Back in the grand hall, Alister stood before Lady Aiko, close to a table where the remaining members of the White Comet gathered for the event, all waiting for the Union branch director to start the strategy meeting.
She adjusted her glasses as she gazed at Alister skeptically, proceeding to ask, “Where have you been, and what were you doing?”
Alister paused for a moment, locking his eyes with Lady Aiko’s. He let out a sigh before saying, “I was having a chat with the Berserkers’ Guild Master.”
His words caused Lady Aiko to narrow her gaze slightly, her eyes becoming somewhat intense as she asked, “What were you talking about?”
Alister waited for a moment before he spoke in a slightly serious tone, “That I would prefer to keep to myself, if you don’t mind.”
Lady Aiko felt slightly insulted by his tone and wanted to say something when Yuuto called out to her.
“Enough with that, Aiko. The branch director is already climbing the stage.”
Redirecting her gaze toward the center of the massive grand hall, she saw an elevated platform, perhaps three to four feet above the ground level.
As the branch director climbed, all the other lights in the grand hall dimmed, and only a couple of white lights were pointed at the branch director as he ascended the stage.
As Aethel approached the podium, his presence drew everyone’s attention. Dressed in a tailored suit that blended seamlessly with his mescular frame.
He adjusted his tie and cleared his throat, the room falling into complete silence. Aethel activated the holo-screen, and a map of Megacity I appeared, highlighting the outer and inner rings with vibrant colors.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for convening today. Our purpose is clear: to address the pressing issues affecting our city and to chart a course for the upcoming year.”
He pointed toward the map, and specific areas in the outer rings lit up in red, indicating recent spikes in crime and monster sightings.
“As you can see, the outer ring is facing an alarming increase in criminal activities and sightings of low rank monsters. This is unacceptable and a direct threat to the citizens we have sworn to protect.” He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in.
“Let us review the performance of the guilds during the past year.”
He continued by shifting to another projection that displayed a series of graphs. “The White Comet Guild, renowned for its advanced technological innovations, has failed to maintain the security protocols in Sector I. The recent incident where several drones were hijacked has not only led to the loss of valuable resources but also raised concerns among the populace. We cannot allow technological vulnerabilities to compromise our safety.”
“In Sector IV, the Red Phoenix Guild, known for its cultural heritage, has neglected its responsibilities in community safety.”
“The recent festival was marred by riots stemming from an unregulated black market for rare artifacts. The chaos resulted in injuries to civilians and a tarnished reputation for our cultural institutions. This is a failure on their part to uphold the values they profess.”
He paused briefly then continued. “Next, we must address the Blue Seals Guild in Sector II. Their failure to control maritime smuggling has directly impacted our trade networks, leading to inflated prices for essential goods. The recent rise in import costs to different city sectors has hindered our economic growth and affected the livelihoods of families across the city.”
“The guild’s negligence in monitoring maritime activities has repercussions far beyond their sector.”
Aethel’s tone became more serious as he continued. “And finally, the Reapers Guild in Sector Vhas encountered its share of issues.”
“Their involvement in intelligence operations has not provided the necessary oversight to prevent the alarming rise in missing persons-especially cases where victims are found drained of blood and mana.”
“These incidents, occurring predominantly in the outer ring, have created an atmosphere of fear. While I recognize the complexity of these investigations, the lack of progress is troubling.”
The room was silent as Aethel’s words seemed to hang in the air.
“We cannot afford to continue down this path. The reputation of our guilds is on the line, and more importantly, the safety and well-being of our citizens depend on our collective actions.”
He pointed to a series of holo-graphs detailing the specific cases of drained victims. “These individuals were found without a single wound yet completely devoid of blood and mana.” “It raises questions about the nature of the threats we are facing. We must demand accountability and urge our guilds to expedite their investigations. Lives are at stake.” The members shifted uneasily, some taking notes while others whispered among themselves. Aethel then projected a series of graphs illustrating the rise in prices for food and essential items, showing a steep upward trend. “The economic impact of these failures is profound.” “Our citizens are suffering from inflated prices, leading to dissatisfaction and unrest. If we do not address the underlying issues, we risk further destabilizing our city.”
“We need a coordinated response from all sectors. We the Union will enforce stricter regulations and oversight, particularly in areas where the guilds have demonstrated shortcomings.”
He looked around the room, gauging the reactions of the attendees. “I urge each guild to reevaluate their strategies and improve their response times. I expect to see detailed reports on the measures you plan to implement to counteract these challenges. We need to strengthen our defenses against external threats and foster a safer environment for our citizens.”
With a calm yet resolute tone, Aethel then added, “We cannot continue to shift blame or evade responsibility. The time for action is now. Each guild must come together to share
intelligence.”
“It is imperative that we collaborate, leveraging our unique strengths to combat the rising tide of crime and chaos that threatens our city.”
He concluded, “I trust that we can all agree on the importance of this mission. Let us not only protect our interests but also honor our duty to the people we serve.”
“I am counting on each of you to take these concerns to heart and return with actionable plans. We will reconvene in one month to assess our progress. Together, we can create a better future for Megacity I.”