dognovel Chapter 380 Year after year
Chapter 380 Year after year
Celebrating the arrival of the New Year is a ritualistic behavior that arises when human civilization develops to a certain level. This behavior will continue to accompany civilization until everything returns to nothingness.
As the city lights begin to twinkle, another year has passed. The year 675 has quietly arrived. Since the Universal Calendar became the shared law of the entire Aistar civilization, the New Year has become a day of celebration for all mankind.
Since the invention of magic crystal gunpowder, using these items that can produce loud noises and flashes for celebrations has become the best alternative to magicians. In the past, during celebrations, the monarchs of countries that could be called "empires" would spend huge sums of money to hire magicians to cast various spells in the night sky and on the ground for spectacle. Some magicians even made a living from this.
This year, the night sky of Star City witnessed a rare, officially organized fireworks display held over the canal complex. The grand scale of the event attracted many foreign tourists, celebrities, and nobles.
Alice stepped off the ship. The political work that had taken her back and forth between Amelanxi and Star City this month was exhausting. Facing such a large country, she had to carry out economic construction on the one hand and deal with the conflict of the bourgeoisie on the other. It was really exhausting.
"Sister Alice."
Beside her, a "little Alice" who looked almost exactly like Alice was wearing a white dress. In such cold weather, such clothing would inevitably make a human shiver.
But she is not human; her body is made of synthetic materials, so she naturally does not need to keep warm.
Star City is decorated for the New Year, with many elves bringing traditional decorations from their homelands. Cultures from the East, West, New World, and Old World are intertwined, creating the scene we see today.
Alice took Little Alice's hand. This mechanical humanoid had the mind of a young girl, but possessed an extremely strong learning ability. The little one pointed to a shopping street next to her, which was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Even in Star City, where currency had been abolished, such pedestrian streets often appeared during festivals. They were usually organized in advance by employees from different cultural places, who would set up stalls to showcase the customs of their hometowns.
Food, clothes, trinkets, New Year's fireworks—Alice looked at the little guy's expectant eyes, thought for a moment, and told the driver waiting nearby.
"Well, let's stroll around here with the little one for a while. Sir, you should go home too; it's a holiday today, isn't it?"
"But we have a mission to complete..."
"It's alright, it's safe here, go ahead."
Alice held the little one's hand, and the driver looked at the two Alices who looked almost identical: When did Alice start having a little sister?
Happy New Year! Hey, have you eaten yet?
"Hey, I was just having dinner with my partner. Sigh, I heard there are shipping problems back home. It seems like it'll just be the two of us this year."
"And what about your partner?"
"Hey, don't even mention it. She asked me to come out and buy her some walnut cookies..."
Little Alice looked around like a curious child: "Sister Alice, I know that the New Year is a celebration of the passing of a standard year, but what does that mean to us?"
Little Alice covered her head. She might understand what a "person" really was, but she didn't understand "people," and that was precisely the difference between them.
The streets were bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of gongs and drums. Alice listened to Little Alice's words: "What is the meaning of the New Year? Actually, the New Year itself has no meaning, but we give it meaning by imbuing it with culture. You see, everyone has different views on the New Year, but one thing will never change: on this holiday, we who know each other gather together, setting aside our prejudices and hostility. At least for this moment, we can enjoy peace."
Alice thought for a moment, then took a skewer of candied hawthorns from a nearby stall and handed it to little Alice: "Look, we're here with you, that's what matters."
Alice took the candied hawthorn, exhaled a breath of cold air, and shrank her head into her scarf.
Yeah, I wonder how everyone is doing. I've been so busy these past few months, and I haven't even had a chance to spend time with you all since I got back to Star City today...
Alice was lost in thought. Over the past decade or so, she had developed a strong bond with this place, and had even truly "become another person."
Did I ever imagine that I would become a white-haired loli?
Could I have predicted that I would become a leader?
Looking back, she pondered deeply, and all her thoughts condensed into four words: Fate plays tricks on people.
She stood there, looking at the brightly lit street—suddenly, her vision was blocked, and a pair of warm hands covered her eyes.
"Guess who I am?"
A familiar voice appeared behind her, and she broke free from the warm hand—Vera, Rafis, Raffaello appearing as a projection, and several other familiar figures.
"Long time no see, my dear Consultant Alice~"
No one knew how Empress Yeka had gotten there, while Yugoslav Vice President Lilivia watched her warily from the side.
But there was one person, the one who gave her a second life, whom she still couldn't come to. Seemingly noticing a hint of emotion on Alice's face, Vera handed her the phone.
A message was displayed prominently above—from Alicia de la Leah, with only one attachment: a video.
Alice nodded: "How did you know we were here?"
"Oh, our esteemed head of the Universal Star Organization, is your whereabouts some kind of top secret within the organization?"
Rafis glared at Alice with displeasure, while Yeka, standing nearby, remarked, "Well, I just heard there would be a special fireworks display in Star City, but I ran into this annoying girl on the way. I didn't expect Miss Alice to be so flirtatious, chasing after girls everywhere!"
Yekater, wearing a brown coat and boots, with her legs encased in thick black stockings, approached Alice—"Well, St. Yekaterburg is freezing. I prefer warmer places, like next to Teacher Alice."
"Wait a minute, Miss Alice can only be surrounded by loyal guards. You foreign forces, get out of the way!"
Rafis wrapped her arms around Alice's arm. The girls' playful banter occasionally drew attention from those around them, but with their carefully chosen makeup and outfits, it seemed no one could recognize them. Each of them was someone of considerable international standing.
"Alright, alright, stop fooling around! The fireworks festival is about to start, or we'll miss it!"
Lavinia Olicates, who appeared out of nowhere, said helplessly that she had been asked to find a safe and secluded scenic spot for everyone to enjoy the holiday.
Little Alice had somehow taken Alice's other hand and was licking the candied hawthorn while remaining silent.
"Well then, let's go! The night is still long, my dear Alice, don't run away at the last minute!"
Seeing the looks in their eyes, Alice swallowed hard. "We...we can..."
"Of course not! I still remember what happened last time. I've memorized Alice's weakness!"
Vera said, and the others exchanged smiles before pulling Alice away.