This was essentially a rchant, not a powerful warrior or politician.
Gaven knew, however, that the other person was indeed the highest ruler of Mist Valley. The black scepter in his hand had the ability to command the only combat force in Mist Valley, the Mist Valley Cavalry. Behind him were several powerful warriors following him like shadows.
Like other valleys in the region, the governance here was also very loose, with no lord but rather six council mbers elected by the people. They were often not the strongest, but the most reputable and well-connected in Mist Valley, usually the oldest. Then the six-mber council would elect the seventh mber, who was the highest council mber in Mist Valley.
But he only had the authority to decide everyday matters. On matters involving the entire valley, he had to convene the other six council mbers and hold a council eting.
Gaven responded with a smile: "The highest council mber is too formal; you may call Duke. I am Duke Weizemay, appointed by Lord Ilt."
Dispensing with formal titles naturally aid to close the distance between the two sides, representing oneself as a mber of the valley.
"Then I won’t be formal, Duke, please." Haresk laughed heartily, being an experienced fellow himself, he tasted much from this form of address.
Ashaban Beach was just a small town, rely a few kiloters from start to finish. The group arrived at the residence of the highest council mber without much trouble.
Rather than a residence, it was more aptly a shop, as it was also located on the Moon Sea Road. It had a two-story structure and was filled with a dazzling array of various goods, sowhat inclined toward a general store, with about five or six clerks coming and going.
The only difference from other shops was that this one had an entrance courtyard, leading to a substantial courtyard where there was also a two-story building.
Noticing the curiosity on Gaven’s face, the highest council mber Haresk smiled and explained: "We Mist Valley folks are simple and don’t have many official buildings. Building a separate council hall would be exhausting for the people. Because I’ve been loved by the people, they agree to convene at my little shop, so I can only entertain the Duke here. Please don’t misunderstand, we are not neglecting you."
"I now sowhat understand why you could be elected as the highest council mber of Mist Valley. I’ve only seen public power used for private gain before. I’ve never seen private interests used for public good." Gaven sincerely praised, "It’s my greatest honor."
"The Duke praises too much." Haresk laughed heartily, saying, "Actually, I benefit from this as well. After all, when handling so public affairs, so people will take the opportunity to browse my shop. So, out of gratitude, will buy so non-essential goods from .
This brings additional custors, making my shop the best in Mist Valley and making the wealthiest person in Mist Valley.
With all this, what else could I want?"
Clearly, this was the proudest and most triumphant achievent of Mist Valley’s highest council mber, being a dual winner of both fa and fortune.
Few rulers can achieve what he has.
"This also fully demonstrates the approval of Mist Valley’s residents for your handling of affairs." Gaven laughed, "Otherwise, don’t ntion buying goods from you; even if you have more window glass, it wouldn’t be enough for people to smash!"
"No wonder my shop’s glass breaks once or twice a month; it turns out the root cause is here. It shows that among the affairs I’ve handled, so villagers have lingering grievances, and there are still improvents needed." On Haresk’s chubby face erged a hint of troubled thoughts, mostly feigned; soone so shrewd couldn’t possibly not know why his own window glass was smashed.
Tracking the culprit wouldn’t be hard either, yet he still pretends not to know or attributes the cause to himself, which is a kind of benevolent display.
It shows this person is not only physically large but also broad-minded, able to accommodate what ordinary people might not withstand.
In a semi-joking tone, Gaven said, "Speaking of coincidence, we have developed a type of steel glass capable of withstanding severe impacts. Not to ntion stones, even using a Big Hamr to smash it would be challenging without strength comparable to a Giant. Why don’t I gift a batch to the highest council mber so you can rest assured?"
"Oh?" Haresk’s eyes lit up, but this light was of a type unique to rchants, especially when seeing a business opportunity. He quickly asked, "I wonder what the price for this steel glass might be? Could it be produced in batches? Can I purchase so to sell in my store?"
"Sorry, this steel glass is currently limited in production and mainly for personal use. It won’t be sold on the market anyti soon; I can only offer so to the highest council mber as a goodwill gesture." Gaven was not rely delaying. Air Glass had nurous uses in his hands, and even though it was now an ancillary product, until they could mass-produce, he would use them mostly for personal purposes.
Moreover, such a new product often has imnse potentials waiting to be explored.
They were only utilizing Air Glass’s inherent tempering properties and hadn’t yet ventured into its magic fusion capabilities. If it shows promising elent fusion properties, only slightly showcasing its prowess in magical crafting aspects might an ordinary people would have to wait until a cheaper mass-production thod is found and its mass outputs explode before they could use such glass.
"That’s so disappointing." Haresk sighed regretfully, saying, "If that’s the case, I’ll first thank the Duke for the kindness, but I think I’ll stick to using ordinary glass."
Gaven was intrigued and asked, "May I ask for your reason?"
Without thinking, Haresk replied, "People smashing my glass indicates my affairs haven’t truly t fairness and justice, leaving all valleysfolk satisfied. Switching to sturdier glass solves nothing; their grievances remain. Unable to break the glass, they might target buildings or goods, even shifting their focus to personally. In such case, it’s better to leave the glass for them to smash, to release so inner anger.
It also serves as a reminder of my shortcomings, preventing pride, urging to be more prudent, more cautious in attending to each dispute among the valleysfolk, ensuring true fairness and justice that results in satisfaction for everyone involved."
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