Chapter 165 - Town assembly (1/2)
”What the hell are they waiting for…”
Looking around, I could see most of the representatives of the major powers of the city already gathered in the conference hall. While the town assembly building was located on the outskirts of the city, it wasn't such a big distance to serve as an excuse for being late! The prime time of the year for our city will start in just three hours, yet they dare to keep us waiting here! What a disgrace!
”We should start without…”
”WAIT!”
Just as I was going to announce the start of the session, I heard a shout coming from the lobby, before a small group of six people burst into the hall.
”Sorry for being late, some matters came up.”
Oh, come on! No matter how beautiful or influential you are, you should try to keep my dignity in mind! Don't you know that disrespecting the law of the city by being late like that puts me on the spot? You know I should forbid you from taking part in the assembly now?
”Just take your places already!”
With a hint of anger clearly hearable in my voice, I point at the empty spot in the tribune. While I would love to start without them, that would undermine my attempts to keep them tied close to the city faction!
Taking a look to the side, I notice that lord Katenari is still absent from his lodge. As the only patriarch of the three families that actually resides in our town, he could influence every meeting he attends to… only if he bothered to actually attend!
”Since everyone is here, let's begin. At first, I would like to confirm that our usual set of classification methods will be used in this tournament as well. Any objections?”
While the answer to this question is always the same, I'm compelled to ask it nevertheless. Looking back at history, there were times where some sects voted for a change in the procedures. While no such event happened during my reign over the city, I still had to ask it.
With no voices raised for a quite a while, I breathed with relief and continued.
”As for the allocation of slots to the sets, do are there any changes?”
”Heavenly sword sect wants to give three slots!”
”Flying crane sect wants to give away seven slots!”
…
…
That reaction was to be expected. With the limited number of spots for the new disciples every year, if a sect managed to scout someone beforehand, they were unable to bring in as many disciples directly from the tournament.