While the Army continued to thrive in the world of Kabane, the Navy remained oblivious, busily engaged in their homeland, the Sea Star, carrying out large-scale operations to eradicate the slave trade.
One warship after another sailed to various islands across the seas, returning liberated slaves to their homelands and earning the gratitude of the people time and time again.
In this process, the World Government's reputation in various nations gradually shifted from fear to a more favorable reverence—a truly rare occurrence.
On this day.
The world's public broadcast began once again.
Above the Red Line Continent, in the area designated as RL0002, which was separated from the Holy Land Mary Geoise only by the RL0001 area where the World Government was constructing its new headquarters.
Originally, this was just an ordinary summer island, uninhabited by anyone, with only a variety of blooming flower gardens.
But today.
It was bustling with activity, filled with the clamor of voices, and became the focal point of the entire world.
"Are we really going to be set free?"
"Is this real, oh gods?"
"Is this a dream? It must be a dream! Waaah~"
One by one, male and female slaves had their Bomb Collars removed, and under the arrangement of black-clad officials, they formed long lines, heading to pre-designated areas to await the next steps of their liberation.
In this process, these slaves, who had only been in Mary Geoise for a few months, were overwhelmed with emotion, breaking down in tears. Some even embraced each other, feeling the warmth of another person, even if they didn't know each other or distinguish between genders.
At this moment, they were all the same.
All were unfortunate souls regaining their freedom and a new life! And all of this was broadcast to the people of the world through the lenses of the Image Snails operated by the Publicity Department.
The scene was packed with people, and the occasional aerial view was particularly spectacular. In the footage, it seemed as though the entire RL0002 area was filled with slaves awaiting liberation.
Their numbers were not just in the tens of thousands—it was certainly tens of thousands, perhaps even a hundred thousand!
At this point, aside from a small minority who remained skeptical and held biases against the World Government, most of the populace believed that the Celestial Dragons had truly done a great deed this time! They began to cheer, clap, and the entire world praised the actions of Mary Geoise.
No one would foolishly question whether simply releasing them was enough. What about the physical and mental harm they had suffered? What about the wasted years of their lives? This world, after all, was not one with a perfect rule of law.
In the eyes of most people, the descendants of the creators, the Celestial Dragons known as the World Nobles, were willing to respect and cooperate with the agenda of the Levely. This was already an unprecedented act of mercy in centuries! What more could one expect? What more could one do? This day would later be referred to as the "Great Liberation of the Holy Land" and was recorded in history textbooks that would become widely disseminated, appearing as multiple-choice questions, reading comprehension passages, and essay topics in exams.
But liberating tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of slaves, was not something that could be accomplished in a single day. It took a full three days before the World Government officially announced the conclusion of the operation.
Over these three days, the Image Snails took turns broadcasting live. Even though most people couldn't stay awake and went to sleep, the live feed continued to run, all to prove the 'authenticity' of the event! And it must be said, the strategy devised by the Publicity Department managed to deceive 80 to 90 percent of the populace.
But what was the reality? The truth was that only a little over ten thousand carefully selected slaves were actually released. These were slaves who hadn't been in the Holy Land for long, hadn't suffered excessive torment, were relatively sound of mind, and most importantly, didn't harbor extreme hatred. They were the 'quality' slaves who had behaved well.
So where did the rest of the slaves go? In fact, the Bomb Collars around their necks had also been removed, but they were sent to the neighboring RL0003 Spring Zone and RL0004 Autumn Zone.
There, the workers from the Construction Division had already built the basic infrastructure necessary for their living.
Basic, indeed!
Apart from wooden houses, wooden beds, wooden tables, wooden chairs, simple pots, pans, bowls, chopsticks, spoons, bedding, pillows, and essential facilities like toilets and bathhouses, there was not a single extra building or item.
From a distance, it might look like a decent town, but up close, it appeared very rudimentary.
When the World Government's live broadcast ended and all the attention faded away, these hundred thousand or so slaves—no, they were no longer slaves, but should now be called citizens of the City of Holy Grace and the City of Holy Gift—gathered once again in the central square as per the broadcast's command.
In terms of obedience, they had no issues; they were very compliant and submissive.
"Citizens of the City of Holy Grace!"
A high-ranking official from the Administrative Department stood on a prepared platform, shouting through a loudspeaker at the sea of people below.
Simultaneously, Den Den Mushi loudspeakers in various places relayed his voice.
"From now on, this will be your home!"
"No one will enslave you, and no one will beat or scold you. You are the first official residents of an ordinary city on the Red Line Continent. You should feel honored and proud of this!"
"But you must also learn to be self-reliant!"
"The great World Government has decided to provide you with all the agricultural tools, machinery, seeds, chicken chicks, piglets, a year's worth of food and supplies, and even exempt you from the Celestial Tribute for four years!"
"That means, for this first year, you can live here carefree. But starting from the second year, you'll have to rely on yourselves for food and necessities!"
After saying so much, the high-ranking official felt a bit thirsty. Fortunately, he was experienced and had prepared a thermos in advance. He quickly caught his breath, took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and then picked up the loudspeaker again.
"I know it might be hard for you to immediately adapt to this new life, but don't worry. We officials will stay here temporarily to help and guide you onto the right path!"
"If any of you fall ill or get injured, notify us immediately, and we will provide comprehensive medical services. But once you start producing and earning your own income, all services will come at a cost. Of course, the government will also purchase supplies from you!"
Despite his desperate shouting, the crowd below remained eerily silent, each face wearing an expression of numbness.
They listened, but that was all they did.
However, the World Government officials present were not surprised by this. They believed that time was the best healer, and that given a comfortable and relaxed environment, things would naturally return to normal over time.
For now, they would follow orders to cultivate the land and raise chickens and pigs, ensuring a stable food supply by the second year.
The senior official stepped down from the stage and whispered instructions to the subordinate who approached him.
"Make sure the undercover agents planted among them keep a close watch. If anyone shows signs of hatred toward the World Government or the Celestial Dragons, report it immediately for handling. But be careful not to let too many people find out!"
"Yes!"