Chapter 1389: Activities Only Possible on the Day of the Celebration

Xiuluo Holy Star, Central Plaza of Central City.

Three days remain until the third anniversary celebration.

The viewing platform on the plaza has already been assembled, its silver-white alloy skeleton gleaming under the sunlight.

Workers are performing the final decorations, hanging deep red curtains, placing fresh flowers, and calibrating the holographic projection equipment. Perturabo stands personally beneath the viewing platform, holding a data pad, checking the structural integrity of every weld point.

"Increase the spacing of the third row of seats by another five centimeters."

Perturabo says to the engineer beside him.

"There must be sufficient space."

The engineer records this quickly.

"Yes, my lord. The load-bearing test for the viewing platform has been completed."

Perturabo nods.

"What about the route for the military parade?"

The engineer pulls up a holographic map.

"The phalanx departs from the east side of the Central Plaza, proceeds west along the main avenue, passes the viewing platform, and then turns into the north road to return. The entire route is 3.5 kilometers, with an estimated duration of forty minutes."

Perturabo glances at it for a few moments.

"Reinforce both sides of the road. The flow of people will be heavy on the day of the celebration; no one must be allowed to rush into the parade route."

The engineer stands at attention.

"Yes, my lord."

In the distance, a group of workers wearing dark blue uniforms are installing a massive holographic screen.

The screen will broadcast the grand occasion of the celebration in real-time, allowing citizens who cannot enter the plaza to also see the demeanor of the Emperor and the Primarchs.

An old worker with a head full of white hair stands on the scaffolding, holding a screwdriver, fixing the frame of the screen.

His name is Lao Han, and he has witnessed the founding and rise of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance.

"Lao Han, come down and have some water!"

A fellow worker below shouts.

Lao Han waves his hand.

"Wait a moment! This screw is loose; if it isn't tightened, the screen will wobble!"

Only after confirming it is secure does he slowly climb down.

The fellow worker hands over a canteen, and Lao Han takes a large gulp.

"Lao Han, are you going to watch the celebration that day?"

The fellow worker asks.

Lao Han wipes his mouth.

"Not going. There are too many people in the plaza; it's too crowded. I'll watch on the television at home. The Emperor's speech, the appearance of the Primarchs—I can see it all. Besides, my old woman's legs aren't good; she can't walk long distances."

The fellow worker laughs.

"Then you aren't going to the scene, don't you feel it's a pity?"

Lao Han looks at that massive holographic screen.

"What's there to be a pity about? Being able to watch the Emperor on television is already an honor."

The fellow worker pats him on the shoulder.

"Lao Han, you are a contented man."

Lao Han says.

"It's not contentment; it's having experienced hard times and knowing that sweet days do not come easily."

Diplomatic delegation rest area, the residence of the Keluo Empire delegation.

The leader of the Keluo Empire delegation is a young noble named Zeke'er, who claims to be a distant nephew of the Emperor the Twenty-Fourth, and whose four eyes always flicker with a glow of dissatisfaction.

His skin is deep purple, he has four curved long horns on his head, his build is burly, and he wears a magnificent deep red robe.

He stands before the window, watching the squad of black-armored soldiers patrolling outside.

"They treat us like prisoners."

Zeke'er turns around, speaking to the representatives of the other factions in the room.

In the room are also Morus, the representative of the Ashes Star Alliance, a middle-aged diplomat named Weilakesi representing the Daikong Star Alliance, and representatives from several other factions.

Tailesi and Gaiwusi of the Canaan Star Alliance are also there, but they sit in the corner and do not participate in the discussion.

Morus sits on the sofa, his four eyes half-closed.

He is a senior Adjutant to Salmox and the representative of the Ashes Star Alliance, possessing extensive experience.

"Lord Zeke'er, this is their territory; they have the right to set the rules."

Zeke'er snorts. "The right? We, the Keluo Empire, sent a delegation to attend their celebration; that is a sign of respect toward them. And them? They restrict our range of movement, won't let us travel freely, and won't even let us go into the city to take a look. Is this respect?"

Weilakesi speaks up.

"Lord Zeke'er, the security measures of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance are the same for all delegations. It is not targeted specifically at the Keluo Empire."

Zeke'er looks at him.

"You are speaking for them too?"

Weilakesi shakes his head.

"Not at all. The Daikong Star Alliance signed a Non-Aggression Treaty with the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, and our mission has also returned from the Xiuluo Holy Star. We have long been accustomed to their security regulations."

Zeke'er sneers.

"Accustomed? You Daikong people have soft bones."

Weilakesi's expression changes slightly, but he does not respond.

The representatives of the other few factions looked at each other, not making a sound.

Tailesi sat in the corner, having not spoken the entire time.

Gaiwusi said in a low voice.

"Lord Tailesi, the people from the Luoke Empire seem very dissatisfied."

Tailesi also lowered his voice.

"They are dissatisfied because they have yet to recognize reality. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is not any faction they have encountered before."

Gaiwusi nodded.

"Then should we say something?"

Tailesi shook his head.

"No need, Lord Luojia will not care about their grumbling."

Zeke'er was still pacing in the room.

"Our Luoke Empire has never been treated like this! The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is nothing but a slave planet that crawled out of a Gladiator Arena; what right do they have to restrict our freedom?"

Morus opened his eyes.

"Your Excellency Zeke'er, please mind your words. This is Xiuluo Holy Star, not the Luoke Empire."

Zeke'er looked at him.

"What? Are you afraid?"

Morus said.

"We came to attend the celebration as guests; guests should act like guests."

Zeke'er let out a cold snort and said nothing more.

The next morning, the broadcast in the diplomatic delegation's rest area sounded.

"Representatives, please pay attention. At nine o'clock this morning, Lord Luojia will come to announce the arrangements for the day of the celebration. Please gather in the main building's reception hall."

Zeke'er frowned.

"What is it now?"

He straightened his robes and walked out of the room.

In the main building's reception hall, the representatives of the various factions arrived one after another.

Morus of the Ash Star Alliance, Weilakesi of the Daikong Star Alliance, Tailesi and Gaiwusi of the Canaan Star Alliance, Zeke'er of the Luoke Empire, and representatives from the Black Stone Consortium and other factions.

At nine o'clock sharp, Luojia walked into the hall on time.

He was wearing the ceremonial robes of the Word Bearers Legion, holding a Psionic Crystal Rosary in his hand, his expression calm.

"Representatives, the arrangements for the day of the celebration have been finalized. I am notifying you all of this. First, the celebration will be held the day after tomorrow at ten o'clock in the morning at the Central Plaza of Central City; you will take a dedicated airship to the Viewing Platform. Second, after the celebration concludes, the Emperor will hold a reception banquet, at which time you may meet with the Emperor."

Zeke'er raised his hand.

"Lord Luojia, can we move freely on the day of the celebration?"

Luojia looked at him.

"Your Excellency Zeke'er, the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance understands your desire to learn about this city.

Therefore, the Emperor has specially approved that on the day of the celebration, you may move freely within a certain range.

The specific range is: the commercial and cultural districts within five blocks surrounding the Central Plaza of Central City. From eight o'clock in the morning to four o'clock in the afternoon, you may tour freely. However, please note that the Primarch Residential Area and military restricted zones may not be entered."

Low murmurs arose in the hall.

Zeke'er's expression softened slightly, but dissatisfaction remained in his eyes.

"A certain range? Five blocks? Lord Luojia, is this your way of treating guests?"

Luojia said.

"Your Excellency Zeke'er, this is the Emperor's grace. If you are not satisfied, you may remain in the diplomatic delegation's rest area."

Zeke'er opened his mouth but did not speak again.

Morus stood up.

"Lord Luojia, thank you for the Emperor's grace. The Ash Star Alliance delegation will abide by the regulations."

Weilakesi also stood up.

"The Daikong Star Alliance delegation will also comply."

Tailesi stood up.

"The Canaan Star Alliance delegation will likewise comply."

Other factions also expressed their agreement one after another.

Seeing that the other factions had all expressed their stance, Zeke'er found it difficult to say anything more and could only nod.

Luojia scanned the hall.

"Are there any other questions?"

Seeing there were no questions, Luojia turned and left.