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墨書 Inktalez
After having breakfast, Zhang Qiu and Lucia took a walk in the garden outside the palace and sat on a bench to rest when they got tired. The sky was a deep blue, as if it had just been washed, and the fresh air was intoxicating. Two grayish-white birds flew together, swooping past the branches and landing on the stone path in the garden.
Zhang Qiu's gaze followed the birds as they landed on the ground, and he noticed a servant running towards them from a distance. Lucia also spotted the servant, and after exchanging glances for a second, they both stood up just as the servant reached them. The servant, panting slightly, said, "Your Highness, please... please come with me... he is waiting for you."
"Alright, we will go right away."
The servant led the way while Zhang Qiu and Lucia followed closely behind. In the distance, they could see a flag waving vigorously atop a flagpole outside the main gate of the palace. This flag was different from that of the Tanzania Kingdom; it had been designed by civil officials and reflected the emerging spirit of The First Republic of Nasantania in its colors and design concept.
As they approached, Zhang Qiu noticed that there were twice as many soldiers outside the palace compared to yesterday, all dressed in brand new uniforms. Each soldier stood tall, their demeanor vastly different from that of the soldiers they had seen before.
"Zhang Qiu, do you feel that something seems off outside the palace today?" Lucia asked.
"It does seem strange," Zhang Qiu replied, furrowing his brow as he observed. "Look at how the soldiers are wearing new uniforms; their presence is completely different from what we saw before."
Lucia stopped in her tracks and asked worriedly, "Could something have happened?"
"That’s unlikely," Zhang Qiu shook his head. "Azure Hawk is inside the palace; if something were to happen, we would hear gunfire."
"Is it possible that Azure Hawk has been..."
"We have both witnessed Azure Hawk's skills."
"Please rest assured, today's grand occasion is due to an important event. The soldiers on duty have been selected from various elite units," the servant explained as he turned around to address their concerns.
Zhang Qiu and Lucia were momentarily taken aback before bursting into laughter at each other. The servant looked confused, switching his gaze between them. Zhang Qiu said, "Let’s keep moving; we shouldn't keep Prince Banan waiting too long."
A vibrant red carpet was laid out in front of the palace, where Prince Banan stood with several officials beneath the national flag—solemn and quiet. Zhang Qiu and Lucia walked slowly to the side of the red carpet, unsure if they should approach. The servant had not clarified what Prince Banan wanted from them; if this was merely an event for the prince and officials, it would be inappropriate for them to join.
As Zhang Qiu and Lucia were contemplating their next move, Prince Banan waved at them: "Come here."
Under the gaze of thousands present, Zhang Qiu and Lucia stepped onto the red carpet and stood beside Prince Banan. He whispered, "Don't act out or move around too much; everything will proceed according to plan. The gift I am about to present you will be revealed shortly."
With that, Prince Banan stepped forward. Zhang Qiu and Lucia exchanged glances, unsure of what Prince Banan was up to.
Prince Banan positioned himself on a pedestal directly beneath the national flag, turning around to face everyone after surveying his surroundings. He then proclaimed loudly: "Ladies and gentlemen, soldiers, in recent weeks, Tanzania has undergone tremendous changes. Our country is now independent; our people are free; The First Republic of Nasantania has been established. During this time, countless heroic stories have emerged; many heroes have sacrificed their precious lives for us— we will not forget them. A monument will be erected in front of the palace to forever commemorate them!"
As soon as Prince Banan finished speaking, applause erupted from all directions, resounding endlessly. Prince Banan raised his hand to signal for silence, scanning the crowd before continuing, "There are also some heroes who, after enduring numerous hardships, have witnessed the dawn of change. They are all of you present here; you are the heroes of Tanzania. Today, on behalf of Tanzania and all its citizens, I thank you." With that, Prince Banan bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly quieted down, and after a moment, even louder applause broke out. Prince Banan straightened up and declared, "I hereby announce the official commencement of the Independence Recognition Ceremony of the First Republic of Nasantania!"
Amidst waves of applause and cheers, Prince Banan stepped down from the stage and returned to the front of the crowd, standing tall in front of the national flag. The ceremonial band that had been waiting nearby began to play, the music stirring and passionate. There were no lyrics; it was a tune that Zhang Qiu had never heard before, but that did not hinder Zhang Qiu from grasping the meaning of the music—music is truly magical. Everyone's gaze was focused on the national flag fluttering at the top of the flagpole; Zhang Qiu guessed that this must be Tanzania's national anthem.
As the music came to an end, Prince Banan turned around and stood between Zhang Qiu and Lucia, taking both their hands as they moved forward together. Zhang Qiu and Lucia were caught off guard, their minds blank, but they continued to follow Prince Banan.
"Next, I would like to introduce two friends to everyone: Zhang Qiu and Lucia. Many of you have seen them but do not know them well. During the war, they provided me with tremendous help; they accompanied me through many difficult nights and brainstormed with me about Tanzania's future. I am very grateful to them." Prince Banan raised his arms high, holding Zhang Qiu's and Lucia's hands above their heads, and in an instant, applause surged like a tide.
"In appreciation for Zhang Qiu and Lucia's outstanding contributions to Tanzania, I have decided to grant both of them permanent residency in the First Republic of Nasantania and award them Freedom Medals."
As soon as Prince Banan finished speaking, the ceremonial band played again. A group of soldiers dressed in formal attire marched forward with high steps. The soldier at the front carried a tray on which exquisite medals were arranged neatly on red cloth. Zhang Qiu realized that everything before him had been well prepared; only he and Lucia were unaware. This must be the gift from Prince Banan—sufficiently astonishing and entirely unique.
The soldier holding the tray approached them while those behind him stood at attention. Prince Banan took a gold medal engraved with intricate designs from the tray and pinned it onto Zhang Qiu's chest with a smile, saying, "This is pure gold."
Pure gold... Zhang Qiu was momentarily speechless. Prince Banan then picked up another identical medal and handed it to Lucia with a smile, saying, "You're a girl; you can do it yourself."
"Thank you," Lucia replied with a smile as she nodded and pinned the medal onto her chest.
The two medals worn by Zhang Qiu and Lucia sparkled with golden light under the brilliant sun. Prince Banan continued to award medals to others; after completing this segment, he left subsequent matters to White-Bearded Man while he returned to the palace with Zhang Qiu and Lucia.
Prince Banan smiled and said, "I know you don't like these kinds of occasions; let Chief Administrator handle it. You'll be leaving this afternoon; I'll spend some more time with you."
A sense of melancholy lingered in everyone's hearts as the three walked silently down the hall. Their encounter with Azure Hawk broke the silence; both parties exchanged simple greetings but did not walk together.
"Shouldn't Azure Hawk also... receive a medal?" Zhang Qiu turned his head to look at Azure Hawk's back. The contributions made by White Wolf Special Assault Team for Tanzania were no less than their own; if medals were being awarded, they should certainly receive one too.
Prince Banan replied, "Indeed, there are medals for them."
This surprised Zhang Qiu because Azure Hawk and others had not appeared at the ceremony; Azure Hawk was not wearing an identical medal on his chest either.
"When I told Azure Hawk about it, he refused me. Azure Hawk is not suited for such a medal. No matter what I said, he wouldn't agree. I specifically had someone create a medal out of pure gold as a token of gratitude for those who contributed to Tanzania; many people might not choose to accept direct monetary gifts. Even if Azure Hawk doesn't accept the medal, he could exchange it for cash later." Prince Banan shook his head as he spoke, his tone tinged with disappointment.
Zhang Qiu understood Azure Hawk's stubbornness but felt that Prince Banan could not comprehend it. Zhang Qiu consoled him: "Let it be; even if he doesn't accept it, he will still be grateful in his heart. Azure Hawk is different from us; he is a soldier with ironclad discipline and principles. Respecting his choice is our greatest gratitude towards him."
After listening to Zhang Qiu's words, Prince Banan nodded and sighed, "Then let it be."
No matter how reluctant, the moment of parting would eventually arrive. Two hours later, Prince Banan personally sent Zhang Qiu and the others to the airport in a special vehicle. The airport remained heavily guarded, with a soldier stationed every two meters along both sides of the runway, and even more guards surrounding the aircraft. The security personnel thoroughly inspected the entire plane inside and out no less than five times, confirming that there were no dangers. Prince Banan issued a strict order; the painful lesson of an airplane explosion must never happen again.
At the foot of the boarding stairs, the White Wolf Special Assault Team stood in formation and saluted Prince Banan before boarding the plane without looking back. Zhang Qiu and Lucia said their final goodbyes to Prince Banan at the foot of the aircraft. Prince Banan reluctantly held onto their hands and said, "You must come back to see me. Once things stabilize in the country a bit more, I will also find a chance to visit you."
Zhang Qiu and Lucia both promised in unison, with Zhang Qiu gazing at Prince Banan with mixed emotions, forcing out a sorrowful smile. Prince Banan said, "Let's go. It's finally time to part ways. I wish you safe travels."
"Goodbye, Prince Banan."
Zhang Qiu and Lucia bid farewell to Prince Banan and turned to ascend the boarding stairs. Standing at the cabin door, Zhang Qiu suddenly called out, "Prince Banan!"
Prince Banan looked up at Zhang Qiu, who shouted, "You must work hard to build Tanzania. Remember our mission; you are an unbreakable fortress and our strongest stronghold."
"I will," Prince Banan shouted excitedly. "This will be our future base of operations. I will take good care of it and wait for your return!"
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