Wasteland Echoer.

Chapter 492: The Deep Sorrow (End): A Crucial Meeting (Part )

September 557th, 9th year of the New Lunar Calendar.

Cruzde Federation, Iceland Province, the capital Iceland City, "Steel Flame Scream" palace, outside the "April Domain Main Hall".

Although, from late September to early October, large areas of river snow began to appear in the northern border of the Federation, and everything began to be covered with a layer of white that seemed pure but full of danger, the Binglin Province, which was at a slightly lower latitude, was still at the end of midsummer.

The bronze bell of St. Ivan's Cathedral rang 14 times in succession. The heavy and melodious sound of the bell spread throughout Binglin City, bringing a bit of peace and tranquility to the souls of the people busy with their survival in the capital.

The "Steel and Flame Shout" Palace is an administrative building left over from the old empire. It has a long history and has been in use for more than 2000 years. It was not demolished after the establishment of the new federation, because resources were often in short supply and new office buildings were not rebuilt, so the building was still used, but all its magnificent parts were removed and painted with a layer of black paint, making the whole building full of the strong style of steam machinery.

In front of the palace is a square. There used to be a fountain there. However, due to the impact of the "Old Fireworks" incident, the fountain water was filled with dark red smelly substances, as well as a large amount of radiation and viruses. Therefore, it was demolished by the Federation and the fountain was completely blocked. Now it has completely merged with the empty square.

Today was the "First Federation War Zone Battle Analysis Conference" convened by Vasily Voliganov, Chief Executive of the Cruz Federation. The square was filled with vehicles that had rushed in from various war zones. Most of these vehicles were mechanical combat vehicles that had been on the battlefield, and there were a few pickup trucks. There were only one or two of those extremely comfortable vintage commercial vehicles that were popular during the Third Era.

At about 2:15, a well-protected "Crusader Mechanical Chariot" stopped in the corner of the square. An old man with a cane walked down from the vehicle with his body straight, supported by a young girl in a light yellow female military uniform.

This old man, who is still in good shape and has a firm look in his eyes with a hint of excitement, is Yaroslav Rurik, the commander-in-chief of the "Bitter Sorrow" campaign, and an important general appointed by Chief Executive Vasily himself.

The girl next to him was Sophia, the Lost One he met in the camp near the "artificial lake", who was raised by the "Wind Mine", the "ruler" of the Order and no longer truly alive, since childhood.

Yaroslav and Sofia walked towards the door of the "Xingyu Main Hall" with straight and confident steps. During this time, many governors of local provinces or strongholds, war zone commanders and generals who passed by him couldn't help but stop and make way for him.

They either greeted Yaroslav, paid their respects, or glared at him, but dared not say a word.

When Yaroslav and Sofia walked to the door, Kuka, who was in charge of registering the admission, and several other guard captains saluted him. Then Kuka stepped forward, smiled kindly at Yaroslav, and said:
"You are here, Commander-in-Chief Yaroslav."

"Yes, this journey is really not easy. But it is still much easier than when we went to the 'artificial lake'." Yaroslav said with emotion.

In order to attend the "First Cruz Federation All-War Zone Situation Analysis Meeting", Yaroslav deliberately changed into a dark green military uniform that he had treasured for thirty years, replacing the dull and wrinkled military uniform that he had worn for forty years.

Although Yaroslav's current positions are the commander-in-chief of the "Artificial Lake" campaign, the chief executive of Kanosk, the chief of the "1nd Army of the Arctic Special Zone", a member of the Federal Strategic Group Committee, and the acting chief executive of the four districts Q, A, S, and W of the Arctic Special Zone, his rank was promoted to Dark Star a week ago, making him one of the few high-ranking powerful figures in the Federation.

The resources he can control exceed 95% of the human race in the Federation. If he wants, he can legally and reasonably taste any delicious and nutritious food, customize new and elegant clothes, and even arrange for several wives to provide him with the best services they can. As long as he is unhappy, he can bully or even execute subordinates he dislikes.

But Yaroslav did not do so. The moral education he received and the ideals he held in his heart allowed him to maintain a consistent simple life.

His body remained lean, his face was still thin and slightly sallow, and the scar on his left eye had not faded despite his improved status, but he still maintained the imposing manner and sharp gaze that he had possessed since his youth.

Only this time, after experiencing the harsh war, his face was more vicissitudes, and a killing intent that could not be concealed. "I think, Commander Yaroslav, what you want to express is that the road was extremely difficult when you went there, but it seemed extremely easy when you came back, right?" Kuka said with a smile, while taking Yaroslav's "Strategic Group Committee Membership Certificate" and the "Krused Resident Certificate" temporarily issued for Sofia for inspection.

"Haha, that's true." Yaroslav said with emotion:
"The battle situation on my side is going well. Of course, this is inseparable from the support of Commander Vasily. Without his permission, I can't eliminate those lunatics who sympathize with the enemy. By the way, Kuka, did Commander Vasily reveal the situation of the frontal battle? On the way to Binglin City, I saw many injured soldiers evacuated from the front line."

"Well, you will know the details when the meeting starts. However, you can rest assured that the war you led was extremely successful. At tomorrow's 'Krusad National Assembly', you will become a hero of mankind who will be worshipped and praised by the people." Kuka smiled and returned the documents to Yaroslav and Sophia after registering them.

"Oh, thank God, I am not worthy of such an honor. We lost a lot of outstanding young [fighters] in this war, and also lost a lot of weapons and supplies. In my opinion, this can only be regarded as an inevitable victory built with elites and resources. If the commanders from thirty or forty years ago were in charge, they would have fought much better than me." Yaroslav smiled bitterly and waved his hand.

"Don't be so modest. If we make a horizontal comparison, the 'artificial lake' battlefield you commanded was the only battlefield this year that achieved a complete victory. Commander Yaroslav, you also know that modesty is a virtue of the Khitan people, but excessive modesty is just arrogance and complacency." Kuka comforted Yaroslav.

Then, he turned his head to look at Sophia. With just one glance, he could sense from Sophia a strong, oppressive scent of an ancient god, as well as the deliberately concealed aura of a lost person.

But Kuka understood that Yaroslav was loyal to Vasily, responsible to Cruzde and humanity, and his desire for peace and his desire to expel the "heartless people" were firm enough. He probably had his own considerations for following a "lost one" around him. Of course, this was also tacitly approved by Vasily.

Due to the crucial meetings today and tomorrow, the doors of the "Xingyu Main Hall" remain open. These two doors are called "Rurik's Glory" and have been here since the construction of Binglin City was completed, along with the palace, for thousands of years.

Although most areas of the palace have been deliberately painted in low-key colors, the two "Glory of Rurik" doors are the only parts that retain their former glory. The gems inlaid on them, the carved paintings of bishops, and the Cruz German flower chamomile are all clearly visible and have not become dilapidated and blurred with the arrival of the wasteland era.

Passing through the palace hall and walking up the deliberately widened stairs, Yaroslav came to the second underground floor of the palace, a large room called "Federation Council Strategic Group Conference Room".

Because the two-day meeting was extremely important, and the top administrative and military leaders from all over the country gathered here, the Federation Council raised the security level to the highest level. Along the way, security personnel wearing black uniforms, carrying briefcases, and with weapons on their waists provided guidance for Yaroslav and the other person.

There were also many members of the City Guard wearing silver uniforms and holding large guns on duty on both sides of the corridor. Outside the palace, there were two teams of elite [soldiers] from the city army, forming an "emergency special team" to deal with emergencies.

Of course, there are many people with special abilities lurking in the palace and conference halls, observing the situation at all times to deal with potential dangers.

After briefly greeting the commanders of several strategic regiments, Yaroslav walked into the meeting room. Of course, Sofia followed him in as the secretary of the commander-in-chief.

Entering the conference room, Yaroslav found that he was one of the first to arrive. Apart from the head of the strategic group, the director of the financial group, the director of the logistics group and Genadi, the "Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Group Cruz Army", there were no other important figures who arrived with him.

The two directors of the finance and logistics group were discussing how to allocate resources to the front war zone, and Genadi was also making every effort to sell them the frontal progress of the "Genadi Line" he had built, as well as the idea of ​​dividing and encircling the "careless people" in an attempt to capture them all in one fell swoop.

After about half an hour, other participants in the meeting gradually arrived. After the chief executive of the most remote "Far Northeast Region", Nebrius, arrived in a dusty state, the chief executive of the Federal Council and the supreme leader of the Federation, Vasily, slowly walked out of the small door with a few documents in his hand. He came to the front of the large conference room, to the middle of the nearly five-meter-wide "Crusad Federation Administrative Division Map" installed on the wall.

(End of this chapter)