Published: February 12, 2025
The Chief Committee Member returned to the headquarters of the City Committee with his subordinates. This grand building, having undergone repairs and expansions over generations, had long become a symbol and landmark of the entire city.
Here, there was a position that signified control over the city.
Regardless of which committee head it was, they seemed to prefer their offices located on the top floor of this building. It stood at the highest point of the city, where the panoramic view could perhaps make them feel the wonderful allure of power more deeply.
The current committee head was no exception.
Sitting in a comfortable chair, he gazed at the city landscape outside, which had remained unchanged for a long time yet still pleased his eyes. The Chief Committee Member felt somewhat relieved from the frustration within him.
The outsider had escaped, which was not good; he would face attacks from other hostile committee members due to this incident. The city's residents might also start to doubt his rule.
However, while he had thought the situation grave just moments ago, several ways to handle it emerged in his mind, making the Chief Committee Member feel it wasn't so bad. With his control over the city, he should be able to eliminate the impact of this incident in a short time.
After pondering for a moment, the Chief Committee Member stood up from his chair and walked over to his subordinates who had been quietly waiting there, and instructed in a deep voice, “Relay my orders to... Committee Member Nagase to organize a pursuit team, tentatively set at a hundred people, to leave the city and search for the whereabouts of that outsider. Tell him that capturing and killing him would be best; if not, prioritize preserving strength, but at least drive this outsider out of our city's boundaries.”
After saying this, he took a couple of steps before stopping to add, “Reinforce the defenses at the city entrance, be wary of that person sneaking back in. Also, alert the Black Envoys; the headquarters’ defenses must not be slackened.”
His subordinate nodded, indicating he understood.
“Oh, and bring the chief commander to me. I have some matters to discuss with him.” The Chief Committee Member thought that after this incident, the leader of the city guard, who had remained neutral within the city, should express loyalty to him.
“And also...”
After saying two words, the Chief Committee Member suddenly paused, feeling a sense of doubt flash across his face.
“Chairman, what's wrong?”
The Chief Committee Member shook his head, touched the almost healed wound on his face, and felt that his condition today was not quite right; he was even experiencing some hallucinations.
“Also, have the city guard conduct a detailed investigation into this expedition team that assisted the outsider. Clarify their previous destination outside the city and confirm where the outsider appeared, then document it.”
In every city of the Bourbon Free Territory, great importance was placed on outsiders.
“Chairman, do we need to report this situation to... above?”
His subordinate hesitated for a moment before inquiring of his boss.
The City Committee held power, but above it was the committee of the Bourbon Free Territory, which was the highest authority in this space. The Black Envoys were said to be under the City Committee, but fundamentally, they were the violent force of the Bourbon Free Territory, with part of their salaries distributed from there.
Among the Black Envoys, there were mysterious inspectors; no one knew who they truly were, but everything happening in the city would be known to these inspectors, who would then report to the Free Territory Committee.
With such a significant disturbance today, it was unlikely they would be the exception; it was impossible to keep it hidden.
The Chief Committee Member furrowed his brows, pondering how to report to the higher-ups, which indeed was a headache. If he downplayed the situation and the report differed too much from what the inspectors said, he would surely be held accountable. If he exaggerated, he would also be found negligent and would not have a good outcome.