On an open street, as people wept and cried watching the news on TV, an orphan, not grasping the full weight of the mont, looked clueless.
"Old man, what did the handso brother say on TV? Why can’t I understand?"
As a child, he had no concept of freedom or its implications.
In his mind, the only thing that matters is whether he can fill his stomach today and tomorrow.
Seeing everyone crying their eyes out, he thought sothing terrible had happened.
"Silly child, the leader said we are finally free!"
"Free? What’s free? Free food?" the kid asked, eyes sparkling with excitent.
"Hahaha, more than that! We can return to our old tis! With abundant food and clothing, a ho over our heads, education for our children, and everything!"
"Really? We can have as much food as we want?"
"Yes, all the food you can imagine!"
"Are you daydreaming, old man? We’re just freed from those interstellar pirates. There are still the wealthy and powerful above us," a gangster, wiping his eyes, said as he snapped back to reality.
"This—"
He was right. Though the foreigners who invaded Earth were gone, it didn’t an they could return to their old days.
In fact, the world might descend into even greater chaos, with factions and powers fighting for the world’s supremacy.
"Tsk, it got us hopeful for nothing!" The gangster clicked his tongue, glaring at the man on the screen.
But as if seeing him, the man flashed a knowing smile.
"Although we are free, we are far from better..." That single sentence silenced the world.
Just as the reality of their freedom sank in, a lump was forcefully lodged in their throats.
Looking at the majestic man on the screen, they knew what ca next would shape their present and future.
"To manage, oversee, and make the world a better place, we need a central governnt."
"This may seem hypocritical, even contradictory. But to turn our desolate land into the paradise we all dream of, we need a leader!"
"Thus, to all people, talents, and warriors around the world... from now on, I, Nash Navre, announce the establishnt of the Earth Federation."
---
In the mining plantation on another planet, hearing Nash’s second announcent, the workers couldn’t help but curse.
"Isn’t this just another form of oppression?"
"Tsk, you gave us hope for nothing!"
"Free, my ass!"
"Hah! Looks like we’ll be mining our whole lives..."
"One leaves, another cos. What’s the difference?"
"Hey, maybe it could be better... after all, he’s a fellow Earthling..."
At these words, the miners, fresh off their shift, fell into deep thought.
As a fellow Earthling, their lives shouldn’t be any harder than the present.
If they could get an extra al during their break, a better bed to sleep in, or so entertainnt to ease their spirits, they’d be content.
anwhile, as they grumbled, Nash’s following words began to echo.
"As the President of the Earth Federation, I promise three things..."
"First, void mining, slave trading, drugs, and all illegal work and transactions will be abolished!"
"Second, every individual, whether old or young, must undergo six to twelve years of free, mandatory education."
"Finally, for the betternt of Earth, I, Nash Navre, will invest five trillion nova credits over the next three years for our great rejuvenation!"
These three bold promises shocked the world to its core.
Whether it was void mining, slave trading, or drugs, these were Earth’s most profitable industries.
Void mining, in particular, was the main source of void crystals traded in the interstellar market.
Slave trading and drugs, anwhile, were industries run by Earth’s top families, operating even beyond the planet.
Abolishing them was a huge benefit for the masses but a direct affront to those in power!
The second promise, mandatory education, however, puzzled them.
Why emphasize such a thing? It would just demand massive costs and manpower, without seeing an imdiate result.
To study, people would need food, clothing, and allowances.
Such a massive undertaking would likely halt at least half of Earth’s activities.
Finally, there was the investnt of five trillion nova credits.
Though most were unaware of its true worth, so knew its staggering value.
To exchange arls for nova credits, one needed a million!
That ant five trillion nova credits equaled five quintillion arls!
From the rich to the powerful, they couldn’t even fathom such an imnse sum.
Even more shocking, Nash, the self-proclaid President of the Earth Federation, vowed to spend it all in just three years!
Unbelievable! Five quintillion arls could terraform the solar system a dozen tis over!
Even if they had such a fortune, they wouldn’t know how to spend it in three years.
---
anwhile, in a lavish mansion, a teenager, initially irritated that his virtual device was hijacked by the news, stood frozen.
From Earth’s freedom to the formation of the Earth Federation, and now these three promises.
What had he just witnessed?
He was only playing gas. How did it suddenly co to this?
Was he hallucinating?
Pinching his legs and slapping his face, the teen snapped back to reality.
Digesting the news, he bolted to his father’s study.
"Father! Father! Big news! Sothing huge happened!"
"Calm down, what could have happened?" his father frowned, seeing his son so rattled.
Ignoring his father’s scolding, the teen replayed the video and showed the announcent.
"This—is this real? Did you make this up?"
"How could I? Look, that’s the chancellor of Eastdam State! Who would dare to impersonate him?"
Due to the previous clash between Nash and the Earth Horizon Alliance, most knowledgeable people on Earth already knew Nash.
From his wild projects, extravagant spending, and outrageous ideas, they initially thought he wouldn’t last long.
Who knew that in a single night, he would announce his na to the entire world?
"The world is about to change..." the father muttered solemnly as the video neared its end.
"Finally, to all the people of Earth, those who are powerful, capable, and have what it takes, I invite you to Eastdam State to discuss the future..." Nash concluded with a look no one could defy.
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