John Anthony, the Sun King, had finished his first address.
His speech focused on three main points: firstly, paying homage to the previous Sun Kings, secondly, using his family background and military experience to express his deep love for his holand, aspiring to be a "National Protector" and carry on their legacy, and thirdly, announcing his visit to the New Roman Empire to participate in the Global Marathon.
The first two points were within expectations.
But the third point surprised countless people.
Zhao Manying was very puzzled, "Why is the Sun King participating in the Global Marathon?"
Ji Xinghuo shook his head.
As a symbol of the United States, every move of the Sun King was aningful, and this was John Anthony’s first public appearance since becoming the third-generation Sun King, yet he had chosen a sporting event.
The "Global Marathon" was the event with the highest comrcial value on Earth, second only to the Super League.
The competition was set at four different levels.
The Classical Marathon, a full 42.195 kiloters, was only open to ordinary people; the Thousand-Mile Marathon covered 1,000 kiloters and was limited to participants no higher in rank than Advanced Mutants; the Ten Thousand-Mile Marathon spanned 10,000 kiloters, with the highest rank allowed being only Legendary Mutant.
These three levels of the marathon were held annually, in collaboration with the Marathon Committee and countries worldwide, who hosted the events in turn.
But the highest-level "Global Marathon" was held once every four years.
As the na implies, the Global Marathon involved running around the globe, but considering the issues of crossing seas, international borders, and ti differences, the route did not strictly circle the globe, and was mainly set on the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa. The total length was 40,075 kiloters, equal to the circumference of the Earth’s equator.
The Global Marathon did not limit ranks, and anyone could register.
But completing it was extrely difficult.
Even a Heavenly King, if not adept at high-speed movent or without the respective ability, could perform poorly.
Sotis, the results of a Heavenly King might be worse than those specialized in speed among the Legendary and even Super Mutants.
The prize money for the Global Marathon champion had increased with each event, and the prize from four years ago had surpassed 80 billion Ya Yuan.
Runners-up, third place, and those in the top ten also received significant prize money.
Besides the prize money, the host countries of the event often provided additional rewards, usually Alien Species, Strange artifacts, or Weapon Equipnt, valued as highly as the prize money.
The Global Marathon attracted over ten billion spectators. Just participating could provide excellent exposure.
Therefore, it often attracted so Heavenly Kings to register.
However, for the Sun King, participating in the Global Marathon seed a bit beneath his dignity, inconsistent with his power and status.
And he might not even win.
While the Sun King was one of the strongest on Earth in terms of power, in the specific area of long-distance high-speed movent, he did not have an absolute advantage.
Several Heavenly Kings specialized in this area, and among the Legendary strong, those Mutants who were fast runners were even more nurous.
So Mutants were even specifically fused with suitable Alien Species just to participate in marathons, aiming to earn prize money and rewards.
They were known as "Marathon Mutants," and their Professional Templates were all "Flying Steps."
Previously, the past two generations of Sun Kings had never participated in marathons.
But this ti was an exception.
If the Sun King were to win the race, everyone would see it as expected, but if he lost, it would inevitably damage his radiant image, and since he had just beco the new Sun King, it could lead people to doubt his strength.
Participating seed to have more disadvantages than advantages.
"Is he participating in the Global Marathon to showcase his strength?" Zhao Manying speculated.
It was sowhat akin to the practice of initiating three new policies to mark a new leader’s arrival.
Just having beco the third-generation Sun King, using the platform of the Global Marathon to establish his powerful image to a global audience.
"There’s that possibility," Ji Xinghuo mused, and said, "Perhaps the Global Marathon is just a pretext, and his real purpose is to visit the New Roman Empire."
This related to the global political landscape.
Entering the 23rd century, global geopolitics had evolved towards a trend of two superpowers and two strong states, becoming increasingly distinct. The Asia-Pacific Community and the Arican Federation were the two superpowers, the New Roman Empire and the West Alliance were the two strong states, with two nations allied together.
The New Roman Empire and the Asia-Pacific Community were allies, but this alliance was not very stable.
At least, not as solid as that between the Arican Federation and the West Alliance.
Due to religious, political, and historical reasons, the New Roman Empire bordered with West Alliance, yet the two were sworn enemies.
These two countries, from their leadership to their citizens, were unable to reconcile with each other.
In the "Fourth World War," the New Roman Empire nearly collapsed under the pincer assault of the Arican Federation and West Alliance.
The New Roman Empire had no other choice.
Thus, the New Roman Empire had to rely on the colossal Asia-Pacific Community to avoid national extinction, but it also lost Siberia and Central Asia and harbored even deeper wariness and fear towards the Asia-Pacific Community.
In summary, the international relations among these four countries were very complex and fragile.
They were allies as much as they were adversaries.
However, overall, whether officially guided or as the pain of war faded with ti, the hostility of the New Roman Empire’s populace towards the Arican Federation had declined over the years.
Yet their negative sentint towards the Asia-Pacific Community was on the rise.
Now, on his first public appearance, the Sun King had announced his intent to lead a delegation to visit the New Roman Empire, which was very intriguing.
Two against two, a strained balance.
If it turned to one against three, the international situation would be markedly different.
Ji Xinghuo was still discussing with Zhao Manying when his phone vibrated slightly. He picked it up and glanced at it, his face suddenly showing surprise.
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