A Necromancer Who Just Wants to Plant Trees

...

Gold Digger Basin.

Rolling Stone Town.

Spring.

A robin with blue feathers on its back and yellow down on its chest took flight from the lawn in front of the town hall's main entrance.

It flew over several chimneys and a few brick-red rooftops,

then gracefully perched on an oak tree surrounded by many red and yellow walls.

There were insects crawling on the branch right below it.

The robin looked ready to pounce,

but suddenly,

an angry roar came from the semi-transparent glass window behind it—

The insects quickly shook off the branch.

The bird also hastily flew away,

leaving only the five well-dressed humans behind the second-floor window, still arguing incessantly.

...

"I disagree!"

The plump middle-aged woman, Liz, with a slap, sent the wooden plaque engraved with "Outstanding Citizen Nomination" flying, then unleashed a barrage of words on the bald man to her left front:

"Howard is a thorough scoundrel, a piece of trash!

Not only does he flirt with married women,

he also loves to entice married men!

He always sneaks around to find their men while the women are out shopping.

I've personally seen it dozens of times!

Dozens!!"

The more Liz spoke, the more impassioned she became, showering most of the table with her spit.

The four seated men couldn't help but recoil.

"Calm down, Liz..."

The bald man began to soothe:

"It's just a nomination."

Liz's stance was unwavering:

"Even a nomination won't do! Howard is too awful!"

Saying this, her sharp eyes scanned the room and suddenly, as if she had just discovered something, she added:

"None of you has been swayed by him, have you?"

The four men shuddered in unison, unanimously denying:

"Not at all!"

The bald man even shredded the recommendation letter he held in his hand:

"The committee unanimously rejects the nomination of Howard Roze!"

Anyone who had worked in the town hall for more than a week knew the terror of Liz's mouth.

She was a walking gossip board.

If one unluckily got caught in her tales, by the next morning, the whole town would be whispering the rumor.

Those present were all respectable people; they could not afford such slander.

...

"So, the final nomination—Mr. Matthew from the mage district, hmm, his last name isn't indicated.

He's been living in Rolling Stone Town for just over two and a half years, meeting the 'Outstanding Citizen Award' criteria;

He works as a history teacher at Seaver Public School during the day, and the students all like him;

He also has a part-time job at the Public Security Bureau, where Captain Blake speaks very highly of him;

According to the nominator's description, Mr. Matthew is kind-hearted, warm, and generous, and while he doesn't have many friends in Rolling Stone Town, always keeping to himself, the reason is he's too busy to socialize..."

The bald man's words were interrupted.

The gentleman seated to Liz's left raised an objection:

"Mr. Chairman, recluses do not meet the 'Outstanding Citizen Award' criteria."

The bald man nodded slightly:

"Don't rush, Richard.

The author of the recommendation says that our Mr. Matthew has planted nearly 1,000 oak trees in Rolling Stone Town over two and a half years, significantly greening the town's environment. Look, the oak tree outside this window and the three in front of the town hall are all thanks to Mr. Matthew.

Combined with Captain Blake's statement,

the nominator believes that Mr. Matthew has made an indelible contribution to the safety and environment of Rolling Stone Town, and he should therefore be rewarded with this year's Outstanding Citizen Award."

Everyone listened,

and couldn't help but glance out of the window.

"Was this tree planted two years ago? It feels as though it's always been there..."

The well-dressed Richard muttered.

"It seems so, I remember... Matthew, a tall, somewhat handsome, somewhat shy young man."

A nostalgic expression appeared on Liz's face.

"This is indeed an outstanding contribution."

Another man reminded:

"But whether one can get along with other citizens is the most important criteria for the award."

The bald man nodded:

"Typically, that would be the case, but the owner of this letter doesn't seem to write anonymously often, she accidentally added her own name at the end..."

Richard gave a forceful clap:

"A violation in recommendation! Direct rejection! Well then, Rolling Stone Town will not have even a nomination-worthy citizen this year, just like the past three years!"

The rest either shrugged or spread their hands, tacitly agreeing with the outcome.

However, the bald man was not finished:

"The signatory is Sif Suki."

Blood Banner.

That was the surname of the lords of Rolling Stone Town.

Sif Suki was the darling, only child of the lord of Rolling Stone Town.

The room went quiet for two or three seconds.

Even the pickiest Liz raised her hands:

"Let's skip the nomination process, I support Matthew becoming an Outstanding Citizen."

The others quickly seconded.

The bald man, however, had not finished speaking.

He slowly drew out an old piece of old paper from the bottom of a pile of documents:

"There's one last issue, this is the registration form Matthew submitted to the town hall two years ago, on it is clearly written his background and adventure profession...

I suspect he might have made an error then.

From my observations,

his actions in Rolling Stone Town these past years are completely unrelated, even contrary, to his adventuring profession.

But if what's written on this form is true,

he may have to say goodbye to our substantial Outstanding Citizen reward."

"What profession? Isn't he just a common spellcaster?"

The others curiously leaned over to look.

The first thing that caught their eye was a quick sketch of a radiant smile.