Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 1165 - 897 Filming at Sevaburg

Chapter 1165: Chapter 897 Filming at Sevaburg

"Envoy?" Petrov asked curiously.

Gabriella capped her pen, then absently removed the cap again.

"I spent tens of thousands ordering two and a half tons of food and tools from Jialong Slope, which will be carried by the envoys," she said.

Petrov shook his head, revealing a bitter smile.

"It’s not that I doubt your judgment, Lieutenant. But even if the envoys are coming to Sevaburg, the journey is fraught with difficulties. Their aircraft is very likely to crash a few kilometers away or even make a forced landing on the sea, calling for our help," Petrov said.

"Isn’t there anyone who can safely reach Sevaburg?" Gabriella asked.

"..." Petrov didn’t speak.

Gabriella held one end of the pen in each hand as she gazed at the world map hung on the opposite wall. She contemplated for a long time, trying to imagine the ease of traveling globally six years ago—buying a plane ticket, a train ticket, and going far away—but she couldn’t envision it.

She only vividly remembered taking the train from the easternmost Chiba City for five days and nights, following the grand troops to liberate the Great Northern Region. But in an instant, disaster struck, dividing people across various safety zones—in mere minutes, which she could count as roughly 6 minutes, people were blown away like sand grains, melted like being exposed to intense radiation, or dismembered like being torn apart—only those fortunate to be indoors and who painstakingly suppressed their curiosity were spared.

Gabriella was here then, overseeing work in the fort of Sevaburg, thus escaping with her life. She could only remain silent and sorrowful about this.

"What else?" Gabriella asked.

"The ration allocation has reduced by another tenth. Ivan and others haven’t reported for days, and I don’t know how to punish them. It seems everyone is losing hope," Petrov said.

"Sevaburg is a symbol—if we abandon it, we abandon our vanguard flag," Gabriella said.

"If we defend it with empty stomachs, then it’s not a symbol," Petrov complained.

Gabriella got up and patted Petrov on the shoulder: "Stay steadfast, comrade. The dark days have lasted for six years, but they won’t last a lifetime. Just like the cold wave, it only lasts three years and then it’s over. Consider this the hardest nine years of our lives; there will always be a day when it’s over. More importantly, we must set an example for others! You, Comrade Petrov, a decorated officer, a fearless warrior, a model of the vanguard cause—if you fall, what will others think?"

Petrov was somewhat thoughtful.

"I just wonder how things are elsewhere. Lieutenant, if everyone else is gone, I don’t know if there really is a Great Northern Region and a cause waiting for us to reclaim. But you’re right, I pledged that as long as the last flag hasn’t fallen, I can’t give up. I only hope to send out messages quickly, not just words and encouragement—we need ammunition, bandages, food..." he said.

Just then, the radio on Gabriella’s desk crackled.

"Lieutenant! The envoys are here!"

Gabriella’s body shook violently; she quickly grabbed her coat, throwing it on, exchanging a delighted glance with Petrov. He quickly donned his military cap and followed behind Gabriella, rushing out of the fort towards Sevaburg’s airport.

When they arrived at the airport, they saw a shuttle machine wobbling as it flew down from the sky, rapidly descending every ten seconds or so, then slowly rising before quickly descending again.

"Is there a problem with the power and engine?" Gabriella placed her hand on her forehead, gazing ahead.

The Sky Patroller sent out a distress signal and then, in an extremely precarious position, barely made a landing. It forcefully smashed into the ground like an egg hitting a rock, emitting a brittle sound, and the engine let out a long sharp whine before coming to a complete stop.

Xu Cheng and Bubble arduously opened the door, getting off the shuttle machine. The two staggered on the ground, almost falling, drenched in sweat and nerves stretched tight. They were followed closely by Lianhua, Shahua, and Ming Gongqiao.

There were already many people gathered at the airport—the residents and soldiers of Sevaburg pointed at the shuttle machine, curious to know what the envoys had brought.

Gabriella stepped forward, saluting them: "Welcome to Sevaburg! I am Lieutenant Gabriella, Commander of the 21st Division of the Vanguard Force, Guards Infantry Regiment."

"Quack quack..." Xu Cheng sat on the ground, struggling to raise her hand. The journey here with the damaged Sky Patroller had exhausted her mentally and physically. She felt she was burning out...

Gabriella quickly arranged for Xu Cheng and her crew to rest in a safe place, instructing the guards to watch over the shuttle machine and wait for them to be able to communicate before proceeding with the handover.

Lianhua took a sip of water; the food provided by the people of Sevaburg was very simple, mostly pre-disaster stockpiled nutrient paste, tasteless, just providing sustenance and energy.

She and Bubble returned from a small two-story building next to the airport, carrying Xu Cheng’s cash card, delivering the list of supplies to Gabriella, who was both surprised and pleased, transferring 38,000 funds to them.

As she ordered the soldiers and people around to unload goods from the shuttle machine, the soldiers and surrounding people were both surprised and delighted, greatly stirred. Immediately, joyful discussions erupted within the crowd.

"Look! Food! It’s food! And so many boxes!"

"Do we finally have aid! Fantastic!"

"Sevaburg hasn’t been forgotten..."

"Are those young kids the envoys? Incredible!" The morale of the people rose, smiles appearing on their weary faces.

Gabriella’s tightly strung heartstrings finally relaxed slightly. This meant they hadn’t been forgotten, the world wasn’t entirely isolated; at least there were envoys delivering supplies, supporting various efforts being rebuilt in the ashes.

"Quack quack. Fix fix." Xu Cheng walked toward Gabriella, requesting that their mechanics carefully inspect the damaged Sky Patroller, as it was now completely unable to take off and travel to the Taixi Continent.

"Yes." Gabriella nodded. She also noticed that the condition of this shuttle machine wasn’t good. "I will do my best to help you repair the shuttle machine! Until then, feel free to live here!"

"Quack!" Xu Cheng stood straight, raising her right hand to her forehead, saluting Gabriella, who solemnly returned the salute to Xu Cheng.

The small buildings beside the airport, which were once a bar before the disaster, had been converted into a temporary lodging to accommodate Xu Cheng and her group temporarily.

Without overthinking, after this long journey, Xu Cheng only felt like her small head was about to split open. She needed a good sleep. Curling up in a thin blanket, Bubble mirrored her, utterly exhausted and falling into a deep sleep.

The next day, Xu Cheng got up and saw a glass of hot milk on the bedside table. Milk always managed to surprise her in delightful ways every day – this was a truly great civilization.

She slowly crawled down from the bed, her mind a jumble: monsters, the White Giant Tower, Dad, Nestor Corporation, the Sky Patroller... different images intertwined, bewilderingly heavy for her.

Back at the Dropping Dog Bar on Jialong Slope, Grandma Bai Jiayi gave her a choice: either suppress the hallucinations, forget memories, sever nightmares, or face reality, strengthen Power, and walk with nightmares.

She chose the latter. Xu Cheng took a deep breath and focused on the very act of breathing, which could bring enlightenment.

Lianhua was bartering goods, using the cargo on the shuttle machine to trade for Sevaburg’s gold reserves; Shahua was liaising with the mechanics, studying where exactly the shuttle machine had broken down; Ming Gongqiao was performing a self-check, while Bubble queued for supplies.

Only Xu Cheng was left. She scratched her head, deciding to go outside for a walk; engaging with the real world helped relax the body and mind.

On the snowy mountains, being busy with cultivation meant she had no time to take pictures for that security guard named Jimson, who wanted some footage to show his son the scenery of the outside world. After finishing her milk, Xu Cheng took out her camera and began documenting her experiences in Sevaburg.

"Quack quack." Xu Cheng walked around with her camera, noting how different Sevaburg was from Jialong Slope. There were no cameras or walls here; people could move freely without buildings reserved for only a few and the privileged. Xu Cheng went wherever she wished.

Even Lieutenant’s bunker was accessible. There were no overseers or military police patrolling the streets, only people coming and going, busy with their labor, notably diligent.

Xu Cheng observed people living an organized public life, joining various agriculture, production, education, and city defense work units. Sevaburg backed onto the grim, foamy sea and faced the misty wilderness of the restricted zone, teeming with crisis. Brave soldiers were stationed at the edges of the fortress, using ancient walls and towers to fend off beasts.

Melodious music drifted from open windows; it seemed they were maintaining some artistic atmosphere in the toughest environments, as if using human inspiration to resist the barren harsh reality. Today they were particularly happy, drinking, distributing ribbons, and decorating the streets with balloons. Xu Cheng asked someone what they were celebrating, and he said it was because they were celebrating your arrival.

This made Xu Cheng feel honored.

She filmed along the way, tall, blocky concrete buildings rising from the ground. Despite being weather-beaten, they still stood proudly. Survivors called this place home, doing their best to keep it decent and tidy.

There was no coercion; Xu Cheng felt Lieutenant Gabriella’s presence was only to maintain military defense. Everyone else conscientiously practiced the principles of socialization, self-management, and equality, maintaining the production of daily necessities and distributing food, clothing, housing, and public services fairly among nearly 100,000 people.

The food Xu Cheng brought alleviated their hunger and embarrassment, not just filling the pockets of a few. She didn’t see advertisements, shops, or entrepreneurs like in Jialong Slope.

They all felt fulfilled, as if they knew what they were doing was particularly meaningful. To work for money, to climb the ladder, was perhaps just the irrational law of the corporate world. In Sevaburg, people worked to advance themselves and the entire society, as private desires and jealousy seemed to gradually disintegrate within the communal resonance of society.

Xu Cheng imagined they spent the past six years like this and couldn’t help but feel shocked. They deserved to be fed and clothed more than many wealthy people in Jialong Slope. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible; many had to remain hungry, quietly wearing out, and many lost their confidence in life due to this, which Xu Cheng could discern from their expressions.

Even children didn’t work; Xu Cheng knew that even at Nestor Corporation, children had to work to fill the labor gap, but in Sevaburg, the outside gloom and terror seemed not to have interrupted the children’s learning. Xu Cheng approached the school area, where young kids were playing soccer, exchanging stories, and having fun, as if they had no idea the world outside had half-collapsed.

She stepped through the gate and entered; one class of about seventeen or eighteen kids, roughly around her age, was reciting poetry in unison under the guidance of their teacher:

"I came into this world to see the sun.

I conquered the cold, silent glaciers, creating my own ideal.

Even if the daylight extinguishes, I will still praise the sun until the last moment of life..."

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