The red glow of sunset gradually washed over Elder Rostellum's residence. Before long, the expansive and luxurious Gaga County County Administrative Office was veiled in evening hues.
These fiery red hues, as if the clouds themselves were scorched, lazily spilled their light onto people's faces. This languid atmosphere was a stark contrast to the bustling activity within the Gaga County County Administrative Office.
The servants in the County Administrative Office grumbled as they worked, cursing the bizarre weather. It was nearly the Deep Winter Season, yet a fiery summer-like sunset had appeared.
The languid colors of the fiery sunset didn't worsen Elder Rostellum's mood; he was already irritable enough. He had used the excuse of arranging the evening banquet to flee his main office and was now hiding in the Head Chef's office within the Gaga County kitchens.
He sat on the chef's little stool, his hands cradling his cheeks, his gaze dazed. A tangled influx of unwelcome thoughts began to invade his already troubled mind. Babasha hardly behaved like a mayor; all he knew was how to dodge responsibility. He'd even been rendered speechless by a mere League Guard. Young Master Rostov had gotten lost, and it was clearly the League Guards' fault. Yet that coward Babasha hadn't shown any intention of refuting it. That Estev fellow, on the other hand, was rather resourceful. He'd not only intimidated the League Guard but had also formulated a plan. And speaking of which, why had that old crone Biggs appeared in Liuli City? She'd have to answer for hoarding those two stones later. Wasn't she supposed to be looking for that dimwitted Adventurer? So why would she turn up in Liuli City? Could she be hiding some ulterior motive?
Chaos began to replace his agitation, taking up residence in Elder Rostellum's mind.
This chaotic rhythm spread rapidly. Soon, Elder Rostellum's mind could no longer contain it. The chaos began to drift unhurriedly above the Gaga County County Administrative Office, as if its massive form were searching for a new host to settle into and rest.
Soon, it found another suitable vessel.
Great Witch Biggs was that unlucky soul. Her mind, already feeling as if countless wild horses had galloped through it, was now vacant enough to welcome this new master.
The Great Witch's original plan had been wonderful. Her arrival at the Dusk Market had also gone very smoothly. At Capon's shop, she exchanged two Rain Crystal Stones for two Spirit Books, a wizard robe, several batches of herbs used by Wizards, and dozens of gold coins.
Then she started looking for the buck-toothed poultry vendor. She dragged her stooped, frail body along, hobbling through the Dusk Market. Her crooked witch's hat made some ill-intentioned scoundrels think twice about robbing her. But she hadn't expected that after taking only a few steps into the Dusk Market, several uniformed guards would block her path.
She had initially intended to use Spellcraft to flee, but her eyes suddenly caught sight of Phil, not far away, being escorted by guards onto a steam car. Phil looked utterly dejected, as if he had committed some grave error. This tiny detail instantly subjected Biggs to an unprecedented pressure, so she immediately gave up resisting and obediently followed the guards onto the steam car.
After Witch Biggs arrived at the County Administrative Office, no one questioned her. She was ignored, as if she were mere air.
Aside from Elder Rostellum's sinister gaze, she felt no other sign of her own existence...
Witch Biggs was deeply puzzled. At the same time, she regretted her failure to successfully open a new 'path of redemption.' Why on earth hadn't that detestable, buck-toothed vendor appeared at the Dusk Market?! It now seemed that the title 'Gaga County's Omnipotent Great Witch' would be permanently relegated to history... Moreover, that boundless, sinking feeling began to engulf her entire being once more...
By the time chaos had completely occupied Great Witch Biggs's mind, the evening's afterglow gradually withdrew from the Gaga County County Administrative Office. The unnaturally red clouds slowly dimmed, eventually vanishing into the horizon.
At this very moment, Estev, having just received Mayor Babasha's thanks, was lounging comfortably on a sofa in the main office. His legs were crossed and propped up on the chest full of gold bars as he smoked.
Estev's plan was simple: let the willing be hooked.
He had released those three Crows; those three would naturally spread the news.
Whether that news would become bait was unknown, but those stones definitely would.
He hadn't gone to such great lengths to transport so many gold bars to Elder Rostellum's residence just for Babasha to enjoy a moment of glib satisfaction here. He had done so entirely for the sake of advancing his plan. Those gold bars were the deposit that the high-ranking personage had paid to Capon. Activating his Environment Sensing Skills, Estev could clearly perceive a seething murderous intent. This meant that this high-ranking personage had never intended to give Capon any money at all; his only aim was to exploit Capon's greed. This was what Estev found most intolerable. Even when committing evil, one had to have some limits. This sort of thing—using someone and then ruthlessly discarding them—was what he detested most. Therefore, these gold bars and stones were the bait. Only by following him could they catch the big fish. Moreover, he had greater faith in his own luck. His lucky number was five. Since the stones had appeared, he had crossed paths with four people. His Environment Sensing Skills told him that, besides the capable Crow who had escaped, there was also a very cautious Hunter lying hidden. He was waiting for this Hunter, his fifth opponent—the opponent who would decide his luck.
Thinking of this, Estev, his legs still casually propped on the chest, began to swing them back and forth with leisurely satisfaction.
This evening was destined to be unquiet. Estev had yet to reel in his 'fish' when a clamor arose at the main entrance of the County Administrative Office: someone was demanding to see the County Elder.
There were actually two groups of people seeking an audience. One group consisted of two young men who had arrived in a steam-powered vehicle; these two loudly proclaimed themselves Adventurers and insisted on seeing the County Elder.
The other group comprised several elderly men, each with a long beard, leaning on canes, saying they had urgent matters to report.
Ordinarily, Elder Rostellum would have sent these people packing. But now, with chaos already filling his mind, he was past fearing things getting even more chaotic.
He personally went to the County Administrative Office entrance and let them in. He shunted the two young Adventurers who had arrived by steam car off to Mayor Babasha, while he himself remained at the entrance to deal with the old men. He really couldn't stand the sight of Babasha's face any longer.
"County Elder!" the old men greeted him with deep respect.
Rostellum collected himself and saw that it was the village chief and several village elders from Guru Village. So, he said without looking up, "If you're here about the Black Mountain affair, just go back. There's nothing to discuss."
"Elder, Black Mountain and our village, we don't meddle in each other's affairs. We haven't come because of them," the leading village chief said, quite surprised.
"Then what have you come for?"
"Elder, Guru Mountain seems... unquiet lately," the village chief replied, his voice trembling.
"When has that place ever been quiet?" Rostellum retorted peevishly.
"Recently, some strange individuals have appeared on Guru Mountain. These people are different from the usual strange types we've encountered before," one of the village elders quickly explained.
"Oh?"
"Also, there's a strange young fellow asking about monsters everywhere. He even claims he's going up the mountain to see them and will tell us what he finds when he returns. We're afraid..."
"Hold on. Are these strange individuals you mentioned and this... dimwitted young man from the same group?"
"No, Elder. The young man is alone."...
Night crept in quietly. The sounds of evening conversation at the entrance to the Gaga County County Administrative Office abruptly faded into the silence.