Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
Screeeech—
The scorching sun had just risen in the sky when a long hawk cry echoed.
A colossal silver eagle descended, kicking up a fierce gust of wind, and landed at the entrance of Marine Academy's Building 1, drawing the attention of some instructors and students.
"Finally back!"
Cross looked relaxed. He leaped off the giant eagle's back, glanced at Building 1, and walked straight inside, leaving the silver eagle standing still as a statue at the bottom of the steps.
Soon, Cross arrived at the door of an office on the sixth floor and knocked.
Thump, thump, thump…
"Come in!"
As soon as the knocking stopped, a voice came from within.
Cross pushed the door open and immediately saw Zephyr sitting behind his desk, holding a quill, truly engrossed in paperwork.
Hearing footsteps, Zephyr looked up, saw Cross enter the office, then lowered his head to continue processing his documents, saying casually, "You look quite relaxed. Clearly, things went smoothly!"
"That's right, Zephyr-sensei. We've reached a reconciliation with the officials and citizens of Skoggy. Fleet Admiral Kong has also agreed. Soon, 3,700 Enlivened sculptures and statues will be transported to Marine Headquarters to handle its defense!" Cross smiled as he walked to the center of the room, plopped down onto the sofa, and spoke in a relaxed tone.
"3,700 Enlivened beings…"
Zephyr frowned, instinctively pausing his work. He looked up at Cross on the sofa and asked, puzzled, "I recall that the reinforcements Marine Headquarters sent to the G-5 Branch totaled as many as 8,000 people, and even the G-1 Branch dispatched an additional 3,000, all elites. Can such a small number of Enlivened troops adequately defend Headquarters?"
Hearing this, Cross smiled, saying, "Don't worry, Zephyr-sensei. Though my darlings aren't numerous, each one can fight ten, or even a hundred!"
Zephyr looked at Cross in surprise, not expecting such confidence.
However, Zephyr then reconsidered.
An Enlivened stone statue indeed wasn't something an ordinary Marine could defeat, as most people couldn't chop stone with swords, and even firearms couldn't shatter a human-sized stone sculpture with just one or two shots.
Therefore, if an Enlivened stone sculpture was that formidable, a metal sculpture brought to life would be even more so. Saying it could fight a hundred was no exaggeration.
At this moment, Cross rummaged through the coffee table and found a cigar box. He opened it and saw six cigars inside.
"Oh~ Royaina brand cigars, good stuff!"
Cross picked up a thick, long brown cigar. Seeing the tobacco flower mark on it, he couldn't help but look surprised, then unceremoniously took a cigar cutter and snipped off the tip of the cigar in his hand.
"Hey, you little brat! You don't smoke, why are you cutting my cigar?!"
Zephyr saw Cross actually take one of his treasured cigars and cut it. He couldn't help but stand up in a mix of shock and anger.
The next second, Zephyr watched as Cross lit a match, skillfully held the cigar above the flame, gently rotating it to heat it, and finally lit the cigar.
Hiss—
Phew—
Cross glanced at Zephyr, nonchalantly puffed twice at the foot of the cigar, then put it in his mouth. He took a deep drag, letting the cigar smoke linger in his mouth, feeling a silky, chocolate-like aroma before slowly exhaling it moments later.
Zephyr looked at Cross in astonishment. He then put down his quill, walked out from behind his desk, and sat on the sofa opposite Cross, asking in surprise, "When did you learn to smoke cigars? I've never seen you do it before!"
"Just a few days ago. After settling things with the officials of Skoggy, I stayed there for a few days, ate some meals, had a few drinks, and learned!" Cross said, looking at the cigar in his hand, a little embarrassed.
He had stayed in Skoggy for three days, during which he negotiated the matter of the Enlivened beings and the subsequent exchange terms.
After commanding the Enlivened beings onto the Marine transport ships and escorting the fleet out of port, he returned to Marine Headquarters alone.
But in those three days, he received enthusiastic hospitality from many officials, merchants, and grand artists of Skoggy. There was plenty of fine wine and delicious food, and even beautiful women tried to climb into his bed.
Fortunately, he was firm in character and resolutely refused, but he still learned to smoke cigars.
"Hahahaha~"
Zephyr laughed, saying indifferently, "At least you knew to come back and weren't corrupted by their sugar-coated bullets! Learning to smoke cigars is nothing. Smoker started at 15. When a man's out, drinking and smoking are unavoidable!"
"But, if you dare touch my cigar again next time, I'll blow your head off!" Zephyr glared fiercely at Cross, then painfully closed the cigar box, put it into the drawer under the coffee table, and locked it.
"It's just one cigar, Zephyr-sensei. Aren't you being a bit stingy?!" Cross complained, displeased.
"What do you know?!" Zephyr snapped angrily. "Only 5,000 Royaina brand cigars are produced each year. 2,000 of them are offered to the Celestial Dragons, and the remaining 3,000 are snatched up by royalty, nobles, wealthy merchants, high-ranking officials, and other high-society individuals worldwide. Do you think they're easy to get your hands on?!"
"No wonder it tastes so good… Zephyr-sensei, give me two more to try!" Cross's eyes lit up, and he grinned at Zephyr.
Seeing this, Zephyr's face darkened. He said sternly, "Don't even think about it! You've already smoked one, and I haven't even settled the score with you yet!"
"Tch~ Stingy!"
Cross pouted unhappily and took another deep drag from his cigar.
"Hmph~"
Zephyr looked at the cigar in Cross's hand with a pained expression, saying indignantly, "You brat, you smoked one of my expensive cigars. If you don't cooperate with my work next, see how I'll deal with you. Don't think about being lazy and hiding in a corner to train by yourself!"
"How about you give me two more, and I promise I'll cooperate well from now on!" Cross said, biting his cigar, trying to please Zephyr.
"Not even one!"
Zephyr glared fiercely at Cross, saying resentfully, "The selection for the 17th Elite Class is about to begin. You'll be the tester and select 50 students!"
"Ugh—"
Cross was aghast, saying unwillingly, "It's just one cigar! You don't have to retaliate like this! Making me do the most exhausting work, and I'm only 16!"
"This matter is non-negotiable. I'll give you the list of candidates for the Elite Class selection later!" Zephyr said, arms crossed, in an annoyed tone. "You don't learn good habits, only copying that lazy bum Kuzan. Remember, don't think about being lazy; I'll be watching you!"
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