Chapter 180: Chapter 180: Historic Moment
The voting happened exactly three days later.
The process was complex, but the choice was simple.
There were only two options in the Neural Interface: Magnus Ainsley and Neo Godson.
The winner would be decided in the next two hours.
Magnus and the other councilmen’s palms were sweating.
Seeing them, Sterling could not help but laugh.
"Stop denying reality, will you? We all know who the winner will be when Neo Godson promised the Eternal Reward. He can literally make Beyonders with the snap of his fingers. Why would the public still choose you over him?"
Magnus slammed his sweaty fist onto the reinforced glass table.
"Do not act so smug, Sterling! We gave them centuries of peace! We gave them a society where they did not have to worry about being evaporated by alien warlords. If they choose that tyrant, they are choosing their own extinction. Those potions are a trap. Power always comes with a leash."
Sterling lazily leaned back in his chair.
"Magnus, a leash made of gold is still better than the rusted iron chains we kept them in, Chancellor. You speak of peace, but you forced the lower sectors to choke on toxic smog while we drank pure water. You speak of freedom, but we sold our military to Titan Heavy Industries just last year. Neo Godson is simply offering them a much better deal."
"Shut the fuck up, Sterling! This is different. This is a deal with a monster! He will turn our citizens into mindless meat shields for his cosmic conquests. And what do you think he will do to us when he officially wins? He already liquefied Vance!’ shouted a younger councilman.
Sterling’s old face turned cold.
"Then, you should have started packing your bags three days ago, Darren. The people are not stupid. They saw those golden vials. They saw the Beyonder Awakening. You cannot fight the primal human hunger for evolution with empty political speeches."
Magnus still didn’t give up.
"I am sure they will not abandon their humanity! They will see reason! They will realize that being an ordinary, free human is far better than being a corrupted monster.’
"Then you’re still very Naive, Magnus," Sterling said mockingly.
Time passed in tense silence. Every councilmen’s heart was beating faster.
Soon, the massive holographic screen in the center of the room displayed a glowing countdown.
10 seconds.
5 seconds.
Zero.
The Neural Interface central network finally finalized the billions of direct mind-link ballots.
It was now about to reveal the result.
The numbers materialized instantly.
Magnus Ainsley: 22%.
Neo Godson: 78%.
Seeing this, Magnus’ heart collapsed. Next thing anyone knew, he was falling flat onto the floor.
Seeing this, Sterling slowly set his wine glass down on the table.
"Well, I guess the reality was too much for him to handle. But the people have officially spoken. They do not want to be ordinary anymore."
Some councilmen sat on the ground, sobbing.
The rest of the councilmen hurriedly started running for their lives.
Their guilty heart was exposed by their actions.
---
On the Flagship of Zenith Empire, Neo received the news of his victory, but he was very calm.
"Neo, you have won! Aren’t you happy?" Zestia asked from behind.
Neo slowly turned his head to look at her. His abyssal eyes held no joy, only a profound, ancient calmness.
"Happy? Happiness is an emotion reserved for those who overcome uncertainty. There was never any uncertainty in this outcome, Zestia. I knew exactly what they would choose the moment you and Noir revealed the Awakening Potions. Mortal greed is the most predictable force in the entire universe."
Hearing him, Zestia tilted her head, then revealed an alluring face.
"But it is still a grand victory, Neo. You are now the absolute ruler of your home world. The Federation is no more. Every citizen on Earth will now worship you as their true god."
Neo sighed,
"Being a ruler of a single isolated planet is nothing but a grand illusion. Earth is merely a tiny speck of dust in a much larger cosmic arena. Winning this election was not a true victory. It was simply the completion of a basic necessity."
He raised his right hand, and a massive holographic map materialized in the air. It displayed not just Earth, but the entire solar system, highlighting the vast uncharted territories belonging to Lord Bala and other higher alien races.
"The real war is just beginning. The Herald warned me about the Stairway of Gods. If divine beings like Eragon and Drogon are waiting up there in the higher realms, then my current power is far from enough. I must synthesize more cosmic energy. I must elevate my Beyonder rank to Type 1. Ruling Earth is just the foundation required to build an army capable of surviving what comes next."
Zestia stepped closer, gently resting her delicate hand against the cold obsidian plates of his armor. Her eyes burned with fierce loyalty.
"Then we will build that army, Neo. The Zenith Vanguard will conquer the stars in your name. Wherever you point your blade, we will bring you absolute victory."
Neo finally showed a smile. He reached out and gently stroked Zestia’s soft cheek, feeling her lean eagerly into his touch.
"I know you will. Prepare the orbital drop ships. We are going down to the Capital City. It is time for those ignorant people to officially hand over the keys to the world."
--
The next after the historical election:
The central plaza of the Capital City was a chaotic sea of floating camera drones and blinding flashbulbs.
Millions of citizens were gathering below, but the elevated crystal platform was currently dominated by the global media.
Everyone wanted a final statement before the new cosmic god arrived.
Valerie Hayes, the lead anchor of the Global News Network, pushed her microphone toward Councilman Sterling. After all, he was now the highest ranking surviving official of the United Federation.
"Councilman Sterling, the polls closed with a staggering 78% in favor of the Zenith Empire. With Chancellor Magnus taking his own life just hours after the final results, the burden of officially surrendering the planet falls entirely to you. Do you have any final words for the citizens?"
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