“People of Purgatory!” I called out from my position at the podium inside the Meeting Hall. Looking out, there were only around 550 people. The total population was around 650. That included the last arrivals. Thousands of people of had perished in both the battles.
“Today we are gathered here for three reasons. The first reason is to look back upon our past. To remember the people that fell in defense of this city. In defense of every other person here.” I noted Elise was still alive and she broke down in tears along with a couple of other people.
“Let us remember the brave men and women that stood fast against the terrors the Ritualist unleashed upon us. A minute of silence.” I bowed my head and everyone else was mostly silent except for the occasional sob.
I wasn’t looking forward to the middle part of my speech. I looked at the notes Clarissa had prepared. I considered skipping them, but there was one name that made me take pause. It was probably a good idea to speak up about acts of heroism in defense of the city. To build a shared identity and to cultivate that ethos. The minute went by, and I spoke up once more.
“There were countless heroes. Where people gave their lives to save others. Everyone who fought and died was and is a hero. Make no mistake. But I wish to speak about specific people.”
“The first was Lady Shi. The hairdresser who was even brave enough to cut this Champion’s hair. Not letting anyone tell her what to do and a fixture of Purgatory for almost as long as myself.”
“She led the defense of the North gate. There were at least three eyewitnesses who spoke to her valor to hold the line at the gate itself to allow people to retreat and regroup. She managed to bring down two werewolves on her own before being overcome by a mental attack.” I liked her quite a bit. She was down to earth and had been around for so long.
Her death hit me a lot harder than I wanted it to or expected it to hit. I never knew her background, she never spoke about herself. Now she was gone.
“The second was Patrick. He ran the spice store here in Purgatory. Pushing the boundaries to add some flavor to the fruits and vegetables from the system store. His research was cutting edge and brought joy to people’s faces.”
“He perished in defense of the plaza during the night. Fighting off mental attacks and summoned ants that threatened to break the defense line. Without his sacrifice many other people and possibly the entire defense.”
I doubt the last bit, but no need to speak ill of the dead. These shopkeepers were the heart and soul of Purgatory. Losing them was much worse than losing some nameless person.
“The last person I want to speak of was Vice President Louis. After President Ken’s death in the First Battle of Purgatory, he took charge and stabilized the city. He was willing to stay on and assist President Bob in managing and helping new arrivals.”
“He was probably one of the few people that everyone knew in some capacity. When the East gate fell, he volunteered to stay behind to hold a defensive line as people retreated to the plaza. Multiple eyewitness accounts say that he killed two wolves, a slime, and a werewolf. His heroism and organizational skills will be greatly missed.”
I paused and let people process what I had just said. “I am sure the rumors have already spread. The only thing faster than me apparently.” I let out a long sigh. “I must apologize to everyone for my failure. My failure to kill the Ritualist.” I bowed my head to the assembled crowd.
After ten seconds I rose my head up again. “The simple fact is, that he can attack remotely without revealing his physical location. While there are tracking methods that were developed in response to his threat, they aren’t enough to find and locate him within his city.” There was no muttering, and everyone was listening intently.
“I stormed his city, intent to end his threat. He was unable to stop me. That was when he requested a truce. The unfortunate reality of the Systemic Lands, is that they are unfair. Unfair, that a man like the Ritualist still lives.”
“I would have personally preferred to continue the fight. To grind him into dust. But I was advised of the people of Purgatory. The suffering and hardships you have endured. That another battle would be the end of out small but powerful community. That people would scatter and fall into despair.”
“I know you are all of you would stand strong as the heroes I mentioned did. But, I saw no path to victory. I couldn’t be defeated, but the people of this city could be worn down. No matter how resilient their spirit and determination. For the Ritualist stands alone, while the city of Purgatory stands together.”
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“After much deliberation, the Treaty of Heaven was signed by both me and a monster on behalf of the Ritualist. This truce, this treaty, is not permanent. I have no doubt he is plotting his next attack to unleash on our community.”
“I also will not hesitate to kill him if the opportunity presents itself. But until that point, I must ask that we do not provoke him needlessly. For this the third and most important point!” I paused and scanned the crowd.
“We must prepare. Everyone must work to grind monsters. To improve themselves and this city. For while I can standfast, I need people to stand with me against the threats of the Systemic Lands. For it is not just the Ritualist who threatens us, but high-level monsters that can enter cities, and other skill holders that seek to impose their barbaric ideals upon us.”
“I will not ask for something as trivial as unity. Instead, I will ask that each of you be the best that you can be. To live for tomorrow and not despair. To keep that kernel of hope alive in your hearts. To be willing to fight to live, no matter how impossible or scary it might appear to be.”
“For the only thing that is truly boundless is human determination. Thank you, people of Purgatory!” There was applause and even some cheering. I stepped away from the podium and the crowd slowly began to leave the Meeting Chamber.
“Champion Michael, a question!” There was a young woman at the front of the crowd. Many people gave her looks and then looked at me. Why not? I might as well take some questions.
“Very well, as long as the questions are respectful.” I went back to the podium.
“Linda Tennenbaum, independent press.” We had press. I looked at Clarissa who just shrugged. Ah, probably a new arrival judging her based on her clothes and appearance. “Is it true that the Ritualist was once a citizen of Purgatory?”
I wonder if this young lady knew I could have her assassinated. Just vanished, to never be heard of again. I knew Clarissa would do it if I asked her to. There was no freedom of the press or speech in the Constitution for a reason. Even then it was just paper that I followed when I chose to because it made things simpler.
“Yes, he was. He was a researcher under Ken and discovered many things about the Systemic Lands. Using that knowledge for selfish reasons, the man once known as Chase managed to discover how to summon monsters. He unleashed these monsters upon the city twice. He also discovered how to change people into monsters he controls,” I replied.
“There is a rumor-“
“Linda.” I cut her off and she closed her mouth. “I already answered your question out of politeness. There is no freedom of the press or freedom of speech. So, if you choose to continue, I would be careful.” She just glared right at me.
“The people deserve to know the truth. I have a source that says you tried to have Chase killed and that is why he is trying to kill everyone. Is this true?” I stared at her and there was dead silence. I noted many people moving away from Linda.
“Power. It is an interesting thing.” I walked out from behind the podium and began walking towards Linda. “Back on Earth, power came from the end of a gun. The monopoly on violence or the threat of violence.” I came to a stop in front of Linda who took a step back. I kept advancing.
“I risk my life to fight to bring back information and keep this city safe.” I rushed forward and my hand closed around her petite neck. Her hands began to uselessly beat against my arm. I held her out to the side and shook her a bit. She began making gasping noises.
“The simple fact is, it doesn’t matter if what you asked happened or not. You are trying to stir up trouble. To get people upset. You forgot one thing. I have all the power.” I began to squeeze slightly. Her eyes bulged out and her struggles became more frantic.
“I am not a politician from Earth. The only people who have a right to speak or question me with impunity will be those who sit on the Immortal Council. Not some new arrival who thinks she is press and won’t be brutally killed in front of hundreds of people because of some naïve assumptions she had.”
I let her go and she collapsed on the floor. “Now you say, ‘Thank you Champion Michael for educating me.’ Go on, say it.” I stared at the gasping young woman on the ground.
“Thank you. Champion Michael. For educating me,” she said in between gasps and rubbing her bruised neck.
“Well, I don’t believe you.” I looked at Clarissa who was as still as a marble statue. I looked back at Linda on the ground and then at the hundreds of people staring at the scene. Let them stare. “You can show your sincerity, by cutting out your eye.” I looked at a nearby man of the RMPF who had a knife sheath on his belt. “A knife, please?”
He quickly pulled one out and handed it to me. I took it and bent my knees to get down on Linda’s level. I set the knife in front of her. “Here you go.”
She looked at the knife. Then at me. “I am sorry. Please.” She put her head on the floor while crying. I shook my head, picked up the knife, and stood up.
“Well, since you aren’t willing to show your sincerity, you can do it in another way. Criminals, which is what you are. Since disrespecting anyone on the Immortal Council is a crime.” The Immortal Council hadn’t formed, but no one was going to call me out on that. “You can be put to use for research purposes. You can report all you want on the human experimentation we are conducting to reverse engineer the Ritualist’s abilities. Take her away.”
Members of the RMPF moved in and grabbed her. She began to scream. They hit her in the head a couple of times, and she went limp. They then picked her up and dragged her away. I didn’t know why the good doctor was worried. There would always be new test subjects volunteering themselves with each arrival. No need to kill people, they would be put to productive uses instead.
Productive uses like human experimentation to unravel the mysteries of the Systemic Lands and reverse engineer the Ritualist’s abilities.
I was slightly surprised when there was a lot of clapping from the nearby people. What a bunch of sheep. At least Clarissa and Naran weren’t yes people.