Return in glory

Three days later, the Prison Ship responsible for escorting the prisoners arrived at Shells Town Harbor on schedule. The one in charge of this escort mission was a Marine Headquarters Colonel.

The prisoner handover went smoothly. Kuro had completely given up struggling, and with chains shackling both his hands and feet, he could not stir up any trouble.

As they watched the prison ship depart, every Marine at the 153rd Branch felt much more at ease.

Over the past few days, the Captains had even thought about taking a stroll past the prison cell whenever they went to the bathroom, terrified that Kuro might suddenly vanish.

Now that Kuro had been handed over, it meant the mission to subjugate the Black Cat Pirates had concluded perfectly. It was time to celebrate.

At noon, the 153rd Branch held a victory banquet. The restaurant tables were piled high with all kinds of food, and drinks were supplied without limit.

Rhode raised his glass high.

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!!!"

The Marines happily raised their glasses and drank together.

In this world, whether Marines, ordinary civilians, or Pirates, everyone loved drinking above all else.

However, drinking was forbidden inside Marine bases. Only at victory banquets could they drink to their hearts' content without restraint.

At the center of the restaurant, excited Marines surrounded Luo Ya.

"Luo Ya, let me toast you!"

"Senior Luo Ya, you're amazing!"

"You brat, come have a drink!"

Marines from his class, Veterans who had trained with him, as well as the Instructor and Lieutenant Officers—even the newest recruits, everyone from top to bottom came looking for Luo Ya to drink with.

This was the special treatment reserved for a hero!

Surrounded at the center, Luo Ya drank cup after cup without any chance to stop. Before long, they had gotten him so drunk that his head spun and fury rose in his chest.

"Damn it, I want meat!"

His stomach was still empty!

For a full three hours, the branch celebrated its victory. Once the drinking reached its peak, Luo Ya dazedly climbed onto a dining table and started dancing.

Spin~ leap~~

"Luo Ya! Luo Ya! Luo Ya!"

The cheers echoing in his ears made Luo Ya so happy that he lost his bearings. His foot slipped, and he tumbled off the table.

Hic~ He had really drunk too much.

At three in the afternoon, the restaurant finally quieted down. Drunken Marines lay sprawled all over the floor, their snoring louder than thunder.

"Luo Ya, wake up!"

Luo Ya was forcibly shaken awake. Holding his throbbing head, he sat up and looked in confusion at the impatient Fullbody before him.

"What is it?"

"Colonel Rhode wants us in the Tower Conference Room!"

Fullbody's face was brimming with a smile.

"It's good news!"

"Good news?"

Luo Ya perked up. He could roughly guess why the colonel wanted to see him, and he hurriedly climbed to his feet, more than half sober already.

"Let's go!"

Before long, the two arrived at the conference room. They were not the only ones there; nearly all the School Officials who had participated in the battle against Kuro were present.

When the two arrived, everyone's gaze turned toward Luo Ya in unison, unable to hide their envy.

"Luo Ya, Fullbody, come here."

Colonel Rhode stood at the far end of the room and beckoned to them. Behind him was a long table piled with brand-new Marine uniforms and shoulder insignia.

The two hurried over to the colonel.

"Your appointment notices have arrived!"

Colonel Rhode beamed. After Kuro had been handed over that morning, the review process for their position changes had quickly been approved. The Marines and noncommissioned officers who had taken part in the battle had all received promotions.

Colonel Rhode turned toward Fullbody.

"Fullbody!"

"Present!"

Fullbody stood at attention, chest out, and saluted Colonel Rhode.

"Mm."

Rhode's expression turned solemn as he handed Fullbody a stack of brand-new Marine uniforms. Resting on top was the shoulder insignia representing "Sergeant."

"Keep up the good work!"

"Yes, sir!"

Fullbody held the uniform and insignia, delight surging through his heart. Going from a Second Class Soldier to a Sergeant was equivalent to being promoted three ranks in a row.

Under normal circumstances, if Marines wanted promotions and raises, they could either wait for seniority or earn merit. Capturing Pirates was the most direct way to earn it.

High risk, high reward!

Colonel Rhode turned toward Luo Ya.

"Luo Ya!"

"Present!"

Luo Ya straightened his back. After saluting Colonel Rhode, his heart filled with anticipation.

Colonel Rhode broke into a broad smile.

"In the battle to subjugate Kuro, Headquarters learned of your outstanding performance and was greatly impressed. After discussion, it has been decided that you will be awarded the Ensign Rank and the Medal of Valor!"

"Thank you, Colonel!"

Luo Ya happily accepted the uniform and Ensign shoulder insignia. Not only had he been promoted six ranks in a row, but he had also received an ornate box containing a medal.

By his earlier expectations, becoming a Warrant Officer would have been quite good already. After all, subjugating Kuro had depended on the 153rd Branch's collective desperate efforts, not his merit alone.

The Tulip Pirates' achievement had probably earned him quite a few extra points.

"There's one more thing for you."

Colonel Rhode turned around and picked up a cloak bearing the two characters for "Justice" from the long table. He personally draped it over Luo Ya's shoulders, growing more satisfied the longer he looked.

"Not bad. Pretty handsome!"

"..."

Luo Ya touched the cloak on his body. He could clearly feel its heavy weight, along with the will it carried.

"Whew~~"

Luo Ya took a deep breath, his gaze much firmer than before.

From the very beginning, he had never regarded the Marines' justice as a creed. He had joined the Marines only because becoming a Marine was the easiest way to rise through the ranks.

He knew very well that the Marines were an organization under the World Government, one of the tools used by the Celestial Dragons to rule the world. So-called justice was merely for ruling the world more effectively.

Yet half a year of Marine life had gradually made him realize that "for justice" was definitely not an empty phrase. It carried far too much effort and sacrifice.

Perhaps he should search for his own justice.

Colonel Rhode keenly noticed the change in Luo Ya.

Under the influence of their environment, every Marine went through a similar psychological journey. Some turned out well, while others did not.

He was very gratified. The overall atmosphere at the 153rd Branch was fairly good, and it should be able to have a positive influence on this kid.

"You have a month of leave next. Go home, take a look around, and get some proper rest."

"Yes, thank you, Colonel!"

--

Toward evening, Luo Ya walked out through the base gates in a brand-new Lieutenant Officer uniform, with the Justice Cloak draped over his shoulders.

Return in glory!

It was not dark yet. The streets were filled with people, the busiest time of the day, and every household was preparing dinner.

"Hey, look!"

Luo Ya quickly drew the residents' attention.

The Justice Cloak was incredibly eye-catching. After all, there were only a few people in the entire 153rd Branch qualified to wear one.

To the residents of Shells Town, anyone wearing a Justice Cloak was an important figure!

"Is that... Luo Ya?"

Some regulars from the tavern recognized Luo Ya, their mouths falling open in shock. No one had expected the troubled Young Man who had worked odd jobs at the tavern half a year ago to transform into an important Marine figure.

It had only been half a year!

Night fell. Food Tavern.

After a busy day, the tavern's customers gradually left. Lilyca held a rag as she cleaned up the messy tables.

"Hey, boss lady, get me a cappuccino!"

"Just a moment—"

Lilyca was about to prepare it when she suddenly realized something was wrong.

What cappuccino?

"Luo Ya?!"

Lilyca turned around in delighted surprise. Sure enough, Luo Ya was standing at the entrance. Only Luo Ya would say the names of such strange drinks.

Luo Ya smiled brightly.

"I'm back."

"Mm, welcome home."