10. Political Foundation

Chapter 10: Steel Beneath the Ashes — Political Foundations

POV: Ashryn

It didn't take long for vander's gang to get close to ashryn's crew. Sevika and Vi help Callum oversee policing and powder run behind viktor to finish her bombs and the others help out wherever they can.

Ashryn leaned forward, elbows on the table, her fingers laced beneath her chin.

"All right, listen up," she said. "We've been playing this like a crew. Some big ragtag gang of rebels. But that ends today. We're not a crew anymore. We're a city. And a city needs structure."

The table went still. Vi blinked. Powder tilted her head. Cael glanced at his clipboard. Lynne was already taking notes.

"I know we've been doing things... casually," Ashryn continued. "That's only because we were few, and familiar. Everyone just knew who to go to. But now? We've crossed hundred thousand people. Many more are inbound. We've got production lines, housing projects, comm networks, external trade points. If we don't set up a working political skeleton right now, this whole body's going to collapse under its own weight."

She rose from her seat and flicked a switch. A projection lit the wall behind her—a crude but clear chart, labeled:

🏛️ VIRELLE – INTERIM POLITICAL STRUCTURE

Sovereign – Ashryn Virelle

Ministry of Finance – Cael

Ministry of Civil Works – Lynne

Ministry of Defence & Foreign Affairs – Callum

Ministry of Science & Development – Viktor

Ministry of Justice – Vacant

Ministry of Culture & Public Affairs – Vacant

"I'm taking the city's name as my last name moving forward," she added with a grin. "So make it official—Ashryn Virelle, Sovereign of Virelle."

Claggor gave an approving nod. Powder clapped softly. Vander just smirked.

Ashryn turned her gaze to Sevika and Vi. "Now, I know what you're thinking."

Vi crossed her arms. "Yeah, we are thinking. You're not giving us anything?"

Sevika raised a brow, but said nothing.

Ashryn held up a hand. "Look, the truth is... you two have been running those departments unofficially already. Vi—you've been policing, keeping peace, rallying street kids. Sevika—you've handled intelligence, judgment calls, even field discipline."

She paced a little.

"But if you want to be ministers? You'll have to start from the bottom, like everyone else."

That drew murmurs around the room.

Ashryn didn't pause. "Each ministry will have its own hierarchy. From minister at the top, down to sub-division heads, and clerks. Our personnel will be reassigned across departments starting today."

Vi looked a little taken aback. "Start from the bottom?"

"Yes," Ashryn said, gently but firmly. "I won't play favorites. That goes for Vander's crew and mine. I know it's hard to think of reforming while we're still in the middle of a war. But believe me—this deadlock won't last forever. Piltover will eventually crack our tech. Silco's shimmer will evolve. Right now, we're in the eye of the storm. It's the only time we can set this up."

"Until then," she added, gesturing to the projection, "this structure holds. Weekly reports from every ministry. Emergency override rights belong to me. You'll all have full control of your departments—budget, personnel, operations—but I retain absolute authority if things go off-script. Clear?"

No objections. Only nods.

"Good."

Vi hesitated, then said, "Then I want to join the Ministry of Justice. If you'll have me."

Ashryn smiled. "Welcome aboard, Officer Vi. We'll assign you under legal operations to start. Assist in patrol, case processing, civil investigation. And keep your knuckles off people's faces—unless they really ask for it."

Vi chuckled. "No promises."

Claggor raised his hand. "I'll follow Vi."

"Great. You're with her. Might even keep her from blowing things up."

"I heard that," Vi muttered.

Powder and Mylo exchanged glances.

"Science," Powder said brightly. "That big machine you showed us? The one with the—"

"Chemical converter with the stabilizer grid?" Mylo cut in.

"Yeah, that!" Powder said. "I wanna help make stuff!"

Ashryn pointed a finger at Viktor. "Looks like you've got interns, Professor."

Viktor gave a half-smile. "As long as they don't touch the primary core unsupervised."

"No promises," Mylo and Powder said in perfect unison.

Everyone turned to Vander.

He raised both hands slowly. "No position for me. I'll help if needed, but I'm staying out of the formal side. My place is at the bar. And if you ask nicely, I might even keep pouring the good stuff."

Ashryn tilted her head, mock-serious. "Refusing a government post? That's treason."

"Is it now?"

She smirked. "We'll allow it."

Ashryn turned back to Sevika. "One more thing."

Sevika met her gaze.

"I need you to design the Ministry of Justice. The framework. Case flow, courts, investigation units. The whole wheel. We'll draft laws after this is over. Callum held it before you split it off from him—ask him for groundwork. If you do a good job…" She trailed off with a shrug. "You'll climb the ladder fast. Shortcut to minister position."

Sevika raised a brow. "And if I say no?"

Ashryn flashed a grin. "Then enjoy your desk job."

Sevika snorted. "Fine. I'll draft the framework."

"Wonderful," Ashryn said, flicking a wrist.

> [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION] Political Structure Implemented Status: Basic Framework Online DP Awarded: +5,000

Ashryn saw the text flicker faintly across her vision and smiled.

Vi leaned forward. "Okay, so what now?"

Ashryn clapped her hands together. "Now, we test the machine."

She turned to Viktor. "New tech line. How's it looking?"

Viktor pulled up a data tab. "All blueprints completed. Re-engineered for standard assembly, using local parts and Virellite compatibility."

Ashryn nodded. "Lynne?"

"Orders already sent to Civil. Material lists distributed. All components are logged and traced."

Cael tapped his tablet. "Procurement complete. Raw materials shipped back to Civil."

Lynne followed, "Assembly finished. Units passed quality check. Final units delivered to Defence."

Callum closed the loop. "Weapons distributed. Training drills complete. All units are familiarized."

Vi blinked. "All of you were involved? For one production line?"

Ashryn smirked. "This isn't a one-man show anymore. If this were before, Lynne would've done it all. But we're a city now. Everything follows protocol. Procedures. Oversight. Every cog feeds the next."

Vi still looked baffled. "But… isn't that slower?"

"It's deliberate," Ashryn said. "Messy now. Efficient later. We're not skipping steps anymore. That's how cities die."

Ashryn leaned back and cracked her neck.

"Anyway. That's the structure. Take notes. Ask questions. Don't screw up."

"I need all the department set up and in working condition at the end of the week"

"I know it's hard to do but we are on clock so give it your all. "

Cael raised a hand. "What about you? What's the Sovereign working on?"

Ashryn leaned back with a mischievous grin. "Ah, yes. My research. Still pending. But once it's complete, you'll all thank me. Might reduce half your workload overnight."

Viktor looked intrigued. "Need assistance?"

Ashryn tilted her head. "You volunteering?"

"Absolutely."

Ashryn beamed. "Then we've got a deal."

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