Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Election Campaigns
The election campaign of Chancellor Magnus was in full swing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, are you really going to let a tyrant rule over your soul? Are you going to surrender the very essence of human freedom to a boy who plays at being a god?"
Chancellor Magnus stood upon a massive floating podium hovering high above the central plaza of the Capital City, and millions of citizens gathered below him.
"My lovely citizens, good evening! Today, I am here to speak my two cents. That man calls himself the Zenith Emperor. He promises you the stars, endless cosmic conquest, and evolution. But I beg you to ask yourselves about the true cost! We all saw his true nature in the cold vacuum of space. He slaughtered ten million of our bravest Stellar Soldiers without a single second of hesitation. He did not show mercy. He did not show humanity. He only showed violence."
The massive crowd murmured nervously. Some citizens nodded in firm agreement, while others looked up at the sky with lingering fear in their eyes.
Magnus was absolutely determined to win their hearts.
"Neo Godson claims our Federation is corrupt and stagnant. He says we are weak because we chose peace over constant interstellar war. Do not believe his poisonous lies! Our ancestors fought for centuries to build a democratic society where every citizen has a voice. If you vote for the Zenith Empire, you are voting to become mindless cogs in an endless cosmic war machine. You will not be glorious conquerors. You will be his disposable pawns!"
Raising a clenched fist high into the air, Magnus declared:
"We may not be walking natural disasters. We may not possess glowing cosmic energy cores or terrifying Beyonder abilities. But we have something far more powerful. We have the unbreakable human spirit! We have our freedom! Vote for the United Federation. Vote for humanity. Let us show this false deity that Earth will never bow to a dictator!"
"YAHHHHH!"
-
As for the campaign from Neo’s side, there were no grand decorations. There were no floating podiums, no massive holographic banners covering the skyscrapers, and absolutely no desperate political speeches.
The Zenith Empire did not need cheap theatrical tricks to sway the masses of Earth.
The sky above the densely populated Sector Four simply rippled with raw cosmic energy.
Noir and Zestia descended smoothly from the atmosphere, landing gracefully onto the cracked pavement of the crowded, smog filled streets. Noir proudly carried the majestic white dragon flag of the Zenith Empire, planting it firmly into the solid concrete with a deafening thud.
Their otherworldly beauty instantly captivated thousands of pairs of eyes.
Noir wore a black and crimson dress, looking absolutely stunning and hot.
Zestia stood quietly beside her, wearing her golden battle dress.
In their hands, they held several shining, golden vials. The thick liquid inside the crystal glass swirled with tiny, contained galaxies, casting a warm hypnotic glow over the mesmerizing faces of the onlookers.
Both of them smiled softly. Because, they knew they had already won this grand campaign.
Zestia spoke first:
"Chancellor Magnus speaks of freedom. He stands on a floating stage built by your hard earned tax money and begs you to remain weak. He tells you that your mortal spirit is enough to face the endless galaxy. But look at your rough hands. Look at your tired, fragile bodies. Is his empty freedom truly enough to protect you from the horrors of this vast universe?"
Noir stepped forward, lifting one of the golden vials high into the air. The cosmic liquid glowed brilliantly, reflecting brightly in the captivated eyes of the ordinary citizens.
Raising thr golden vial to the sky, Noir announced,
"The United Federation demands your sweat, your endless labor, and your blood. In return, they give you inspirational speeches. The Zenith Empire demands your absolute loyalty. In return, we give you this.
This is the Beyonder Awakening Potion. It is not a metaphor. It is not a hollow political promise designed to steal your vote. A single drop of this golden elixir will forcibly rewrite your genetic code. It is entirely capable of elevating a fragile, ordinary mortal into a true cosmic entity."
"WHAAAAT!" The crowd gasped collectively.
People began to push forward unconsciously, their eyes locked entirely onto the shining vials.
"It will grant you the raw power to crush Federation titanium with your bare hands," Zestia added, her smile widening as she watched their human greed take over. "It will give you the ability to fly through the cold void of space. It will grant you centuries of vibrant life. Magnus wants you to be incredibly proud of being ordinary, powerless humans. But our Emperor Neo Godson wants you to become gods."
All the human’s breathing grew ragged, their mind taken over by the greed of power.
"Is that real?" a factory worker whispered loudly, stepping closer to the golden light with trembling hands. "Can we really have that kind of power?"
Zestia calmly replied,
"Yes. Under the rule of the Zenith Empire, power is not a privilege hoarded by corrupt politicians. It is a fundamental right for all who swear loyalty to Emperor Zenith. If the Zenith Empire wins this global election, these potions will be mass produced and distributed to the public. You will no longer be insignificant taxpayers cowering in the dirt. You will be the glorious Vanguard of the cosmos."
A desperate mother raised her hand, saying:
"What about the aura sickness among us commoners? The Federation hospitals refuse to treat us without Premium Credits! Will your potion heal my boy?"
Noir looked directly at the desperate mother, saying: "Mortal diseases are a symptom of a fragile genetic structure. The Awakening Potion forcefully rewrites your biology. Illness, fatigue, and even aging will become nothing but forgotten myths. Your child will not just survive. He will thrive with the unyielding strength of a true cosmic warrior."
They were shocked again.
An old mechanic clutched his arm while stating:
"You know, I have spent forty years working in the toxic plasma refineries! The Federation took my real arm in an accident and gave me cheap scrap metal. If I vote for your Emperor, can I get my flesh back?"
Zestia replied.
"No. You will get something far better than mere human flesh. You will forge a cosmic body capable of tearing through Interstellar dreadnoughts. Your lost limbs will regenerate, empowered by raw stellar energy. You will never need to breathe toxic smog again."
"But what is the exact cost?" a skeptical university student asked. "Nobody just hands out the power of a god for free. The Federation taught us that everything has a heavy price. What does Emperor Neo actually want from us?"
Noir smirked,
"Of course. Nothing is free in this world. He wants your absolute loyalty. He wants an army of conquerors, not a world of slaves. The Federation demands your taxes so their Councilmen can live in luxury while you starve. Emperor Neo demands your strength so you can stand by his side and rule the stars. He does not want to rule over sheep. He wants to lead a pride of lions."
The student immediately became tranced.
"Where do I cast my vote? I want to be a lion."
"Me too! Down with the Federation! Let us take the power!"
"Glory to the Zenith Empire!"
"Glory to Emperor Zenith!"
Noir and Zestia exchanged a victorious glance. They did not need to debate morality, historical rights, or democratic values. They would win this war through the absolute, undeniable greed of human nature.
Who could possibly resist the ultimate temptation of immortality and godhood?
The election was already over before the voting even officially began.
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