Alpaca (Crossed Out) Reynold's Diary, Part One
Feeling my gaze, Lusien stopped awkwardly and said, "This is... well, an unconscious, useless gesture."
Reynold frowned as well. "I can't log in to anything... Huh? I managed to get through, um... but it showed a news headline: 'Famous online writer goes missing and stops updating, fans launch large-scale public welfare search campaign, causing server overload and paralyzing servers of multiple network operators...'"
Judging from his expression, I could guess what he wanted to say—why doesn't anyone pay attention to national affairs? As the speaker of the Federation parliament, his chances of being recognized on the street are even lower than those of a popular heavy metal country rock bard.
"Wow!" Angela exclaimed, "This is my favorite author! Their pen name is 'A Pure and Cute Little Elf Pilot'!"
This bizarre pen name...
"I've been following her writing, but Jinjiang is always cracking down on it, and they keep giving her warnings. I was even planning to buy a complete set when she releases a personal collection!"
I couldn't help but ask, "What does 'yellow card' mean?"
"Ah, it's just that the descriptions were too explicit, and I got a warning..." As Ms. Angela said this, the glint in her eyes made me... think again that she and Moli were related.
... Alright, that's enough, Ms. Angela. Your image as a tragic and generous druid Mourner is completely ruined. Now, this warden is just a giant Moli in my eyes.
Mel's expression suddenly turned grim. He asked, "What did she write?"
When he asked that question, Reynold was taken aback, his hand trembled as he scrolled through the news, and I had already seen the title of the novel in the news—"My Dear Mephistopheles Is My Submissive."
Peng-- Reynold's phone exploded. I withdrew my hand expressionlessly.
Thud—another muffled sound—
A lone Electronic Demon was slammed against the wall. Mel used the first Black Magic of his wizarding career— the Intestine-Gouging Curse —and successfully turned the Electronic Demon's internal organs inside out, then crushed them one by one.
... By the time he squeezed his heart, Reynold was already pressed against the wall furthest from him...
"Anna! Good... no wonder she wouldn't let me see her work." Mel's anger was almost palpable. He said, "Once we find those two girls..."
Yeah, those two little girls are getting more and more disobedient! They actually used the teacher as material to write this weird stuff! Looks like I'll have to search Moli's room when I get back; who knows, she might have secretly drawn some weird little pictures about me, or Mel, that are inappropriate for minors!
--Oh right, she's in cahoots with Anna! It's quite possible that Moli drew the cover and illustrations for Anna's awful novel!
They really need to be taught a lesson; this apprentice is getting too arrogant!
Mel and I quickly located the apprentices. They weren't far from us in a straight line, but because the terrain around the mine was complicated, we couldn't accurately determine which strange corner Moli and Anna were tied up in. We had to search slowly. Of course, they might not even be in the mine; that would be too much of a coincidence. There was no reason for kidnappers to take hostages out to attack the mine.
However, based on the feedback from the tracking spell, they weren't far away.
"So, there must be a temporary enemy base hidden somewhere nearby," Mel said softly, a cursed spell constantly clenched in her hand.
"There's movement ahead." Luolan's elven ears heard the faint sound again.
"Very good."
Mel and I smiled gently at the same time.
Chapter 56 Alpaca (crossed out) Reynold's Diary Part 1
My office has had eighteen secretaries in the past month, and one of them even said he was going to file a complaint against me with the Workers' Rights Protection Association? Ridiculous! His own writing is utter nonsense, yet he dares to talk back to me.
I randomly ticked a "poor" box in his online profile and instructed HR to issue a termination letter. Go ahead and sue me, I don't believe it. If the Speaker of the Federal Magic Council gave a secretary a "poor" rating, you'll never find another secretarial job. I'll give you my position as Speaker.
Now Aixier and Kelisiting call me "Secretary Annihilator"—they say that gives me a respectable nickname.
This is incredibly boring, but absolutely necessary. They're clearly joking with me, and the reason they'd joke like this is because they know, or believe they've discovered, a weakness in me—
I admire a great master of extraordinary status, whose every nickname is awe-inspiring.
Sharing such private details about personal life can actually bring political partners closer, because appropriately revealing these seemingly insignificant details makes them feel sincerity, and that it is indeed true—they can then relish discussing my private life and believe they understand me, making me seem easier to control.
Even seasoned politicians are nothing more than this.
Although I deliberately revealed it to them, the feelings I expressed were genuine, so when they looked at me, they immediately became kind and gentle, as if they were looking at a hot-blooded young junior.
Honestly, age doesn't determine intelligence.
Prime Minister Aixier doesn't care much about his background, as he himself rose to power from humble beginnings. He comes from a middle-class family and graduated from an ordinary school. Politically, I find this prime minister very agreeable, although I think he still has some shortcomings, but he is a hundred times better than his political opponents.
Speaker of the National Assembly Madam Christine, comes from a prestigious family. She has always believed that the Federation has a long history, and only by receiving the highest level of education can one cultivate a leader capable of shouldering great responsibilities and leading this ancient nation. She is eccentric and difficult to understand. So it took me quite a while to get her to vote for me in the election. If I had made a single mistake, I might not have become the Speaker of the Magic Council.
Becoming the speaker of the Magic Council is the fastest path to promotion, because the difference between the Magic Council and the Congress is that the former requires magical skills, while the Federation has a deep magical foundation. Therefore, my competitors are mainly agents of several magical families, but those from such families do not know how to win the support of voters and are very easy to deal with.
If it weren't for my less-than-ideal background, I wouldn't want to get involved in these troublesome matters—although I wasn't lying, I genuinely liked that mage, but I'm not too keen on using true feelings as leverage. I especially disliked the sympathetic look in Kelisiting's eyes when she brought this up—this Speaker of Parliament is old enough to be my mother, but her beloved husband is infertile, and she's always been busy with politics, leaving her no energy for artificial insemination or adoption, so I think she's just overflowing with maternal love with nowhere to vent it.
"Oh, Reynold, you should settle down and find a good partner so someone can take care of you. Forget about that other one, it's a bit unrealistic," Madam Christine said to me, handing me a plate of unbearably sweet homemade soda crackers.
"Young man, it's okay to have dreams, but you're already the speaker of the council. You should learn to be mature and composed. Having a suitable partner will greatly enhance your image."
Despite what Madam Christine said, I still think her husband is really just a pretty face—he is a prince of the Federation Royal Family, but given the sophistication of modern political systems, the Royal Family has practically no function other than serving as a human backdrop for photos at major events, leading the public to forget most of the time that the Federation Royal Family even exists.
"Thank you for your concern, madam. I know... well, I have indeed been considering settling down recently," I replied with a polite smile.
"That's wonderful! You must choose a good partner who is worthy of you. Not necessarily of high status, but wealthy background is also acceptable. Both political influence and economic power can solidify your position in the Magic Council. My dear, you are still young; you have a brighter future ahead of you." Madam Christine smiled as she added sugar to my blankets, asking, "So, which family's daughter or son is it?"