The Town Hall

"Sir, I'll be on my way then."

"Yes, be careful."

"I will."

Gabby who was wearing his usual attire, bowed respectfully as he said his goodbye. He did it inside my workplace in one of our legitimate business branches - Mauberon's Travels and Goods - before leaving.

It's been a week and a half since the time Carpal and his group had talked and they were very busy. And just three days ago, I handled getting the goods from one of my dealings since they were too important, and everyone was busy. 

They were all related to the Underworld.

And now, I decided to go out since I've been cooped up for as long as I can remember. In fact, after the banquet of honors, I never went outside, only getting the mandatory report list from the General, Gabby, and the Innkeeper since they were all stationed in the outside world.

But since Gabby said he was very itching to return to the Underworld, very eager to do the first attack from the high-level organization, with his teammate being Forren, the first pair has been made.

With business to do from the outside which didn't really require much attention, I decided to take his job temporarily until he was back.

"Now then, he said that he prepared the timetable that is available for a week…" 

Grabbing the paper with a schedule list which had its page full, I sat on one of the couches available in this room.

"A meeting with the internal affairs will happen at eight o'clock. The meeting with the coachbuilder came next after a thirty-minute lunch break. A licensure personnel from the Administration will come to renew our license at twelve hence giving me two hours, maybe two and a half if the meeting with the engineers came to an end fast."

After busily reading the schedule for today, I stood up to my place and picked up the newspaper while moving towards the appointment place for the people on the internal affairs. 

…

"I just need to sign here?"

"Yes, sir."

After doing three meetings for hours, the personnel from the licensure administration, happily replied which I simply followed.

"Done."

"Appreciate it so much."

Standing all together, we shook our hands. It was long but very efficient and productive. In the renewal of the license, there are short changes. 

It had a higher amount than the last time, a few conditions were added which are doable and didn't really constrict anything, and lastly, the renewal process took very long since I had to read the contract once more to see if they had put loopholes on it.

Even though that's unlikely, it's better to check otherwise.

"You esteemed sirs came from the Administration, doesn't it? If you don't mind, you should eat before leaving. You've come a long way. As people from that renowned organization, you should take a rest."

The administration officers looked at each other for a moment before letting out small smiles.

"If you insist."

Nodding my head once, expecting them to reject it after the stunt I pulled at the banquet of honors, I led them towards the cafeteria of the establishment.

Along the way, I raised a few questions which they reluctantly answered, but since they agreed to grab a lunch free before leaving, they couldn't reject and answered them with careful tones.

But it's not like they are any harm in answering it. I mean, as a businessman and a worried person about the safety of the people which is my reason for asking these questions, who wouldn't?

And I received a medal for my special acts even though I pulled that ridiculous stunt with the eyes of the crowd. That must've been the reason for their conflicting actions whether to tell fully everything or not.

"How's the situation of Neverest?"

"It is… bad, I guess. Well, the others are confidential. We're just low-ranking officers working for the licensure company that the administration holds in the first place. But we can tell one thing. After the deaths of the governors which is what was everyone talking about in the papers, everything became hectic, especially Neverest."

The other licensure officer added.

"Why, you ask? Because Governor Chetilmon was the only one left alive from all the twelve governors. Do you know what that means? He'll be taking charges. As of now, he'll probably be interrogated by the Rising Star."

The last officer nodded to his peer's statement and assessment. The trio aimlessly talked to each other momentarily forgetting my presence which made me think of a few things.

It had to be abruptly stopped though once we reached the cafeteria.

"Now then, officers. We've reached our destination. It was a pleasure meeting you." I halted, "Once you are done, don't hesitate to come at any worker you pass by. They know the place and will lead you to the direction outside."

"Oh, right!" 

The trio of officers then bid farewell while being thankful for my hospitality. They entered the cafeteria, moved toward the food station, and began getting the lunch they wanted.

"As expected, there's not much I can get from them." 

Looking at the time of my pocket watch, I carefully left the cafeteria and exited out of the place. Using one of the carriages available parked on the side, I ordered the driver to deliver at one particular place.

"To the Raining Town Hall please."

…

Located in the center of the Raining Treasure Nation was its town hall. It was a big mansion where the Governor lived once elected and also where a lot of things transpired. 

As for the reason I knew this place, I happened to pass through it since the administration branch where was I brought was nearby.

The gates of the mansion were currently opening and the streets that surrounded the residence were crowded. 

Not because the people were mourning the deaths of their Governor but because people were expecting various people to attend themselves in that place.

For a nation to function, a Governor is needed. Besides that fact all previous Governors are shit, and this time, the people were going to choose wisely, only to fail again. That's just how everything works but it will not happen in this particular nation.

"Duke!" 

After walking through a bunch of people, I met Carpal and didn't hesitate to answer.

"I don't really understand what I have to be here. You'll just have to register for your candidacy and, you saw the stunt I pulled on the banquet? People might get angry."

"Who cares? It's all in the past anyway. I bet they didn't even remember what you did because of everything that was currently happening."

Carpal gleefully replied while tapping my shoulders. The others are nowhere to be seen at this entrance but that doesn't mean they were absent.

"Oh, them? They are busy transferring our assets into this nation just like what we talked about days ago. And don't worry, a handful of men are currently watching my back."

'I could see it.'

There is a presence all around the area, looking in this direction. They are professionals but not too good like my men. They seemed to be Carpal's trusted bodyguards.

"Well then, shall we enter?"

"Of course, I have a business to attend to after this."

"Just say yes, goodness!"

Carpal chuckles before entering the town hall with me on his back. 

As the distance became closer to the familiar mansion, people were looking at Carpal with strange expressions. The people here are mostly civilians. All were expectant and once they saw Carpal, a sense of relief and worry were plastered on his place.

"I guess you've built a reputation in this nation."

"Well, my grandfather grew up here. The only reason I have to move to that nation was because my family is located there, but as you know, we have to return here. Even so, I have a lot of friends and contacts hence I'm not really a stranger. I used to join charity events, you know?"

"A true businessman indeed."

Entering the mansion, a spacious hall appeared at the front with two stairs on the side leading upstairs and a few people wandering the area. In front, another room led to the registration office was viewed.

That's our destination.

Once inside, the people inside diminished and only a countable man was inside the place. Three of those men, perhaps, have an aura surrounding them while being encircled by their people.

"I recognized them all," Carpal muttered under his breath as he clenched his fist while moving forward. 

Right in the register, Carpal was asked to fill out his form. The personnel were wearing Administration attire as they patiently waited for him to finish.

The moment he was done, Carpal handed the forms and moved to the available space in the room, away from those three, who also separated themselves from the rest.

Nobody conversed with each other. How could they when the people who registered themselves are going to be their enemies in the candidacy?

'The registration for the candidacy should be almost done.'

The clock was slowly tickling and tickling still.

And after waiting for an hour of doing nothing, the personnel from the Administration stood up and announced loudly.

"I hereby declare the candidacy registration to be finished by the order of the Administration!"

The person on the east side, suddenly spoke as he introduced himself even though there was no need to.

"My name is Willis. And I'll be the next Governor. Be prepared."

The other remained silent so was Carpal, who was quietly watching the man with acknowledgment, definitely knowing who he was.

Then, the people inside the big, registrar's office room, soon began to leave one by one with the guy named, Willis being the first one to move.

They were cheers from the outside and also dissatisfaction once the people saw the faces they didn't like. With the four candidates aiming for the governor position strolling outside, they started waving their hands, Carpal being the last one to do it.

'Hmm?'

Just a few seconds after leaving the mansion, on its way outside of its gate, I traced a small movement coming in this direction. Yet, not directly to Carpal, but to the person in front.

"Please, vote me! I'll assure you that the Raining Treasure will change for good!"

Suddenly, the small movement became faster and I immediately halted our steps and let the name Willis, who happens to be on our front, continue moving forward.

"Willis!"

At that shout, the crowd moved back as they watched a pitiful man pulling a gun toward Willis's head. The hand's man was shaking but his eyes were firm and steady.

"How dare you touch my wife!?"

Bang—!

The unknown man pulled the trigger before he got tackled by wandering administration officers. Yet the deed was already done.

Willis, the guy who excludes the confident aura and makes a bold statement in the registrar's office,  was shot in the head.

Just right after a few minutes the candidacy registration ended, and the four candidates were reduced to three.