Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 947: Are you getting into the role?

On November 1856, 11, although it was winter, the weather was rare and sunny. The sky was like a clear sky after rain, and it was washed clean and transparent, like a spotless lake, reflecting a huge whale swimming slowly on the lake. The wind blowing from the highest snow-capped mountains, with a hint of frost and snow, became very gentle when it entered Yunjingkong Island, caressing the grass and rivers on the island, and also blowing the white windmill to slowly rotate. Under the windmill's blades, the primrose field was shining in the winter sun, and the sound of fairies singing could be heard from the depths of the silver grass from time to time.

It's another peaceful day, perfect for a short break during the journey.

On the top floor of the windmill tower, several people were looking down at the scenery on the ground. The ancient and vast sea of ​​Ishmir trees filled this vast mountain valley. Occasionally, when the wind blew by, it would set off layers of spectacular green waves. The sound of the surging waves was louder than thunder, and even travelers ten thousand meters above the sky could hear it clearly.

Above the sea of ​​trees, beneath the clouds and the sky, towering mountains stand tall and majestic, one after another, like giants from ancient times, clustered together to form a magnificent mountain range that spans the sea of ​​trees. The mountain range runs from east to west, dividing the entire sea of ​​trees into two areas, which cannot be crossed without the power of nature.

This is the Eastern Alps, the border between the North Ashok Mountains and Middle-earth, and the largest mountain range on the Sigiriya continent, known as the source of mountains. It is like a sleeping dragon, guarding the harmonious integration of nature and civilization for generations. The endless wind passing through the mountains is the dragon's long breath when it is sleeping. The locals call it "the breath of the sky" in awe.

Under the wise command of Captain Gloria, after more than a month of sailing, Yunjingkong Island finally successfully crossed the continuous snow-capped mountains and officially entered the border of Alois. But before crossing the border, everyone could already see the towering mountain, like a giant standing deep in the Eastern Alps, making the other surrounding mountains crawl like ants at its feet, inconspicuous.

That mountain was their destination.

The Northern Ashok Mountains preserve the essence of the Eastern Alps extending to the Sea of ​​Storms. It is known as the most extensive mountainous area in the entire Sigiriya continent. The peaks standing here are the highest in the world in terms of both number and height. Some peaks with particularly prominent images can even replace the local cultural environment and become the cultural symbol of a region or even a country - for example, Mount Osor can be considered a symbol of Alois.

Two hundred years ago, when people mentioned the mountain country of Alois and its capital, Heidelbrusberg, the "city of mountains", most people, except politicians, historians and international relations experts, would ask in bewilderment: What is that? But if they mentioned Mount Osor, they would suddenly realize: Oh, it turns out that this is the place where saints attained enlightenment.

International reputation was reversed at this time, and the power demonstrated by the regime was not as sacred as the faith left in people's hearts. This also indirectly reflects the reputation of animism at that time.

But that was the situation two hundred years ago, and it is completely different now.

"Two hundred years ago, Heidebrusburg relied on pilgrims to develop tourism, and the economy was prosperous for a while. The local Chattot tribe, who were good at mountain climbing, gave up their hunting tradition and provided services specifically for those who wanted to climb mountains, earning millions of pounds in profits every year. Unfortunately, after the promulgation of the Religious Decree, the number of pilgrims dropped sharply, and the tourism economy could not continue. The local government tried to transform the industry, but failed. Since then, it has been in a slump and has not improved to this day."

While introducing the history of this area to his companions, Linger raised a telescope and observed the small town at the foot of the distant mountain through the glass lens. It was shrouded in the majestic shadow of Mount Osor, where the two tributaries of the Duden River met. There were red-tiled roofs and gray-white stone steps rising up the mountain, all surrounded by lush cedar forests. It was a lively scene in winter. That was Heidblosburg, the capital of Alois.

It looks small, and even more inconspicuous compared to the lofty Mount Osor. The towns in the entire northern Ashok Mountains are basically small and exquisite. Even the capital is not much bigger than a small town in the remote mountains. Who could have imagined that two hundred years ago, this ancient city once set a record of receiving 200,000 tourists in one day?
Compared to the "prosperous city" Rostin or the "sea-surrounded city" Lothdanna, it is naturally a small witch compared to a big witch, but Alois is not Great Britta, let alone Mindrias. It is not a big country in the entire North Ashok Mountain Belt. From an international perspective, the only country here that can enter the world stage is Mountain Castle, and the others are small roles.

The consequence of lacking an international perspective is short-sightedness. At that time, the city government of Heidelbrusburg misjudged the situation when the tourism industry was booming, and did not use the income for development, or even to renovate the city's infrastructure to accommodate more tourists. They believed that as long as the saint's relics were still there, the city would never lack outsiders, and the local residents would never lack income, so all the money was used to improve the welfare of the residents. At that time, the living standards of the people of Heidelbrusburg were even comparable to those of the middle class in Lenwitting.

Then, this naive idea was severely suppressed by reality - this has a double meaning, referring to the cruel reality that the city government did nothing and the local residents were not enterprising, and also referring to the coalition of realist sects that led this change behind the scenes.

After the promulgation of the "Religious Decree", all animist sects were suppressed. The lucky ones, such as the True Spirit Sect, had to live in fear, while the unfortunate ones, such as the Fertile Soil Sect and the Holy Spring Monastery, had their churches attacked and their idols overthrown, forcing them to embark on a journey of wandering. They had already done their best just to survive, so how could they have the mood to pay homage to the relics of the saints?

Without the support of these devout believers, the strong religious atmosphere dissipated, and the tourists who came here could only return home disappointed, and they no longer set their sights on this small city. After all, in terms of scenery, Heidelbrusburg has no advantages. The entire North Ashok Mountain Belt is crossed by the Eastern Alps, and what is most abundant here is the continuous and winding snow-capped mountains. There are even more than twenty six-thousand-meter peaks gathered in the mountain fortress to form a large snow-capped mountain group, which is majestic and magnificent, and is unique in the world.

In comparison, Mount Osor's fame comes more from the deeds of saints. After losing its religious halo, it is no more spectacular and beautiful than other snow-capped mountains.

The city government realized that something was wrong, but it was too late. The local residents had become lazy and dull under the influence of the high welfare policy, and they no longer had the vigor they had in the past to fight for survival with the wild animals in the mountains. In addition, local resources were limited and land development was difficult, so industrial development made no progress and the area is still in a half-dead state.

"It is said," Linger put down the telescope and said with emotion, "In order to maintain the high welfare level of its residents, the city government of Heidebrusburg has to apply for financial support from the Alois Congress every year. Alois itself is not a rich country, so it can only borrow from those big countries. Now it is already heavily in debt internationally. It can be seen that comfort will make people lose their edge, and those who are content with the status quo will eventually be drowned by the tide of the times."

When he said this, he deliberately glanced at Alice next to him. What he wanted to express was very obvious.

Alice has a different opinion on this.

"What does this have to do with laziness? Isn't it because the United Churches are too mean?" She curled her lips and said with disdain: "If they hadn't issued the Religious Decree, would Heidebrusburg have become what it is now? In the end, isn't it all the United Churches' fault?"

Ah, this. What you said makes a lot of sense, and I am speechless.

Lingge didn't want to say much to this uneducated guy, for fear of being infected by her silliness, so he withdrew his gaze. As a result, when he turned around, he met Yieta's pitiful eyes. The angel lady stared at the telescope in the young man's hand, with an expression as if she wanted to ask for it but was embarrassed to speak.

"..." I'm not Alice. I won't steal your equipment. What are you afraid of?

But Yieta was bitten by a snake once and was afraid of Alice for ten years. After seeing all the evil and ugly things in the world, she finally realized that she was the most reliable person in the world. Apart from her, even Lingge was no longer on her trust list.

So under her stubborn and pitiful gaze, the young man finally returned the telescope to her without occupying it for too long.

Yieta was overjoyed to get the telescope back. She wiped it several times in her hand. It was obvious that she cherished this versatile alchemical prop very much. The happy smile on her face reminded Ling Ge of Alice when she was playing games. There were some similarities. As expected, people always become the people they hate the most. Yieta hated and hated Alice, and was afraid of her. But now she herself has become a homebody, which is really sad.

After her joy had subsided a little, Lingge said to her, "You can let Yunjingkong Island land, Yieta."

This was a natural thing to do, but Miss Angel hesitated for a moment, then shook her head and said, "No."

Ling Ge was stunned: "Why?"

"Because we all have to obey the captain's orders, but you are not the captain, Lingge." Yieta explained seriously, then turned her head to look at a certain pirate lady who was leaning on a lounge chair, leisurely basking in the winter sun, and asked in a serious tone: "Captain, are we going to dock?"

Lingge's astonishment turned into speechlessness: You are really into the role.

Due to the need to play a role, the command of the Sky Whale Island... I mean the Zero Arus temporarily fell into the hands of the great pirate Gloria, and the people of Sky Island naturally became members of the Sky Whale Pirates. Since the ship was originally the private property of Miss Angel, she generously donated it this time to solve the captain's urgent need. The captain naturally had to repay her and appointed her as the navigator and helmsman on the ship, with a high status only below her and the first mate.

Well, by the way, the first mate is Shelia, who has not made any contribution, but is the first to stand up and support the captain's rule, so the captain wants to set an example. In Alice's sour words, "the immoral villain who steals the high position will sooner or later replace it."

Pirate Captain Gloria, first mate Shelia, navigator and helmsman Ieta, boatswain Xino, cook Shesta, ship's chaplain Linger, ship's doctor Saint Xia Liya and her apprentice Medien, logistics manager Lorena, and a special consultant responsible for providing advice to the captain, Nevi'er... basically all the more important characters on Yunjing Sky Island have been given positions, and the rest of the small fry play insignificant roles such as sailors ABCD.

Alice, a small shrimp, held a grudge and secretly gathered other small shrimps who were not valued to form a resistance alliance. Intimidated by the captain's majesty (mainly because Gloria had a gun), she did not dare to launch a second rebellion. She could only stare at those unethical people who stole high positions, ready to catch their small handles at any time and replace them.

So Yieta became very nervous, fearing that she would be dragged down by the despicable Alice, and she performed her duties tremblingly. When she was in doubt, she would ask the captain first. She vowed to follow him, show her loyalty, and keep this hard-earned position... It seemed that she was a little too into the role.

Ling Ge held his forehead helplessly. It seemed that since Gloria joined, more and more people on Cloud Whale Sky Island were keen on role-playing. Originally, there was only Alice, who from time to time called herself Little Kita, Little Simon, Little Muto Yugi, Little Pikachu, Little Alice... and so on. How come now even Shelia and Ieta started to join in her mischief?

Is intelligence really contagious? Young people are beginning to doubt modern medicine.

Under the eager and nervous gaze of the navigator lady, the captain who was sunbathing calmly took off the sunglasses on his nose that were used to show his majesty, sat up a little straighter, and gave an order casually: "Then let's dock, let the boys below get ready, and be vigilant after landing, so as not to be caught by those mad dogs on the sea in the Western Continent. If something really happens, I, the captain, will not go to save people, okay?"

Ah, this is sold too decisively, isn’t it?
However, the only people who will be abandoned are small fry like Alice. As a navigator and helmsman, I have always been the captain's confidant. I believe that even if I really encounter danger, the captain will come to save me, right?
With this thought in mind, Yieta's expression became serious and she nodded vigorously: "Got it!"

Lingge, the only young man on the boat: "..."

Alice, the little shrimp who is not valued: "..."

　Give me some meow
　　
　
(End of this chapter)