Chapter 359: Secret Meeting
At the same time that Lucas, Altimo and Vergil were in a meeting, the final Cabinet meeting to discuss the position of the city lord was being held. As expected, all attention was being placed on this event, and the uproar caused by Russell’s press conference the previous night, didn’t affect things one bit. On the contrary, the press conference was only focused on a bit by the public, before all eyes were in the cabinet. Compared to a follow-up news on an event from over four months ago, the present was more important, especially since it concerned the people more.
Those who placed the most emphasis on this meeting were none other than the stakeholders of the city; the most influential politicians, the most powerful armed groups, the Apex 100 -which were the one hundred most profitable companies in Baylands city-state— and finally, the top four families. These were the ones most bothered about the position of the city lord as they could field reputable contenders for the position.
From the previous cabinet meeting until now, they had all met privately with one another or with forces in the cabinet, in a bid to lobby support towards their goal. Because such a topic was a delicate focus, these parties didn’t bother about other news, instead prioritising their entire attention to their movements and those of their opponents.
However, not all factions were like this. Some, like the Mertens family, gave up on the race and seemed to take a neutral standpoint. Others couldn’t even qualify to compete. Included in this bracket was the Oder family.
Despite being a former top four family, the Oder family of today was nothing like it was in the past. For three generations, there has been no phenomenal individual born into the family. Even the family’s latest genius, Maximillus, was only talented in regards to vestige-smithing and not leading a faction.
Nonetheless, the family had always yearned to return to the top. Logically, the fight for the city lord’s position should be their opportunity, but they were unable to compete as they had no viable candidate to field. Their only option was to pick a side. But the press conference revelation was like the light of salvation for the Oder family head. It was an opportunity for him to seize the secrets of the SS vestiges —a secret that was capable of creating a new faction entirely.
However, the Oder family weren’t the only ones who could see this picture.
"You’re being greedy right now."
A husky looking middle-aged man with a big frame glared at the individual who sat opposite him.
"Haha. Old Böjer, don’t be like that. We all came here to lend a helping hand." The man who was being stared at responded with a light chuckle.
Böjer Oder was the current head of the Oder family, and this gathering was a meeting between some of the reputable forces in Baylands city-state. To be specific, those who were below the true rulers and weren’t interested in the battle for the city lord’s position.
The Oder family, the Arkhen Corporation, Versailles Group, Rajhan Khan —nicknamed as Baylands city-state’s most powerful political godfather— and the Demolition Knights —a famous freelancer organisation in Baylands city-state. All five factions were currently gathered within the Oder family’s complex, with the topic of discussion being Lucas’ return and the SS vestiges.