The square was packed with people, countless pairs of eyes gazing up toward the sky. The towering iron fortress parted the boundless sea of clouds, drifting gently under the mid-morning sunlight.
In this moment, whether citizens of the Alliance or travelers passing through, none could help casting reverent gazes toward the sky.
Standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows of the bridge, Chu Guang felt a sudden surge of emotion in his chest the moment his gaze met all those expectant eyes.
"Xiao Qi."
"What is it, Master?" A light voice drifted into Chu Guang's ear like a gentle breeze.
Perched upon his shoulder armor, Xiao Qi swung her chopstick-thin legs, resting her chin in both hands as she studied the side of his face with a beaming smile.
Chu Guang narrowed his eyes slightly and chuckled. "Nothing. I just suddenly felt like calling your name."
Xiao Qi giggled. "Hehe, are you feeling really excited right now, Master?"
"Yeah, a little bit." Chu Guang nodded honestly, his eyes remaining fixed on the grand spectacle outside the window.
Watching the little sapling he had nurtured finally grow into a towering tree brought a joy words could hardly describe!
Chu Guang believed he was not alone. Every citizen of the Alliance—whether player or NPC—surely felt that same surge of passion swelling within their chest.
They had conquered the curse etched into this land!
They had defeated the threat once hailed as immortal and imperishable!
And they had turned a brand-new page in the history of this land—
Though the road had been fraught with twists and turns, the people living upon this land had finally come together.
Chu Guang seemed to hear the unified thrum of tens of thousands of beating hearts, pulsing with the devotion of a united will.
No matter where they stood.
No matter the time.
From this day forth, they would advance and retreat as one.
Sharing honor and disgrace alike!
A pale-blue holographic panel unfurled before Chu Guang.
Watching the countdown hit zero, he reached out with his index finger and pressed the broadcast button, patching into the speakers across the square and throughout the *Heart of Steel*—
And poured his voice into an invigorating cry!
"Celebrate!"
"Everyone standing upon this land!"
"We have utterly conquered the Tide that surged back time and time again!"
"We have settled a grievance spanning two centuries!"
"Victory is ours!"
"And it shall forever be ours!"
Hearing that affirmation from the Administrator, the square erupted into a roar of applause and cheers like crashing waves. Men and women, elderly and children—every face beamed with boundless joy and radiant excitement.
"Long live the Alliance!"
"Long live the Administrator!"
"Long live all the suffering survivors!"
"We will put an end to this wasteland!"
"Oooohhh!"
In this moment of triumph, people tossed flower petals and ribbons into the sky, and the roar of tens of thousands shouting in unison seemed to pierce the clouds.
Even survivors arriving at this settlement for the first time were swept up in the blood-pumping fervor, unable to keep from joining the roaring waves of cheers.
Their feelings toward the Alliance and the Administrator might not run as deep as those of the survivors native to this soil, but their longing for order and an end to chaos was identical.
At least in this moment...
They saw the hope of ideals becoming reality...
This was perhaps the shortest speech the Alliance's Administrator had ever delivered at a celebration since its founding.
Yet it was also the most momentous.
The applause and cheers reverberating across the city were not in the least inferior to past occasions—in fact, they were more thunderous than ever!
Whether survivors living in Qingquan City or subjects of the ancient survivor factions, all could feel the greatness and the hard-won nature of this miracle.
At that moment, high up in the towering Ideal Grand Hotel, the executive lounge on the upper floors served as the prime viewing gallery for the celebration.
Unlike commoners who arrived carrying their own dreams, the entrepreneurs hailing from Ideal City had no desire to squeeze into noisy crowds. However, their curiosity about this celebration was not a shred less than anyone else's.
Where there were people, there were markets; and people brimming with confidence in the future were the finest gold mines.
To cater to them, the hotel manager had specifically procured a batch of monoculars and placed them around the high-floor lounge, allowing guests a crystal-clear view.
Gazing at the crowded streets and plaza, the people standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows whispered among themselves, their faces uniformly stamped with shock and amazement.
Partly, they were astonished by this unity; partly, they were awed by the immense creative power and boundless potential reflected behind such cohesion.
Previously, many business owners from Ideal City harbored doubts about this young, fledgling faction, worrying it would meet an untimely end on this perilous wasteland.
Yet events had unfolded far beyond everyone's expectations.
After defeating the Legion, they went on to withstand the threat of the Southern Torch. Far from being worn down by war and collapsing into stagnation, they had grown fiercer with every battle, ultimately bringing even the broodmother entrenched in downtown Qingquan City down beneath their feet!
The Tide was no longer a shadow hanging over the heads of Qingquan City's survivors.
They could now direct far more energy toward remaking this wasteland.
Nothing could halt their rise!
"What a pity... The cake's already been carved up. If only I'd come earlier!" One entrepreneur wore a look of regret and remorse.
He had previously fretted over the Alliance's potential risks, until he watched Changyue Group's business boom and Ruyue Group's market value soar. Lured by profit, he had finally steeled himself and boarded a flight to Dawn City.
Yet, as he could plainly see, this settlement was no longer the ramshackle little village of the past.
The people here had ruddy cheeks and buoyant spirits, dressed in neat clothes with their backs straight. The pursuit of a better life had permeated every corner of this settlement.
The old kerosene streetlamps had been entirely replaced by sleek electric lights. The red-brick houses were coated in vibrant paint, and streets once bare now boasted numerous steel shop signs glowing with neon.
Traffic lights and white-painted road markings had also been added alongside the completion of the public transit system.
And now the roads carried more than just public transport; engines and steel once forged for war were flooding into the civilian automobile industry.
While private cars remained scarce, electric scooters and bicycles were no longer rare sights. Thriving commercial districts were already constructing parking lots and universal charging stations.
Some wealthy survivors lived in detached homes with private garages, while even penniless refugees had free prefabricated concrete apartments to shelter in.
Even if the Alliance authorities' aggressive debt-expansion strategy made onlookers worry for their tomorrow, today they were undeniably funneling borrowed wealth into areas that benefited the vast majority.
What astonished the business owners and merchants in the lounge even more was that, though these people's living standards and cultural life had surpassed those of the old Qingquan City wastelanders, they did not seem content to rest on their laurels. They were still pouring every ounce of imagination into reviving the achievements of the old civilization upon this settlement raised from the wilderness.
Whether from the Ideal Grand Hotel lounge or down on the bustling streets, one could easily see the light of order gradually sweeping across this land.
And hand in hand with it came visible prosperity and hope.
"Investing now isn't actually too late... I heard the Academy is planning to establish a jointly developed special zone with the Alliance in the Wandering Marsh."
"The Academy?!" Hearing the murmur beside him, another entrepreneur from Ideal City couldn't help showing surprise.
He wasn't the only one intrigued by the word "Academy."
Nearly everyone standing in the lounge wore looks of deep interest, chiming into the discussion.
"When did those slugs in the swamp start caring about business?"
"I thought they only cared about potatoes and scrap."
"They don't care about business. The special zone is being set up for scientific research—supposedly a joint study of the dormant broodmother near Binghai City... But if they aren't interested in commerce, we can handle that headache for them, can't we?"
"That sounds intriguing..."
"Indeed. Those slugs may not be good at production, but the technology they've hoarded is extraordinarily valuable."
"Here's the problem: they don't even use currency. How are we supposed to trade with them?"
"That depends on how the talks go."
As they spoke, several entrepreneurs glanced involuntarily toward two figures standing in the corner of the lounge.
One was the Enterprise's ambassador to the Alliance, Yi Chuan, a familiar face to Ideal City residents who frequented this place and often dealt with him.
The other, however, was of truly formidable stature: Luo Yong, a director and CEO of Silverwing Group who held a seat on the Council!
While he alone could not represent the entirety of Silverwing Group, Silverwing Group represented a fifth of the Enterprise.
In a sense, his words carried more weight than those of the Minister of Comprehensive Administration, for the Council was the true decision-maker of the Enterprise.
No one had expected him to appear here.
Even with the Alliance being a strategic partner of the Enterprise, having someone of his stature present was an exceptionally high honor.
Studying the bustling square through his monocular, Luo Yong suddenly smiled and spoke. "I think I finally understand why they won that war last year so smoothly."
Wearing a respectful expression, Yi Chuan, trailing half a step behind him, said with a smile, "Dawn City wasn't nearly as grand back then. As I recall, even their roads were built with the help of Ideal Group."
Luo Yong gave a faint smile and murmured, "Reinforced concrete is the result of development; people's hearts are its foundation. Although I am a materialist, in recent years I've come to believe more and more in the power of the human heart and conviction... especially after seeing the lads of the *Pioneer*, and those young people pressing forward in their footsteps."
That included his own son.
He had never imagined that the good-for-nothing brat who spent his days messing around in bars would one day cross an entire desert under the Legion's pursuit, all for the sake of others.
"...Julius united all the Wilantes, while they have succeeded in uniting all survivors. Many survivor settlements tried to walk this path before, but so far, only they have succeeded."
Though it was still too early to declare ultimate success, Luo Yong found himself harboring a degree of confidence in these wastelanders—whom he was seeing for the very first time—that surprised even himself.
Standing to the side, Yi Chuan smiled and agreed, "That is indeed what sets them apart."
He didn't quite know how to describe the feeling, but every time he spoke with the Alliance's Administrator, he couldn't help arriving at similar thoughts, filled with faith in the Alliance's future.
At least so far, they had never disappointed him.
Luo Yong nodded in agreement, then remarked after a moment in a light, relaxed tone, "Investing in them may well prove to be the most successful external investment we've made in two hundred years... Perhaps one day, we truly will realize our long-cherished dream of bringing civilization back to this planet."
Hearing Luo Yong say this, Yi Chuan's heart stirred, and he seized the opening to broach the question:
"Then... regarding that matter, what is the Council's opinion?"
The matter he referred to was naturally the proposal submitted to the Council for discussion recently: "Establishing a cross-regional cooperative organization targeting mutant slime mold."
As if anticipating the question, Luo Yong moved his eyes away from the monocular, squinting with a faint smile. "I came here specifically for that."
Yi Chuan was momentarily stunned, and a flicker of surprised delight crept onto his face.
Catching the subtle expression, Luo Yong teased, "Find it hard to believe?"
"It is... a bit unusual," Yi Chuan admitted, composing himself before the good-humored councilman. "In my memory, the Council has never reached a decision so quickly."
Luo Yong chuckled and replied breezily, "When handling disagreements, we do indeed take a great deal of time to carefully debate the details... But on this matter, my old friends and I surprisingly had no differences."
Yi Chuan looked at him in astonishment. "The Council passed it unanimously?"
"Indeed."
In a whisper audible only to the two of them, Luo Yong said softly, "If they can eliminate the broodmother in Yunxia City for us, we can begin cooperation immediately..."
...
While Yi Chuan was reeling from the Council's resolution, the Administrator standing on the bridge of the *Heart of Steel* announced the start of the ceremony.
As on previous occasions.
Standing atop a lift platform, Chu Guang descended to the square, presenting medals under the gaze of thousands to the warriors who had performed outstanding feats in the Battle of the Tide.
Standing on the red carpet with eight mechanical hands mounted on his back, Mosquito offered a respectful Alliance military salute and began in his grandiose cadence:
"Respected Administrator, humble me, WC Really Has Mosquitoes, holds an admiration for you that stretches endlessly like the vast galaxy—"
"Thank you for your well wishes. I am proud of you."
To prevent this fellow from making a fool of himself on such a solemn occasion, Chu Guang impassively cut off his torrent of words with a boilerplate line from the script, pinning a silver medal engraved with an airplane to his chest.
His speech cut off halfway, Mosquito smacked his lips with lingering reluctance, yielded his spot to the next in line, and stepped back into the crowd.
Next onto the stage was Feng Qing, also of the Goblin Corps.
With so many eyes upon her, standing on the red carpet made her feel both thrilled and nervous. Her palms were slick with sweat, and the lines she had spent so much effort rehearsing completely slipped her mind.
Opportunities to be in the limelight like this were rare in real life.
For her, this was more nerve-racking than soloing a marauder outpost...
Not letting this adorable little player suffer any embarrassment, Chu Guang deftly performed his natural duty as an NPC, presenting her with the silver flight medal symbolizing honor amid the audience's applause.
"May victory and glory be your constant companions. Your courage is the wing that escorts us."
Her cheeks flushed pink beneath her short hair, Feng Qing nodded hastily, her voice trembling with excitement. "Th-thank you!"
Chu Guang smiled gently. "You're welcome. This honor is rightfully yours. We are the ones who should say thank you."
Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd once more.
Watching Feng Qing walk down the red carpet clutching her medal with a silly grin, Mosquito—who had been clapping for his squad member—suddenly realized something and grumbled in indignation:
"Damn it! That's not fair! Why'd she get a line longer than mine?!"
Standing beside him, Ye Shi finished clapping and teased, "Who told you to blabber so much? The Administrator probably had more to say, but you choked him off."
Noticing Ye Shi beside him, Mosquito blinked in surprise and let out an exclamation. "Why the heck are you here, kid? Didn't you post in the group yesterday asking Fang Chang to pick it up for you?"
Ye Shi sighed mournfully. "Ah, it's a long story. I'd better keep my mouth shut."
It somehow felt embarrassing to admit.
Even though he wasn't entirely sure why it was embarrassing.
Mosquito: "Damn it! If you're gonna talk, talk! Don't leave me hanging like that!"
Ye Shi: "Then pretend I never said anything."
Mosquito: "%￥@#!"
While the two bickered, many others received their medals.
More than half of the honorees were vault residents.
Although blue jackets made up an overwhelming majority of the recipients, not a single person found fault with it, let alone accused anyone of favoritism.
As early as the day the battle ended, *Survivor Daily*'s newspaper and radio broadcasts had reported the entire campaign in full. Various civilian TV stations had also broadcast combat footage selected and released by the Alliance authorities.
Whether the Death Corps' desperate showdown with the Titan, the Skeleton Corps' relief of Boulder City and decapitation strike against the broodmother Theia, all who watched were moved to their cores.
Especially the Burning Corps' raid into downtown.
From that harrowing battle where survival seemed impossible, only three had made it out alive.
Every single medal awarded at this ceremony carried honor fully commensurate with their sacrifice. And that honor was recognized by all citizens of the Alliance!
Watching Ye Shi obediently go on stage to receive his medal, Jiang Xuezhou stood in the crowd, a smug smile tugging at the corner of her lips. But before long, that smile collapsed.
Decked out in his gold medal, Ye Shi stepped into the crowd with a smug, cocky grin, waving incessantly to the cheering spectators.
Right then, an alluring, mature young woman pushed her way through the crowd, grabbed his face, and planted a loud kiss right on his cheek.
Compared to the reserved nature of vault residents and Academy researchers, wastelanders were mostly passionate and unrestrained, expressing their emotions without the slightest coyness.
Yet in the eyes of someone more reserved, such enthusiasm looked downright scandalous.
Watching Ye Shi's face turn as red as an apple while the surrounding crowd cheered and hooted, Jiang Xuezhou felt her blood pressure spike instantly. Her teeth ground together, and she wished she could summon Xiao Wang right then and there to blast all these annoying people to pieces!
Whether out of stubborn obstinacy—"I have no interest in fictional 2D characters"—or simply an inability to accept a proposal without emotional foundation, Ye Shi ultimately turned down the passionate woman's marriage proposal. Under her gaze of disappointment tempered with understanding, he scrambled clumsily out of the dense throng.
Looking at Ye Shi with lipstick smeared on his cheek and his clothes slightly disheveled, Jiang Xuezhou gnashed her teeth in fury, glaring at him with maximum ferocity. "Who was that?"
Baffled by the question, Ye Shi looked at Little Jiang's sudden temper tantrum. His gut told him she was referring to the woman who had just pecked him, so he replied in total bewilderment, "How should I know..."
"You! You don't even know her, and you still let her..." Halfway through, Jiang Xuezhou suddenly realized that it really wasn't his fault.
Besides...
She wasn't his girlfriend or anything; she had no standing to throw a tantrum.
Yet the words were already out, and her pride wouldn't let her take them back. Flushed red, she stood frozen, her lips moving without sound.
Seeing her embarrassed and furious expression, Ye Shi vaguely grasped something and suddenly snorted with laughter.
Seeing his reaction, Jiang Xuezhou grew frantic. "Wh-what are you laughing at?"
Ye Shi cracked a teasing grin. "Are you jealous?"
Jiang Xuezhou's face instantly burned red as a lantern, and she glared daggers at him. "What stupid nonsense are you spouting, you narcissist?! When did I... Bah! Why would I ever be, be that!"
Ye Shi watched Jiang Xuezhou stumble over her words, wearing a knowing grin.
*Tsundere, huh.*
*Who knew the damn devs had such game.*
*Too bad for them. I'm not like that bastard Fang Chang, taking the bait the moment a girl crooks a finger.*
*Especially when I think about some guy squatting outside the server peeping on our screens and chuckling to himself, I lose all interest in deepening emotional bonds with an NPC.*
*Still, truth be told, the damn planners play dirty—using a honey trap on a good bro just to train their AI!*
Having sorted that out in his mind, Ye Shi let loose completely and teased the flushed, stammering Jiang Xuezhou:
"Stop muttering. If you feel like you've been wronged, I can let you kiss the left side of my face."
This was the sort of shameless banter he'd never dare utter in real life, but saying it to an NPC didn't feel like any sort of social suicide.
The instant she heard those words, Jiang Xuezhou, who had been grumbling non-stop a second ago, froze dead in her tracks, her brain seemingly crashing.
Ye Shi was taken aback as well.
*No way, right?*
*One line managed to fry her CPU?*
After a long silence, she squeezed a faint sound from her quivering lips.
"Xiao..."
Not catching it, Ye Shi leaned closer. "Xiao?"
"XIAO WANG!!!"
Seeing Jiang Xuezhou suddenly fly into a rage and the quadruped robot burst through the crowd in response to her call, Ye Shi was scared out of his wits and scrambled frantically toward a side alley.
"Holy crap! Calm down! I was just fucking joking!"
Fortunately, Xiao Wang carried no mounted weapons, and her outburst born of shame and fury wasn't truly intended to tear him apart.
However, this brand of "flirting" was a bit too hardcore in the eyes of onlookers. Passing by, Tengteng held her forehead and kindly called the police.
The two of them were escorted to the station together, held from noon until dusk before being released.
Yet compared to the wild shenanigans other players pulled off during the festival, a commotion of this scale was barely a footnote...
Chapter 654