Although I know that increasing strength will extend lifespan, although I know that a guy who is guaranteed to be at least High Tier is unlikely to only live for eighty-odd years, and although I know there might be other possibilities.
But [ Do Some Farm Work ] always felt that his idea was not wrong.
There are many unclear doubts, and there are indeed other reasons, but the problem is that he really can't think of a more reasonable explanation in a short period of time.
It's certainly possible that he was forced to pass on his position due to external pressure, but the problem is that Gray is at best a Middle Tier player, and he can't possibly be stronger than the current Grand Foundry Master in terms of combat power and the use of machinery.
If the Eternal Domain is too powerful, then this old Grand Foundry Master should continue to hold his post and give the newcomer time to hone his skills and grow.
[ Do Some Farm Work ] Unable to figure out the logical reasoning behind this matter, I had no choice but to set it aside and turn my attention to something else:
"Lord of the city, I would like to know, how exactly does the 'voting election' mentioned in the announcement work?"
"Is it really just a matter of one person, one vote, and forced voting?"
What [ Do Some Farm Work ] didn't mention was:
Does such an outrageous system really exist in World of Disorder?
And even if it were possible, given the current level of transportation in this world, wouldn't it take a lot of time?
This clearly contradicts my earlier conjecture.
Upon hearing this question, Collins smiled and shook his head, saying:
"Not everyone is eligible to vote; for example, children are not."
"... Everyone else has it?"
"No, let me think... Instead of saying someone isn't qualified, it would be better to just say someone is qualified."
"Those who hold voting rights should be adults, have no criminal record, possess a qualification certificate in their field, and have at least Low Tier conventional strength."
"For example, a skilled mechanic can do it, but a mechanic from the black market cannot."
"There are probably a hundred people like this in Satellite City No. 42."
Collins continued:
"One of the orders in this document was to select these people and, without affecting their work, send them to the Great Labyrinth City to participate in the on-site voting five days later. Those who could not go could choose to abstain from voting or have someone else vote on their behalf."
"So they'll set off later today and should arrive at the Great Labyrinth City in about two days."
[ Do Some Farm Work ] thought for a moment and asked:
"Do you have the right to vote?"
"Of course there are, and... oh, there's one more thing, that is, people of different ranks don't have the same voting weight."
"In short, the Grand Foundry Master have designed a very rigorous vote-counting system, and will ultimately be able to select the most suitable person to become Grand Foundry Master."
"I see..."
[ Do Some Farm Work ] frowned in thought. The voting rules introduced by the city lord were not beyond his expectations.
Firstly, the World of Disorder does not have the objective conditions for a full vote; otherwise, by the time the votes from some remote mountain villages reach the Great Labyrinth City, the next Grand Foundry Master might already be in office.
Secondly, he also found it hard to believe that in a world where individual power can override collective power, everyone's votes have the same effect.
However, Collins offered a very reasonable explanation for these two points: in any case, such a system is far more advanced than traditional medieval aristocratic politics.
[ Do Some Farm Work ] had its question answered, while [ Vanilla Ice Cream Scoop ] raised a new one:
"Lord, what is the difference between the 'qualification certification' three days from now and the 'formal vote' five days from now?"
Unexpectedly, Collins gave an irrelevant answer:
"Sigh, it seems that kid Gray is destined to never become Grand Foundry Master."
"Huh?"
The sound came from a [ Vanilla Ice Cream Scoop ].
"But I've already delivered the message. Gray led his team out last night and they're already deep in the Wilderness of Chaos."
"It's too late."
Collins sighed:
"Although I am not a traveling merchant, I am aware of the dangers and perils of the Wilderness of Chaos."
"If this region were so easy to traverse, then the maps compiled by countless traveling merchants would not be so valuable."
"You just asked me what the difference is between qualification verification and formal voting, right?"
[ The Vanilla Ice Cream Scoop ] nodded.
"Qualification is an assessment of merits. Candidates do not need to be present; only items or people representing merits need to be present. However, all candidates must arrive at the Great Labyrinth City for the official vote."
" The Second Holy See is on the other side of the Wilderness of Chaos, and the Great Labyrinth City is located in the center of the Graycast Corridor. Time... may not be enough."
The two people most concerned about this matter, [ Do Some Farm Work ] and [ Vanilla Ice Cream Scoop ], immediately began to calculate and ponder.
If they travel day and night, will the Antasia be able to reach the Great Labyrinth City on time?
What help could those five hundred Soul Returner guards along the way offer in terms of increasing speed?
After thinking for a while, the two of them gave a wry smile, exchanged a glance, and prepared to synchronize the message to the " Gray Team" hundreds of miles away. After all, there was still one thing that only they could do.
"So, if we want Gray to regain his eligibility, we need to arrive in the Great Labyrinth City within three days to help him complete the recertification process, is that correct?"
Collins nodded, then pointed below:
"We also need to bring along some results that can be showcased."
"Oh, am I going too?"
A hoarse voice came from the King of Fall Resistance, I Guess:
"I'm planning to learn some amazing tricks from the teacher these next few days, hey! Ha!"
You're already calling yourself a teacher?! That's so fast!
Before the Soul Returner could silence the Machine Spirit, the elven mage said with a smile:
"We're also heading to the Great Labyrinth City, and our strength is currently recovering. Why don't we ride with you from this fortress?"
"Yay!"
Before the Soul Returner could even respond, the Machine Spirit let out joyful cries, and then the deck beneath their feet began to shake rhythmically.
Since things had come to this, the Soul Returner had no choice but to accept this minor matter:
"Uh, okay, actually we don't have any objections. In fact, we feel more at ease this way."
"That's good."
Collins breathed a sigh of relief and said:
"Now that you've made up your minds, let's prepare to set off."
As he spoke, he handed the elven mage half of a brass token.
"This is a pass issued by Satellite City No. 42. Although most city lords will let you two pass, these young people still need this."
Why didn't you give it to us?
[ On Do Some Farm Work ] secretly grumbled, but knew that it was right to entrust such an important item to the strongest person.
After saying this, Collins looked at the Soul Returner:
"If there's nothing else, you may all depart. I will entrust a trusted person to deliver the votes in support of Gray."
"Come on!"