Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent! - Chapter 490

Chapter 490: Celebrations
Their ship settled into an empty bay at Capital Prime’s spaceport — a spot Alex managed to secure after breaking through the chaotic comms chatter.

Even as the landing gears clicked into place, the jubilant atmosphere outside was still as vibrant as ever. It was surreal.

Streets all across the city were flooded with cheering crowds, all sorts of fireworks lit up the sky, and holographic banners reading “Victory!” shimmered above practically every avenue across the city.

“What the hell is going on??? Did we miss something while we were gone??”

Alex muttered to himself under his breath after powering down the engines.

“I don’t know…” Mira replied, even though the question wasn’t exactly directed towards her.

She unbuckled herself from her seat and grabbed the data cache they had salvaged from the remains of the Red Demon flagship.

“But I’m guessing it has something to do with that guy, Phoenix, we met…”

***

As they stepped off their ship, they were immediately engulfed by the energy of the crowd.

People of all ages were out in the streets, singing, dancing, waving Federation flags and some were even crying tears of joy.

Vendors handed out free food and drinks, while musicians played triumphant tunes that echoed throughout the plaza.

The duo kept to the edges, navigating their way toward the university campus, where they were hoping to find a calmer and more peaceful atmosphere in hopes to gain some semblance of information about what was going on.

Every few steps, another holographic news display reinforced the same message.

“The Red Demons have been obliterated! Humanity’s greatest threat is no more!”

Although they were still in the dark, they had already garnered some ideas on what the celebrations were for.

And they almost couldn’t believe it.

‘The war is over?’

‘The fuck??’

However they still kept their pace up, hoping to hear the news from a more reliable source, such as someone high up the food chain, rather than something as volatile as the media.

Clips played of the Federation military, standing proud and reolute, intercut with images of destroyed Red Demon ships.

The narrative was clear — the Federation had dealt a crushing blow to their enemy and secured victory for humanity.

However, something about those clips felt off to Alex.

“Doesn’t that scene of destruction look strikingly similar to the scene we witnessed just a few days ago?”

Alex clenched his fists, not knowing what to think.

“They’re taking credit for what Phoenix did. This entire celebration is built on a lie…”

Mira glanced at him.

“While that may be the case, to the ordinary Federal citizens, the specifics of who dealt the crushing blows isn’t of any concern to them. All they care about is that the war is over. Plus, did you really expect any different? There’s no way they’d tell the public the truth, at least not overtly. Imagine how people would react if they found out some mysterious guy, not belonging to the Federation, wiped out an entire race on a whim?”

“Alright, I get it now…” Alex muttered.

***

When they finally reached the university grounds, they were greeted with yet another spectacle. Students and faculty gathered in the central courtyard, where a massive stage had been erected.

The scene wasn’t quite as grand as the millions strong crowd that were present when the war was first announced, but that was just because most of the students and staff were yet to return from their deployments, considering how quickly and suddenly the war had ended.

Principal Farnes stood at the podium, with his voice booming over that of the crowd’s cheers.

“And so, today, we celebrate a new dawn for humanity! Together, we have faced the Red Demon threat and emerged victorious! Let this day mark the beginning of a brighter future!”

The crowd erupted in applause, and confetti rained down from drones circling overhead.

Alex and Mira exchanged a glance, with their skepticism unspoken but shared.

They didn’t linger in the courtyard for long.

Instead, they noted Principal Farnes’ movements and followed him in to one of the quieter administrative buildings.

They followed at a distance, with each step muffled by the roaring celebrations still audible through the building’s walls.

Principal Farnes moved with uncharacteristic lightness, with his usual air of rigid authority clearly weakened now that a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Or at least it seemed that way.

They waited until he disappeared into an office before Mira turned to Alex.

“Is it okay to suddenly barge in like this?”

Alex replied curtively.

“We have to. If anyone knows what’s really going on, it’s him.”

Mira sighed, clutching the data cache tighter.

“Alright, but you’re doing the talking.”

They approached the office, and Alex knocked firmly.

The muffled hum of the celebrations outside made the silence in the hallway bearable instead of awkward.

Just as Mira raised a brow, the door creaked open.

Principal Farnes stood there, dropping any lightheated act and locked his gaze onto them.

For a moment, he looked surprised. Then his usual stern demeanour returned.

“Alex. Mira. I didn’t expect to see you two so soon. Come in.”

‘Oh please, you were just acting so cheerful! What’s with the sudden sternness?? Besides, you probably detected our presence the moment we entered orbit…’

Alex wanted to speak his thoughts aloud but decided it was best not to.

They stepped inside, and Farnes shut the door closed behind them. The room was a stark contrast to the festivities outside — quiet, dimly lit, and meticulously tidy.

A holographic display hovered over the desk, showing various reports, most of which were marked ‘confidential’.

“To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

Farnes asked, feigning ignorance.

His tone was neutral, but the tension in his posture betrayed him.

Alex didn’t waste time.

“We know we didn’t defeat the Red Demons.”

Farne’s eyes narrowed slightly, though he said nothing, allowing Alex to continue.

“We witnessed it in person. We saw what happened, and we know who really defeated the Red Demons.”

Alex paused, allowing his words to sink in.

“And we know that not even you have the power to deliver such a blow to the Red Demons.”