Chapter 130: Day 273 (3) – Candidates For Office

Chapter 130: Day 273 (3) – Candidates For Office

I now had an office. It was normally Clarissa’s office when I wasn’t here, but for now it doubled as my office. The first person I was speaking to was Bob. He gave me a slight bow which I returned with a head nod. I didn’t get up from my chair.

He took a seat at the table across from me. “Do you know why you are here?” I asked.

“You want to make sure I am acceptable for the office of President.” At least he was clued into what was happening right now.

“Yes. The position’s main responsibility is to run the day-to-day operations of the city, maintain stability, help arrivals get oriented, and ensure I don’t have to intervene.”

“And the war?”

“What about it?”

“Can we win?”

“Everyone likes to ask me that.” I let out a sigh and looked up at the ceiling. “He is a tricky opponent. I can’t kill him, but he can’t kill me. But he can force me to retreat, which was shown in our last fight. I suspect he will attack Purgatory. It is only a matter of time.”

“I see.” I had no idea what he saw. “I am tempted to withdraw my nomination, but it isn’t like there is anywhere to run to.”

“No, there isn’t. Or at least nothing practical or simple.”

“Well, I won’t rock the boat if I am elected. But the drug business-“The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.

“Is a strategic resource of Purgatory. While research is nominally under the President, crystal powder is very serious. Other drugs or alcohol, I don’t care about. As long as crime doesn’t plague the city and order is maintained. You don’t kill a cow when you milk it. You catch what I am saying?”

“Don’t cause problems.” I gave him a stare for a bit and then nodded.

“That is it. Unless you had questions?”

“Is there any way I can help you against the Ritualist?” That just earned Bob 100 Michael points.

“Ruth, or Nox as she is going by might have spies in the city. They can’t be allowed to live. I don’t care about trying to pass along false information. Just kill them all. I know you are working with Clarissa. Don’t create a mess I have to deal with.”

“Simple enough. I will follow up with various people and make sure no one has any remaining ties.”

“Thank you, Bob.” He left my office. The next candidate was a woman named Elizabeth.

She entered my office and held out her hand. I just stared at her. She slowly lowered it. “Making any kind of hand gesture at me, could be considered an attack. Don’t do it again.”

“My apologies Champion Michael.” I gave her a nod and she sat down.

“Do you know why you are here?” I asked.

“You wanted to speak with the candidates for President.” That was a simple non-answer. It showed she didn’t understand the power and position I currently held. I controlled this city. If she was elected, she would answer to me. Bob clearly understood that.

I kept staring at her, but she didn’t say any more. I let out a small sigh, disappointing. “You are being assessed for your suitability.”

“That wasn’t in the Constitution.” I stared at her some more until she spoke up again. “Ah. I get it now.”

“Hopefully you do. There will be no expanding the office or the scope of the office. The position of President is to keep headaches from reaching me and to maintain order in Purgatory.”

“So, my platform of universal healthcare isn’t going to happen.”

“It is illegal. We are also in a state of war.”

“You wanted to speak to me?”

“Yes Champion Michael. Clarissa informed me of the new research requirements.” I just stared at him. “Testing drugs on humans and working out summoning will take time.” I was silent and just kept staring at him. You are just saying useless things, get to the point.

He looked at Clarissa and then back at me as I kept up the silence. A minute passed. Then another minute. I finally spoke up since he didn’t appear to have anything more to say which was disappointing. “Doctor. You seem to be operating under some kind of delusion. The city of Purgatory is in a state of total war against the Ritualist. Failure is not just death, but transformation into a monster.” I held up a hand and he closed his mouth as I continued.

“I don’t care if I need to stack up corpses to get results, yours included. But I will have results. You took the position, choosing not to hunt monsters. You remember the only people who have the right to challenge my decisions?”

“Only those who have gained 1,000 stats and killed a level 4 monster.” Good he wasn’t stupid and could remember things I talked about.

“You clearly remember that. So, what gives you the idea you can question me?”

“Human dignity.” I almost burst out into laughter at that. Human dignity was worth less than piss in this place.

“Is worthless. I respect you, but my patience extends only so far.” We went back to the silent staring contest.

“Human test subjects? Is there no other way?”

“Why did you take the position?”

“My medical knowledge and to help people.”

“Then help people by sacrificing a few to save many. Doctor, let me ask you something people have been asking me. How do you think the war is going?”

“If you brought it up, badly, is my guess.”

“This doesn’t leave this room.” He nodded at that, and I looked at Clarissa as well who nodded also.

“Catastrophic. The Ritualist can now force me back. If he invades this city right now, even with me present, I can’t guarantee there will be anyone left alive in the city. I will most likely be forced to retreat. If I am forced back, there will be no one else with significant combat ability to counter him.”

“If you have another way to counter the Ritualist, tell me. Because I am out of ideas besides grinding up and praying the city can hold the gates in the event of an attack. Even then he could siege us and starve the city to death.”

“So, if you don’t want to do human experimentation with crystal powder, looking at every possible angle, then I will find someone less capable who will. The circumstances are that dire. It is do or die.”

“I won’t leave alive then.” He was really being stubborn. This is why I hated leadership. The most competent people were the most stubborn.

“I will give you my word as Champion Michael, if you don’t want to go down this route and do everything in your power then you can leave here alive, and I will send no one after you. As long as I have your word you won’t research crystal powder or discuss it with anyone.” There was silence. The good doctor’s face went through a variety of expressions as he thought over what I said. Finally he let out a sigh and spoke up.

“Informed consent. I will also need the manufacturing process for crystal powder.” I looked at Clarissa.

“We have kept the knowledge top secret. The researchers have only been granted the old powder that was left behind from before.” I nodded at that. Good, people were taking information security seriously.

“Clarissa you can inform the good doctor, and also keep a close eye on how many crystals he is using. There will be no discrepancies on the same scope that happened with the Ritualist.”

“Assistants?” Clarissa asked.

“That is fine, but they are under the same restrictions. You can sort it out?” I asked Clarissa.

“Yes. There are two other researchers.”

“Keep an eye on them all. I want every single crystal accounted for. No loose ends.” I wasn’t about to have another Ritualist rise up under my nose. One was more than enough.

“I understand,” Clarissa said, and I nodded at that. One problem sorted out. A million more I had to figure out.