On the twenty-third floor of the Herrom Broadcasting Corporation Building, in the studio of the Herrom Evening Show.
As the camera lenses panned slowly and the lights over the audience gradually brightened, another episode of the Herrom Evening Show got underway.
The atmosphere swelled. The audience's applause was nearly ceaseless, their faces showing excitement, anticipation, and a hint of nervous tension as the massive studio gradually filled with their fervor.
The studio was styled with the cozy, chic ambiance of a home living room. Behind the set, expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offered a sweeping high-altitude vista of Herrom's nightscape, cultivating an intimate yet professional tone for the program.
Onstage, armchairs were neatly arranged, awaiting the arrival of the host and guest.
The iconic lettering of "Herrom Evening Show" was clearly visible on the backdrop, while a large screen flickered periodically with the upcoming topics and photos of the featured guest.
Next, upbeat opening music chimed in to build the excitement, and the host stepped onto the stage.
The current host, Leora Franklin, was a household name in the Protos Empire, beloved by audiences for her warm, sincere style. She excelled at guiding guests and viewers into deep, soulful conversations and offering inspiring insights.
Leora's entrance instantly sparked thunderous applause and cheers. Dressed simply yet elegantly, radiating vitality, she raised a hand in smiling greeting to the audience and launched the show in her characteristically warm, resonant voice: "Tonight, you are going to witness some very special stories—"
To the upbeat, dramatic jazz tunes of the studio band, every spotlight seemed to roll out a red carpet from behind the scenes straight to center stage.
"We have a guest whom everyone has been eagerly awaiting," she announced after her brief opening remarks.
The camera zoomed in rapidly, sweeping over the sea of faces in the audience to capture the figure of Luoqi McCarthy.
He wore a sharply tailored purple suit, impeccably pressed to exude the aura of an elite. His sleek brown hair gleamed beneath the studio lights. Moving with confident, leisurely strides, he walked slowly onto the stage under everyone's expectant gaze.
Each step seemed light on its rhythm, yet each felt steadier than the last.
The world around the stage seemed to blur the moment he stepped through the curtain, all light, sound, and color converging on the pool of illumination he was about to enter.
"Please welcome the acknowledged leader of the Protos Royal Magic Academy, and the Governor of the Protos Empire's Snowfield Province—Mr. Luoqi McCarthy."
As Leora introduced Luoqi McCarthy once more with glowing enthusiasm, every eye in the house focused on the figure arriving onstage.
He raised his right hand in acknowledgment of the fanfare, then turned to meet Leora's gaze. The two took their seats in the armchairs, exchanging smiling words of greeting.
Tonight, this somewhat enigmatic man had finally stepped onto a stage that symbolized monumental achievement in imperial Herrom, and his conversation with Leora, the face of the Herrom Broadcasting Corporation, was a meeting of two worlds—a titan of the media and an emperor of education.
"Mr. Luoqi McCarthy, it is an absolute pleasure to speak with you today."
Leora turned toward the audience, her gaze sharp and revelatory.
"Let us take a closer look at this legend of the educational sphere, and hear his thoughts on education, life, and the political arena."
Leora's words carried an inspiring potency that brought the entire studio into a hush of eager anticipation.
"Of course. I'm very glad to share my views with everyone."
Lanqi's gaze was steady, glittering with confidence and daring. As his eyes swept across the audience, he seemed to silently project a message—unbridled ambition and magnificent success.
As the dialogue unfolded, the conspicuous purple suit Lanqi wore was not merely the choice of an educator, but a stylistic statement tailored to the times, embodying prosperity, poise, and bold vision.
Asked about his educational reforms and artistic philosophy at Protos Royal Academy, Lanqi responded at times with effortless ease, at others with measured gravity.
Before long, the interview seamlessly pivoted from educational realities to political visions, weaving his personal story into the destiny of the nation.
Lanqi voiced his dissatisfaction with the current state of the Protos Empire, particularly regarding its trade and cooperation policies and relations with neighboring countries, arguing that Protos was getting the short end of the stick in dealings with other nations.
"A lot of things might happen to this country in the coming years, and nobody can predict them clearly. But no matter what, as a debtor nation, we cannot keep losing tens of billions every year like this. We gave our allies every right before, including entering our markets and dumping their goods, but that isn't 'free trade.' If you go over there and try to sell something—forget it, give up, it's virtually impossible. They may not have passed laws barring our Protos goods, but in practice, they just make it impossible. We really haven't done as well as they have, and so they defeated our companies. Now, you might have tremendous respect for someone who can thoroughly beat you, but if this continues, they are going to thoroughly beat this country, too."
Lanqi's voice, blended with conviction and a subtle edge of defiance, intertwined with Leora's steady, perceptive questions, delivering a feast of ideas and perspectives to the audience.
In this moment, the stage felt like a miniature world stage where the two protagonists sparred, while the rapt audience bore witness to the address.
The lights converged slowly upon the two of them, and every other detail onstage seemed to fade into the background. All attention fixed on Leora and Lanqi seated there, the audience hanging on their every word, held fast by the gravity of their exchange, searching for sparks of wisdom.
"So, Mr. Luoqi McCarthy, how do you propose changing the situation you're so concerned about?"
Leora leaned forward slightly, her question direct yet delivered with seasoned interview poise.
"First and foremost, what we need is peace. And then, we make the Protos Empire's allies—never mind enemies for now, negotiating with enemies is harder—I would find a way to make our allies pay their fair share. Look, think about it: we're the ones giving them the opportunity to enter our markets, sell their natural resources and high-quality products, and make more money. Why shouldn't they hand over twenty percent to us?"
Lanqi wasn't merely answering a question; he was telling a grander story about the future, career, ideals, and the Protos Dream. He simply felt that the Protos Empire was making far too little money.
As the conversation deepened, the atmosphere grew increasingly taut.
Truth be told, compared to war, every topic and idea raised by Luoqi McCarthy resonated more deeply with the audience, stirring their hearts.
Yet these subjects had not only leaped from headmaster to governor, but now extended far beyond the scope of his current responsibilities within the Protos Empire. It inevitably made people wonder: did this man intend to take another step upward?
If that was truly his intention—
With his exceptional intellect, charismatic leadership, eloquence, and gift for emotional connection, perhaps one day he really could reach the very pinnacle of the Protos Empire!
Chapter 372