Chapter 43: The Unpopular Grand Sage
“Are they on bad terms? I thought Druids were all so easygoing,” Abyss asked, curious. He had assumed the sixteen Sages were united, working together harmoniously.
“Of course not! Do you think we’re all just smiling, all-loving hippies? We used to be criticized by other mage schools for being too rigid,” Maggie said, nodding seriously. “Don’t tell Master Arcaiste what I’m about to say, or he’ll tie me to a tree and scold me again.”
Abyss and his companions exchanged glances, imagining the Grand Sage tied to a tree, likely by Maggie herself, and nodded in agreement.
Maggie, having secured their silence, lowered her voice. “Master Arcaiste might be the Grand Sage, but his authority isn’t universally recognized. Of the fifteen other Sages, eight are indifferent, but the remaining seven aren’t fond of him. They don’t want his position, but they disagree with his leadership, often complaining, sometimes even arguing.”
“What’s his leadership style?” Rebecca asked, intrigued.
“His leadership style is… non-existent,” Maggie said, shrugging. “Haven’t you noticed? He always seems melancholic, lacking energy. He’s always been like this, rarely taking initiative. This crisis with the sacred tree and the animals is the most proactive he’s ever been. Usually, he just sits in his treehouse, doing whatever you ask, but otherwise, he does nothing.”
“He’s incredibly passive, like Emperor Beos of the Western Empire,” Leona said, rolling her eyes, taking the opportunity to insult her useless brother.
“This has resulted in a very… laissez-faire approach to leadership. He lets the Druid council do as they please, offering minimal guidance. He occasionally intervenes to settle disputes—his power is undeniable. He’s currently the strongest Druid in the council, a master of all paths. Every Druid respects his abilities.”
Maggie cleared her throat and continued. “But strength alone isn’t enough. As our leader, he should be more proactive, more involved in the council’s affairs. It’s like he has other priorities—but he doesn’t. He just… does nothing.”
“Aren’t you worried he’ll be angry if he hears you talking about him like this?” Flora asked, glancing nervously out the window.
“Oh, he won’t be angry. He’s very understanding,” Maggie said, waving her hand dismissively. “He might scold me for gossiping, but I don’t mind. He never scolds me for long. And you’re not outsiders anymore. I know about Master Belator’s power. We’re eager to befriend someone of your caliber. So those stubborn old fogies in the council are just being foolish, keeping secrets from you. My master is much better. I told him I wanted to share some information with you, and he immediately agreed. He’s far more open-minded than those secretive elders.”
Abyss was touched by Maggie’s willingness to share the council’s secrets, but he suspected Baggs had simply wanted to avoid her endless chatter.
“So, those who oppose Master Arcaiste simply want him to be a more active leader. He’s the Grand Sage, after all. His words carry weight. But he’s always so… aloof,” Maggie said, her voice tinged with frustration. “He’s a good person, but his work ethic is strange. He just avoids work. It’s maddening. Speaking of avoiding work, let me tell you about the time I went swimming and caught a huge fish…”
“Perhaps we should get back to Master Arcaiste,” Rebecca said, smiling politely, offering her a piece of fruit.
“Right,” Maggie said, taking the fruit and biting into it, then continued. “And another thing, a rather important thing, is his appearance. He always looks so melancholic. No one has mentioned it to him directly, of course. They’re trying to be respectful. But his constant frown isn’t very appealing.”
“I understand. People who are always frowning aren’t very popular,” Leona said, nodding. During her time as a princess, she had encountered such individuals among the nobility. They might attract some girls, but they weren’t well-liked in general.
“He’s a good person, really, but his personality isn’t very… attractive,” Maggie said. “I’ve tried to cheer him up, telling him jokes and funny stories, but he never lets me tell more than one. I always have so many stories prepared.”
Abyss felt a pang of sympathy for the Grand Sage.
“So, there might be an argument during tomorrow’s meeting, but Master Arcaiste never argues, so it shouldn’t last long,” Maggie said. “The Sages’ disagreements aren’t a secret. We’re used to it. I just hope it doesn’t alarm you.”
“I’ll try to prevent any arguments,” Abyss said, smiling.
“How? Are you not just a powerful Druid, but also a skilled therapist? Can you resolve their conflicts?” Maggie asked, surprised.
“Resolving their conflicts would require understanding Arcaiste’s personality and the other Sages’ needs. I’m not planning to do that, and I’m not a therapist,” Abyss said casually. “I can simply distract them. You’ll see what I mean tomorrow.”
He was planning to drain the mana from around the sacred tree, a proposal that would surely shift their focus from their petty squabbles. He wouldn’t abandon his plan, even if it was a bit unconventional.
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