"This is what all our efforts have been for." Standing at the transport ship's hatch, Gray watched the endlessly cheering crowd in the fortress and spoke emotionally to Anrida and Mendeleev.
"Yes. Seeing how thrilled these personnel who stayed behind are has made me realize that everything we have worked for has meaning—that our hard work was not in vain." Mendeleev replied with a broad smile as well.
"As long as we keep doing the right thing, we will continue to earn these people's wholehearted support," Anrida said with a smile.
None of the three had expected this scene. They had not imagined that, after seeing the army return victorious, the personnel who had remained behind would spontaneously organize a welcome assembly. Yet the sight warmed the heart of anyone who saw it, proving that their efforts had not been in vain.
The three stood quietly aboard the transport ship, watching the soldiers continuously disembark. Since they had not known beforehand that the personnel staying behind would organize a welcome assembly, no arrangements had been made for the soldiers' disembarkation.
Space Marines, Defense Force troops, and naval personnel came down from the transport ship intermingled, rather than advancing in separate formations. Even so, every soldier marched in perfect unison, chests out and heads high as they strode forward.
"Thud, thud, thud."
Heavy footsteps struck the spaceport deck without pause, the sound as if made by a single person.
"Victory!"
"Victory!"
Soldiers continued to emerge from the transport ship, and the rising waves of cheers never stopped. The faces of those cheering had turned red from shouting themselves hoarse, yet they still did not slow their cries.
"We should go too. Don't just stand here." As Gray adjusted his attire, he reminded Anrida and Mendeleev.
Gray kept straightening his attire. Though