Chương 33: A Betrayal Most Foul

Sometimes, you just need a push to succeed. Sometimes, others may need a push. Real wisdom is knowing when to do so. —The Artificer's Guide to Establishing Blood Feuds"Not too late to submit my name for the town council, is it?" I asked, approaching the lone table where our future mayor had made his home for the evening. Ernie looked up from the book he'd been reading: 'A Treatise on Inter-State Trade'. He squinted up at me with a frown.

"I didn't take you for politics, Logan. And no, you're not too late. Honestly, I'd take anyone up until it was voting time." He sighed, putting the book down on the table.

"Truth is, I've had a hell of a time even finding enough people to vote for; I don't understand it!" I nodded understandingly.

"That really is strange; I find politics fascinating. I couldn't fathom why no one else would be interested."

"That's what I'm saying! Anyway, I'll get you on the docket. I really apprec—""Oh, no. Not my name. The name I wanted to submit for the vote. As much as I do love politics, I'm actually here on behalf of someone else." Ernie's frown returned.

"Is there a reason they couldn't submit their name in person?"

"They're actually a bit shy around things like this and asked me if I'd put their name forward for them. It's for Darby Hopper." It took every ounce of control I possessed to remain stoic in the face of my deception.

"I knew that boy had ambition under that childish facade!" His frown was replaced by an excited grin.

"It will be a fantastic addition to his Hearthkeeper class!"

"That's what I thought! When… he asked me to put his name on the list!" I quickly added. Ernie nodded.

"He will make a fine councilman, I'm sure. Now, are you sure you don't want your name in the hat? There is plenty of room, and it's healthy to have a little competition…" I shook my head.

"I don't want to steal Darby's thunder. He seemed pretty excited about this opportunity, and I'd hate to unintentionally take his seat out from under him."

"Very well, if you're sure, then. I'll get him added." He looked up at me, as if actually seeing me for the first time tonight.

"You should get some rest. You look terrible, Logan!"

"I'm headed straight for bed, right after I get something to eat."

The next morning sported the 'much-anticipated' town elections. In fact, it would seem that the good citizens were so excited to get to work for the day that they nearly forgot to stop and cast their votes before making a hasty exit from the longhouse. Ernie had set up a refurbished parchment with six names. His own was listed at the top, beside the header, 'Mayor'. Darby's was nestled between 'Danny Thompson' and 'Joann'. It was quite fortunate that Darby had a late calling to join public works, Ernie had said.

They had nearly not had enough names to fill the roster, he had said. The world works in mysterious ways, had been my reply. I left the 'polling booth' feeling more confident in my vote than I ever had, back on Earth. My small victory felt even better when I spotted Darby sneaking out the door to avoid casting his vote. He'd never see it coming. In a much less insidious move, I located Joann and took her to Darby's estate to present her new loom.

Much to my chagrin, she batted my hands away when I attempted to cover her eyes for the grand reveal. I quickly gave up and settled with an agreement that she wouldn't use [Inspect] until after it was presented. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Now…" I began, waving a hand at the magical item.

"This isn't just any ordinary loom—""It'd better not be. I gave you a concept, after all." Joann scoffed, interrupting me.

"Oh, fine." I relented and put a hand on the corner of the loom, and it clattered to life. Fine-tuning the timing had been relatively simple. Just by untangling more of the mana lines, I had been able to shorten them, controlling exactly how quickly the mana reached its destination. If it wasn't fast enough, I'd make the lines more efficient, or even double their bandwidth by bundling the pathways. The final result was a 'well-oiled machine' that produced a weave far more quickly than any hand could.

I wish I had a camera… The thought nearly ended before it began. I had something far better, and memorized the look on Joann's face. Her eyes were wide, her jaw slackened, her brows furrowed; in childlike wonder, she stared at the loom.

"You… made this?" Not waiting for a response to the obvious, she continued.

"Not even Fairfield has something like this… all of their materials were imported. How does it work? What is holding up the shuttle? Is that the Concept of Order?" The questions began to pour out as she inspected each function of the loom as it slowed to a stop.

"Magic, magic, and no," I replied, answering all of her questions. Seeing the storm gathering behind her darkened eyes, I expeditiously expounded upon my response.

"... And in the end, all you have to do is keep the weave supplied." I indicated the spot I had rested my hand, and at my request, she cast [Mana Manipulation]. She nodded in understanding once her mana began to drain.

"The drain isn't bad at all. I could keep this going for several hours."

"As long as you have the thread, anyone can power it." I showed her the emergency break system, with the caveat that it would need repairs if used.

"This is genius. You will go so far in this world, Logan. And I truly mean that. This is a very special gift, and its value is not lost on me." I blushed.

"It's not that big of a deal. It was needed for everyone, and I could make it happen. That's what we do." A bell rang from behind us, ending the uncomfortable moment of sincerity.

"The votes are in!" she exclaimed, then more sarcastically, "I'm sure it was a close call. Let's see who all is being elected, shall we?" On the way back to the longhouse, I spotted Darby and made sure to bring him along.

"I'm really not into politics, Logan." He had attempted to resist at first, but fell in line once Joann scolded him.

"It isn't about politics, Darby. It's about exercising your right. If you don't, what is the difference between that and someone taking it away? You might say, 'well, I wasn't going to vote anyway', or 'there's only five people to vote for five positions', but what happens when you've lost the only tool you possess to fight back when they take something you do care about?" Darby put his hands up defensively, clearly taken aback by Joann's unexpected passion.

"I said I'm coming! I'll do my duty," he sighed with a lackluster salute.

"I just think it's unbecoming behavior of an elected official. You should strive to be a positive influence," she said haughtily.

"I'm not a… Okay. I'll do better, ma'am." Internally, my heart shone like the sun. A small crowd gathered around the end of the longhouse. Ernie had positioned himself on top of a small stump and, as the last of those interested in the results arrived, began his announcement.

"Thank you all for coming! I know that this election may not have been as… exciting as you might have liked, but I believe your participation is vitally important to the integrity of the process."

"Before we begin, I want to remind everyone that we have a week and a half until the fall festival! There are several more tasks that need to be handled, and we are falling a bit behind schedule while trying to keep up with Mossbrook's construction. So, if you or someone you know has some free time… please consider giving a hand."

"Don't keep us in suspense! Tell us who won!" Emmie shouted from the front, the amusement in her voice apparent.

"Ahem. Very well. As you may have seen, no competitor was brave enough to face me, and so, for mayor, in an extraordinarily unanimous decision"—he paused for the laughter to die down—"I win." He took a small bow before continuing.

"And the moment that I'm sure you've all been waiting for, the council, each in an equally unanimous decision… Danny… Joann… Tabitha… Tim… and a late addition, Darby!" Darby stood next to me, unfocused and unenthusiastically clapping as each name was announced. His own didn't register at first, and he just slowly continued clapping.

"Congrats, buddy!" I patted him on the back.

"I'm sure you'll do a great job. I'm super proud of you for taking such an interest in civil works!" His gaze rose to meet mine, and his look of confusion slowly turned to dread as my mad grin brought about the revelation of my devious plan. For the second time that day, I memorized the face in front of me, for all of eternity.