Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: In Joy or Sorrow (1)
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Occasionally, upsets happened even in Omega Detroit's elections.
Voting rights were fundamentally a privilege granted to citizens, so if discontent in society reached a tipping point... very rarely, a hero representing the people's voice would get elected.
But those protagonists who ascended to the stage had never changed anything in this city up to now.
Most public services were privatized anyway, and the authority of public officials existed only as words on paper.
Even the bureaucrats handling the actual work were mostly bought off by external corporations.
What could a new head do with limbs that moved on their own whims?
Imposing discipline or filing lawsuits against insubordinate staff only led to trials dragging on until the term ended—a common occurrence.
So simply winning an election changed nothing.
In fact, that was when the real ordeal began. The elected official had to reject the sweet temptations offered by external corporations, endure isolation from above and below, and wage a lonely, grueling battle within the administrative office for years just to achieve something by the end of their term.
But to supporters who had used their immediately cashable voting rights to elect the candidate, such a slow and arduous process was just an unconvincing excuse.
When clear justice didn't materialize right away, disappointment set in, and the candidate was inevitably ousted in the next election.
This was precisely why Omega Detroit granted voting rights to its citizens.
It was a deception that made the masses believe the hope to change the world still lay in their own hands.
But beyond that faint possibility loomed insurmountable obstacles.
Faced with the wall of reality, individuals inevitably fractured. Some became desperate enough to sell their voting rights just to survive the day, the hero they barely elected fell ignobly, and others scorned and condemned them for it.
The common folk who had once united for revolution scattered under the city's individualism.
But... even so, the masses were always beings who challenged the status quo.
And unrelenting challenges sometimes produced upsets that exceeded everyone's expectations.
Like this election that had set Epsilon Circle abuzz.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With the candidate our church had backed winning the election, the remaining tasks were straightforward.
'We need to purge the sector administrative office and fill it with our own people.'
If the newly elected sector chief had been just another individual riding on popular support like before, countless obstacles would have awaited before seizing control of operations.
But the current Radiance Church was a force surpassing most corporations.
If legitimate authority was secured, we had more than enough power to make it reality.
Exposing the corruption of uncooperative internal bureaucrats, clapping them in irons one by one, and replacing them with our church personnel wouldn't take long.
So I didn't issue separate orders or intervene in that matter.
It was smoother to leave it to experts like Mr. Alistair, who had just taken over as administrative director, rather than meddling ignorantly.
With even the administrative office fully delegated, what I was doing now was...
Sitting alone in an ornate reception room, waiting for someone.
"........"
The table was laden with an array of exquisite refreshments.
I hesitated for a moment before picking up a teacup.
The sip of liquid was thickly sweet hot chocolate.
*Slurp-*
"Mm...."
Sweet, as expected.
Overly so—normally not my taste at all, but...
'Is it because my body's changed?'
I took another sip. My tongue tingled.
*Slurp-*
"Eurm......"
Yet I kept sipping away, and this body craved sweetness to an almost unnatural degree.
"......."
I was lost in thought, staring at the now-empty cup, when...
*Clunk-* The reception room door opened, and a middle-aged man entered.
Dressed in a suit, he gave an awkward smile.
"Sorry I'm late, Eve. Did I keep you waiting long? An important guest showed up suddenly."
I smiled back.
"No, Godfather. I've only just arrived myself."
As you can see, this was the reception room at Lumina Group's headquarters.
It had been a while since I'd seen the Godfather in person.
Maybe because we talked frequently, it didn't feel awkward.
"I heard the news. Seventy-three percent of the vote—impressive."
"It's thanks to your help, Godfather."
"Nonsense, just a few words of advice."
Getting involved in this election wasn't a solo decision.
I'd always consulted allies well-versed in the city's power dynamics.
This time was no different.
A bit late, I confided my lingering concerns to the Godfather.
"As you know, we won the election... but is everything okay?"
"Worried you've drawn too much attention?"
I nodded silently.
While the church had expanded through many ventures to grow its influence, this time we'd seized a chunk of public authority outright.
An expansion on a whole different level from charity work.
It was natural to worry how outsiders would react or what checks would come.
The Godfather pondered briefly before speaking.
"For now... it should be fine. Epsilon Circle is practically no different from the outskirts."
Indeed, Epsilon Circle was the outermost zone, teeming with the most impoverished.
Even registered corporations there were mostly mid-sized or small enterprises.
Corporate direct hires made up only about twenty percent of the population; the rest were day laborers through layers of subcontractors—making it the hotspot for election upsets.
The Godfather continued.
"Securing one sector chief position in such an Epsilon Circle won't provoke serious pushback against the church we and Tessellation back. The city's government hinges on the general election filling the Central Council."
Five circles, twelve sectors.
Sixty electoral districts, each electing one councilor to the Central Council.
The cabinet formed by the ruling party holding a majority there was the core of the city's administrative power.
Thus, a leadership change in one outer-zone autonomous administrative office held little weight in the power structure.
No matter how Epsilon's poor twisted and turned, the Central Council was inevitably dominated by corporate figures.
From Delta Circle onward, corporate direct hires exceeded forty percent—securing ten percent of votes guaranteed victory. And it only ramped up in Gamma, Beta, and Alpha Circles.
"Touch the general election, and other factions might react unpredictably, but for now... it should be okay."
The Godfather's voice lowered as he added, "But—"
"This has drawn quite a bit of outside attention. Even in Epsilon Circle, a faction claiming a sector on its own merits is noteworthy. The Radiance Church's reputation—good or bad—will be entirely different now."
I nodded, my expression tense.
'I was prepared for that. No growth without risk.'
To gather faith enough to transcend dimensions, expanding the church's reach was inevitable.
Increased recognition was a natural step.
Better to face scrutiny with power built up than defenseless.
As I reaffirmed my resolve, the Godfather—still concerned—offered advice.
"The more the church draws eyes, the more you will too, Eve. So... be even more cautious with miracles from now on. Better yet, avoid using them if possible. Especially on strangers. It's too dangerous now to lend a hand just out of pity. I know your kind heart, but still..."
"Yes, I'll keep it in mind. Don't worry too much, Godfather."
Building the hospital was for that very reason.
To help the sick without relying on my personal power, and if a miracle was needed, create plausible deniability to avoid notice.
'Still, I really need to be careful now.'
With the church's profile raised, miracles could no longer be used freely outside.
Only on thoroughly vetted, devoted believers.
'...A shame.'
The healing miracles had gifted me reliable allies until now.
Now it was a secret to hide far more carefully than before.
I probably couldn't turn strangers into comrades so easily anymore.
Did such regrets show on my face?
Suddenly, the Godfather changed topics.
"Oh, right. Eve, remember I met a guest before coming to see you?"
"Yes, of course."
"That person was a director at Syneron Medica."
Among the city's top hundred firms, ranked sixteenth by capital.
A pharmaceutical giant counting among the world's top three. Syneron Medica.
They were a megacorp on par with the heavyweights.
'But... why does that name come up here?'
As I puzzled, the Godfather continued.
"They brought some unexpected news. It concerns you too, Eve. Want to hear it?"
"Yes....?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "........"
The elevator ascending to the rooftop aerovehicle port at headquarters.
*Whirr-*
Inside the smoothly rising maglev elevator.
I mulled over the bewildering... story? Proposal? Whatever it was, thoroughly disconcerting topic I'd just heard.
".........."
Even after reaching the top floor.
Even as I walked the corridor toward the hangar where my AV was parked.
The complex, subtle thoughts trailing from the Godfather's reception room churned in my mind.
"......."
Finally arriving at the aero port.
Esty, who had been quietly following, opened the parked vehicle's door for me.
Then, sensing something off, she casually asked.
"Lady Eve, do you have some worries?"
Snapping out of my reverie, I scratched my cheek and replied lightly.
"Hm... I might... get engaged, maybe."
It wasn't a complete lie or truth.
Mostly a joke tossed to startle the composed Esty a bit.
But the response was a hideous breaking sound.
*Screeech-!*
"......?"
Before my belatedly alert eyes hung the vehicle door, dangling precariously with broken hinges.
Then, *thud-*
"E-Est-Estyy?! The door...! It fell off...!"
"....."
The door handle, crushed in the exact shape of her fingers, slipped from her grip.
But Esty ignored the triviality. She called to me in her usual calm voice.
"Lady Eve."
Her expression was as impassive as ever.
But those golden eyes shook with unprecedented intensity.
"...Please, provide a detailed and specific explanation."