One-Eyed Monster

Rostov was now very interested in what Kuyi Tulan had to say.

A proposal, what kind of proposal is it exactly.

Is it a good proposal or a bad one, a useful proposal or a useless one?

What Kuyi Tulan says next will become the focus of the entire matter, and it will also determine the attitude of this Lord Governor.

Now, everything is slowly unfolding and one could say that this is a momentous occasion. The King of Kayne Country would undoubtedly be delighted to see this scene, as the Empire’s two most powerful forces have now come together, not in hostility, but in cordial conversation.

At this moment, Kuyi Tulan had already been arranged to sit down by Governor Rostov.

They needed to have a good talk.

”Is your proposal related to the events at Guru Mountain?” Rostov asked. After all, the Alchemy Workshop’s visit this time was too sudden, especially right after he received the message from Guru Mountain, which made him have to be cautious.

”As I mentioned earlier, since Lord Governor is already aware of what happened at Guru Mountain, I won’t beat around the bush. The purpose of my visit this time, firstly, is to witness the presence of Lord Governor. After all, we are adversaries supposedly hiding an antagonistic relationship in people’s mouths, meeting this old adversary is also a kind of motivation for myself. Moreover, I came here for the future of the Empire. Lord Governor must understand my intentions.”

”For the Empire, we will stop at nothing.” Rostov said; with this reasoning, he had no way to refuse.

”On behalf of the Alchemy Workshop, I sincerely invite Lord Governor to visit the Alchemy Workshop. Our current Purification Plan focuses on enhancing the individual combat capabilities of soldiers.”

”Purification, I have heard of it.” There isn’t a wall in the world that doesn’t leak wind, and Rostov was still quite familiar with this Purification Plan. Of course, Kuyi Tulan was equally knowledgeable about his Thunder Army and steam railways.

”Lord Governor is already aware of the events at Guru Mountain, so I need not elaborate further. The enemy we are about to face is clear, that being the Black Crow. Other enemies can be temporarily ignored, but the Black Crow must be dealt with first.”

”With what you said, I understand, but this Black Crow isn’t something we can eliminate just because we want to.” Rostov stated; he was well aware of the difficulties involved in eliminating an organization, more so than anyone else.

Back when establishing the Yonder Travel Academy, just dealing with the Workers’ Union and Commerce Guild consumed a significant amount of their financial and material resources. Let alone dealing with a large, combat-effective civilian organization now.

”I understand Lord Governor’s meaning; what I want to express is just one thing, and that is, in the coming years, our common enemy is the Black Crow.”

”Hmm?” Rostov was a bit puzzled by this; weren’t the Black Crows heading to Guru Mountain already annihilated? Even if they learned a little secret, what kind of storm could they stir up?

In Rostov’s eyes, he felt that the secrets of Guru Mountain had likely been acquired by the Alchemy Workshop.

”Does Lord Governor have a thorough understanding of the Black Crow?” Kuyi Tulan asked.

”I only know that they wander mysteriously and lack discipline, and they haven’t stirred too much trouble for me yet.” Upon finishing, Rostov regretted a bit, since Guru Mountain was his territory, and it was turned upside down by the Black Crow — isn’t that already a significant turmoil?

”The leader of the Black Crow is named Willem, who was once a Soul Guardian, and it was this fellow who took the secrets of Guru Mountain, although he never personally went to Guru Mountain.”

”Hmm?” Rostov was quite surprised, he hadn’t expected the leader of the Black Crow to have once been a Soul Guardian.

This was a very serious matter for Rostov.

”That is why I say, our mutual future enemy is the Black Crow.”

”Why is the Chief so sure that the Black Crow will pose a threat to the Empire?” Rostov probed Kuyi Tulan, as he understood the implications of a Soul Guardian’s betrayal.

”Because Willem said at Guru Mountain that he wants to establish a Great Harmony World.”

”This is merely a blatant provocation against the Empire!” After hearing this, Rostov put his examination aside.

Kuyi Tulan’s lips curved slightly, knowing that his goal was very near fulfillment.

”So then, does Lord Governor see the Black Crow as a threat?” Now it was Kuyi Tulan’s turn to counter-question.

”Heh, you are not wrong, this Black Crow will become our common enemy.”

”Now, I want to lay out my actual proposal. Lord Governor must sense my intention by now; I wish to cooperate with Lord Governor.”

”Cooperate?” Rostov indeed hadn’t thought in this direction, as he’d always felt that this Kuyi Tulan was here to make some exchange with him, never expecting it to actually be a proposal for collaboration.

”Yes, cooperation. The Black Crow’s acquisition of Guru Mountain’s secret can escape the influence of the Eternal Tranquility Realm, which is troublesome, beyond the capability of my Alchemy Workshop alone.”

Rostov hadn’t anticipated that Kuyi Tulan’s analytical skills would be so strong.

”You mean for me to join you in opposing the Black Crow?”

Rostov’s statement was also a negotiation with Kuyi Tulan. The matter was simple, why should I involve myself in this muddy water? Isn’t it better if I quietly develop my own power? Why should I do something that offers me no benefit?

”I understand Lord Governor’s concerns; the Alchemy Workshop is a place of Alchemists who have always followed the principle of Equivalent Exchange. As an Alchemist, Lord Governor should place trust in us.”

”I have trust, but my subordinates might not trust me.” Rostov’s intention was clear: stop with the useless talk and provide something tangible.

”To show our sincerity, the Alchemy Workshop is willing to place two Golden Seats at Yonder Travel Academy, and the Alchemists graduated from Yonder Travel Academy will absolutely not join the Alchemy Workshop.”

Rostov’s heart trembled, these terms seemed favorable.

”Additionally, I will give all the gold coins received for the royal plans of this year and next year from Luona to you without charge, which can meet Lord Governor’s needs for laying the steam railway.”

The second condition was also quite generous.

”Finally, Lord Governor should also consider isn’t it exhausting to always guard against another group with ulterior motives? Having an ally might be somewhat easier.”

Rostov was persuaded by Kuyi Tulan, it was the first time a non-politician managed to persuade him so incisively.

”Your proposal is very reasonable,” Rostov said.

”Then we need to discuss some detailed matters next, Lord Governor.”