"I hope you can join us." Funa looked at Anu Lili's face and said in a serious tone, one word at a time. "Her Majesty needs more power."
I looked at Funa in surprise, feeling that this was not her move at all. This queen who once transformed herself into a cyborg, this queen who once gave up all emotions, after regaining her normal personality, still maintained a lack of initiative. Other than enjoying the peaceful life after her abdication at home, and occasionally gathering with our family, she rarely showed any interest in strangers. Not to mention people like Anu Lili, whom she had just met for the first time today. In short, she was like a lazy shadow, never as' active 'as she was today.
And more importantly, she now called me 'Her Majesty'. This was very rare. In more relaxed situations, Funa liked to call our family 'friends'. Although this formal way of addressing was a little ridiculous, it was also one of the signs of her closeness with people. Only in very formal situations, she would use 'Her Majesty' and 'Commander' to address our family.
"I saw the newly updated information in the public information link and found out about the Melovans and the slave races." Funa looked at Anu Lili apologetically. "I can understand that you are now hesitant to become the vassal of another powerful race. The psychological trauma that the Melovans left on you is too serious. But I still want to give you a piece of advice: Don't miss the opportunity. Although the acceptance of the people is important, the survival of a race sometimes needs to put aside all emotional factors. The Void is not as safe as you think. Races like us, must unite and form a stronger camp in order to survive. And for now, accepting the support of the Empire and joining the Spawn Camp is the best shortcut. "
The people of the Civilization Community always had a different way of thinking from other races. Whether it was Funa who had already abdicated or their generals who were still on the frontline, they were used to the continuation of the entire civilization as their top priority. This was an instinct that was rooted in the depths of their souls during the years of fighting against the Shepherdians: As long as the collective interests were guaranteed, they could give up all personal factors. This was somewhat similar to the Shiring Apostles. I could now understand why Fei Na was behaving abnormally today. She must have been touched by the story of the slave race. The latter had also fought fiercely for freedom. Even though they were only fighting against some arrogant false gods, and were not the same as the "shepherds" that the civilized community had fought against, it still gave Fina a sense of recognition as if she was seeing her own past. The suffering that the slaves had suffered was perhaps no less than what the Shepherdians had done to the civilizations back then. Fina hoped that these races with rough fates could let go of the grudge in their hearts and become a member of the great family of the Empire, just like the "duplicates" who were slowly letting go of their wariness and establishing normal diplomatic relations with the Empire.
Of course, another reason was that she sincerely hoped that the Empire could be strengthened. Fina and I were good friends who had fought side by side, and now she was also influenced by the soul instincts of the Shiring Apostles. Her desire to do something for the Empire would not be weakened even though she was now "retired".
"I …" Anurili was a little speechless for a moment. "Actually, I really don't have any objections to this, Chen … I mean, your Emperor, he had helped all of us before. The resistance groups basically know that the Empire and the Merovans are completely different. But we have to consider the reaction of the ordinary people. They have just been freed from the brainwashing control, and they have not had the time to understand what the Empire is all about … But I promise, I will do my best to encourage more people to understand the Empire. Although the technology of my race is still very backward, there are many old slave races in our Thirteen Worlds that have advanced technology, and even technology that can cross worlds. They are more open-minded, and I believe that they will let go of their grudges faster. "
"Yes, indeed, we can't force every intelligent creature to have the same high-level consciousness as the Shiring Apostles or the citizens of the Civilization Community." Fina nodded seriously as she analyzed. Her straightforward statement made Anurili feel awkward. "Actually, I suggested you come to this Totem Square because I want you to take some of the information here with you. There are storage devices under the Great Monument that can be taken away freely. I hope that you can take one of them back. This information will allow you to understand the servant system of the Empire faster, as well as the history of us spawns. Every spawn of the Empire has an amazing story — it's as great as your experience of resisting the tyrant. You will also know why these civilizations that have won after suffering are willing to follow behind the Empire, and they are so loyal. "
Under Fina's guidance, Anurili found the place to copy the information under the nearest Great Monument. These storage devices came with their own reading and playback devices, which were manufactured on the spot by the equipment attached to the Monument. People who visited the Monument Square were free to take these things with them, and they were considered one of the most valuable 'local specialties' that you could take away from the City of Shadows. As the Empire grew stronger, new heroes and epics were constantly appearing, and the number of totems on the Monument Square kept increasing. These storage devices would also automatically download new records from the Empire Data Network. Anurili could take them back as a special gift, and I believed that these things would give people more power than technological aid.
However, while Anurili was copying the information, I couldn't help but touch Fina's arm. "To be honest, I feel that it's a little inappropriate for you to invite people to join you after letting them visit the Totem Square …"
"Did I do something wrong, my friend?" Fina blinked in confusion.
"…" I didn't know how to explain this feeling. To put it bluntly, it was like asking someone, "Hello, are you willing to join the army?" after reading the list of the dead.
Only Fina, whose EQ was lower than Jingle's, could do such a thing …
When I tactfully pointed this out, Fina looked around at the surrounding monuments, and her voice sounded a little awkward. "Oh, my friend, I just thought that this place could help this child understand the matters of the Empire's spawn as soon as possible. I didn't think too much about it …"
"Actually, it's nothing." The older sister had a gentle expression on her face. "The Monument Square does indeed record the great sacrifices these races have made, but it also records the reason why each race is united. Anurili and the others have already sacrificed once for their freedom. What they need now is a reason to let go of the past and join the Imperial Army. There's nothing bad about this place, and I don't think that the things here can scare Anurili. Besides, if it's a civilization with potential, they will only work harder after seeing this information. If they are scared by the things that Anurili brought back, then there's no need for them to join the Imperial Army. "
At this moment, Anurili had already obtained the storage device. Her mood seemed to have become heavy along with the atmosphere in the square. "I will bring this to everyone, so that everyone can see it," she said.
"Alright, let's go to the next place. That place can help you change your mood."
The group left the Monument Square, and Fina pushed her giant ball onto the ground again. For some reason, it seemed that as soon as they left the circular area, everyone's mood would subtly lighten up. I felt that the rumbling Biburu played a big part in this process. Previously, everyone had taken a shortcut to the Monument Square. In the middle of it, they had actually gone around the magnificent World Tree. Thus, the last stop for the day was naturally the Grand Shrine of the Goddess of Life. Although it wasn't a facility of the Empire, and should be counted as the embassy of the Protoss in the Empire's capital, it could still be seen as one of the representative buildings of the City of Shadows.
If a tree whose radius could be calculated in kilometers could also be counted as a "building".
In fact, on the way to the Monument Square, Anurili could already see the gigantic figure of the World Tree from afar. It was so huge that the faint shadow of the treetop in the sky almost covered half of the city. But from a distance, it was difficult for outsiders to associate those shadows with a giant tree. Naturally, Anurili was the same. She dared not imagine that such a "plant" existed in the world, that could grow to such a level in a way that completely defied the laws of physics and biology.
In this case, it was easy to understand the shocked expression on her face when she saw the true form of the World Tree.
"What … What … What is this!!"
After bypassing the last intersection in front of the World Tree, this unprecedentedly huge "plant" leapt into view in the most shocking way possible. Looking at the dark brown tree trunk that was almost as tall as a boundless wall, and looking up along the trunk, all she could see was a dark green shadow that resembled the vault of the sky. Anurili was almost speechless.
The treetop of the World Tree blocked the sun, but the area below it was definitely not dark. A kind of soft light particles permeated the ground a few centimeters around the giant tree. Stepping into this place was equivalent to stepping into the territory of the Divine Kingdom.
"This is the World Tree, the current control center of this universe. Well, just the surface world outside. The control of the world inside the capital is handled by the main computer room at the Shadow Fortress. "Big Sister smiled as she introduced the magnificent thing in front of her." You know, the real Empire of the capital world is like the Shadow Dimension, a space that we artificially created. Strictly speaking, the Shadow Dimension is the capital. As for the conventional universe outside, the Shiring Apostles are generally too lazy to take care of it, so they leave it to … "
"I'll leave it to Jingle!" A soft cry came from my pocket. Jingle happily crawled out. "It's free! Jingle is amazing! "
Anurili didn't understand what the World Managing Terminal meant. In her opinion, planning and managing the basic parameters and laws of the universe was basically a fantasy story. After Big Sister and I explained the functions of the World Tree to her, Anurili had such a reaction. But sooner or later, she would realize the truth of these things. As for now, we were purely opening her eyes.
I pinched Jingle and swiped the card on the trunk of the World Tree with the little bean sprout's face. Then, I led Anurili into the magnificent temple. The World Tree looked like a plant, but its trunk was actually a teleportation device. After passing through this seemingly sturdy barrier, you would be able to enter the temple garden.
This wasn't our first time in the space inside the World Tree. It seemed that there were subtle changes every moment. The color of the sky, the surrounding plants, and even the distribution of the paths would automatically change with the passage of time and the passing of the seasons. However, the overall layout of the temple was stable. Maybe it was designed to prevent the owner of the temple from getting lost. After passing through a hazy fog, we came to a space filled with chaotic light. We couldn't see the end of the space, and there were no sun, moon, or stars in the sky. There was only a mysterious light that was filled with the power of life that enveloped everything. In front of him was a large garden. Exotic flowers and plants covered the ground in a wild, spontaneous, and uncluttered manner. At the end of the temple garden was the big house that Jingle was supposed to live in: a gothic cathedral. It was covered in vines.
"There are two ways to get to Avalon. One is to use the teleportation portal in the City of Shadows, and the other is to use the World Tree. If you use the teleportation portal, you won't be able to see the scenery here. How about this place?"
I chuckled as I looked at Anurili. I wanted to see how she felt about this place that didn't fit the atmosphere of the Empire.
She had seen too many things that were beyond her imagination today. She should have been numb to it, but the endless wonders of the City of Shadows didn't give her the time to be numb. The holy cathedral in front of us and this incredible space had transcended reality. Anurili opened her mouth and finally said, "Have we already left the City of Shadows?"
"It feels different from the style of the Empire, doesn't it?" The elder sister chuckled. "It is indeed different. This is the style of the Star Sector Protoss."
"Star Sector Protoss?" Anurili said in surprise. "Oh, right. I heard from the priests that the Goddess of Life is the Star Sector Protoss. So that's how it is. Today … today was really an eye-opener. The City of Shadows is completely different from what I imagined! "
"What did you imagine the City of Shadows to be like?" I asked curiously.
Anurili followed us as we walked in the direction of Avalon's teleportation portal. She described the capital of the Empire in her mind. "It should be filled with majestic alloy buildings. It should be a very serious and big city. The hierarchy is clear and the atmosphere is especially solemn. After all, it is the city of God. So the people should live a strict and disciplined life like monks. In the beginning, I even thought that I would have to learn a lot of court etiquette first! I thought that I would see you in a place like a palace, but I didn't expect to see you in that huge square … "
"Well, the first guess is quite unreliable, but the second guess … many people who came to the City of Shadows for the first time said that." I scratched my head in confusion. "Why does everyone think that they can only see the Emperor in the palace? Do they need to learn a lot of court etiquette to talk to me? "
The elder sister smiled silently and looked at me without saying a word.
"Alright … That's probably what a normal Emperor would do …"
I felt that this topic was a little awkward, so I quickly diverted Anurili's attention. "Let's not talk about court etiquette. What's your impression of the City of Shadows now?"
I really wanted to know what she thought about the City of Worlds. This was more or less the childish attitude of wanting to hear praise after showing off. On the other hand, I also wanted to know if Anurili was satisfied with the 'tour' that I had arranged for her today. The latter thought for a while and finally revealed a very happy expression. "There is a feeling of surprise. Really.
Although I always thought that the place where you live should be strict and solemn, and that in a place like the capital of the Empire, the ordinary races should have a clear hierarchy and live like believers, to be honest, I think that the City of Shadows that I am seeing now … is even better. I didn't expect so many ordinary races to live together happily. I didn't expect that this place would look more like a tourist attraction than a … God's Kingdom. This should be a God's Kingdom. According to what you said, this place is where the Gods live to mortals, but it's just as lively as the big towns around us. To be honest, I thought that the Empire's vassals lived here like a military camp, but now it seems … it's more like a family. Don't worry, I will tell everything I see truthfully to my people and the leaders of the other races. "
At this point, Anurili intentionally glanced at Funa and added with a smile, "Actually, I already had such a mission when I set off. The leaders of the other races contacted me and asked me to record everything about the City of Shadows so that I can tell them when I return. They are still confused about the Empire and want to know what it actually looks like. Furthermore, they want to know through their own eyes, and not through the things in the propaganda materials. I'll probably be surrounded by those curious people when I get back. "
At the end of her sentence, Anurili couldn't help but laugh. However, I suddenly asked a question.
"Since they also want to see the situation, why didn't they come along?"
Anurili was stunned, "… But I'm the only one who got a pass! This is the capital of the Empire, right? Don't we need to go through strict checks to enter? "
I leisurely looked at the sky, then said in a heavy tone, "Although the City of Shadows has a limit on the number of people who can enter the macro world, you are all residents of the Empire. Each pass can bring at least twenty people …"
Anurili was speechless.
"Although I've only given you one ticket, you can actually get those friends who want to join in the fun to buy a ticket for the platform. Then, when the World Gate opens, they can make up for the temporary tickets … Just look for those who wear red hoops …"
Anurili was speechless.
My sister finally couldn't help but sigh, "Sigh, although I really don't want to say it, to the mortals under the Empire, the process of going from the mortal world to the God Realm is really similar to a train station …"
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