With the meeting over, the entire Lind Army sprang into action again, preparing for the nation's official founding.
Before long, a month had passed.
Under Lin Yong's supervision, Oran Island's construction crews renovated and redecorated the Temple of Heaven they had built earlier.
They also specifically sought Zhu Feng's help, asking him to send specialists to help the Oran Empire refine its founding ceremony.
Although Lind did not consider himself someone who cared particularly about ceremony, founding a nation was a momentous occasion. The proper formalities still had to be observed.
They simply would not be overly elaborate, with dozens of procedures at every turn. Lind only wanted to ensure that the basic speeches, sacrificial rites, and official announcements were all covered, so they could formally announce the Oran Empire's establishment to the outside world.
To that end, the leadership even sent an envoy to invite the Navy to send representatives. After all, the World Government was strictly a government for its affiliated nations.
Besides safeguarding the interests of affiliated nations, the Navy would also protect non-affiliated nations when it had the resources to spare.
Lind's Oran Empire certainly would not be an affiliated nation, but there should be nothing wrong with inviting the Navy to attend.
As long as the Navy's people did not start fighting pirates like Whitebeard when the time came.
Standing before the Temple of Heaven in Oran City, Lind looked around with excitement. After struggling for so long, this day had finally arrived.
A song lyric suddenly echoed in Lind's ears: After waiting so long, this day finally came; after dreaming so long, my dream finally came true.
Steadying his emotions, Lind slowly ascended the Temple of Heaven, step by step, dressed in ceremonial attire specially commissioned from a master craftsman in the Flower Country.