CHAPTER 1878: CHAPTER 1871: AWANAQI

"Let me introduce myself," the officer said politely, slightly bowing with a somewhat arrogant air while holding his head high, "I am the captain of the Mukalia and the commander of the entire fleet, Admiral Awanaqi."

"Hello, Admiral Awanaqi, my name is Luo’er, Captain of the Otherworld Advance Team," Luo’er replied politely.

Perhaps it was an illusion, but Luo’er felt that Awanaqi, with his head held high, was not so much looking up at him as displaying an air of superiority.

"So, you’re the half-elf," Awanaqi said with a hint of mockery, "The Shani people treasure you very much, even going as far as offering a handsome reward just to ensure your safe return to Lipei."

"Thank you for your rescue, General," Luo’er lowered his head and said.

"No need to be polite with me," Awanaqi waved his hand, turned around, and started pacing, continuing, "I am acting under the orders of His Majesty the King, and I’m not concerned about the Shani people’s reward."

As he spoke, he suddenly shifted the subject, turned to look at Luo’er, and said, "Speaking of which, the first time I heard your names was a few years ago. I heard you caused quite a ruckus in Helros, hijacking a transport plane in an attempt to escape, only to be shot down by two fighter jets."

"Well, it was a misunderstanding, I suppose," Luo’er thought for a moment and said somewhat awkwardly.

"Heh," Awanaqi chuckled coldly and shook his head, saying, "No need to be so distant, Captain Luo’er. You call it a misunderstanding, but I know what happened and why you were shot down."

"Is that so..."

Luo’er shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

"Now Ronisca and the Shani people are cooperating amicably. Let’s consider those events to be in the past. Still, I’m quite curious..."

Once again shifting the topic, he continued, "Sir, you’re merely a half-wood elf. What kind of power do you possess to make the Shani leaders so anxious and restless?"

"Maybe... we’re just quite capable..."

Luo’er tried to brush off the question.

After listening to his words, Awanaqi did not immediately respond but instead stared sharply at Luo’er with eyes like an eagle, eventually smiling and saying, "I observe that your appearance bears a striking resemblance to Princess Nina of Ilanadale. Could it be...?"

"Since you have a hint, General, why not trust your instinct?" Luo’er dropped his smile and said calmly.

"Relax, I just wanted to verify," Awanaqi raised his hand and said, "I’ve been dealing with the Shani people for many years, rarely seeing them lose their composure. So I’m curious about who you really are, Captain Luo’er. It seems now that you are indeed worth their agitation."

"Let’s end the formalities here, General Awanaqi," Luo’er stepped forward, looking up at the mechanical instrumentation data, then turned back and said, "Next, what should we do? I do not recommend you continue deeper into the heart of Kyushu."

"Rest assured, I had no such intention," Awanaqi put away his smile, walked beside Luo’er, looked up at the instruments, and said solemnly, "Our mission is to pick up people, not to cause destruction. The Dongsheng Empire’s affairs are no concern of mine, nor do I wish to meddle."

After a pause, he continued, "I heard from the patriarch of the Huayu Family that the Dongsheng military possesses a Kunzhou fleet. They sank the Helrandum once. Although I’m quite angry, this is not the time for revenge. If this Mukalia were sunk, my life might be small, but I cannot afford to lose face."

While speaking, he gently stroked the copper-gilded guardrail of the captain’s seat, his eyes showing a hint of affection.

"It seems you’ve already met with Huayu Ting," Luo’er nodded, speaking in this fashion.

"He claims to be your friend," Awanaqi said.

"Indeed so."

Luo’er nodded.

"We need to ensure that the Dongsheng Empire has no more intentions of infringing on the West Outer Heaven. After all, we’ve just managed to establish good relations with the Demon Clan, and letting these arrogant outsiders disrupt everything would make all our efforts go to waste," Awanaqi said.

"You can rest assured," Luo’er looked at him and said, "As long as the Wen Family governs, the Dongsheng Empire will not invade the West Outer Heaven. This is the promise of their leader to me, and given the current situation, it’s very likely that the Wen Family will continue to govern."

"You should tell this to your superiors, to my king," Awanaqi said dismissively, "I’m just a captain, a fleet commander with a few broken ships. For me, that’s enough. I don’t like politics, much less the mind-twisting political maneuvering."

"I will inform them," Luo’er nodded and said.

"Captain Luo’er, you truly have a beautiful appearance and wise heart. The Shani people will definitely put you to great use given time. It seems I must maintain good relationships with you, after all, we’ll be dealing with each other for a long time," Awanaqi glanced at Luo’er, showing a faint smile.

"That’s not the vocabulary usually used for me..."

Luo’er appeared somewhat embarrassed.

"I did that on purpose," Awanaqi said, "With your looks, Captain Luo’er, using adjectives meant for men isn’t quite fitting, is it?"

"You’re too kind..."

Luo’er felt a bit overwhelmed.

Though he had long grown accustomed to compliments on his appearance, the high praise he continually received from every man he met still never ceased to send a strange shiver down his spine.

After a slightly awkward silence, Luo’er spoke again to break it: "By the way, how is the war in the West Outer Heaven progressing?"

"The royal army is advancing triumphantly; the enemy’s defeat is just a matter of time," Awanaqi said in a tone half-jesting, carrying deep implication.

"Alas, we barely drove away the Dongsheng army, only for the Demon Clan to fall into chaos again," Luo’er shook his head and sighed.

"With Captain Luo’er’s wisdom, you surely know what they’re fighting for, so why the sigh?" Awanaqi shrugged and said.

"Knowing is one thing; attitude is another," Luo’er said righteously, "If possible, I always hope for no war. It is with such a vision that all my actions revolve around this matter."

"How should I describe you," Awanaqi shook his head, "Knowing full well the tricks contained in politics, yet harboring unrealistic visions."

"People must have ideals, or else wouldn’t this world be too dark?" Luo’er answered matter-of-factly.

"Hmm, I quite agree with that statement."

Awanaqi raised his eyebrows, nodding continuously.

"From the Western Continent to the Eastern Continent, how long is the expected journey?" Luo’er asked.

"Half a month," Awanaqi replied briskly without hesitation.

"Then, for the next month, please take care of me."

Luo’er formally bowed to Awanaqi.

"I’m starting to like you more and more," Awanaqi pointed at him with satisfaction and said, "After all, polite people are never annoying."

"Just a habit," Luo’er smiled faintly, then sighed deeply, speaking with a tinge of melancholy, "It’s been a long time since I last went home. Previously, such a goal seemed so far away, never expected I would suddenly find myself on a warship."

"Feeling homesick?"

"Of course."

"Hmm, I’m not sure which home you’re thinking of. If it’s Earth, perhaps it’s better. If it’s Lipei, then that’s not as optimistic," Awanaqi said, feigning mystery.

"What do you mean?" Luo’er looked at him, puzzled.

"Don’t you know? There might be war soon in the Northern Continent."

"Who with whom?" Luo’er asked quickly.

"Do you know Gudelv?"

"Yes, the king of Odelanqi," Luo’er blurted out.

"He has some small conflicts with the Church Court, some friction that might sweep across the entire Northern Continent," Awanaqi shrugged and said.

"That’s called small friction..."

Luo’er was dumbfounded.

"Just a little joke," Awanaqi cracked his mouth, revealing what he thought was a humorous smile, "Anyway, the Western Continent isn’t peaceful either. If nothing urgent comes up, I plan to make another round trip between the continents. Otherwise, who knows, His Majesty might pull me into battle."

"Forget it," Luo’er sighed deeply and shook his head, "As long as I can go back, everything else is secondary."

As they spoke, the airship began to slowly turn, and the engines started, and even at the ship’s bow, they could still hear the loud roar of the engines.