As Charlotte grew anxious, Zhao Chen's gaze fell upon her severed ears.
Although Zhao Chen had long grown accustomed to Charlotte's old scars and held no aversion towards them, seeing these marks always left him feeling a bit uneasy.
"Charlotte, we have our own medical ship now. Would you consider undergoing a full body restoration?" Zhao Chen suggested.
Charlotte paused, then lowered her head and whispered, "Actually... I keep these scars as a reminder not to forget what happened before..."
Zhao Chen raised a hand and stroked Charlotte's head: "We won't forget the past, but we can't remain trapped in it either.
We have a future; we have more important things to do.
Almost all the Half-Beastmans who were once part of the Rebel Army and are now scattered throughout the Starlight Empire have been gathered by you, some settled on Dragon Star One, and others joining our Xiaolong Fleet.
Everyone is enthusiastic about their current lives, and you should also let go of these shackles.
If you feel that your failure with the Rebel Army back at Warhammer was your fault, why not ask the comrades who followed you?
Did they ever resent you?"
At Zhao Chen's words, Charlotte's head drooped even lower, and her tail drooped weakly to the ground.
"General Charlotte, Commander is right. Seeing you always like this... Honestly, though we don't say it, our hearts ache for you," a Half-Beastman female soldier stepped forward and said with a pained expression.
Everyone on the Bridge had heard Zhao Chen's words just now.
And Zhao Chen's actions just now naturally attracted the attention of all the female soldiers on the Bridge; how could they miss out on such close-at-hand gossip?
"General Charlotte, we once saw you in your incomparably glorious and dazzling state, and we hope you can lead us forward in the Xiaolong Fleet in your best condition!"
"We can't be the only ones living good lives while you remain in the painful past!"
"Commander is right, we have never blamed you, General, for our defeat in the Rebel Army before!"
Hearing the words of these Half-Beastman female soldiers around her, Charlotte's eyes were complex, filled with emotion.
Zhao Chen raised his hand and stroked Charlotte's head, saying softly, "Captain Charlotte, I have an order.
When I go to Xiaolong Main Star later, I need you to go to the T3 Andromeda-class Interstellar Medical Ship for a full body restoration treatment.
All expenses will be covered by the Xiaolong Fleet.
This is an order!
If you don't agree, I'll personally drag you there!"
Charlotte bit her lip lightly, and finally nodded.
Afterward, T3 Blizzard One arrived at Xiaolong Main Star.
To create an atmosphere and enhance the presence, T3 Blizzard One slowly entered Xiaolong Main Star's atmosphere, accompanied by ten Black Knights.
When this Starfleet appeared above the Zhao Family Residence on Xiaolong Main Star, all members of the Zhao family immediately gathered; they had just learned that their Lord Zhao Chen, who hadn't returned for over a year, had arrived.
Zhao Family Residence.
A dense throng of Zhao family members gathered outside the parking plaza specially built for shuttles within the residence, looking up at the Starfleet above them.
Although there were only eleven Interstellar Warship, they dared not underestimate them in the slightest.
After all, the T3 Blizzard was known as a legendary Starship.
The hangar of that legendary Starship opened, a shuttle emerged, and fifteen T2 Black Knight mechs were simultaneously deployed.
They landed first around the Zhao Family Residence.
"Black Knight First Squad has reached the designated position."
"Black Knight Second..."
"..."
Fifteen Black Knights stood like guards on the ground, awaiting the arrival of their sovereign.
The shuttle slowly descended to the center of the plaza, and its ramp opened.
First to emerge was a squad of Commander's guards, all female soldiers.
They carried Laser Guns, wore portable personal armor, and their weapons also included personal energy shields.
In necessary situations, they could protect the Commander's safety.
"No one is allowed within five meters without permission!" the guard captain barked.
The Zhao family members promptly retreated beyond the five-meter mark.
They still vividly remembered the scene when this Xiaolong Fleet had bloodied the Zhao Family Residence and purged the various nobles of the Owl Dragon Star System.
At that moment, a figure also emerged from the shuttle.
He wore a Xiaolong Fleet military uniform and a crisp military-style overcoat.
Zhao Chen surveyed his surroundings, and those Zhao family descendants whose gazes he met nervously lowered their heads.
Unlike a year ago, the current Zhao Chen... or rather, Viscount Zhao Chen, gave off the impression of a giant dragon resting atop a mountain peak; his entire aura was much more restrained.
Yet, his Pressure, compared to a year ago, had not diminished but increased, commanding respect without anger!
Just a single glance made them feel as if they were bearing the weight of a colossal mountain.
"Jiang Hong, acting Lord of the Owl Dragon Star System, greets Viscount." Jiang Hong was one of the few Zhao family members present who was permitted to approach Zhao Chen.
Jiang Hong knelt on one knee, her words filled with reverence, a complete change from her attitude a year ago.
"Zhao family descendants, greet Lord Zhao Chen."
Someone among the Zhao family members started, and soon, one after another, people around them knelt down.
"All of you may rise. I'm just coming home for a visit; there's no need for such a grand display.
Everyone except Jiang Hong may disperse," Zhao Chen said.
With Zhao Chen's command, the entire plaza suddenly appeared much emptier.
"First, let's go pay respects to my Second Grandmother." Zhao Chen strode forward.
Jiang Hong and the others followed closely behind him.
A secluded ancient courtyard in the Zhao Family Residence.
"All of you, stay outside." Zhao Chen stopped at the main gate, left a command, and then walked into the courtyard himself.
The courtyard maintained its rustic style, with pillars and a few small animals inside.
Second Grandmother was currently lying in a rocking chair with her eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
A maid was gently massaging Second Grandmother's shoulders nearby.
When the maid saw Lord Zhao Chen appear, she was stunned.
Zhao Chen put a finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet, and then motioned for her to step aside.
Zhao Chen himself began to massage Second Grandmother's shoulders.
It would be hard for Zhao Chen's enemies to believe that the man who could make them vanish in an instant was now so quiet here, like an ordinary junior.
"You must be very tired out there." Second Grandmother placed her hand on Zhao Chen's palm.
Zhao Chen's nose stung. The first thing the Zhao family members, including Jiang Hong, felt when they saw him was only awe, and their eyes held only envy and jealousy.
They feared his strength and envied everything he possessed.
They only saw his glamour and majesty, unaware of the heavy burden he carried behind it all.
"If you're tired, rest." Second Grandmother patted Zhao Chen's palm.
"Mhm," Zhao Chen quietly responded.
