Chapter 1376: Preparations Before the Ceremony (2)

Xiuluo Holy Star, Northern Hemisphere, Anvil Fortress.

At six in the morning, the skyline of Anvil Fortress is outlined by rows of chimneys and cooling towers.

Unlike the neatness and elegance of Central City, this city is rugged, tough, and full of power.

Along both sides of the streets are heavy gray buildings; the exterior walls have no decorations, only exposed concrete and Steel.

In the Central Plaza of Anvil Fortress, a massive statue is being unveiled.

A worker is baring his chest, hands held high with tools, his gaze looking toward the distance.

A line of text is carved into the base of the statue.

Laborers create the future.

Thousands of workers have gathered around the statue.

They are wearing dark blue work uniforms and safety helmets, their eyes full of anticipation.

On the temporary stage in front of the plaza stands the mayor of Anvil Fortress, an old worker with graying hair.

"Brothers and sisters of Anvil Fortress! Three years ago, the Emperor shattered our shackles and saved us from the enslavement of the Aliens! For three years, we have produced countless supplies for the fleet of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance; our sweat has not been shed in vain! Our efforts have not been forgotten! Today, this statue is the proof!"

A thunderous cheer erupted in the plaza.

On the edge of the crowd, a young female worker stands among the people, a proud smile on her face.

Her name is Vera, an electric welder, twenty-three years old this year.

Three years ago, she had nearly died in an Orc cage.

Now she is a technical backbone of the factory, having trained over a dozen apprentices, and her monthly income is enough to support her whole family.

A middle-aged man next to her nudges her with his elbow.

"Vera, is it true that the Emperor is coming to inspect Anvil Fortress on the day of the celebration?"

Vera nods.

"The notice has already been issued; the Emperor is coming to visit our production lines."

The middle-aged man's eyes light up.

"Really? The Emperor is coming in person? Can I actually see the Emperor in this lifetime?"

Vera smiles.

"Not just the Emperor, Lord Perturabo is coming too. He is going to build a new industrial park in Anvil Fortress, specifically for producing civilian building materials. It is said the scale will be three times larger than this current factory area."

Another coworker leans in.

"Lord Perturabo? That Primarch? He is coming to build a factory himself?"

Vera says.

"Not him building it personally, it's his Engineering Team. But Lord Perturabo will come to attend the ceremony; it is said he values the industrial foundation of Anvil Fortress highly and wants to build this place into the largest building material production base of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

The coworkers begin to discuss it excitedly.

Some say they want to take a photo with Lord Perturabo when the time comes, and some want to give him a souvenir they forged themselves.

In the plaza, the unveiling ceremony of the statue reaches its climax.

The old mayor pulls down the red silk, and the massive worker statue shines brilliantly in the morning light.

"For the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance! For the Emperor!"

The old mayor raises his fist.

Thousands of workers raise their fists simultaneously.

"For the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance! For the Emperor!"

The sound is thunderous.

Xiuluo Holy Star, Eastern Hemisphere coast, Morning Starport.

The sea breeze blows across the wharf, carrying a salty scent.

Workers are loading and unloading cargo; cranes roar, and forklifts shuttle back and forth.

A massive banner hangs on the wharf.

"Warmly celebrate the third anniversary of the founding of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance".

On a viewing platform by the sea, a scruffy, middle-aged man leans against the railing, looking at the ocean.

His name is Lao Mo, a dock worker.

"Lao Mo, what are you spacing out for?"

A young sailor walks over, holding two beers in his hand, and hands one to him.

Lao Mo takes the beer and takes a gulp.

"Looking at the sea."

The young sailor leans next to him.

"What's so good about looking at the sea?"

Lao Mo looks at the distant horizon.

"I thought I would never see the sea of Xiuluo Holy Star in my life; I didn't expect that now, the ships on the sea are ours."

The young sailor is silent for a moment.

"I heard my dad say that this place used to be occupied by Aliens, who enslaved our kin, and later, after the Emperor liberated this place, he personally gave the order to rename it 'Morning Starport'."

Lao Mo nods.

"Morning Star, the star before the Dawn. It means a new day is about to begin."

Music drifts from afar.

In the plaza of the wharf, a band is playing folk tunes, using guitars, accordions, and harmonicas—cheerful and rustic.

The workers gather together; some hum along, and some hold hands and dance.

A woman in her fifties moved through the crowd carrying a tray, on which sat glasses of free beer.

It was Ajhen, the proprietress of the Great Harbor Tavern; she had specifically closed her business for the day to bring her staff to the pier to give out free drinks.

"Lao Mo, here for you."

Ajhen handed over two glasses of beer.

Lao Mo took them.

"Ajhen, not doing business today?"

Ajhen waved her hand.

"What business? It's the third anniversary celebration, the whole city is celebrating. All my shops are closed today, and the entire staff has come to the pier to serve drinks."

A young sailor took a sip of beer.

"Delicious! Ajhen, your craft is getting better and better."

Ajhen smiled.

"That's for sure. These past three years, there has been bitterness, but there has also been true sweetness; everything is full of hope."

Southern hemisphere of Xiuluo Holy Star, Abundant Valley.

This was the granary of Xiuluo Holy Star, with endless farmland stretching from the foot of the mountains to the seaside.

Seeds successfully cultivated in the experimental fields of Central City were all sent here to be sown.

In the early morning, sunlight spilled over the golden wheat fields, and a breeze stirred up layers of wheat waves.

Farmers were busy in the fields driving their harvesters; with the third anniversary celebration imminent, they had to finish the summer Harvest before the festivities.

On a threshing floor by the edge of the fields, dozens of farmers were holding a simple celebration.

Several long tables were pushed together, laden with fresh fruits and vegetables, toasted bread, and homemade fruit wine.

Children played hide-and-seek among the haystacks, women gathered together to wrap dumplings, and men sat in the shade of the trees chatting.

An old farmer with dark skin and thick, sturdy hands sat on a haystack, holding a bowl of fruit wine in his hand, squinting as he looked at the distant wheat fields.

His name was Lao Guan, and he hoped he could farm in Abundant Valley for the rest of his life.

"Lao Guan, how is the harvest for those hundred acres of wheat you planted?"

A middle-aged farm woman nearby asked.

Lao Guan took a sip of wine.

"Good. Twenty percent more than last year. The weather has been favorable this year, and with the irrigation canals built by Lord Perturabo, there is no shortage of water or fertilizer."

The farm woman smiled.

"Then you'll be able to have a good year this year."

Lao Guan looked at the fields in the distance.

"It's true, now my family can save up for my granddaughter's tuition."

Lao Guan's granddaughter ran over from behind a haystack, wearing two small braids, her cheeks rosy.

"Grandpa! Grandpa! The teacher said that on the day of the celebration, the Emperor is coming here to inspect! Is it true?"

Lao Guan picked her up.

"It's true, the Emperor is coming to our Abundant Valley to see our wheat fields and taste our bread."

The little girl clapped her hands happily.

"I want to draw a picture for the Emperor! A picture of our wheat fields! A picture of our harvesters!"

Lao Guan kissed her forehead.

"Alright, Grandpa will help you frame it."

On the threshing floor, a young man stood up and raised his glass.

"Everyone! The third anniversary of the founding of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance! Cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

"Cheers!"

Sunlight spilled over the golden wheat fields, the wind blew, and the wheat waves rolled.