Conspiracies in Garakil (3)

A day after the two core disciples from the Lava Stream Sect were found dead due to being clobbered by angry citizens, a meeting was called among the heads of the city's administration. However, that incident was only a minor topic up for discussion.

The venue for the meeting was the same as usual, the hidden top floor of the city hall. Around a wide circular table were several chairs, with one person in each chair and someone else standing next to them. Though the descendants of Garakil, the Alu clan, had control of the city, those outside of the clan could also join the administration through a recommendation from a high-ranking clan member, and all significant decisions had to pass a majority vote.

There were thirteen people with voting rights who sat at the top of the city's administration and each oversaw different branches of the city's government. These thirteen branches were War, Internal Security, Cultural Matters, Crafts and Technology, Canyon Management, Special Affairs, External Affairs, Human Resources, Information, Economy, Justice, Divination and Medicine. Ten of the thirteen chiefs were from the Alu clan, but just because they were from the same bloodline didn't mean they always agreed, so arguments and complaints were common in these meetings, but Rajid, who served as the Chief of Crafts and Technology, hoped that things would be different this time given the main topic.

"Since we're all here, I declare the commencement of this emergency meeting of the Thirteen Chiefs."

As the eldest of the thirteen and an elder of the Alu clan, the Chief of Cultural Matters would normally serve as the facilitator of these meetings. Though he hadn't entered the Master Realm, unlike some of the other chiefs, he was well regarded for his impartial decision-making.

"I propose that our first topic be the letter that was sent to each of our houses. Are there any objections?"

Although breeding season was always a busy period in Garakil, suspicious movements that were being investigated and letters that were addressed to each of the Thirteen Chiefs inspired them to call this emergency meeting. Since this was the basis of the meeting, no one brought up an objection, and the Chief of Cultural Matters proceeded. 

"Good. Now, can every chief present the letter that they received so that we may all confirm that the contents are identical?"

Each of the chiefs was allowed to bring a deputy along with them to these meetings, so they placed their letters on the table and let their deputies inspect the other letters. This could have been accomplished using spiritual sense, but all spells and spiritual arts were banned in the meeting room. Once the deputies had completed going around the room, the facilitator continued.

"Now that we've all confirmed that the letters' contents match, let's discuss. What do you all think about the content of the letter?"

"What is there to think about? We already know that that group was up to some suspicious shit. Even without this letter, I think we should raid their base and finally get them off our minds."

"That's easy for you to say since it's not your job. Have you even bothered to think about the amount of innocent casualties that could result if we recklessly attack them within the city?"

"Hah! I'm sure it's less than if we let them carry out their plans."

"Hmph. It must be nice to be such a simpleton."

"What was that?!"

The Chief of War was the first to make his opinion known, followed by the Chief of Internal Security. Although both of them had very muscular bodies and mean faces, the Chief of Internal Security was more cautious and rational. It was obvious what would happen if he allowed them to continue, so the Chief of Cultural Matters interrupted them.

"That's enough of you two. Anyone else?"

"Considering my position, I would prefer that we're all overthinking this, and this letter is just a bad practical joke, but if it's true, then I agree that we should take a proactive approach."

The Chief of Canyon Management was the first to support the Chief of War's stance. If the incident they were worried about was allowed to occur, then the management of Scaly Canyon would become very loose until the matter was resolved. He wouldn't care if this happened after he retired, but the last thing he wanted was to have another dragon king attack while he was chief.

"I also agree. Though casualties would be unfortunate, our losses can still be somewhat controlled if we attack before they're ready."

As the Chief of Economy was next to support the Chief of War, the Chief of Internal Security spoke up before that stance gained any more traction.

"You all do realise that this is based on unverified information."

"Well, if someone had been doing their job and had verified information for us, then we wouldn't have to rely on this now, would we?"

Though he didn't specify, the Chief of Economy was clearly targeting the Chief of Information. No one added to his complaint, but they silently looked in one direction with judging gazes. The Chief of Information returned a cold glare, but he refrained from speaking since his branch was indeed unable to verify the contents of the letter yet. 

"What do you think, Chief Apri?"

The Chief of Cultural Matters called on the Chief of Divination to continue the discussion. Chief Apri was a blind man, second only to the Chief of Cultural Matters in age among the chiefs. The Divination branch was the least involved with the daily running of the city, but it was always consulted when finalising major decisions. 

"After receiving the letter, we read the stars and found a disaster to be unavoidable, but to what extent the city will suffer is still indistinct."

While some in the Alu clan looked down on the act of relying on the stars to see the future, the divination art of the clan was very reliable. Although key details couldn't be scried, many calamities had been predicted by the Divination branch. It was already assumed that an incident would occur, but Chief Apri's report added to the gravity of the situation.

"Thank you, Chief Apri. Moving on..."

The chiefs continued discussing the topic before eventually settling on taking action once the details were confirmed by the Information branch. It was more in line with standard procedure than the Chief of War would have liked, but initiating conflict within the city wasn't an act to be taken lightly.

With the biggest issue out of the way, other topics were then discussed, including the murder of Harol and Jali. As core disciples of the Lava Stream Sect, they were under a spell that sent some fragmentary details regarding the circumstances of their deaths back to the sect. Due to this, it would be hard to act ignorant if the sect sought to question them about it, but the Thirteen Chiefs weren't too worried. The Lava Stream Sect was superior to the Alu clan in number of powerful experts and cultivators in general, but not enough for their might to be felt in a different region. Furthermore, the murdered disciples had been committing heinous acts within the city, so they considered it generous that they weren't asking the Lava Stream Sect for an explanation.