155. The Farthest Star on Earth
The work of protecting the President is no easy task. From the moment Air General One landed, to the end of President David Lin's daily itinerary, and finally settling into the hotel arranged by the Empire for the night—hours of duty remained for the security team.
Despite the demanding workload, Demi Guesset had no complaints about her job. After the Rose Army was reorganized and absorbed, President David Lin neither held grudges about their former rebel status nor went out of his way to curry favor. He selected talents wisely, ensured fair placements, and provided stability for everyone.
As for the hardships? Though the work was intense and fraught with risks, for the Rose Army soldiers accustomed to living on the edge of death, accompanying the President on state visits was akin to a VIP experience. They dined on state banquets: crab salad, caviar, tender ham, and Red Arrow-style braised eggplant with potatoes. Dessert alone offered over 70 varieties, including unlimited access to rare tropical fruits costing tens of thousands of derby per piece.
After wrapping up the day's tasks, Demi couldn't rest just yet. She still needed to report to the embassy's security department and check the confidentiality of communication devices. Only after completing these duties could she relax, meeting her old comrade Lute Elan for tea and conversation.
"The Red Arrow is truly incredible. I've never had seafood before, but they dug out their own ocean and cultivated lab-bred species for farming," Lute exclaimed, eating cream ice cream with excitement. "If this negotiation goes well, the Frost-Plated Federation will receive 4 billion Garon's worth of aid. Soon, our people can enjoy such luxuries too."
"Yes, all our past battles were meaningful in the end."
Demi sipped her tea, sighing deeply:
"But still...if only Nomi were here. My lovely niece—she survived Frost-Plated's persecution, only to fall into the lair of mutants. If the Rose Army command hadn't stopped me, I'd have piloted mechanized armor to tear Dongyue Ridge apart myself..."
"These words don't benefit the Federation. Better not to say them," Lute cautioned.
"I'm just venting!" Demi downed her fruit tea in frustration, her indignation rising: "I have two lifelong regrets—one, that old witch Mai Dewei was blown to bits by a bomb, dying too easily to atone for her persecution of countless men and women."
"And two, my dear niece Nomi, who died at 17. If she were alive, she'd be 19 now, an adult, maybe dating, attending college, becoming an honorable worker or teacher. Damn it, my niece Nomi—she was so adorable, so beautiful, so kind..."
As Demi spoke, her eyes reddened, her nose stung, and she turned her head away.
They had fought so hard for victory. Under President David Lin's leadership, Frost-Plated was flourishing. But Nomi never lived to see it.
"Nomi..."
"Her mother died in the Outside World. Her father, long occupied with battles, is finally free to spend time with her now."
On the brink of prosperity, she vanished.
The room fell silent. Presidential security agents couldn't drink alcohol, substituting fruit tea instead. The better the tea, the clearer the mind—and the clearer Demi's pain over Nomi's abduction became.
"You can't dwell on the past forever, Demi," Lute said, patting her shoulder to console her.
"I heard there's a new Sacred Monument Cult in Erga City. They worship a deity named Leoz. Maybe you should try praying. Before we leave the Red Arrow, we could visit their sacred site—the White Obelisk."
"I stopped believing in gods ages ago," Demi retorted. "If I pray to that so-called Leoz, will they bring Nomi back to me?"
"Fate's three parts chance. Maybe it's worth a shot. They say the deity is quite responsive. Many Red Arrow citizens are considering migrating to Erga City now."
"Bah, superstitions, all of it."
Demi rubbed her temples:
"Fine, Leoz, is it? Bless my niece Nomi's safety, thanks."
Lute quipped, "That's hardly respectful, is it?"
"Disrespectful? Really?" Demi shrugged. "Frost-Plated folk don't believe in useless gods. Even promotional shops know to hand out free gifts to earn loyalty. Show some sincerity first."
Knock, knock, knock.
The door rapped. Demi asked curiously, "It's late. No need for housekeeping now."
"Excuse me, is Miss Demi Guesset here?" A polite server's voice came from outside.
"Yes, that's me. What's this about?"
"A gentleman left a gift for you at the front desk. He insisted it be delivered personally."
"Oh, probably one of my admirers," Demi preened, striking a pose at Lute. "Didn't expect to be so popular in the Red Arrow. Maybe I should switch careers to acting."
"Yeah, right," Lute scoffed. "More likely from an international ally who supported us before."
"Miss Demi, please open the door. The gift requires your signature."
"Fine, fine. Coming."
Demi rose, opened the door, and saw a Red Arrow server. Glancing around, she asked, "Where's the gift?"
The server smiled and gestured to a sofa where a young girl slept peacefully.
"There she is."
Demi froze, then darted forward, kneeling by the sofa. She held her breath, afraid the scene was a fragile dream that words might shatter.
Extending her hand, she hesitated to touch the snow-white hair so similar to hers. The reflection of the familiar face created a surreal mirror image.
Covering her mouth, tears spilled freely. She buried her head and, when she looked up, her face was red, her vision blurred.
It was her niece.
Missing for two years—Nomi Anderson Guesset.
After calming down, Demi clutched the server's sleeve, asking eagerly, "Who brought her here? Please tell me. I must thank him properly."
"I'm sorry, miss. The gentleman preferred to remain anonymous," the server replied with a slight smile. "But he did leave a message for you."
"What is it?"
The server said, "He hopes her family will teach this girl not to curse so much."
"... (Civil Frost-Plated)."
Demi muttered lightly, rushing out of the hotel into the city's vibrant nightscape. Illuminated streets thronged with people, making it impossible to pick out a single soul.
Vroom—
A motorcycle roared past the hotel. The rider sped away leisurely. Fireworks celebrating the state visit lit the sky, while the artificial sun dimmed to a moonlit glow.
Riding beyond the bustling city, the rider lifted his visor, revealing Isaac Maxim's resolute face.
"It's done. Now, let me see this city one last time."
Leaning against his bike, Li Aozi gazed at the Red Arrow capital, the "Morning Star on Earth." A beacon that drew countless elites, aristocrats, and tycoons.
Once, he had been among them. As Li Zi, he had risen from Alkaran, seizing victory at every turn, eventually stepping into this imperial city.
Now, Li Aozi felt no longing or attachment, only fleeting presence as he prepared to leave this "Morning Star."
For he was destined to become the star farthest from Earth.
"Farewell, Azure Star."
Kicking the stand, Li Aozi gripped the throttle and sped toward the horizon.
Nomi Anderson Guesset's life was just beginning. The legend of Li Aozi/Leoz would continue.
Vroom.
The wheels splashed through snow and mud.
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"Under this red-black sky lies a world buried in snow and sand, a world full of despair."
She turned to Li Aozi:
"Don't think yourself detached from all this. This is our world. Both you and I are part of it."
"This isn't a meaningless game. For us Outside Worlders, the Rose Army—no, all who resist the Four Nations—are our faith."
"The truth is, anyone can see opposing the Four Nations is futile. But we do it anyway. Even if it's with teeth and nails, causing them the slightest pain, that struggle proves one thing:"
"We—those scraping by in the Outside World—are just as human, just as alive as those in the Four Nations, lounging in warmth, eating bread, watching TV, and reading books."
"And one day..."
Nomi turned again to Li Aozi:
"A world with sunshine and warmth, where everyone can succeed. Where men and women share equal rights. Where no one scavenges leftovers or begs. No prostitutes, no slaves. Children and elders respected and protected. Criminals punished by law. Labor fairly rewarded."
She smiled:
"You promised, didn't you? Don't forget."
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"You promised, so don't forget it, okay?"
————————
Frost-Plated Republic, Twin Star Municipal Hall.
"Next, number 43, please come here for processing."
Xia Yubing had fully integrated into her work here. Although she wasn't particularly skilled at gaming, her years of managing a club had made her adept at administrative work.
Thanks to her position as a government employee, whether it was earning money by selling intelligence gathered from players or receiving a fixed daily income of experience points, she had a stable gaming experience.
With the help of players, she had dealt with those malicious colleagues who had previously bullied and excluded her summoned character, 'Qiu Yun.' Her assets were now sufficient, and she was steadily progressing toward the middle class.
"I heard the next update will allow us to go into space—when that happens, I can find Ziniu!"
Next, as long as she found Qiu Yun's sister, Qiu Ran, she could fulfill the wishes of her predecessor and head into space without any burden to play with Ziniu.
Life was getting better and better.
Thinking of this, Xia Yubing couldn't help but smile. Seeing a man sit down at her counter, she immediately switched back to work mode:
"Hello, sir, what service do you need?"
The man appeared to be a Red Arrow citizen. Instead of immediately presenting his documentation, he asked, "Are you called Qiu Yun?"
"Yes," Xia Yubing replied without surprise, as her name was written on her badge.
"Do you have a sister named Qiu Ran who disappeared a few years ago?"
"You—do you know anything about her?!" Xia Yubing's eyes widened as she immediately entered a defensive stance. She stood up abruptly, speaking with excitement, "Where is she?"
"She has already passed away, sacrificing herself to save others." The man patted her shoulder to console her. "I'm here as someone she saved to hand over her inheritance to you."
Qiu Yun froze in place.
Not only Qiu Yun but also Xia Yubing, who had summoned her body, was stunned.
The man raised his hand. A warm, glowing lump of flesh slowly emerged from his palm.
"She was a gentle and strong woman. I hope you can be the same—as warm as fire, as brave as fire."
He spoke as he transferred the Omega Energy to her, then turned to leave without another word.
"Wait, wait a minute!" Xia Yubing came to her senses and quickly regained control. "Sir, I haven't given you a thank-you gift yet—"
"What I want isn't something you can give me."
The man waved his hand, hands in his pockets.
Xia Yubing was puzzled. "Then how should I thank you…"
"Let me think."
The man touched his chin thoughtfully:
"Live well, love who you love, and take every day seriously."
"Then, your name?"
"You want to know that?"
The man turned back and glanced at Xia Yubing. His eyes glowed with the effect of [Eye of Truth] as he grinned:
"My name is Li Zi. See you again, Xia Yubing."
Xia Yubing's mouth fell open. She stared at the flame igniting in her hand, unsure how to respond.
"…"Star Abyss" really is an incredible game."