Chapter 586: Future Consul

"Consul, please speak," Anxiwodasi nodded slightly.

Ge Nie Wu Si said solemnly, "The Supreme Council has granted me the duty of overseeing the Naiser Floating City. It is a great honor, but I personally fear I cannot bear such an important responsibility."

His words were earnest, his demeanor full of anxiety, as if he truly worried he could not be competent.

But everyone present were clever people.

Politicians never complain that the power in their hands is too great; they always claim it is never enough, unless it is a hot potato, where the loss from holding the power far exceeds the gain.

Clearly, Ge Nie Wu Si is not truly incapable of the job.

He merely weighed the pros and cons, found that overseeing the Naiser Floating City is a thankless task, and may have also heard of events in the Supreme Council: Duke Hong Shi is determined to seize Naiser, which could very likely offend that new titan.

Anxiwodasi frowned, "This duty is granted to the Consul, not to you."

The words made Ge Nie Wu Si's expression shift slightly.

Clearly, Anxiwodasi was dissatisfied with himself, directly hinting that if he was unwilling to take on the responsibility, the next Consul could be replaced. Without Mo Du's faction's support, he could not remain Consul and would have to bid farewell to his fourth term.

"I understand, public office and personal matters cannot be mixed," Ge Nie Wu Si hurriedly explained, "Master Anxiwodasi, I am not declining, just have a somewhat immature proposal; please consider it."

"Hmm, go ahead," Anxiwodasi replied coolly.

"I propose establishing a supervisory committee, with the Consul as chair, and each Master of the Supreme Council appointing a member, to jointly oversee the operation and accounts of the Naiser Floating City. Through the committee members, the Supreme Council can monitor Naiser's movements at any time," Ge Nie Wu Si asked cautiously, "Master Anxiwodasi, what do you think?"

Lei En, standing nearby, silently applauded the Consul.

This was not an "immature proposal" at all, but a well‑thought‑out idea; even if Ge Nie Wu Si did not devise it himself, it was his staff who devised it.

The supervisory committee, once formed, shared the Consul's burden, yet the power did not diminish much.

The committee resembled a low‑budget version of the Supreme Council, and as chair, the Consul held the initiative and speaking authority over any member.

The best part was that the Holy Soul Wizards would not oppose, because aside from Duke Hong Shi, what they truly wanted was not "supervision" but to prevent Duke Hong Shi from seizing Naiser.

Even if Duke Hong Shi objected, it would be useless; his anger could not be unleashed upon the Consul alone.

This move was brilliant.

No wonder he is worthy of being re‑elected Consul for three terms!

Anxiwodasi thought for a moment, nodded and smiled, "That proposal is good. Consul, you have already spoken with GreyEagle, right?"

GreyEagle is the Duke GreyEagle, Tim*Kenan Master.

"Yes, Master," Ge Nie Wu Si heard that Anxiwodasi had already tacitly approved, but remained composed, replying, "Lord Duke also supports this proposal; he told me that it requires a Master's consent to possibly pass."

He became Consul on the recommendation of Master Tim*Kenan, so reporting to him first is understandable.

Anxiwodasi did not get angry because of that.

He wore a half‑smile, "What about Kels Tong?"

Ge Nie Wu Si was somewhat embarrassed; the only party harmed by the proposal was Duke Hong Shi's interests, and if he dared to present it to Duke Hong Shi in person, he might suffer a Nine‑Ring Mind Blast.

Among the Supreme Council's three factions, as long as two agree, the matter is essentially settled.

There's no need to invite trouble by going to Duke Hong Shi.

When it is finalized, Duke Hong Shi will have to grudgingly accept, and still must send someone into the supervisory committee to avoid his own voice on Naiser being marginalized.

"I earnestly request Master Anxiwodasi's approval," Ge Nie Wu Si rose and pleaded.

"Fine."

Anxiwodasi did not hesitate, "I will speak with GreyEagle." He looked at Ge Nie Wu Si and praised, "Consul, you handled this matter well."

"Master, you flatter me," Ge Nie Wu Si's face lit with joy, saying very modestly, "The Supreme Council's will is the Consul's will; I merely wish to better serve the Masters; it is within my duties."

Anxiwodasi smiled without a word.

Lei En and Roni exchanged glances; this Consul was truly formidable, able to sway the Supreme Council's resolutions.

Ge Nie Wu Si suddenly added, "Master Anxiwodasi, I would like to invite Speaker Lei En to join the supervisory committee; what do you think?"

His gaze fell on Lei En, full of expectation.

Lei En himself felt a bit baffled; Ge Nie Wu Si would never extend an invitation without cause, and he did not wish to meddle in Naiser Floating City's affairs. This might be a pleasant task for others, but for him it came with great danger.

The supervisory committee's office would inevitably be in the capital Nuosiruier.

The Imperial Capital is Naiser's faction's stronghold; Lei En has never been there. As a member of the Empire's council, he has been absent for three consecutive years; fortunately his seat is tied to the Earl of Glamorgan, otherwise he would have been expelled.

Going to the Imperial Capital could likely result in a direct clash with Duke Hong Shi.

He wasn't threatening Duke Hong Shi by clinging to the goddess's thigh to fake authority; he truly wasn't afraid of Duke Hong Shi.

But that does not mean he would immediately confront Duke Hong Shi head‑on.

His strength is rapidly rising; each day the gap with Duke Hong Shi narrows a bit, so the later the clash erupts, the better.

It is still too early now.

Anxiwodasi naturally understood this as well, but after a thoughtful pause he said, "Lei En, make the decision yourself."

Lei En was about to refuse when a flash of insight struck him.

The deeper meaning behind this supervisory committee was far from simple; it was a platform, a stage for power struggles, like a shrunken Supreme Council, and any member dispatched by the Holy Soul Wizards would inevitably be the most outstanding disciple or wizard of their school.

It can be foreseen that the committee will exist for a long time ahead, attracting the attention and games of various forces.

Joining the committee puts one onto the stage of the Empire's political center.

If one seeks no fame or profit, it's fine to ignore it; but for those with political ambitions, the opportunity must not be missed.

Lei En was well aware of his future plans.

The capital Nuosiruier's position is too important; it is an unavoidable place, one will eventually have to go there, even eventually have to reside there.

Ge Nie Wu Si's invitation was a test.

And the teacher saw it at a glance, so he let him decide.

Lei En saw both waiting for his response, and Speaker Ronnie also understood, his expression still calm, like an outsider.

His thoughts rushed; this was not an easy decision, it greatly affected his future plans, the timing was not ideal, many things were unprepared, making it somewhat hasty. Yet to accomplish something, the bigger the matter, the more decisive one must be; a plan is never fully prepared.

Risk has always coexisted with profit.

In the Imperial Capital there will indeed be an early direct clash with Duke Hong Shi, but even if I try hard to avoid it, Duke Hong Shi's hostility will not disappear.

Smart people all understand one principle: you must crush the enemy when they are at their weakest.

Duke Hong Shi certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to let me grow stronger, waiting to retaliate after I ascend to Holy Soul Wizard; avoidance is useless.

Better to use oneself as bait to attract most of Duke Hong Shi's attention.

So the likelihood that the other side will target my family, the Gra Morgan Territory, and the Augustus Duchy will decrease.

I have the goddess's protection, and Duke Hong Shi is well aware of that.

If he doesn't want to anger the goddess, he's unlikely to act personally; as long as he doesn't face a Thirty-level or higher Holy Soul Wizard, Lei En won't be too worried—survival is guaranteed.

Starting with the Supervision Committee, ascending to the political center of the Imperial Capital is an excellent opportunity.

He immediately reached a decision.

Lei En, without showing any emotion, nodded and said softly, "Thank you for the Consul's invitation; I am willing to join the Supervision Committee."

His voice was not loud, but the implication behind it was heavy.

Anxiwodasi was not surprised, seeming to have known all along that Lei En would agree, while Roni slightly shook his head, sighed inwardly, and did not endorse Lei En's choice.

"Welcome, Chairman Lei En, to the Imperial Capital!"

Ge Niu Si's face showed a smile, his joy almost impossible to conceal, and he eagerly said, "When Chairman Lei En arrives in the Imperial Capital, be sure to inform me."

"Alright."

Lei En responded simply and briskly; he already understood Ge Niu Si's intention.

This Consul was preparing for his next term.

Augulevi Master disappeared, Sabbath Dean ascended to Holy Soul; with this shift, the Mo Du faction gained the upper hand in the Supreme Council. A few years later will be the Consul's re‑election; then, as long as Master Anxiwodasi nods in agreement and TimKainanMaster continues his support, he can securely sit on the Consul's throne, complete his final term, and retire in triumph.

The establishment of the Supervision Committee actually has another detail.

In the Supreme Council, several Holy Soul Wizards are solitary—no disciples, no family, or unwilling to intervene—so they forgo sending anyone to the Supervision Committee. Roughly calculated, Ouroin Master, Wan Tu Si Rui*Howai Master, Duke PurpleFlame, and Duke Black Robe are almost certainly giving up.

Two of them belong to the Balance faction, and two belong to the Naiser faction.

Only the Mo Du faction's Holy Soul Wizards possess the Floating City, the Academy, and the Tower; thus, the Supervision Committee members will be mainly from the Mo Du faction, reaching five!

Moreover, with Ge Niu Si secretly defecting, as long as he leans slightly, it means the Mo Du faction controls the major authority over the Supervision Naiser Floating City.

The Master clearly understood the stakes, so he agreed so straightforwardly.

Even TimKainanMaster also agreed; needless to say, it must have been Ge Niu Si pushing from behind, promising conditions, or swapping something else.

As for offending Duke Hong Shi, it doesn't matter.

Ge Niu Si gained the support of two factions; Duke Hong Shi leading several Naiser Holy Soul Wizards in opposition is futile—once elected, this will be his final term, with no need to consider further entanglements, and there are not so many reservations.

So, Ge Niu Si proactively courted me.

He cultivated good relations with Weizelan, truly scheming; the proposal of a Supervision Committee achieved multiple political goals.

Lei En realized he was still a bit inexperienced.

When Ge Niu Si proposed establishing the Supervision Committee, the Master had already grasped the cause and effect, while I took a detour before understanding.

"They're all old guys who have lived hundreds, even thousands of years; their scheming is too deep."

Lei En let out a quiet sigh.

Yet his face showed none of it; he occasionally spoke, joining the conversation between the Master and Ge Niu Si. This Consul will rely on him for the coming years, making him a trustworthy political ally, and maintaining good relations with him brings many benefits.

Nuosiruier is the largest city in the world, boasting the title "Capital of Ten Thousand Metropolises"!

The forces within the Imperial Capital are intricate and tangled, like a dragon's pool and tiger's den; Lei En needs a seasoned senior to open the situation for him.

There is no better candidate than Ge Niu Si.

Ge Niu Si instantly understood, repeatedly extending goodwill toward Lei En; during conversation, he often patiently explained matters about the Empire's upper echelons, as if carefully tutoring his junior.

Lei En listened attentively.

Anxiwodasi also occasionally interjected a few words.

They all already understood Lei En's ambition; Anxiwodasi naturally gave full support, and Ge Niu Si showed a fully supportive attitude to win Anxiwodasi's favor, thus also without reservation.

Unconsciously, the time for the investiture ceremony approached.

Ge Niu Si stood up, bowed slightly, and said, "Master Anxiwodasi, Chairman Lei En, Chairman Roni, sorry I must take my leave first. I will preside over the Sabbath Dean's investiture ceremony, so I need to go prepare."

"I'll see you off."

Anxiwodasi rose to escort him, his demeanor far more respectful than when Ge Niu Si entered.

Ge Niu Si wore a startled expression of being flattered, "Master Anxiwodasi, please stay."

After nodding to the three, he turned and left the room; the moment his back faced Lei En and the others, his face instantly lit up with ecstatic joy, his eyes almost overflowing. Anxiwodasi's farewell indicated his tacit support for him, meaning the Consul's throne could be held for another ten years!

When he went downstairs and was about to meet others, his expression returned to normal.

Ge Niu Si left under the escort of the Imperial Guard.

However, what he didn't know was that his emotional shifts were clearly seen by Lei En's Soul Eye, almost laying his thoughts bare before Lei En.

This also confirmed Ge Niu Si's intention to Lei En.

As expected, I hadn't guessed wrong.

Lei En couldn't help but think that once he reaches the Imperial Capital, the Soul Eye will become his greatest asset; its political advantage may surpass its combat role. Possessing the Soul Eye, the future path will surely be smoother.

"Lei En."

Roni's voice rang out, and he asked hesitantly, "Are you running for the Empire's Consul?"

(End of chapter.)