9th December, Space Era Years 102.
The bells of Berlyn, capital of the Centory Kingdom Reich, tolled across the frozen city.Millions of citizens waved the banners of the Star of Centory, their voices rising beneath a curtain of falling snow.The imperial parade advanced through the Grand Plaza with mechanical precision — each step of the soldiers echoing like thunder upon steel.
High above the city, squadrons of Aether-Class battle cruisers soared in formation, shaping the infinity symbol "∞" — the emblem of the Empire's endless might.The ceremony was broadcast live through the Real-Time Hyperlink Network, marking the first moment in human history when interplanetary transmission occurred without a single second of delay.
Two Opening Ceremonies.
Meanwhile, on Earth, the opening of the Earth Olympic: Space Era Year 102 commenced in New Washington D.C.The atmosphere was polite, restrained, and filled with political speeches and liberal rhetoric — but the world felt its grandeur had faded.
In contrast, on Centory, every eye in the galaxy turned to a single woman.
Lord Aelyzabeth von Thors, Supreme Commander of the Centory Kingdom Reich, appeared upon the grand dais clad in a uniform of silver and white, the Five-Pointed Star gleaming upon her breast.She raised her hand in salute to the imperial banner as the national anthem, "Hymnus ad Centorium," resounded through the colossal stadium.
"Glory to the youth — the future of mankind.Glory to the guardians of the stars — the pride of our race.For the honor of our people and the dignity of humanity itself —We shall never allow our pride to be trampled beneath another's heel!"
Her voice, broadcast across the galaxy, stirred the hearts of billions.A deafening roar rose in answer:"Long live Centory! Long live Lord Aelyzabeth Thors!"
The Technological Triumph.
At the heart of the ceremony was Centory's newest marvel:the Esport Simulation 7-Dimension Arena, a virtual battleground allowing spectators to enter the competition through full-sensory immersion.Developed by the Supreme Scientific Office, Oberstes nationales Wissenschaftsbüro (ONW) in cooperation with the Thors Institute of Technological Advancement,this innovation surpassed Earth's VR-Tech by light-years — a spectacle of science and supremacy.
Though most nations within the Interstellar Federation had boycotted Centory's games, two worlds defied the decree:
Thailang, which joined in full solidarity with Centory.
Evening, which participated symbolically — out of respect rather than politics.
Even with merely two flags raised among thousands, their applause thundered like the heartbeat of friendship across the arena.
The Prince and the Iron Lady.
From the imperial balcony, Major Aerys Vilozyver, the de jure heir to the Centory throne, sat beside his mother.His gaze — cold, unreadable — fell upon the spectacle below.He understood that this Olympiad was not merely a festival of sport,but a theater of power,a battlefield upon which his mother fought with pride as her weapon.
The climax came with the Grand Military Parade —eight hundred thousand imperial soldiers marching in perfect unison before Lord Aelyzabeth.The synchronized crash of their boots upon the metallic floor reverberated through the heavens like the roar of creation.
And when the Imperial Torch was lit by a twelve-year-old girl,daughter of a veteran from the Kepler War,a flame of azure burst skyward, painting the night with celestial fire.The crowd erupted once more as her voice echoed:
"Youth is the hope of humanity!"
Thus was born the motto of the 25th Centorian Olympiad —a direct counterpoint to Earth's motto, "Freedom to the Future."
For while Earth spoke of freedom,Centory spoke of order and hope.
And on that day…all across the stars, even the critics of the Empire silently acknowledged one truth:
The Centory Kingdom Reich had transcended nationhood.It had become the new civilization of mankind.
Thus ends Chapter C-XVI.