The Systemic Lands

Chapter 109: Day 248 – A Personal Assistant

I stepped out of my room after getting dressed in one of my new outfits. I had a shower this morning after waking up with Gertrude. She left to go back to her place and get ready for the day after waking up. She had just given me a smile when she left, not saying anything.

I didn’t know if it had been a good choice or bad choice, but I knew I was less likely to shout with the discussion ahead at the very least.

“Good morning, Michael,” Clarissa said. Naran came into the main room and winked at me. I refused to look away or blush on principle. We were adults, not gossiping schoolgirls.

“Good morning, Clarissa. We need to talk. Naran?” I asked.

“Just going to be wandering about for the day, unless you needed me?”

“No. We won’t leave until after day 250. Probably day 252, if I had to pick.”

“Alright, well I will get things ready the day before.”

“Thank you. I will sort out my armor, if there is anything you need from me, let me know.”

“Clarissa handled the crystals needed. Well, I’ll be off.” He sent me two finger guns before leaving. I rolled my eyes.

“I heard last evening went quite well. Today on the agenda-“

“Is how I was blindsided last night.” Clarissa paused as I cut her off. “The event with the Union, I didn’t know I was paying for all of it.”

“I thought you knew. That was my mistake. I will make sure it doesn’t happen again.” At least she didn’t try to push blame away.

“You are good at what you do. But if this is going to work long term. I can’t be blind sided at something like that. Did you even know about the factions forming within the Union?” I asked.

“No, I haven’t made any inroads there. It is a fairly closed off group.”

“Laura told me you were quite good, with how you have been handling everything. I am inclined to agree. But I hate being blindsided like that.”

“It won’t happen again.” I let the silence linger for a bit before replying.

“Good. Now the agenda?” I asked.

“Breakfast is set at the Gray Duck with Ken and Tyrese again. I also confirmed they will be showing up to the Constitutional Convention today after what happened yesterday. I suspect they wanted you to brow beat everyone there and not be part of it.” Clever of them, but it was the minimum expected of people in their position.

“Most of the topics are going to focus on the exact functions of the Executive branch and how the judiciary will work. We covered your requirements. They include a very simple set of laws that fit on one sheet of paper, trials or arbitrations that last less than a day and are no more than ten days from the event in question. Also, no precedent and a heavy focus on execution. I believe that covers everything?”

“Yes. You did well enough yesterday, I have no complaints how you are handling things.” I saw relief on her face, however brief, at that statement. The fact she was organized and quite good was the only reason I hadn’t kicked her ass to the curb.

“The afternoon session will consist of a focus on the pay scale, organization, and recruitment of the Red Military Police Force, or RMPF. A standardized uniform will be made and no one else will be allowed the color of red expect for the Immortal Council, who will have no restrictions.” I nodded at that.

“That brings up the internal structure of the Council itself and the appointment of someone to oversee the initial stages of setting up a support organization.” More details to sort out.

“The internal structure will be decided by the Council once it forms. I will not unilaterally decide things ahead of time or set it in stone. As for the appointment of a person, you gather up a list of candidates and I will interview the top three you find. Let’s plan for that the next time I return. Unless you are volunteering?”

“I am acting in that position right now, but I will find people for you to interview. Any specific traits?”

“People who don’t screw up and can keep their mouths shut.”

“That will be very hard.” The deadpan way she said that made it so I couldn’t tell if that was a joke or not. “The recruitment pool is limited, but I will do my best with what I have.”

“The dinner with the potion maker, Chase?”

“Has been arranged. I will be in attendance. Ken wanted to come as well.”

“Sure, let him come as well. Bill the entire thing to him. He owns the Gray Duck. He can figure it out.”

“That covers everything for today. With any hope, there will just be petitions about the Constitution tomorrow and then a vote on the day after.”

“Petitions? That sounds like a barrel of fun.”

“You wanted an open process. You are getting an open process.”

“Don’t remind me. Also, that Charles guy?”

“He plans to take over the religious aspect of Purgatory. Was there something more you wanted to know?”

“Yeah, that isn’t about to happen. Losing control of religion is a sure-fire way to have drama. I want you to find and recruit someone charismatic. We are going to start are own church.” I had been joking about it for a while, but this Charles guy finally got me motivated and Clarissa could make it happen.

“A church?” Clarissa was in a bit of shock as she gave me a weird look.

“Yes. A church. I want a good public speaker. Fire and brimstone type with a touch of stage magician.”

“What religious denomination will this church be?”

“You can’t even guess?” Clarissa let out a sigh but decided to play along. It was good being the boss.

“The Church of the System?”

“Close. The Church of the Almighty System. We need someone to write up a Bible. But call it the Power Guide. Yep, Power Guide. Only by embracing this new world, killing monsters, and earning points to give to the Almighty System will they be blessed.”

Clarissa closed her eyes and I just kept smiling at her. I was dead set on starting up a religion. No more Bible quotes. The first book, would be the Book of Michael. “A catchy opening line would be, ‘In the beginning, the Almighty System created the Systemic Lands. Now the void was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the void, and the Almighty System was watching on from above.’”

“I will see who I can find. A preacher with a touch of fire, brimstone, and stage magic. A writer that is versed in biblical references.”

“Don’t worry, I am not asking you to get the unpublished Game of Thrones manuscripts.” This time Clarissa glared at me. I wonder if she got the reference. The glare meant she probably did.

“Do you realize how few people there are? How hard it is to sift through and find someone useful out of the small population we have?”

“Yes, but that is now a Clarissa problem, not a Michael problem.”

“Very well, but I make no promises. How much can I offer people?”

“You manage the finances. Whatever you think they are worth. But I want the best you can find, out of the limited pool we have. Also purchase property for the church and get someone to make it have a holy atmosphere. Oh, we need hymns and musical instruments. Figure that out as well.” I knew I was piling it on her, but she wanted the big pay for sitting around. She could handle the big tasks. I did see that she made notes of everything I asked.

“Musical instruments and hymns. Any preference on instruments?”

“Whatever can be made, but something grand. An organ is preferable.” How many people knew how to make organs in the Eastern US? Well, Clarissa would just have to work extra hard to find someone or reverse engineer an organ.

“You should get going to breakfast.”

“I might think of some more things though.”

“My plate is already quite full. Anymore and you will need a second personal assistant.” Well at least she did have some pushback in her after all of that.

“Alright. I can’t wait to read the Power Guide, Book of Michael.”

“It will be a thriller for the ages.” Again, with the deadpan. She had to have practiced that. We got up and I stepped outside.

I came to a stop as someone I never expected to see again was standing in front of my building. “Ruth. What are you doing here?” I was in a bit of shock. I never expected her to turn up.

“Coming to say hi. I found out that my debt was cleared as compensation for Truth’s dungeons. Thank you for that.” She was trying to needle me. I just smiled at her.

“That was when you were running the city. Ditched Tom I see.”

“What? I thought he was here. That is why I was waiting, to speak with him, not you.”

“He left after we came back. Sleeping with him? Really? He has to be half your age, enjoy robbing the cradle?” I enjoyed sending barbs back at her. I really needed to think up some witty one liners when grinding.

“I make my own way Michael. What I do is my own business.” That is why you needed to have one liners prepared, otherwise you sound whiney like that.

“And Tyrese. But I shouldn’t judge.” I was totally judging.

“I am going to see my kids again, no matter what it takes.” Did she even have kids? I was even doubting that claim now.

“After all that screaming you did about Truth, and you just walked away?”

“What do you want? To hear that you are the smartest, most right person in the world. Well guess what? You are the smartest, most handsome person in the world. One hundred percent right and I was completely wrong.”

“You forgot richest, and it is the Systemic Lands.”

“That is a stupid name.” Oh, snap. You did not just go there. You do not insult my naming sense.

“The one nice thing about you being gone, is that I don’t have to listen to your nagging anymore. Go away and darken someone else’s day you witch.”

“Really calling me a bitch now?” I just rolled my eyes and started walking. If she wanted to mishear, that was her choice. I was done with her. Still, it was surprising she made an appearance after all this time.

A part of me was curious about what she was planning to do, but it was better to let things rest. Or maybe not. I had considered us even before, and for her to show her face now. Well, that was concerning. “Clarissa. Make it a top priority and track what Ruth is up to. Who she is speaking to. Everything you can find out. If the information is good enough, you can offer up to one favor on my behalf, like getting a level 3 skill.”

“Are you sure? I know she was your old teammate and you parted on bad terms, but a favor?”

“Yes. She saved my life and then betrayed me. Canceling out any debt I owe her. But frankly I don’t trust her at all. She is scheming something. I want to know what it is. She is a type A personality like you. Only more toxic. Like radioactive poop. I want to make sure whatever she is planning doesn’t land on me.”

“I can arrange a group to follow her. It will cost a bit.”

“Like I said, pay out the crystals. I want-that is wrong. I need to know. That woman schemes as easily as she breathes. Her schemes are stupid though after what she did in Truth. That is why I am worried what she might try and do now.”

“Alright. I will make the arrangements. This will leak out.”

“I don’t care. Let her know she is being followed. If she kills her followers, then we have reason to put a bounty on her head and get rid of her.” I didn’t think that would happen. Better to just put pressure on her and find out what she was up to.

“You don’t want to try something more permanent?” I looked at Clarissa, surprised she suggested such a thing. I considered it. Ruth was witch and also a word that rhymed with witch. I might not say it, but I was thinking it. Still, we were square for now.

Also, an assassination would just invite a counter assassination, leading to more escalation. I had no doubt she would survive unless I went after her personally, with her skills and stats. Better to pester her with minions. “No, just arrange for people to find out what she is up to.”

“I will take care of that right now then and meet you at the Meeting Chamber after breakfast.” I nodded at that, and Clarissa quickly left my side making her way across the plaza. I paused to look at her destination. Bob’s resale store. How interesting.

At least I could give orders to someone and have them carried out. I was also entrusting her with all my wealth in the city. I liked the deadpan humor a lot more than the bitchiness Ruth handed out. Now all I needed was a butler with a British accent. I would put that on her plate the next time she screwed something major up.

Find me one British butler. Also, their name should be Alfred preferably. Then have Elise draw up a bat themed outfit and call this city Gotham. I thought if I could pull it off. There was part of me that wanted to try and to just see people accept it all.

I knew people were bending over to agree with me, due to my position, wealth, and threat of melting. Now I knew why Dumbledore from Harry Potter wore outrageous outfits. He was probably waiting to see if anyone called him out on it. That was one way to know who had common sense left and wasn’t a yes man or yes woman. I should increase the outlandishness of my outfits I wore in the city to see who finally called me out on them.