“With your inclusion, things have almost skyrocketed. Better crop rotation, more production overall. How do you do it?”

  “…orders.”

  Flugel gives out a hearty laugh. I don’t join him however. If only he knew half of what’s actually going on in my quadrant.

  I’m the new president, and surprisingly, people often do better and work harder when the president listens to them. Don’t take my words for granted however, I don’t know how many times that’s worked out in history.

  I’m already well aware that this world.

  Is nothing like my world.

  And of course, all I have to do is lie occasionally. As long as I’m not caught off guard. It’s becoming harder to keep up with all of these lies…especially around Flugel.

  My eyes glance towards him. But everytime I do, I’m not reminded of the disgusting pig he is internally, and how his demeanor gives off a creepy aura. His tall appearance, slim but always wearing a suit of some kind.

  Weird.

  I’m reminded about his Quadrant. The mines in particular, and by default, Kassamir.

  Does he know who Kassamir is? I’ve never properly asked him…but would he even go down to the mines? That’s his job, isn’t it?

  If he’s not doing God knows what around his Quadrant.

  It wasn’t long before we go to the entrance of a place he called, “Vacation”.

  Since it was the weekend, he took me and a few other people to head to the natural springs, which was a location outside of the “National Park”.

  It was mostly composed of “higher positioned” people within the park. When I asked where the third ranchmaster was, he never gave me a direct answer. Moreso, he danced around it.

  So, with that being said.

  Where’s the third one?

  When I first met him, he said he had to cover for both of our quadrants, but now that’s there’s me, he doesn’t have to anymore.

  Did he mean he was covering mine…and the third quadrant? No, couldn’t have.

  But in the way he spoke, it’s not like there is no third ranchmaster. It’s just that whoever it is, just isn’t present.

  Flugel doesn’t have an exact clue as to where they went, and I even know much less. I don’t even know what the third quadrant is used for.

  Much less know the exact location.

  We got to the entrance of the springs. With chatter amongst the group of ten people. The moods were high, uplifted, excited.

  Unfortunately, I couldn’t replicate it.

  To be fair, never wanted to.

  I couldn’t grasp how the others could still be this…cheery despite everything going on.

  It wasn’t long before we got settled, and walked into the bathrooms to change. I’ve never been to a spring before, but I assume it’s not different from a sauna.

  I was on autopilot, just going through the motions. Flugel must’ve spoke to me, said something about a missing item he wanted.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  I nodded along, and with a towel wrapped around my waist, headed back to the entrance where the carriages that transported us were.

  Gaining access to the trunk was the easy part, rummaging through every little bag and was the harder part. Why so many?

  We’re only staying for a day, why bring so—

  Don’t tell me Flugel plans on doing more?

  I didn’t bring a bag. All I got were clothes that I was wearing and assumed this would be a one and done thing.

  Maybe I should’ve asked him…but I can barely even stand talking to him. He gives me a weird vibe.

  Hearing the passenger door open of the carriage, I peered my head over, to see a young man with practically a brown buzz cut, a slight goatee, and wickedly pointed ears.

  Our eyes connect, and I can feel his black eyes back at me.

  He gauges me, and for once, there is no golden pin his eyes can magnetize to. But there’s something else…and his face drops to one of disappointment.

  “Oh.” He begins.

  I furrow a brow. “Oh?”

  “I remember you.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah. The quiet ranchmaster. The one with the golden eyes.”

  I scoff, didn’t know I was racking up such a reputation now.

  “They’re hazel, but thanks for noticing.”

  He doesn’t seem bothered by my correction, but he continued anyways.

  “So, tell me. What brought you here?”

  His question is direct…but then again there’s no way I can tell him actually. My hand rummaged through the bags.

  “Classified.” I mutter out, but he still hears me.

  He clicks his tongue, most likely in realization.

  “No wonder. The Republic always had a way of making things secret. Especially for people like you.”

  I nod.

  But put a pause on my searching.

  People like me?

  As in, he can tell I’m a teenager or something? Or is that I’m just…human?

  “What’s your angle?” I ask him, something was too off-putting from that last line of his.

  He rolls his eyes, “You people. As in…humans. They respect you more than they could ever do with me.”

  His pointed ears twitch after his statement. But it reminds me of something…is this guy—

  “Are you an elf?” I ask suddenly, the thought completely left my brain.

  He shakes his head, “Half-elf, but thanks for noticing.”

  I catch myself smiling, probably because his play on words referenced mine. He doesn’t look that much older than me. And as a matter of fact, I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen an elf here…or a half-elf.

  His white skin, black eyes, and short hair that was black to match. He couldn’t be a day over 20. That face of his didn’t carry the same strain I’d seen on the Oni. It wasn’t tired—it was restrained.

  After some time, I found Flugel’s bag. It had some slight weight, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t carry with a single hand.

  Using my free hand, I closed the compartment, and noticed that he was oddly still dressed.

  “You’re not coming with?” I ask him, and the questions alone seemed to spark a certain curiosity within him.

  His eyes looked at me, and then back at the entrance of the springs. He scoffed shortly before replying.

  “Yeah, yeah. I get it. Funny joke.” He says, but it comes off as dry. Persay, he didn’t treat it like a joke.

  My face sharpened, “I’m serious. We are all here, aren’t we?”

  The slight smirk he had slowly fell. He never did gauge my attitude the first time, and now that he did, it felt like he was pondering on this. We all came here, shouldn’t we all relish ourselves?

  Well, maybe the others, but for once I have to pretend to enjoy this despite everything back at Korioh Landings.

  “Y-you sure?” The uncertainty in his voice rises. Is there something he was scared of? Maybe I shouldn’t push it…

  …or perhaps he’s just nervous? Social anxiety? I understand. Maybe he just needs someone to go in there with. Make it…less awkward.

  “Yeah. Anything but sitting in the carriage for the next few hours.”

  His face doesn’t light up, but he reluctantly agrees.

  “I mean…fine, I guess.”

  “Then it’s settled.”