Seeing Lucas finally sit down, Virgil secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
This man was truly an oddity among imperial officials. Among those qualified to sit here, especially in the front row, every single one was a well-educated and well-mannered dignitary.
Even in debates with differing political views, they always paid close attention to their words and behavior, ensuring they acted and spoke in ways befitting their status.
Acting like a low-class ruffian would lead to ridicule at best.
At worst, it would result in being shunned by the upper echelons of society.
Faced with the rogue-like Inspector from the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau, Virgil couldn't use his authority to expel or punish him. He could only consider himself unlucky and spend money to avoid trouble.
After Virgil had settled the matter with the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau by paying up, the meeting could finally proceed normally.
Although Ela was highly likely hiding in the Seawall District, they couldn't rule out the possibility of her being elsewhere. Therefore, the entire city of Storm City needed to conduct a thorough search, with special attention given to areas where the wealthy resided.
Virgil issued specific safety tasks for each district.
Everyone else, being part of the same interest chain, did not make exorbitant demands like Lucas.
The rest of the meeting proceeded smoothly.
Once all the arrangements for searching for Ela were made, Virgil brought up the potential consequences if Ela couldn't be found and if the situation worsened.
For example, Ela could summon the Red Dragon Nielcolone in the city center.
Or she could use secret techniques to unleash the power of the Book of Calamity, causing a massive disaster in Storm City.
Additionally—likely, definitely—the appearance of the Book of Calamity would attract secret mages coveting it.
The Abyss Temple, which had been active for nearly a century, revered the Book of Calamity as their holy scripture. Abyss mages would undoubtedly come!
These were the same people who nearly destroyed Arcanum Academy.
When discussing the Abyss Temple, Professor Lennon conveyed Headmaster Willard's warning.
The first seven apostles directly influenced by the Book of Calamity were likely still alive. They were former professors of Arcanum Academy, proficient not only in secret arts but also in various other magical disciplines.
The apostles, being the most affected by the Book of Calamity, had offered their minds and bodies to the abyss, abandoning their humanity in pursuit of what they believed to be the highest form of secret techniques.
Their ideologies and experiences attracted many secret mages whose minds had been influenced by secret techniques.
Headmaster Willard had always kept an eye on the Abyss Temple.
"They are far more powerful than we imagine.
To counter these dangerous abyss mages and the potential disasters caused by the Book of Calamity, Arcanum Academy has reformed its Crisis Committee and reassembled the Arcanum Battle Mage Corps, originally established to eliminate abyss mages.
I suggest that Storm City also form a similar combat department to respond to sudden crises. Relying solely on ordinary imperial agents, security officers, or even soldiers will likely not be effective against such high-level disaster events."
Yes, this wasn't a war. Nor was it a small-scale violent crime.
The Book of Calamity had once nearly destroyed Arcanum Academy. If a similar event occurred in Storm City, it wouldn't be something ordinary security personnel and a few elite forces could handle.
Arcanum Academy had reformed its Battle Mage Corps.
Storm City needed to establish a similar institution to respond to large-scale, sudden disasters.
But how should this institution be established? And who would be responsible?
This department would face entities like Ela, the Book of Calamity, mages, abyss mages, and countless other extraordinary threats.
Not only would it be extremely dangerous, but in case of failure, its members would also be the first to be held accountable.
Thus, when Councilman Virgil asked who would be willing to take on this heavy responsibility, no one in the entire hall dared to step forward.
Lucas, having secured the funds, naturally wouldn't take on this task. Even if he wanted to, Virgil wouldn't dare let him.
The remaining officials either held positions that didn't allow them to take such risks or knew they lacked the capability, and stepping up would mean certain death.
Councilman Virgil looked around the silent meeting hall, his expression growing increasingly grim.
Beside Virgil sat a representative from Arcanum Academy and a representative from the military. It was undoubtedly embarrassing for them to witness so many officials from Storm City unable to step up and take responsibility.
Fortunately... someone eventually stood up.
"Councilman Virgil, I am willing to take charge of forming this crisis response department."
Hearing someone step up to alleviate his burden, Virgil immediately cast a look of joy and appreciation.
However, upon seeing who had stood up, his expression tightened.
It was Viscount Iscoran.
He was the head of the Brotherhood of Blades in Storm City, part of the conservative old noble faction.
Storm City was the stronghold of the emerging industrial and commercial nobility.
Most of the new nobles' titles were purchased and uniformly granted as baronies, which were not hereditary. They were not accepted by the old nobility, leading them to gradually form their own circle.
Over the years, cultural revival and technological innovation allowed the commercially savvy new nobles to rise rapidly.
With their substantial financial power and increasing influence, they made significant inroads into the imperial political system dominated by the old nobility.
Additionally, the imperial family, eager to suppress the old nobles who dared to challenge them, saw the new nobles gain more prominence within the empire's ruling class.
Various factors and the passage of time caused the old nobility to decline swiftly over the past century. But an old serpent still has its venom.
The hereditary old nobles maintained strong influence in the rural areas outside the empire's cities through generations of legacy, even as they gradually withdrew from the ruling class.
The old nobles believed that the new nobles were unworthy of their titles.
The new nobles themselves often felt unworthy of their titles and were constantly on guard against a resurgence by the old nobles.
As an open port city facing the world, Storm City was firmly controlled by the new nobles.
Viscount Iscoran was not just an old noble, but a high-ranking member of the Brotherhood of Blades.
His willingness to take charge of forming the crisis response department put Virgil in an even more awkward position than before.
Virgil found an excuse and said, "Viscount Iscoran, Ela has repeatedly used the Brotherhood of Blades' silver blades... While I do not believe the Brotherhood of Blades was involved in the theft of the Book of Calamity, it would be best for you to avoid any appearance of impropriety."
Viscount Iscolan responded loudly, "I have met Ela, and it was I who gave her the Brotherhood's silver blades, though I did not know she would steal the Book of Calamity at the time.
There are many rumors tarnishing the Brotherhood of Blades now, and I want to clear our name. No one here likely knows Ela better than I do!
Moreover, we are the only ones who can quickly organize an armed force to protect Storm City. The Brotherhood of Blades has dedicated assassins, and they are already on their way to Storm City."
The Brotherhood of Blades was originally formed by the old nobility to oppose imperial authority.
The Brotherhood's assassin guild was initially established to counter the imperial agents.
Virgil realized that having the Brotherhood of Blades lead the crisis response department could further complicate matters, especially given their controversial reputation and historical conflicts with the empire.
Seeing no other viable volunteers, the situation remained tense as the meeting continued, with Virgil and the other officials trying to find a suitable solution to the looming crisis.