Seoul, Tokyo, London, New York, Washington, Bangkok, New Delhi, Jerusalem, Astana, Rome, Paris, Sofia, Athens... Nearly every capital of the former nations had resistance groups operating to some degree.
Ordinary citizens, misled and incited, raised banners in protest. They held up dolls fashioned to resemble Bardi, threw eggs, smashed bottles of wine, lit them, and set fires.
"Resist Barmulodi!"
"Barmulodi, get out of America!"
"Leave Earth!"
"Earth doesn't need rulers!"
The anger was almost uncontrollable. Those unwilling to accept the new order stirred up chaos, directing ordinary citizens to take part in the demonstrations.
Particularly in Europe and the United States, where liberal ideologies had long infiltrated the public mindset, many could not believe what was happening. They hadn't even realized that the world had already become Barmulodi.
Police maintained order. A steady stream of onlookers gathered, some getting swept into the wave of protests.
This was still considered a civilized demonstration, viewed as nonviolent.
Around the world, it wasn't uncommon for underground organizations to deliberately incite the public, manipulate populist sentiment, and use legacy ideologies to exploit people's fears, provoking unrest among ordinary citizens.
Some cities remained peaceful.
However, it felt like the eerie calm before a massive storm, like the silence before a volcanic eruption. The air was thick with tension, the quiet holding the weight of imminent upheaval.
The somber atmosphere lent the streets a gloomy feel, with dead leaves blowing in the wind. Old newspapers tumbled across the roads.
The leaders most active in stirring resistance were constantly moving through crowds, persuading, inciting, threatening, and intimidating people. With narrow-minded nationalism and regional pride, they blackmailed ordinary citizens into joining their underground resistance movements against Barmulodi.
They seemed to believe they could still become kings, still rise above the masses.
Zzzzt...
Suddenly, all videos, broadcasts, communication channels, home televisions, public screens, and devices being used by young people online changed.
All screens began showing the same image.
Bardi stood atop the platform of the Emperor Building, like a man standing at the peak of a towering mountain. Under the sunlight, his skin glowed, reflecting light. The glass curtain wall of the Emperor Building behind him bounced light off his back, making him look like a deity.
"My people, from this day forward, everything on Earth belongs to me, Barmulodi."
Bardi smiled faintly. His features were sharp, cold, and full of majesty. From his lofty position, he gazed down on all of Earth, already like a god.
The sunlight enhanced his supreme aura and heroic presence.
Everything beneath his feet was his.
At that moment, all networks, household televisions, and public screens around the world displayed the same image.
"This is a declaration from His Majesty Barmulodi."
"What is he doing?!"
"He's claiming the world as his own!"
"He's a dictator! He wants to be emperor!"
"Damn it, how can this be!"
"He's taken over the world!"
"This is the ultimate peak of what a man can be. It's almost enviable."
"Damn envy. He's a tyrant! Tens of millions have died resisting him!"
"He has no good intentions!"
"He's a great man. A new era starts with him."
The world erupted in chaos. This declaration that the world was his shocked everyone, regardless of how they viewed his character—whether good or evil, savior or destroyer.
This moment stirred something in the hearts of every human being. It surpassed any historical emperor or leader.
No one in history had ever unified the entire planet.
Now, Barmulodi stood alone at the pinnacle. It was a moment that raised goosebumps and sent blood boiling.
They were witnessing the rise of the greatest figure in history—or the most brutal tyrant.
"Now, I must announce a few matters."
All of humanity held its breath, fell silent, and listened intently to what he was about to say.
Bardi's voice echoed not only from every speaker across Earth but even from high in the sky. With a vast, powerful volume, it spread across Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Oceania, Antarctica, across the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean... Giant whales floated on the ocean's surface, as if listening to his voice as well.
"Starting today, the Year of Bardi marks a new chapter for Earth... officially beginning..."
The first announcement was the replacement of all global calendars and timekeeping systems. A new and more accurate calendar system, calculated by Bardi, would be adopted for the entire planet.
This marked Bardi's complete rewriting, erosion, and transformation of Earth's concept of time.
Another wave of uproar spread across the globe. Many holidays—Eastern Spring Festival, Western Christmas, Christmas Eve—would be canceled, erased, or altered. Some religious holidays might disappear entirely, making it difficult for many to adjust.
Clergy and religious followers shouted that the end was near. They branded Barmulodi as a devil who would destroy all belief systems.
Of course, some holidays would remain, based on each continent's unique human history. But most would be entirely replaced, their status to be negotiated and determined by Bardi's empire.
Nearly everyone on Earth objected to this announcement. But when they realized the futility of fighting over holidays, most ordinary people, except for devout religious followers, gradually accepted it.
Dynasties had come and gone throughout history. This kind of change was not unprecedented.
"Next, the dawn of a new era. Everyone, embrace your power!"
Under the sun, Bardi suddenly spread his arms wide. A divine glow enveloped him, outlining his perfect figure. His expression turned wild with a frenzied smile.
"Are you tired of being ordinary?"
"Are you tired of being powerless?"
"Have you ever longed for a safe and happy life?"
"Do you wish for a world without war?"
"Do you desire peace, tranquility, and global harmony?"
"Have you ever yearned for something more thrilling?"
"Have you dreamed of soaring through the sky?"
"Have you dreamed of controlling the Earth?"
"Have you dreamed of commanding the oceans and freezing the seas?"
"Have you dreamed of summoning flames to burn mountains and oceans?"
"Have you dreamed of becoming the Thunder God of War, wielding lightning to uphold justice in the world?"
Bardi lifted off the platform, hovering in midair with arms wide open.
He was a living god, radiating dazzling divine brilliance, descending upon the world with a smile, changing it forever!
"I, in the name of Barmulodi, grant it all to you!"
(To be continued.)
***
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