Upon leaving the meeting, Gale stopped by his apartment provided by his position. The house was truly beautiful, with luxurious furniture, everything someone of high class would appreciate.
But for Gale, it meant nothing. He truly wasn't interested in mundane things like possessions.
Over the years, Gale realized that he saw himself less and less in the physical world and more in the spiritual realm. He met Guru Laghima, an air nomad and renowned poet, thanks to Zaheer, who introduced him to the poems.
Although Gale and Zaheer shared similar views on material possessions, their approaches to controlling the masses and seeking power were completely different. While one saw the government system as a poison corrupting people, the other viewed the same system as an opportunity to shape the world in his favor.
In Gale's opinion, Zaheer held a truly beautiful philosophy, although it could be considered unrealistic.
This situation exemplified one of the gaps in his relationship with the Red Lotus: it did not genuinely express Gale's desires, merely serving as another piece in his strategic chessboard.
Awakening from his intimate thoughts, Gale changed his attire and headed to the bustling streets of the city. Now, it was time to explore and find new pieces for his next move.
Pulling information from his pocket, Gale examined details about the man who called himself Amon.
Paying attention to the street names where the masked man likely presented himself, Gale explored the city for clues to his lectures. It didn't take long to hear distant cheers and applause.
Upon reaching the lecture site, he identified the man causing a small stir.
He was completely masked, his attire resembling that of a ninja, clearly indicating his intent to avoid identification.
He stood on a cement block, his gestures and words genuinely moving the audience, which Gale estimated to be around 20 people, all listening attentively.
"And that's why, my brothers, benders are extremists and ignorant towards us, non-benders. They humiliate us, always making the work harder for us," declared Amon, gesturing intensely, his voice conveying a rage capable of motivating anyone passing by the street.
His presentation lasted about two hours, and finally, it was over, met with applause from the audience. Gale noticed some even crying.
"First rule: create a common enemy to unite the people," Gale reflected as he watched Amon shake hands with the attendees.
Seizing the opportunity, Gale approached the man, aiming for a handshake.
Upon spotting Gale, Amon and he exchanged glances, culminating in an immediate handshake.
"Pleasure to meet you, I share your thoughts," Gale said as he shook the man's hand.
Upon hearing Gale's words, Amon smiled behind his mask.
He noticed that Gale's attire was simple, without any colors identifying him as a bender.
"I'm glad to hear that. It's a pleasure to hear those words from a brother," Amon said.
Noticing that the man didn't release his hands, Amon gave a vigorous pull to free himself from the other's grip.
However, without success, he ended up being brought even closer to Gale.
"I'm willing to invest in your cause, Amon, the revolutionary. Make sure to tune in to the news frequency of our state. I believe you'll be surprised," Gale whispered in the man's ear before stepping back.
Upon hearing those words again, Amon tried once more to break free from the man, this time successfully.
"I hope to see you here again tomorrow," Gale said, waving to the man before walking away.
Noticing the man stepping away, Amon remained silent as someone approached him.
"Should I follow him, sir?" inquired a man dressed plainly, with a respectful expression.
Realizing his subordinate's intentions, Amon simply waved his hand in disagreement.
"We don't need to get involved in trouble; the Equalists are just beginning," Amon said as he returned to his audience.
Finally, night had come. Gale dressed in noble attire representing his lineage from the Southern Water Tribe. His hair was completely loose.
Soon, someone knocked on his door.
"Sir, the driver has arrived. Should I tell him to wait?"
Hearing the voice behind the door, Gale imagined it was once again his new butler bothering him.
"It's alright, I'm coming. Thank you," Gale said towards the door, adjusting his voice tone for the butler to hear clearly.
Upon opening the door, his butler was bowing in his direction, waiting for further orders. With a wave of his hand, he stepped out of Gale's sight.
Upon finally reaching the street, he saw his driver. He was outside, smoking, leaning against a car that resembled a Victorian-era limousine.
"Sir, my apologies. I thought it would take longer," the driver said, tossing the cigarette on the ground and crushing it with his foot.
Gale smiled.
"It's okay. If you don't tell, I won't either," Gale joked with a relaxed voice as he got into the car.
The driver laughed, impressed by the new lord's friendliness.
Soon, they were heading towards the palace.
Looking through the car windows, Gale admired the view while waiting to reach his destination.
Then, after a few minutes.
"Sir, we've arrived," the driver said respectfully, stepping out of the car to open the door for Gale.
With a hand gesture, Gale expressed his gratitude for the driver's kindness.
Observing the palace's entrance, a huge crowd had gathered, consisting of earth, fire, and water benders from both the South and the North.
Gale waved like a celebrity as the crowd cheered, with some spectators remaining neutral, awaiting the speech of the new Southern representative.
Walking through the crowd, he made a point to greet everyone around him.
Demonstrating charisma and humility.
Finally, upon reaching the palace entrance, he encountered the council members, who smiled at him, anticipating the speech to come.
Contemplating the wooden stage that awaited him, with a microphone in the center, Gale approached.
"Dear fellow citizens, today I stand before you as a humble representative of the Southern Tribe. I grew up in a simple family, where values were more precious than material wealth. My parents, dedicated workers, taught me that true wealth lies in relationships and the community we build."
Gale paused, his eyes scanning the diversity of the audience. His gestures were expressive, illustrating his connection to his roots and love for the Southern Tribe.
"Over the years, I've nurtured a deep love for my tribe, where each face is a living memory of home. However, this love knows no geographical boundaries. I have a 'brother,' the Northern Tribe, a dear extension of our great tribal family."
While speaking, Gale emphasized the importance of unity between the tribes, his gestures illustrating the connection between different parts.
"The city that welcomes us today is a true treasure of diversity. Benders and non-benders, coming from all corners of the world, gather here to form a unique tapestry of cultures, talents, and perspectives. This diversity is our greatest strength."
With a sweeping gesture, Gale symbolically embraced the vast diversity present in the city. His eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and hope as he continued:
"Together, we are capable of achieving great feats. We must look beyond our differences, build bridges of understanding, and appreciate the beauty that each of us brings to this community. This city is a beacon of hope, guiding us towards a future where harmony prevails."
Upon concluding his words, Gale made a brief pause, allowing the message to resonate in the minds of each listener. His smile was an expression of optimism and gratitude.
"Thank you all for being part of this journey. May we continue to grow together, celebrating the richness that diversity provides us. May unity be our strength. Thank you very much."
Soon, cheers of celebration echoed among the audience listening to the speech, regardless of their nation of origin. A wave of emotion swept through the crowd.
Stepping down from the stage, Gale directed warm smiles towards the council members.
Then, they lined up in a linear formation, bowing unanimously towards the audience.
This day marked Gale's first worldwide recognition as a diplomat seeking only the best for his nation. For some, however, it was considered the fateful day when a wolf infiltrated among the sheep to bring them down.