Chapter 513: The Meeting Commences

Ethan's POV

The hall was vast, lined with towering marble pillars and banners representing the remaining sovereign nations of the world. But despite the grandeur, the true weight in this room wasn't the setting—it was the presence of the rulers seated at the round table.

The Blackwood Empire was already the most dominant force here, yet they still insisted on these formalities.

Chris sat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable. To his right, Christiana, The Dictator, sat with effortless authority. To his left, I remained as his right hand, observing, calculating.

The moment everyone was settled, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom was the first to speak.

"We all recognize the… shift in global power," he began carefully, measuring his words. "But surely, His Imperial Majesty does not expect us to accept the complete dissolution of democratic institutions worldwide?"

Chris barely reacted. Instead, he turned to me. "Ethan, remind me, when did I ask for permission?"

A few rulers exchanged uneasy glances.

The Chancellor of Germany cleared his throat. "The restructuring of the United States into a monarchy has already sent shockwaves across the world. If this is your vision for the future, then what role do the rest of us play?"

Christiana let out a soft chuckle. "That depends on your choices, Chancellor."

Chris finally leaned forward.

"Let's be clear: I did not come here to debate. I came here to offer you a path. The Blackwood Empire has withdrawn from your outdated governing bodies because we no longer see them as necessary. And yet, here you all are… still trying to hold onto an illusion of control."

Silence.

Then, the King of Spain spoke.

"And if we refuse to submit?"

Chris smirked. "Then you will be left behind."

The tension in the room was palpable. This was not a negotiation.

Chris let the weight of his words settle before continuing.

"I offer you a choice: align with the Blackwood Union and secure your nation's future, or resist and watch as history moves forward without you."

He leaned back, gaze sharp.

"Decide carefully. Because this is not just the future—it is already the present."

The room remained silent.

One by one, the rulers began to realize…

They were not here to decide the future.

Chris had already done that for them.