Yu Lian looked at Ina, whom he hadn't seen in ages, and asked curiously, "Colonel Hilika, who else shares your plan?"
"This subordinate does as well." The speaker was Horatio Venn.
Unlike Ina, his expression was grave. "Commander, if I may be frank, after finally making it deep into the Empire's heartland, we now have to give it up and choose the safest way out. This subordinate can't help feeling reluctant. Whenever we gain a strategic advantage, the gap in strength forces us to abandon it and settle for the 'decent' option. And so, after piling up one tactical victory after another, we still lost Earth."
Weren't Teacher Yang and little old me the ones who'd racked up the most tactical victories? Teacher Yang wasn't here. Was Venn taking a jab at me?
If I were the kind of person who couldn't stand someone more talented, I'd definitely think so, wouldn't I?
Yu Lian met Venn's gaze, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "All right, Horatio. You really are the best person to say something like that."
He made no effort to hide his gratitude, leaving Venn at a loss. He was more used to the Yu Lian who liked to tease and diss him.
Yu Lian addressed them all. "Everyone, words like 'decent' and 'safe' can be applied anywhere, but they don't suit us. If all we want is to ensure our own survival, then carving out New Shenzhou as our base and settling down would indeed be an option. We could shut the door and live our own quiet lives, shutting ourselves away to develop in peace, just like the great Khan of the marauders, Tomitelli. I'm sure it wouldn't be long before the Alliance, and even the Empire, recognized our status."
For a moment,