Capítulo 85: A Fool and His Nation
After hearing the emcee announce these men and women as the Sovereign Nation, everyone erupted in cheers.
The people weren't even sure why they were cheering for another Nation, they were just in absolute awe of what they had just witnessed.
"This... this has gotten really awkward, eh Emil?" General Mascardo knew that out of everybody here, Emil would feel the most threatened and so he teased him in front of the other officials.
"Don't jest, Mascardo. Your position is at risk as well! All of you!" Emil hissed back.
"True. Although, seeing as any single one of those men and women could squash us like bugs, I wouldn't mind serving under them. You realize what this show of might is for, right, Emil?"
"Of course I do!" Emil gritted his teeth.
"If it comes to it, would you be willing to give up power for the sake of our citizens? For the sake of our people?" Tomas asked.
"You think this fancy show is enough to make me, Emil, surrender? Have I placed you all in your positions to be cowards and idiots? If they could truly take over just like that, would they need this show?!" Emil, visibly irritated by Tomas' question, was clearly being defensive.
"Fool," Tomas and the others thought.
"Does he not know that Luna's intention is a quick and easy take over?"
"Why else would we be broadcasting our conversation with him right now to everyone besides his lackeys?"
"Power has gone through his head indeed. Luna's show of power was for him? Fool, it's for the citizens. This show of power alone will be enough to make the citizens flock to Luna's side."
"Exactly. Especially when they find out about what's to come."
The members of Tomas' rebellion discussed amongst each other.
"Emil, it's best you watch your tongue. First of all, I might just be a General in your Nation, but I attained this position because there was nothing you could do against me. Let that be known. Second of all, when the next phase comes, you of all people should be aware of how underprepared our Nation is. Without Luna's help, almost all of our citizens will die a gruesome death. Despite knowing that, will you still not lower your head for the sake of our countrymen?" Tomas countered back.
"We've made it through and prospered so far, we'll make it through again." Emil reluctantly replied, not having enough reason in his justification.
"President Emil, if I may, from what we've seen, even Luna's mere bodyguards are enough to take on multiple of us in a life-or-death fight. Don't you think that it'd be wise for us to lower our pride as leaders for the sake of our people?" General MacArthur chimed in.
"General MacArthur, the world isn't as it was before. I let you have your position in respect to how well the USA has helped the Philippines before, but that's it. It's best if you don't question my rule." Emil snapped.
"Oh how quick gratitude is to disappear once someone can no longer receive benefits from you." General MacArthur shook his head.
The citizens who were listening to this conversation the whole time were told by General Mascardo to be patient and not act out their hatred just yet, or else they wouldn't get to see the rest of the show. This was the only reason why they were able to hold back. After hearing what President Emil said to General MacArthur, they wanted to strangle him right then and there.
"INGRATE!"
"He would actually say such an ungrateful thing?! Does he intend for Filipinos to be labeled as ungrateful?! IDIOT!"
"He's been keeping us weak? It makes sense now. How much higher leveled are his lackeys compared to us regular citizens?"
"Indeed! And what of this next phase? It's so hard that if we were to remain like this, we would definitely be annihilated?"
"Damn this Emil! Meanwhile, Luna has obviously been making sure his citizens can defend themselves. He's obviously concerned about every one of his citizens individual capability to survive!" The citizens discussed amongst themselves in secret.
Truth be told, it was also due to their own laziness that they were lower leveled. But once they were given enough reason to target the Government, people would put the full blame on Emil. Especially with how he was replying to the "concerned" questions from General Mascardo and the rest with hostility and selfishness. He never would have guessed that he would be betrayed this much, this early.
It wasn't fair towards Emil, but Luna could care less. This was all part of his plan. To gain the population to make sure that the territories he currently had secured would have no weak spots and to save these citizens from being fodder, it was all a win-win for everyone but Emil and those loyal to him.
Luna who was looking towards their direction from afar could already see
"A fool and his nation are soon parted." He thought to himself as he waved his hand towards everyone kneeling in front of him and said, "Rise!"
Everyone stood back up. Boni was snickering on the inside because he knew how awkward Luna must have felt during this impromptu ceremony he concocted.
Luna looked towards him and sent him a message saying, "Sigh. You really went overboard with this one."
"Hahaha! But you must admit, it definitely served it's purpose. I'm sure you can see how much that dickfaced Emil is shaking right now." Boni laughingly replied back. He was quite proud of how his plan was perfectly executed. Although, if each and every one of their members didn't have such an imposing aura and demeanor, the impact would definitely not have been so impressive. But these were all within Boni's calculations.
Luna walked forward as the rest followed him. The elite squads covered their rear and both flanks.
Emil who was still a bit flustered tried to regain as much of his composure as he could.
"Luna," he said. He still refused to show Luna the respect he deserved. This angered the citizens even more. "Please, take your seats, food will be served soon," He said.
"No need. As we speak, time is running out. I came here for one thing and one thing only: To save everyone."
Tomas heard his cue and quickly asked, "Lord Luna, you mean the next phase, do you not?" The cameras were zoomed in towards the leaders facing each other. Audio was selectively being provided by Emil in hopes of only giving his people only what he wanted them to hear, but unfortunately for him, they were getting the uncut version from Tomas. Their decision to leave Emil's nation which had long been decided, was getting more and more reinforced when they found about what he was trying to do.
He was now truly a man who had a false sense of control over his people.
"Indeed. I offer those who join the Sovereign Nation a fair chance at surviving this next phase, but as you all know, there is a reason as to why we're as strong as we are." Luna explained all laws and conditions to which everyone had to abide by.
Not everyone was willing, some even hesitated despite the other option being a gruesome death from the zombies in the next phase. This was normal. Luna's laws were indeed strict, but at the end of the day, it was the reason why each and every citizen in his nation would almost always never have any casualties.
Either due to the threat of death, the enticement of getting higher leveled and getting stronger, or mostly because of their intense hate towards their President, a huge majority of Emil's citizens already made their decision to join the Sovereign Nation.
"Luna! Don't you think you're being too disrespectful?!" Emil yelled out. "Recruiting my people in front of me? Who do you think you are?! I'm the President of the Philippines! These people and these territories are under my control!" This was a familiar sight for the officials surrounding him. This is the point where Emil would usually lose all reason and vent his anger on someone.
Luna released his aura fully and focused it towards Emil, being so close, and experiencing the full brunt of Luna's pressure, Emil, struggle as he might, was forced to his knees. With what willpower he had gained through his anger, Emil managed could only manage to raise his head a bit and look up, only to see the image of Luna as if he was staring straight at a True Dragon's eyes.
"Do you feel in control?" Luna asked with his deep voice. This one line felt heavier than anything Emil had ever said in his life. Everyone's breathing became uneven just from the psychological effect of those few words, despite Luna only focusing his aura towards Emil.
"Allying with this man is our greatest achievement to date." General Tomas Mascardo secretly communicated to his rebel faction. Everyone unanimously agreed.
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