Council Meeting

Today, at 8:61, the 97th Sulfur Mountain City's Judiciary Elder's Meeting was held punctually at the Supreme Court. The meeting was organized by the head of the Supreme Court Wumianzhe. During the meeting, a review of the main problems of the legal system was held and the matters to be discussed at the meeting are as follow:

The meeting will ensure that the entire bureau and its personnel will study seriously from City Lord Adam regarding Sulfur Mountain City's 4 main drives and earnestly fulfill their responsibilities as a part of our legal system, obey the law and follow the regulations provided while carrying out their job.

At the end of the meeting, the old role model of the judicial system, our most respected elder Judge, Lord Wumianzhe, made an important declaration, requesting for all government organizations and personnel to follow the spirit of respecting one's superior and unite under its core, Annie Layde as the next generation of Sulfur Mountain City. They are not to waver, not to hesitate, focus on just one core, two points…

Alright, I will stop with the bullshit. Other than the last sentence, which is to make Annie the boss, the rest of it was all lies…

"Don't say that I'm trying to dictate everything, I am here to request for everyone's opinion. I shall tell you all the big news, don't spread it to the public just for now. In the future, Annie, yup, Margaret and Adam's precious secret daughter, is the future big boss of Sulfur Mountain City. It is good that none of you have many objections. In case some of you have do have objections? Hehe, of course I would simply humbly accept your opinions. Yup, only accepting."

I verbally attacked the two fools without holding back. I thought that by landing this bomb, they would be shocked, but unexpectedly, the four great heavenly kings seated below me were strangely silent.

They looked at each other for a long time. You look at me, I look at you and eventually, everyone's eyes were fixated on the honest Kelvin. Only then did he gather his his courage and stood up.

"Lord… Don't tell me that you have only just been informed of it. Since half a month ago, the entire city had already been aware of it. I thought you were gathering us to prepare to usurp authority."

"What!?!?"

I was at a loss for words.

After that, I spent half a day before finally getting a clear picture of what happened.

From the start, Margaret had already guessed that I would not grab the baton and after a discussion with Adam, they internally decided on Annie. Initially, they wanted to hold a quick swap of power before the crowds could even react… But that blabbermouth Adam revealed the matter to the public. Thus, it didn't take long for the entire city to learn of such breaking news…

"Who is Annie? If the incumbent City Lord decides to step down, there is still the Public Council Head Grant, Wumianzhe of the judicial system, Head of Internal Affairs Margaret and many other more suitable candidates out there, what exactly are they thinking? Are the other guardians of the city also leaving? Then, who is going to protect Sulfur Mountain City?"

To the normal folks, they weren't worried about who was coming to power. Or rather, they were more bothered with whether the price of vegetables would go up and whether the price of housing in the central of the city would come down.

Yup, what they were truly concerned about was never a political switch or an influential figure coming into power. Rather, they were worried about whether their lives would change and whether tomorrow would still be full of hope…

One of the three heads Adam had decided to shirk responsibility as the guardian of Sulfur Mountain City. Yet, the one taking over is an inconspicuous little lass. If so, could she take hold of the situation? Would the other underground lords take this opportunity to make a move? Would the other influential figures in the city even listen to her commands?

This may seem unrelated to the daily life they were worried about but if an upheaval ripples throughout the city or even worse, a war occurs, then the comparatively luxurious daily life that they had against other cities would stop at that moment.

These days, the politically aware citizens were feeling an inexplicable weight above their heads, a pressure signaling the arrival of the storm made the air heavy and suffocating.

"That idiot!!!"

I grinded my teeth. If I heard this news yesterday, seeing Margaret and Adam working their ass off might have made me call for a celebration. But now that I had accepted the quest, the idiot's actions became a great source of trouble for me.

Doing a rough estimation, I could almost see how everything is a mess out there. No matter where it was, the ambitious and violent were never lacking. In the past, the three heads were able to suppress the situation but now that Adam was giving up his place, there would surely be some that tried to make a place for themselves.

Lying on the chair, countless evil plans ran through my mind while my fingers habitually knocked on the table.

"There should be some people standing out by now. Those objecting and those in approval."

The Hall of Legislation was also the intelligence department of the system. When I asked, Lilith immediately replied.

"A large portion of the government organizations and their leaders have expressed their stances. At least, on the surface, most of them are in approval of Annie taking over as the City Lord. But, there are still two influential figures that have yet to make a statement. Everyone is making guesses on whether they have other plans."

"Who?"

"Public Council Head Grant…"

"Him huh? What a fool, once an ambition exceeds the scope of your own power, you are just seeking your death."

However, at least in name, the Public Council is an organization that represents the will of the public. If they adamantly reject Annie that would indeed be quite troublesome.

As for why I say 'in name', actually, there is some history behind it.

After Sulfur Mountain City was established, in order to resolve the disputes between races whose relations were getting more and more tense throughout the days, Margaret followed the example of the Elven Kingdoms on the surface and created a Public Council which provided a platform for the representative of different races to talk it over. At the start, it achieved some success, but eventually, it caused more troubles than the problems it resolved.

The first council was exclusive to the heads and elders of different races. They had high social standing among their brethren and when they became the spokesperson for their people, they would strive to get more benefits for their people. However, there was limited cake to go around and when a few stronger races formed an alliance, the living space and resources for the smaller tribes were eaten up and gradually, following the formation of circles and cliques, as the interests of different races started to get tangled up, the council started getting more and more powerful.

Once the proposal to build a 'human-only district' and 'dwarf-only district' was brought up, watching how these proud 'big figures' fought passionately for their own interests and how their backings could no longer be disregarded, the 'wise' Great Saint finally tasted the feeling of 'carrying a boulder but crushing your own foot' (Trying to achieve something but ending up making things worse).

Thus, she turned to the devil… Yup that was me.

Using my experience from both worlds, I sent her what was latter dubbed as 'the answer of the devil'.

At that time, there were people going on the street everyday as different organizations organized rallies and protests, as if the rights of the people were above everything else; the will of the people must be fulfilled. The evil dictator would be defeated tomorrow and the Public Council would become the new governor. Yet in reality, this had turned into an oppression of the majority over the minority.

Seeing this situation, I knew that if we dissolved the council, violence would probably ensue, then our efforts for the past several decades would go to vain. So I thought of a plan.

Didn't you all request more power for the council? Fine, I shall agree to it. In fact, I'm afraid you all might not have enough personnel so I shall allow you all to expand the number of seats on the council to recruit more council members.

At that time, the serving Council Head old Bart was delighted. In fact, they marked that day as the council's Victory Day, but…

…Today, it was known as the Foolish Day…

The initial council was limited to 30 people and only people from large races or tribes could be elected to join the council.

"How can this be? The council is the representation of every citizen, 30 people isn't enough. Even smaller race and tribes should have their own council member. Let's just increase the member count."

Thus, I increased the number of council members to tenfold of what it was in one go, 300 people!

That day, they celebrated. After all, in their hearts, the more council members there were, the greater the voice of the populace.

However, they met with problems the very next instant. The number of council members had been expanded by tenfold in one go, then where should the rest of the council member be recruited from?

The next moment, what kobold merchant, the second son-in-law of the dwarves' elder, the brother of the goblin's tribe leader, all of them wanted to become a council member to enjoy the authority.

"Approved. Everyone is a representative of the will of the people, why would I stop you all?" Every application of council members that was sent to me was approved.

Thus, the number of council members increased but even so, I still maintained the stance that it wasn't enough.

"Hm, let's add another 100 seats this festival. You all can decide among yourselves. Don't keep all the seats to those strong ones. You took all the meat, but you all should also leave some soup for the rest of the people. Give a chance to those engineers, normal citizens, teachers and scholars to join in on the governance.

At this point in time, the number of council members increased rapidly and there were already people who felt that something was amiss. But even so, everyone was busy grabbing hold of the council member slots. Whoever tried to block the expansion of the council became the enemy of everyone.

"Hmph, you Dracons only have this amount of people. Of course you all wouldn't want the other races to increase their number of council members. Hmph! Self-interested lizards!"

"Fine, let's not increase the number of seats of the Public Council. Then, you darned sharp charcoal ears, give up your seats to us, the sons of earth."

Alright, let's ignore this boring tedious process and go right to the conclusion… Despite having just a population of 3 million, we now have 10,000 council members.

Alright, can you imagine the situation of having more than 10,000 people squeezing into a small room and holding a meeting? Can you imagine how long it takes for a single suggestion to pass through, given how 9,000 people have to sign in agreement of it? Can you imagine how a day is wasted for the entire council to arrive?

Alright, due to overcrowding and low efficiency, when they require an entire month to complete the most basic of council discussions, the current Public Council is as good as just decorations…

Of course, they also have tried to reduce the size of the council but taking back the authority they were given is simply too difficult. Everyone is a representative for the public, so exactly who are you going to expel? What rights do you have to expel me? Aren't all council members of equal standing? Why must it be me who leaves and not you?

The identity of a council member can be directly linked to the interests of their race and behind them was the support of merchants. You try to kick someone out and that someone will go all out with you.

"Hey, the council needs more representatives on the basic level. I think there should be representatives on the most basic level to give their own say.

After there was a large surge of housewives and fishmongers in the ranks of the Council members and when the identity as a council member was reduced to nothing… what plotting to usurp authority and fighting for the interests of one's family and tribe, all of it just became a laughingstock.

Now, a large portion of the council members are just dealing with small problems like whether a tax should be imposed on the products that fishermen brings here and even so, they would all end up fiery arguing on it. Those 'leaders of a great family' often ended up with a face full of spit from the arguments of the peasants and sometimes, they even resorted to violence.

As for important meetings on the developments of the city? Since half a year ago, before the meeting has even concluded, the other government organizations had already started on their work.

"What? Wait for you all to conclude your meeting? I'm sorry, if we don't deal with it soon, the harvest is going to go bad/ that city wall is going to fall/ the other city is going to declare war against us."

To add to this, even if they would want to rewrite the constitution for the Public Council, they had to seek approval from a legal organization and the right to change the legislation was under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, which is under my control… Hehe, let the council continue their quarrelling and arguments. There are times when I bring my colleagues and companions to the council meeting to watch them dash it out… Cough, to hear the opinions of the public.

I admit, the Public Council that embodies the will of the public is amazing but the current council can no longer achieve anything. 90% of their efforts and time is wasted in endless internal strife. The voice of influential figures? Cough cough, I'm sorry but everyone was voted up as a representative of the public. Everyone's the same, there are no 'influential figures' here.

Thus, the ambitious and those seeking authority are buried in the endless sea of people.

It is not like there aren't smart people, but the system of councils is a new thing in this world while I am used to these systems. It was already too late and impossible to go back when they realized that there was something wrong with it.

"Increasing the number of seats on the Public Council and giving the council more say, isn't that your public's will. Why, have you decided to go against the public's will now? How are you going to explain this to the public who elected you?"

Well, they were left speechless and had to grind their teeth until they chip off and swallow it.

At this point in time, only those who are dumb beyond the point of saving wouldn't know that they have been had by me. Thus, I became known to them as the 'Cunning Wumianzhe'. The 'Devil-like Masked Man'. Of course, those council members, council heads and the powers backing them had never had good relations.

"Grant's objections are within expectation. He is as ambitious as his father Bart but such a pity, at least his father still had a few shreds of intelligence while he is as dumb as a pig. Does he really not know that once Adam and Margaret have made up their minds, there is no one in Sulfur Mountain City that can stop them? A fool that does not know his limits, he really thinks that just because a tiger doesn't hunt humans for three years, it would become herbivorous? Hmph, what about the other dumb fool who hasn't made a stand yet?"

Suddenly, Lilith who was just talking big went mute. The entire room was silent and all eyes once again shot towards Kelvin…

This time, the honest and timid Justice Knight's eyes both looked up, pretending as though he didn't exist. After a long period of time, after I realized that I have said something stupid, Lilith gave a face of resignation, gathered up her courage and finally talked.

"It's you. That's why we thought you wanted us to prepare to usurp authority…"

At this point, I was speechless.

"Elisa, why didn't you tell me? Or perhaps, it is time to reduce the budget of the intelligence team."

Following the rule that a four heavenly king must have a secret fifth personnel, my fifth heavenly king is the "Observer" in charge of the intelligence department, Elisa.

From our spiritual connection, I hear the reply of my head maid.

"I'm really apologetic, the day that the rumours broke out, you were detained by the Town Security. It wasn't a good time for me to infiltrate in to send reports to you. Thus, I left the report on your work desk, didn't you see it?"

Remembering how I haven't gone to work for a long time and looking at how the steady work desk made of willow wood was on the verge of breaking by the mountain of documents, I solemnly cut off the connection with that foul-mouthed maid.

Even though we were far away and her words were filled with respect and surprise, I can already picture the sight of her gleeful expression, a blank expression but her back bent from laughter.

Closing my eyes, I sunk into my chair and fell into deep thoughts. There's no need to think about the past, what is important is the future!

The Public Council maybe unable to work up a storm, but if those complicated big families were to object together that could cause quite a bit of trouble. To fight those old fellows, mere violence isn't enough, that is also the reason why Adam would entrust this task to me.

A marvellous idea flashed through my mind, but of course, calling it a sinister plot wouldn't make much difference… Gradually, a perfect plan was taking shape.

"Alright, listen to my proposal…"

After I gleefully finished describing my plan, they were stunned.

"This… Lord, wouldn't that be going too far?"

"Lord Wumianzhe, although this may not be breaking the law, this… it goes against common sense? It goes against morals?"

"This old man disagrees; this idea is too crazy. If the outside world were to find out, our 4 halls 1 court would have its reputation falling to the abyss."

"I think that it is interesting. Boss, just go ahead. Whatever you want me to do, I will accomplish it."

Looking at the four heavenly kings of the legal system who were creating a ruckus, I laughed gleefully.

"Hehe, as a special gift before my departure, let's make it a big one."