His eyes curiously wandered across the streets.
It was now the end of November, soon to be December. Cold winds stirred in the air, and pedestrians on the streets had all donned thick coats.
The streets near Dawn Square had become even more bustling due to the influx of a large number of outsiders.
Almost every kind of shop lined both sides of the road.
Aunt Mary's Bakery, the Giant General Store, Jasmine Flower Shop, Moonlight Tailor, all sorts of shops with quirky signs stood open, with crowds coming and going in lively streams.
You could find nearly all the common everyday stores along these streets. Though not as varied as those in Green City, they were more than enough to satisfy the daily needs of the residents.
Thanks to strong support from City Hall, this marketplace had begun to take shape. In due time, it was sure to grow into a truly thriving hub.
Li De turned his gaze away with satisfaction.
The streets were exceptionally clean. Every thirty to fifty blades of distance, there was a dedicated trash bin. Personnel wearing red armbands patrolled the streets, supervising the residents to ensure they didn't litter or spit. Anyone caught would be heavily fined and sent to the Construction Department for labor reform.
Under such strict penalties, the cleanliness of the city was beyond imagination.
And these tidy, spotless streets had significantly improved the quality of life for the residents. Those who benefitted from the policy supported it with a fervor that was almost shocking.
At that moment, a patrol squad of ten, fully clad in black armor and armed with longswords, marched down the street with great authority.
The surrounding residents all looked at them with eyes full of respect.
In the eyes of the people, Dawn City's army held extremely high prestige.
This was not only because of their strength, but also thanks to the relentless efforts of the Propaganda Department. Dawn City's military had become a symbol of pride and respect for the residents.
Every resident knew, this army was personally commanded by the great Lord Kachar, tasked with protecting Dawn City and ensuring the personal safety and property of all its people.
It included their neighbors, their friends, their children. You could say the Blade of Kings, established by Li De, was a military force embraced by everyone.
In the outside world, this would be unthinkable. There, armies were always tools of noble authority, blades pointed at civilians far more often than at magical beasts.
Commoners would have to be mad to support a noble's army.
But in Dawn City, everything felt perfectly natural. If you didn't respect your own army, were you even worthy of being a resident of Dawn City?
Disrespecting the army meant disrespecting Lord Kachar. And to disrespect Lord Kachar was to disrespect everyone. Step outside with that attitude and you'd get your brains bashed in.
Moreover, word had it that as long as you joined this army personally established by His Majesty Kachar, and performed exceptionally, you could receive the greatest reward from Lord Kachar himself, becoming a saintlight vampire.
By the Goddess above, saintlight vampires!!
They were the protectors of Dawn City, the most respected and noble beings in the city.
To become a saintlight vampire meant not only gaining supreme status and immense power, it meant… immortality!
There was simply no more tempting reward.
Thus, joining the Blade of Kings had become the dream of nearly every young person in Dawn City.
Being personally greeted by Lord Kachar, and even having a chance to become a saintlight vampire…
It was far too alluring.
"Salute!"
The patrolling squad halted in perfect unison upon seeing Li De. The squad leader immediately shouted, and everyone pounded a fist over their heart in salute.
Their synchronized movements were as if stamped from a mold, uniform and flawless. Combined with their armor, they looked even more dashing and imposing.
Li De nodded in satisfaction. He had copied a detailed Earth military training manual from the internet and implemented it within the Blade of Kings.
That's why they looked so dignified and impressive.
Though salutes were no longer the traditional five-fingered hand raised to the temple, their majestic posture had lost none of its strength.
The most direct sign of a disciplined army was its appearance. Coupled with the strict regulations of the Blade of Kings, this force had already begun to take true shape.
Although his strength was still relatively weak, Li De firmly believed that with proper cultivation, he would surely command a truly powerful army.
"For the Dawn!"
Li De returned the salute in the same fashion to these warriors. Only after he withdrew his hand did the patrol members simultaneously lower theirs.
The young soldiers looked at Li De with eyes full of admiration and trust. This was the monarch they had sworn allegiance to, the ruler of Dawn City, the great being who had brought them hope.
"For the Dawn!"
The soldiers' shouted slogan rang out powerfully, drawing the attention of nearby residents. Many young people and children, upon seeing this scene, had longing rise in their eyes.
They too wanted to become warriors of the Blade of Kings, to be commanded by Lord Kachar, and contribute to Dawn City.
'For the Dawn' was a slogan personally set by Li De.
Such a simple slogan, and yet it brought unparalleled cohesion.
Just these three words told the soldiers who they were fighting for, and let the residents understand what they were striving toward.
It was no exaggeration to say that this slogan directly formed the soul of Dawn City, a soul of unyielding determination.
Li De could already imagine the scene of these soldiers stepping onto the battlefield, charging forward without fear, ready to die gloriously for their beliefs.
After the salute, the patrol soldiers raised their heads and marched away in neat steps.
And under the adoring gazes of the surrounding residents, Li De returned to City Hall.
---
Third floor office.
As soon as Li De stepped into his office, Harrison followed right behind.
"Good day, Patriarch."
"Good day," Li De turned his head to look at Harrison, who was wearing a blue mage's robe and appeared slightly thin. He smiled faintly, "How's the goblin arrangement?"
He had involved himself in the war at Solins City precisely for those little fellows who could manufacture alchemical bombs. Whether or not Dawn City's air force could take shape depended on whether those timid creatures delivered.
He was very much looking forward to seeing the sight of alchemical bombs scouring the land.
Harrison nodded slightly, his tone respectful.
"Patriarch, we've already designated a residential area in the Southern District to house the goblins."
Unlike the dwarves, for easier management, the goblins were housed in a centralized area.
Harrison wasn't worried at all about these guys staging a rebellion. These small fry, whose willpower was comparable to human children of eleven or twelve, were a far cry from dwarves.
Forget resisting, Harrison figured if a few did try to rebel, others would immediately stop their companions and report it to the vampires.
Because City Hall had implemented a group responsibility policy for the goblins, groups of 100, and if one rebelled, all would be executed.
Of course, this policy was purely for intimidation. Li De had no intention of wasting such labor resources.
But the goblins didn't dare take it lightly. They were dealing with vampires, after all. The policy frightened them so badly their faces turned pale, each one thumping their chests in assurance that nothing would go wrong.
They even kept casting suspicious glances at their companions, afraid someone else would cause trouble and drag them down.
Proud and arrogant, timid and cowardly, goblins possessed both extremes of these contradictory traits. Their personality flaws were too obvious. A single policy was enough to solve the problem they posed.
Li De nodded. He had always trusted Harrison to get things done. Goblins weren't a difficult race to manage.
Besides, once they entered Dawn City, everyone, no matter who, had to obediently work according to the rules and contribute to the prosperity of Dawn City.
Think of rebelling? Is my blade not sharp enough?