I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

“Once the shackles of thought loosen, it means there is absolutely no possibility of having faith again—at least, the faith is no longer as pure.”

“And the religious order, of course, would not allow such thoughts to exist.”

"Those devout 'fools' believe that repentance will bring forgiveness, unaware that from the moment they step onto the deck... they have already been sentenced to death."

The truth, stained with blood.

However, Duanmu Yan's reaction was not so intense.

This is because……

Everything unfolded exactly as he had predicted.

As a time traveler, he naturally knew that behind the glamorous exterior of so-called religion lay a symphony of blood and tears.

"So, this is why you're called the 'Fool's Troupe'?" Duanmu Yan's gaze swept over Brant, then fell on Rococo. "But... how exactly were you exiled?"

“Me?” Brandt suddenly laughed, a hearty laugh tinged with self-deprecation. “It’s actually quite simple. When I was a child, I stood in front of the Mercury Cathedral, pointed at the statue of the Year God, and asked loudly: No one has ever truly seen the Year God, so what makes you think this is Him? Besides—why does the Year God have a horse’s head and a fish’s body? Doesn’t anyone find that strange?”

He shrugged, his tone nonchalant: "And then? That's it."

“As for Rococo…” Brandt reached out and ruffled the hair of the little girl beside him, “When she was little, she acted in a play that was banned by the religious order. After that… just as you have seen.”

He didn't say anything more, but just smiled faintly.

it is more than words.

Duanmu Yan: "..."

He could barely understand the reason for Brant's exile—openly questioning faith in a religiously dominated city-state was tantamount to inviting trouble.

If Duanmu Yan were the leader, he would have already sent Brandt to attack Mingshi with three separate forces.

Corococo...

He just couldn't understand it.

How old does this little girl look? Just because she performed in a banned stage play, she was framed and exiled to this desolate shore?

Rococo seemed to see through Duanmu Yan's thoughts, raised her head, and tried to speak calmly, "Actually, it's nothing serious. Here, Rococo has a new family. Everyone in the Fool's Troupe is my family."

She paused slightly, then added softly, "Also, don't touch my head... it'll stunt my growth."

Brant laughed heartily, "Really? How tall do you want to be? Like me?"

Rococo turned her head and muttered in a low voice, "At least... I should be as tall as Sister Koleta."

Duanmu Yan: "..."

This child has set such low standards...

I don't know what she went through to make her feel that was enough.

He sighed softly, but couldn't help patting her head gently, encouraging her in a tender voice, "Rococo, you have to have confidence. You will definitely grow taller than your sister Koleta in the future."

"But...but I think Sister Koleta is already very tall..." She blinked, then suddenly asked, "Do you guys think...Sister Koleta is short?"

Duanmu Yan and Brandt both fell silent: "..."

Brant chuckled twice and quickly changed the subject: "Haha, the child is just kidding. Speaking of which, if it weren't for Miss Koleta's continued support for the troupe, we wouldn't be where we are today. Come on, distinguished guest, let's go back to the troupe and rest for a while."

"No need to address me as esteemed guest," Duanmu Yan said with a smile. "My name is Duanmu Yan."

……

……

The Fools' Troupe's base.

It's a natural cave located underground on this island.

In stark contrast to the lifeless atmosphere on the island, the depths of the cave revealed a warm and vibrant world. Soft lighting, friendly voices, and a peaceful and harmonious ambiance filled the air, like a paradise forgotten by the world.

“Welcome to the Fools’ Theatre—” Brandt opened his arms, his tone tinged with pride, “to this sacred place far removed from worldly concerns and prejudice.”

Duanmu Yan looked around, his eyes filled with undisguised astonishment: "It's unbelievable that you actually built your base on this island..."

“Although the sea fog is dangerous, it has become our best cover,” Brant explained. “In addition to Miss Corletta’s sponsorship, we occasionally tour the city-state of Linasieta or escort ships to and from the city to earn some extra money to make a living.”

“Although this guy,” Rococo chimed in quietly from the side, “always uses the money he earns to buy alcohol and go on betting.”

“Oh—you can’t say that!” Brant blushed and hurriedly retorted, “I used all the money I earned myself, and I never touched a single penny of the troupe’s public funds! Oh, speaking of which, I almost forgot. Miss Koleta asked me to put the device here, I’ll take you to see it now.”

“That’s a high-tech product that came all the way from the New Federation. I was so afraid of damaging it that I kept it in the warehouse and didn’t dare to touch it.”

“But before that, shall we grab something to eat?” Brant asked him. “You were practically hallucinating from hunger.”

Hallucinations caused by hunger?

Oh, Brandt is referring to the incident where Duanmu Yan had auditory hallucinations.

He looked at his right hand, puzzled.

Could it be that the sound I just heard was just my imagination?

"Perfect timing, Rococo is hungry too." The little girl beside him gently tugged at his sleeve, her voice soft and sweet. "I heard that today's lunch is strawberry cake and seafood noodles. Brother Duanmu, shall we go eat together?"

Faced with Rococo's expectant gaze, Duanmu Yan found it difficult to refuse. Furthermore, after several battles, he genuinely felt hungry.

So he nodded and smiled: "Okay, let's go get something to eat first."

Volume 1: Chapter 33 Let's create some humor.

"The members of the Fools' Troupe are all people who have been exiled by the religious order."

Brandt and Rococo walked in front of Duanmu Yan, introducing him to the story behind the theater troupe.

“Some people were exiled because they were dissatisfied with the rule of the religious order and were seen as a thorn in their side,” Rococo added softly.

“And others… even the order itself probably can’t explain the exact reasons for their exile.” Brant shook his head, as if remembering something, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.

"For example, Batil was put on trial and eventually banished from his homeland simply for catching a fish that had been released after being ceremonized by the religious order."

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Yan's lips twitched slightly: "With such an absurd reason, you can exile a person?"

Brant shrugged, a hint of helplessness in his voice: “Not entirely. It’s just that he was incredibly unlucky—the first time he caught that fish, he immediately released it. But not long after, he caught it again…and then a third, a fourth time.”

"The news quickly reached the ears of the religious order. No matter how he tried to explain, it was all in vain," Rococo continued, her gaze somewhat complicated. "In the end, he was still exiled."

Duanmu Yan was speechless for a moment.

This was probably the unluckiest fisherman he had ever heard of.

However, from another perspective, as a fisherman, he was at least competent, as he didn't come back empty-handed.

"Isn't that a reason that leaves you speechless?"

Duanmu Yan nodded: "To be fair, that's true. But, with so many people exiled by the religious order every year, does the theater troupe accept them all?"

Rococo shook her head and explained softly, “Not everyone will choose to stay with the troupe. Some people still harbor illusions about the Order and try every means to drag Ling Yu back to Laguna. Some of them did succeed, but the price was the loss of their freedom, living under the Order's surveillance day and night.”

“There are also some who choose to go to other city-states of Linasita to start a new life—some go to the Rijoli Islands to live in seclusion and live a peaceful life; others go to the Seven Hills to become gladiators, fight in the arena, and yearn to exchange glory for the day they can return to their homeland.”

“Some people even…”

"They will roam the high seas and become pirates."

"Therefore, the number of people the troupe actually accepts each year is very limited."

"I see." Duanmu Yan said thoughtfully, then suddenly noticed a laurel salad in the theater troupe's dining area. "Isn't that the order's communion? Why is it here? Shouldn't exiled people harbor resentment towards everything about the order?"

“The religious order is the religious order, and God is God.” Brant picked up his plate and calmly answered as he took a bowl of steaming seafood noodles from the troupe members who were serving the food. “It was the religious order that exiled us, not God. Most of the troupe still have a devout faith in God.”

"Moreover, there was a Carnival laureate in the troupe who had personally heard the voice of the Lord of the Year. The Lord of the Year told him: 'The body is the palace of the spirit, and one should eat less of what is harmful to it'—and recommended the green laurel salad."

“So this tradition has continued in the theater company.” Brant glanced at the salad plate. “But to be honest… it’s really not very good. How about some?”

Duanmu Yan quickly shook his head.

I had tried that thing once a long time ago when I visited a church, on the recommendation of a priest.

can only say……

hard to swallow.

I don't know how Phoebe managed to swallow it.

However, Floro should like this sour food, right?

……

……

After lunch, it's time to get down to business.

Duanmu Yan's visit to the Fools' Theatre Troupe wasn't a vacation. He needed to get the equipment as soon as possible and return to Laguna.

Brant led him to a room where items were stored and pointed to a corner: "Look, that's it."

It was a black briefcase, plain in appearance, even somewhat inconspicuous, with nothing particularly special about it.

Duanmu Yan stepped forward and gently stroked the surface of the box: "Is this it?"

“That’s right,” Brandt confirmed. “Miss Coleta said the combination to the box is your employee number.”

Duanmu Yan nodded, picked up his briefcase, and entered his employee number.

With a soft "click," the lid of the box popped open. The contents inside were very simple: only a device that could be fixed to the forearm and a device that looked like a USB flash drive.

Duanmu Yan picked up the armband and carefully fastened it to his left arm, his eyes filled with curiosity: "What exactly is this thing for?"

Brant frowned slightly, trying to recall: "I'm not quite sure about the specific principle... but Miss Koleta said that it seems to be a kind of equipment that can conceal one's own frequency, and can hide the user's existence to a certain extent in front of sound fragments and afterimages."

“…I see.” Duanmu Yan nodded thoughtfully.

He then picked up the USB-shaped device and examined it closely.

This must be what's known as a virus.

His mission was clear—to infiltrate Giacomo's office and use it to copy all the data from his computer.

Very good, now that we have the props—

Now, all we have to do is wait for the concert to begin.

I wonder how the Second Miss and Floro's talk went. It shouldn't be...too tense, right?

Just thinking about the atmosphere when the two met before made Duanmu Yan feel a headache coming on.

One was her boss and girlfriend—though it was all an act.

The other is the resentful landmine woman—who uses him as a substitute meal.

Two women make a drama; what good show can they possibly put on?

Could it be that...their negotiations have fallen apart?

Also, I don't know what promise Floro made me make...

"Huh? What are you spacing out about?" Brandt suddenly waved his hand in front of his eyes.

Duanmu Yan suddenly snapped out of his reverie and smiled somewhat awkwardly: "Sorry, I was thinking about something else just now."

“Really?” Brant’s gaze fell on the device on his arm, his tone eager to try it out. “This is a rare opportunity. Why don’t we try it out first? This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a device that can shield its own frequency and become invisible in front of afterimages and sound debris.”

Rococo, standing to the side, nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with curiosity: "I also really want to see for myself if it's really that amazing."

Hearing their suggestion, Duanmu Yan was also intrigued: "Alright, to ensure the mission goes perfectly, let's test it first."

As he spoke, he turned on the device's power supply, following the instructions in the manual.

"Next, all we need to do is pull this down, and it should start up..."

Duanmu Yan quietly repeated the steps for operating the air pump (3) at Shijuji Temple, then put down the instruction manual, his gaze fell on the device on his left arm, he took a deep breath and pulled the switch.

In an instant, the device unfolded slightly, emitting a peculiar and subtle frequency.

However, the moment the device was activated, Brandt and Rococo simultaneously frowned in pain and instinctively covered their ears.

"What's wrong with you two?" Duanmu Yan noticed their unusual behavior and quickly asked.

“I don’t know what happened,” Brant explained, trying to suppress his discomfort. “As soon as the device was turned on, I heard an extremely piercing noise drilling into my ears, which was very uncomfortable.”

Rococo still covered her ears: "Me too... that kind of sound makes me dizzy."

Duanmu Yan was also somewhat confused upon hearing this: "Really? Did I do something wrong?"