Starting from the Planetary Governor

Chapter 1287: Chapter 730: Triumph Gate (Part 2)

Prime Minister Zebert, whose role in arbitration is considered paramount, held the most important attitude.

For the Prime Minister, hosting a grand triumph ceremony was indeed quite alluring. After all, in a certain sense, he was the one who led the initiation of this war; he even went against widespread opposition, mobilizing considerable forces centered around Holy Terra in the Sun Star Domain for expeditionary warfare.

At that time, to gain support for the war, he clearly told people at every level in Holy Terra that the war was not some distant matter that did not concern them; not only was that place part of the Empire, but it also pertained to the safety of Holy Terra itself.

If left unchecked, the enemy might march through from the East and reach Holy Terra.

Initially, the people of Holy Terra were doubtful, but when the Western Front Army first collapsed, this threat seemed more tangible.

Quickly leading the reconstruction of the Second Western Front Army and eventually winning the war was precisely Prime Minister Zebert, who could further consolidate his ruling position and strengthen his authority in the image of the wise leader of this victory.

He was motivated to host this triumph ceremony.

Especially when finances allowed.

Moreover, he needed to meet Gu Hang, to see whether this battlefield hero, the ’big figure’ of the Empire’s eastern rise, could be a ’hero’ he could use, or if he was a dual-minded overlord.

Thus, the decision for the triumph ceremony was set.

But after deciding, there were issues.

The preparation time for the triumph ceremony would take a long time and cost a substantial amount.

Simultaneously, as the main characters to be welcomed in the triumph ceremony, initially, they did not receive the news they were to attend it; many were still wrapping up battles in the Spiderweb Domain for several months, while others had returned to their hometowns. Now, these people had to regroup entirely at Holy Terra again, which undoubtedly involved a lot of hassle and would take considerable time.

For someone like Gu Hang, the journey alone took nearly a year.

Among others, there were even farther locations, from which participants would depart earlier than Gu Hang.

However, overall, most were willing to attend, even if the journey would be long.

Putting aside all practical benefits, the sense of honor alone sufficed to drive warriors to make the trip.

This was honor they had fought for themselves, born of countless comrades’ sacrifices, they had to make the passage from Holy Terra through the most famous path, the Triumph Gate trod by the Emperor’s Expeditionary Force millennia ago, or it would betray their military life.

Thus, the warriors who actively responded arrived at the location before the scheduled time.

Of course, not all the participating troops from the war could attend the triumph ceremony.

Otherwise, should all Alliance Army’s billions and hundreds of warships come?

How much would that cost on the road? Who would protect the Alliance’s territory?

Even disregarding these concerns, would Holy Terra agree? Would the Imperial Guard responsible for safety within the Imperial Palace agree?

Gu Hang’s family arrived, Martins came, Youwin came, along with some Alliance army generals and navy generals, and some units outstandingly represented during the war, altogether not exceeding fifty thousand.

For instance, an Alliance Army division could only send one representative.

The same principle applied to other units.

The Second Western Front Army personnel already in the Sun Star Domain had more participants.

Approximately thirty thousand people would participate in the triumph ceremony, half of whom were local residents of the Sun Star Domain.

During the days waiting for the ceremony to begin, comrades who had once fought side by side celebrated together with raised glasses.

Gu Hang was undoubtedly the central figure among them.

After reconnecting with these individuals, the grand triumph ceremony officially commenced.

Gu Hang proceeded on the paved long red carpet, under countless cameras, flanked by the Moon Defense Army stationed on both sides, seated on a chariot projecting half his figure, as the forefront representative of the thirty thousand expeditionary force being inspected, slowly progressing forward.

He incessantly waved to the crowd on both sides, and wherever he passed, soldiers in the formations would lower their service weapons and stand at attention and salute.

Further afield, where only Gu Hang’s figure was visible, clearer images required broadcasted screens to see him; these crowds erupted into cheers.

Within the life-support shield enveloping the entire Moon, the sound waves were even louder than those on a regular planet.

Thus, Gu Hang, as the lead vehicle, entered the Moon’s orbital elevator, proceeded to the Moon Star Port, and boarded an Emperor-class battleship designated as his ride.

The battleship departed from the Moon Star Port, and then more representatives boarded the subsequent ships. They circled around the human ancestral star, Holy Terra, round after round, each circuit drawing closer still.

In this scene, numerous ships of the Solar Fleet stood like guards on both sides of the navigation path, with bows pointing toward Gu Hang leading the fleet of review, showcasing boundless respect.

Whenever passing by these ships, cannons fired upward and downward, letting off grand fireworks in space.

These fireworks were so visible that people on the night-side felt the sky transforming into a kaleidoscope when they looked up.

As the Emperor-class battleship Gu Hang rode gradually drew closer to the near-Earth orbit, a majestic and magnificent Triumph Gate came into view for all.

It was like a giant metal beast spanning the universe, constructed of a special alloy glimmering with radiant golden light, under boundless brilliance, filled with glorious strength.

At the apex of the Triumph Gate, a giant energy crystal emitted dazzling light, acting like a lighthouse, guiding the returning heroes.

Both sides of the gate were engraved with bas-reliefs depicting humanity’s glorious journey in interstellar wars, from the initial arduous Terra unification war to the great nation-founding expedition led by the Emperor, battling alien races; and subsequently, some of the most significant campaigns were expressed therein as well. Each bas-relief was vivid, each telling those magnificent stories.

This was the monumental structure erected at the successful end of the nation-founding expedition personally led by the Emperor.

This is the [Triumph Gate] of Holy Terra, simultaneously a colossal satellite-grade defense platform on Holy Terra. Due to its ring-like design, allowing even the largest Glory Queen-class battleships to pass through, during triumphs, victorious troops march through it.

This has become the highest glory for Imperial soldiers.

And if anything surpasses passing through this Triumph Gate in honor, it is having one’s illustrious deeds engraved upon it.

The Iron Armor War held this honor.

Even though it’s only a bas-relief of 80 meters by 30 meters in size, not particularly noticeable on the entire Triumph Gate. But at this moment, the 2400 square meters of bas-relief flashed with the brightest light.

The battleship slowly sailed past the Triumph Gate, and Gu Hang stood at the bow, gazing at the approaching construction ever so awe-inspiring, even he couldn’t help but feel a surge of passionate blood in his heart.

This was not merely a grand building; it was a testament to human glory. Tʜe sourc of ths content s noⅴelfire.net

Not only him, but every Iron Armor War victor following behind him would also be struck by the magnitude of this and feel tremendous honor.

To die for the Empire, to die for humanity, is to die a noble death!

As the fleet progressed, finally reaching the Starport of Holy Terra. Inside the enormous Starport stood various warships, resembling a steel forest. When Gu Hang’s vehicle steadily docked at the designated berth, the thirty thousand expeditionary force representatives quickly and orderly began organizing their ranks. Donning brand-new uniforms, the warrior representatives’ armor gleamed coldly under the Starport lights, they aligned neatly, footsteps echoing in the vast Starport.

Gu Hang stepped off the warship, onto the path leading to land. Behind him, the thirty thousand army moved like a steel dragon, traversing the red carpet slowly. On the sides of the red carpet were the officials and civilian representatives coming to greet them, holding flowers and flags, faces brimming with reverence and joy.

From the Starport, riding the Space Elevator reaching Holy Terra’s land, the red carpet extended over a distance of five thousand kilometers until the Terra Imperial Palace.

And under Gu Hang’s lead, thirty thousand people would ride in vehicles, taking approximately a month, crossing an eighth of Holy Terra’s circumference to arrive at Holy Terra.

They wouldn’t travel at breakneck speed; the pace wouldn’t be particularly fast.

Along the way, they would travel through countless areas on Holy Terra, receiving the most widespread enthusiasm and cheers from the populace on Holy Terra.