Meeting With The Candidates

"Sir Carpal, what happened to the father rabbit?"

"Well, in the end, he got late to work, got fired, and returned with bad news to his family. Yet you know how they reacted? They didn't feel bad and were just glad that the father rabbit got home safely."

Carpal lightly smiled, "And you see, just like the father rabbit, the nurses who are taking care of all of you here are happy, contended, and don't feel bad looking after you. Every kid here is growing up hence you know what that means."

He caressed the child's hair, "So don't think that you are unneeded. Your nannies are worried about you so remember, don't ever do something that can hurt you and them."

Carpal looked at each child and spoke, "And kids, I want you to bring you good news. All of you will start attending school from this starting day. Your nannies will tell you the rest."

Inside a small playroom where nannies and his cohort were at the back listening to him, Carpal happily talked to the orphaned children with a satisfied face.

And of course, since I wasn't part of the group, I was staying on the side, watching everything that took place right in this very room. So far, no trouble just like what happened in the past days.

A few days before, Carpal started campaigning left to right without stopping the moment he regained his composure. He was fluent, excellent, and charming enough that he already made a crowd of followers that fully supported his back which are all guarantees.

Yet that didn't mean the other candidates were idling around.

They each were building the followers who backed them, people who held the same interest as them, and supporters who could help them become Governors of this nation.

As for the other nation's situation, three other candidates were found dead with the three having different types of scenarios.

The first one is death by an accident. The two and three were done by food poisoning and suicide.

Watching the clock that the orphanage's playroom had stored, I waited for Carpal to be done.

This is one of the few strategies he and his cohort had talked about, and for me, it isn't very practical.

Orphanage children don't give you votes in the election but people with influence. If I were me, I would've gone to the other factions in this nation that can support him.

Of course, if that were me.

Carpal, on the other, is different. He liked doing this sort of stuff and he used it to his advantage. With this strategy, sooner or later, he didn't even have to come to groups and factions.

They will come at him. And the rest is a sight to behold.

Obviously, there are grave flaws in this plan. It's not very concrete but it's doable where there is room for improvement.

And as for those flaws, if the opponents decided to use them against him, I will handle it.

"Well, that's it for us children."

"Ehhhh…"

Carpal moved out while giving children warm hugs before meeting with the orphanage director just right beside me. 

"There will be three teachers from the local school coming here to teach the children. You don't have to worry about the expenses, my group will take care of it."

The orphanage director replied with a warm smile, "Thank you, sir Carpal."

The moment their brief conversation was done, Carpal regrouped with his cohort while we followed him around. With his group on my front, I happened to hear their talk.

"Monet, we can pull it off, right?"

"Yeah, the business in both here and there is good. There is a stable income returning to us and we can use the excess in our treasury."

Carpal nodded, "So there's no problem with it. Then, where to next?"

Owary checked the timetable on her hands and spoke flatly, "Candidate Edwards wished to meet you and Candidate Frances at the specific diner he prepared himself. He says it is a get-to-know-well party."

'Huh, get to know well party he said.' I think over inwardly, lightly shaking my head while waiting for Carpal's decision.

"Do we have any other schedule for today?"

"No, you've done everything that is available for this week. We can't have that. Tomorrow is a rest day since you've been moving for the last few days."

Carpal nodded with a serious face, "Then, let's get on with it."

…

The scent of the savory meals and food permeated through the air inside the rowdy diner as if we were having a feast. In here, Edwards, men were haughty conversing with Frances people. Even though the atmosphere appeared jolly, there was undeniable tension roaming around us.

As for Carpal's cohort and the few people he brought here? It's just me, his group, and five professional bodyguards. Carpal's cohort and I were carrying a revolver around our waist and holster.

"Wow, didn't expect the businessman Carpal from the Silent Glade Hills would be running as a governor candidate in this nation. Wasn't expecting you to come here."

At a large table, the main forces of each group were in the same place with the silence being broken once Edwards, a governor candidate and the son of a rich investor in this nation, spoke.

"Yeah, I liked this nation and its people. Really liven up my mood. How about you, sir Edwards? Have you been well?"

Edwards nodded and bit a piece of cooked chicken before replying, "I've always been good. Anyway, enough about me, you know that my father is an investor, right? We're actually interested in investing in the liquor business. You see, I've loved your drinks a lot and everyone is on to it these days!"

Carpal lightly smiled, "Well, we would be happy to have you. Then, if you don't mind, I'll give you a quick preview of our enterprise."

The two engaged in a serene conversation, keeping their poker face as they delve deep into this. Others who weren't able to interfere decided to fill their bellies as they ate slowly and steadily.

As for me, I stayed in my seat, crossing my arms while listening to the conversation in silence. 

'Edwards Stanford.'

Obviously, I've researched him and his men. His background, hobbies, likes and dislikes, and his deep secrets.

Carpal and his men also have their own research but not as thorough as the ones I have. His entire dossier was here within me.

But I couldn't just base everything I've gathered on who they really are. I've come to the conclusion that even though, like me, there's information everyone could get once they've done thorough research, it still isn't enough.

People still can hide their real selves, and backgrounds as long as they know what they're doing.

Just like what I've known in the novel. Even though I knew some of the information, I couldn't become too complacent, less I found myself in an unbelievable situation.

"Edwards, you can cut the crap now. What's exactly this is all about, hmm? I don't like to waste my precious time here, conversing with an enemy who has the same goal as mine."

Slightly looking in her direction, I remembered her name. Not because I'd met her nor did we happen to know each other but because the name was strangely familiar.

And once I think about it, it makes more sense.

'Frances Loadrak'

Frances has a demolition company right under her radar. She had five main companies scattered all around, three from The Raining Treasure and Two from Neverest. And small companies from different kinds of cities.

And, she's also one of the unknown characters I've written which didn't appear once more in the novel. Well, in short, she was an absolute extra. Her name just appeared there for convenience and… much hate to say this but for also, word count.

"Princess, I've told you, this is a get-to-know-well party. Yes, we're aiming for the same thing, but that doesn't mean we're not allowed to talk to each other. Like, keeping connections and such."

Frances didn't speak any further and gave Edwards a cold stare before standing up and leaving the room. Her people followed up without saying any words, dropping themselves from eating and acting timid. 

They left the diner while receiving countless gazes from the crowd.

"Don't mind her, she always does that." Edwards paused, "The only reason she's here was because to see you and your men. She's trying to gauge your strengths and like what she did to me, once she had managed to accumulate everything, she just… walks off?"

Carpal chuckled with a hint of wariness in his tone, "For you to know that you must be doing what she just did."

Edwards shrugged while drinking a salty alcohol which he grimaced, "At least, you're not naive. But you see, I got worried for a second. You don't need to worry about anything though. You will support me, right, Carpal?"

On the lines he just stated, there was a double meaning to them. Carpal, who had gone through the same experience as mine, understood what that meant.

'He's underestimating Carpal isn't he?'

Looking at Carpal, who was having a blank expression, I waited for his response. For a few seconds, he didn't answer Edwards reply but all it took was a long, relieved sigh.

"I'm glad that you are seeing me as your opponent." Carpal stood up and gave Edwards a cold smile, "Next time you see that way, I've already won our little battle so be careful."

He turned around, his group followed him, and I lagged behind while lightly smiling. We began walking outside the diner, expecting some trouble about to come which didn't occur.

Right until the doorsteps, Edwards was quiet until he warned.

"Because I like you and your people, Carpal, I'll give you a piece of advice. It doesn't matter if you're going to believe me or not, but since I think we're going to benefit from it, I'll still tell you anyway."

Carpal already left the establishment and the only one left who could hear his warning was me which slightly threw me off.

It's because it was completely out of the topic of being a governor's candidate.

"Retract all your business that you have on the south." Edwards took a long pause, "The four nations already had one ruler or you can say, a mediator that controls them all. And they will come for us."