The next day.
In the eastern part of the London Tower Settlement, outside the grounds of a former university that had been cleared and partially repaired, a sizable crowd had gathered.
Besides the British soldiers on guard and several government officials, the most eye-catching group stood at the front of the crowd.
There were around twenty or thirty of them, men and women alike, all very young. Without exception, they wore the standard military uniforms issued by East Blade Military Academy, with the East Blade Emblem pinned to their chests.
They were the British students who had graduated from East Blade Military Academy and returned home.
At the very front stood Elizabeth.
She wore the East Blade Emblem as well, and her East Blade Military Academy uniform made her look even more heroic.
Their arrival drew frequent glances from the British officials nearby, who wore suits or military uniforms.
The "East Blade Faction" led by Elizabeth now held a position of considerable influence in Britain.
Everyone waited eagerly, gazing toward the southeastern sky.
They did not have to wait long.
Before long, a tiny dark-blue speck appeared on the distant horizon.
The speck quickly grew larger. It streaked through the air at a speed far beyond that of any conventional aircraft, leaving a faint blue trail behind it.
It was Lin Yi's personal aircraft—the Star Radiance fighter.
With graceful precision, Star Radiance slowed and descended, then landed lightly and steadily, like a feather, on the open ground that had been cleared in front of the campus gates.
A faint glow ran along the edge of the cockpit, and then the hatch slid silently to the side.
Everyone's eyes focused on the open hatch.
Lin Yi was the first to step out.
He was still dressed in simple combat gear. His