CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 59 ROSTELLUM’S CALCULATION

"Damn! This thing turned out to be Dead Objects!"

Discontentment was again apparent on Elder Rostellum’s sleazy face, showing no regard for his special status as a Politician. Typically, when his emotions ran high, he would bristle and glare; if the situation grew severe, he would also incessantly tug at his beard. Such scenarios mostly occurred when he was alone, but there were rare exceptions.

The factor triggering these exceptions was usually shiny, golden objects that would make Rostellum’s eyes narrow to slits. To others, these things appeared vulgar. But to Rostellum, they were incredibly important, as gold coins were, in his mind, omnipotent.

It was an odd phenomenon. As a Politician, controlling his emotions should have been second nature, but Rostellum’s composure would unravel at the prospect of losing gold coins. When that happened, he was no longer Politician Rostellum, but red-eyed Rostellum.

When the Gaga County County Mansion was destroyed by Hunters, he had fearlessly talked back to the tyrannical Rostov League Guard.

Similarly, when he discovered a hidden source of gold coins on Guru Mountain, he disregarded Mayor Babasha’s feelings and resolutely decided to report first to the chief of the Alchemy Workshop.

For Rostellum, gold coins were everything. All his actions were aimed at acquiring more. He would be disappointed if he couldn’t obtain gold coins. He would lose his composure if he saw them slipping from his grasp. And if the coins in his hand were snatched away, he would completely lose control.

Fortunately, this situation was only the second kind: watching obtainable coins slip away. Elder Rostellum was losing his composure.

"Can you imagine how serious this is?" Rostellum grumbled at Aliusan as they walked.

Aliusan, limping, struggled to keep up with Rostellum, hurrying to catch him.

"Dead Objects! Dead Objects! Worthless things! It’s a serious problem that someone is actually peddling them." Elder Rostellum began shaking his head continuously.

"Sir..." Aliusan panted, trying to match Rostellum’s pace.

"What’s more serious is that we’ve been completely kept in the dark. All this time, we had no idea such a business existed at the foot of Guru Mountain. Tsk, tsk, this is indeed an even more serious problem." Elder Rostellum started to analyze the whole situation again, revealing a completely different demeanor.

The sudden change in Rostellum’s demeanor sent a chill down Aliusan’s spine. Rostellum’s analysis struck a raw nerve with Aliusan. It was one thing for the stone business at the foot of Guru Mountain to be kept secret from those old-timers in Guru Village. But for him, Aliusan, the leader of Black Mountain, to be unaware? That was inexcusable. Especially since such underhanded ways of making a fortune should have been Black Mountain’s domain. For this clandestine way to wealth to have been snatched by others, right under their noses, amounted to more than mere ’negligence.’ This was a blatant insult to Black Mountain, a brazen provocation. How could he, Aliusan, show his face? More importantly, what position did this put Elder Rostellum in? If blame fell on them, the ’wings’ he had so painstakingly strengthened might be clipped. And he had been risking his neck to protect those very wings these past few days! He must find a way to turn this situation around, especially to restore Elder Rostellum’s confidence in Black Mountain... He had dug this pit for himself, and he would be the one to fill it.

Aliusan steeled his resolve. Dragging his limping leg, he hurried after Elder Rostellum. "Sir! Sir..."

Hearing Aliusan’s hurried footsteps, Rostellum wondered if the man was holding something back. He stopped to see what it was.

"Sir," Aliusan panted, then dropped to his knees with a thud. "Black Mountain has failed in its duties and caused you trouble, Sir."

"Hmm?"

"Weren’t you interested in getting involved with this stone-selling business, Sir?"

"Hmm? I merely wish to regulate Gaga County’s trade rules. But this stuff is Dead Objects..."

"Sir, don’t worry. I have a way to bring this stone trade back under your control."

"Oh?" Rostellum’s eyes darted about. What is this Aliusan planning?

"Sir, we just need to find the source of this trade," Aliusan declared, his face full of confidence.

"Hmm." Elder Rostellum seemed thoughtful; clearly, Aliusan’s words had given him an idea. "Very well, Black Mountain will handle this. Don’t disappoint me."

"Rest assured, Sir. Black Mountain will absolutely not disappoint your patronage."

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「Nightfall.」

Bruce had had a bit too much to drink today.

He had no choice; the newcomers kept refilling his tankard with ale, and he’d nearly drunk himself under the table.

Who can blame me? I’m a genius, hehe.

Bruce wallowed in self-satisfaction, completely oblivious to the dark figure stealthily approaching in the night.

"BURP," Bruce belched. Impersonating a Wandering Bard had been a profitable venture for him. Not only had it saved him money on food and drink for the day, but he had also gained several new underlings. There’s always a way out, heh heh heh. Those bastards would never have guessed I could make it this far.

Bruce was also one of the Treasure Hunters dreaming of striking it rich. He had been on this mountain for almost a year. His previous muddle-headedness had cost him dearly, but now he was considered a seasoned old hand.

This was mainly thanks to his secret channel for getting rich...

It might have been a spur-of-the-moment decision, or perhaps he’d had a bit too much to drink. Regardless, while impersonating a Wandering Bard today, Bruce had let slip his method of making money. This instantly made him a popular figure at the foot of Guru Mountain, and he naturally gained quite a few underlings.

Having drunk too much, Bruce’s stomach felt bloated. The usually short walk back to the inn seemed to stretch on endlessly.

Bruce, swaying with every step, found a secluded corner. He fumbled with his ’equipment,’ preparing to relieve himself.

BURP. Who would have thought I’d have such a glorious day? He was still lost in his drunken contentment.

"Huh? Why did it suddenly get so dark?" Bruce suddenly found himself enveloped in pitch-black darkness; he couldn’t see a thing. The few scattered lights of the night had vanished without a trace.

"What the hell..." Before Bruce could finish his sentence, he felt a pair of hands slip under his armpits. He was lifted clean off the ground.

"I can walk on my own, no need to trouble you! Besides, I still have to piss... OUCH!" Bruce assumed his new underlings were helping him through the darkness. But before he could finish, a sharp pain shot through his abdomen.

The pain was searing, definitely not the discomfort of a full bladder.

"You won’t need to piss in a bit."

A voice reached Bruce’s ears, sobering him up considerably. He instinctively clenched, holding his urine back again.

"Who the hell are you?" Bruce yelled.

BANG! Another searing pain struck his abdomen. This time, the urine he had just managed to hold back gushed out.

"Damn it, forgot to gag him! He sprayed all over me!"

"Less talk! Knock him out and drag him back!"

Enduring the agony, Bruce faintly heard their conversation. He wanted to listen more closely, or perhaps scream for help. However, the overwhelming pain clouded his thoughts, and it kept coming, blow after blow. He could only manage muffled groans.

Soon, the intense, searing pain shot to his head. He let out another groan, and then everything went black.