One-Eyed Monster

Milo found that they, who were originally the strong ones, were gradually being isolated.

This was a result he hadn’t anticipated. Relying on their strength, these instigators of the rebellion had seized many resources—though these were merely alcohol and food. They needed these things to survive the Deep Winter Season. Milo had no other ambitions; he just wanted to pass this period quietly and then leave this heartbreaking place.

But now his plan had to change.

At first, he had also thought that the lord of Gaga County would definitely choose to seek help from the Alchemy Workshop, and indeed, the Bearded Governor’s actions confirmed his speculation.

As long as the people from the Alchemy Workshop didn’t get involved, reinforcements from the County Administrative Office wouldn’t arrive anytime soon, and the resources they, the strong ones, had seized by force could last for a long time.

The weak were naturally scattered. Although numerous, they were useless and couldn’t become a significant force.

But then, the County Administrative Office actually took action. Milo initially didn’t care about the slogan propaganda. He believed the louder the slogan, the less effective it would be. At best, one could only gather these ragtag people, and when these weaklings saw no benefits to gain, they would naturally disperse.

The logic was straightforward. He didn’t understand why the county lord was still playing these games, but he had to admit the man was truly skilled at rallying people with his slogans; they did have an influence.

Milo and his companions paid no mind to these things. Anyway, this ragtag group would never pose a threat to them...

However, the opening of the Gold Room and the unlocking of the Lubin Tavern’s cellar—these moves made Milo panic.

Milo, after all, had been the head of a small organization. Although that organization had crumbled due to the chaos, he at least understood what it took to bewitch the masses. To gather a group of scattered individuals, temptations and promises were indispensable.

The opening of this Gold Room and the cellar was nothing more than giving these rabble-rousers an idea.

It had to be said that Milo and his companions had also considered seizing the Gold Room and the cellar, but they had abandoned the idea due to the Alchemy Workshop’s power.

However, the other side had now actually opened these places and was reportedly distributing these goods to the rabble-rousers, which was rather unsettling for Milo.

Although he knew his own strength and that dealing with a certain number of rabble-rousers wasn’t a major issue, if the other side truly united, the situation would reverse. They, who currently controlled a minority of resources, would become the weak ones. After all, these rabble-rousers were numerous, and with the politicians’ knack for stirring speeches, turning the tables on them wouldn’t be a problem.

Milo also knew that his own kind couldn’t be expected to unite. It was unpredictable who might stab whom in the back. Expecting others to stand with you on the front line was simply a pipe dream.

Milo was distressed; I’ve made a wrong decision, he thought. But at the time, I had no other choice; it was survival or elimination, just like for that rabble. Now, however, it seems the rabble’s outcome will be better than ours. Yet, if I had been asked to give up the right to fight for resources back then, I wouldn’t have done it.

Now, watching the ever-growing crowd of rabble, he was panicking. The fact that they were united by the County Administrative Office was terrifying. Although the County Administrative Office was the smallest administrative body in the Empire, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. These politicians possessed strong appeal and organizational power; even this ragtag mob could play a significant role in their hands.

Sure enough, on the second day after being summoned, following an impassioned speech, the rabble-rousers came straight for them.

Milo felt hopeless. It seems my end will come on Guru Mountain, and in such a manner too. It’s like I’ve seen a ghost!

However, another surprising event occurred for Milo.

This group of rabble-rousers ignored him completely, thundering past him and leaving him in a cloud of dust.

Milo was instantly dumbfounded. What in the world is going on? This is a complete mess!

Anger flared, and he grabbed one of the rabble-rousers, shouting, ”Where are you all going?”

But the man unexpectedly shook him off with surprising strength, retorting, ”Get out of my way! You’re delaying me from getting rich! If you have nothing better to do, go check out the propaganda and listen to the speeches yourself!”

Milo was dumbfounded. In disbelief, he tried grabbing a few more people, but the result was identical. They were all hurrying in one direction, wanting nothing to do with him. Moreover, these people seemed to have gained considerable strength. They rushed along as if on some urgent business.

Reluctantly, Milo finally managed to run, with great effort, to where the rabble had gathered. From that moment, his feelings about Guru Mountain began to surge...

Milo’s heart pounded in that moment. The County Administrative Office’s propaganda had awakened his dying dream!

No, that’s not right, he thought. My dying dream was awakened long ago. Now, it finally has a chance to come true! Although our dream was simple—to get rich—it was incredibly difficult to achieve and was constantly in danger of being shattered. Getting rich might not be inherently difficult, but getting rich by obtaining a White Cloud Fruit on Guru Mountain? That was truly hard. And under the current circumstances, ascending Guru Mountain was almost impossible.

Milo finally understood why those rabble-rousers possessed strength beyond their usual capabilities. This is the power born from the hope of realizing a dream! Our previous looting and robbing had, at best, only secured us some resources. But the County Administrative Office was directly distributing these very things! This liquor, this food, even these glittering gold coins... even if they were all given to us, so what? A thousand gold pieces scattered will eventually return! That was the County Administrative Office’s slogan. What magnificent ambition! Go to Guru Mountain, catch monsters, pick fruits—how many gold coins couldn’t you earn then!

Copies of the County Administrative Office’s speech were scattered around the tavern. He didn’t know when they had been written, but these words deeply pierced Milo’s heart.

Why did I come to this place ten years ago? Wasn’t it for the White Cloud Fruit and the legends of the monsters? If I were to leave just like this, would I be content? Whether I get rich or not isn’t the most important thing. Seeing the White Cloud Fruit—that’s what truly matters!

Milo felt his eyes moisten. He looked at the speech, his heart surging with emotion... An opportunity to realize my dream is right in front of me. Can I afford to miss it? The County Administrative Office was providing them with food and drink, had cleared the path up the mountain for them, and even during the Deep Winter Season, they could ascend freely. Such a promise, such a temptation... how could one not be moved?

Milo rubbed his eyes and then, without a backward glance, walked towards Guru Mountain...