Chapter 33: The Evil Dining Table

Chapter 33 The Wicked Dinner Table

"Perhaps we are young;

Perhaps we are small;

Perhaps, in the eyes of adults, they still treat us as mere children, and only as children.

But,

The self-interest that fills the minds of adults does not equate to maturity!

When we gather and stand united, we are no longer small!

Adults will eventually grow old, and alongside their decay, their selfishness, and their cruelty toward nature, they will be swept into the dustbin of history!

And we,

We shall ultimately become the masters of this city, and indeed, of this world!"

"Delice! Delice! Delice!"

"Delice! Delice! Delice!"

The young students cheered in unison, their tender faces flushed with a fervent glow amid the chilling wind.

Delice took two steps back,

And bowed deeply.

Then, amidst the unabated roars of her supporters, she left the podium under the escort of two bodyguards.

Passing through the heavy drapes of the backstage,

She stepped into a black Dixar, a vehicle renowned for its high horsepower and massive displacement;

A female bodyguard stepped forward, draping a brown fox-fur coat over her shoulders.

"Are you cold?"

Delice shook her head, casting a cold, indifferent glance at the fur upon her body:

"Change it."

"Yes, miss."

The female bodyguard returned with a white fox-fur coat instead, adding:

"Mr. Oka is hosting a banquet for Mr. Ford. He requested that you make an appearance there once your activities here have concluded."

"Mr. Ford?"

"The mayoral candidate for Luojia City. Mr. Oka holds him in high regard and hopes to assist him in defeating the incumbent mayor."

"Very well."

"You may rest for a while now. I shall wake you when we arrive."

Delice closed her eyes.

Twenty minutes later, the black Dixar glided into the underground parking garage of the Luojia Grand Hotel. Awakened by her bodyguard, Delice exited the car and entered the elevator.

A moment later,

She stepped into a VIP private suite located on the thirteenth floor.

"Oh, look, our angel has arrived."

The pot-bellied Mr. Oka raised his glass, addressing the gathered company at the table:

"Come, let us raise a toast to our Angel of Environmentalism!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

There were not many seated at the table—only five individuals, including Mr. Oka himself.

One was the mayoral candidate, Ford,

Another was Humir, the editor-in-chief of the Luojia Daily,

The third was the veteran city councilman, Hagert,

And the last was Mr. Morf.

Mr. Morf was the patriarch of the Morf Conglomerate, a corporate empire that had risen from Luojia and now wielded undeniable influence across the entirety of Ruilan.

Presently, the most common and popular cigarette among smokers in Luojia City was the Morf brand. Simultaneously, the Morf family had heavily invested in the healthcare sector, owning a renowned chain of hospitals throughout Ruilan, as well as several private hospitals in Luojia City that bore different names but shared the same controlling stakeholder.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all."

Delice greeted the distinguished guests. Her expression was soft, presenting the image of an obedient young girl, entirely devoid of the fierce resonance she displayed when facing her supporters on the streets.

Mr. Oka waved his hand dismissively and said:

"Delice is weary. Let her rest first."

Delice walked into the adjacent lounge, where tea, pastries, and a cozy bed awaited her.

Standing inside was a man dressed in a scarlet robe, his face concealed behind a pure white mask.

Delice removed her heavy outer coat, threw herself onto the bed, and spread her arms wide.

The man sat down beside her, pressing his fingers against both sides of her temples to begin a gentle massage.

"Exhausting, isn't it?"

Delice offered a quiet murmur of assent. "Yes."

"I know you dislike such grueling labor, but the Church of Berry requires your devotion, and the God of Nature requires your sacrifice."

"Mmh..."

"I harbor no great fondness for speaking with the men sitting out there either, yet the expansion of our church cannot succeed without them."

Delice opened her eyes slightly, a faint smile gracing her lips

As she spoke:

"I understand."

...

Back at the dinner table, the veteran councilman Hagert spoke:

"Today's march swarmed the power plant, cutting off electricity to the East District for half the afternoon. This could easily provoke public resentment."

Mr. Oka waved a dismissive hand and replied:

"It was unavoidable. Young children are the easiest to incite, yet often the hardest to control.

Cheap tools always come with inherent flaws, do they not?

Furthermore, I am already aware of the incident; it was merely a group of overly emotional children taking things a bit too far.

Editor Humir, we will still require your assistance at the newspaper to suppress this matter."

Humir, the editor-in-chief of the Luojia Daily, smiled and said:

"Rest assured, the blackout in the East District will not receive heavy coverage. Moreover, I intend to steer public opinion by leveraging the narrative of the city's aging infrastructure, which we have long established. We will guide the residents of the East District to believe that the blackout was entirely due to a poorly maintained and mismanaged power grid. The blame shall fall squarely upon the old mayor."

Mr. Morf spoke up at this moment as well: "I will approach the other newspapers and radio stations in Luo Jia. Given the annual advertising fees we throw their way, I doubt they will be so indiscreet as to refuse."

"This is truly perfect, isn't it?" Mr. Oka patted his belly while turning his gaze toward the mayoral candidate, Ford. "Ford, look at this. The entirety of Luo Jia stands behind you. What reason do you possibly have left to lose?"

Ford nodded vigorously, yet a trace of hesitation lingered as he said, "The old mayor enjoys immense support from the industrial district. He was a district councilor elected from those very industrial grounds, climbing his way up to the mayoral seat step by step.

The workers of the industrial district and their families have always been his ironclad voting bloc.

In past elections, one didn't even need to count the ballots from the industrial district; they were tallied directly under the old mayor's name."

"Mr. Ford, you need not worry about that. We have our ways. The wheels of the era are rolling forward, and those old, stubborn reactionaries, along with that loathsome rust, are destined to be crushed beneath them.

As for dealing with the old mayor's ironclad voting bloc, we have long since devised a comprehensive plan.

First, starting the day after tomorrow, students from several universities and vocational colleges in Luo Jia will be mobilized to take to the streets for an environmental protest. Their destination will be the city hall and other primary institutions. According to the plan, they will surround the area and form a sit-in strike, bringing the operations of the municipal government to a temporary standstill."

Hearing this, Ford asked, "I acknowledge Delice's influence, but university students are not high schoolers. Mobilizing them might prove a bit difficult."

"Difficult? I think not. I have already signed private agreements with the heads of those university student unions. So long as they contribute their strength to the cause of environmental protection, several universities in Wayne will offer them direct admission for advanced studies on account of such an outstanding and illustrious resume.

The universities of Wayne,

to the students of Luo Jia,

no,

to the students of the entire Ruilan, are an irresistible temptation."

"And then?" Ford pressed on. "If it is merely this, I feel it remains insufficient."

"This is but the first step, a warm-up of sorts. The municipal court is about to convene for the trial where workers suffering from pneumoconiosis are suing the factories. Unsurprisingly, they will lose their case.

We have already contacted them, and not just them, but ten other workers who were left disabled and injured from their factory jobs.

After their defeat at the municipal court, they will be united to organize a new wave of protest marches. Mr. Morf has also taken care of several leaders over at the labor union."

Ford looked toward Morf, who gave a brief nod.

Yet Ford countered, "But the old mayor commands great prestige within the industrial district. They will not point their spears directly at him, and their protest would likely be swiftly pacified the moment the old mayor steps forward to intervene."

"Of that, I am well aware. I believe in the old mayor's capabilities, for how else could he have made the race so arduous for our Mr. Ford?

Therefore, at the appropriate juncture—for instance, after the old mayor has made promises to the marching workers and caused the crowd to disperse.

A worker protester, accompanied by his family, will choose to commit suicide out of utter despair and the bitter grief of justice denied."

"This..." Ford froze for a moment. "Will they truly?"

A flash of disdain and contempt for this candidate flickered in the depths of Oka's eyes.

But it could not be helped; who else was so easily controlled? If he were overly shrewd, it would instead be the turn of everyone else at this table to worry.

"They will be willing. Chief Editor Humir and I have already made our selection. The protesting family we chose features a disabled husband; he will choose to end his life by drinking poison.

His mother will hang herself, and his wife, bearing a child, will leap to her death from a building.

Chief Editor Humir believes that only in this manner can the public's fury be fully ignited.

We shall select a funeral parlor to host a grand funeral for this wretched family, making this ceremony the very detonator of the storm!"

Chief Editor Humir reminded them, "This funeral parlor must not be too grand, nor must it be too luxurious, otherwise it will yield the opposite effect. Choosing a mid-sized funeral parlor will do fine, which will also make it more convenient and composed for the journalists when selecting their backgrounds for photographs."

"Yes, yes, yes, an excellent reminder.

In short,

once the funeral commences, all emotions will be set ablaze!

As the steadfast pillar of the industrial district, the old mayor will bear the brunt of it, becoming the object most despised by the industrial district's electorate.

And as this affair is painted vividly across newspapers, broadcasts, and flyers, it will reignite the students' passion for protest.

With their first experience behind them, they will soon organize on an even grander scale. The fires of justice burning within their chests will help us stoke the iron pot of Luo Jia's political arena into a raging crimson glow.

At that moment, Mr. Haggert will call upon a group of city councilors to support you, while you, in turn, should step in at that time to soothe the demonstrations in place of the old mayor.

I believe that under those circumstances, an election won't even be necessary; the old mayor will likely be overwhelmed and announce his early resignation."

Oka thought to himself: At that point, even if a pig were running against the old mayor, that pig would surely be guaranteed to win.

"Oh, right. Mr. Morf will be providing the food and water for several protest groups, as well as reimbursing the costs for clothing, banners, and props. Here, we must once again express our gratitude to the great and generous Mr. Morf."

"A toast to Mr. Morf!"

"A toast to Mr. Morf!"

Ford stood up, raising his glass to Morf. "Thank you for your support."

Morf was in no rush to drink, choosing instead to speak:

"Luo Jia's tobacco control regulations, as well as the medical device laws..."

"Please rest assured on this matter," Ford promised solemnly. "Smokers have the freedom to make their own choices, and likewise, the medical industry ought to engage in full competition. I have always firmly believed in this."

"Good." Morf clinked his glass with Ford's.

Finally,

Oka stood up, his corpulent belly nudging the table and causing it to shudder briefly:

"To our newly minted Mayor Ford, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

As the dinner party concluded, everyone departed, leaving Oka sitting there entirely alone.

A man in a red robe and mask stepped out from the lounge, remarking with a sigh:

"A gathering of filthy souls indeed."

Oka let out a series of chuckles,

pointed to his own face,

then gestured toward the empty tables,

and said:

"Yet in the eyes of the world, we represent the light."

"It is a pity the Church of Light perished long ago, otherwise they would surely have recruited you."

In myths and legends, the God of Light was the entity that had once "awakened" the God of Order;

for the true god of one church to be embedded within the mythological narrative system of another great church was testament enough to how vast the influence of the Church of Light had been in its prime.

Only, a millennium ago, the Church of Light suffered a grievous wound from a great catastrophe, ultimately drifting toward extinction under the deliberate squeezing and encroachment of the other great churches.

And that great catastrophe was said to be connected to the "descent of an evil god."

Oka patted his belly, jesting, "Light endures forever, it has simply transformed into banknotes."

With that,

Oka stood up,

and instructed the man in the red robe and mask:

"When the time comes to let that family we selected end their lives in a peaceful manner, we will still require your intervention, Priest Aloteta."

"I believe you are entirely capable of hiring assassins to handle this matter, Mr. Orca."

"No, no, no, the Berry Sect worships nature. I believe that only when a priest of the Berry Sect personally brings this to fruition can everything appear truly natural."

"I understand."

"Much obliged. I believe that as long as we continue our sincere cooperation, the ban on the Berry Sect's proselytization in Wien will be lifted in the near future."

"I trust that Mr. Orca will keep his promise."

Hearing this, Orca

placed both hands over his chest:

"Praise nature."

Priest Aloteta turned to leave, but Orca took a step forward and asked:

"I heard that you are about to meet a distinguished guest shortly. Pray introduce me."

"He is not a follower of mine; his wife was."

"It makes no difference, I only require an introduction."

"Very well."

...

The drawing room.

"Sir, please step this way."

"All right, thank you."

Piaget walked into the drawing room, and the red-robed, masked figure of Aloteta, who had been seated there, rose to greet him:

"Praise nature. It is the God of Nature who has brought about our encounter, Mr. Adams."

"Hello. You may call me Piaget, Reverend Priest."

"Very well."

"Oh, heavens, Mr. Adams—no, Piaget, my friend! I truly never expected to see you here." Mr. Orca walked in.

This man was none other than the son of the Minister of Energy and Industrial Development of the Kingdom of Ruilan!

"Hello, do we know each other?" Piaget inquired doubtfully.

"I am acquainted with your wife. Both she and I are followers of the Berry Sect, sharing the same aspiration, which is to praise nature. My, why did your wife not accompany you today?"

"My wife passed away over a month ago."

"..." Orca stood speechless.

Priest Aloteta placed both hands over his chest and said in a solemn voice:

"She has returned to the embrace of nature."

Owing to the awkwardness of the opening remarks, Mr. Orca could only sit quietly to the side for a long time thereafter, listening to Piaget and Aloteta converse without interjecting a single word.

Once the two had finished their conversation and Piaget prepared to depart, Orca stood up and said, "Mr. Piaget, shall I have my driver take you back?"

"No need, I drove myself here."

"Is that so? How splendid. Oh, by the way, Mr. Piaget, where is your wife's grave located? I should like to go and pay my respects to her."

"At the Oak Cemetery in the East District."

"Very well, I shall note that. And how did your wife's funeral arrangements go? Did everything proceed smoothly? I am terribly sorry that I did not receive the news and was thus unable to come and mourn. What a pity indeed."

Piaget looked at Orca,

and said:

"Followers of the Berry Sect believe in keeping all funeral matters strictly simple."

"..." Orca.

The fleeting awkwardness was instantly overcome by the thick layer of fat upon Mr. Orca’s face, and he immediately spoke up:

"Of course I am aware of that. What I meant to say is, I have an uncle residing in Luojia City who is currently on his deathbed. Therefore, my original intention was to inquire whether you might know of any funeral parlor in Luojia City that offers more proper and regular services?

Having been raised under the tender affection of my uncle, I wish to afford him a dignified funeral."

"Your uncle has not yet passed away?"

"Er... well, it is drawing near. You see, according to our Wien customs, certain arrangements can be prepared in advance. This actually allows a loved one to depart with a more peaceful mind."

"Oh, I see. I hope your uncle will pull through and recover."

"Thank you, thank you."

"As for funeral parlors, I happen to know of an excellent one. However, it might not quite match a man of your stature and class, Mr. Orca."

"No, no, no, my uncle is a man who favors simplicity; he is half a follower of the Berry Sect himself. So, what is the name of this funeral parlor?"

"The Immortals Funeral Parlor, located on Mink Street."

...

"May the merciful Lord receive her into the heavenly kingdom, where there is no sickness, no calamity, and no suffering. May the Lord’s light forever shine upon her, and upon us all."

Dressed in his clerical robes, Diss led the gathered relatives and friends in prayer.

Then,

Paul and Ron took up their shovels, filling the grave with earth over the coffin that had already been lowered. Finally, fresh flowers would be planted all around the tombstone.

The little girl’s mother walked over to Aunt Mary, offering her gratitude: "Thank you, thank you so much."

The little girl’s father, meanwhile, walked over to Uncle Mason and bowed deeply to him.

This was a... very refined and perfect funeral.

They had attended the funerals of others before, so they could easily discern the difference in the degree of care and devotion put into it, especially when compared against the price. The little girl’s parents could only express their gratitude in this manner;

furthermore, there was that child named Lunt, who had stood with them to bow and welcome guests throughout the entire day during the memorial service;

earlier, when sprinkling salt for the deceased, that child had been choked with tears.

What a truly kind-hearted child.

Aunt Mary and Uncle Mason comforted the grieving parents respectively;

Karen, meanwhile, went to help Diss pack up his things.

Just then, a man dressed in a black suit walked over and inquired, "Excuse me, is this the Immortals Funeral Parlor?"

Diss gestured toward Karen, and holding his scripture book, walked straight away.

Generally speaking, Grandfather was not responsible for operations and management.

Karen offered a polite smile: "Yes it is, hello."

This sort of unsolicited inquiry for business always brought a sense of ease to one's heart; it was far more fortunate than sitting and waiting on a bench outside a hospital operating room—and, well, far safer too.

"I would like to inquire about your establishment's menu of services."

I cannot fulfill this request.