The lingering glow of the setting sun plated the Apocalypse Base with a warm golden hue.
The traces left by the battle had been cleared under efficient organization, and the damaged walls and buildings were being rapidly repaired or rebuilt.
A brand new alloy gate was transported by truck to the base entrance and installation began.
The clanging sounds of construction mixed with the chatter of personnel, instead revealing a vibrant vitality.
Inside the command room, Lilith sat on a large chair, her bare feet swinging gently. Her military cap was set aside, and her snowy white long hair draped loosely over her shoulders, sliding down the chair.
She was looking at the report summarized by William concerning post-war resource consolidation and new member recruitment, her ruby-like eyes calm and unwavering.
William stood quietly half a step behind her, like the most loyal shadow.
Only after Lilith put down the report did he speak softly.
"Leader, there is no longer any need to hide your identity."
"I suggest holding a formal assembly tomorrow at noon in Central Plaza to clearly announce your status as Tianqi's sole Leader to all members. This will help further unite people and establish absolute authority."
He paused, then added.
"Moreover, only two days remain until the Main God Game's Trading Platform officially opens."
"At that time, Factions from all sides will surely gather. If we can clearly establish your prestige and the banner of Tianqi before then, it will surely attract more truly powerful experts to join us."
"We could even consider... forming a personal Guard Corps directly under you, composed of Hunters, responsible for executing your special orders."
Lilith slightly tilted her head and glanced at William.
Forming a Guard Corps? She hadn't thought of that.
However, William's consideration was indeed thorough. As Tianqi expands, some trivial matters truly require reliable and powerful people to handle.
And she couldn't always trouble William alone.
"No need to wait until tomorrow."
Lilith withdrew her gaze, her voice flat.
"Tonight."
"Tonight?"
William was taken aback.
"Mhm."
Lilith stood up, patted her tender, soft little feet, put on her military boots, picked up the military cap from the table and put it on, carefully straightening the brim and her messy white hair, then continued.
"The night is dark and the wind is high. Not many people... can see clearly."
William instantly understood, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly.
It seemed the Leader was still a bit concerned about her overly harmless appearance and wanted to use the cover of night.
Suppressing his smile, William replied respectfully.
"Yes, I will arrange it immediately."
However, when night truly fell, Lilith was led by William to the enormous open space outside Tianqi, and the sight before her caused her ruby-like eyes to narrow imperceptibly.
Hundreds of high-power searchlights had been set up around the open space, and bright beams of light converged, illuminating the entire area outside the Tianqi walls as if it were daytime!
On the leveled ground, over a hundred thousand Tianqi members were already lined up neatly, utterly silent.
All eyes were focused squarely on the petite figure who had just ascended the High Platform.
Lilith: "..."
She silently glanced at William beside her, who wore a faint smile as if everything was as it should be.
William looked straight ahead, but secretly laughed in his heart.
Since it was a debut, it naturally had to be clear enough and shocking enough.
Night? Nonexistent.
Lilith took a deep breath and straightened her small frame, which was less than 1.4 meters tall. The metal buckles of her uniform reflected a cold, hard sheen under the lights.
She raised her small face, her ruby-like eyes slowly scanning the dense crowd below.
Over a hundred thousand pairs of eyes, filled with awe, curiosity, fervor, and expectation, stared intently at her.
Time seemed to freeze.
On the High Platform, the petite Leader remained silent.
Below the platform, over a hundred thousand people held their breath, waiting.
The atmosphere gradually became somewhat awkward.
Lilith opened her mouth, then closed it again.
What should she say? Welcome to Tianqi? You've done well? William had already said all that.
Encourage everyone to keep working hard? That seemed a bit redundant.
Give an ambitious speech? She had no interest in that, nor did she think it was necessary.
Essentially, she was accustomed to speaking through claws, teeth, and strength.
As a bat who had hung upside down in a dark Cave for a year, human social etiquette and the art of leadership were strange and troublesome to her.
The crowd below looked at their Leader, who was rumored to be able to transform into a terrifying giant beast and kick an SSS-rank expert flying with a single blow, now standing on the stage like an elementary school student.
Her delicate little face was expressionless, her lips slightly pressed together, seemingly... spacing out? Nervous?
No one dared to urge her, and even their breathing became lighter.
Just that silent staring made the air feel thick.
William stood at the side of the platform, watching this scene, feeling somewhat helpless.
He had prepared a speech, but he had forgotten to give it to the Leader just now, and handing it over at this moment seemed inappropriate.
Finally, after this suffocating silence lasted for nearly a minute, Lilith seemed to make a decision.
Her true form was not human to begin with, so there was no need to adhere to human ways!
As an animal, she should declare her territory in an animalistic way.
She took a deep breath and slightly opened her mouth.
Not to speak.
But a majestic Beast Roar, squeezed out from deep within her throat.
"ROAR—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The moment the sound left her mouth, Lilith was quite satisfied. She had gathered all her strength for this roar, this declaration of territory, which even created ripples in the air.
The Tianqi masses below had long been intimidated by this roar, standing silently stunned in place.
"..."
The entire venue was dead silent.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Unable to hold back, the crowd roared hysterically and loudly, the sound deafening!
"Night fall—!!!"
"Night fall—!!!"
"Night fall—!!!"
Over a hundred thousand people throughout Tianqi roared in unison, the sound wave sweeping across the entire Tianqi like a tsunami, reaching straight into the sky!
Under the lights, every face was filled with distortion and fervor, trying hard to make themselves look more ferocious!
They heard their Leader's voice! Although it was a voice so tender it could melt hearts.
But it was precisely this extreme contrast, combined with her petite figure and the terrifying power she had previously displayed, that struck their hearts even more intensely!
Cuteness and power achieved the most perfect unity at this moment!
However, there was one thing they absolutely had to hold back now: not laughing out loud!
Lilith's ears buzzed slightly, shaken by the sudden mountain-like roar and sea-like tsunami of sound.
She looked at the flushed, wildly shouting faces below the platform, and a hint of confusion flashed in her ruby eyes.
It then transformed into a faint smile. Ferocious faces—this was the Tianqi she wanted to see.
No longer hesitating, Lilith gave a slight nod to the crowd below, then turned decisively, and quickly walked down the High Platform in her military boots, her small back suggesting a "mission accomplished, time to retreat" attitude.
William quickly followed, a barely concealed smile on his face.
Although the process was a bit unexpected, the result seemed even better than anticipated.
Also, that roar... mhm, infinitely memorable.
If he hadn't misunderstood the meaning, this must be a phrase often circulated in Dragon Country: Evil Dragon's Roar...