The Systemic Lands

Chapter 112: Day 250 – Ratification

Ken was going to give the keynote speech today. Let the President be the public face while I controlled things from behind. It took forever and more headaches than I could count to get to this point, but finally a long-term stable government was going to be put in place.

Would future kids read history books describing me as George Washington? Well, since I would be funding book writing in the future, the answer was yes.

Time to focus. The signing was being held outside near the store pillars. Almost everyone had gathered for this event. Even the vagrants trying to make a living in the outskirts of the city. Honestly, better to die fighting monsters than slowly waste away. I could lead a horse to water, but I couldn’t make it drink.

A bunch of chairs had been set up for important people to sit on in one section of the plaza. A podium had been set up in front of the chairs on a small large table that doubled as a platform and the majority of people could stand in front of the podium.

A formal and final copy had been written up by Clarissa. She got to sign first as the writer of the Constitution. One by one the other delegates signed. In the end it was Tyrese, Ken, and then me as the final signatory.

Once I signed a loud cheer and a round of applause went up. It went on for a bit. The Constitution was carefully placed in a chest and carried away. It would be copied later, and a copy given to each delegate for their service. The original would be held in the Meeting Chamber. Once we had glass or a way to display it, we would.

Ken climbed up on a table so he could be seen as people quieted down. “People of Purgatory! Today is a great and auspicious day!”

“Today people from all backgrounds have come together to form a new government that will ensure our safety and prosperity moving forward in this new world!”

“While our city has had a turbulent past, we hope to put that behind us and move forward to a better future.”

“The newly formed Red Military Police Force will ensure order here at the plaza so all may access the system store in safety and patronize the forming businesses.”

“The Immortal Council will guarantee our safety from external threats. Both from the monsters and other cities that may seek to destroy us. While war is not our first choice, we will not stand idly by when attacked!”

“As President of the Executive branch I will ensure a smooth transition of power in 50 days when the election occurs and step down from my position. It has been an honor to serve as the Elected Representative and the First President of Purgatory.”

“But just as a new chapter closes, a new chapter opens. We cannot remain stagnant or complacent in the face of what has happened to us. Instead, we must embrace our humanity, our drive, and our determination to chart a path forward.”

“Thank you everyone for your support and coming together to make this Constitution a success so we may all come together as one nation!” There was a loud round of cheering at this. Honestly, the Constitution was a power grab by me and looking far more successful than I initially thought.

Next up came various delegates who wanted to speak and future candidates running for the office of President. Most of them were full of hot air, but then it was Bob’s turn.

“Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the entire city. I am Bob, of Bob’s Resale Store. Right here at the plaza. Perfect for cheap gear, cheap information, and the best prices to sell used goods before they disappear.” He was doing an infomercial. I smiled at the sheer shamelessness. I saw other people chuckling as well.

“We are Constitution compliant. No need to worry about that. We welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs. So don’t be shy and come on by.” He got down from the table. I looked over at Clarissa.

“If people paid the crystals they get to speak.” Of course. Well, it was crystals well spent to advertise his store.

“There is something else. The team I sent after Ruth hasn’t reported back.”

“That is concerning. They have stats and skills?”

“Yes. I hired a Union team for 50,000 points.” I almost choked on my saliva at the amount. “I was expecting an update this morning, but nothing.”

“What? Four people would not be easy to throw off.”

“I know, that is why I am bringing this up. If they were going to leave the city, they would have let me know.”

“They are dead then. She killed them.” If people hadn’t come back, they were dead for sure. Ruth had to had killed them, but four people with stats couldn’t have been easy.

“They might still turn up.”

“No, better to assume she killed them. Now would be the perfect time to strike. But how?” My mind raced through the list of skills I knew about. Maybe a level 3 skill, like the Radiant Beam or the Sonic Shock.

An attack like that in the middle of the crowd would be devastating. The guards were already at high alert and every single one was on duty. The only guards that weren’t here were those guarding the treasury and patrolling the districts of Purgatory next to the plaza to prevent looting.

I stood up and scanned the crowd. I turned around, while the rear was blocked off by guards, there were people everywhere. Now would be the perfect time to strike. Idiot! I was an idiot. I should have had this event in the Meeting Chamber and screened people.

There was just something in the air. Ruth returning. The team going missing. The city was at its most vulnerable right now. A large-scale attack would cripple the entire government and send Purgatory spiraling into chaos.

It would be exactly the kind of attack someone would do if they couldn’t beat me head on. Tie me down dealing with political problems instead of grinding crystals. It would be what I would do against someone I couldn’t beat.

The signing had already happened, but the speeches were still going on. Dammit, I had let my guard down and was vulnerable. The city was vulnerable and by extension me. Thinking was work and really thinking about a problem was even harder. I needed to devote time to thinking about the threats out there. I could only hope I was wrong, but in my gut, I knew I wasn’t.

“Should I sound the alarm?” Clarissa asked. I hesitated. It would cause mass panic. That would be just as bad as if an attack did occur. Dammit, all the heroes in the movies came up with clever ideas or were able to thwart an attack in time. I tried to think of similar situations and was coming up blank.

“No. If an attack happens. I will respond immediately.” Clarissa gave me a deadpan look. “That is better and easier than trying to protect you or other people. Counter attacking with maximum force is the best option. You should have told me about the team earlier.” I should have killed Ruth when I saw her in the plaza. I swore to myself, the next time I saw her, I was going to liquidate her. No more mercy from saving my life. That mercy had been used up and then some.

“There wasn’t time this morning and that was when I was expecting them to report in with good news. This was the first chance I had.” I wasn’t about to drag her over the coals with the situation having reached critical levels. I kept scanning the nearby buildings trying to think how I would cause trouble in Ruth’s position.

“Fair enough,” I said. Tyrese got up and walked over to me.

“Problem Michael, you appear nervous?” Tyrese asked.

“An experienced team was killed inside Purgatory within the last day. I expect an attack to occur.”

“The alarm-“

“No. We wait and respond. Stay on guard.” I kept scanning the people and the buildings around me. Tyrese looked at me, fear etched on his face.

“You sound sure. Are you sure?” Tyrese asked.

“No, but until the speeches are done, this is the perfect time to attack. If an attack does happen, you must take command and organize the defense. No running off.” I turned to stare at him.

“Yes, of course.”

“Good.” I went back to scanning the area around me as another person finished up their speech. “How much longer?” I asked Clarissa.

“There are another five people scheduled to speak.”

“Do people like to listen to themselves or something?” I muttered.

“It helps people to know who the movers and shakers of the city are,” Clarissa said. I ignored her and kept looking carefully at everyone. How would I attack?

One major alpha strike and then lure the counter response into a trap. That would be the simplest way. Mind control was something I didn’t want to rule out but seemed unlikely. Still, there could be proxy attacks.

Still, the fear of me should stop anyone from acting recklessly. The problem with being a nuclear deterrent, was that I couldn’t be everywhere at once. While I felt confident crushing anything that was before me, that wasn’t enough. Multiple attacks. What was vulnerable and valuable?

The businesses had some stuff, but not enough to risk dying over when killing monsters would be less risky. The treasury, but that had guards and was secured with two locked doors. It would take time and effort to break into.

Where else? There was nothing valuable in my home. Maybe the crystal powder for potions that Ken had. But we could always make more. The process was key, not the powder itself.

Think. I needed to really think. What was I missing? Another person finished up their speech. Hurry up. I hated waiting like this and being on the defensive. I wasn’t going to just kill Ruth, I was going to issue a bounty. I didn’t care if she didn’t kill the team following her. The stress I felt right now would have killed me when I had been fat.

Death by stress. Now that would be a way to go. If it wasn’t for the restorations, I would probably have all white hair or be bald by now.

Ken came over. “Tyrese said you think there might be an attack?”

“Yes.”

“Louis, get my guards now.” His helper ran off. I noted Ken stick next to me. That was probably a bad idea if there was an attack, but I wasn’t going to say anything.

Ken’s guards came over and stood near him with tower shields. More and more people were looking at me and Ken who were standing up. The other delegates were looking as well. I kept scanning everything. I checked the roofs, and I thought I saw movement on one.

It could just be someone wanting to get a view or spy. Still, it was concerning. Why didn’t we have people on the roofs? Sure, it was really annoying to get up and several buildings formed isolated islands. It would allow for sight of the entire plaza and being able to spot trouble early.

Stupid, it was something I should have thought about before. It was too late now. That was when I heard a scream to the East, near my home.

I waited in case it was a one-off occurrence, but then there were more screams. This was one time I hated being right. I rushed in that direction to confront the threat.