Location: Solencia Central Bank – Early Morning
The marble pillars of the Central Bank's grand foyer gleamed under enchanted lanterns as Itsuki Hiroto slipped inside, hoping for a quiet moment away from guild politics. He carried only a teacup and a half‑eaten bun—no scrolls, no petitions, no title scroll in sight.
But as he rounded the central desk, bankers in ink‑smudged robes froze mid‑quill stroke. Behind glassed vault doors, gold ingots glinted ominously. The bank's Governor, a stern woman named Marilla Evercount, approached with a file thicker than most ledgers.
"Guildmaster Hiroto," she said, voice trembling with deference and fear, "the Council's recent economic reforms—your 'Inter‑Guild Breakfast Accord' revenues, new trade tariffs, price harmonizations—have stabilized the continent's markets. We must discuss your policy directives."
Hiroto blinked, teacup halfway to his lips. "I… policies?"
Marilla swallowed. "Governor's decree: Under the 'Harmony in Commerce' initiative, we are to adjust interest rates, implement cross‑guild bond issuances, and allocate subsidies to tea producers—all in your name."
Hiroto set down the bun. "I just wanted everyone to share cookies."
Around him, the bankers exchanged panicked glances. One thrust a parchment under his nose:
"Hiroto's Economic Blueprint"
Article I. "No merchant shall hoard tea leaves without inter‑guild consent."
Article II. "All import tariffs to be offset by free morning tea rations."
Article III. "Every household entitled to two buns per sunrise."
Hiroto's face paled. "I never wrote that."
Governor Evercount's lips quivered. "But your seal is here." She tapped the parchment. "Signed: 'Humble Clerk‑Economist Hiroto.'"
Hiroto's heart sank. The very economy he hoped to ignore had been recast in his reluctant name. He mumbled, "I refuse to… rise."
Location: Guild Administration Hall – Midday
By midday, rumors of Hiroto's economic reign had reached the Guild Administration Hall. The main corridor buzzed with porters counting coin sacks and clerks recalculating price indexes. Banners proclaimed:
"Hiroto's Harmony in Commerce—Stability by Tea"
Within the central chamber, the Council of Guilds convened—now complete with an Economic Oversight Panel. Five new chairs occupied seats beside the faction heads: bankers, tax collectors, market regulators, currency mages, and trade envoys.
Chancellor Beltram rapped his gavel, silencing the chamber. "Guildmaster Hiroto," he intoned, "we acknowledge your refusal to assume economic power. Yet, the Council has voted to implement the Harmony in Commerce statutes—with or without your direct guidance."
A roar of assent echoed as the new panel shuffled forward. The panel's Chair, Arch‑Treasurer Lavros, stepped up, eyes gleaming. "By decree, we adjust the Coin Standard: all mints shall produce 'Harmony Tokens' for daily tea purchases. Inflation shall be measured against teacup volume."
Hiroto swallowed. "Tokens? Inflation? I just… wanted more tea."
Arch‑Treasurer Lavros unfurled a large scroll: "Harmonized Coinage Act", detailing coin imagery of Hiroto's smiling face holding a teacup.
Virelya, standing beside him, whispered, "At least they're not making you Finance Minister."
But Hiroto's shoulders slumped. "They already tried."
Location: Solencia Marketplace – Afternoon
The afternoon sun beat down on Solencia's bustling marketplace, where stalls groaned under the weight of new price lists and government‑issued Harmony Tokens. Market‑sellers wore banners of "Tea Subsidy Approved" and "Rations: 2 Buns per Household."
A merchant in fine silks announced with theatrical flair: "All market purchases now require any two Harmony Tokens! Pray tell, have you redeemed your morning pastries?"
Hiroto slipped through the crowd, clutching a single token—purchased earlier "for authenticity." Townsfolk stopped him, pressing petitions: "Sir, please confirm the token value before my anise bread rises in price!" "Guildmaster, will we now index taxes to cinnamon bun supply?"
Children chased him, chanting: "Token King! Token King! May your teacups never run dry!"
He ducked behind a fruit cart and gasped for breath. "I refuse to rise," he muttered, "and yet I'm King of the Coin."
Sera appeared, juggling three teacups. "You're a legend… and a fiscal policy."
Hiroto ran a hand through his hair. "Is there no safe corner for tea and naps?"
Location: Serenity Teahouse – Late Afternoon
Desperate for refuge, Hiroto and Sera slipped into the Serenity Teahouse. Master Hei looked up from his counter, eyes widening at their disheveled appearance.
"Guildmaster," he greeted carefully, bowing. "The tokens… they're flying off the shelves."
Hiroto flopped onto a cushion. "I'm drowning in economic edicts."
Hei poured them both a demitasse of Moonlit Jasmine Tea. "This blend counters fiscal frenzy." He placed a small plate of spiced buns before them.
Hiroto sipped, closing his eyes. For a moment, the world's markets quieted. "I never intended to rule an economy," he murmured.
Sera snorted. "Govern by biscuits, they said. It'll be fun, they said."
Hei nodded sagely. "Balance is a fragile leaf. Too much caffeine, and the boughs crack."
Hiroto drained his cup. "Then I'll sleep through the next policy meeting."
Location: Guild Administration Hall – Evening
Returning to his office within the Guild Administration Hall, Hiroto found piles of scrolls awaiting his "instruction"—requests from the Economic Panel, the Central Bank, the Merchant Guild, and even the newly formed Tea Traders' Union. Each scroll began: "In your wisdom, Guildmaster Hiroto…"
He sank behind his desk, fingers trembling over quills. He thought of Master Hei's words: Balance is fragile.
Virelya peered in. "They sent for you again." She held up a scroll bearing the Central Bank's seal. "They request you sign off on the new inflation ties to teacup volume—effective tomorrow."
Hiroto closed his eyes. Refuse to rise. He lifted the quill… then dropped it.
Sera stepped in, producing a blank scroll. "Let's draft a new decree: 'By my refusal to govern, I hereby abdicate economic authority in favor of… refrigeration policy.'"
Hiroto managed a wan smile. "Make sure it's sealed with a teacup stamp."
Together, they scribbled, forging a desperate buffer against the unstoppable tide of commerce. If the world insisted he be its economic savior, he could at least sow confusion with nonsense policies—buy‑two‑buns‑get‑one‑free, free teacup exchanges, zero‑interest for those who nap daily.
As the evening lanterns glowed, Itsuki Hiroto—reluctant hero, accidental Guildmaster of Mayhem, and bewildered regulator of the realm's finances—finally found solace in the knowledge that even the fiercest markets could be tamed by one simple rule: Tea first, policy never.
And with that, he closed his eyes, nap‑ready but always vigilant for the next summons.