One-Eyed Monster

Luona, Twin Star Grand Hall, Governor’s Conference Hall.

Aevernan stared with a somewhat unfocused gaze at the translucent, sparkling stone, wondering what trick Governor Rostov was playing this time.

Originally, he had planned to report to Governor Rostov that the young master on his distant travels was being targeted by certain miscreants.Although he inwardly felt that such an act of snitching was beneath a righteous person, after weighing the pros and cons repeatedly, he had steeled his resolve to do this despicable thing. However, just as he was about to step out, a Mail Bird from the Government Administrative Office flew in to tell him that the Governor was holding an emergency meeting that evening and to report to the Twin Star Grand Hall immediately!

Upon arriving at the Grand Hall, he realized the scale of this emergency meeting was considerable. The Head Administrator, the Dean of Yonder Travel Academy, the Grand Duke of Finance, the Court Chief of the Court of Guards, the Chief of the Wizard Association, the Chairman of the Scholar Commons, the President of the Trade Association, and even the leader of the Roaring Tiger Army stationed at the Empire’s border were present. Everyone who should be there, and even some who shouldn’t, had assembled, indicating that this was no ordinary meeting.

Looking at this assembly, Aevernan thought to himself, fierce debate is inevitable today.His initial idea of snitching was quickly pushed to the back of his mind, as he realized that, given the current situation, he had far more important matters to report.

"Gentlemen, deep winter is approaching. How is the progress on the various matters you are responsible for?" the Housekeeper of the Twin Star Grand Hall began the proceedings.

"Progress? The children in the Imperial Capital who should be studying in proper schools have all gone off to Yonder Travel Academy to run wild. Our Scholar Commons won’t be seeing much progress this year." The Chairman of the Scholar Commons was a middle-aged man with a traditional beard. His overt hostility towards Yonder Travel Academy made it clear he was aligned with Louvkat’s faction.

Dean Hoffman of Yonder Travel Academy sat with his head bowed and eyelids drooping, seemingly dozing off. Faced with the other’s animosity, he merely drawled, "Yonder Travel Academy changes destinies." Throughout this, Old Hoffman didn’t even lift an eyelid, seemingly completely overcome by drowsiness.

"Humph, merely teaching lowly commoners a few characters and you call that changing destinies?" The other party’s hostility did not diminish in the slightest; this was a blatant provocation, likely intended to infuriate Rostov.

Rostov remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the gradually intensifying fighting spirit on both sides of the oval table, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Speaking of progress, our Court of Guards has spared no effort in maintaining order and combating the forces of darkness. Yet, some people insist on harboring rats and crows, rendering the efforts of our Court of Guards brethren futile." Court Chief Aymond of the Court of Guards was still resentful of the Trade Association’s tolerance of dark forces.

"We have no choice. Our Trade Association needs protection. You of the Court of Guards care more for the plebeians, so we can only find our own bodyguards," the President of the Trade Association said, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness.