Having a Stargate available certainly made things efficient.
Previously, traveling from the Fierce Dragon Star System to the Arctic Fox System had taken nearly half a month.
This time, the journey from the Arctic Fox System to the North Star System took only a few hours.
Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship Intelligent System reminder: Ship Hull has exited Warp Navigation State and has arrived at the designated location. Currently in Autopilot Mode.
Zhao Chen awoke immediately, and Lilith promptly issued the order for all crew members to return to their combat stations.
"Report, all starships of the fleet have arrived safely. Awaiting your instructions," Secretary Officer Lilith reported to Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen raised his hand and opened the star map of the North Star System.
Their current location was still quite far from the North Star Starship Military Academy, though using the Warp Drive would get them there in just a few minutes.
The reason for choosing this location was that Zhao Chen needed to first position his Fierce Dragon Fleet.
He had no intention of boldly sailing all thirteen starships directly back to the Academy—that would be far too conspicuous.
This star sector was a relatively remote and sparsely traveled area within the North Star System.
"Have Charlotte find a suitable location to station the fleet," Zhao Chen assigned the specific site selection task to Charlotte.
As a former General of the Beastman Rebellion, Charlotte was very familiar with choosing locations to conceal movements.
Soon, Charlotte selected an area amidst three asteroids that orbited each other. Using the blind spots in the lines of sight, it provided excellent concealment.
Unless a starship happened to pass directly through here, it would be very difficult to detect the presence of this interstellar fleet.
"Charlotte, I will return to the Academy aboard the Zero Blizzard, accompanied by one T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigate. The T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship, the remaining nine T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigates, and the T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ship will remain here.
You are responsible for stationing here and ensuring the fleet's safety.
Also, oversee the production and construction tasks of the T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ship. Using our existing raw material resources, first expand by building one additional T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ship," Zhao Chen instructed.
Before leaving Arctic Fox Starport, Zhao Chen had exchanged all 1.2 million Star Coins for living supplies, military supplies, and raw materials.
The raw materials were naturally stored within the T2 Hammer-class Heavy Interstellar Industrial Ship.
The living supplies were sufficient to meet the needs of all the female soldiers across the starships for three months.
Even without considering living supplies, as long as these starships were not on long voyages or engaged in combat, their ample internal energy reserves could sustain them in space for decades without needing to return to port.
"Yes, sir," Charlotte accepted the orders.
"During my absence, report any intelligence to me promptly and maintain 24-hour communication availability," Zhao Chen added.
"Yes, sir."
Afterward, Zhao Chen switched Flagships with Charlotte.
Aboard the Zero Blizzard and accompanied by one T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigate, he set off once again for the Academy.
The distance between the two locations wasn't actually far.
In an emergency requiring support, using the Warp Drive and accounting for acceleration and deceleration times, they could arrive in as little as fifteen minutes.
Soon, the Zero Blizzard and the T2 Black Rhino arrived at the star sector outside the North Star Starship Military Academy.
Zhao Chen submitted an application and rented a starship berth, which could accommodate one large and one small starship.
"Is this the commander's Starship Academy?" Secretary Officer Lilith looked at the beautiful interstellar city before her, speaking with a hint of envy.
Once upon a time, their Succubus Kingdom also had such beautiful architecture.
Unfortunately...
"Inform the starship crew to remain on standby on the starship.
You, come with me," Zhao Chen said.
"Me... with you?" Secretary Officer Lilith was visibly nervous.
She still felt somewhat restrained in outside society. After all, for the past few decades, she had been leading her people in escape, hiding in the darkest corners.
Even after recently joining the Fierce Dragon Fleet, it was only within a closed environment that she gradually adapted.
Suddenly being taken to an external social environment was truly unsettling.
"Yes," Zhao Chen replied.
"Um... I... I can just wait for you on the starship...
If you need anything... you can contact me anytime," Lilith whispered.
Zhao Chen looked at Lilith. "This is an order."
Zhao Chen clearly understood Lilith's psychological barriers, but as the Secretary Officer of the Fierce Dragon Fleet, she had to overcome them.
That was why he insisted that Lilith must accompany him—to temper her.
"Yes..." Lilith replied timidly.
"You can wear everyday uniforms that cover your figure, hiding your tail, wings, and horns," Zhao Chen said.
During the previous procurement of living supplies, in addition to the military-style uniforms for the Fierce Dragon Fleet, some everyday clothing had also been purchased, with each female soldier having a set.
Lilith felt a surge of joy in her heart. Although it only covered part of her, it still gave her a bit more sense of security.
After the two starships had docked, Zhao Chen led Lilith out of the starship.
Zhao Chen had changed into his academy uniform, while Lilith wore a dress with a fluffy skirt that covered her tail. The layered back of the dress concealed her wings.
On her head, she wore a slightly oversized hat that hid her horns.
Zhao Chen gave her a once-over. She looked like an ordinary, timid girl, but if anyone saw her face, regardless of gender, they would likely be captivated.
After all, this was the charm of a succubus.
The first thing Zhao Chen did upon returning to the academy was to inform Li Wei and Zhao Wan'er of his return.
He even sent a communication request to Zhao Wan'er, but it was unexpectedly rejected.
"Could she be busy with something important?" Zhao Chen muttered to himself.
Well, no rush.
Once Zhao Wan'er saw the message, she would naturally reply.
Zhao Chen put his hands in his pockets and began strolling around the academy with Lilith.
Lilith followed timidly beside Zhao Chen. At first, she didn't dare lift her head and even held onto the corner of Zhao Chen's clothes.
As she gradually grew accustomed to her surroundings, she began cautiously observing the buildings and people around her.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chen was thinking about something important.
Graduation!
The requirement of the annual mission was to graduate within a year.
That meant Zhao Chen had to skip grades—and not just one, but three levels within a single year!
If it were lower grades like first or second year, it might be manageable. But for higher grades like fourth, fifth, and sixth year, the difficulty was truly significant.
"Go ask Wan'er, she should know how to smoothly and quickly skip grades." Zhao Chen muttered to himself.
Zhao Chen now noticed the holographic model of a starship in a display case nearby.
He was very familiar with this starship.
It was precisely the T1 Wolf Louse-class Medium Interstellar Destroyer!
Below it was written a line of large text.
'Most Popular T1 Starship! Sales launched just two months ago, pre-orders have already exceeded five hundred units!'