Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 42 The farther away the better?
On the 12th, although the temperature was still dropping, the weather was unexpectedly sunny, making it a good day for an outing. So when Alice made this suggestion, it was immediately rejected by Metien.

"What are you talking about, Sister Alice?" The pink-haired little girl looked at her with a strange look. "Aren't we going to witness the outcome of the negotiations today? If you want to go on an outing so badly, why don't you wait until next time?"

"But," Alice grabbed her hair and raised her aho-manual hair, and said casually, "Will it really be that smooth? In my impression, this kind of negotiation usually takes many days to waffle on. If both sides are nitpicking on the details, it is not impossible to drag it out for a year or two. We can't go there every day to wait for such a long time, right?"

"That's not something you need to worry about."

The person who answered her was not Metien, but Linger who had just walked out of the church. He checked the house and confirmed that the gas valve and faucet were tightened. He was about to lock the door, but he happened to hear Alice's words and corrected her misconception: "Negotiation is indeed a very long process, but both parties have already negotiated everything in secret, and perhaps even the treaty has been signed, but they chose to make it public at today's meeting."

“So that’s how it is.”

Alice learned something new and made an unexpected discovery: "You know so much about this, could it be that you have been paying attention to this matter secretly?"

Ling Ge said coldly: "This is common sense."

After saying that, he lowered his head and locked the door, not wanting to talk to Alice any more.

The golden-haired maid curled her lips: Cold on the outside but warm on the inside, a tsundere? She's out of the game long ago!
After locking the door, Lingge took his sister and maid to the No. 7 public transportation stop, but he met a special person on the way.

"I'm sorry." Mrs. Maggie looked apologetic when she heard this. "It happened so suddenly that I always forgot about it. Until now, I still can't believe it. Are you really not going to continue to serve as the pastor of Tianxin Church, Mr. Lingge?"

Then he turned his gaze to the back of Lingge: "Good morning, Metien and Miss Alice. You all look very energetic. Would you like to try the freshest fragrant fruit tea?"

Mrs. Maggie sighed, "That's a pity. Everyone in our neighborhood knows that you are a good person, and so is Mr. Yanke."

Linger nodded gently: "If nothing unexpected happens."

Despite the interview, the little girl's attitude towards Mrs. Maggie has not changed. Perhaps Ling's words have worked, making her believe that Mrs. Maggie accepted the interview for the sake of the church. Although she was used, it was the fault of the person who used it, and the good original intention would not change, right?

Mrs. Maggie smiled, thinking she was joking and not taking it seriously. In more than two weeks, the residents of Turquoise Street basically knew the maid of Tianxin Church and had a basic understanding of her, including her eccentric personality.

She was setting up a roadside stall, selling homemade drinks called fragrant fruit tea and some snacks. Seeing Ling Ge and the two girls passing by, she took the initiative to speak and greeted them with a smile: "Good morning, Pastor Ling Ge."

Metien politely declined because she had just finished breakfast and was afraid of getting an upset stomach.

"No thanks." Alice refused decisively, and also criticized her employer: "I have no money because Lingge doesn't pay me!"

Lingge was unmoved, except when he heard his father's name, his eyes flickered slightly. At this time, Metien next to him interrupted and said, "It doesn't matter. When the results of today's negotiations come out, the situation will definitely get better! Then, Mrs. Maggie, you can continue to pray to the goddess in the church!"

Mrs. Maggie smiled kindly, "Thank you, Metine, I'll keep my hopes up for that."

An old lady with gray hair, gentle eyes and a kind smile, Mrs. Maggie.

Alice, who was observing secretly, couldn't understand why this kind and friendly old lady in front of her was someone to be wary of in Ling's mouth, and even every word she said could not be believed. What was the basis for such suspicion? As a pastor of the church, or simply as a person "Ling"?

Linger said in a serious tone: "I am no longer the resident pastor of Tianxin Church, so you can change your name to Mrs. Maggie."

Lingge didn't give her time to figure it out, and reminded her lightly: "It's almost time, we should set off, Metien, and you, Miss Alice."

"Okay! Goodbye, Mrs. Maggie, and I'll buy you some spiced fruit tea when I come back!"

Metien said goodbye politely. Just as the three were about to leave, Mrs. Maggie stopped Linger and reminded him in a gentle tone: "Mr. Linger, if you are going to pass by the Municipal Square, you'd better be careful. There are too many people gathered there today. I heard the children selling newspapers mentioned it." There are so many people gathered near the Municipal Square? Is it because of the negotiation?

How did Mrs. Maggie know their destination?
Lingge was silent for a moment, then said softly: "Thank you for your reminder."

After saying that, she turned around and left with her sister and the maid. Mrs. Maggie kept looking at their backs until they disappeared around the corner of the street, then she withdrew her gaze. At this time, the kindness and friendliness on her face had disappeared, and what remained was only a somewhat melancholy look, and perhaps the desolation of being immersed in memories.

"You are indeed a good child, Pastor Lingge, and so is your father, Mr. Yanke." She whispered, as if talking to herself: "It would be great if good people could have good luck."

"Ugh."

A heavy sigh.

***
The Municipal Square is located in the center of the church district. To the east is the Star District where the City Hall is located, to the north is the Fisher District where nobles, wealthy businessmen and barristers live, and to the south is St. Anthony Street. The office building of the City Parish Council is facing the Church of the Healer in the grass garden. After crossing the Municipal Square and walking another 300 meters, you can reach Saints Street, where you can see the seven-story Maintis Conference Building standing like a silent giant.

Its shape adopts the classical Renaissance style, with large glass windows facing the street and a slightly convex structure at the corners. The supporting surface is cleverly integrated into the decoration, which makes it easy for people to mistake it for a whole piece of glass. When exposed to sunlight, it refracts thousands of rays of light, and the scene is spectacular.

It is the headquarters of many organizations such as the Linville City Chamber of Commerce, Securities Center, Finance Association, and Accountants Association. It is also rented out to private individuals as an event venue and conference center, and has witnessed many thrilling events. Some people also say that during the Hundred Years' War, Queen Victoria I awarded the medal to Marshal Napoleon here. Therefore, it can be said that it has a long history, not much worse than the floating ruins outside the city.

Today, it will usher in another negotiation worth remembering.

After getting off the steam train, Ling asked Medien and Alice to wait there first, and he went to Saints Street to take a look. He found that the front of the Maintis Building was indeed crowded with people. Except for the reporters who were carrying film cameras and intending to make a big news, the others were dressed as ordinary citizens, holding various slogans in their hands and looking very excited.

Some people express their demands succinctly: "Bread, milk, and freedom of religion!"

There are some with strong religious connotations: "The lambs will find their own God!"

There were also direct personal attacks: "The Religious Decree is a piece of shit!"

This opened Lingge's eyes.

He felt something was wrong and quietly left the scene. After returning to the Town Square, he told Metien and Alice about the situation. Then he frowned and thought, "Why are there so many people gathered?"

Alice said nonchalantly, "The Religious Decree is indeed too overbearing, so isn't it good for everyone to oppose it? We must unite all the forces we can and fight to the end!"

She waved her fist, and Metien, who was standing next to her, thought what she said made sense and nodded in agreement, like a little squirrel cracking pine cones.

That's the problem.

As a continental policy, the Religious Decree cannot be abolished, and even concessions are a luxury. In this case, the attitude of the religious union must be tough. Why do we allow these people to gather and protest?
It feels like there are people pushing it from behind, and there are also people indulging it.

As for the purpose?

How did Lingge know?

The only thing he knew was: no matter what the inside story was, the farther away from it the better.

　Give me some meow
　　
　
(End of this chapter)