I have an Apocalypse City

The City Lord fainted suddenly in the backyard, such a thing could not be concealed for long. Those present exchanged glances, speculating that the City Lord’s health was likely in serious trouble.

Some were worried, some delighted, and some simply watched coolly. Yet none showed their actual emotions, maintaining a business-as-usual demeanor.

“Suravi, do you know why the City Lord has gathered us all here? Is there something he wishes to announce?” a stout middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit and glasses asked softly.

“Dean, please calm down. The City Lord does indeed have an important announcement to make, which is why I called you all here,” Suravi replied quietly after giving him a glance.

“Is the City Lord intending to name a successor? Haha.”

“2019Dean, watch your tongue. Such words shouldn’t be coming from you.”

The middle-aged man adjusted his glasses and smiled but spoke no more. This man was the Dean of the Institute of Scientific Research, Bonis. Despite the City Lord’s illness and the Blood Queen’s aggressive courting of influence, the Institute remained neutral. It seemed to be loyal to the City Lord Mansion, but in reality, Bonis had even deeper plans.

After they waited for a while, a dazzling golden light suddenly emanated from the City Lord’s sickroom at the Mansion. Everyone was stunned, and a look of surprise flashed across Bonis’ face, which quickly turned to anger.

“How… how can this be? How can he…” Bonis roared, his face flushed with rage. “How can the City Lord pass on the City Lord Seal unofficially? That goes against the constitutional laws of the City of Sin! There must be a majority of us present in agreement for the City Lord to confer the seal onto someone else!”

“Oh, Bonis, getting upset that the City Lord isn’t passing the City Lord seal to you?” A man dressed in black armor sneered. “Don’t forget, the City Lord seal will only pass within the line of the City Lord, as stipulated by the constitution of the City of Sin. You needn’t harbor such wild fantasies.”

“Without the consent of over half the Executive Ministers, this does not count. The City Lord seal must be reclaimed and…” Bonis’ face turned sullen and his mind was thrown into disarray.

“Fine, let’s vote on the City Lord’s intentions here and now. Regardless of who the Lord confers the seal to, I will vote in favor. How about you all?!” The man in black armor slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and shouted.

“I’m in favor.” Suravi looked at Bonis with a smile, then turned her gaze to other Executive Ministers.

A few ministers ignored them, gazing up at the sky, while others furrowed their brows, seemingly weighing their thoughts.

“I agree!”

“I’m in favor!”

“Agree”

…

Eventually, a few more voices expressed their agreement, but at least two-thirds of the Executive Ministers did not immediately speak up. This was certainly not a formal occasion, especially given that the City Lord was not present. It seemed rash to vote in such circumstances.

“Those of you who haven’t spoken, what is it? Do you harbor the same thoughts as Bonis?” The man in the black armor turned towards the remaining silent ministers, his face was full of hostility.

“Adela, what are you trying to do, are you trying to force the other ministers?” Bonis stood up abruptly, a savage, beast-like power radiating from him as his eyes glowed with a vengeful blood-red light.

Adela was the commander of another legion in the City of Sin. His regular duty was to eliminate all monsters within the City of Sin and expand its sphere of influence.

Ever since the City Lord had recovered from his poisoning, he had been urgently summoned back. Collectively, the Mansion Guard and his legion accounted for over eighty percent of the entire military strength of the City of Sin.

At that moment, a deep voice from the City Lord came from the sickroom.

“Everyone get in here! What are you grumbling about outside?”

At the City Lord’s call, everyone fell silent. Some of the ministers looked surprised.

“City Lord!” The ministers saluted towards the sickroom door. Then the door opened, and they walked in one by one.

The City Lord was propped up by Anna, sitting up against his pillow and covered with a brocade blanket. He seemed frail, but showed no sign of illness on his face. His eyes were shockingly bright.

Even though he was sitting on his sickbed, he seemed to be sitting in the City Lord’s seat in the City Lord Mansion’s meeting hall. There was no trace of his illness.

Imposing even when ailing, the City Lord squinted at the assembled individuals. “What were you arguing about just now?” he asked.

“City Lord, Bonis is initiating a revolt!” Adela burst out.

Everyone looked at Adela in surprise as Bonis, seething with rage, pointed at Adela, unable to speak. “Adela, what nonsense are you spouting? Are you looking to be stationed at the Dark Forest?” The City Lord snorted coldly, shooting Adela a fierce glance.

“I wouldn’t dare, my Lord!” Adela trembled, hastily gesturing denial. “The Dark Forest is no place for people. Just breathing the air there made me feel like I was turning into a shadow creature myself.”

“Hmph, then next time, remember to watch your mouth!” The City Lord huffed, before turning to the others. “I summoned you all here to announce something. The heir to the City of Sin will henceforth be Anna. Remember to assist her accordingly.”

Having said that, the City Lord, with the steely expression of a beast, watched the faces of the gathering, waiting for their reactions.

Bonis shivered slightly, adjusted his glasses, and looked incredibly gloomy. He glanced at an Executive Minister standing next to him but said nothing.

The minister Bonis glanced at hesitated, appearing as though he wanted to speak, but suddenly felt a bone-chilling coldness sweeping over him, as if he was under the gaze of a beast ready to pounce and tear him apart if he dared utter a word.

Shivering, the minister broke into a cold sweat, lowered his head, and dared not say one word further.

The City Lord fixed his gaze on several other ministers who had not yet spoken, and not a single person dared to open their mouth again. The overwhelming atmosphere enveloped the entire room. Even Suravi started to feel anxious.

“What is the true state of the City Lord’s health? Is he faking his illness to deceive us?” The same question arose in almost everyone’s minds. The City Lord’s comportment wasn’t at all reflective of a dying patient.

“Since no one objects, then let it be so. I have handed over the City Lord seal to Anna. While I am ill, Anna will act as the City Lord. All matters are to be reported to her.” The City Lord swept everyone with his gaze, gave a satisfied nod and said.

“Alright, you all may leave now. Suravi, stay.” The City Lord closed his eyes and said leisurely.

…