One-Eyed Monster

Luona, Twin Star Grand Hall.

Aevernan was hurrying along, his face stern, seeming as though he had run into a vexing issue.

The Chief Steward of the Imperial Capital led the Minister of the Department of Roads with utmost respect. He wondered what could cause such an accomplished politician to lose his composure to such an extent, disregarding even his most basic control over his emotions. Under normal circumstances, it would be rare to see a politician with a panicked expression and unsteady footsteps in this grand hall.

Aevernan held a letter in his hand, which had been sent by the Administrative Office via the Mail Bird System not long ago. When that chubby Mail Bird flapped its wings and bolted towards him, he was meticulously rolling some tobacco with rolling paper. He hadn’t forgotten his smoking habit, and he was grateful that his old friend Estev had sent him tobacco from Liuli City. Even though this rough tobacco was far from premium grade compared to what could be found in the Imperial Capital, its strong taste was irresistible to him.

The Mail Bird’s intrusion disrupted his enjoyment of his smoke, but the letter quickly wiped away his annoyance. When he saw the sender’s name—Estev—at the bottom of the letter, his spirits lifted. My old friend is indeed extraordinary, he thought. He’s never been one to use the Mail Bird System of the Administrative Office. But when he does, it’s certainly unique. The Mail Bird was notably plump and seemed slow in its movements, prompting Aevernan to wonder, How much Spirit Power has Estev been feeding this bird?

However, as he read the letter’s contents, his spirits gradually faded. His eyebrows began to twitch and soon knotted together.

Estev’s letter about Guru Mountain and the Black Crow is too extraordinary! Aevernan thought.

Aevernan had never thought Guru Mountain held any significant secrets. He’d always regarded it as a savage, uncivilized place, inhabited by nothing more than a bunch of sleazy swindlers. The County Commissioner of Gaga County was a typical example of this—a County Administrative Office official whose world revolved around money. As for what kind of resources he could control, if there were any of value, they’d have been devoured by that vulgar man long ago, Aevernan mused.

As for the Black Crow, Aevernan didn’t know much. After all, he didn’t come from the Court of Guards or the military, so his understanding of such violent and dark organizations was only based on hearsay. He had, however, been to the Dark Market, where the things for sale were certainly shady. The Black Crow, being a kindred organization, likely wouldn’t be much better, he surmised.

Aevernan had written to Estev previously because he considered his old friend reliable. When the Lord Governor summoned him for another meeting at the Twin Star Grand Hall the day before yesterday, he felt the weight of his responsibilities growing. Not only had Young Master Hustace disappeared on the route Aevernan had arranged, but the Lord Governor had also recently become highly focused on Guru Mountain—a place Aevernan used to govern.