Escorted by the First Fleet, the spaceship flew slowly for nearly another hour before the outline of the Imperial Capital appeared ahead.
The enormous city stood on a plain, its walls towering high and the spires of the central palace gleaming gold in the sunlight.
The open ground outside the city was already packed with a vast sea of people.
Colorful balloons and banners floated overhead, the banners reading, "Welcome home, heroes."
The spaceship descended slowly.
The sound of its engines gradually faded until it came to a complete stop.
The hatch opened, and the boarding ramp lowered.
Music rose outside.
The Goblin Empire's military band stood on either side of the ramp, playing brass instruments and beating drums.
A group of little goblin girls in colorful clothes ran forward, carrying garlands.
The captain was the first to descend the ramp.
A little girl stood on tiptoe to slip a garland around his neck, and he lowered his head to thank her.
Barton came down second, followed by Took, Liz, Abu, and all the other astronauts.
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
"Heroes! Heroes! Heroes!"
Halu stood at the center of the welcoming platform, dressed in formal golden robes.
Behind him stood the Goblin Empire's officials and generals.
The astronauts lined up at the foot of the ramp, and Halu stepped forward to shake each of their hands.
"Thank you for your hard work," Halu said.
"You have opened new frontiers for the Goblin Empire and the Supreme God. On behalf of the Goblin Empire and all goblins, I thank you."
The captain answered for everyone, "We serve the empire and the Supreme God."
Halu nodded, then turned and waved to the crowd.
The live broadcast camera swept across everyone, and a line of text appeared on the screen: "The heroes