They don't want me to try anymore.

After a moment's thought, Richard speculated, "The essence of asceticism is to achieve self-improvement through self-discipline. If one only creates difficulties in living conditions, it is actually a inferior approach."

"Human beings are actually social beings, the sum total of all social relations. That is to say, social relations themselves can provide us with a lot of support and constraints, helping us overcome difficulties, but also preventing us from exploring some valuable areas..."

"So I think the essence of Miss Luna's masked asceticism lies in abandoning her identity, increasing her training by abandoning interpersonal support, and re-examining herself in a strange and lonely environment... It's a bit like putting on a mask but actually taking it off."

"As for the chains... could they be a symbol of self-discipline?"

Richard shrugged and smiled. "I was just rambling, I hope Miss Luna won't take offense..."

As a time traveler, Richard sometimes can't help but bring up some of his past life's ideas and beliefs to chat about.

When chatting casually, do whatever makes you feel comfortable.

To his surprise, when he looked up, he saw that Luna was also staring at him!

Those sparkling eyes seemed to say, "Oh, I see! So that's how I should think!"

Wait, Miss Luna...

You wouldn't be the kind of person who starts practicing asceticism before you even understand its purpose, would you?

I'm going to lower your rating!

Chapter 52 The Privilege of Free Meals at Higher Education Institutions

Seemingly finding Richard's words to be so insightful, Luna then asked to travel with them.

Ascetics can go wherever they want, and nobody can stop them. Considering that the other person had helped him before and was quite powerful, Richard had no reason to refuse.

But Richard soon regretted it...

stare--

Luna kept watching him the whole way!

Logically speaking, people's eyes are free to look at whomever they want... but what's with staring like that!

Even when Richard deliberately turned around and looked directly at Luna to imply that it was somewhat impolite, her gaze did not move, and she didn't even blink.

Oh, aren't your eyes dry?

It feels like I'm being pricked by a thorn in my back, like I'm being impure!

Not only Richard, but Zoe also noticed this, and alarm bells rang in her mind.

Even though the other party was a nun wearing a mask... how many women have inexplicably gotten close to my brother all along? What kind of weirdo wouldn't appear? Nuns aren't trustworthy either!

"I swear on a woman's intuition, she definitely has ulterior motives towards Richard!"

"Yes, Melissa thinks so too!"

"what?"

Zoe was momentarily stunned when she saw the half-elf loli suddenly interrupting from the side.

This "little" sister actually has the same idea as me?

Wait, why are you so sensitive?

Do you also have ulterior motives?

Let's put the girls' rambling aside for now.

The team traveled eastward without encountering any major obstacles, and finally, three days later, they crossed a mountain pass and arrived at a basin in the mountains.

In the distance, the city walls of Nion can already be seen. In terms of scale, it is naturally much smaller than Idaril, but it still has an imposing presence due to its location against the mountains.

It was from this point that the amount of coal ash on the road increased.

After walking a few hundred meters, a small, clearly widened canal appeared on the left, with several passenger ships and more coal-laden vessels moored on it.

At the port, a group of ragged children, some without even shoes, gathered around the disembarking passengers, chattering and asking for food or trying to earn tips by helping with their luggage.

The children naturally ran to the caravan, but were chased away by the caravan owner's men with their boots.

He said with a look of disdain, "Ladies and gentlemen, please don't be too sympathetic to these people. The Abaranians are poor because they are lazy and stupid! If you give them too much money and encourage them to live off others, they might grow up to be bandits too!"

When he mentioned bandits, he emphasized his words with a fierce tone.

Ever since the robbery, the caravan owner has only ever spoken of Abarania in this tone.

Richard could naturally understand this mindset.

However, whether out of an instinctive aversion to such primitive regional discrimination or the positive influence of Professor Arno, he had no interest in responding to the caravan owner's sweeping generalizations.

"Brother Richard!"

At that moment, Melissa suddenly spoke up, and Richard turned around to see that the half-elf brother and sister had gotten out of the carriage at some point.

Evan, the elder brother, smiled and said, "We will take a boat from here and continue south, without going into Nyon."

Richard nodded: "I see. Is it time to part already? Time flies..."

"Yes, although we haven't known each other for long, you have really inspired and amazed me a lot... And thank you again for saving my sister. If you ever come to the south, please be sure to stay at our house so we can treat you well to repay your kindness."

Evan looked at Richard and offered a heartfelt compliment.

“Haha, there will be a chance.”

After he finished speaking, Richard saw Melissa waving at him, as if she wanted to whisper something, so he squatted down and listened attentively.

"...Brother Richard, I want to be your bride!"

Huh?

As soon as she finished speaking, Melissa, without waiting for Richard's reaction, blushed and skipped after her brother towards the harbor.

Richard was left with a furrowed brow, unsure of what to say.

Don't overthink it. Don't take a little girl's jokes seriously. Even though she's an eighteen-year-old little girl, she's still a little girl... Speaking of which, could the "older man killer" technique work on her too?

hiss……

The interlude ends a few minutes later.

The group arrived at the city gate, but before they could enter the city, three riders came to greet them.

The leader dismounted and bowed to Richard and the others, saying, "Gentlemen and ladies, are you distinguished guests from St. Goethe?"

Richard nodded.

"It's an honor to meet you. Please come with us. Lord Follett has prepared a welcome banquet..."

Richard recalled that every internship at the school had been arranged through connections with local nobles.

In the capital city, where high-ranking officials are as common as dogs and dukes and marquises are everywhere, Goethe's students did not seem to be particularly distinguished.

But in the eyes of the local faction, it was a completely different story. To them, every St. Goethe was like a heifer sitting on a light bulb—incredibly powerful, and someone they had to befriend.

Richard, therefore, had no doubt about the invitation and immediately accepted. Amidst the envious gazes of the caravan owner, he, Zoe, and Katyusha went directly to the noble mansion in the north of the city.

Oh, right, Luna followed us too...

Richard didn't notice at first, but halfway there he realized that the nun was still behind him. Seeing how eager she was to freeload at Lord Follett's house, Richard ultimately couldn't bring himself to call her out.

Never mind, let's just consider it repayment for cutting down the cannon.

...Anyway, the rice we're going to eat isn't from his family.

back to the front.

Compared to the canal line outside the city, the road leading to Follett's residence was much more "pleasing to the eye".

There was no coal ash, no beggars, and the clean, tidy cobblestone path was lined with manicured trees and marble statues.

Among the statues and bushes, Richard also encountered a richly dressed eight or nine-year-old child riding on the back of a middle-aged male servant, throwing cakes at the chests of the surrounding maids...

The guide introduced, "That is Lord Follett's eldest son, Young Master Leo."

Richard's brow twitched, but he couldn't help recalling the children outside the city who didn't even have shoes...

Finally, they were led to a luxurious restaurant to meet the slightly overweight man seated at the head of the table—Baron Follett, the administrator of Nyon.

By the way, the other person was dozing off when we first met, and only opened their eyes after being reminded by the butler.

"Hmm...Welcome, guest from afar!"

Hmm, seems a bit dim-witted.

"Thank you for the invitation, sir."

Although Richard was carefree and even considered himself a barbarian at school, he still understood the various aristocratic etiquettes used to distinguish social classes, and his behavior was impeccable when dealing with people with whom he had no conflict of interest.

After everyone was seated, a solemn young man in a white robe with gold trim entered through the door. Through Follett's introduction, Richard learned that the man was Bishop Benjamin of the Church of the Goddess of Order in Nion.

Nobles and clergy, the standard ruling class combination in the empire.

Previously, in St. Godric, where the witch principal was in charge, Richard hadn't seen many church members from the Empire, so he couldn't help but be a little surprised... Even as the bishop of a small town, the person in front of him was still a bit too young!

The empire has so many talented young people.

May the goddess bless you...

After exchanging greetings, the bishop took his seat, but Follett still did not announce the start of the banquet, only saying, "I apologize, everyone, we have another guest, so we may have to wait a little while."

Before he finished speaking, heavy and hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor.