266: On the eve of the referendum

Crossbell, Lanka Tower, top floor office.

Mayor Dieter stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the entire city. His fingertips tapped lightly on the window frame, his eyes gleaming with barely suppressed excitement.

Finally, it's going to happen!

The City Hall staff were pushing forward with the independence referendum preparations at a near-frantic pace. Voter registration, media promotion, and polling station deployment, originally estimated to take a week, were all completed in just three days under Mayor Dieter's personal supervision.

The entire Crossbell seemed to have been injected with some kind of stimulant. Discussions buzzed in every corner, and the front pages of newspapers were all dominated by news of the independence referendum.

"Crossbell is About to Usher in a Historic Moment!"

"Independence Referendum Begins Tomorrow, All Citizens Participate to Decide the Future!"

"Mayor Dieter: We Will Establish a Nation for the People of Crossbell!"

Citizens gathered excitedly in the square, waving the flag of the Crossbell Autonomous State and shouting slogans of "Independence."

They originally thought that Mayor Dieter could at most secure greater autonomy, such as being able to properly sanction the children of imperial dignitaries who acted with impunity within the Crossbell Autonomous State.

But they never expected him to go straight for the ultimate goal: establishing the Nation of Crossbell, forming a Defense Force, and even enabling the Nation of Crossbell to truly stand firm on the continent!

This was like the ecstatic joy of gold falling from the sky!

Mayor Dieter's lips curved slightly upward.

Public opinion had completely boiled over. Next, it was tomorrow's referendum.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the office door.

"Mayor," his secretary's voice came from outside the door, "Aventurine has arrived."

Mayor Dieter's pupils contracted slightly, and he immediately turned around: "Quick, quick! Please invite him in!"

The door opened, and Aventurine entered gracefully, carrying a bottle of pale purple wine with the Interstellar Peace Corporation emblem on its body.

"Mayor Dieter," his voice carried a hint of lazy amusement, "It seems your mood is good?"

Mayor Dieter quickly stepped forward to greet him: "Aventurine!"

His voice held barely concealed excitement: "I didn't expect you to come personally."

Aventurine smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over Mariabell, who stood to one side: "Oh. Miss Bell is here too? Perfect, saves me another trip later."

Mariabell nodded slightly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, a mix of anticipation, fervor, and a hint of curiosity and ambition.

"Aventurine." Her voice was soft and restrained, but her fingertips unconsciously tightened slightly.

'Emissary! A true god, an extension of the will of God! A mortal body, touching the miracle of a god!'

Mayor Dieter gestured for his secretary to leave, then personally poured Aventurine a cup of tea: "Aventurine, do you have any instructions for your visit today?"

"Not really instructions, just some procedural matters to handle. Also," Aventurine chuckled, placing the wine bottle on the table: "An early celebration."

His finger lightly tapped the bottle: "A special item from the Interstellar Peace Corporation's Strategic Investment Department, Rosé Wine, the Amber King's favorite."

"Of course, his favorite among alcoholic beverages. But actually, the Amber King doesn't really like to drink. It's a little secret, don't tell anyone, okay?"

"I imagine after tomorrow's referendum, you won't have time for a proper drink."

A hint of pleasant surprise flashed in Mayor Dieter's eyes: "You are too kind."

His gaze fell on the bottle of wine, and an indescribable sense of honor swelled in his heart.

The Amber King's favorite... This was a gift from God!

As probationary employees of the Corporation, Mayor Dieter and his daughter were the only two native humans on this planet who knew what the term Amber King meant.

That was a true god, the god who 'created' and 'defined' the concept of Preservation.

Aventurine sat elegantly on the sofa, his long legs crossed, his heterochromatic pupils glinting in the light: "By the way, how are the referendum preparations going?"

Mayor Dieter immediately replied: "Everything is going smoothly!"

"Voter registration has reached 98%, media coverage is nationwide, and polling stations are deployed."

His voice carried a hint of pride: "Opinion polls show that the proportion of citizens supporting independence exceeds 95%."

Aventurine nodded slightly: "Very good."

His gaze swept over Mayor Dieter and Mariabell: "The Corporation is very satisfied with your efficiency."

Mayor Dieter's chest rose and fell slightly, a fervent look in his eyes: "This is all thanks to the Corporation."

"Without the Bai Ze Mech's battle, the Empire and the Republic would never have compromised so easily."

Aventurine chuckled: "That was just a small help, nothing significant."

His voice suddenly became meaningful: "The real challenge comes after the referendum."

Mayor Dieter's expression turned serious: "I understand."

"The formation of the Defense Force has already begun, and the first batch of equipment is expected to arrive next month."

"As for the political system, I have already drafted an initial plan. I intend to—"

Aventurine waved his hand, signaling Mayor Dieter to stop, "Mayor Dieter, the Corporation is not interested in Crossbell's future political landscape; just make sure you have it under control."

"Understood!"

Aventurine leaned back on the sofa, his slender fingers lightly tapping the armrest, his voice carrying a hint of laziness, "Speaking of which, I do have a small matter to attend to today."

He made a light gesture in the air, and two shimmering wrist terminals appeared in his palm, which he casually tossed to Mayor Dieter and his daughter.

The wristbands traced two elegant arcs in the air, finally hovering in front of Mayor Dieter and Mariabell, emitting a faint blue glow.

Mayor Dieter instinctively reached out and took one. It felt cool and smooth to the touch, with subtle patterns flowing across its surface.

"This is?" His voice held a hint of confusion.

Aventurine smiled slightly: "Standard Corporation employee terminals."

"Wear them, and you will officially become employees of the Interstellar Peace Corporation."

Mariabell's pupils contracted slightly, her fingertips gently caressing the surface of the wristband.

"Employee..." Her voice held a barely perceptible tremor: "Can we... really?"

Aventurine shrugged: "Why not?"

"Your performance has already proven your value to the Corporation." His gaze swept over the two of them: "Of course, if you refuse, the Corporation won't force you."

"However," his lips curved into a meaningful smile, "some opportunities, once missed, won't come again."

Mayor Dieter didn't hesitate for a moment, immediately putting the wristband on his wrist.

The wristband automatically adjusted its size the moment it touched his skin, fitting perfectly. Then, a pale blue light screen unfolded from above the wristband, hovering in front of Mayor Dieter.

The light screen displayed a contract, its terms clear and concise, but its content made Mayor Dieter's pupils contract slightly.

This was the Corporation's employment agreement? P12 level? Not low at all!?

And, the construction plan for the Crossbell branch?!

Mariabell also put on the wristband. Her gaze quickly scanned the content on the light screen, and a hint of shock flashed in her blue eyes.

The Corporation's research department had actually sent her an invitation, with benefits two levels higher than her father's!

This... this was incredible! This was too cool!

Aventurine's voice sounded at the right moment: "The contract terms are very simple."

"You work for the Corporation, and the Corporation provides you with resource support."

"Of course," his voice suddenly became playful, "if you breach the contract, the consequences will also be very severe."

"Let me tell you a well-known secret within the Corporation: Ten Stonehearts are all Emissaries."

"Several of them have 'liquidating bad assets' as part of their duties. Oh, and I am too~"

"......"

Mayor Dieter took a deep breath and, without hesitation, signed his name on the light screen: "I accept."

Mariabell's fingertip paused on the light screen for a moment, but she quickly signed her name as well: "I accept too."

Aventurine nodded in satisfaction: "Very good."

With a flick of his hand, the content on the light screen switched, displaying a three-dimensional projection of a magnificent building.

"This is the design for the Corporation's office building in Crossbell." His finger lightly tapped the projection: "The site is located on the mountain behind Lanka Tower, and it's expected to be completed within three months."

A hint of shock flashed in Mayor Dieter's eyes: "This, this fast? Even with explosives, leveling that mountain would take at least a month?!"

Aventurine chuckled: "The Corporation's efficiency has always been high. You will soon know what the Corporation truly means."

"By the way, after the referendum, remember to contact me immediately."

"Some matters need to be discussed in person."

With that, Aventurine stood up gracefully, adjusting his collar: "Well then, I wish you good luck tomorrow."

He paused slightly at the door: "Oh, and this bottle of wine, remember to taste it."

"The taste..." His lips curved into a mysterious smile: "It's very special."

As his words fell, he pushed the door open and left, leaving Mayor Dieter and his daughter standing in the office, gazing at the wristbands on their wrists, lost in thought.

Entertainment District, casino.

The magnificent chandeliers illuminated the casino as if it were daytime. The clinking of chips echoed, and the air was filled with a mix of alcohol and perfume.

Aventurine sat lazily at the gambling table, toying with a golden chip between his fingers.

Piles of winning chips were stacked in front of him. The surrounding gamblers had long since retreated, leaving only the pale-faced dealer to continue dealing cards.

"Oh my, oh my~" Aventurine's voice carried a hint of playfulness, "I won again~"

With a light push of his finger, he placed all his chips: "Continue."

Sweat beaded on the dealer's forehead: "Sir..."

"This... this isn't according to the rules..."

Aventurine tilted his head: "Oh?"

"What rules?"

His pupils glinted dangerously in the light: "Aren't the rules of a casino that the winner takes all?"

"Nothing, or everything."

"Isn't that the essence of a casino?"

The dealer's face grew even paler, but just then, a figure suddenly sat down beside Aventurine.

"This gentleman is right."

A man with light red hair smiled and pushed a stack of chips towards Aventurine: "The rules of a casino are indeed winner takes all."

His voice was deep and gentle: "However, sometimes you have to leave a chance for others, don't you?"

Aventurine's gaze swept over the other person, his lips curving slightly upward: "Oh?"

"You are..."

The man nodded slightly: "Lechter Arandell."

His voice carried a subtle pause: "An ordinary citizen of the Empire."

Aventurine chuckled: "An ordinary citizen?"

His finger lightly tapped the table: "An ordinary citizen wouldn't casually push a hundred thousand mira in chips to a stranger."

Lechter's smile remained unchanged: "I just felt a connection with you, sir."

"Moreover..." His gaze swept over the chips in front of Aventurine: "With your luck, sir, this amount of money is just a drop in the ocean."

Aventurine shrugged: "That's true."

With a flick of his finger, the chip arced through the air and landed steadily in the center of the gambling table: "Then let's continue."

"These chips from this gentleman, bet against. Regardless of win or loss, they're yours."

The dealer's trembling hand, dealing the cards, steadied slightly. The surrounding gamblers held their breath, and the entire casino seemed to freeze at that moment.