Chapter 8: Foolishness (Part 1)

The noon sun shone brilliantly in the highland air, illuminating the vast expanse of ground atop the mountain with exquisite clarity. The ground had been meticulously leveled, the natural contours of the mountain completely erased to create a large platform. This platform was polished to perfection, ensuring that the magic circles drawn upon it could function at their optimal capacity. There were not just one or two, but dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of various magic circles sprawled across the surface.

On this platform, an elderly man with a head full of white hair held a vibrant green leaf in his hands, examining it repeatedly. With a sigh of helplessness, a mix of disappointment and regret washed over him as he tossed the shimmering artifact aside. The leaf fluttered forlornly in the air for a moment before landing on the ground.

The old man, Theodorus, slumped down in despair. He had been surviving on just two or three hours of sleep each night for the past several days, dedicating all his waking hours to this small leaf, yet he had come up empty-handed.

He was the most knowledgeable, experienced, and capable person on the continent. He had managed to rescue several endangered humanoid species from the iron grip of humanity, rallying them to establish a city in the barren lands from nothing. But now, faced with this tiny leaf, he felt utterly powerless.

Was it because it was a divine object?

Theodorus never believed in such things. His intelligence and broad knowledge were coupled with a true sense of self-confidence and awareness. Every achievement and step forward had come from his sweat and effort, not bestowed by some intangible force. He had always believed that the world could be grasped in his own hands. Yet now, this little leaf presented an enigmatic mystery, an elusive feeling that made his heart uneasy and filled him with frustration.

A few soft sounds broke his contemplation as General Grutt leapt onto the platform from the edge behind Theodorus. The mountain was steep and high, yet he ascended effortlessly as if stepping onto a mere staircase. In his hand, General Grutt held a small figure, which he tossed onto the platform as soon as he landed. This was a very short individual, barely half the height of General Grutt.

Looking at the myriad magic circles scattered across the ground and the World Tree leaf, General Grutt asked Theodorus, "How is it going?"

"Still no clue." Theodorus replied, sitting cross-legged with his head supported by his hand, eyes closed as if resting or lost in thought. "You'll have to think of a few more reasons to buy me some time."

"The esteemed General Grutt does not like to tell lies. When confronted, I can only admit that I don't know. I cannot find a better reason to delay," said the short figure, who had been lifted by General Grutt. He approached Theodorus, wearing a rather peculiar grimace. "In my words, you've been carrying the World Tree leaf here to return it to her, but after a small mishap, you met with a couple of old friends and even handled some affairs for a bastard child. So these past few days, that beautiful elven lady has grown increasingly irritable, saying that our place is dirty, smelly, and full of monsters, insisting that we leave with the divine object as soon as possible. I can't do anything about it. That's why we came to inquire about your progress."

"But I can't do anything here either," Theodorus sighed deeply. He paused and asked, "Do we have enough food for this month?"

The short man was a recent recruit, a low-level official whom Theodorus had quickly discovered possessed a mind and talents that were the complete opposite of his unimposing appearance. Realizing this, Theodorus appointed him as his assistant.

As a good leader, beyond his own abilities, one must know how to utilize others. Theodorus recognized this individual as a rare talent, someone trustworthy, which led to his swift ascension to the highest levels of management in Orford. Thanks to this capable assistant, Theodorus could focus on his magical research.

The assistant replied, "This month's food expenses have exceeded the budget again. The influx of outsiders has made the food issue increasingly serious. While we can temporarily rely on trade, the soil in this barren highland is too poor. Transporting rich soil from the Lizard Swamp is always limited, and the progress is slow."

Theodorus nodded slowly, saying, "The food issue has always been the most significant constraint on our long-term development. That's why I was counting on the magical powers of the World Tree leaf, hoping to test using magic to alter plant growth capabilities, which could fundamentally resolve this issue. Otherwise, our development will always be severely limited." He sighed again. "But the divine object is far beyond my imagination… Now, let alone the planned simulations and transformations, I can't even decipher the magical properties and effects within it. Perhaps only the elves, who have guarded this divine object for millennia, would be most familiar with and capable of using it."

"Then can't we ask them to help you with it?"

"Can you expect a devout priest to give his cross to a zombie skeleton as an ornament?" Theodorus replied with a bitter smile. "The World Tree leaf is a divine object worshiped by the elves. The orcs are the race they most scorn. I must hide the fact that I'm researching it from them."

The assistant nodded but shook his head, saying, "But the food problem is something we must address. It's not just a matter of continued development; it's even the key to the survival of the city of Orford. The development of Orford has become disconnected from its productive capacity, almost entirely reliant on trade. While it is indeed thriving now, the foundation is unstable. If all the countries supplying us with food were to halt trade… that would be a disaster."

Theodorus shook his head. "That shouldn't be the case. Unless there's a famine across the entire continent, how could all trade possibly stop? They need our trade just as much."

"No, it is possible. If they were to form an alliance or be controlled by a powerful and influential organization, like the Church… though that seems unlikely, I'm just throwing it out there."

But Theodorus's eyes glimmered with a new understanding as he slowly nodded. "No, you're right. We must obtain the power of the World Tree leaf. If I can't analyze it, then I'll have to keep it for myself. I could directly use it to create a magic circle and simulate the environment of the Whispering Woods, accelerating the growth of crops within dozens of miles tenfold."

"Are you saying you won't return it to the elves? But if you do this, you will surely make enemies of them."

"Them? They will only know that it has fallen into the hands of the Necromancer Guild. I will ensure this is done very discreetly."

The assistant fell silent for a moment, shaking his head vigorously like a bobblehead. "But I think that's a bad idea. It's merely quenching thirst with poison, bringing harm without benefit."

"Why?" Theodorus asked, surprised.

"There's no wall that doesn't let the wind through. No matter how good your secrecy is, there's bound to be a risk of leaks. And if this matter gets out, just think about the consequences. Not only would the elves turn completely against you, but other factions as well. This object, while precious, is a double-edged sword. Whoever holds it will be the target of many."

"...Right." Theodorus smiled bitterly. "It seems I've been muddled by this thing these past few days. So, do you have a better idea?"

The assistant scratched his messy hair and replied, "My idea is to have the elves help you."

Theodorus let out a disbelieving laugh. "I've already said that's impossible."

"There's no such thing as impossible." The assistant wasn't swayed. "I once read a book that said, 'No one is without a price. Some have money, some have power, some have faith, and some have feelings. As long as you meet the price and conditions, you can buy someone.' While I personally dislike that sentiment, it does seem to be true."

Theodorus tilted his head and thought, but still shook it. "But if I asked them to do something like this, I think they'd refuse any condition."

"Then give them an offer they can't refuse." The assistant revealed a cunning smile, his laughter sounding rather unpleasant, like a half-drunk man chuckling. "Hehe. That's still from the book I read."

"I think I understand what you're saying. But the details will need to be carefully considered…" Theodorus's eyes lit up as he looked at his assistant. "Alright. I've decided. From now on, you will be my senior advisor."

"Ahaha! You really do have an eye for talent, Lord Mayor!" The new advisor boasted without modesty, laughing loudly. "About this matter…"

While Theodorus discussed these matters, General Grutt stood silently at the edge of the platform, looking down at the distant city of Orford. He never concerned himself with these kinds of affairs. Once the two had finished, he walked over and asked Theodorus, "So, have you decided to keep the World Tree leaf or return it?"

Theodorus nodded and smiled, "We've decided to return it to that elven lady. I'll need you to escort her to Turaleone."

"It's no trouble." General Grutt nodded, a subtle smile forming on his lips. "At least I won't disappoint someone who placed foolish trust in me."

Suddenly, a wivern flew in rapidly from the direction of Orford, heading straight for the mountaintop platform.

Theodorus frowned slightly. He had instructed everyone, except General Grutt and this assistant, not to disturb him during these days. It seemed there was some urgent and important news to relay.

The wivern landed on the platform, and a half-orc presented Theodorus with two sheets of parchment. As Theodorus unfolded them, his face went pale, and he staggered slightly, almost losing his balance.

"What's wrong?" General Grutt frowned. "I haven't seen you look like this in years."

"News just came from the Empire of Einfast. Bishop Ronis has been assassinated by a spy from the Necromancer Guild." Theodorus's voice trembled, and he turned pale. His shaking hand unfolded one of the sheets; it was a wanted poster. "This is the wanted poster for the spy who assassinated Bishop Ronis. The bounty is five thousand gold coins, and he's a first-class viscount in the Empire."

"Is it him?" both General Grutt and the assistant gasped simultaneously.

The assistant shook his large head. "But… how could he possibly go and assassinate Bishop Ronis?"

General Grutt sneered. "Though that man is a bit foolish, I don't think he'd be stupid enough to assassinate Bishop Ronis."

"If he wanted to, he certainly wouldn't succeed. No one can easily kill him. Ronis…" Theodorus's expression twisted in sorrow, and his voice aged significantly in an instant. His back, which had always stood straight like that of a young man, now slightly hunched from grief. Yet even in such a state, he didn't lose his remarkably calm mind and reason. "But he was indeed assassinated. I'm sure. Only an ambush with complete surprise could kill him… but it couldn't have been that kid. Even if that kid had become part of the Necromancer Guild, they would never risk sending him to do the deed."

"Then who do you think it is?" General Grutt asked.

"Who else could it be? Who would dare, who has the motive to kill him? Such people are few in that country…"

"Duke Murak?" the assistant blurted out.

"Exactly." Theodorus nodded. "He must have found a way to pin the blame on that kid while eliminating the roots of the problem. There's more news. Duke Murak has arrested his own daughter, the Minister of Finance. He announced nationwide that she colluded with the assassin of the bishop, a heinous crime, and she will be burned alive in the capital a month from now. He specifically announced this nationwide; it shouldn't be to show his selflessness."

"A month is enough time for anyone in the Empire to rush to their doom." General Grutt said coldly. "But I wonder if that kid will be foolish enough to do so."

Theodorus slowly shook his head. "Unfortunately, Duke Murak should understand him better than we do. Moreover, the duke never does anything without certainty or profit."

"What should we do? Help that kid?"

"How do we help?" Theodorus let out a bitter laugh. "The duke is currently hunting for the person who killed Bishop Ronis. And we have no idea where that kid is…"

"But why is the duke so eager to force him to his death? That seems a bit strange," the assistant suddenly remarked, his eyebrows furrowing like a broom. "With the duke's means, if he can frame someone else, he wouldn't leave them any chance to turn the tables. So why is he so eager to kill that kid? While it's good to eliminate the root of the problem, sacrificing his own daughter, the Minister of Finance, seems like too high a price."

Theodorus stared blankly for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully, smiling at the assistant, who had inspired him repeatedly. "Lord Borugan, it seems my greatest gain during this period of misfortune is having you as my advisor." He turned to the east, gazing at the horizon of the highlands. "Now all I hope is that the kid isn't foolish enough to rush to his doom."