Brandon's voice, like a cool steel blade, cut through Poki's flamboyant chatter, commanding the room's attention.
"Levi …"
Quickly scanning the data on her iPad, Levi pushed her glasses up on her nose and began to relay the details in her crisp voice.
"Boss! Government name Avery Livingston, Orphan, Age 18, known by her alias Poki, she has won the Top Streamer Award the past two years straight and has worked with companies such as …"
Poki beamed as her accolades were shared, her blue eyes gleaming with an aura of pride.
However, this moment of glory was abruptly pierced by Brandon's sharp inquiry.
"So why are you here?" His tone was heavy with skepticism, his midnight eyes steady on her.
Poki's prideful grin faded, memories of past naysayers and critics flitting through her mind.
The weight of those memories gave her pause, an amalgam of joy and trepidation visible in her demeanor.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself, but still stuttered slightly as she gathered her courage to answer him...
"I…I… want to join your forces…"
Before she could elaborate further, Brandon raised his arm, halting her words in their tracks.
"What else can you do but beg for praise and tips online?"
His question was laced with cynicism.
"We don't tolerate useless people in our presence."
Feeling belittled, Poki pouted, her pink curls bouncing as she retorted with a defiant spirit,
"Hey! Don't look down on streamers. You won't be satisfied with just this fortress will you? I can help you with media coverage! From spreading your name to recruiting more Enlightened Ones, I can be a valuable asset."
The room was suddenly cloaked in silence, her words leaving a lingering echo.
Slowly, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
The skepticism in his eyes began to give way to a flicker of curiosity.
Brandon looked around the throne room and broke the silence,
"Have any of you ever watched her on her streams?"
Brandon's entire life had been consumed by making preparations for this new era.
His fear of history repeating itself and the suffering that came with being bottomfeed in this post-apocalyptic world didn't leave him much free time for such indulgences such as watching livestreams.
One of Brandon's loyal subordinates stepped forward, saluting,
"Boss! I have followed her streams! She was one of the few who defended our Fortress Project amidst all the naysaying and mockery in the media. And she is, in fact, a skilled streamer."
Poki, glowing with excitement, chimed in before anyone else could,
"Oh! Oh! I'm an Enlightened One too!"
Her voice trailed off, barely finishing her sentence before her pink ethereal armor started to envelop her body.
*Ring…* *Ring…* *Ring…*
Brandon was about to respond when his satellite phone interrupted the conversation. He signaled Levi to escort Poki out,
"Please follow me Ms. Avery. We will have a room prepared for you…"
Pulling out his satellite phone, Brandon glanced at the unfamiliar number displayed on the screen."
Poki's face lit up with gratitude, her excitement shining through her eyes.
"Thank you… Thank you! I won't disappoint you Brandon, no Mr.Void… No… King? Void?"
Brandon waved his hand again, and Poki was escorted out of the room, leaving Brandon to attend to the call.
Once Poki left, Brandon answered the call, his voice resonating in the now quiet room.
"Is this Mr.Brandon Void? I'm President Alexander Reed."
A smile played on Brandon's face, his confidence evident.
Brandon, anticipating potential allies and adversaries in the coming days, had his intelligence team keep tabs on significant players in the new world.
Among the names that often surfaced was President Alexander Reed, the President of his own country before the Earth stopped spinning.
"What is it?"
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, as President Reed processed the relaxed attitude and amusement in Brandon's voice.
It was unexpected coming from someone so young.
"Our country would like to conscript you and your forces to help defend and rebuild the nation," President Reed finally spoke.
Brandon chuckled, his amusement apparent.
"Heh... Conscript? Nation? Mr. President, have you not yet woken up to the realities of this post-apocalyptic era? Educate yourself on the current state of affairs and choose your words more wisely before contacting me."
*CLICK*
==========
<< Capital City - Presidential Palace >>
*Beep…* *Beep…* *Beep…*
Meanwhile, in the Presidential Palace, the sound of the disconnected call echoed in the grand hall.
"Except for Sir Adam, Sir Warren and Amelia, clear the room…"
President Reed's hoarse voice commanded.
One by one, the members of the cabinet of ministers hurriedly made their way out, leaving President Reed, Sir Adam, Sir Warren and Amelia alone in the room.
As the door slammed shut, President Reed took a deep breath, his weariness evident.
"Did I… say something wrong?"
He questioned, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Amelia, his trusted advisor and secretary, spoke up in response, trying to make sense of the situation.
"I think we might have overlooked a crucial fact. Aside from the pockets of civilization protected by the ethereal pyramids, the territories on Earth have been completely reshuffled..."
President Reed's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"But... as a citizen, shouldn't he..."
The president's question was cut off by Sir Warren.
"We are living in different times, Mr. President. Our records indicate that Brandon spent almost half his life overseas in the treacherous Black Desert. Furthermore, local officials colluded with his corporate enemies, attempting to seize his family's fortune when he was still a child."
Frustration welled up within Sir Adam, his fists slamming onto the table.
"All his memories of his home nation are filled with nothing but corruption and mockery from both the authorities and the media. How can we expect him to be patriotic?"
Sir Warren's eyes widened with a sudden realization.
"Wait... he mentioned the Kingdom of Void. Could it be that he already knows the secret of the Ethereal Pyramid cores?"
President Reed's expression grew grave as he acknowledged the mysterious depths of Brandon's knowledge.
"Are you surprised? I am certain that he possesses knowledge far beyond what we can fathom,"
President Reed replied, his voice filled with weariness.
"So, how do you propose we approach this?"