Meanwhile, a dozen astronomical units away, on the other side of the sun's orbit, the inhabitants of Venus were experiencing their one (or sometimes two) terrifying sunrises of the year. The sun here wasn't as warm and gentle as on Earth, but rather as scorching as the electric oven in a spacecraft alloy refinery. Distance creates beauty, as it does with everything. Here, sunlight was like a blanket of poisonous raindrops, inflicting injury and even death upon contact. Those who didn't evacuate the surface, retreat to underground cities, or find thermal shelters in time often perished within the first stellar calendar day of sunrise.
This is the hottest place in the solar system, with an average temperature second only to the legendary Heliocentric Station IV, reaching a staggering 432°C. This harsh environment has instilled in its inhabitants a fear of death, allowing them to turn a blind eye to the de facto exploitation and oppression. So, when wars broke out and life became difficult, a self-proclaimed community aristocrat stepped forward, and the Red Moon Empire was established.
It was the Ghost Gate Festival of the Empire. Sunset City, the old capital on the equator of Venus, was spraying precious liquid nitrogen on its cramped, low-lying streets. Residents, long accustomed to soldering irons, finally saw ice crystals forming on the insulated windows. Even the stifling air from the ventilation ducts had a hint of coolness. They gathered in groups of three or five in any cool spot they could find, not caring about each other's scent, and discussing the recent news they had heard in the tavern.
"Have you heard? The lava guards at the entrance to the old capital have been tightening their inspections lately. Now, in addition to the necessary passes, a 12% cooling tax of the goods' value is required. Many traveling merchants without enough money are forced to remain outside. Gods beseech you—I wonder how they're going to survive this sunrise."
"Hey, you guys think... could it be some important figure descending to inspect the city again? My grandfather said those people would be riding on cylindrical arks, descending from a thick cloud of carbon dioxide like gas beetles darting through flames. They might look much like us, but their manners are elegant and easygoing, and their spending is incredibly generous, unlike any of the other lords in the city. Hehe, I mean, if we could just show up in front of them, maybe we'd be appreciated, and getting promoted and getting rich wouldn't be a dream!"
"That's right, this is your dream of spring and autumn, while here we only have long summer."
"No, no, no, maybe he's right. There are big shots coming, and the situation now is very similar to what it was more than a decade ago."
"You mean the eldest princess? But Sunset City no longer produces titanium ore. Her importance shouldn't be enough for the emperor to send another descendant. This time, it might be the second son of a minister or the eldest son of a minister. But that's not important. What matters is what they want to do."
"What to do? Forget it. Besides stuffing parts of their bodies into the cool, moist nest, what else can they do? Visit the slums of Queen Street, or watch a timed duel under the scorching sun? They wouldn't have the courage to do that. Not the eldest princess, not the eldest son, and certainly not anyone else!"
"Hey, brother, don't be so impulsive! This drink is on me, calm down. You know, the old capital isn't completely useless, and even the big guys need allies."
"What do they need?"
"us."
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