Birth Of The Crafts-God
Chapter 349 - 349: Cabinet Meeting

"We didn't gather here to have an argument of who started what or caused this incident. Instead, we're here to discuss how to manage the situation." The cabinet premier said.

Due to the fact that he wasn't allied with any of the top factions, and was a representative voted in by the people of a district, the cabinet premier didn't care about the conflicts of the top factions so long as the people weren't affected. Even though he knew that the dissemination of the city lord's situation was due to a power struggle by some forces in the Cabinet, he didn't want to tackle that matter. Instead, the cabinet premier prioritised getting the situation under control. However, this didn't mean that he was a coward.

If the faction behind this was to inhibit his actions or try to make matters worse, the cabinet premier would be forced to ally with the other side.

Of course, everyone knew this, which was why they had to listen to him.

As the one who oversaw the Cabinet's meetings, the premier possessed quite a bit of power within these halls.

"So what do you propose?" One of the representatives said.

Unlike the premier, he was from a top faction, but not one of the top four.

"I suggest that we let the deputy city lords take charge of the situation as normal until the city lord is back." Another representative said. This time, this was one from the democratic faction.

The democratic faction was made of the twenty representatives, including the Cabinet premier, who were all voted in. The faction with the elites outside the top four families was nicknamed the superior faction, while that made of the four families was called the noble faction.

Although they were categorised like this, the real alliances didn't abide by such categories. For instance, the Bergs and the Dufours had alliances with some associations in the superior faction. As such, the representatives from the forces were allied.

"Ha! So you suggest that we remain passive?" The black-haired man looked at the former with disdain.

"What about it? The city lord is the rightfully elected leader by the Cabinet and also appointed by the royal Oklo Dynasty. It isn't a position you can mess around with or swap when you feel bored." The representative from the democratic faction retorted.

"Usually, I'd agree with you. However, the criminals are still around. We need someone to lead us in this difficult time to hunt them down and protect the city." An old man with a white beard, said as he stroked his beard. He was from the superior faction.

The representative from the democratic faction couldn't help but frown after the old man's words. Even the Cabinet premier's expression wasn't pleasant.

This was because the old man was from a former top four family, the Oder family.

It was a well-known fact that the city lord's situation had been leaked by a top force, however, the culprit was unknown. Due to this, the top four families and other similar forces had tucked in their tails and didn't try to stand out too much; at most, having their allies speak on their behalf. Otherwise, doing so themselves would make all suspicion fall on them. If that were to happen, once Noah Bergs recovers, he would most likely attack that force secretly. It doesn't have to be a physical battle, but a retaliation with schemes using his position as city lord.

The Oder family was a force with a very deep history in Baylands City, even more so than the Ross and Mertens family of the current top four families. It is even said that their ancestor originated from the Bernin continent, which was home to the world(planet)'s best vestige-smiths. They were similar to the top four families, only lacking by a bit. Because of this, everyone had expected for them to be like the top four families and remain quiet throughout this debate.

Yet against all expectations, the Oder family didn't seem to want to remain quiet. It was clear that they were aiming for the city lord to be impeached.

'Is it because of him?' The cabinet premier grimaced while turning towards the direction the representatives from the Bergs family sat. By 'him', the premier referred to the head of the Bergs family.

Everyone knew that Fredor Bergs, the current head of the Bergs family, hated Noah for 'stealing' the city lord position from him. They weren't even brothers and more like distant cousins, so one could imagine how much hate Fredor had for him. To take the seat, Noah relied on the support of the Mertens and Ross families with other top forces that opposed the Bergs and the Dufours.

The Oder family, on the other hand, had allied with the Bergs family in hopes of regaining their 'top four' spot from the Ross family.

With Noah injured, it wasn't some complicated realisation to figure out that the one who wanted to oust him the most would be Fredor Bergs. After all, if Noah was impeached, Fredor was the most likely candidate to succeed him.

"If you want to have the city lord step down for a replacement, who do you suggest then as his replacement?" A loud voice sounded in the hall.

The speaker was one of the five representatives of the Mertens family. The noble faction had finally entered the discussion.

Despite the slight disagreement between the head of the Mertens family, Russell, and the city lord over Lucas, the two sides were still close allies. Hence, it wasn't strange for the representative of the Mertens family to speak up at this moment.

"My thoughts do not matter on such a high profile matter. Naturally, things should be done according to the law." The old man from the Oder family responded, seemingly taking a step back.

Nonetheless, that was just a façade.

"However, since this is an emergency, we have to make rapid decisions even if they're temporary. I don't mind us carrying out a referendum to decide this as well as to select a temporary city lord. One who would govern us at least until the situation with the terrorists has been sorted out." The old man added.

"Shameless old bastard!" Another representative from the Mertens family cursed out loud.

"Who doesn't know the meaning behind your words? To install your man and delay the arrest of the terrorists until you can seize power? Over my dead body!"

"Order!" The cabinet premier shouted, growing frustrated by the two sides.

"That can be arranged." A representative from the Dufour family smirked.

"You!"

Three representatives from the Mertens family, including the hot-headed one, abruptly stood up and glared at the man.

*Bam*

"Order!"

The cabinet premier slammed his hands on the table and erupted with his aura, silencing the two sides.

After taking a deep breath in a moment of silence, the cabinet premier proclaimed out loud.

"It's clear that we cannot come to an agreement today, as such, this plenary session will be adjourned until two days from now. During this period, the deputy city lords will carry out the roles of the city lord until a decision has been rendered. That's it for today."