Since Gaspol had yet to formally take office, the tea gathering was very low-key. There was no welcoming procession, no official record, and no other accompanying personnel.
After all, under normal social conventions, someone replacing their predecessor needed to show some restraint. Kallen's approach of directly toppling his superior and taking his place might have looked gratifying, but its negative effects would immediately become apparent.
However, when the attendant officer brought Kallen and Gaspol to the elevator, the doors opened to reveal Byrne standing inside to greet them, which accorded them ample respect.
After all, although the Regional Administration Office and the Whip of Order were not subordinate to each other, in practice, the district chief was only the second-ranking authority in a district. The true leading authority, at least openly, was inevitably the chief bishop.
The elevator doors closed, and Gaspol and Byrne exchanged greetings.
Inside the office was a set of three sofas. Byrne sat on one side, and Gaspol sat opposite him. Rather than taking the third sofa, Kallen sat beside Gaspol, moving toward the edge.
Next came tea and conversation.
They did not actually say anything particularly substantive. Their topic was even the differing local customs of York City and Dinge District, but throughout their conversation, both sides conveyed their attitudes.
Gaspol noticed that the chief bishop before her had no intention of forcefully suppressing the Whip of Order and reclaiming its powers. Instead, he emphasized continuing their existing cooperation and mutual trust.
In that regard, he gave her almost exactly the same impression as Kallen.
Gaspol understood that this meant York City's existing power structure had already woven a net before she took office, a net intended to guard against her "counterattack."
Gaspol also clearly expressed her own attitude: she was willing to maintain their