Chapter 261: Busy city of life
"Look, that black car—that's President Vladimir Nova from the Russian Alliance!" One young man pointed excitedly, his eyes fixed on Nova's red cloak, which waved gracefully as he passed by.
"Wow, they say he's as strong as a lion. Fierce and tough!" added a curly-haired girl next to him, her eyes shining with admiration.
Not far from them, a line of sleek cars with elegant designs hovered low. "That must be the European Alliance!" another young man exclaimed, unable to contain his smile as he watched the cars arranged in a sophisticated, futuristic style that radiated technological elegance.
Meanwhile, journalists tirelessly captured the moment. Camera flashes flickered like stars, the reporters' voices sounding spirited into their microphones, competing with the cheers of the citizens.
"We're here, live from the heart of the City of Life! The excitement of the people is unstoppable as they witness history in the making!" shouted one reporter with an enthusiastic tone. Behind him, the procession of cars continued, forming a majestic background.
In homes and cafes, people followed the live broadcast on large screens showing the procession from various parts of the city. Each time the camera zoomed in on the face of an alliance leader, cheers and small applause erupted among them.
...
On the west side of the city stood the grand Alliance World Market Trade building.
The main gate of the Alliance World Market Trade building towered high, adorned with gleaming crystal carvings that cast a soft light amid the hustle. Along the gate, a row of guards stood tall in black uniforms with futuristic weapons, their bodies reflected in the dark metal and crystal of the gate's sturdy design. Their eyes were sharp, watching every movement around them.
Behind the gate, a wide path stretched forward, leading the view to the training building on the right wing. There, the sound of marching steps and clashing weapons echoed rhythmically, filling the air with the vigor of training. The soldiers wore uniform combat gear, training under the keen gaze of their instructor. To the left stood the main hall, grand and imposing, its walls adorned with holographic screens projecting information from alliance territories.
Amid the bustle, a woman in a neat uniform with a silver badge on her left chest walked steadily. Her eyes were sharp, scanning every corner of the long hallway connecting the main hall to the important rooms in the building. Her steps were measured, exuding an unquestionable authority.
After a few minutes, the woman arrived at a large, gleaming metal door. She knocked softly, waiting with her head slightly bowed in respect.
"Enter," a gentle yet authoritative voice sounded from within.
The woman stepped into a large room enveloped in a calm atmosphere. The room's walls emitted a soft glow from blue and gold crystals arranged artistically. Behind a large desk, a woman with shoulder-length hair sat, her eyes focused on a stack of documents before her. Her fingers moved swiftly yet gracefully, turning page after page of reports without pause.
The woman who had entered bowed slightly. "Hana," she called, her voice polite yet firm.
Hana lifted her gaze from her report, observing the woman before her. "Is everything ready?" she asked briefly, her tone neutral yet meaningful, her hands still arranging the stack of documents.
"Yes, Ma'am. We also just received word that the American Alliance representatives will arrive in a few minutes," the woman replied.
Hana's eyebrows raised slightly. She didn't hide her surprise, though she remained calm. "They're arriving sooner than I expected," she murmured softly, her eyes shifting to the documents on the desk. She stood up, tidying the files, then looked at the woman with a faint smile.
"Thank you. You may return," she said gently.
The woman nodded and turned to leave the room with the same steady steps. Hana, now ready to greet them, stepped out, walking towards the waiting room with confident strides.
On the main street, the convoy of cars from the American Alliance glided with graceful speed, heading straight for the towering gates of the Alliance World Market Trade Building. Two massive pillars stood on either side, giving an impression of both grandeur and dominance, as if the structure itself scrutinized every visitor approaching it.
A guard post stood in front of the gate. A soldier with a solid build and full uniform stepped out of the post, approaching the lead car where William was seated. Without hesitation, he knocked on the window with a firm tap.
"Please lower the window and show your identification," he said in a deep voice, leaving no room for doubt.
The driver in the front seat lowered the window and took a few cards from the car's dashboard, then handed them to the soldier with a respectful demeanor. "We are from the American Alliance," he said, his voice clear and professional.
The soldier received the cards and examined them carefully. One by one, he scrutinized each detail on the cards, his eyebrows furrowing slightly as he verified every element, ensuring nothing was overlooked. William, seated in the back, observed the guard patiently, his gaze fixed on him without a word.
After a moment, the soldier closed the last card and returned it. "Alright, you may proceed," he said, gesturing for them to continue.
William's car moved slowly through the gate, while the soldier immediately turned to the other convoy cars, ensuring each vehicle underwent the same strict inspection. Inside the car, William gazed out the window, his eyes widening slightly as his view settled on the main Alliance World Market Trade building that now loomed before him.
The structure looked like a giant built from gleaming metal and thick glass, reflecting the blue sky on its surface. Crystal pillars stood proudly, and the symmetrically arranged ornaments conveyed a sense of grandeur, as if the building wasn't merely a meeting place but a symbol of unshakeable strength.
"How… is it possible?" William murmured, almost in disbelief at what he was seeing. Every inch of the building exuded an unusual luxury, as if its materials came from another world, beyond the reach of his own alliance.
In the front seat, an elderly man sitting beside the driver turned slowly towards William. "Sir, Miss Hana is already waiting in the lounge," he said softly, his voice almost a whisper, careful not to interrupt William's sense of awe.
William took a deep breath, his eyes still fixed on the scene outside. After a brief pause, he turned to the elderly man and gave a slight nod. "Tell her we'll be there shortly," he said, then resumed gazing at the grand buildings they passed, as if trying to memorize every detail.
After touring the Alliance World Market Trade complex, the convoy of American Alliance cars finally stopped in front of a blue building that exuded both tranquility and elegance. Staff in formal attire moved back and forth in front of the glass doors, busy with their tasks, holding files or speaking into communication devices, moving quickly yet orderly.
In front of the building's entrance, a woman stood tall, wearing a crisp white shirt and with shoulder-length hair. Her face was calm, yet the aura she projected conveyed a sense of authority that was impossible to ignore. Her gaze was fixed straight at William's car, as if she knew exactly who was inside.
From within the car, William looked toward the woman. His eyes narrowed slightly, studying her carefully. There was something striking behind the calmness of her expression—a hidden strength that felt unmistakably real.
As the driver opened the door, William stepped out with a composed demeanor. His shoulders were straight, his face unreadable, masking his surprise from the outside world. His gaze remained fixed on the woman at the entrance, measuring her with a sharp, practiced look.
A few bodyguards from the other cars quickly exited, standing alert behind William. But he didn't glance back, his full attention on the figure before him. A faint breeze passed through, slightly moving the edge of the woman's shirt.
Hana stepped forward as she saw William walking toward her. A warm smile graced her face as she greeted him, "Welcome, Mr. William. Welcome to the Alliance World Market Trade."
William paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if searching for something to say. Then he smiled politely and replied, "Thank you, Miss Hana. I apologize if I kept you waiting."
Hana laughed lightly, her cheerful voice echoing in the calm morning air. "Oh, no need to worry, sir. Please, come inside," she said softly, gesturing to the staff standing not far from them. "My staff will guide you to the waiting room."
William nodded, though there was something he wanted to say, he felt it wasn't the right time. Behind them, the sound of other cars began to fill the air, perhaps another alliance entourage arriving at the same place.