Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 266: Can saying bad things to someone’s face be forgiven?
"Sister Xiaoxia, do you know where Lingge has gone?" Medien habitually looked for her brother, but did not find him in the crowd, so she asked the shepherdess beside her in confusion.

Saint Chariah withdrew her gaze from a set of exhibits that were said to be "ancient gold coins privately minted by the people during the Kreisov Dynasty", glanced at the direction where Lingge had just left, then reached out and gently stroked Metien's hair, telling her: "Lingge went to meet a friend. Don't worry, he will be back soon."

"oh oh."

Metien nodded his head. Although he knew where his brother was going, his doubts did not subside, but became even stronger: When did Linger have so many friends? When he was in Rostin, he wrote a letter to a friend whose name he did not know. Now he was in Nimsher, and he could meet another friend? He had always been with him, so where did all these friends come from?
Metien had a lot of doubts in her little head, but she didn't have to wonder for too long, because Shemi was urging her to visit other exhibits. For the little elf who had just left the hotel, everything she saw was new and full of unknown and mysterious atmosphere, so she had to seize the time to visit.

Metien couldn't resist her and was half-pulled and half-dragged away. Saint Chariya silently pulled another thread of fate to cover up the over-excited little elf, so as not to accidentally reveal the traces. Then she remembered Lingge's instructions before leaving, and cast her eyes on Alice, guarding against her doing something unexpected at any time and anywhere.

Fortunately, this did not happen. Perhaps because there were so many tourists around, even Alice knew to be restrained, so she behaved properly and did not do anything too outrageous. At this time, she was standing in front of a glass display case, pointing at the exhibits inside, mumbling something.

Beside her, Olvera looked unhappy, speaking perfunctorily and yawning from time to time, acting like she didn't sleep well last night. Then, while Alice wasn't paying attention, the princess secretly moved a few steps to the side, still agreeing with Alice's remarks on the surface, but in fact her eyes were completely fixed on the display case next to her.

Saint Charlía could actually understand her behavior. It was not because of the indulgence of an older sister towards her younger sister, but because the exhibits that Alice was talking about were actually a bunch of ceramic sculptures with very unique shapes and styles. However, the only comments she got from the golden-haired maid were "Haha, this thing is so ugly" or "I can do it at this level", which was extremely uncultured and shameful.

In comparison, the ancient documents and books displayed in the display cabinet next door seemed more attractive to the literary girl Olivia.

Alice soon discovered Olvera's "indecision" and shouted in dissatisfaction: "Olvera, what are you looking at? What's so interesting about a pile of old books? Why don't you take a look at this sculpture? Doesn't it look like a fallen goat? Hahaha!"

"Huh?" Alice showed a puzzled expression: "I think I've seen you somewhere before?"

"Who is it?"

So, what’s so good about a sculpture of a fallen goat?

Alice is unhappy. I'm chatting with my friends. Is it your turn as an outsider to interrupt?
He looked up immediately and saw a middle-aged gentleman in a black suit, a wide-brimmed hat and a walnut cane. He had a typical Nimsher appearance, with a pair of silver-framed glasses on his broad nose, which added a deep temperament. The brown eyes behind the lenses sparkled with wisdom and rationality. Seeing Alice looking at him unconvinced, he smiled and nodded to her, not caring about the offensive behavior of this country bumpkin from Linville at all. Both his actions and etiquette were very considerate, which was in line with the positioning of an "upper class".

The princess of Beman said that she found it difficult to understand. At the same time, a gentle and elegant male voice came from the opposite side of the display case, refuting Alice's statement: "It is a bit harsh to describe these ancient documents and books as 'broken books', my strange lady. In fact, they are documents passed down from the ancient Kreisov dynasty. They are of great historical significance for our understanding of that era. Not to mention the Lubeon Museum, even if you look at the entire Leisenburg, it is difficult to find written records older than these."

After noticing the commotion here, Metien also came over, tugged at the corner of Alice's clothes, and whispered to this unreliable guy: "Opening ceremony, Sister Alice, it's the opening ceremony! He is the one who gave a speech at the opening ceremony of the Expo!"

"Oh, that's him!"

No wonder the voice sounded so familiar.

Alice suddenly realized, and then thought hard: "I remember it was called, it was called...what was it called?" How embarrassing! Metien covered her cheeks, unable to bear to look directly at it. The middle-aged gentleman who suddenly interrupted her didn't mind. He still wore an elegant and calm smile and introduced himself: "I am Hansen David, an honorary professor of Nimscher University and the director of this Lubeon Museum. If you don't mind, you can call me Director David, or Professor David."

Eh, the curator of the Lubeon Museum? In other words... Alice realized something belatedly: In other words, she had just criticized the most valuable exhibit in the museum as "a pile of broken books" in front of the curator?
Ah, this, no wonder he suddenly interrupted and corrected himself.

In fact, the fact that the curator did not kick Alice out of the museum on the spot and announce that she would never be accepted again was a manifestation of his good manners.

Alice, who felt guilty, silently shrank behind Metien and pretended to be a quail without saying a word. Although the sight of an adult hiding behind a little girl was a little funny no matter how you looked at it.

"Puff puff puff, aren't you embarrassed?" Xie Mi, who was sitting on the shoulder of the pink-haired little girl, gloated. Relying on the protection of the thread of fate, he laughed at Alice unscrupulously.

In order to help poor sister Alice ease the embarrassment, the considerate Metien quickly spoke up and diverted everyone's attention: "So, these documents have such an ancient history, Professor David? They can be traced back to the reign of the ancient Kreisov royal family. How long ago are they made?"

Foreign tourists who come here generally do not have a deep understanding of the history of Leisenburg. Even if they do, it is usually limited to the history related to the "international city", such as those famous international conferences and treaty agreements. Therefore, Professor David was not surprised that Metien would ask such a question. Pointing to the well-preserved documents and books in the display cabinet, he told everyone: "The ancient Kreisov dynasty was the longest-lasting ruler of Leisenburg. Their rule lasted from the 5th century AD to around the 13th century AD. After that, they experienced two centuries of chaotic wars and separatist regimes. It was not until the 16th century AD that they finally transitioned to the current constitutional government period."

"Many precious historical materials have been lost in the long history, but from the few words recorded in writing, we may be able to find traces of the past."

"For example, this scroll contains prayers written by the ancient Kreisov royal family to worship the God of the Holy Heavenly Mountain. Through its translation and interpretation, we know that the dominant figure in the sacrificial activities at that time was the God of the Holy Heavenly Mountain, which symbolizes the sky, and the group responsible for worshipping the God of the Holy Heavenly Mountain is the Heavenly Church, which calls itself the 'people of the God of Heaven'. Apart from this, no written records of other church sacrificial activities have been passed down. This may indicate that when this land was still called Dorusien, the God of the Holy Heavenly Mountain was the only belief, and the Spring Spiritual Difu was a foreign sect that was gradually introduced at the end of the Kreisov dynasty."

"This book is an observation report written by a court meteorologist. Of course, the total number is astonishing, and we have only selected a few of the more intact ones for exhibition. These reports record in detail the natural climate change of the land of Doluthean over the past 800 years. By comparing the data in the reports, we can find that in ancient times, the climate of Doluthean was actually very bad, so the land was very barren and people's lives were difficult to maintain. The Kreisov royal family frequently held sacrificial activities to the God of the Holy Tianshan Mountain, perhaps hoping to gain the favor of God in this way, improve the soil and climate of this land, and make the country prosperous."

"This is the last of the meteorological observation reports. The records have entered the Middle Ages. The report mentioned that in the 12th century AD, the warm and humid air currents from the land and sea that had been bypassing the land of Dolucien entered the kingdom for unknown reasons, which improved the local climate. The abundant rainfall and gradually rising temperatures made agricultural production enter a period of prosperity. The Kreisov Dynasty finally got the foundation for prosperity as it wished. However, was this a favor from the God of the Holy Tianshan Mountain, or some more special natural phenomenon? And, since the climate had improved, why did the Kreisov Dynasty, which should have been thriving, suddenly perish after entering the 13th century, causing the chaotic era that followed? These are all unsolved mysteries. Perhaps more ancient documents must be excavated to find the answers."

Professor David's narration was very detailed and fascinating. Not only Metien, but also the goblin Shemi and the two young queens were all listening attentively. At this moment, the restless Alice poked her head out from behind the pink-haired little girl, pointed at a book in the display case and asked, "What book is this?"

She spotted this special ancient book at first sight, because its cover was actually wrapped in brass. The dull copper color after years of wear and tear not only did not make it lose its original luster, but it looked more solemn and majestic. Even if it was placed in a pile of equally ancient documents and books, it still showed a noble temperament that was out of place and could attract everyone's attention.

"This is--"

Professor David's eyes fell on the ancient brass book that Alice pointed to. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but for a moment they became extremely profound, and then he whispered its name: "Kresov Brass Book."

　Give me some meow
　　
　
(End of this chapter)