Chapter 35: How Could It Be You?
Lubin was particularly busy today.
Ever since his tavern had been reserved by a group of generous strangers, many days had passed since he last felt so fulfilled.
These days, he spent most of his time dozing in the tavern. His occasional attempts to relieve boredom or stretch his limbs involved snatching the task of washing dishes and cups from the waiter. He hadn’t touched his favorite pastime—counting copper coins one by one—recently, and it irked him considerably.
But today, he was so exhilarated that he went into the kitchen to cook, and it was his specialty: pumpkin pies with chicken rice.
He was deeply stirred because the County Lord had come to his tavern. The County Lord was the greatest benefactor of Guru Village. It was his decisive actions that had transformed the impoverished Guru Village, once having nothing but people, into the prosperous place it was today—full of taverns, music, and dance. Now, this very Lord was in his humble tavern! Regardless of how domineering or unpleasant the Lord’s entourage appeared, his visit was the greatest honor of Lubin’s life. This honor outshone even the gleam of gold bars! In the future, he could boast to his children and grandchildren that their old man not only knew how to make good money but had also once cooked for their great benefactor, the County Lord!
The secret to delicious pumpkin pies lay in a resilient dough and tender pumpkin. Lubin kneaded the dough repeatedly, striving for the perfect taste. Naturally, he didn’t forget to sprinkle some wine into the chicken rice—his own secret recipe.
The enticing aroma of food soon wafted through the tavern. It was noon, and everyone was famished. The stomachs of Bunan and Pifu, two young lads, had been rumbling for some time.
Goding’s long, tense horse-like face finally relaxed. He currently resembled a drenched old dog, dizzy with hunger, his skin seeming to sag. He dared not utter another word. He was well aware of the Imperial Alchemy Workshop’s reputation. Though the association wasn’t as prominent as it had been a few years prior, it remained an organization directly under the Empire. A mere League Guard like himself, from the Government Administrative Office, had no standing to speak. All he could do was pin his hopes on those two Politicians, hoping that those two who had always been perfunctory would show some results. After all, the answer was within reach...
Politicians, after all, were Politicians. The negotiation between Babasha and Rostellum deeply impressed the lame Aliusan. This ability to defuse crises was something Aliusan felt he could never learn. That expressionless face, a mixture of flattery, firmness, confidence, humility, fear, and compliments, might be an innate skill of Politicians.
Aliusan saw Rostellum and Babasha respectfully present their public service badges. Then, they stood tall and offered their "chips"—essentially, the various ways they could serve the Alchemy Workshop—to the two short-haired figures in purple cloaks. Finally, they requested an audience with the Master Wizard. Throughout this process, the two Politicians remained expressionless, yet their every action was laden with meaning.