Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 382 Isn’t the legend false?
An ancient legend tells of the descendants of the gods who attacked and fought in the desolate wilderness of Taguao, competing for the qualification to establish an eternal kingdom; a strange curse tells the story of how the four teeth in the mouth of the divine wolf deliberately wanted to break the sharpest tooth, but was deprived of the throne of power by the Lord of Strength instead.

It is indeed bizarre enough, and the open and secret struggles between the five ancient families are indeed fascinating, not to mention that it is mixed with some elements of mythology, anecdotes and folklore. As we all know, the general public's favorite is this kind of plausible story that combines real history with bizarre legends.

This would make them feel that these legends might not be groundless, that the truth of history had been buried silently, and that what people avoided talking about was the truth, but a certain hidden force blocked the public's vision, preventing them from discovering another world hidden behind the fog, which was exactly what the rulers wanted to see. Otherwise, perhaps their ancestors had also played a crucial role in the legend, but it was deliberately covered up? They would think so.

The combination of the secular and the mysterious has created many shocking statements in third-rate tabloids. Without exception, the people who published these statements called themselves "historians with conscience" who could not bear to see the truth being deliberately buried, so they stood up to expose it to the public. But when asked about their identities, academic qualifications and works, they hesitated and were vague.

What exactly is the so-called truth?

Seeing that the girls had already started to discuss the cunningness of Saint Junio ​​and the complicated relationship between the five teeth of Metosh after listening to the story, Linger thought for a while and felt that he still needed to establish a correct historical perspective for them. It is undeniable that the mysterious world has indeed had a profound impact on the real world, but if it is regarded as the only influence, it would be a bit of a generalization.

"The legend of the Son of God in Metosh has indeed been around for a long time, shaping the most typical cultural characteristics and historical image of this country. However, we cannot simply refer to the popular sayings and think that the violent factors flowing in the bodies of Metosh people, the constant wars and regime changes experienced by this country, and even the terrorist crime rate that ranks among the top five in the Western Continent... These chaotic and disorderly phenomena are caused by a so-called curse. In fact, it is composed of countless complex factors, involving war, politics, law, secular culture and other aspects."

He interrupted the girls' conversation, so everyone stopped discussing and listened to him quietly.

"First of all, the terrain and climate of the Taguao wilderness are complex and changeable. Although it is suitable for growing economic crops such as olive trees and fig trees, it is not suitable for growing food. Therefore, in order to store enough food to survive the severe winter and early spring, the Taguao tribes would attack inland areas every autumn and summer to plunder food. This is why they are called barbarians. At the same time, although the multiple ethnic groups have a common mythological origin, this has made their internal conflicts particularly fierce. The fierce fighting for the right to rule the wilderness has formed a culture of bravery, fighting, and fighting fiercely for a long time, which has been passed down to the later generations of the Metosh people.

"Secondly, Saint Junio ​​made too many compromises during the unification process, which laid hidden dangers in the law. In order to gain the support of the five ancient families, the Five Fangs Alliance gave the five teeth, including the Wolf Fang True royal family, too many privileges. The cities ruled by these families were nominally subject to national jurisdiction, but in fact they were no different from autonomy. The tentacles of the royal power could not extend into them at all, and the law was even more in name only. The five major families did not follow the national laws, but had their own set of legal systems, such as the Wolf Fang Neo Ursu family's wolf hunting law and the Blood Fang Valenhild family's blood punishment law. When a clan member commits a crime, he will not be punished by national law, but by family law. The status and influence of the five major families in Motosh are unquestionable. With them as an example, the other families followed suit, which soon led to the collapse of national credibility and the majesty of the law, and buried the hidden dangers for the subsequent continuous increase in crime rates.

"That's the truth," Alice scratched her head after hearing it, "but it's so complicated. I really prefer the curse theory."

"These complex, tangled, and interacting factors are the fundamental reason why Metso is known as the 'country of violence and crime.' If you believe the rumors and attribute it to a mysterious curse, although it can satisfy your curiosity, it is biased."

Linger raised his eyebrows and was about to say something when a voice as soft and sweet as cream came from the direction of the flower field path: "Oh, I didn't expect Mr. Linger to know so much about the history of Motosh. If you look at it from the perspective of human history, you can hardly find anything to refute."

Although the inn had been moved away from Rostin City, the nature of the race still affected the two travellers who had completed their pilgrimage, so they seldom went out. Usually, Shesta would cultivate magical plants in the garden, while Shelia would continue to study her masterpiece behind the counter, showing no interest in exploring this huge, beautiful and mysterious island.

"Hey, big sister." Xie Mi opened his eyes wide: "Why are you here?"

"Finally, there are other reasons. For example, due to its superior geographical location and developed commercial trade, Motosh became the largest hallucinogenic drug trading market in the Western Continent after its founding in the Middle Ages. The problems of smuggling, drug crimes, sexual promiscuity and black market transactions that followed were rampant. There was also the prevalence of family culture. The major families in Motosh, headed by the five major families, raised thugs to deepen their rule over the city. Gradually, they became too powerful to be eliminated, forming street gangs and even larger international criminal organizations. Some families were even established through crime. The government's inaction and corruption have deepened the severity of the situation, and it is now difficult to reverse the situation and cannot be eradicated.

When everyone looked in the direction of the sound, they saw the hotel proprietress, Shesta, carrying a hand-woven bamboo basket and walking towards them with a smile. The edge of the bamboo basket was tied with a bow with a white satin ribbon, making it look like a real butterfly from the flower field had landed on it.

This guy is really stubborn.

The young man finally made a summary.

The last time the two of them left the forest where the hotel was located was when they went to decorate Yieta's room and gave this unkempt angel lady a bath.

Could it be that this time too——

Just as Xie Mi thought, the proprietress raised the bamboo basket in her hand and smiled, "I'm here to bring some snacks to Miss Yieta."

"Eh? Give it to me?" Someone pointed at himself, looking confused. "That's right~"

Shesta walked up the steps, gently placed the bamboo basket beside her, and explained in a slow tone: "Last time, Olvera said that you liked the Saizeriya Chestie I made, so I was thinking about when to send you some more. But the hotel just moved to the island, and it has been a bit busy in the past two months, so it has been delayed until now. I hope you don't mind, Miss Yieta."

Sitting on the edge of the tree stump, Ovella tilted her head, unable to remember when she had said this. Maybe she had said it, but she had forgotten it?
"How, how could it be!" Yieta seemed a little embarrassed after being taken care of like this: "This is too...too much trouble for you."

"It's no trouble at all. I'd be happy if you could accept it."

"Uh, yeah, okay."

Miss Angel took the snacks in the bamboo basket, lowered her head slightly, and said thank you in a voice as thin as a mosquito.

Xie Mi looked at it and suddenly felt jealous: "Big sister, where are my snacks?"

Shesta smiled and said, "You can go to Shelia tonight and tell her that you want some snacks."

"Uh!" The little goblin shrank his head and dared not say anything more.

Only those who don’t know what’s good for them would question the proprietress at this time, but those who know what’s good for them—such as a certain golden-haired maid—have already sneaked up to Yieta and stretched out their claws towards the snacks in the bamboo basket: “Give me some, give me some, we’ll be happy only if we eat together!”

Almost everyone on the island knew that Ieta was writing a diary about happiness, and they all expressed their support. Shemi and Metien even went to share their experiences with her, hoping to give some inspiration to this angel lady who was pursuing happiness. But Alice's shameless behavior has completely discredited the original meaning of "happiness" and is particularly disgusting.

Yieta didn't dare to be angry or say anything. She took a piece of Saria Chestnut from the bamboo basket with grievance, and then pushed the rest of the snacks to Alice.

Before the golden-haired maid had time to be happy, she was pulled over by Saint Xia Liya to be taught a lesson. This noble, elegant and mysterious shepherdess could be considered the most majestic among all the girls. In daily life, she always put herself in the position of an elder sister to take care of others. Therefore, the evil Alice could only bow her head and listen to her lecture and respond in a timid manner in front of her.

Watching this scene intently, Ieta's eyes sparkled and a bright smile slowly appeared on her face. Then she generously took out all the snacks to share, even the lamb had a share. The only people who didn't get any were Alice and Saint Xia Liya - because the former was still being educated, and the latter was educating her.

It was bustling over there, but Linger did not join in. He stopped the proprietress who was about to go back to the hotel and asked, "Ms. Shesta, you just said that from the perspective of human history, my point of view is irrefutable. Does this mean that from other perspectives, there are indeed some unknown truths in this period of history, just like--"

Just like the Hundred Years War, the Industrial Revolution, and the War of Rectification in past eras.

The proprietress stopped and looked at Ling Ge. She still had that warm and elegant smile on her face, and her tone was light as if floating on the clouds. It didn't seem like she was discussing a serious historical topic, but rather a snack for an afternoon tea party: "Yes~"

Linger asked: "For example?"

He wanted to know more specific details.

"For example." The proprietress tapped her lips with her finger, and her expression while thinking showed a bit of girlish cuteness: "Although I have traveled to the coastal countries of the Sea of ​​​​Inland, I don't know much about the history of Metosh. The only thing I can tell you clearly is that the legend of the Son of God in the Taguao Wilderness is not false, but the many ethnic groups living in this land do not have the blood of God flowing in their bodies, but the blood of aliens."

　Give me some meow
　　
　
(End of this chapter)