In movies, the police always arrive last.
Faced with the sudden inquiry from this law enforcement Wizard, Richard quietly stepped forward.
"It was sealed by me."
Kailode looked at Richard, scrutinizing him carefully.
"That's not possible; you're a Second Circle Wizard. You couldn't have done this."
Kailode suddenly shook his head and then shouted to the Wizards present again, "Who sealed him? 'Derrick the Butcher' is a red mad Wizard marked by the Ministry of Justice, and fighting him does not violate the Law of Truth.
The Ministry of Justice issued a bounty notice for him a hundred years ago. Now that you have sealed him, it counts as fulfilling the bounty."
As he spoke, Kailode took out a scroll from his pocket, which read:
"Due to Derrick the Butcher's power increasing to Third Circle and his repeated attacks on law enforcement Wizards, the Ministry of Justice hereby issues a notice to all Wizards.
Anyone who seals or kills Derrick the Butcher will receive a Level Two Honor Medal from the Wizarding World."
The date of the bounty's issuance was recorded in the lower right corner of the scroll, stamped with the Ministry of Justice's exclusive Magic Power seal.
This was indeed a bounty notice issued by the Ministry of Justice.
Kailode held the scroll and scanned the Wizards present, but still no one stepped forward.
"How strange, is there really someone who doesn't want the Honor Medal?" Kailode wondered.
The Honor Medal issued by the Ministry of Justice is not just a simple honor; it can also influence the selection for the Great Wizard promotion at the Tower of Truth.
A Wizard capable of sealing a Third Circle mad Wizard would logically not let this reward slip away.
"Ahem, sir, it was indeed me who sealed him," Richard said awkwardly, "but I was only responsible for the sealing; defeating him was done by my creation."
As he spoke, Richard tapped his armor, and Makar promptly deactivated its closed mode, the aura of a Third Circle creature instantly entering the perception of the Wizards present.
Aimon was taken aback.
He hadn't expected that the thing following Richard, which he thought was just a protective golem, actually housed a Third Circle creature.
"Oh? A Second Circle Wizard actually enslaves a Third Circle creature."
Kailode showed no surprise upon sensing Makar; although the closed mode was impressive, these law enforcement Wizards were considered Guardians of the Wizarding World and had the ability to detect foreign creatures.
However, he didn't expect that this Third Circle creature was actually Richard's slave.
"Since it was you who sealed him, please provide your name and address. In a while, a Wizard from the Ministry of Justice will deliver the medal to you."
Saying this, Kailode handed the bounty scroll to Richard and casually offered him a feather quill.
Richard checked the bounty scroll and then wrote down his name and address.
Kailode took back the scroll and tucked it into his pocket.
"Very well, I won't disturb you any longer."
With that, Kailode prepared to fly away from Paradise City with Leviu.
Watching Kailode leave, Aimon couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
"Finally gone. What a bad day; there was actually a law enforcement Wizard nearby."
Hearing Aimon's complaint, Richard curiously asked, "What's wrong? Are the law enforcement Wizards at odds with your guild?"
Aimon nodded and sighed, "Master, you know that our guild has a Wizard mutual aid service.
This service is meant to benefit Wizards in trouble, preventing them from getting stuck on a difficult problem.
But some mad Wizards have exploited this loophole, often using our platform for communication.
So these law enforcement Wizards come to us frequently, asking us to cooperate with them."
Richard stroked his chin, still somewhat puzzled.
"But that doesn't really mean you're at odds with them. Cooperating with law enforcement Wizards is an obligation set by the Council of Truth."
Aimon waved his hand, signaling Richard to stop saying that.
The two boarded the flying vehicle, and after the cabin door closed, Aimon finally spoke:
"We naturally comply with the council's regulations, but Master, you must understand that these escaped mad Wizards only have nicknames and some Wizard characteristics.
Such things are very easy to hide.
So we often end up collaborating with some mad Wizards unknowingly.
Although this cooperation is unintentional, if pressed, it could be seen as providing assistance to mad Wizards. If the law enforcement Wizards take it seriously, we can't avoid paying a fine."
Upon hearing this, Richard had already guessed what Aimon was about to say next.
"So you all resorted to bribery to avoid fines, leading to more and more law enforcement Wizards coming to you for luck?"
Aimon nodded repeatedly, "Exactly.
Ever since we did this once, these law enforcement Wizards come running to us every few days whenever they encounter a mad Wizard.
Some law enforcement Wizards even deliberately steer mad Wizards our way.
Our guild is just a big target!"
Listening to Aimon's complaints, Richard didn't respond but instead revealed a strange smile.
"Alright, Minister Aimon," Richard said lightly, "you can't just talk about getting beaten without mentioning the benefits.
If I'm not mistaken, you must have gained quite a bit of research data from these mad Wizards, right?"
Aimon, who had been complaining, paused and then shook his head repeatedly.
"Master, you can't slander our guild! Unknowing cooperation requires a fine, but knowingly not reporting and still cooperating can be deadly."
Richard looked at Aimon and smiled slightly:
"When did I say you all intentionally collaborated with mad Wizards? With so few Magic Stones on mad Wizards, if you ask for help, it must be in exchange for knowledge.
Minister Aimon, your thinking is quite broad."
Aimon realized he had misspoken, his expression stiffening as he waved his hands repeatedly:
"Master, just consider what I said earlier as nonsense."
Richard laughed heartily and then changed the subject.
...
The news of Leviu's capture spread quickly.
Logically, an attack by a Third Circle mad Wizard on a Wizard within Paradise City would be a major scandal for Nine Stars Commerce.
However, at this critical moment, the entire Paradise City was eerily quiet.
Wizards knew that Nine Stars Commerce was undergoing a change in leadership. With such an incident occurring at this juncture, it was likely instigated by one of the potential successors.
While outside Wizards were watching the spectacle, internal changes were quietly happening within Nine Stars Commerce.
On the third day after Leviu's capture, the head of the Human Resources Department of Nine Stars Commerce publicly expressed support for all arrangements made by the Old Chairman.
On the same day, the head of the Alchemy Machine Department was killed.
When the security Wizards of Nine Stars Commerce arrived at the scene, the head of the Alchemy Machine Department was already dead. His body had been cut in half, and a significant portion looked as if it had been smashed by a heavy hammer.
At the scene, the security Wizards discovered many metal fragments. Some Wizards speculated that the head of the Alchemy Machine Department had been slain by a weapon resembling a saw.
On the fifth day, the head of the Slave Trade Department announced support for all arrangements made by the Old Chairman and expressed hope for a smoother transition of leadership.
On the seventh day, the last wavering minister—the head of the Sales Department—made a decision, stating that he would comply with all arrangements made by the Old Chairman.
Thus, except for the Wizard Mutual Aid Department, all the ministers of Nine Stars Commerce stood by Bob's side.
...
Nine Stars Commerce, at the top of the White Tower
A flash of white light appeared, and several Wizards materialized in the hall at the top of the White Tower.
They were all dressed in formal Wizard Robes, with their inner linings meticulously arranged.
The Old Chairman was about to enter eternal rest, and before doing so, he wanted to see the old friends who had fought alongside him for over a thousand years.
Bob adjusted his Wizard Robe, his face painted with deep sorrow.
Opposite him, a somewhat deranged-looking Wizard, with red eyes, was staring at him intently.
"Rosser, long time no see."
Bob paid no attention to Rosser's gaze, which seemed to want to swallow him whole, and calmly greeted him.
"Yes, long time no see."
Rosser's voice came out as if squeezed through his teeth, filled with enough resentment to drag a person into hell.
In just half a month, he had gone from being almost certain to be the next chairman to a hopeless wretch.
Bob, along with Richard, had used a carrot-and-stick approach to persuade all the chairmen except him.
Now, even if his teacher Abalo temporarily changed the appointment, he could not obtain the position of chairman.
Such a drastic change was no wonder he harbored such deep resentment.
A small door at the edge of the hall opened, and a Wizard in a white robe stepped out. Behind this small door was the residence of Abalo, the Old Chairman of Nine Stars Commerce.
"Please come in, everyone," the white-robed Wizard said softly.
The group entered in an orderly fashion through the small door.
Behind the door was a small room that was completely incongruous with the hall outside.
The furniture in the room was all miniature, and in the center of the room lay an old Wizard with green skin, pointed ears, and a short stature, resting on the bed.
This was Abalo, the chairman of Nine Stars Commerce.
"Oh, you all have come."
Abalo noticed the ministers entering the room and sat up from the bed.
"Chairman."
"Teacher."
"Green bean!"
"Abalo."
...
The ministers greeted Abalo with their own titles.
Among them, Rosser looked tearfully at Abalo, the one who least wanted Abalo to die.
From both a student's perspective and an interest perspective, he did not want Abalo to die.
"Why is one missing? Why hasn't the head of the Alchemy Machine Department come?"
Abalo counted the attendees and noticed the absence of the head of the Alchemy Machine Department.
"Chairman, Minister Akim was attacked by a mad Wizard a few days ago and died on the spot."
Bob cautiously reported the news of Akim's death, feeling somewhat guilty as the mastermind behind it.
"Dead? It seems the head of the Alchemy Machine Department's brain really has rusted."
Abalo showed no excess emotion on his face; he shifted his gaze to Bob, his eyes filled with surprise.
"To be honest, this outcome is indeed somewhat unexpected.
The head of the Alchemy Machine Department is dead, yet you are still alive.
It seems you have stabilized the entire guild, little Bob."
Bob lowered his head, humbly saying, "Since the chairman has given me such a great responsibility, I will naturally do my utmost."
Abalo sighed, "Alas, Rosser. You have lost."
With that, Abalo fumbled under his pillow and finally pulled out a black scroll, handing it to Bob.
Bob's hands trembled slightly as he took the scroll.
He recognized this scroll; it was the guild scroll of Nine Stars Commerce, the source of its legitimacy.
Receiving this scroll meant that at this moment, Abalo was handing Nine Stars Commerce over to him.
"Kid, this is what you deserve. Nine Stars Commerce will be entrusted to you from now on."
Abalo looked at Bob, his tone somewhat weak.
The sparkle in his eyes was rapidly fading, and his entire body began to visibly wither.
"Teacher!"
Rosser dashed to Abalo's side, tears streaming down his face.
"Rosser, do not grieve. Death is an essential part of the cycle of life."
Abalo's gaze was gentle, his tone calm.
He patted Rosser's head, just as he had when Rosser was still a child.
"However, before I die, I must give you a piece of advice: resign from your ministerial position later and find a Wizard Tower to study.
With my shares, the guild's dividends will be enough for you.
You have lost; hurry and make way for others.
My legacy... you must not... cut it off..."
Abalo's body completely withered, and in an instant, he turned into a pile of black dust.
Rosser stared at the dust on the bed, his expression blank, and he broke down in tears.
The other ministers around also shed tears; Abalo had shared a bond with them for over a thousand years.
After a long time, Rosser stopped crying. He collected the dust into a bottle and then whispered to Bob:
"You have won, President Bob."
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