kvmb Chapter 4 Meeting at the City Gate
Chapter 4 Meeting at the City Gate
Since the great war three thousand years ago, three of the four supreme magical beasts of the Beastmen have perished, and one has been severely injured and fallen into a deep slumber. The Beastmen have lost their greatest asset and, forced by circumstances, were compelled to sign a ceasefire agreement. The Human and Spirit races finally ushered in a new era of vitality, and the magical continent entered a period of peaceful development.
However, this does not mean that there will be no more wars. On the contrary, because the orcs reproduce extremely quickly, they launch a beast tide every once in a while, carrying out a process of natural selection.
Both the human and spirit races have long been accustomed to this cyclical challenge. They have reached a tacit understanding, viewing each beast tide as an opportunity to hone themselves and improve their strength.
The territory of the Aurora Empire is structured in a fan shape with the city of Fran as its center. The empire is divided into eight major cities, which are further subdivided into four inner cities and four outer cities.
The four inner cities include Jingyang City, Jimu City, Lingjin City, and Fran City, which serves as the imperial capital. The four outer cities consist of Luoshui City, Yanhuo City, Xiyue City, and Sangtu City.
The four major war zones are located at the border of the Aris Great Forest and the Aurora Empire, serving as the first battlefield against the beast tide. The four outer cities, located after the four major war zones, are the second battlefield against the beast tide.
Whenever a beast tide arrives, most of it is intercepted by the four major war zones. The few beast groups that manage to break through the encirclement will encounter resistance again in the four outer cities.
This layout not only ensured the prosperity and stability of the four inner cities, but also kept the heart of the empire—Fran and its surrounding areas—away from the ravages of war, creating favorable conditions for the empire's development and expansion.
……
At the city gate of Xiyue City, amidst a loud roar, a massive flying artifact resembling an eagle slowly descended. Its metal wings reflected a dazzling light in the sunlight; this was none other than the Demon Eagle, a military vehicle of which the Aurora Empire was immensely proud.
The hatch slowly opened, and figures emerged one after another from the magical artifact.
"Dad! Mom!"
As the figures of their loved ones gradually became clearer, the children's calls grew more excited, and they rushed one after another into those warm and familiar embraces.
Chu Siyuan and Qiu Jingya slowly stepped out of the fighter jet and immediately spotted Chu Qiuchi and Chu Yichen waiting in the crowd.
Chu Siyuan strode forward, picked up Chu Qiuchi in his arms, his eyes full of doting: "Daddy's precious eldest daughter, did you miss me? You've gotten so thin in the few days I haven't seen you, you seem lighter than before."
Chu Qiuchi hugged her father's neck and said sweetly, "Dad, I missed you so much! A day apart feels like three autumns, and it's been several autumns since we last met! By the way, has the beast tide been resolved? Are you, Mom, and the other uncles and aunts alright?"
Chu Siyuan gently patted her back and comforted her with a smile, "Don't worry, baby, we've already repelled the beast tide. We're all fine. Besides, we still have support mages even if we're injured. I have good news for you: Daddy got three level-six magic rune cores from this beast tide! After your magic awakens, I'll have an alchemist embed them into your staff!"
"That's great! Thank you, Dad!" Chu Qiuchi's eyes were filled with excitement and anticipation.
Just as the father and daughter were enjoying their time together, Chu Yichen's quiet voice rang out from the side: "Dad, have you forgotten that you have a precious son?"
When Chu Siyuan turned around, he saw his youngest son being led by his wife, looking pitiful as if he had been forgotten by the whole world.
"Haha, little Chenchen, of course Daddy hasn't forgotten you." Chu Siyuan laughed and opened his arms. "Come here, let Daddy give you a hug."
Qiu Jingya, who was standing to the side, couldn't stop laughing: "Siyuan, you only have eyes for your daughter, and your son is so jealous! But my little darling is too biased. She just runs into her father's arms and her mother is practically invisible."
Chu Qiuchi quickly broke free from her father's embrace, turned around and hugged Qiu Jingya, softly pleading, "Mom, I missed you too, so much, I've even lost weight from missing you so much!"
"You've lost weight?" Chu Yichen bluntly exposed, "Sis, you eat two more pancakes a day than me! I don't think you've lost weight at all; in fact, your chin has gotten quite round!"
Chu Qiuchi was immediately furious and complained to her parents, "Mom and Dad, look at this little brother, shouldn't we just get rid of him?"
Qiu Jingya covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes full of affection: "Haha, stop fooling around, we can still keep them, alright?" After saying that, she gently patted the two children's heads, "Alright, our family is finally reunited, let's go home first."
Then, she turned to Chu Siyuan and softly suggested, "Let's say goodbye to everyone first, and let them go home and rest early. After all, everyone has worked very hard these past few days."
"Alright, let's go say a few words." He strode towards the crowd and said loudly, "Fellow warriors, you've all worked hard! Thank you for your contributions to Xiyue City these past few days. Get some rest tonight, and I will be hosting a victory celebration banquet at the City Lord's Mansion tomorrow. Everyone is welcome to attend."
"Thank you, Lord City Lord! We will definitely be there on time tomorrow!"
"Xiao Chi and Chen Chen, thank you for taking care of my boy. Goodbye!"
Chu Qiuchi and Chu Yichen waved goodbye to everyone, saying, "Goodbye, uncles and aunts, goodbye, friends!"
The crowd gradually dispersed, but a lingering sense of regret seemed to remain in the air.
"Koike is such a worry-free kid, it's a pity he didn't awaken last year."
"Sigh! I heard that I'm going to awaken with Chenchen this year. I wonder what the outcome will be."
"It's probably not going to be good. After all, it's the second awakening, and the chances of getting a good talent are too low..."
"Who can argue with that? The city lord and his wife are so talented, how could they..."
Chu Siyuan, Qiu Jingya, and Chu Yichen all cast concerned glances at her, but Chu Qiuchi just smiled easily and waved her hand playfully: "Don't worry, I don't take these nagging to heart! My parents are so talented, I'm sure I won't be any less so! If I'm really just average, then I'll have Yichen as my bodyguard!"
Hearing Chu Qiuchi's words of comfort, the others didn't say anything more and could only exchange smiles. Chu Yichen, not to be outdone, started making all sorts of exaggerated gestures, sometimes making funny faces, sometimes imitating a hero rescuing a damsel in distress, making everyone burst into laughter.
Watching his younger brother's comical performance, Chu Qiuchi felt a surge of warmth in his heart: If he doesn't have enough talent, he'll just hire a bunch of bodyguards in the future. After all, the strong are never bound by formalities, are they?
As the sun sets, a family of four walks hand in hand along the stone path, their laughter echoing in the air...