The Systemic Lands

Chapter 105: Day 247 (3) – Constitutional Convention

I took my seat at my table in the Meeting Chamber. Clarissa took a seat next to me. I noted several of the people giving me stares. Others were looking anywhere else but me.

“I hereby call to order the second day of this Constitutional Convention,” Chris the leader of the guard faction announced. He banged a gavel down on a table. “We are honored to have Champion Michael attend as well. Do you wish to say a few words?”

“Yes.” I stood up and everyone stared at me. “The threats we face are grave. It is my hope that convention will create a government that can last the next 10,000 days. We need to focus on three areas. The first being benefits for people with high stats. Forming an Immortal Council is not a question. It will happen.” I kept going and no one dared to interrupt me.

“Second, the government must be limited in scope in order to divert all possible funding to the development of the city and its defenses. The threat of level 4 monsters are not limited to just outside the city. We must prepare for an eventual battle within the city of Purgatory itself!” I was doing well I thought.

“Third, this government must function differently than any government on Earth. In fact, no government has ever existed with the express purpose this government must now operate with. Due to the impending housing crisis in the future and the constant crystal crisis, this government is not for the people or by the people.” There were murmurs at that, but I continued.

“The purpose of the government is solely to keep order within Purgatory. That is its sole purpose. We are facing mass deaths in the future. The only thing we can control is how far we descend into barbarism and the rules we will govern ourselves by going forward.”

“Let me make it clear. If an adequate government fails to form. The alternative will be much worse. Trust me when I say, the alternative is something none of us want including myself.” I sat back down to silence. Clarissa was staring at me, but she should have expected I wouldn’t just meekly sit around while people screwed things up.

I already knew what I was going to do if this idea failed to generate results. I was going to melt everyone, declare myself an immortal dictator, and kill people until things ran the way I wanted them to run. I didn’t want to do that, but I was mentally preparing myself to take that step.

“Thank you, Champion Michael, for your words. However, giving up on people and division is never the option,” Charles said. I refused to give him any kind of title like pastor. One earned titles in the Systemic Lands. “An immortal council would divide people. We are all created equal in God’s image-“

“I agree with my friend here, creating any kind of caste system will only cause issues long term,” Rick said. I turned to look at him, but he didn’t stop. “Focusing on death, is the wrong direction of this convention.”

They both looked at me waiting for a response. “How many monsters have either of you killed?” I asked.

“I don’t see what that has to do with anything?” Charles replied. I looked at Rick.

“Quite a few.” I gave him a slight nod. At least he was willing to go outside the city.

“If a level 4 monster came in here right now, how would you survive? Running away? Dying pointlessly?” I asked Charles.

“That isn’t the issue at hand,” Rick said. I slammed my palm onto the table.

“That is exactly the issue! An Immortal Council will be the military might of this city. This is going to happen. I am going for a walk to clear my head, so I don’t lose my temper with any of you being idiots. I will be reviewing that portion of the Constitution over lunch when I return. If none of you can figure out how to make an Immortal Council work, then don’t show your face here again.”

There was silence. “Clarissa, I trust you can handle the rest of this morning’s session.” Since Ken and Tyrese couldn’t be bothered to show up, I would do other things and then review what was drawn up.

“Yes Champion Michael.” I then stood up and walked out. I rubbed my face. I knew exactly where I was going to next.

I made my way to Lady Shi’s Salon. There was a sign out front and the building was colored a light blue currently. I entered through the front door into a well-lit waiting room. “Welcome Champion Michael,” the lady at the front desk greeted me and stood up. “Lady Shi is currently with a customer, but after that there is an immediate opening for Lady Shi’s services. Unless you prefer someone else?”

“I will wait, that is fine.”

“As you wish.” I took a seat in the waiting room. There were no magazines to read or look through which was annoying. Still, it appeared business was good. Everyone needed their hair cut.

Lady Shi soon came out herself. “Champion Michael. Welcome.”

“Lady Shi, a pleasure as always. I hope not to impose, but could you send the bill to my personal assistant Clarissa.”

“For you, of course. Follow.” I followed her to the second floor. “Short as possible?”

“Yes.” She got to work.

“Everything okay in the city?” I asked.

“For the most part. The plaza is safe, but the outer areas and the slums are quite dangerous. At least the public showers are doing a lot of good.”

“At least taxes are doing something. Problem?” I asked as Lady Shi frowned at the pair of clippers she was using.

“What is your Body stat?” I hesitated, since that was dangerous information to share. “Forgive me, I shouldn’t have asked,” Lady Shi quickly replied.

“It is fine. But I am not sharing that information. What is the problem?”

“Your hair is too tough and wearing out the clippers too quickly. If you increase your stats any further, I will no longer be able to cut your hair with my current equipment.” That was a big problem. Would my body just grow like one of those weird people who never clip their nails?

Would I have to have my bones pulled out of my body and then restored to make something strong enough to cut my hair? Or the tools to make the tools to cut my hair? This was not a simple a problem. How did Superman cut his hair? Wait, he had tactile telekinesis and comics didn’t handle that kind of thing. Like Superman’s poops being super and creating a plumbing disaster.

My mind drifted to an article online I had read called Man of Steel, Woman of Paper. Were there other issues having a high Body stat? I didn’t have any good or easy answer.

“I can finish today, but your assistant will be getting a large bill for all the clippers I will be going through. If you Body stat increases further, I cannot guarantee service.”

“I understand Lady Shi. Thank you for your patience.”

“Always causing me more work. Now quiet, I need to put my back into this and to focus.”

I shut my mouth and she got to work. After a lot of work and three clippers, my hair was shorn to a short length.

“Thank you Lady Shi.”

“Of course, now I need to rest.” I left the building. I made my way to Elise’s outfitters. Time to get a look at the new designs.

I entered the store. Elise was busy drawing. “One moment, while I finish this part up.”

“Take your time,” I said and took a seat. A minute later Elise finished up whatever she was working on. She the turned and began to stand up, when she startled a bit.

“Champion Michael! Welcome. I have prepared both drawings that you asked me to complete. One for armor and another for a town outfit. Let me go get them.”

“Of course.” She rushed off to another room and then quick returned. I got up and went over to the table where she was laying them out.

“I focused on simple, yet impactful. You will notice the armor one has shades of dark blue in varying hues. The gold dragon emblazoned on the outfit as your signature.” I nodded at that. “The second design, is more western. Less a robe and more layers. A light blue shirt, with a dark blue jacket, with a golden dragon motif on the collars and cuffs.”

I looked over both designs. They were excellent. At least I would have more than one outfit for the next couple of days. “I will take both. Arrange payment with my personal assistant Clarissa.”

Elise looked about to object and then changed her mind. “Of course. I will settle the bill with her.” I was loving Clarissa, just being able to dump all these issues and not having to lug a pack of crystals around was a huge benefit.

I picked up the drawings. “Will there be any more orders?” Elise asked. She probably wanted more business and I was the richest person around. At least the one with the highest earning potential.

“Elise will be talking to you about my home for the layout and the appearance of various items. Impressive yet subtle. I also prefer the eastern dragon motif.” Western dragons tended to be much bulkier around the waist. I preferred the thin eastern dragons. Too bad dragons had scales and didn’t come with abs.

Now that would be hilarious. A dragon with abs. This was one time I was grateful I didn’t have the internet, since a large portion of the images on the internet would probably be human dragon hybrids in lurid poses.

“I will make sure to speak with her right away and get started immediately,” Elise said.

“Good work. I look forward to seeing what you will figure out for my home.” I waved over my shoulder as I left her shop. Time to return the drawings to my home and then remember to pester Clarissa for crystals to purchase the two new outfits for tomorrow. I also needed to pay to fix up my armor.

I smiled as I walked across the plaza. It was nice and liberating not having to worry about handling my own expenses anymore.

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