This Game Is Too Real-Chapter 1058 - 1058: The Curtain of the Past Is the Prelude to the New Era

Applause, whistles, cheers, and shouts, the voices of everyone resounded throughout the square.
No one commanded.
Nor did anyone incite.
And that rolling wave of sound, all came from the heartfelt echo from the bottom of everyone's hearts!
They conquered the Wasteland!
They conquered their former selves!
Each of them is the Dawn dispelling the long night, the Sun rising slowly from the horizon!
"Long live the Alliance!!!"
"Long live the New Era!!"
"Cheers to unity!!"
"Cheers to the Survivors!!!"
"Cheers to each of us!!!"
The resonating sound stirred the hot blood in everyone's heart, even General McCullen in the audience couldn't help but want to join, but considering the political influence, he only gently applauded.
Unlike the Eastern Empire officers, the company's people mostly don't have any idol burden.
Especially Yi Chuan standing by the side, who even involuntarily shouted.
"Awesome——!"
This word he learned from the players.
Although he initially didn't know what this word meant, the more he used it, the more he gradually understood how to use it.
Sergeant Semmes, who was clapping ceremoniously, glanced at this guy, subtly exchanged glances with McCullen, and whispered.
"Isn't this guy a company person?"
"Those guys are like that, no need to be surprised."
McCullen softly responded, paused for a moment then added his opinion.
"Moreover, cheering for the New Era isn't really a big deal, it's good for everyone, including the Welch people... personal opinion."
Without minding Sergeant Semmes's surprised look, McCullen ended the topic with the final word.
Actually, His Majesty Sarun might not really care about their performance at this celebration.
After all, without that majesty's permission, the faction he represented learning from the Alliance wouldn't have appeared.
That lord is a truly wise and talented emperor, he didn't squash the progressive forces of the Eastern Empire to maintain his supreme power, but instead found a balance point between that progressive force and the conservative force.
However, the problem lies precisely in this.
Most Welch people deep down can't accept overly radical changes... at least those who chose the Eastern Empire can't accept.
Even within the progressive faction, what they admire more are the Alliance's orbital weapons and land artillery.
They still need a little time.
But General McCullen believes, this time shouldn't be too long, probably at most three generations should suffice.
As long as he manages New West Sail Port well enough...
Just as McCullen thought this way, two pairs of eyes not far away were staring intently in the direction of the Eastern Empire delegation.
The owners of those two pairs of eyes were representatives of Poluo Country and Mammoth Nation respectively.
They stood on either side of the audience.
One pair perceiving it as a role model and admiring it five-body down to earth, while the other pair deemed it like a devil, disdain from the heart.
Admiration has its reasons, and disdain has its reasons too.
In some sense, the Welch people are like a mirror, reflecting the divided spirit of the survivors from Poluo Province.
Of course, vice versa, the Poluo people are also mirrors for the Welsh people.
They are like two sides of a coin.
Even though most of both sides rarely realize it.
Different from the Army and company, the Academy's representatives are much calmer, Li Ke and Yang Kai standing in the audience were both composed and confident, as if everything was under control.
Indeed, this was the case.
As a neutral force on the Wasteland, their behind-the-scenes schemes largely succeeded, and without sacrificing anyone.
The most brilliant conspiracy is roughly thus.
Their victims not only didn't become enemies, but instead became like-minded friends.
In this way, they can also leave this planet with peace of mind, for some millennia to come if they meet again, they might become allies continuing the old ties.
Of course, recently within the Academy, there has also been some debate, like whether to continue the plan from 200 years ago.
On which Professor Conclusion gave the instruction: those who want to stay, stay, those who want to follow him, follow him.
This is the best outcome.
The ark sailing towards the future originally couldn't accommodate everyone, this way it's also accounted for those who stayed...
The cheering, jubilant waves continued to resound layer upon layer.
Unlike the various expressions in the audience, the joy expressed by everyone in the square was more unified.
Shouting "Long Live the Manager", Wrench's face was flushed with excitement, showing no air of being the head of the Alliance First Army.
That eager gaze was just like the first time he held his chest high, carrying a wooden stick standing in front of Chu Guang—
'Wrench, No. 006, sir!'
He remembers even today, it was the first time that he truly spoke face-to-face with the Manager who saved him from the hands of the Looters.
That lord never looked down on him because of his humble origins in the dust, and even made him the captain of the guards.
From that moment, he made a resolute decision in his heart to spend his life following that person—
Even under that person's guidance, they no longer required themselves to uphold "loyalty" as a virtue, nor did they use the word "Lord" to address him.
Not just Wrench felt this way.
Lu Bei felt the same way.
Including the senior officers of the Second Army, Third Army, and the Staff Department, along with everyone in the Guards Corps.
Most of them started following Chu Guang from a very long time ago, even before the birth of the Alliance.
Aside from the Waste Land Wanderers saved by Shelter No. 404, many of them were even captives of the latter.
Like Vanus.
He was once a traditional Welch Military Officer, with Black Gold flowing through his veins. From the moment of his birth, he was prepared for war and never doubted the jungle laws of survival instilled in him by the Army from a young age.
It wasn't until he built a not-too-pretty house with bricks he made himself that he suddenly realized that the world wasn't just composed of the parts he saw; there were many beings living in places unseen to him.
They are the cornerstone that holds the world together.
If the vast majority of people in civilization can't achieve basic equality, the privileges of the few are merely castles in the air atop garbage heaps.
It was from that moment that he had a new ideal for life.
Compared to those mansions, gold, and fine wine he had long enjoyed, he wanted more to see what a more equitable new world would look like.
And that person indeed did not disappoint him, showing him the new era he had never seen before—
Every day of the future is worth looking forward to for him...
Vanus wasn't alone in these thoughts, as there was another beautiful figure in the crowd not far away.
Her fiery red hair was like autumn red maple leaves, cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall.
As she glanced at Chu Guang standing under the monument, Xia Yan's eyes reflected three parts joy and admiration, and the remaining seven parts were emotions she couldn't quite explain.
Unlike others, including Little Fish and Pai, she didn't have much anticipation for the new world; her motivation to strive wasn't driven by some grand goal, but merely to help him.
After all, she had consumed so much from him that she felt she ought to do something in return.
And there was gratitude for that leg...
She had been alone since childhood, living a day-to-day mercenary life, and if nothing unexpected happened, she would quietly die in some unnoticed corner like most mercenaries of Giant Stone City.
In fact, she was almost on this path, especially after losing a leg, having abandoned all illusions for the future.
But just when she had given up on herself, he didn't abandon her who indulged in self-pity, jokingly half-threatening, "If you don't learn well, I'll throw you out."
Of course, he never carried out such threats, nor did he fulfill the harsh words he laid down multiple times. Instead, after the toughest period passed, he sent her and Little Fish to Camp 101 to study during their learning years.
Reflecting now, that was probably the first ray of light she saw in her dark life...
Sometimes she couldn't help but wonder if her father were still alive, would he be as stern yet kind as him.
Although the envisioned future is not quite the same, she still became a better version of herself after acquiring skills at Camp 101.
She never thought the illiterate self would have a chance to become an Engineer, designing with other Engineers the first independently developed power armor for the Alliance.
Every day of the future is worth looking forward to, even if she doesn't have any particularly grand ideals.
"Thank you..."
"I hope I helped you."
Not far from her, Alyssa's excited face was glowing red, contrary to her usual composed and polite demeanor, she clapped her hands enthusiastically.
She finally awaited this day.
After the collapse of the Inner City's skyscraper, she once again witnessed the arrival of a new era—
This moment was just like the future she envisioned.
The Survivor outside Giant Stone City, after liberating Giant Stone City, also tasted glorious liberation.
From now on, they will no longer differentiate among themselves.
And it wouldn't just be in Clear Spring City, all united people will be likewise.
When everyone realizes this, the unforeseen future will have arrived unannounced.
She was genuinely happy for him from her heart.
Not only Alyssa, Little Fish standing beside was equally emotionally stirred.
The once skeletal little girl had grown into a graceful young lady.
Unexpectedly, Brother Chu still remembered things from long ago; she unconsciously covered her mouth.
However, even as she tried to suppress those emotional feelings, a gleaming layer of tears covered her eyes involuntarily.
"Hopeless, hopeless... This girl has been brainwashed." Pai shook his head, gave up, looking at Little Fish enamored with "Brother Chu" and could only comment helplessly.
Nevertheless—
It's no wonder the Waste Land Wanderers on this land see him as the God on earth.
Thinking about it, he was right.
Most shelters either messed things up, then blamed the people below for failing to execute well, or adapted to the Wasteland, living comfortably in corners.
Rarely did anyone like them burn themselves again and again.
But then again, could others even achieve this?
Of course, even so, it cannot be denied that they achieved something remarkable.
This legendary experience might become the first chapter of some great epic...
In the corner of the square, Yin Fang stood side by side with Qi Liu, Director of the Academy Investigation Department.
The latter once was his superior's superior's... superior, in short, someone so high-ranking that he could not meet.
And now the two were already equals.
Strictly speaking, Yin Fang was even somewhat above this former boss.
After all, he is now the League's chief scientist, corresponds to the Academy's Chief Technical Officer.
However, he doesn't really follow those rigid rules and doesn't like to put on airs.
At this moment, he's just standing here as a former Academy prospector, welcoming the new era he has longed for.
"I'm thinking about something."
Upon hearing the voice from the side, Qi Liu smiled gently and said in a polite tone.
"What is it?"
Looking in the direction of the monument, Yin Fang squinted slightly, laughed freely, and said.
"Sometimes I can't help but wonder if the fact that you guys sent people to chase me all the way to here back then was deliberate to drive me here."
Qi Liu was slightly stunned, then laughed and said.
"No, your situation was purely a coincidence or rather an accident."
"Is that so." Yin Fang smiled, "I thought everything was calculated by you guys, but it seems that's not the case."
"Did you just realize?" Qi Liu didn't feel offended but rather joked, "To be honest, most of our strategies have deviated from the original purpose, while those unintended moves have had unexpected results. Sometimes I can't help but wonder if there's a larger plan that has enveloped us long ago, making all mistakes turn into the best arrangements."
Yin Fang spoke in a chatty tone.
"My view is opposite to yours, it's not the mistakes turning into the best arrangements, but people's collective choices reversing the worst outcome."
Qi Liu looked at him in surprise, gradually showing a trace of admiration on his previously calm face.
"If every Academy prospector had your perspective, it would be great."
"How do you know they don't?"
Yin Fang smiled faintly, speaking in an indifferent tone.
"But this is probably our difference, we never require every League researcher to have the perspective of the Chief Technical Officer, instead we believe every researcher has the potential to become a Chief Technical Officer. Someday when I'm no longer here, there will be a thousand of me."
Qi Liu tried to imagine the future scene, eventually turning into a gentle sigh.
"...That would be quite terrifying."
...
As the speech drew to a close, the ceremony of awarding medals officially began, with players who participated in the final battle gradually stepping onto the steps under the monument, where Chu Guang personally placed the medals symbolizing the highest honor on them.
Except for the Burning Corps still drifting at the Lagrange Point Space Station, almost all the League corps participated in this medal ceremony, bearing the golden honor on their chests and proudly walking towards the crowd, receiving flowers, applause, cheers, and praise from the people.
In a sense, this can be considered a unique League parade.
For players, this realization of self-worth and elevation of life goals is simply exhilarating!
After all, this is an experience that can't be exchanged for money.
Some veteran players were relatively calm because of previous experiences, while some inexperienced new players were so excited that they almost disconnected on the spot.
The grand ceremony continued, with drones shooting the scene from multiple angles and sending the live data back to Endpoint Cloud located in Ideal City.
Currently, Endpoint Cloud's users are not just citizens of Ideal City, but also gather from major Survivor Settlements in the central and eastern regions of Central Continent.
This includes Dawn City in River Valley Province, Weifu City in Brocade River Province, as well as settlements on the Death Coast and Potato Harbor in Baiyue Strait.
Also included are the Southern Sea Alliance Islands and Jin Jialun Port, Silver Moon Bay, among others.
For those survivors who can't be present at the scene, they too have the opportunity to witness the spectacle at Dawn City Square and share the joy of the new era's arrival with the local survivors...
Meanwhile, similar spectacles are happening not only at Dawn City but also in other places in the Wasteland.
The emperor of the Eastern Empire, Salen, stood on the castle in Norton City and delivered a speech about the new era, belatedly awarding General Griffin a controversial commemorative medal.
He was a dutiful general, but unfortunately, stood with the wrong group and followed the wrong people.
Now the Eastern Expansion Party has fallen apart, and Salen can finally close the coffin which has been left open for a long time.
The Eastern Empire will enter a new historical phase, where decisions will not focus on expanding in specific directions but on finding a suitable balance between the old and the new.
On the other side of the Great Desert.
After executing the traitor Grov and his followers, Saint Hero Zayed joyfully announced the decisive victory in the war against Red Soil, making bold remarks that he never said red soil couldn't be eaten, and if one was too full, they could eat a bit of soil to relieve it.
The newly appointed education and propaganda commissioner replacing Sir Cabaha quickly patched up his previous words, while Chairman Sava promptly raised his hand to claim the words as his own, and everyone collectively started the next fierce political intrigue.
But fortunately, what was once forbidden red soil is now eatable again, as if overnight it stopped encroaching on farmland but instead became a life supplement.
In dealing with the devastating famine in Poluo Province, General Lowell's red soil once again played an indispensable role, allowing the satiated people to finally stand up proudly.
No one will deny his achievements now.
It's just regrettable that the one who once wrote books about him is already buried under the soil he planted.
Even though it was never his intention...
...
The Great Rift Valley.
In the black obsidian-carved meeting room, the long-lived chief smiled as he looked at the faint blue holographic image floating above the meeting table, his gaze filled with some degree of approval.
"I didn't make a mistake, that person is 'Professor'... No wonder he can accomplish what I can't."
With arms crossed, Dr. Conclusion sat at the table with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes, chuckled and said.
"You know, my teacher was most afraid of people thinking like you when he was alive."
The chief raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Was alive?"
Dr. Conclusion retorted.
"Do you think he is still alive?"
"..."
The chief remained silent for a long time, with a trace of faint loneliness and melancholy surfacing in his cloudy eyes.
This kind of emotion seldom appeared on his face, but it lingered particularly long at this moment.
"That makes sense..."
As if relieved, he let out a long sigh, his voice carrying a hint of self-mockery as he spoke.
"200 years... I still remember the first time I met him, I was just a kid. Haha, this time it's the white-haired sending off the black-haired... actually, it's not that bad."
The only regret was that, apart from the old ice pops frozen in the fridge, there were few people left from that era.
A New Epoch...
He wasn't all that eager to see it.
Perhaps this was one of the reasons he had always lacked motivation.
Of course.
There wasn't much they could do nowadays.
The War Construction Committee was indeed strong and powerful back in the day... but that was over a century ago. Now, they could only rely on the strength of the Holy Shield to maintain a small haven.
Glancing at the Chief who was still reminiscing about the past, Dr. Conclusion suddenly thought of something and said to himself.
"... Speaking of which, the Free State's war seems to have ended, and it seems that the mayor Otto, who led the citizens' uprising, won in the end."
The Academy did not directly intervene in the war, only watched from afar.
The Alliance and corporations established safe zones for civilian refugees outside the Free State, but did nothing more.
Of course, it was a different story for the volunteers who went to join the fight.
After all, the Free State and the Firestone Group had hired mercenaries before, and this time the boomerang just hit them back.
The Chief's face didn't show much surprise; clearly, he knew this.
In fact, the person who prompted Mayor Otto to make a change was himself.
"... Is that so? That's good. Although Sigma was also a good guy, able to climb from the bottom of the slums to the top of the skyscraper, but his era has ended."
If he had one flaw, it was probably not making a change while there was still time, but instead amplifying the suffering he had endured onto others.
As a dragon, he would always encounter a stronger dragon slayer, let alone the entire Wasteland was changing.
"Haha, you seem to be doing quite well as a hands-off manager."
Dr. Conclusion lightly mocked.
But the Chief didn't mind, and just replied in a calm voice.
"I didn't choose to be a hands-off manager, but had no choice. I also tried to control everything, just like when you were still here, but the end result was that everything would spiral out of control, just as you once saw."
Dr. Conclusion shrugged noncommittally.
He didn't agree with this viewpoint, as the Academy had plenty of positive examples in "cybernetics."
Of course, he also acknowledged that these were achieved at the cost of sacrificing some people.
The Chief was silent, before continuing to speak.
"The fate of the Free State was sealed from the moment it was founded, leading to today's situation where those wanting stability but not control are drifting like a hot air balloon, eventually free-falling after reaching the tipping point..."
"Not only the Free State, many places are similar. Their predicament is not because a guy named Sigma deceived them, but because they are all deceivers... successful or failed ones."
"As for that guy Sigma, he was just the most successful among them... But now they've realized the problem, so they can quickly enter the next historical phase."
When saying this, the Chief suddenly turned his gaze to Dr. Conclusion, speaking with a slightly intrigued tone.
"I'm actually most curious about you... Even though the Wasteland Era is over, you still plan to wander beyond the Solar System with those researchers?"
Conclusion nodded.
"Yes."
The Chief looked at him in surprise, then suddenly smiled and said.
"I didn't expect there to be someone more stubborn than this old relic."
Conclusion smiled faintly, not taking the man's mockery to heart, and replied in an indifferent manner.
"It's not about stubbornness, not even about the Wasteland Era, I'm simply fulfilling my mentor's last wish."
The Chief's eyes showed a hint of astonishment.
"Your mentor... you mean the Professor? He wanted you to do this?"
His voice carried a sense of urgency, seemingly desperate to receive a positive answer.
However, Conclusion just shook his head, indifferent to the old man's view, and continued speaking.
"He didn't ask me to do it, he just told me... if the Wasteland Era hadn't happened, he would have likely taken a group of like-minded people to do it, rather than using the resources and funds for the 'Ark' project to fix Black Box and Shelter."
The Chief stared at him for a long time, then muttered to himself.
"... So that's it, I always found it strange why it's called the Ark Project, turns out that's the reason."
Ignoring the Chief's mutterings, Conclusion continued in a casual tone.
"He told me a lot, that if nothing unexpected happened, this ark sailing towards the future would nurture an archaeological and academic organization named the Academy in thousands of years within the galaxy..."
"Unlike the current Academy, the future one is a cross-star system cooperative organization aiming to excavate relics of pioneer civilizations and explore the origins of the universe, with members not limited to humans but including aliens from other civilizations."
"Though it sounds a bit farsighted, I can never forget the expression on his face when he described that scene to me... as if he had really seen those things."
"Since then, I made up my mind to inherit his legacy, to do this in his stead... To this end, I uploaded my consciousness onto a circuit board, trading death for endless life."
"Just in time for the War Construction Committee's disbandment, many were eager to leave this 'dead planet,' and so I found common ground with many people."
As he said this, the man floating in the holographic image wore a faint smile on his face.
"It's actually quite good."
"Now we can leave behind those just fleeing, and take the like-minded to do this great thing."
——
(Thanks to the book friend "Heart no longer warm" for the lord's reward!!! PS: The foreshadowing for the Ark Project is actually linked to a far-sighted if line ending written a long time ago, but the manuscript can't be found, might add it based on fate later...)