Lord of the Mysteries: Yao Guang

March [-]nd.

Yesterday, Esther just went through a Tarot meeting without much new news. The members are still digesting the potion and seeking the formula steadily, and they will not be able to advance to the next step so soon.

It’s just that for some reason, the “hermit” pays more attention to the “lover” inexplicably, and every time the tarot meeting will take a few more glances.Esther was at a loss. Looking back at the past few exchanges, she should have never offended the "hermit" lady. Why did she look over with eyes full of scrutiny?

But every time the "hermit" would quickly look away, and Esther couldn't say anything, so she didn't ask. She doubted that even if she asked the "hermit", she would not admit it frankly.

After another replenishment of supplies in the Oradek Islands four days ago, the long voyage of the "Clover" finally came to an end.

After taking off the pirate flag, Alexander worked in the bottom cabin for several hours before completely stopping the device that made the "Clover" generate foam. During this period, Esther and Thomas were pulled over to help.

"You should have brought me here, why did you bring her here?" Thomas asked, pointing at Esther, speaking impatiently.

"Don't be so rude, Thomas. The princess is more secure when Hamel is around." Alexander unscrewed a palm-sized bolt and motioned Esther to put it together with other parts.

Thomas looked even more unhappy: "But this is equivalent to exposing all the secrets of this ship to her!"

Alexander knocked on the next part without looking back, and continued to disassemble the tight protective layer: "Forget it, after so many years, can you understand the structure of these foam engines?"

Esther held back her laughter and didn't make a sound. She was too embarrassed to provoke Thomas, who was blushing because he couldn't refute.

After all those gorgeous bubbles dissipated, the ship now looked more like a privateer sneaking out to sea, and became rather inconspicuous.

The "Clover" stopped at a public port with rare grace, and the sailors on board were all excited to go home. No one planned to stay on board to celebrate this event, and Aaron did not force them to stay.

"What about the 'Clover'?" Esther also asked Alexander about this matter.

Alexander pushed the thick bottle-bottomed glasses: "My old friend will come to receive the princess, and take her to take a vacation to do all-round maintenance and rest."

"I suppose your old friend is also familiar with the ship."

"Of course, we were still designing together at the time...cough, it was a long time ago." Alexander shook his head, "Don't ask about the youth stories of the previous generation, it's nothing interesting."

Esther tightened her suitcase and changed the subject with a smile: "How do we get to our destination? Upper Hornages is quite far from Sderansburg, and it will take a lot of time."

Aaron leaned over with a smile, and spread his arms happily towards the not-so-bustling port outside: "Of course it's a steam train! Welcome to the steam miracle Intis, thank the great Emperor Roselle!"

Esther took a step aside calmly.

Her action made Mary, who was standing behind, sneer twice.

Thomas immediately said: "Mary, you can't go with us, you can stay at our guild hall in Sderansburg, it's best to write a letter to your home."

"I can't go!?" Mary was quite dissatisfied, "I'm already a mature sea-adventurer today, why can't I explore that Quaternary ruins with you?"

Thomas stared at her coldly: "You think you are very mature? You can go if you want, just beat Hamel."

Aaron glanced at Thomas disapprovingly: "This comparison is quite unreasonable, even if you have such confidence yourself?"

"No, but it doesn't prevent me from warning Mary."

Mary gritted her teeth and didn't say anything else. Esther patted her on the shoulder: "The pollution on that key is enough to show the danger of this operation. It's not that you are not allowed to prove yourself, but the situation of the ruins is unknown. We said Maybe it’s hard to spare too much time to take care of the whole team.”

Alexander nodded agreeingly: "Your sequence is still a little lower, Mary, one less person is beneficial to us, which means that there are fewer people who may be in danger."

Aaron raised his hand to pat Mary's head, but she moved it sideways, so Aaron patted the corner of his clothes, flattening the folds that didn't exist: "Alexander, you don't have to be so pessimistic, our This trip will be smooth, believe me, we will have good luck."

Mary didn't speak again, but she couldn't hide the disappointment in her eyes.

Esther looked at the market by the port and took a deep breath: "Maybe this is the farewell."

"What are you talking about? It's not like we're not going back to the 'Clover', and we'll go to sea again in a month." Aaron turned to her suspiciously.

And Esther just showed a sweet smile, her light-colored eyes were so cold that there was no warmth.

Esther put down the suitcase in her hand, turned around and walked over to hug Mary:

"I hope everything goes well for you and move forward towards your ideal self."

Mary was also at a loss: "Hamel? You make it sound like we are going to say goodbye forever."

Esther let go of Mary and grabbed her suitcase again: "Mary, then say goodbye forever—hahaha, of course it was just a joke, don't stare at me so fiercely."

Thomas sighed helplessly, and Alexander watched the scene with a smile.

Only Aaron's special premonition made him feel empty.

Although it sounded like a childish, eye-catching joke no matter how you tried it, his spiritual intuition told Aaron that was not the case.

Hammel used his verbal ability to convince others that it was just a joke.

Esther waved at Mary again: "You remember to complete those exercises in Dutan."

So Mary ran away angrily carrying her suitcase.

Alexander took out his pocket watch and looked at the time: "Go to a coffee shop for lunch first, and then go directly to the nearest steam train platform. We should still be able to catch a few trains in the afternoon. I have to wait for him, that The slack guy is late again."

Thomas nodded: "I'll go to the guild hall to get our disguised identity certificates, and then I'll go directly to the steam train platform to find you."

Aaron looked in the direction Mary left: "I really want to have a drink."

"We're still a long way from Haut Hornages. During the one-month rest period, there will always be a time when you can drink until you lose consciousness." Thomas replied impatiently.

Esther smiled again: "Captain Aaron, let's go."

Aaron glanced at her: "Just call me Aaron, there will be no captains on the ground. If you like desserts, you shouldn't miss Intis' stewed pears with spiced red wine, and orange wine pancakes... "

Esther turned her head and glanced at the "Clover".

Without those bubbles, it looks so ordinary, far from the dreamy feeling when the whole ship was suspended and slowly floating in the air, surrounded by colorful bubbles when we met for the first time.

-

Because of Thomas' words, Esther kept a close eye on Aaron, and she didn't take a bite of these two alcoholic desserts.

However, in the more remote Strandsberg, only a few luxury restaurants here will provide these. Most of the small restaurants always have more common popular desserts, such as egg panna cotta or eclairs.

The two ate something casually for lunch, and soon found a rented carriage, and took the carriage to the steam train platform east of Sdransberg.

"Your Intis language is so proficient that it doesn't look like a Loenian. You just have a Trier accent. It's too similar to Alexander, so there's no need to be so similar."

Esther blinked: "It's just a bit of imitation. I think Mr. Alexander's accent is very elegant."

Aaron leaned back on the slightly swaying carriage. The road as a whole was quite stable. He lowered his voice: "Trill's accent sounds a bit contrived, especially Alexander's protracted ending, which always makes people feel uncomfortable. Think of that carol with the aria. I'd say the Church of the Eternal Sun may be somewhat responsible for that..."

"Speaking of the church so indifferently, Mr. Aaron is so sure that I am not a devout believer?"

Aaron gritted his teeth: "If you open your arms and praise some gods now, I will jump out of the carriage window in fright."

Esther couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips. The two of them would be too heretical if they continued talking about this topic: "Now Intis's carriage industry should be far inferior to steam trains, right?"

"Thanks to Emperor Roselle's full efforts, steam trains have been popularized in most important provinces and cities, but now many people want to put the credit for this incident on the Church of Steam. Don't tell Alexander I said it In that case, his faith is as faithful as his research spirit."

Esther was suspicious: "It doesn't matter if it is the credit of Emperor Roselle. Why did they insist on erasing the existence of this reformer? It can't be because of his chaotic relationship between men and women, right?"

Aaron's expression dimmed a bit: "I think Emperor Roselle is quite admirable, especially he is... Unfortunately, in his later years, there were too many weird things that went against his original temperament, and he finally died in the joint assassination of the church and the nobles. under."

Esther subconsciously thought of a certain possibility: "Pollution?"

Aaron just shook his head: "We don't know the details, because on the surface, the emperor seems to know what he is doing, but that all happened before I was born."

Esther looked out the window, a newspaper boy was selling newspapers to passers-by.Improved papermaking and printing, copying classics, making preschool toys, "inventing" tarot cards and playing cards... Not to mention the application and popularization of steam engines, sailboats and artillery.

"Even if they tried to erase those traces, he left enough to change the course of the world forever."

Aaron looked up at her: "You seem very emotional."

"I don't deny that the colonial era he started was a disaster for the aborigines of the archipelago and the southern continent, but I will also admit that he has benefited many people... In his era, even Loen had to bow his head to Intis."

What Esther won't say is that Roselle is trying to make this world more like the world in their impressions. Just because of this, she will at most only dislike Roselle's actions. Too much judgment.

After all, compared to the people of the Southern Continent, Roselle's status as a "citizen" made Esther more agreeable. She could almost imagine Roselle's various expressions when writing those diaries.

It was as if... she had met him and even known him.

But Esther is also very convinced that she has never had any contact with the great emperor from a hundred years ago. Even if she has read some of the diaries, she should not have such an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Aaron did not hide the smug smile on his face: "Yes, even now, many people still hope to restore the glory of the empire when he was the consul and 'Caesar'."

"How can it be so easy?" Esther said slightly dissatisfied, "They also take this kind of thing for granted."

Even if it's the same road, it doesn't necessarily mean what the result will be if you change someone else. Roselle is an ambitious guy who dares to act. His various strong desires are actually quite easy to be used...

such a pity.

Esther sighed, at least she can chat with Klein about trivial things now.

Russell was alone at the time, probably very, very lonely.