One-Eyed Monster

Elder Rostellum absolutely did not want to leave Gaga County; he just couldn’t bear to see that heap of gold coins fall into someone else’s pocket. So he replied to the City Administrative Office with a Mail Bird, saying his abilities were meager and he couldn’t possibly handle that position. Back then the Alchemy Workshop had tried to recruit him too, but he’d turned them down as well—he had no intention of giving up his freedom to toil for those big shots. As far as he was concerned, all he needed to do was look after the shiny yellow stuff.

But the reply from the City Administrative Office was even shorter: he was to pack his bags at once and report to his new post. They didn’t leave him a shred of room to negotiate.

That was what really gave him a headache. He could only try to negotiate with the City Administrative Office by resigning from all his positions, insisting he truly had no interest whatsoever in this Administrative Assistant position.

This back-and-forth dragged on for several days, Mail Birds with messages flapping back and forth. Luckily they were Exchange Beasts improved by the Alchemy Workshop; otherwise, after all this running around, he’d have had to buy a replacement bird.

The one in the City Administrative Office who issued the transfer order clearly knew Elder Rostellum very well. After several hardline attempts failed, they switched to another tactic.

When you hit a snake, you strike its seven-inch; when you deal with a man, you use a ruthless move. For someone like Elder Rostellum, pestering him to death wouldn’t work; you had to go straight for the jugular and crush one of his cherished ideas.

The folks at the City Administrative Office told Elder Rostellum bluntly that Guru Mountain belonged to all of Luona, and matters regarding Rum Fruit had to be taken over by the City Administrative Office. If he insisted on resigning, then all sales of Rum Fruit would have to be handed over in full.

At that, Elder Rostellum panicked. This was already beyond his control. If those shiny yellow things slipped away right under his nose, it would be worse than death for him, so he absolutely had to keep guarding those glittering treasures.

Just as Elder Rostellum was at his wits’ end, another Mail Bird arrived with a stamped directive. This time the instructions were crystal clear: if Elder Rostellum was willing to go to the City Administrative Office and serve as Administrative Assistant, then everything to do with Rum Fruit would be his responsibility, and all sales profits would also be managed by him. He could even propose how those profits should be used.

This directive made Elder Rostellum breathe a sigh of relief. Although he could no longer fully control all that glittering gold, he still had a bit of management authority. As long as he could see the shiny stuff he was happy; who it ultimately belonged to, he didn’t actually care that much. Even in the past, all the bright yellow gold coins he’d collected were piled up in the Gold Room of Gaga County. In his spare time he’d go look at them, but rarely did he take out big handfuls to spend. Because to him, the feeling of those gold coins leaving was more terrifying than anything. He’d rather see them every day than watch them slip from his hands. So everyone knew him and felt he was a miser who only let money in but never out—and a greedy miser at that…

With this condition from the City Administrative Office, he no longer had any grounds to refuse. Either he took those gold coins with him to the City Administrative Office, or he rolled out with empty hands.

Elder Rostellum could only choose the former. The latter would be a fate worse than death; better keep that kind of thing far, far away from him.

So Elder Rostellum went up Guru Mountain to pick a few Rum Fruits; he was going to bring those Rum Fruits and the gold coins along to the City Administrative Office to assume his post.

It was said that a few people from the City Administrative Office would come to travel with him, because they had to escort the gold coins to the City Administrative Office along the way. With Gaga County’s strength, there was no way they could escort so many gold coins on their own.

Still, before he left, he had to prepare a few things, and Rum Fruit was an excellent choice.

That was why he was loading the carriage on Guru Mountain.

”Master, are you really going to leave us?” Some of the mountain folk were still very reluctant to see Elder Rostellum transferred away just like that.

The mountain folk of Guru Village on Guru Mountain held a deep affection for Elder Rostellum. After all, he was the one who’d led them to prosperity; naturally, they would not forget the kindness he’d shown them.

”The master is getting a promotion; what are you pulling that long face for!” The village chief, an old fellow, handed over a Rum Fruit and scolded the mountain man who’d just spoken.

”Once I’m at the City Administrative Office, I’ll be counting on you all here. Do exactly as I told you, and under no circumstances let those liquor merchants push the prices down!” Elder Rostellum didn’t waste time getting sentimental with the mountain folk; he just kept giving instructions. These mountain folk always listened to him and never went against his wishes. Leaving everything here in their hands, he was quite at ease. After all, everything here was still under his control; he knew this place like the back of his hand and wasn’t the least bit afraid of the new county chief playing any tricks on him.

”Yes, yes, yes, the master is being promoted to a big official now. Of course we’ll keep following your word as always.” The village chief took the lead in stating his position, and the other mountain folk chimed in one after another.

”All right, I’ll be back in due time. This place is still under my jurisdiction, and you must remember what I’ve told you.” After Elder Rostellum finished his instructions, he climbed onto the carriage. The Rum Fruits he wanted to bring were already loaded; they were all gifts for the senior officials of the City Administrative Office.

As a Politician, Elder Rostellum did have some foresight. He understood the importance of choosing a side. He was going to be Administrative Assistant, assistant to the number-two of the Administrative Office. That was not an easy spot to sit in, because the two factions in the City Administrative Office had long since been clearly split. Now that he was going to be this assistant, he was torn about which side to stand on. In theory, standing behind Lord Governor was the safest bet, but he would be working as the Administrative Chief’s assistant—so how was he supposed to do his job then?

He decided not to overthink it. First, hurry to the County Administrative Office to pack things up and get the gold coins squared away.

Elder Rostellum stopped paying attention to Administrative Office affairs entirely, since he’d only ever cared about the shiny yellow stuff in the first place.

What Elder Rostellum didn’t know was that the City Administrative Office wanted him as the Administrative Chief’s assistant precisely to exploit that trait of his—putting him in charge of all the shiny yellow assets of the whole City Administrative Office.

Right at this moment, inside the Twin Star Grand Hall of Luona, Administrative Chief Louvkat’s face was flushed bright red from holding back his temper. He had never imagined that Governor Rostov’s solution would be… assigning him an assistant!

”Any objections, Administrative Chief?” Governor Rostov looked at Louvkat with an air of concern.

”Lord Governor, I just don’t get it. How can a mere county chief solve the current shortfall in the entire Gold Room!” Louvkat finally couldn’t hold back. ”Add one more person and I’m supposed to conjure gold coins out of thin air? I’m not an Alchemist! And even if I were, I’d still need something of equal value to exchange for gold coins!”

”Heh, once Assistant Rostellum arrives here, the whole matter will naturally become clear.”

!!! Louvkat still didn’t get it.

”Has the Thunder Army sent people to Guru Mountain?” Rostov turned to ask the Thunder Army representative. Rostellum was a treasure, and he didn’t want any accidents.