The broad brim of her hat obscured most of Witch Biggs's face as she leisurely followed Housekeeper Uli. Her loose black wizard robe entirely enveloped her in shadow. If it weren't for her glinting gold-rimmed glasses, the dozing guard at the entrance might have mistaken her for a Shadow Ghost trailing Uli.
Witch Biggs wasn't clothed this way because she feared the sun. She was a bona fide Wizard, not some Dark Wizard who strayed from the righteous path and feared sunlight. She had intentionally dug out this black wizard robe ensemble from the depths of a chest to hide her hunched figure. She felt that the purpose of her visit to Governor Rostellum was to reignite her Divination business; therefore, she had to project confidence during their conversation. However, a stooped posture could render even the most confident words powerless, so wearing this ill-fitting, oversized wizard robe ensemble was particularly important. The voluminous wizard robe could create a large shadow. This shadow could not only hide Witch Biggs's hunched back but also shroud every word she uttered—whether confident or timid—in layers of mystique.
As a Wizard, Witch Biggs deeply understood the importance of exchange. Thus, she firmly believed that the Rain Crystal Stone she had just offered would undoubtedly allow her to reclaim her old title: "Gaga County's Omnipotent Great Witch." Although this title couldn't help her advance to the rank of Gray Robe Wizard, it had once motivated her to strive in that direction.
With the creak of the opening door, the Great Witch slowly walked into the official residence of Gaga County's Governor.
Before Witch Biggs could offer a polite greeting, an agitated Elder Rostellum spoke first, "You're here to apologize for your failed Divination, aren't you, old woman? Isn't it a bit late for that now?"
This situation was completely different from what the Great Witch had anticipated. Elder Rostellum's demeanor was aggressive, flaring up like a fire.
"I..." Witch Biggs paused. If I state my purpose now, the Governor will surely throw me out. She quickly adopted a humble expression and said carefully, "I wonder if this softly glowing stone is to Your Excellency's liking? This is merely a small token of my respect for you, Milord. This one... this one is my sincere apology."
With that, Biggs retrieved another brightly colored stone from her voluminous wizard robe.
As the County Governor, Elder Rostellum was adept at controlling his emotions—a fundamental requirement for a Politician. After all, if one couldn't manage their own joys and sorrows, they couldn't possibly uphold so-called fairness and justice, though that was, in truth, another matter entirely. So, when the Great Witch produced the second stone, Elder Rostellum didn't so much as bat an eyelid, even though his heart had already leaped to it.
"You should know that these strange stones cannot be circulated as currency on the Yowein Continent. I allowed you in because these stones might pertain to political secrets. Whether it's the County Administrative Office or the City Administrative Office, upon seeing such stones, the first order of business is naturally to—confiscate them." As Rostellum uttered the word "confiscate," his entire soul seemed to pounce on the stone.
Witch Biggs had never imagined that the items she brought as offerings would be declared contraband subject to confiscation. Elder Rostellum's words caused the Great Witch's barely maintained posture to slump even further, her hunched back bending lower. In that instant, Witch Biggs felt she would never reclaim the title "Gaga County's Omnipotent Great Witch."
"If there's nothing else, you may leave the stones and depart." Elder Rostellum stood up and turned his back to Biggs, concealing the irrepressible joy on his face.
"I... I wished to report that these two stones aren't mine. They were left in my Divination House by a young man claiming to be an Adventurer. I originally intended to bring this young man to..."
"Adventurer!" Elder Rostellum abruptly turned around.
The word "Adventurer!" cut off Biggs's stammering and simultaneously pulled the elated Rostellum back to his prior state of vexation.
Adventurer, Rain Crystal Stones, the Viceroy's son... Rostellum struggled to piece these disparate words into a coherent picture. His mind was currently preoccupied with the special dispatch he had just received.
Witch Biggs blinked her dry eyes helplessly. She was still tremulously muttering about the young man who had asked for directions.
"Your Excellency, these stones all came from that foolish young man who asked for directions..." Her low murmurs buzzed around the hall like a swarm of mosquitoes, irritating Rostellum. Yet, he had to carefully analyze Witch Biggs's ramblings. After all, they were gradually shedding light on the dispatch that had previously left him at a loss.
"So, you're saying this young man came to your Divination House regarding his prospects as an Adventurer? In other words, he claims to be an Adventurer?"
"Yes! I swear on my name as Gaga County's Omnipotent Great Witch, that young man is an Adventurer!" Witch Biggs, drawing courage from an unknown source, finally voiced the words she had suppressed for so long. The declaration "Omnipotent Great Witch" was uttered with such a piercing shriek that it seemed capable of shattering the entire hall.
Elder Rostellum swiftly ran through a series of calculations in his mind and formulated a perfect plan. He paid no more heed to Witch Biggs's actions, decisively picking up the bell on his desk and ringing it.
The tinkling of the bell passed through the vermilion main doors, and shortly after, Housekeeper Uli entered, as deferential as ever.
"Governor?" Uli bowed respectfully, awaiting instructions.
"Graduates from the Yonder Travel Academy are visiting our county for an exploratory internship. Currently, only Witch Biggs has encountered one of these students. It is our duty to receive them and arrange their tour. Therefore, Housekeeper Uli, please make the necessary arrangements. Witch Biggs will assist in settling the Yonder Travel Academy student."
"Yes!" Uli bowed respectfully once again.
"Also, Housekeeper Uli, please handle these two stones."
Housekeeper Uli, holding the two egg-sized stones, retreated step by step. He could guess Elder Rostellum's intentions without even thinking. "Handling" these two stones merely meant verifying their authenticity. As for "receiving the Yonder Travel Academy student," that was just about finding this unfortunate fellow.
These two stones were gradually drawing unrelated matters together. As for the connection between them, only Rostellum himself could fully comprehend it.
Rostellum's deductions concerning these two stones represented a no-lose situation for him. If his connections were correct, his future path in politics would become significantly smoother. If his theories about the two stones proved unfounded, he wouldn't suffer any major loss. It would merely be a minor intellectual exercise in the pursuit of more useful information.
Thinking of this, Elder Rostellum smiled contentedly.