of... amusing misunderstandings.”

Chu Guang smiled. “What kind of misunderstandings?”

“The court of the Lion KIngdom didn’t specify. Should I inquire?”

“No need. Let it be. They’re guests, send some vehicles to escort them.”

“Yes, sir.”

The holographic window dissolved into motes of blue light.

Chu Guang pocketed his stylus, rose from the sofa, and walked back into the conference room with a calm smile.

Once again, the representatives of the Army, the Academy, and the Enterprise were gathered together.

Once again, the fate of the wasteland hung in the balance.

...

News of the Army envoy’s arrival spread through the city like wildfire.

Rumors had circulated for weeks, but few cared, Pioneer City was far from the New Alliance heartland. Only when people saw the Wislander delegation in Dawn City did the story explode.

By evening, the Highway Town Hotel was alive with chatter. Patrons leaned over their drinks, gossiping about headlines and hearsay.

“For real?! An envoy from Triumphant City’s here?”

“Of course! They came down in one of those big airships, tons of people saw it!”

“Yeah, I would recognize those big noses anywhere!”

“Hah! Those big-noses have the gall to come back? Didn’t they lose enough last time?”

“Guess they’ve finally learned their place, why else send an envoy?”

“Unbelievable... So right now Dawn City’s hosting envoys from the Academy, the Enterprise, and the Army? Incredible!”

Hearing the talk, Lisa, the waitress balancing a tray, looked stunned.

An envoy from Triumphant City?

She remembered that Pangolin had gone there. Her eyes glimmered with hope.

Maybe they will bring news of him.

Old White, drinking at the counter, caught her look and grinned. “Their camp is right beside the First Army’s camp. Go ask before it gets dark.”

He knew perfectly well that the fool was there, but letting her find out herself would be much more satisfying.

Lisa bowed deeply in thanks, hurried into the kitchen, and asked old Hooke for leave.

Watching the curtain swing behind her, Old White chuckled.

Escaping Mole belched and said, “I’ll bet that dog is gonna be shocked, he won’t expect someone to be waiting for him a whole year!”

“You guys are cruel,” teased Teng Teng, sipping sparkling water. “Keeping that from her all this time...”

“Hah, makes it more fun!” Escaping Mole smirked wickedly, then turned to Spring Water Commander. “Think he’ll accept her feelings?”

Spring Water Commander shrugged. “Hell if I know. I’ve known that bastard for years and still can’t tell what he’s into.”

Teng Teng suddenly chimed in, eyes gleaming. “Maybe... it’s actually Cowley! They’ve been through so much together, they should have developed some... bond, right?”

Every man at the bar froze. Sideline Slacking nearly choked mid drink.

Spring Water Commander coughed. “Unlikely. If that were true, I would’ve lost control of my corps.”

“WHAT?!” yelled Darkest, who had just reconnected. He blinked in confusion before disconnecting again.

“But what if?” Teng Teng pressed, cheeks flushed with excitement.

Yaya sighed, “Sorry, the kid is drunk.”

“I’m not! I’m drinking sparkling water! I’m not a kid either!”

“Alright, alright!” Eye Owe Money grinned, pulling out a notebook. “Since everyone’s so invested, let’s make it interesting. Small bets only, I’m the bookie. 100 silver coins says Battlefield Cheerleader’s not picky!”

“I bet he chickens out,” Spring Water Commander said, half-raising his hand before cutting his bet to 50 silver coins.

“I-I bet it’s Cowley...”

“Rejected! Only two options. Next!”

“Tsk!”

“I’m betting he wimps out! He’s too fast to admit it publicly.”

“Then I’ll bet the opposite!”

In minutes, 30 players had placed bets, laughing and arguing the whole time.

Eye Owe Money scribbled furiously, then looked up at Old White. “What about you?”

“Me?” Old White smiled. “Doesn’t matter. It’s his choice.”

Eye Owe Money grinned. “Of course! Not like you would twist his arm over 100 silver coins. It’s just for fun.”

Old White sighed, pulling out two bills. “Then I’ll split it, fifty on each.”

“Damn, that’s cheating!” said Eye Owe Money.

“Heh, the old man is too cautious!” Escaping Mole snorted.

Outside, dusk deepened; the streetlights flickered on.

An hour had passed since Lisa left, and the group’s talk had drifted from Battlefield Cheerleader to the port project in the Baiyue Strait.

Finally, Darkest, who came back online, slammed the table. “Burp, enough talk, let’s go take a look at Battlefield Cheerleader for ourselves! Who’s coming?”

“Let’s go,” said Spring Water Commander, paying the tab and catching him before he fell. “That guy won’t come here anyway. Might as well take a look at him.”

“I’m in too!” Yaya raised her hand. “Let me see the drama!”

Just as they got up, Hooke hurried from the kitchen, looking anxious. “Lisa said she would be back in an hour, it’s been dark for ages. I’m not stingy about time, but she’s always punctual. This never happens.”

Seeing his worry, Old White set down his mug. “Don’t worry. I’ll go look.”

“Thank you! Drinks are on the house!” Hooke said gratefully, then pulled out his terminal to post a task.

Almost every tavern and inn in the New Alliance had access to the Mercenary System, where one could post missions, anything from clearing mutant nests to finding lost cats.

As long as it didn’t violate the law, someone would take the job.

Seeing the old man’s motion, Old White smiled and pressed his wrinkled hand down gently. “No need. The drinks are payment enough.”

He stood, followed Spring Water Commander and the others out of the tavern, and disappeared into the lamplit streets.

...

Meanwhile, Noregg, Foreign Minister of the Bugra Free State, had also received word of the Army envoy’s arrival.

He wasn’t surprised the Army cared about the Mutant Slime Mold Research Committee, but their speed shocked him.

Triumphant City was over 10,000 kilometers away, separated by vast deserts!

Even caravans from the Sunset Province took six months to travel to the West Coast, sometimes a full year with stops.

Arriving so quickly showed how seriously they took this meeting, and rumor said the envoy was a general!

After hearing his aide’s report, Noregg’s expression grew grave.

Though Mayor Odo leaned to the Enterprise, that didn’t mean the Free State could afford to alienate their old friends in the Army.

Yet now Triumphant City itself had sent an envoy to the New Alliance, by order of the Marshal no less, not some rogue faction.

A deep frown creased Noregg’s brow.

Could it be... the Expansionists had lost power entirely within the Army?

He was still deciding how to report it when hurried footsteps echoed outside. Moments later, his secretary burst in, beaming.

“New development!”

The man was breathless with excitement. “The Wislanders, have gotten into a fight with the New Alliance!”

“What?!” Noregg blinked, then his face lit with unrestrained delight. “Take me there, quickly!”

“Yes, sir!” the secretary said, eyes gleaming.