Chapter 181: Chapter 181: New Era
Sterling adjusted his immaculate suit, showing a confident smile to the camera. He did not look like a defeated man at all.
"Magnus was a relic of a dead era, Valerie. He could not handle the truth, so he chose the coward’s way out. But the rest of us must look forward. The people have spoken through a flawless democratic process. They chose absolute strength over absolute stagnation. I fully intend to offer my administrative expertise to Emperor Neo Godson. A great empire like Zenith will need experienced bureaucrats to manage the global distribution of the Awakening Potions and maintain civil order."
"Hah, spoken like a true pragmatist," Valerie said, turning to a heavily guarded VIP section of the platform. "We also have the Chief Executive Officer of Titan Heavy Industries here today. Sir, your corporate stocks have skyrocketed ever since you publicly endorsed the Zenith Empire. What is your plan moving forward?"
The wealthy CEO offered a polite smile.
"We have completely paused all conventional mecha production. We are currently retrofitting our global factories to process cosmic energy materials. Titan Heavy Industries is ready to become the primary weapons manufacturer for the glorious Zenith Vanguard. We are looking forward to a very profitable partnership with the new Emperor."
Before Valerie could ask another question, the temperature in the plaza lowered. The sky above them suddenly darkened.
Rumble!
The loud murmurs of the frantic reporters and the gathered millions were snuffed out instantly.
The colossal shadow of the LORD 1 blotted out the afternoon sun as it forcefully breached the atmosphere.
The cameras quickly turned upward. The interviews were over. The time for the grand ceremony had finally arrived.
Suddenly, a massive pillar of white and black cosmic energy struck the center of the grand plaza.
The sudden atmospheric pressure forced everyone to their knees.
As the blinding cosmic light faded, Neo Godson stood at the epicenter.
His black armor seemed to devour the light itself, and his abyssal eyes swept over the kneeling masses with unquestionable authority.
Zestia and Noir stepped out of the fading energy right behind him. Their auras were also intimidating, reminding every mortal present of the absolute gap in their existences.
On the elevated crystal platform, Councilman Sterling knelt respectfully. In his hands, he held a glowing golden cube, which was the control core of the United Federation’s planetary defense, resource vaults, and neural networks.
Neo walked slowly up the crystal stairs.
Step. Step. Step.
Every footstep echoed like a heavy war drum in the silent plaza.
Sterling then gave his side of the declaration.
"The United Federation officially surrenders all military assets, political power, and territorial claims. From this moment, we belong to the Zenith Empire."
Sterling then raised the golden cube, offering the very soul of the planet.
Neo did not even reach out to take it. He simply glanced at the artifact, and the golden cube instantly shattered into glowing dust.
"You misunderstood your position, Sterling. I do not need this fragile method of ownership. I want absolute loyalty. Am I clear?"
Sterling gulped, "Yes, your majesty." Inwardly, his understanding of Neo Godson changed a bit. On the good side, that is.
Neo turned his back on the kneeling bureaucrats to face the millions of citizens.
They were nervous, but also hopeful.
"Stand up!"
Following his command, the entire city rose as one unified entity.
Once again, the central plaza of the Capital City became a chaotic sea of floating camera drones and blinding flashes.
Afterwards, Neo left.
Relieved, Valerie signaled the floating camera drone to follow her as the imposing shadow of the LORD 1 finally retreated into the upper atmosphere.
"Viewers, we are back live again. Emperor Neo Godson has just departed, beginning a new era for Sol-III. The Federation is officially history. Let us hear directly from the citizens. Sir! You over there. What are your first impressions of our new absolute ruler?"
She pointed the mic at a young man who was still dusting off his denim jacket.
The young man laughed nervously, running a hand through his hair.
"Honestly? It was absolutely terrifying. When that pillar of light hit the plaza, I literally thought the world was ending. But then he spoke. He did not ask for our money or our taxes. He just asked for loyalty. If he actually delivers on those Awakening Potions, I will follow him into the sun. After all, those scumbags never gave us a chance to be anything more than cogs in a machine."
Next, Valerie went to a middle aged woman clutching a worn tote bag.
"And you, ma’am? Do you feel safe under the rule of the Zenith Empire?"
The woman replied,
"Safe is a strong word. He is not a politician. He is a living force of nature. Did you see his eyes? It felt like looking into a black hole. But my daughter has a chronic lung condition from the heavy smog in Sector Four. The Federation hospitals put her on a ten year waitlist. The Zenith Vanguard promised instant cellular regeneration. If his cosmic power cures my little girl, he is my god."
"A very pragmatic outlook."
Valerie turned to another person.
"Sir, you have lived through three Federation Chancellors. How does Emperor Neo compare?"
"There is no comparison. Magnus and the others were cowards hiding behind desks and useless laws. This kid? He shattered the planetary control core just by looking at it. He does not need laws because he is the law. It is definitely scary. But maybe Earth needs a monster to protect us from the rest of the universe. I just hope we do not become his next meal."
"Fascinating perspective, Sir. Fear, hope, and an overwhelming hunger for evolution. The Zenith era has officially begun, and humanity will clearly never be the same. We will get to you in the studio."
--
Meanwhile, Neo was already attending a meeting with an important figure.
General Aizenberg.
He was dressed in a crisp military suit, eyes freezing cold.
Besides being the highest military command from the ex United Federation, he was also Zestia’s grandfather.
"General Aizenberg, my commanders told me you held the defense line at Sector Two even after Chancellor Magnus was confirmed dead. Why did you refuse to retreat?" Neo asked flatly.
General Aizenberg coughed and replied, "A soldier does not abandon his post simply because the politicians fail, Emperor Neo. I swore an oath to protect the people of Earth. I intended to keep it until my last breath."
Neo smiled. He genuinely admired this level of stubborn dedication. The Federation was corrupt, but men like Aizenberg were the true steel that held humanity together.
His unwavering duty and absolute loyalty to his people easily won Neo’s heart. He needed commanders with this exact mindset.
"Your Federation is gone, General. But the people of Earth still need protectors. I do not want to kill a man of your caliber. I want you to oversee planet Earth under the Zenith banner."
"Uh, what?"
Aizenberg looked surprised by the offer. He slowly changed his gaze toward the beautiful woman standing gracefully beside Neo.
She was his own granddaughter, Zestia.
"Grandfather. He is not a tyrant. He is a ruler. He will give Earth the strength it truly deserves."
Aizenberg sighed. "I never expected to see you standing beside a cosmic conqueror, Zestia. When you left the military academy, I feared for your future every single day."
"You do not need to fear for her anymore, General," Neo interjected.
Then, right before the old man’s eyes, he gently took Zestia’s hand intimately.
"Zestia is mine. She is a crucial pillar of my empire and my chosen companion. I will protect her, and I will protect this world. But I need strong honorable men like you to rebuild the military foundation of Earth."
Zestia blushed furiously.
While Aizenberg looked at the joined hands of his granddaughter and the terrifying young man who had just conquered the planet in a matter of days, the General saw the genuine warmth and happiness in Zestia’s eyes.
It was a look of pure devotion she had never shown during her time in the Aizenberg family.
The old General finally relaxed his posture.
He slowly dropped to one knee, bowing not to a cruel tyrant, but to a powerful ruler who respected true duty and family.
"If you promise to treat my granddaughter well, and if you swear to protect the citizens of Earth, then my life and my tactical expertise belong to you, Emperor Neo," Aizenberg said with deep conviction.
Neo extended his hand. "Welcome to the Zenith Empire, General Aizenberg. We have long days ahead of us."
All of a sudden, two people entered the room.
One was a tall man in pristine black coat looking like a CEO, the other was a woman of noble grace.
Zestia lips quivered after seeing them.
"Mom! Dad!"
"Zestia," her father said in a voice full of guilt.
While her mother gently grasped Zestia’s armored hands, crying:
"We are so incredibly sorry, my sweet girl. We were completely foolish. We tried to force our own will upon you for all these years. We wanted you to stay safe in the core sectors and live a quiet ordinary life. But we utterly failed to listen to your true wishes."
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