"Against overwhelming numbers we stood unfazed and defended our lands. Now, we have the duty to keep going so that the sacrifices of our comrades aren't in vain!" Victoria's voice boomed across the whole valley.

"Glory to mankind!" The soldiers saluted. With the ceremony over, the coffins were quickly loaded into spaceships, which were going to bring the remains to their families.

'Some might consider it a waste of resources transporting the bodies of so many fallen… Fortunately Victoria isn't one to spare the budget so she could fill her own pockets.' Michael sighed.

With the sendoff over, he was approached by Skylar and Luis, who were overjoyed that they were finally going to get an interview.

"First and foremost I want to ask you if there is any secret to your growth." Skylar asked.

Michael shook his head. "There is not much of a secret. You have to work hard for it. Hard work will always beat talent."

"There is also the question of the faction that you have recently created. Why did you decide to name it Indomitable Alliance?"

"It's simple, it's because we would never lose."

Skylar raised an eyebrow at the proclamation. "That is certainly big talk. I am certain that after our recording goes public, the faction will quickly attain fame."

Not wanting to take too much of his time, she finished. "Now with the invasion over, what are yours and your faction's plans?"

"We will take it back." Michael declared, raising his finger upwards.

Luis followed his gesture with the camera, its lens stopping at the gas giant.

"The solar system is rightfully for humanity. The first step in taking it back is liberating Neptune."

Deciding that it was a good way to finish the interview, they turned off the camera. After bowing to Michael and thanking him for the chance to interview him, the two went to get more perspectives from the soldiers.

Seeing that the reporters left, Victoria approached Michael.

"Did they finally stop pestering you?"

He couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes, at least for now. Though I have a feeling that they will be back sometime later. For whatever reason it seems that I have earned their admiration."

Victoria didn't seem surprised. "I kind of expected this. I reviewed their recordings, and honestly, the way they portrayed you was almost too heroic. Even I found it inspiring."

Now with the threat of the alien invasion behind them and most of the aliens that had lingered on Triton's surface defeated, peace returned to the base. Allowing the soldiers to relax for the first time in what seemed like forever.

"Not too long ago you were a simple cadet. Funnily enough, you are now qualified to become second in command." Victoria pointed out.

"While you haven't spent that much time in our base and didn't really go through the training required, would you accept the position?"

Michael scratched his chin in thought. Being second in command would certainly be a hassle, but it would also bring immense benefits.

Namely a much higher paycheck. The more money he could send to his family and quicken his father's recovery, the better.

"I will consider it." At the end he chose to put off the decision for later.

To his surprise, Victoria smiled. She had expected him to refuse on the spot, but seeing him taking it into consideration filled her with joy.

'I wasn't sad when little junior refused the position, but I feel like I want him by my side…' She thought, surprising herself.

From now on Michael planned to strengthen himself and the members of his faction before going towards Neptune.

However, two days after the funeral, he was called in by Bryce.

"It's rare for you to contact me." Michael greeted the old man.

Alarmingly, the man didn't seem as amused as he usually was. His expression was cold, foretelling trouble ahead.

"Is something the matter?" Michael asked, preparing for the worst.

Bryce nodded worriedly before guiding him to a docked spaceship.

Unlike the standard ones, this one was much smaller than expected. It seemed capable of housing not more than a dozen individuals.

Usually spaceships like this were used by those short on money with lacking power. Yet the aura that the spaceship was giving off was enough to put Michael on guard.

'This can't be good. I sense at least two Grandmasters there.' He analyzed.

Victoria and most of the captains had also gathered at the area, ready to greet the unexpected visitors.

"Did we expect anyone?"

"No." Victoria replied, her voice as cold as ice. Every instinct told her that whatever this was, it couldn't be good.

Her worry turned out to be correct. Once the doors of the shuttle opened, several figures came into view.

Nathan, the man that had threatened Michael if he didn't join his faction. Isaac, Chloe, and Austin, the three who had watched him beat Oliver to a pulp. Lastly, at the back, Oliver came into view. His face looked to have been healed, not a scar remaining after Michael's assault.

"What is the meaning of this?" Victoria began to give off a part of her aura. Not only were they on bad terms with these people, but they had also come discreetly, avoiding as many eyes as possible.

"It's always nice to see… Ex-general." Oliver sneered, being the first one to speak among the members of the Immortal Legion.

Before he could continue, Isaac hit him over the head. "Is this how you speak to your future wife, you imbecile?"

"What's going on?" Ava mumbled. It was needless to say that she felt threatened by the presence of two Grandmasters, both from the same faction. This could only be seen if they were in their quarters or if there was a war ahead.

"We are changing the leadership of the base, simple as that." Nathan taunted.

His words were calm yet carried a threatening edge.

"It's like they say." Oliver clarified. "Once they've made up their minds, there's no changing it. But since I'm a generous person, I could make them reconsider… if you become mine, that is."

"..."

The confusion among the gathered captains quickly turned to rage. They had just endured a brutal war, and lost thousands of soldiers, and now someone was trying to force their general into submission?

"Are you out of your mind?"

"Courting death!"

"Don't think the name of your faction will protect you for long!"

The Immortal Legion's members remained unshaken by the threats. The only one that had a shift of her expression was Chloe, who realized something once she glanced at Michael.

"Was he always an Early Expert?" She mumbled.

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