To Tang, Warrior and Hope of the Kashgar Empire,
May blessings and strength always accompany you in every step of your struggle. Know that the Emperor is always with you, in both prayers and hopes.
Funds have been allocated. Use them wisely, carry out your mission with full responsibility, and ensure its glorious success. Yu Fei will accompany you as your ally. Work with him wholeheartedly, for your success is the Empire's victory.
"Cut off the old head, replace it with a new one, or cleanse everything until nothing remains."
Do so without hesitation, especially if the battle at Soltera Hill becomes inevitable.
Remember, the Empire stands with you. Serve this mission with all your soul and heart, for the future depends on your courage and dedication.
With all respect and confidence,
The Emperor
Nico finished reading with a storm in his heart. A faint smile formed on his lips, but beneath it, his emotions were undeniable. He clenched his fist, his voice breaking into a whisper, "Thank you, Emperor... for this trust. You entrust a great responsibility to someone who once failed and was shattered in a past life." Tears streamed down his face, but he did not wipe them away. Emotion and determination clashed within him.
He rolled the letter back up and held it near the candle flame on the table. The fire slowly consumed the paper, erasing the message without a trace. "Tell the Emperor, I am ready to carry out this order," he said firmly to the envoy, who nodded silently before disappearing into the corridor shadows.
Nico remained seated, his gaze drifting out the window. In the distance, the twilight sky painted hues of orange, as if reflecting both hope and tension in one stroke. In a soft voice, he spoke as if to himself, "I hope... the Emperor truly brings peace to this world. So that everyone can have equal rights, without fear, without oppression."
He was silent for a moment, his gaze locked on the darkening horizon. "But in this world, war and division seem never-ending. Humans will always be humans. Ego and greed will forever be the seeds of discord."
Nico took a deep breath, as if inhaling a hope he knew was difficult to achieve. But this time, for the first time in his life, he wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for a more peaceful world—one that wouldn't repeat the same mistakes.
The next morning, the city of Soltera buzzed with an unusual flurry of activity. The sound of footsteps and laughter blended in harmony, filling the fresh morning air. Tang's new building now synonymous with Nico's name became the center of attention. The residents gathered with curiosity, anticipating a new day that promised change. The aroma of freshly baked bread from the nearby market mingled with the hopeful air, signaling a revival.
Nico stood at the entrance steps of the building, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Is everything ready?" he asked, his voice low yet filled with conviction.
One of his servants, a sturdy man, nodded confidently. "Yes, Sir. All preparations are complete. I'm sure this will be an incredible beginning."
"Good," Nico responded with a slight nod. "Let's begin. It's time to move forward."
Outside, the atmosphere grew livelier. People talked, their voices mingling with the morning breeze. Some discussed new business opportunities, while others spoke of their hopes to pay off debts that had burdened them for so long. Faces filled with enthusiasm painted a stark contrast to the dark past. A fruit vendor named Javier lifted a sack of fresh apples, unable to hide his broad smile.
"Have you heard? Interest-free loans! Who would have thought this could happen?" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.
Maria, a local seamstress, smiled brightly. "I can finally buy a new sewing machine. With this, I can make more clothes and support my family."
From inside the building, Malik, one of Nico's trusted servants, stepped forward and raised his hand. "Attention, everyone!" his voice cut through the crowd. "Due to some final inspections from the palace, the official opening will take place in two days. But today, you can start lining up."
The crowd roared with cheers. Broad smiles lit up the faces of the townspeople, who now clung to a glimmer of newfound hope. Yet beneath the joy, tension began to simmer. From the corner of the gathering, a burly man with a suspicious gaze stepped forward.
"Who are you?" he asked sharply. "What do you want here?"
Malik remained calm, stepping forward with an air of confidence. "My name is Tang. My companions and I are here to help," he said, gesturing toward Nico and the other attendants.
But the man, known as William, wasn't easily swayed. "Lena still owes a lot of people. What guarantee do you have that she can pay them back? I can't keep giving her supplies without assurance."
Malik met William's gaze steadily. "We're not here to cause trouble but to offer solutions. This is an opportunity for everyone, including Lena."
The air was thick with tension. Sana, one of Nico's attendants, noticed the brewing conflict and tried to defuse the situation. "We're all here to better our lives. There's no need to blame one another. Let's face these challenges together."
The crowd began to calm down. William, though still skeptical, appeared to consider their words. But before the calm could fully take hold, the heavy sound of footsteps and the clinking of metal broke through the commotion. From a distance, a group of flamboyantly dressed men approached, accompanied by palace officials.
"The palace envoys are here," Malik announced, trying to reassure the crowd. But as the envoys drew closer, Sana nudged Nico's arm, her voice a worried whisper. "Those are bandits... why are they with the palace officials?"
Nico gave a small smile, his expression calm. "Let's hear what they have to say," he replied, his voice almost a whisper. He stepped forward, ready to face whatever was coming. In his mind, there was only one goal: to ensure that the hope given to the townspeople would not be in vain.