Six hours later.
As Mike had predicted, the once empty Human United Government Council was once again filled with representatives from various countries.
However, this time, the representatives who came were all filled with apprehension and fear.
"Now, we, representing all humanity and the United Government, declare our formal reorganization into the 'Human Holy Terra Alliance Council'!"
Mike, dressed in a suit, stood on the podium, holding a speech, and cleared his throat.
"Ahem, the Human Holy Terra Alliance Council will have Mr. Merlin Emrys as the lifelong Supreme Councilor, possessing an unconditional veto power. Those who agree, please raise your hands."
The more than two hundred countries, having just been thoroughly thrashed, raised their hands without hesitation.
"Very good."
Mike looked around, and seeing no one object, began to read the second clause.
"Below Mr. Emrys, five Great Terra Councilor Nation seats will be added, held respectively by China UK, USA, Russia and France. In situations where the Supreme Councilor does not participate in a resolution, they also possess veto power. Those who agree, please raise your hands."
"Agree!"
"Agree, agree!"
The disheveled representatives from various countries, like pawns to be played with, all raised their hands in agreement.
"Then, let us welcome — the Human Terra Alliance Council's Supreme Councilor, Mr. Merlin Emrys!" Mike led the applause, then stepped aside.
A projection then appeared.
Emrys sat in the highest position, followed by the five Great Nations below him, and then facing the circular tiered seats were the representatives from over two hundred countries.
"This is our first Council meeting."
Emrys said calmly, "The purpose is simple: for all humanity, to resist the Devourer Civilization. Everyone can share their thoughts."
"Mr. Supreme Councilor, we wholeheartedly agree with you taking the highest position in the Human Holy Terra Alliance Council. We believe that under your leadership, humanity will achieve glorious victory."
"Let's show them what their fighting for..."
"Moss, switch the screen. Make them all open their eyes wide and see clearly—what happens next."
"Yes, Sir!"
"Now, everyone be silent!"
"I, representing the Holy Terra Alliance Council, the Mechanicus Temple, order everyone to maintain silence. Anyone who dares to disobey will be considered a traitor to the Imperium, and the Purge Protocol will be immediately executed!"
The threat of force was the most direct!
Even the most talkative Hoopoe representative shut his annoying bird-mouth under the emotionless threat of the Archway Robots!
Facing humans, they could threaten and tempt, but the opponent was an artificial intelligence, and that tactic was completely useless!
No one dared to challenge Moss.
No one spoke in the venue. In the oppressive silence, Emrys slowly began.
"All this time, I have held great expectations for you, for humanity, but unfortunately, you have failed my expectations."
His test was very simple: as long as humanity could show courage and responsibility, a spirit of cooperation and unity, that would be enough. Yet, even such a simple test yielded results that greatly disappointed him.
"During the Solar Flare Crisis, you were infighting. When the Devourer Civilization arrived, you were still infighting."
His gaze held a trace of extreme displeasure, and his voice became much colder.
"Even until just now, you were still attacking each other for a bit of power. This greatly disappoints me."
"After all that, there's only one thing I want to tell you." Emrys slightly raised his eyelids, looking at the Hoopoe representative.
"I am very disappointed in you."
"There's one thing you said that is very true."
Emrys looked at the terrified crowd and said calmly.
"Politics is the art of compromise. I agree with that statement,
But the prerequisite is—you must possess the power to make me compromise. And you curently do not."
"Very good, next is the second agenda item."
Emrys tapped his index finger and said calmly.
"Regarding the Planetary engine modification plan, Moss has already designed a preliminary draft. All nations will cooperate to complete it. I do not wish to see any further internal strife among you before humanity faces a great crisis, understood?"
"Understood!"
"Please rest assured, Supreme Councillor, we will absolutely unite as one to help humanity overcome this crisis!"
Everyone below agreed, patting their chests and assuring him that there would be no more internal strife!
"Council adjourned."
Emrys' projection vanished from the council hall.
However, the terrifying atmosphere lingered in everyone's hearts, making it difficult for them to leave. Looking at the corpses lying in pools of blood, it was as if an invisible hand was clutching their throats!
Each corpse here represented the demise of a nation and millions of lives!
On the stage, Mike gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, then glared at Zhou Zhezhi.
"Zhou, did you know about this all along?!"
From beginning to end, Zhou Zhezhi's expression had been calm, even when accused, he remained unperturbed. How could this not make him suspicious?!
Looking at his old friend, Zhou Zhezhi nodded.
"Yes, I knew all along."
"Then why didn't you say anything earlier?!" Mike looked at him in horror, feeling that his old friend had become very unfamiliar.
"Don't you know, he—he killed a billion people!"
"If I had said something, would you have believed me?"
Zhou Zhezhi looked at him quietly, his eyes seemingly able to see through people's hearts.
"No, you wouldn't have believed me. You would have only focused on seizing greater influence and more power here, instead of considering how to help humanity overcome this crisis."
These words seemed to pierce Mike's heart. His face turned extremely grim, but after a long while, he looked helpless.
"Zhou, this is a matter between nations. I—I cannot change their opinions."
"I understand."
Zhou Zhezhi smiled and said.
"I don't blame you, but I want to advise you of something: from now on, the concept of a nation no longer exists. We are all humans."
Mike pondered these words, then nodded as if he had understood something.
"I will convey your words to the people in the White House, Zhou."
"Xiaoxi, let's go."
Zhou Zhezhi said, his heart unperturbed.
"Yes, Teacher." Witnessing the annihilation of dozens of nations made Hao Xiaoxi feel very complex, yet also a bit joyful and relieved. However, due to moral considerations, she dared not show it.
Looking at Zhou Zhezhi, who was sitting in a wheelchair and being pushed away, Mike suddenly spoke.
"Zhou, for the sake of our many years of friendship, tell me—what exactly is the situation with those warships and soldiers?!"
Zhou Zhezhi stopped, and after a moment, slowly said.
"Before the Joint Council began, Mr. Emrys approached me and asked me to do a few things for him—then, these people suddenly appeared."
He was also pondering what connection Liu Peiqiang, Zhang Peng, Ma Zhao, and Tu Hengyu had with Emrys.
Zhou Zhezhi vaguely had a premonition.
Emrys seemed to understand the world they were in very well, and he paid extreme attention to these few people, including himself!
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TL/N: Entire chapters worth of nationalism and the nuclear destruction of Japan to make a point were removed.