Chapter 825: Hell and Heaven Are Only Thousands of Kilometers Apart (3/4)

Chapter 825: Hell and Heaven Are Only a Few Thousand Kilometers Apart (3/4)

He had never said to spare this man's life, but a frank confession would at least spare him some suffering.

"Bury him according to local customs."

"Yes, sir!"

The soldier beside him stood at attention, saluted, then dragged the corpse, limp as a dead dog, to the side.

"At ten thousand a day, it'd still take two months... Tch," Ross clicked his tongue, his face still smoldering with anger, his fist clenched tightly. "Damn it... How about we request a strategic nuclear warhead?"

At this rate of slaughter, he wouldn't make it home for the birthday reunion.

"Forget it, you'd just have to rebuild the port somewhere else." McLenn, having removed his gloves, tossed them casually into the sea, then took out a fresh cigar and lit it.

Though this colony was a feather in the civilian officials' cap, it was ultimately property of the Valyrians.

He blew out a smoke ring, paused, and continued in a cold tone.

"Just drain the tainted blood."

"We still want the land."

...

On the wasteland, the distribution of information speed was as uneven as the distribution of wealth.

This was not only limited by technological levels but also by a series of issues like infrastructure development, orbital debris, and the interference of radioactive layers on electromagnetic signals.

For reasons like these, some places on the wasteland had even restored the "Internet of Everything" from the prosperous era, allowing 24/7 high-intensity surfing anytime, anywhere—even surfing the fridge.

While other places still relied on telegraphs or even more primitive methods to exchange information, highlighting a pure, natural state.

And that was precisely why.

The massacre at Westport Harbor was known only to the executioners who pulled the triggers and the poor souls who took the bullets.

On the first morning of the year 214 of the Wasteland Era, most settlements of the Alliance were still immersed in festive joy.

Last night, Dawn City had set off fireworks for a full two hours to celebrate the New Year.

And those survivor settlements friendly with the Alliance not only followed the trend of celebrating New Year's Day and New Year's Eve but also broadcast that fireworks spectacle on their televisions or other media devices!

The festive atmosphere lasted until the next morning.

Just a few hours before the Valyrians launched their attack on Westport Harbor, the streets of Dawn City were alive with jubilant noise.

Whether locals or wastelanders passing through, they all rose early without exception, gathering in Dawn City's square.

Though it had snowed all night, it did nothing to dampen the people's enthusiasm.

Pairs of eyes, brimming with excitement and joy, were fixed unblinkingly on the center of the square.

And there, at the focal point of all gazes, stood a blue power armor.

On that resolute and handsome face was a smile as warm as a spring breeze. He waved gently at the people watching him, as if greeting an old friend not seen for a long time.

And at that moment, the crowd's fervor was fully ignited. Small flags the size of palms waved like rippling waves, and the entire square erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Long live the Administrator!!"

"Long live the Alliance!!!"

Of course.

Amid the uniform shouts, there were also some distinctive voices.

Mainly from the players.

"Brother Guang, you're awesome!!"

"Brother Guang, look at me! Brother Guang!"

"Remember the trash heap by Lotus Lake? I helped you pick up junk!"

"Dad, look at me!"

"Get lost, you! Stop trying to claim kinship!"

"Ah... this game's NPC is really damn handsome, almost as good as me."

"Ugh!!!"

Although some NPCs in the Alliance had learned Mandarin—like Boss Xia—the players' remarks were so abstract that even the earliest Mandarin learner, Xiaoyu, couldn't understand.

Pai, standing in the crowd, stood on tiptoe and curiously peered toward the Vault dwellers.

"What's that person over there shouting about?"

Xiaoyu, who hadn't been paying much attention, closed her eyes and listened carefully for a moment, then said seriously.

"Sounds like he's shouting that he wants to give Brother Chu a baby."

Pai was stunned for a moment, then turned back.

"Huh? But that guy's a man?"

Xiaoyu's eyebrows shot up.

"That won't do!"

Elisa, standing nearby, laughed helplessly.

"Never mind whether it's allowed... That kind of thing is impossible anyway."

Hugh, arms crossed, smiled faintly and gently pushed up her holographic glasses.

"From a technical standpoint..."

Before she could finish, Boss Xia covered her mouth.

"Alright, alright, no technical talk, I don't want to hear that, thanks!"

Standing here weren't just Alliance residents, but also many wastelanders from afar, as well as residents of other survivor factions.

The legends about the Alliance Administrator were no longer confined to the Alliance or the River Valley Province.

The returning Allied soldiers and all those yearning for order had already carried tales of him and the residents of Vault 404 to every corner of the wasteland.

Those stories, like dandelion seeds, took root and sprouted in unfamiliar lands.

And those who admired him now came here with a pilgrim's heart.

Countless people, just to see him with their own eyes, to see what the man who led the Alliance to victory really looked like, had traveled all the way from distant Ideal City, or even Triumph City.

"...So that's the Administrator of the Alliance?"

"He looks quite young."

"I thought he'd be an old man... didn't expect him to look barely over twenty."

"Maybe he's actually lived a long time, but it just doesn't show."

"You mean like the old men from the Institute?"

"Hard to say. Who knows about these things."

Several Vallant men, arms crossed, stood at the edge of the crowd in the square, gazing at the figure standing in the center.

Not far from them, a few survivors from Ideal City were animatedly chattering with some mercenaries from Free State.

"I heard that in the Weifu Wasteland, he smashed a Forerunner wearing bio-powered armor with one hammer blow!"

"He's been to the front lines himself?!"

"Haha, his legendary deeds are countless. If you have time, just ask around any tavern in Dawn City—those drunks will brag about him all day."

"Unbelievable..."

"Sounds like boasting."

"Ahem! I can't vouch for other things, but this is absolutely true. To be honest, I used to serve in the 100th Mountain Division—I saw it with my own eyes!"

Amid the boiling clamor, the eight o'clock bell rang out precisely in the square.

It was that moment of the day when the morning sun shone brightest.

Standing at the very center of the square, Chu Guang swept his gaze over the expectant faces, and with a voice both solemn and warm, he began to speak, offering New Year's Day greetings to those who had been waiting eagerly.

"Today is the 214th year of the Wasteland Era. It has been over two centuries since we lost everything and fell from paradise into the abyss... without our even noticing."

"But at this moment, what I wish to commemorate is not the degradation of those two centuries, but the just-concluded 213th year of the Wasteland Era—"

"That entire year's history was written by our own hands!"

"...In that past year, we not only conquered the Hive that had plagued this land for over two hundred years, but also scattered the seeds of civilization to the distant south, and drove out the plague, chaos, and barbarism that had eyed our prosperity with envy."

"This path was not easy; it was fraught with hardship, obstacles, and death. More than once we stood at the crossroads of fate, falling into chaos and discord time and again."

"But thankfully, we did not give up. Instead, we united, set aside all disputes, stood shoulder to shoulder for our common destiny, and together forged the rampart that defended the fundamental principles and dignity of human civilization, fighting until this very moment, until we achieved final victory!"

"This great and glorious victory belongs not only to the Alliance, but also to those who fought alongside us, and to all who harbor dreams and hopes of ending the Wasteland Era!"

"Now we face new challenges: how to resolve those unresolved disputes, how to extend the path that has already been illuminated, how to scatter the seeds of civilization to even more distant places, and how to nurture them as they grow and take shape."

"I believe we have enough ability and determination to fulfill all our assumptions about tomorrow. Our predecessors have left us ample experience, blueprints, and inspiration. Now it is time to take the torch from their hands and continue passing this flame onward!"

"The Wasteland Era will surely end in our hands. This victory, delayed for two centuries, will ultimately be ours!"

"It belongs to all the united survivors!"

The moment Chu Guang's words fell, the square instantly erupted in applause like a rainstorm, and cheers and acclamations that rolled like thunder.

Looking at those vibrant faces, Chu Guang smiled and waved, then handed over the hosting of the celebration to the master of ceremonies waiting behind him, declaring the official start of the festivities.

As always, Chu Guang did not intend to take up too much of people's time.

After distributing medals of honor to the players, he left the square that belonged to all survivors, surrounded by flowers and applause.

He had always felt that on this day worth celebrating, people should spend more time with their families rather than focusing on him.

Besides, he also needed some private time to handle trivial matters in life and relationships, and to wander around this settlement.

Especially the latter.

He wanted to spend more time seeing how people had been doing during his absence, and what new tricks his lovely little players had come up with.