CHAPTER 1906: CHAPTER 1899: SONG AND DANCE GALA

"Long live Lipei!!"

Someone from the audience shouted, and it was immediately echoed by everyone present.

"Long live Lipei!"

Luo’er couldn’t help but join the chorus.

"Long live Luo’er!!"

The audience shouted once again, and the chant spread throughout the venue.

Hearing the cheers, Luo’er was momentarily stunned and didn’t respond immediately. Listening to the mounting shouts of "Long live Luo’er" resounding across the venue, he looked around and couldn’t help but smile.

Regardless, the current atmosphere in the venue indicated that his anticipated goals were largely achieved.

Luo’er was intent on using this inauguration speech to urge Lipei’s people to unite and actively strive for Lipei.

When it came to himself and the policies to be enforced, Luo’er summarized them in just a few sentences, and it appeared that people didn’t mind.

Luo’er was well aware of Lipei’s present threats, which rendered discussions on Lipei’s future policies and developments meaningless under such circumstances.

Only by ensuring every Lipei person understands that the leadership will fully guarantee their lives, can they be at ease while also igniting their will to resist.

This was Luo’er’s first meeting with the Lipei people as their supreme commander. He believed he had done well, at least establishing a leader’s standard in their minds.

After heating up the atmosphere, Luo’er immediately announced the commencement of the cultural performance.

Aside from delivering the inauguration speech, Luo’er also prepared many performances to satisfy the enthusiastic crowd, aiming to deeply engrave this speech into every Lipei person’s heart.

After Luo’er left the stage, the cultural performance began promptly. Luoya hurriedly left Nina’s side, returning backstage to start preparations.

While the performances were underway on the stage, Luo’er, flanked by a group of Lipei leaders, made his way to the front row to meet with leaders from various countries and factions.

Though it was said to be leaders from various countries, it mainly involved countries and organizations from the Otherworld, and not many people had attended. After all, Lipei’s autonomy occurred suddenly, and many countries and organizations didn’t have time to react before Luo’er began his inauguration speech.

Even the Church of Light, which was closely aligned with the headquarters, was unable to send a special envoy in time. Instead, they entrusted the local church’s bishop to attend the ceremony.

The bishop of the Lipei church was a tall, thin bald man, who appeared to be stern. Dressed in a pure white and gold holy robe, he attended Luo’er’s inauguration and respectfully shook hands with Luo’er, offering his blessings.

It is said that being a bishop in Lipei is considered a tough job for the Church of Light. Although Lipei’s district government allows religious freedom, it opposes any chaotic behavior by the Church of Light in Lipei, insisting on compliance with basic secular laws.

This resulted in the bishop losing many privileges that were taken for granted elsewhere, causing strong resistance among the Church Court’s bishops against taking up the post in Lipei. Yet the partnership with Lipei was crucial, requiring a trustworthy person to be stationed in Lipei, posing a significant headache for the higher-ups in the Church of Light.

This bald bishop was evidently stationed in Lipei under such circumstances. Within the Church Court, he was considered a mid-tier personnel, though loyal, his personality led to incompatibility with many, leading to a collective suggestion to the pope to assign him to Lipei.

His faults were neither insignificant nor slight, mainly being excessively honest and stubborn. This made him seem at odds within the church full of intrigue, yet upon arriving in Lipei, he felt at home, working diligently and even becoming the president of the Lipei Branch of the Red Cross Society.

At this meeting with Luo’er, he frowned, scrutinizing Luo’er with a gaze full of concern, worried that this young half-blood elf might bring change to Lipei’s future.

Although he heard him speak on stage about a beautiful life, he realized Luo’er was rousing public sentiment, trying to turn Lipei into a militarized city-state.

"Thank you for attending, and I truly appreciate your support, Mr. Fano."

Unaware of his thoughts, Luo’er greeted him politely.

"On behalf of the Church of Light, I congratulate Commander Luo’er on assuming the role of Lipei’s supreme commander." Fano responded cautiously.

"Bishop, is something on your mind?" Luo’er noticed his troubled expression and asked out of curiosity.

"No, nothing," Fano shook his head, but couldn’t help himself from looking up and asking, "Will the Commander continue Lipei’s unchanged policies?"

"Of course, why do you ask?" Luo’er asked in surprise.

"However, you are stirring public emotions, which is very dangerous. Once people become fervent..."

Before Fano could finish, Luo’er interrupted with a smile: "I’m doing this mainly to call on everyone to join the cause of defending Lipei. If Lipei falls, how can anyone survive?"

"I know you have a lot to say. Feel free to visit the Commander’s Office another day to point out my mistakes, and I will correct them and explain my views to you." Luo’er continued.

"Alright, I will go."

Fano looked around, nodded solemnly.

"You are most welcome to visit."

Luo’er nodded politely, then moved on to the next representative.

This representative was very familiar to Luo’er; she wore a complex and exquisite evening dress, with heavy makeup to cover the blemishes caused by time and hard work, presenting her most perfect side to Luo’er.

"Thank you so much for coming, Princess Melia."

Looking at her, Luo’er couldn’t help but have a few sighs in his tone.

"Who would have thought that after just a few years, Captain Luo’er would have been promoted to Commander Luo’er. Congratulations, Commander." Melia smiled as she spoke.

"But Your Highness, you remain as radiant and charming as when we first met." Luo’er replied with a smile.

"Do you really mean that?" Melia tilted her head to ask.

"Of course."

Luo’er looked at her fearlessly, with no signs of previous shyness in his eyes.

"In that case, I will accept your compliment."

Melia averted her gaze a bit disappointedly, her smile gradually fading.

She gently sighed and, after a slight pause, seemed to change personas before looking at Luo’er with a smile again, asking with parted red lips: "I heard you say that Lipei is facing an imminent threat, is it true?"

"It is indeed true. I’m sure you’ve heard, Princess, that Odelanqi has gathered an army of a million. Without military ambitions, why would King Gudelv go to such lengths?" Luo’er nodded in confirmation.

"This is a golden opportunity." Melia nodded silently.

"Does Your Highness have something to say?" Noticing her hesitation, Luo’er asked instinctively.

Hearing his words, Melia took a deep breath and slowly looked up. Lifting the hem of her skirt, she approached Luo’er and whispered beside him: "After this, I plan to take action. I wonder what the headquarters thinks?"

"Take action..."

Luo’er was momentarily stunned, immediately realizing the severity of the issue. After pondering for a moment, he nodded seriously and also lowered his voice: "But please, Princess, stay for a few more days."

"I will," Melia nodded, "Just tell me whether we can or can’t, that’s all."

The stage filled with rousing percussion and melodious singing as Luoya clenched her small fists, singing into the fixed microphone. The limitations of the equipment didn’t hinder her performance; she excelled from soothing love songs to wild rock music.

Even on stage, in front of everyone, she changed into three sets of performance outfits like a magician, from a suit-style school uniform to Gothic Lolita. The explosive sound waves and her uniquely sweet voice pushed the atmosphere to its peak again and again.

The audience erupted into near-mad shouts for Luoya, waving their small flags continuously and calling out her name.