People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

The central garden of San Marso occupies a large area within the entire holy city. According to Mariam's Travels, you can see all the known varieties of flowers in Terra here.

Mariam is renowned, and the evaluation of this director of the Rhine Life Research Institute is regarded as a model by many travel enthusiasts in Terra. If it weren't for his unpredictable whereabouts and his preference for venturing into dangerous places, there would probably be quite a few backpackers on the land willing to follow in his footsteps and embark on a "pilgrimage".

Perhaps this is the difference between a traveler and a true explorer? An explorer is also a traveler, able to traverse mountains and rivers, gaining insights and joy from natural beauty and the journey itself. But a traveler is not necessarily an explorer. Facing unknown dangers, unexplored lands, and deserts of civilization, not everyone has the fearless courage to act as a guide.

Whether Mariam used exaggeration in his description of the central garden of San Março is unknown to outsiders, but the central garden of San Março is indeed a sea of ​​flowers. And the Requiem Flower Sea is just a less conspicuous and less attractive part of it.

It's not that the Requiem Flower is ugly or lacks fragrance. The Requiem Flower is pale blue in color, and its petals look like transparent glass when held up to the light. Its fragrance is light and delicate. Although it is not captivating, it has a certain tranquil beauty and can be considered unique among all flowers.

Its only drawback is that it is often used in funerals to commemorate the dead.

"What wrong have the flowers done to deserve this? Their situation has been defined by the identity that people have forcibly assigned to them. As a result, even the fertilizer, water, and care they receive on a daily basis have been slightly different, and they have to endure people's disapproving looks for no reason."

A short-haired man with gray hair tinged with light blue stood up from the flower field. His expression was serene yet tinged with deep sorrow, as if he were pitying the requiem flowers before him, or perhaps referring to more than just this flower field.

He gently patted his dark black robe, which was covered in mud and dust, put the shovel he was using to loosen the soil into the toolbox beside him, and then turned his head to look at the Liboli girl who had been waiting for a long time on the path outside the sea of ​​flowers.

"Patia, when did you arrive?"

The Liberian girl shook her head, her face showing no resentment, and instead took the initiative to excuse herself:

"Sir, your subordinates have not been here for long."

The man addressed as the vanguard pursed his lips, a hint of helplessness appearing on his face:

"Just call me by my name. I am Andorn, and I am no different from any of you. Just like this sea of ​​Requiem flowers around me, setting aside the responsibilities and so-called connotations that come with them, their essence is no different from that of peonies and lilies."

Patia simply lowered her head slightly, as if listening attentively to Andorn's teachings.

Flowers are all the same, and so are people. Andorn had told this truth to them, the "Pathfinders," countless times, but Patia still did not fully understand its profound meaning.

Why do roses represent love? Why do requiem flowers represent mourning? Why are the Sakorta born with the protection of the law, empathy, the ability to wield firearms, and uniqueness, while the Liberi lacks these abilities?

Patia knew that this was unusual, that something was wrong, but she didn't know why.

She felt that Andorn knew.

But Andorn didn't know either.

He simply walked towards Patia from the sea of ​​flowers, gazing at her devout expression, and felt an even greater sense of helplessness in his heart.

The "Pathfinders" were not founded by him, but rather a spontaneous organization formed by a group of people who shared his ideals and were willing to follow him. Unlike formal, secretive organizations, this group was much looser and more about mutual support. Pathfinders like Patia, having united, bestowed upon the source of this ideology, Andorn, the so-called "Pioneers."

The Pioneer was the originator of this egalitarian ideology and the source of the Pathfinders organization. The Pathfinders were born because of him, and naturally they should respect him. This idea itself is not wrong; on the contrary, it is only natural. But Andorn's ambition lay elsewhere. He felt that the name "Pioneer" would not bring him any sense of respect; instead, it made him feel uneasy.

How is this any different from the Lateran names of "saint" and "pope"?

Moreover, the pathfinder, the pathfinder—this "guide" is not a prophet; the path must be found by oneself. How much higher can he be than those who worship him?

Sigh, sometimes I really want to break free, even though I'm just a pathfinder myself.

Unfortunately, no one cares whether he actually understands or not. Whether he takes the lead or not, everyone just assumes he understands, so they let him take the lead.

Andon was unwilling to let down those eyes, those who recognized his ideals and followed his beliefs, so he was forced to shoulder this responsibility.

What wrong have the flowers done? Why should their souls find peace?

What have people done wrong that they should be the ones to lead the way?

Knowing it would be difficult to correct the reverence that pathfinders like Patia held for him, Andorn could only sigh inwardly and steer the conversation toward practical matters.

"You've come here to find me, is there something important you need?"

According to the law, Andorn is currently in exile in Laterano and is not allowed to appear in Laterano.

Several years ago, when he teamed up with Mostima, Fiameta, and Remian to carry out a mission to wipe out a Sarkaz mercenary's lair, he accidentally discovered a [Fragment of God], which led to a conflict with Mostima and Remian.

The conflict resulted in his sneak attack leaving Remian critically wounded and on the verge of death. Enraged, Mostima exchanged gunshots with him, causing him to fall from the sky. He failed to seize the fragments of the god, was wounded, and fled, betraying Lateran.

What? You're asking what Fiameta went to do?

Liboli, out of the loop.jpg

After that, he was put on Lateran’s wanted list, the notary office pursued him, and the Papal Court also put him on the list of exiles, banning him from ever returning to Lateran.

But a list is a list; there are policies from above and policies from below. For guards like Parthia, responsible for defending the gates of Lateran, it wouldn't be difficult to let one or two outsiders into Lateran with a little manipulation.

Andorn also returned to Laterano not long ago, as for the reason...

Besides the fact that it was dark under his nose, he also wanted to see how Remian was doing.

The events of that year still haunt him. Although Andorn did not regret his sneak attack and the theft of the god's fragments, he still felt a pang of guilt towards Remium.

After all, they had been teammates for many years, and he shared the same feelings as Sakorta. He knew very well that Remian had no defenses against him at the time, and it was precisely because of this that the infamous "Silent Remian" was so easily taken down and rendered unable to fight.

In other words, his actions at the time were based on Remian and Mostima's trust in him.

This is ultimately shameful.

Although as a fugitive he can't offer any compensation to Remian now, he at least owes her an apology. If Remian wakes up, he will definitely show up and apologize to her.

However, that's all in the future. Remian is still lying in a hospital bed, surviving on intravenous nutrition. He won't be staying in Laterano for long; he'll have to leave after some time.

We can only hope for next time.

As for his deeper purpose, that matter involved a secret that the Papal Court and Ivangelist XI had been hiding, and the truth of the law. Andorn's main purpose in returning this time was to scout the location, and he did not intend to take direct action.

Faced with Andorn's question, Patia lowered her head, her expression filled with remorse:

"Leader, it was my fault. I've come to confess to you."

"I mentioned your name to my senior."

Andorn frowned slightly.

Mentioning his name in public isn't really a big deal. He himself rarely uses the title "Pioneer," so what if people find out? Would anyone really relentlessly investigate him just because of a title?

Besides, even if they find out, he can just leave. Why is Patia so worried?

Andorn pondered for a moment, then revealed a knowing expression:

"Is it because of the recent rumors circulating in the city? Are you worried that revealing the title 'Pioneer' will lead people to pin the rumors on me?"

The rumor was not spread by Andorn, but by Liboli, a member of the Pathfinders organization.

As mentioned earlier, the Pathfinders are not like typical secret organizations. Their vetting process is not strict; anyone who agrees with Andorn's ideology can call themselves a Pathfinder. Andorn also has no way to control every member of the organization.

Patia is far from the only one in Liboli who is dissatisfied with the current situation, and the Liboli who spread this rumor is clearly not as composed as Patia.

But to my surprise, Patia shook her head.

He knew that revealing his name wasn't a big deal; it was just a nickname, hard to associate with Andorn, and wouldn't cause much of a stir.

The problem lies with the senior she revealed his name to.

If anyone could possibly trace the trail from a single nickname all the way back to Andorn, and even expose the Pathfinders organization, then it would only be this person.

Because she and Andorn had a very close relationship.

"I'll reveal that the predecessor with the title of 'Pioneer' is named Fiameta."

Fiameta.......

Andorn stumbled as he stepped out of the flowerbed, nearly tripping over the low edge.

He quickly steadied himself and looked at Patia's expression, his eyes widening slightly.

"Fiameta?"

Patia nodded shyly.

“I…” Andorn wanted to say something swearing, but the words caught in his throat and he swallowed them back, letting out a long sigh, “Alas, it was my fate to suffer this calamity.”

Fiameta, the out-of-the-box of the quartet, the three empathetic angels guessing riddles outside the Liberi, the adopted granddaughter of the Pope's Gun Riders, the most promising and powerful second-generation Liberi, and also the most headstrong, hot-tempered, and ruthless little phoenix!

On the night of the Andorn Rebellion's sneak attack, Fiameta was unable to return due to an urgent mission. On the night she saw Mostima, the fallen god, and Remian, who was seriously injured and unconscious, Fiameta made a vow.

This oath is also the simplest, most unpretentious, and least embellished oath on the land of Terra.

[Andorn, I'm going to blast you to the heavens with my cannons!]

Should I run away first?

The thought flashed through Andorn's mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

Given Fiameta's personality, since she knew there was a "precursor" inside the city, and possibly the culprit behind the rumors, she would have already arranged for people to guard the city gates. Trying to slip out via Patia might also be part of Fiameta's plan, and could very well be walking into a trap.

Are there any other opportunities to quickly evacuate Laterano?

Before Andorn could even begin to ponder, Patia had already provided the answer:

"Pioneer, there's a chance."

"The Prime Minister of Shelag, Ernst Siwaish, recently visited Lateran at the invitation of the Pope, and he is currently in Lateran."

Andorn's eyes lit up, and he nodded thoughtfully, already having a plan.

Ernst Shivaish, Andorn has heard of him too. After all, he's been all over Terra news lately.

Is he actually in Laterano now?

If we can infiltrate his group, bypassing Fiameta's sight and leaving Laterano will be no problem. Even if we can't infiltrate, creating some chaos when he leaves Laterano will easily achieve our goal.

I just don't know where he is now?

Chapter 227 Ernst: Why is he an ascetic type?

Where is Ernst now?

Right here in the central garden of San Marso!

Lateran certainly spared no expense. Before even stepping into this grand garden, Ernst already felt a terrifying aura wash over him, making his teeth ache as if he had eaten several lemons.

This aura is called "generosity".

It's a huge garden that covers an entire area! The salaries of the professionals responsible for caring for these flowers alone would be astronomical! Not to mention that the flowers come from all over the world, and many of them are completely unsuitable for Laterano's climate. To ensure their propagation, Laterano also has to prepare special greenhouses and special cultivation areas, which is another huge expense!

And this doesn't even include the cost of collecting these flower seeds!

After walking only a few steps in the sea of ​​flowers, Ernst already felt his hands and feet getting cold.

Damn it, there are so many people struggling to survive on this land, there are completely underdeveloped countries like Shelag, and there are bad guys like Victoria who are still causing trouble even when they're in pieces. Everyone is having a hard time, but Laterano, the way they filmed this spectacle is infuriating!

Pope, spectacles are ruining the country! If you have that money, you might as well give it to me; who knows, I might even... or...

Ernst thought about it and realized there was nothing that could possibly appeal to the Pope.

Send a copy of the UN Charter to the Pope?

Let's not even talk about Ernst himself planning to use this; even if it were given to the Pope, he might not be interested. Since Ivangelista XI has already begun planning to establish an official international organization for Terra, the related ideas and declarations, even if not fully finalized, at least have a rough outline. Rashly applying one's own ideas to it might work if it fits, but if it doesn't, it would give the impression of being judgmental and unnecessarily lose goodwill.

Well, thinking about it, it makes sense. It's not impossible to expect the Pope to be generous, but that requires conversion and piety. Ernst is a believer in Jeragund, and he knows the difference between life and money.

If you don't obey the Pope, aren't devout, and still want money, you either have to be a Frenchman who has practiced the Bible in reverse to the level of a "filial son," or you have to have the ability to say, "The Pope, how many divisions does he have?"

Ernst clearly hasn't reached either level.

I'll think about it and forget it. You can have anything in your dreams.

Instead of worrying about this, we should learn from the experiences of tourism development and marketing strategies...

Oh, a real "sea of ​​flowers" is already a gimmick enough, and it's expensive enough, so never mind.

Mostima was somewhat puzzled when he saw Ernst's previously enthusiastic expression suddenly turn somewhat sorrowful.

What's wrong? What went wrong? The flower field looks beautiful, doesn't it?

Miss Vina and Miss Defiance were completely mesmerized; this thing was undeniably irresistible to girls.

Hmm, you're asking me why I didn't react much?

Mostima's mindset was different from most people's; she felt this wasn't exciting enough. If doing something here could excite her, well...

A fire to reduce this place to ashes? Or perhaps a public kiss or marriage proposal right here in front of everyone?

Positive and negative stimuli are both stimuli; ultimately, only a sufficiently strong stimulus can stir her stagnant state of mind.

Thinking about this, and looking at Ernst's expression, Mostima suddenly felt relieved.

It seems Ernst and I do have some similarities; these beautiful landscapes created with money no longer seem to touch their hearts. They only bring disappointment.

Ernst, who was meticulously calculating the cost difference between building a Yeragand statue and a sea of ​​flowers like this, wondered: "?"