One-Eyed Monster

Elder Rostellum had been feeling unsettled recently. Though he had only been on Guru Mountain for a few days, he was already surrounded by a host of unknowns, plunging him into unprecedented confusion. He had seen the Alchemists moving back and forth at the foot of the mountain but had no idea what they were up to. He had also discovered that someone was covertly purchasing Guru Mountain’s stones. Although Aliusan of the Black Mountain Organization had tracked down the source of these purchases, Rostellum still didn’t understand the motive behind acquiring such seemingly worthless stones.

Furthermore, the team dispatched to find Governor Rostov’s son had been gone for some time. So far, the Earth Wolf planted within the team had only sent a single message via Mail Bird. This solitary message was infuriatingly succinct: "We’ve reached the mountaintop."

Elder Rostellum couldn’t glean any further information from these few words. Tugging at his handlebar mustache, he found himself wandering around the foot of Guru Mountain, eventually ending up at the tavern run by Aliusan of the Black Mountain Organization.

"My Lord, we’re honored by your presence!" In Guru Mountain, everyone, whether from the shadowy factions or ordinary villagers, genuinely admired Elder Rostellum.

"I came to check on things and to see if there’s any news of my Housekeeper," Rostellum said calmly.

Aliusan’s tavern looked shabby, nothing like a typical place to enjoy a drink. Yet, this filthy, dilapidated establishment was always crowded. In this moderately sized, grimy place, a diverse mix of people stood or lounged about. These individuals didn’t look like drunkards or diners; rather, they were cautious and careful, frequently glancing around suspiciously. The crowd included lower-class residents seeking to serve the Black Mountain Organization, various factions wanting to cooperate with them, and even Puppet Merchants peddling all sorts of resources.

Rostellum observed the chaotic scene in the tavern, a reluctant admiration for Aliusan stirring within him. To think this cripple had managed to elevate such a small band of rogues to such prominence! And to actually spot a rarely encountered Puppet Merchant in this shabby place... That genuinely surprised Elder Rostellum.

If this keeps up, Guru Mountain might even develop its own Dusk Market soon. Puppet Merchants could offer a wider variety of resources. They were the most mysterious traders on the continent, always procuring bizarre items from unknown sources and managing to catch one’s eye when least expected. In their hands, gold coins, plants, people, and even eyes were commodities for trade. There was an old saying on the continent: "Befriend a Puppet Merchant, and you indirectly gain access to another world."

While Rostellum was surprised, he also felt a wave of relief. The Black Mountain Organization was still under his control, and everything this dark faction currently dealt with served his Gaga County. But one day, this fellow Aliusan might expand the organization significantly. Whether it would still contribute gold coins to the Gaga County Administrative Office then... that’s hard to say.

This thought plunged Elder Rostellum into deeper contemplation. I need to find a way to curb the vigorous growth of Aliusan’s Black Mountain Organization. If I let it grow too powerful, the future consequences would be dire. However, excessively suppressing its development could also backfire and be counterproductive. It seems the only way to avoid the risk of being overthrown is to become even stronger myself as they solidify their power.

At times like this, Rostellum couldn’t help but think of his Housekeeper, Uli. That Fighter from an Alien Race possessed not only extraordinary strength but also a sharp mind. This copper-skinned Mantai man always had a knack for seeing to the heart of matters instantly. Moreover, his way of handling problems was very direct: he never wasted breath on issues that could be solved with his fists. Though simple and crude, this approach was often highly effective.

But there’s been no news from my Housekeeper lately. Logically, Guru Mountain isn’t a very dangerous place; with the skills of someone from an Alien Race like him, an accident is unlikely. Yet, the last impression Lord Uli, Gaga County’s Chief Housekeeper, had left on everyone in Guru Mountain was of resounding slaps—those delivered squarely to Aliusan’s face.