One-Eyed Monster

Elder Rostellum turned around and raised his head.

Snow was also falling on Guru Mountain.

The Deep Winter Season spared no one; Guru Mountain, too, was shrouded in a blizzard.

Elder Rostellum turned back and looked with puzzlement at the excited Treasure Hunters.

He was somewhat perplexed. Snow is falling on the mountain; it’s the Deep Winter Season, after all. What’s so exciting? Have these Treasure Hunters never seen snow on a mountain before? These Treasure Hunters, they’re so consumed by greed that they make a fuss even about snowfall, he thought.

”Uhm...” The Treasure Hunters, seeing Governor Rostellum’s confusion, were unsure whether to stay or leave.

”What’s so special about it?” Elder Rostellum asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

”You haven’t noticed, Governor?” one of the Treasure Hunters asked timidly. I can’t insult the Governor, he thought. I can’t just say, ’Governor, is there something wrong with your eyes? How could you not see such an obvious difference?’ No, I can’t say that. I know the consequences of insulting Governor Rostellum, and I don’t want to experience them. Everyone knows that crossing Governor Rostellum means you can’t make a living here anymore. If I can’t operate here, how can I get rich? I won’t do something so foolish.

”Discovered something?” Governor Rostellum asked again, paying little heed to the Treasure Hunters’ implications, his brow furrowed in thought.

At his question, the Treasure Hunters trembled, their hearts pounding with fear, even as other Treasure Hunters hurried past them.

Just our luck to be stopped by Elder Rostellum, they thought.

Fortunately, among them was a quick-witted fellow who instantly thought of a reply.

”Governor, you must be joking! How could you not notice such an obvious difference? You must be testing us!” This statement was a mix of sarcasm and flattery, its interpretation left to Elder Rostellum.

If Elder Rostellum took it as sarcasm, he would be admitting he hadn’t noticed the change on Guru Mountain. While not shameful, it wouldn’t reflect well on the Politician of Guru Mountain to be oblivious to such a clear anomaly.

However, if Elder Rostellum took it as a compliment, all would be well. The Treasure Hunters wouldn’t face punishment for offending him, and he, in turn, would avoid an awkward situation. Everyone would emerge unscathed and save face.

The truth was, Elder Rostellum indeed hadn’t seen any change on the mountain. So, when the Treasure Hunter made that loaded remark, he instinctively turned to look behind him again. He needed to re-examine it, to confirm if there really was a change.

It’s snowing on Guru Mountain, he mused. Nothing seems out of the ordinary.

Elder Rostellum tugged at his beard, trying to recall any vague impressions from memory.

Darn it! he thought. I usually spend the Deep Winter Season holed up in my spacious office at the County Administrative Office, sipping tea by the fireplace. I have no idea what this cold is really like!

Thinking it over, Elder Rostellum decided he absolutely could not lose face in front of these Treasure Hunters. Even if I haven’t seen anything, I have to pretend I have. No matter what, I need to maintain the dignity expected of a local hegemon.

So, he coughed lightly and gave a meaningful look to the Treasure Hunter who had spoken—the one who had cleverly given him an out. I appreciate that, Rostellum thought. I should even consider recruiting this sharp fellow. How can I let such talent slip away? I must find a chance to bring him over. He mentally noted the Treasure Hunter’s features. Recruiting a minion like him won’t take much effort, but first, I need to secure my position as the head of Gaga County.

”Ahem, a little change like this would hardly excite me the way it does you lot. As a Politician, I don’t get worked up so easily,” Elder Rostellum said, rather shamelessly.

”Absolutely! We’re just inexperienced. Please forgive our foolishness, Governor!” the quick-witted Treasure Hunter immediately chimed in, full of praise. I made the right bet! he thought exultantly. The Governor is a smart man; he knows what to do and what not to do.

”It’s not that I find your behavior amusing,” Elder Rostellum said, his tone nonchalant yet pointedly hitting the mark. ”I just don’t understand what’s so exciting that it made all of you brave this bitter cold and rush out of the tavern to see it?” His words were both an observation and a question, compelling the Treasure Hunters to explain.

”You’re right to scold us, Governor. We’re just ignorant folk, easily amazed. Please don’t laugh at us. We’ve been coming to Guru Mountain for years, but this is the first time we’ve seen such a sight during the Deep Winter Season,” the Treasure Hunters replied vaguely, humbling themselves while subtly elevating Elder Rostellum.

Elder Rostellum himself was starting to feel a bit awkward. He turned again to look at Guru Mountain behind him, searching his mind carefully for any memories of the mountain in the Deep Winter Season.

Although his recollections of Guru Mountain in deep winter were scarce, looking at it several times now did allow him to notice something.

It does seem like something has changed, Elder Rostellum thought. But I can’t just ask directly; I have to maintain my status. I need to think of a good way to break through this impasse... He felt a growing unease, unsure how to proceed.

Am I just going to let these Treasure Hunters leave like this? he wondered. No way! I haven’t gotten to the bottom of this yet. I still don’t know why they’re braving this severe cold.

The snowflakes continued to drift down, and Rostellum’s heart sank a little. This internal, unseen awkwardness made him feel increasingly uncomfortable.

”Governor, aren’t you going to see this marvel for yourself?” the quick-witted Treasure Hunter, sensing the awkwardness, quickly interjected, trying to find a way out of the uncomfortable silence.

”The weather is so cold, yet you all seem to have so much leisure time,” Rostellum remarked.

”Naturally, Governor, you know far more than we do. If we don’t use opportunities like this to learn more about the mountain, how can we help alleviate your worries in the future?”

”A fine ’alleviate your worries,’ indeed!” Elder Rostellum scoffed. ”It would be best if you lot simply didn’t cause any trouble. You should all just stay put and sleep through this Deep Winter Season, like the Blind Bear.”

”Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right, Governor! We should all be hibernating like the Blind Bear in this dreadful weather…”

Sleep, hibernate… Hearing these words, something suddenly clicked in Elder Rostellum’s mind.

He turned his head once more to look at Guru Mountain behind him.

Damn it! he realized with a start. No wonder these Treasure Hunters are making such a fuss! Guru Mountain… it hasn’t entered its Deep Winter Slumber! This is absolutely unbelievable!

At this realization, Elder Rostellum’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Now he finally understood why these Treasure Hunters had disregarded everything to rush out of the tavern.

So, that’s what it is! Elder Rostellum stroked his goatee, his mind racing to recall any information related to the Deep Winter Slumber. This information might be very useful soon!