Chapter 881: Chapter 455 Preparation for Exploration Skywalker_2
The investigation that has already taken place is definitely not going to just terminate like that; the investigation will continue.
This result truly exceeded everyoneâs expectationsânot exactly a breakthrough, but it didnât make things worse either.
"Why would it be delayed for a year? Ridiculous. Iâd rather get a concrete result. If it doesnât work out, Iâll just run away."
"A year delay is just giving you time to run, isnât it? Big brother, you should see the pressure the three Divine Craftsmen are under. Being able to secure a yearâs time is already quite impressive..."
"Look at the information announcement, Lord Azure Dragon is listed first. Must have put in a lot of effort in this negotiation..."
When someone compared it to past announcements, they noticed something amiss. Azure Dragon was usually last, but this time itâs listed first.
Most Mechanics didnât have a specific impression of this newly risen Divine Craftsman.
Although there were voices calling for him to speak up before, he never really responded,
However many benefits one gets, thatâs how much responsibility they must bear. Azure Dragon didnât reap many benefits, and the Mechanics couldnât find a reason, so they just quieted down.
Unexpectedly, he quietly gave them a surprise.
"Lord Azure Dragon is indeed kind-hearted; even though it was just a nominal title, he didnât shy away from putting in effort when needed, unlike the other two Divine Craftsmen, who gained so much yet couldnât even let out a single fart."
These Mechanics were quite invigorated, and their impression of Azure Dragon became increasingly favorable.
In most peopleâs eyes, even if this additional year doesnât solve the problem, it at least provides them with enough time to relocate.
...
Meanwhile, in another corner of the universe, the starfield shimmered brilliantly, stars twinkling.
A small spaceship silently leapt to this spot, then waited for a long time before making another jump. This cycle repeated five or six times before truly reaching its destination.
A wandering fleet in interstellar space, composed of various models and sizes of ships, numbering no less than ten thousand.
Most warships were covered with marks and scars, with some already faded, revealing the metallic hue below, and some ships even had massive dents on their sides yet continued to tenaciously sail through the starry sky.
Itâs called a wandering fleet because itâs surrounded by a multitude of civilian ships of varying specifications, which make up the majority.
The portholes of each ship flickered with faint light.
This small spaceship traveled straight ahead, as if it had already passed through multiple layers of verification, aiming directly for the fleetâs largest flagship.
The ship was like a moving fortress, with massive engines spitting out blue flames, also covered with scars on its surface.
As it entered the main channel from the corridor, numerous staff members ahead of the platform track saw this blue-and-white small spaceship, and genuine smiles spread across their faces as they paused their work to watch it land.
"The Blue Sky is back!"
"Skywalker is back!"
"Clyde is back!"
"..."
Some staff members nearby couldnât help but walk towards it.
"Old Neil, get back to work!" someone nearby scolded, with a hint of resignation.
Old Neil grinned, missing a front tooth, the wrinkles on his face piling up, "The last time I saw Clyde was three months ago..."
"Alright, alright..." the person in charge waved impatiently, but couldnât help but glance at the blue-and-white spaceship.
The hatch opened, and an automatic ladder connected to the ground. A figure stepped outâa young man, his hair a shiny black, slightly curly and cascading to his shoulders.
His expression was resolute, with deep brown-black eyes and a smile on his face, exuding a natural affability.
"Uncle Kohler, youâre on duty today, huh." Clyde looked at the middle-aged man preparing to service the spaceship, who was missing a leg, replaced by a mechanical limb clicking as he walked.
"You... remember my name?" Kohler, with a full beard, trembled, eyes turning red.
"Of course, I remember. Five months ago, you were the one who helped check my spaceship, too." Clyde smiled, and Old Kohler was stunned, unable to speak.
Under the push of a few companions beside him, he finally lowered his head to work.
"That uncle wonât be able to sleep tonight..." a teasing voice came from behind as a purple short-haired girl jumped out.
"Donât talk nonsense." Clyde seemed a bit helpless, and a few other companions walked out of the cabin, all with indifferent expressions.
Clyde greeted everyone along the way, able to accurately call out the names of everyone he met.
"Arenât you going to report back first?" Seeing Clyde heading towards the residential area, a gloomy-faced companion hesitated.
"I promised the little ones that I would deliver the things to them as soon as I got back." Clyde turned around, earnestly saying, "Itâll only take two or three minutes to take a slight detour."
The other had no choice, watching Clyde pass through the corridor to the residential area, which should have been a warehouse.
However, it had already been converted into temporary housing, with layers upon layers of metal houses stacked together.
Most were women, repairing many faulty parts, and quite a few teenagers were helping around, struggling to carry some parts, sweating profusely.
"Clyde is here!" Someone spotted Clyde and shouted excitedly.
With a rustling sound, a large group of young children ran over, their faces dirty, while slightly older girls glanced over shyly.
"Donât grab... donât grab..." Clyde didnât mind the dirt, happily taking colorful candies from the cloth bag on his back and giving them to each child.
Standing not far away, a few companions exuded an aura of âstrangers, keep away,â but even the gloomiest middle-aged man couldnât help but crack an awkward smile watching Clyde surrounded by children.
"Are you Skywalker--Clyde?"
Suddenly, a skeletal hand appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Clyde.
"You..." Clyde was taken aback, seeing that the hand was covered in dense black runes.
Looking up the hand that resembled dried bark, there was a hunched old man, enveloped in a black robe.
"Ah--Great Eater!" a child screamed, scattering in all directions.
Clyde was speechless. The Great Eater was a legendary figure passed down in their civilization, rumored to eat children.
"May I ask..." He was very polite, looking at the other while becoming alert.
"Who are you!?" a companion behind had rushed forward, demanding, "Show your identity certificate!"
"... You really do look like him..." The old man lifted his head; his gaunt, wrinkled skin was covered with various runes, and his eyes were completely black.
Clydeâs heart trembled as he discreetly applied force, only to be shocked that he couldnât break free; after all, he was a Level B Life Form.
"I have a few words I want to say to you..." The old man ignored the others around and stared directly at Clyde.
"Who exactly are you!" The gloomy middle-aged man shielded Clyde, demanding sharply.
"Itâs fine..." Clyde pushed the middle-aged man aside, signaling for his companions to step back a bit.
Initially, there was a moment of stalemate, but the companions couldnât resist him and had to cautiously retreat. Someone had already quietly left, clearly going to inform higher-ups.
"Skywalker--Clyde, born in the Huo Keâer Federation Republic--Lai De Star System. Three years ago, the dictator president demanded you pay a high tax exceeding 30%, which your governor refused, articulating economic conditions clearly, but still resulted in destructive repercussions."
"Your father was the governorâs most loyal servant and died in battle as a result. You people started wandering, and two years ago, you made a prominent mark and were given the legendary title of Skywalker."
Clyde slightly frowned, "Youâre very accurate... but..."
"I want to hear your ideology..." The old manâs eyes were pitch-black, but Clyde could still feel a strong scrutinizing gaze.
"My ideology?" He was somewhat bewildered.
The old man continued, "What are you planning to do now? Are you just going to keep wandering with these people?"
Clyde pondered, "President Jamblers has already incurred widespread resentment, and within our territory, many are already dissatisfied with him. Weâve secretly contacted a few governors and are planning to gradually resist and overthrow his regime."
"And then, you take his position, and a few hundred years later, your descendants will once again oppress their own citizens?" the old man added.