Galactic Star Calendar 3035, the last day of June.
This day was also the day Zhao Chen formally declared this defensive war against the hive-race invasion at an end.
Zhao Chen looked at the company in the conference room before him.
The high command of every side was present.
Upon the Owl Dragon Legion's side, Zhao Chen, Lilith, Charlotte and the commanders of the several legions.
Upon the Starlight Empire's, the Empress Qin Xiaolei and Chu Changhe.
Upon the Holy Radiance Empire's, the Empress Saint Cana and five star-region governors.
Upon the Warhammer Interstellar Federal Kingdom's, Princess Blanche, Chief Ted and the rest.
Upon the angel legions', the three high-order angels: Tilia, Berkeley and Jessie.
"My lords: first let us together keep this great victory. By your brave fighting and our common effort, we have beaten this threat of the swarm tide! We have slain one T5 Leviathan-Shaman-class Hive Mothership and ten T5 Leviathan-Sovereign-class Hive Motherships, and to the present annihilated 27 million hive hulls! Let us raise our cups and keep our victory!" Zhao Chen raised the cup in his hand.
Every soul at the council raised a cup as well.
And all drank it off together.
Zhao Chen set down the empty cup, took up the bottle beside him outright, walked out from his chair, and turned his back upon them.
Before him was a vast viewport, and beyond it the splendor of the river of stars.
"While we keep our victory.
"We must not forget those who fell in this campaign.
"Upon the Starlight Empire's side, 100,000 interstellar warships lost.
"Upon the Warhammer Interstellar Federal Kingdom's, 160,000.
"Upon the Holy Radiance Empire's, 280,000.
"And the Angel Race, who came from afar to aid our fighting, 60,000.
"And our own Owl Dragon Legion, 20,000.
"Near 500 million interstellar warriors fell in all.
"Our glory was cast out of their blood.
"Our victory today was bought with their deaths.
"They are our heroes.
"This bottle, to the heroes."
So saying, Zhao Chen poured the wine within it upon the floor.
And thereafter made a solemn military salute toward the star-heavens beyond.
Every soul in the conference room, in this moment, saluted in solemn gravity too.
Half a minute later.
Zhao Chen turned about, went back to his own seat, and the company sat down again.
"This campaign being ended, the legion fleets that came to our aid from every side are to return within their several empires in good order. As for the cosmic bug-nest in this Redeemer's Star System, it is left to your Holy Radiance Empire to handle — there should be no trouble in that?" Zhao Chen looked toward Saint Cana.
Saint Cana nodded. "I have arranged it: 300,000 interstellar warships will garrison here for the long term, and clear the Hive Motherships within this district at set times.
"And further, to keep in memory the officers and men of every side who fell in this fighting.
"I shall raise a monument upon a planet at the Redeemer's Star System's outer edge, in memory of the heroes who fell in this campaign."
Zhao Chen nodded.
What followed was of course some simple exchange.
The greater part of it Lilith spoke in Zhao Chen's stead.
Before long the council came to a close.
Though the great council was ended, Zhao Chen had certain smaller meetings to appear at still.
"Now let us speak of the trade between us." The angel Tilia looked at Zhao Chen with an exceedingly grave expression.
Behind her stood the two high-order angels, and their looks were exceedingly grave as well.
"I have heard the news from the Angel Race's side. The Demon Race has thrown in a great quantity of demon legion fleets of a sudden, and launched a strong offensive at a stroke. Which has cost your front line several important points of strategic weight. In a bare three days above 100,000 interstellar warships were struck off. Is it so?" Zhao Chen too had had this news but a few hours since.
The angel Tilia nodded. "It is; the case is urgent. So our being under your orders for three months must likely end early. Our three angel legions must return early. And once returned, we shall likely go straight up to the front-line field. Barring a mischance, we set out tomorrow."
Zhao Chen nodded. "I understand. As to that star gate route running straight to the Angel Race, it is completed. In returning this time you may use the star gate route, and be back within Angel Race territory in a matter of hours."
"Then by our agreement before, the plan of compensation for the interstellar warships we lost in this campaign." The high-order angel Berkeley asked it with his face set.
"You lost 60,000 interstellar warships; we have already drawn up a list here. Hereafter we shall exchange you Owl Dragon-line interstellar warships of the same value outright." As Zhao Chen said it, Lilith beside him handed the other side an electronic document.
Within it was the gathered data upon those angel warships lost.
The high-order angel Berkeley cast an eye over it, exchanged a look with the angel Tilia, and nodded silently, to say there was no trouble in it.
"Then may I ask when these interstellar warships can be delivered to us? The fighting upon our front is rather urgent, and we want these Owl Dragon-line interstellar warships — the missile ships above all!" The angel Tilia said her thought outright.
The other two high-order angels too had eyes like torches upon Commander Zhao Chen.
Having been through this bitter swarm campaign, all three had grasped the astonishing work an interstellar missile ship does upon a field.
Zhao Chen's brows drew slightly together, and he said, "To provide so great a number of interstellar warships wants a little time."
He looked at the angel Tilia's anxiety across from him, paused, and said, "Though… if you do not mind it, I have a plan of handling here. See whether you can accept it. If you can, then in going back this time you may carry off at the least 30,000 Owl Dragon-line interstellar warships."
"Say on!" the angel Tilia said urgently.
Zhao Chen said, "Brand-new interstellar warships we may not be able to provide in a short time. But we have here no few starships ready made. If you do not mind it, I can allot you interstellar warships of that kind and supply them to you directly. For the fighting upon your front is urgent now, and you want a great quantity of hulls to fill the gap."
It must be said that this proposal left all three high-order angels somewhat hesitant.
The proposal had its good and its ill: the good, that they might carry off a body of Owl Dragon warships at once and have them in fighting strength directly.
The ill, that these were all to be reckoned old starships.
"Though these are not new ships, we guarantee upon the honor of Owl Dragon industry that the quality can assuredly be answered for!" Zhao Chen pledged it with the most solemn assurance.
After some minutes' thought.
The angel Tilia rose, shook Commander Zhao Chen's hand, and agreed to this proposal of an exchange in old hulls.