One-Eyed Monster

At the foot of Guru Mountain, Lubin Tavern.

Kuyi Tulan, as always, sat alone in the corner, sipping his fruit wine and caressing the letter he had read many times.

"Chief, is it really appropriate for Joela and the others to go up the mountain at this time?" Milo, from a nearby table, asked cautiously.

"What's appropriate or not?" Kuyi Tulan replied. "We do our thing, and they do theirs. There's no conflict, right?"

"But in reality…" Milo began.

"Conflict is inevitable," Kuyi Tulan interrupted Milo. "The world has always been like this. There's no room for reason. If you take one step back, the other side will advance two. No one cares about the one who falls."

Milo fell silent.

"Don't be concerned about their status. Hesitation will only lead to stagnation and prevent you from moving forward." Kuyi Tulan always seemed to discern Milo's thoughts instantly, a trait Milo deeply admired. "Remember the purpose of our mission; don't let other matters distract you."

"Yes, Chief!" Milo and the other Golden Chiefs responded in unison.

Since Joela, Brad, and their companion had gone up the mountain, the Alchemy Array in the tavern, after activating the Shared Spiritual Perspective, was largely managed by Milo alone. His primary Exchange Beast was an ant, giving him ample space to operate.

While setting up the Alchemy Array on the mountain, Milo was also responsible for monitoring every movement at the entrance to Guru Village. His ants watched everyone who entered the Guru Mountain area; whether they flew through the air or walked on the ground, nothing escaped his third eye.

"Facts have shown that we possess far too little information, making us reactive in everything we do." Kuyi Tulan narrowed his eyes; his experiences on Guru Mountain had already given him much to contemplate. "Once we've successfully concluded our business here, I believe it's necessary for us to organize our own intelligence network. Relying solely on the Crows and the Administrative Office leaves the Alchemy Workshop too vulnerable and reactive."

"Will the elders agree? This would be a significant undertaking for the Alchemy Workshop," Pedro asked from behind Milo.

"That shouldn't be an issue. The Alchemy Workshop needs reform; this isn't the first time I've said so. We need to gather more information about this world; otherwise, we can hardly bear the responsibility of safeguarding this Empire."

"That may be true, but…" Pedro began.

"The elders haven't witnessed what happened on the battlefields of the National Defense War. Have none of you seen it either?" Kuyi Tulan raised his voice, a hint of anger in his tone at his subordinate's doubt.

Carmello fell silent upon hearing the words "National Defense War." In that recent war, the Empire's Guardian Army had suffered devastating losses. His Majesty the King had issued an urgent conscription order to both the Alchemy Workshop and the Wizard Alliance. The Alchemy Workshop, without hesitation, dispatched the Golden Twelve Seats, while the Wizard Alliance sent their Sages of the Six Systems.

In that National Defense War, the Alchemy Workshop deployed the Great Alchemy Array for the first time, outshining the more traditional Wizard Alliance on the battlefield.

In that war, the Empire's Guardian Army, the Alchemy Workshop, and the Wizard Alliance fought fiercely against the Mantai Empire on the Stanslin Plain for over two months. The Kayne Empire barely managed to retain its imperial title, but the losses were staggering.

No one could have predicted the ferocity of the Mantai Empire's Mountain Monster vanguard, whose offensive was so overwhelming that they directly Devoured the Stanslin Plain, west of the Kayne Empire. When Elder Stan, a distinguished imperial general, learned in the Imperial Capital Xinbal that his domain had been ravaged by the Mantai Mountain Monsters, he was so overcome that he passed away.

Although the Mantai forces were eventually defeated at the border of the Stanslin Plain, Kayne Country lost this territory permanently. The land trampled by the Mantai Empire could never be restored to its former state and was soon occupied by Mantai's Dwarves.

Carmello did not wish to dwell on the brutality of that war. He glanced at Pedro beside him, who also seemed lost in memories of the conflict, his face etched with a somber expression.

"The truth is often difficult to accept. Many are unwilling to face it, preferring to deny facts rather than confront what is hard to bear." Kuyi Tulan raised his fruit wine. "May the Stars bless the Alchemy Workshop."

"May the Stars above guide our path forward!"

The Golden Seats of the Alchemy Workshop drank the wine in their cups, sitting silently as they awaited a new guest.

Nothing could escape the gaze of Milo's ants.

From the moment Reed entered Guru Village, he was under strict surveillance.

The door of Lubin Tavern was gently pushed open, and a mysterious man gripping a chain appeared at the entrance.

The mysterious man used the long staff in his hand to push back his hood, revealing an aged, deathly pale face that seemed to distort in the tavern's bright lights.

"Long time no see, Wizard Reed. The Dark Sage, leader of the Black Crow." Kuyi Tulan didn't raise his head. The Golden Seats beside him remained vigilant, seemingly ready to strike at the slightest provocation.

"Seen or unseen, I am always there, old friend."

"I'm surprised to see you've aged a few more years. If I didn't know you from before, I'd truly believe you were an old man on his way to the Eternal Tranquility Realm." Kuyi Tulan chuckled, still showing no sign of rising.

"Appearances are deceiving. Take these gentlemen, for instance. They look relaxed, but in reality, they are poised for battle at any moment. Have them lower their guard; my pets are easily startled."

This remark left Carmello and the others in an awkward position. They were caught between maintaining their vigilance and relaxing, unsure how to proceed for a moment.

Kuyi Tulan waved his hand, signaling his men to relax. "Wizard Reed is our guest. There's no need for such vigilance."

"An old friend is still an old friend, never changing." Wizard Reed walked into the tavern, tugging the chain. He chose another corner to sit down. The two Beasts at the other end of the chain paced restlessly, as if searching for something.

The Golden Seats of the Alchemy Workshop frowned at the two Beasts, their expressions clearly showing distaste.

"How about a drink?" Kuyi Tulan offered to Reed, who had settled into his seat.

"Alcohol impairs judgment. I never drink."

"Then your life must be missing a great deal of pleasure."

"Life is merely for survival. If one cannot even sustain life itself, how can there be any talk of pleasure?"

"I hope your choice is the correct one, old friend."

"Right and wrong are merely games played by the majority and the minority. I have always walked my own path; such distinctions are irrelevant to me."

"Oh? So Willem's matter has nothing to do with you either?" Kuyi Tulan pressed.

"I told you long ago, though I am the leader of the Black Crow, I am not like those mindless drones who only follow orders. They only know how to seek shortcuts, ignorant of Equivalent Exchange."

"So you're saying the recent trouble stirred up by the Black Crow on Guru Mountain has no connection to you?"

"Whether there's a connection or not, my words are unimportant, aren't they? Why bother with such pretenses before me, old friend?"

"Heh." Kuyi Tulan gave a dry, cold chuckle. I know I can't pry anything from Reed's lips for now. Willem of the Black Crow certainly has his methods. To make an old friend like Reed so utterly subservient… that's not something an ordinary person could achieve.