The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 200 Retracing Tang Qi's Path (4k)

"Nothing should have been left behind."

Goya packed the letters into a small box, then put it into her backpack before picking up her lute and pushing open the door.

After the night of the two moons, the curfew was lifted, so many poets could be seen coming and going in the dormitory building.

The dormitory buildings are single rooms, and men and women do not live separately, so they would probably visit each other's rooms, stay overnight, take off their last clothes, and have a big party.

The Terran Empire in the double moon represents silence and repression.

Everyone, including the noble gentlemen, would lock themselves in their rooms to avoid having their minds corrupted by the scarlet moon in the sky.

This is the official explanation, but there is no evidence that the red moon can affect people's minds.

The reason this version came about is, of course, due to the songs compiled and rumors spread by their poets' academy.

The indulgence that follows repression is a tradition of the Academy of Poets.

Unrestrainedness seems to be in the nature of a bard.

"Therefore, long-term constraints will always breed rebellion, just like the [clubs] in the academy."

This may be why Don Qi Weinberger has been able to attract such a large following.

"What rebellion?"

A familiar voice rang in her ears. Ge Ya turned her head and saw the face. She realized that it was her long-lost junior, Su Wenxue.

He pulled his hair back, but perhaps because he looked young, he looked like a child imitating an adult.

"No, it's nothing, I was just thinking about some lyrics."

Goya went downstairs on her own, only to find Su Wen following closely behind: "Senior, did you have something urgent to do when you went out at this early hour?"

"No."

"What are you doing going out so late?"

"I'm planning to take a walk in the park."

"Is there anything that's bothering you?"

"I've been very happy lately."

"Then why go for a walk?"

"I suddenly feel like I want to enjoy the evening breeze."

"Evening breeze—"

"Brother Su Wenxue, is there something you need?"

Goya stopped and turned around, keeping her smile at a perfect angle.

She was convinced it was perfect.

It's not just because she thinks she's perfect.

Instead, she would practice that perfect smile every day by holding a bamboo stick in her mouth.

Su Wen received that smile perfectly.

The senior student has such a beautiful smile.

He thought so.

But when he looked around, he realized that he wasn't the only one being bewitched by the smile.

Every poet on the covered walkway, regardless of gender or race, paused to admire this fleeting beauty.

He had some regrets.

Because Su Wen knew that this smile was like the white moonlight reflected on a clear stream.

It is evenly sprinkled on every inch of the earth.

But not a single bit of it belonged to him.

"Ah, I, that..."

Su Wen found himself stumbling along a bit.

It's embarrassing to be unable to speak fluently in front of someone you like.

Fortunately, Senior Sister Goya was very approachable and even comforted me instead:

"Don't get nervous just because you see me. It makes me look like some kind of witch. Am I that scary? We can talk things out slowly."

Su Wen felt she had to prove herself.

So, taking a deep breath to calm himself down, he scratched his head and felt a warmth on his cheeks.
"Well, I'm going to a party—a really proper one, the kind of celebration. So I was wondering if you'd like to come along?"

"But I want to be alone for a while today, how about next time?"

"Next time? Of course, no problem. Tomorrow, or the day after? A week later is also fine..."

So annoying.

This junior is increasingly lacking in tact.

Anyone with eyes could see that she was rejecting him.

But Goya believed it was her own problem.

She knew very well that if she firmly refused at this moment and said something like "Don't bother me anymore," her ears would suddenly become quiet.

But she can't.

She wanted to present her perfect self to everyone.

Once you've worn a mask for a long time, it's not so easy to take it off again.

She had already prepared herself to wear a mask for the rest of her life:
"Well, I'm afraid I can't be sure about that. After all, I'll be working as a teaching assistant in the new school year, and I'm quite busy lately. Let's talk about it after this period has passed?"

"Okay then, senior, you can call me anytime you're free. I'm always available..."

"Then I'll leave first?"

"Okay, take care, senior."

Goya was about to nod and leave, but then she suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Su Wen:
"By the way, wasn't it Su Wenxue who made the report about Pluto and the others?"

Su Wen's pupils contracted slightly, and he stammered in an instant:

"I--"

"It's okay, I'm just confirming. After all, only the three of us know about this, if it's not me, it can only be you."

Su Wen remained silent for a long while before finally raising his head:

"Because...because his popularity is on the rise, I'm afraid of my senior..."

Do you think I'll lose to him?

"No, it's not——"

"Thank you, junior. I understand your good intentions."

Goya shook her head at him.

"But please don't do that again—"

Whether or not I run for office is my own business. I don't need anyone to make decisions for me, and I have the confidence to win the competition.

Your unnecessary actions nearly ruined a fine poet.

She rarely used such a serious tone to admonish someone.

That's all I can say.

From the academy's perspective, reporting the leader of the Pluto society was a perfectly reasonable decision.

But does being reasonable equate to being correct?

She couldn't think about it in detail.

After all, she was just one of those people seeking a stable life within this system.

"In short, I don't want anyone to affect my life. So please stop making any decisions with the intention of 'thinking of me'—after all, in the end, I'm the one who feels guilty."

As she said this, she bid farewell to Su Wen and arrived outside the academy's walls. Gazing at the starry sky, the full moon, a blend of azure and crimson, still hung high above.

No one knows when the red moon will disappear.

Perhaps it will quietly disappear without a trace by tomorrow morning.

But perhaps until this time next year, it will still stand beneath the curtain of the sky, looking down upon everything on earth—a sign that misfortune is about to befall it.

"But it shouldn't stay here for too long this year."

With this in mind, Goya arrived at the port of [Last City].

You can reach Sotoma by following any road.

This certainly includes waterways as well.

As the imperial capital of the empire, it is located on the northwest coast of the entire continent—

Even if the orcs in the vast desert broke through the defenses and headed straight for the imperial city, they would still have to cross the furthest distance.

This led to a highly developed port industry and maritime transport in the city of Miliu.

Don Qi Weinberger also arrived at the Lords' Alliance through this port.

However, maritime trade inevitably leads to the emergence of some gray industries.

Moreover, its final destination is Black Lagoon.

That city of pirates and wealth.

This makes 'illegal immigration' so commonplace.

So much so that when you see the dock, every illegal immigrant looks like they were made from the same mold—they cover themselves up completely with black robes, with only their eyes showing through their masks.

For a moment, Goya couldn't tell which person was the target.

Fortunately, she was hard to identify, but she was very conspicuous.

He skillfully met the scrutinizing, mocking, and greedy gazes of the stowaways, sailors, and guards, lingering for quite a while.

Until someone gently patted her shoulder and whispered:
"Have you brought anything?"

"Don't make it look like we're doing something dirty."

Goya turned around and placed the backpack and lute in Pluto's hands.
"This is the baggage your mentor asked me to give you. It contains some food, water, a few dozen gold coins, and a change of clothes. Oh, and this zither—it will ensure you don't starve on the road."

"Even Tang Qi didn't starve, so you should be fine too, right?"

“That’s Don Qi Weinberger, I wouldn’t dare compare myself to him.”

Goya realized that her junior was a master at 'hiding like a mouse'.

Pluto chuckled, then asked with concern:
"How's Houston?"

"Although many people can see that you are putting on an act, there is no law that says you can't ask questions while someone is talking—so he's just been put in solitary confinement and will be released soon."

Goya sighed, staring intently into Pluto's eyes.
"But your public remarks that day constituted the crime of insulting the nobility, which is indelible."

"Of course I know."

Pluto touched his buttocks.
"Do you want me to take off my pants and show you the whip marks?"

"So you should also know how many connections your advisor used to secretly get you out of prison, right?"

You would have faced at least ten years in prison, with a maximum risk of life imprisonment—depending largely on how many nobles were offended by your words.

"now what?"

"Now? Claim internally that you realized how badly your words had affected the noble lords, and that you committed suicide in repentance."

To the outside world—as long as you don't come back, you can go wherever you want.

This is your new identity. You'd better remember your name, as they will check your pass before you board the ship.

Pluto took the identification card from Goya, read the information on it, and couldn't help but say:

"Mundo? That name doesn't sound very smart."

"I heard that he was originally a deserter stationed on the border who betrayed his unit. He was arrested during his escape and was originally going to be handed over to a military court. But he was taken away by the mages of the [Scribes' Society] and became a mage apprentice, thus obtaining legal status."

"He sounds alive. Is it okay if I take his place?"

"That's the official explanation. But it's said that this person was actually used as a test subject for the 'Giant Potion,' and his body couldn't withstand the potion's power, turning him into a deformed monster..."

This kind of thing can't be made public, so it's perfect for using as a substitute identity.

"Damn it, the Dean still maintains close ties with the [Scribes' Guild]?"

Pluto crossed his arms and shrugged.

"I heard they're a bunch of madmen who only know how to do magical research."

In short—

"Remember your identity. Once you arrive at the Lords' Alliance, go to Dragongold City and find Tang Qi Weinberg. Then, you and Tang Qi, or whoever else, can do whatever you want, just don't come back, don't say you're a poet from the academy, and don't cause trouble for the academy!"

These are the exact words my mentor asked me to convey to you.

Goya was an expert in acting, and Pluto could almost see the old dean with a sharp tongue but a kind heart, adjusting his wig while frowning and cursing.

She then pointed to the backpack that Pluto was holding:
"There are also more than two hundred letters in the package, which were all asked by people from the club to be delivered to you."

Pluto's eye twitched: "Damn it, didn't we tell them to hide their identities? Now we're all going to be wiped out."

Goya said irritably, "Are you a mentor just here to freeload? If we start with you and examine your activities over this period, it will be easy to find out who you were discussing this with. There's no point in hiding it."

But they were poets from the academy after all, and the mentor didn't want the matter to escalate further, so he only warned them secretly and informed them of your plans.

So they temporarily suspended their club activities, including the 'Diary Poetry Contest' you organized—these letters only started spontaneously after they learned you were still alive.

Pluto was silent for a long time, then sniffed and suddenly said:

"The dean was actually just thinking about the college's best interests."

Goya agreed, "After all, that concerns every poet's livelihood. Is there anything else to say?"

Despite her constant smile, Goya always gave him a sense of unapproachable boundaries.

Pluto could only wave his hand:

"In short, I will convey the dean's words. As for whether Junior Tang Qi is willing to listen to me, his senior, that's not something I can decide—"

After all, judging from his diary, he still prefers women; perhaps you would be a better fit.

“I don’t want to get involved with him. I’m perfectly content in my teaching assistant position.”

"If you don't want to get involved, you wouldn't have copied the diary entries, right?"

"That was just a task assigned to me by my mentor."

"Hey, now that it's just the two of us, wouldn't it be better to be honest?"

"I'll be going now if there's nothing else."

"Alright, alright, could you please do me a small favor, Ms. Goya?"

Although Goya did not look back after turning around, her stopped steps proved her intention.

Pluto quickly said:

"It's on the third shelf of my bedside table in the dorm. There's a hidden compartment there. Help me get the things out of there."

He looked up at the clear sky, gradually spreading light under the sun.
"While you're at it, go to the Forgotten Stone and check if the log has been updated—there's still some time before the ship sets sail, so there's plenty of time."

Goya sighed:

"In fact, Tang Qi's diary has indeed been updated. I made a copy and put it in that group of letters—consider it a parting gift."

"Ha, as expected of my arch-rival who competed with me to the very end, in the end you still understand me best!"

Pluto raised an eyebrow, not wanting to say anything more. After watching Goya leave, he quickly took out a rubbing of the diary from his package—

[September 15, 1000 of the Lost Calendar, Xingmei Town, Sunny.]

It's been 95 days since I was kicked out of the tavern.

I've returned to the beginning of the story.

(End of this chapter)