As the angel He Xi left, the angel Yan turned to Ethan and spoke.
"Ethan, although the Void Universe Engine has been transferred to you, with Nova's current energy levels, you won't be able to power it. Moreover, there are no stars within thousands of light-years around Nova for the engine to absorb energy from, and its own energy reserves are nearly depleted. If you need, I can help you."
Yan's words slowly reached Ethan, giving him a moment to really look at her. His expression grew complicated. On one hand, he felt guilty for exploiting Yan's trust to allow Aiden to successfully steal the database of Yan's flagship, the Heavenly Blade Seven. On the other hand, he was unsure how to face her now.
Ethan didn't ponder for long. "Don't worry, Yan. Nova will find a way."
Yan nodded slightly. "So, I should go now?"
Her eyes reflected a deep sense of reluctance, seeking a response from Ethan. He noticed her hesitation and felt a struggle within.
"Remember what I told you: live well, not for justice, but for yourself. The universe is vast, and we'll meet again."
Yan remained silent for a long time, just looking at Ethan, who gazed back at her.
"Alright, I'll wait for you," she finally said, her eyes shining with a certain light. Then, her wings appeared, and she added, "In the known universe, I'll wait for you!"
Watching Yan's figure gradually disappear, Ethan stood in silence.
A month later...
With the war over and the angels departed, Nova, under Ethan's leadership, quickly began addressing post-war issues. This included compiling casualty lists, documenting sacrifices in underground shelters, and assessing the damage to facilities and resource consumption. These tasks alone took Nova ten days, even with Aiden's assistance.
The results left Ethan speechless. Casualties on the front lines were relatively low, thanks to Nova's overwhelming firepower against the low-level demons. However, higher-level demons inflicted losses through wormhole sniper tactics and individual breakthroughs. Despite these challenges, Nova's high-energy electromagnetic railguns and plasma streams eventually turned the tide. In total, Nova's million-strong army suffered only a few thousand casualties, a minimal percentage loss.
However, the underground shelters faced devastating losses. Four shelters, each 5,000 meters underground, housed 90% of Nova's population, totaling around 90 million people. Tragically, all perished in a single battle, leaving Ethan filled with grief and hatred for Moni.
In terms of facilities, all aerospace ports were destroyed, and half of Nova's 500,000 satellites were lost. Ground military facilities, however, sustained minimal damage. Civilian infrastructure, aside from the shelters, remained intact, with total losses amounting to about 7-8% of Nova's capabilities. This preservation of facilities minimized the time needed for post-war reconstruction.
Resource-wise, military supplies, especially nuclear weapons, saw significant depletion, consuming nearly half of Nova's reserves. Despite this, resource losses were minor compared to other damages.
"Leader, the real impact lies in our losses in human lives, not our facilities or resources," Mikhail reported solemnly to Ethan. "We now have only 9.7 million people left, including 6 million under fifty and 3 million children."
Ethan responded with a heavy heart. "I know. My initial command was to preserve hope for the future generations."
"Boss, I have a suggestion," Aiden's projection suddenly appeared.
"What is it?"
"Given that our average lifespan is around 700-800 years, much longer than the so-called divine river bodies, we have more time for learning. I suggest turning the remaining 6 million young people into researchers, transforming Nova into a scientific civilization."
Ethan raised an eyebrow at the idea. "But if everyone focuses on research, who will handle other tasks?"
"Boss, with Nova's current technology, intelligent machines can handle production and construction activities. We still need essential management personnel, but our reduced population will significantly lower resource consumption."
Ethan fell into deep thought. "I'll consider your suggestion. For now, the upcoming memorial ceremony is our priority."
"Understood, Boss."
Ethan turned to Mikhail. "Let's go. The memorial is about to begin."
"I believe the souls of those who sacrificed themselves will watch over us until the day Nova rises again in the universe, roaring our defiance to the self-proclaimed gods. Only then can they truly rest in peace."