Chapter 1391: Eve of the Celebration (1)

Meanwhile, in Luojia's office.

The Intelligence Officer of the Word Bearers stood before him.

"My lord, there is some abnormality in the Waijiaoqu. Zeke'er, the representative of the Keluoque Empire, has met consecutively tonight with representatives from the Sargon Free Territory, the Zelar Commercial Alliance, and the Viridian United Kingdom."

Luojia's brows furrowed slightly.

"The Keluoque Empire, the Sargon Free Territory, the Zelar Commercial Alliance, and the Viridian United Kingdom. All four are factions dissatisfied with us. They are gathered together; they are certainly not discussing the weather."

The Intelligence Officer asked.

"My lord, do we need to strengthen surveillance?"

Luojia thought for a moment.

"No need. The celebration is imminent; do not alert the enemy. Let them think we know nothing."

The Intelligence Officer stood at attention.

"Yes, my lord."

After the Intelligence Officer left, Luojia sat alone in the office.

They will never be content to remain beneath others. Give them a little freedom, and they want to stir up trouble. Give them a little opportunity, and they want to turn the tables.

They do not know that the security forces of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance far exceed their imagination.

On the day of the celebration, if any Alien dares to make a move, what will greet them is not a bargaining chip, but judgment.

Xiuluo Holy Star, Central City.

On the eve of the celebration, the streets were decorated with lanterns and colored streamers, and people's faces were brimming with smiles.

The Viewing Platform at the Central Plaza shone brilliantly under the lights, and holographic screens played the achievements of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance over the past three years.

Children chased and played in the plaza, the elderly sat on benches chatting, and young people took photos as keepsakes.

On the eve of the celebration, the entire city was dressed in festive attire.

The lampposts on both sides of the streets were hung with flags of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance; on the deep blue flag surface, the golden Double-headed Eagle Emblem rustled in the evening breeze.

In the direction of the Central Plaza, a giant holographic screen was undergoing a test broadcast; the image of the Emperor flashed by, drawing bursts of cheers from the crowd.

Yingxin held the hand of the youth Fulgrim, walking on the most prosperous commercial street in Central City.

She wore a pale purple dress, her hair tied into a high ponytail, with two small bells tied to the ends of her braids that jingled as she walked.

Having just turned eleven, she was full of curiosity about everything, pointing at toys in shop windows one moment and standing on tiptoe to watch a street performer do magic tricks the next.

The youth Leman Russ followed behind, holding three skewers of grilled meat, his cheeks bulging like a hamster.

He wore a loose brown leather jacket, his long golden hair hanging loose, and sauce still stained his face.

"Xiaoxiner, walk slower! The meat is going to fall!"

Leman Russ shouted indistinctly.

Yingxin turned back and made a face.

"Brother Leman, you've already eaten the third skewer! Are you still not full?"

Leman Russ swallowed the meat in his mouth.

"I'm growing! I need to eat more! Besides, this was bought for you; if you don't eat it, I'll help you eat it."

Fulgrim shook his head helplessly, his long silver hair fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

He wore a silver-gray long coat over a white shirt and gently held Yingxin's hand.

"Xiaoxiner, don't run too fast; there are many people, be careful not to get separated."

Yingxin pouted.

"Brother Fulge, I'm already eleven; I won't get lost."

Fulgrim smiled.

"Yes, you've grown up. But your mother specifically instructed me before we left to keep an eye on you and not let you run around."

Hearing the word "mother," Yingxin's little face immediately fell.

She let go of Fulgrim's hand, crossed her arms over her chest, and pouted so hard one could hang an oil bottle from her lip.

"Don't mention my mom! She won't let me do anything! She won't let me go to the Spaceport to watch the stars, won't let me ride a spaceship, won't let me go to other planets to play! I'm going to be bored to death!"

Leman Russ walked over, wanting to pat Yingxin's head with his greasy hand.

"Xiaoxiner, your mom is doing it for your own good; it's dangerous outside."

Yingxin dodged his hand.

"Ew~ Brother Leman, your hands are all oily! And what's so dangerous? The brothers are all out fighting, aren't they fine? I want to go out and see too. See what other planets look like, see if the stars are really as beautiful as they are drawn in books."

Fulgrim squatted down to look at Yingxin at eye level.

"Xiaoxiner, interstellar travel is not as simple as you think. There are many dangers in space—there are Aliens, pirates, and unknown radiation and viruses. It is normal for your mother to worry about you. When you are a little older, and when the brothers have time to accompany you, we will go together, okay?"

Yingxin lowered her head, drawing circles on the ground with her toe.

"But I'm already eleven. And Uncle always says that the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance can have today thanks to countless people like Dad who sacrificed for civilization."

Fulgrim was stunned.

Yingxin's father, and her father's elder brother, had sacrificed early; Yingxin did not have many memories of him, but whenever the elders mentioned him, she would always remember.

"Xiaoxiner, but your mother only has you as a daughter."

Yingxin looked up, her eyes slightly reddened.

"Brother Fulge, I'm not blaming Mom. I just... I just want to go and see. See the places where the brothers have fought, see those liberated planets, and see those people who were saved."

Fulgrim looked at Yingxin, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.

This eleven-year-old girl did not just have toys and candy in her heart.

She wanted to travel the stars, and the toys she usually played with were different from those of her peers; those toys were only toys to her, but to other children, they were weapons.

"Xiaoxiner, when you are a little older, Brother will take you."

Fulgrim patted her head.

Yingxin sniffled.

"Really?"

Fulgrim nodded.

"Really, I keep my word."

Leman Russ had already finished his third skewer of grilled meat and went to buy another one.

He chewed as he walked, but his ears were pricked up, listening to Yingxin and Fulgrim talking.

Seeing Yingxin in low spirits, he wanted to offer a few words of comfort, but he did not know what to say.

"Xiaoxiner, don't be sad. During these days of the celebration, many, many starships will come to the Spaceport, and you can go see them then; those ships are huge!"

Leman Russ gestured with his hands.

Fulgrim suddenly jabbed him, the blow landing directly on Leman Russ's ribs.

Leman Russ let out an "Ouch," nearly dropping the grilled meat in his hand, and turned to glare at Fulgrim.

"Why did you hit me?!"

"Eat your meat and don't talk."

Yingxin's eyes, however, lit up.

She looked up at Leman Russ and smiled slyly.

"Brother Leman, what did you say? Many starships are coming to the Spaceport? What kind of starships? Whose are they?"

Leman Russ opened his mouth, glanced at Fulgrim's expression, and scratched his head.

"That... I meant... ordinary merchant ships. Yes, merchant ships, it's a celebration, after all, they're transporting goods."

Yingxin narrowed her eyes.

"Brother Leman, you're lying. You scratch your head every time you lie."

She turned to Fulgrim.

"Brother Fulge, what is really going on? What kind of starships have come to the Spaceport?"

Fulgrim glared at Leman Russ.

Leman Russ sheepishly lowered his head and focused on gnawing his grilled meat.

Fulgrim sighed, crouched down, and looked at Yingxin earnestly.

"Xiaoxiner, for this celebration, many factions in the Bode Star System have sent delegations to attend. Their starships are docked at the Spaceport. That is why Leman Russ said many starships have arrived. But those are Alien starships, and they are very dangerous. Your mother doesn't let you go to the Spaceport because she is afraid you will encounter Aliens."

Yingxin's eyes widened even further.

"Alien starships? What kind of Aliens? What do they look like? They are coming to attend our celebration? Why? Aren't they enemies?"

Fulgrim slapped his forehead and said helplessly.

"Father must have his reasons for letting those Aliens attend the celebration, and those Aliens are also here to show respect to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

Yingxin tilted her head and thought for a moment.

"Then can I go take a look? From far away? Without getting close?"

Fulgrim shook his head.

"No, it's too dangerous, your mother won't agree."

Yingxin lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Fulgrim thought she was crying and was about to comfort her when he heard a "pfft" sound.

Yingxin looked up; there were no tears on her face, and she was clearly giggling.

"Brother Fulge, you are so easy to trick."

Yingxin laughed.

"I won't go, I know Mother has my best interests at heart, I was just asking."

Fulgrim breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good. Let's go, there's a dessert shop up ahead, didn't you want to eat ice cream? I'll take you."