Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 967 Have you gotten used to it?

In front of him was a thick stack of parchment, as thick as a finger. It had been well maintained, and although it was yellowed, there was hardly any damage. It was densely packed with formulas, data, lines and geometric patterns. At first glance, it was as dazzling as a mathematics lecture held in the St. Bolansen Auditorium - that was the highest lecture hall of the National University of Lenwitten and the academic center of the mathematics community in the entire Western Continent. Famous mathematicians such as Fangas, Cole Fanette and Eberron had all held lectures here to impart knowledge.

It is hard to imagine that before these outstanding mathematicians came, in the distant ancient centuries, the charm of numbers and geometry had already been fully demonstrated on these parchments, and was linked with the vast and mysterious universe, full of romantic beauty. At that time, the human race did not even have the concept of civilization.

The man named Tumi created all of this, and before he was called a saint, he was first a wise man.

The Wushan Hermitage has treasured these manuscripts for thousands of years. Throughout the ages, there have always been people who pursued their mysteries, wanting to emulate the feats of the saints and replicate the miracle of ascending to heaven, even Solomon was no exception. But they all failed. This road is indeed full of obstacles that are countless times more difficult than imagined. Now, another latecomer is about to challenge this dangerous peak. His knowledge, experience and calculation ability may not be as good as those of his predecessors, but he has a unique advantage.

Linger carefully took off the top few sheets of parchment, spread them out on the table and examined them one by one, and compared them with the formulas he had listed in his mind. Soon, his brows furrowed slightly, and he discovered the difference between the two.

In general, they were almost the same, which showed that his ideas were correct, but there were differences in the details. Santomi introduced two very critical variables in his calculation process and established a new system with them as the core, which made the logic of all formulas self-consistent. But when Linger tried to substitute the coordinates of these two variables into the celestial motion diagram drawn by Galileo, he found that their positions were blank in the star field, lacking physical objects as a reference system.

In other words, Saint Tomi's calculation process was based on assumptions. Even if the formula was self-consistent, logical, and rigorous, it was only theoretically valid. When it came to practical application, they simply could not find the two variables among the stars in the sky, and could not determine the direction through their correspondence with different constellations. They were very likely to get lost in the vast universe and never find the location of the Heavenly Temple!
"It's really... strange." Xinuo also understood the meaning of these formulas and data. She held up a piece of parchment with both hands, staring at the coordinate system and the lines representing the spatial direction drawn on it, muttering to herself: "The practice of introducing false variables is not uncommon in mathematical calculations, but it is concentrated in the field of theoretical research. Mathematical formulas are equivalent to tools. If you want to apply theory to practice, you must first find a suitable environment for the tools. But if even the tools are fake, how can people use them?"

How did Saint Tomi achieve a miracle that was impossible in the eyes of ordinary people with this fake tool? Those who wanted to emulate him in the past might have been stumped by this puzzle, which is anti-logical and anti-rational, and these two things are exactly what are most needed in mathematical calculations.

Saint Chariya looked at Lingge who was frowning and silent, and looked at Xino who was lost in thought. She didn't quite understand what this meant. After all, the shepherdess didn't know much about mathematics. She only joined this difficult task because she had learned the astrology of the Moryas. However, she also wanted to help, instead of just watching silently while her companions were thinking.

So she made a suggestion: "Since mathematics doesn't work, how about astrology?"

This is her area of ​​expertise.

"Astrology? You mean astronomy? But that still doesn't work."

Lingge shook his head and rejected her idea. In order to let Saint Xia Liya understand more intuitively what the two false variables meant, he put down the parchment and looked at the wall. On it hung a celestial motion map drawn by Galileo, marking the relative coordinates of each constellation observable by humans in the universe. Although it seemed a bit crude from a modern perspective, more detailed versions were stored in the databases of various universities and national astronomical societies and were not available, so he could only make do with this.

"This is the constellation of Astragalus. Because it is located in the center of the sky and is fixed, it is often used as a reference system to confirm the positions of other star constellations. This is the constellation of Phylum. Its moving trajectory is always from west to east, and it moves slowly with the change of seasons. Because its speed is always balanced, it is often used as a standard star to lock and calculate the positions of other moving constellations. These are the two constellations that we know of and are most commonly used in astronomical calculations."

As Lingge explained, Saint Shallia nodded. This knowledge was also mentioned in the astrology of the Moryas, but the explanation was a bit more mysterious. It was believed that Uranus was the "extreme stillness" and Aeolus was the "extreme movement". The intersection of the two poles determined the order of the existence of the universe, allowing the 999,999,999 stars in the universe to operate in an orderly manner without interfering with each other.

Most of the Moriah astrology starts with Uranus as the starting point and ends at the position of Aeolus in the current season. The constellations included in this coordinate system symbolize human destiny and changes in the world.

"Sheng Tumi's calculation method is also based on the constellation of Astragalus and the constellation of Phaedophanes. By importing the two false variables he set into the coordinate system of Astragalus and the orbit of Phaedophanes respectively, he can lock the positions of several key constellations, thereby accurately determining the relationship between time and space within the range visible to the naked eye. After all, people in ancient times were not like modern astronomers, who have high-precision astronomical telescopes that can observe a wider range of star fields. All their astronomical calculations must be based on these data."

"Among them, the first variable is located in the southwest of the constellation Astronomy, and the line connecting it and the constellation and the moon presents a clear rectangular coordinate. The second variable is located in the northeast of the constellation of Aeolus in the season of Bud, and the line connecting the three also presents a rectangular coordinate. They form the core of this system, but if we mark these two variables on the celestial motion diagram drawn by Galileo, you will find that -"

Linger took the pen and drew two triangle marks on the star map, then turned to Saint Xia Liya and said, "This area is completely blank and has no connection with other stars at all."

This means that although Saint Toumi's calculation results seem good, they are actually not applicable.

It can be explained mathematically, but not astronomically, unless there are stars in that blank area, but humans cannot observe them with existing technology. But can humans in ancient times observe stars that modern high-precision astronomical telescopes cannot observe? Or did Saint Tomi use some special method?
Shino was more inclined to the latter, otherwise it would be impossible to explain why Santoumi introduced these two variables in his calculation process, and in the end he did succeed, proving that this idea was correct.

She said to Ling Ge: "Perhaps there are some details hidden in this that we don't know..."

"if--"

Saint Xia Liya, who had been staring at the star map on the wall, suddenly spoke up, interrupting the conversation between the two: "If the two variables you mentioned are not false, then are these formulas completely valid?" Xino and Lingge looked at each other. They knew that the shepherdess knew little about astronomy and mathematics, so the former explained: "In fact, they are already valid, but only in a mathematical sense. Astronomy is a very complicated thing. Not only the coordinates of the stars must be considered, but also their size, properties, laws of operation and many other factors. A non-existent variable cannot provide us with a reference... For example, it is difficult for us to understand now, how the coordinates of these two variables change in a specific formula..."

"existing."

Saint Shallia interrupted her softly, and then, under the surprised gaze of the two, she walked to the star map and pressed her hand on one of the marked coordinates. A look of reminiscence emerged in her green eyes: "Here, is the red moon, Drakeshiel, the moon of disaster."

Her finger moved down and landed on another coordinate: "And here is the pale moon, the harvest moon Utula."

"And the first and the last—" Her finger moved again, landing on the silver full moon in the center of the star map. Astronomer Galileo used it as a landmark to draw this star map. Since then, successive astronomers have deleted and modified it based on the foundation he laid, but have never changed its position, because it is constant, unchanging, and the oldest symbol of human civilization when looking up at the stars: "Silver Moon, New Moon Elmyra."

The white, porcelain-like fingers slowly moved the three coordinates, connecting them together to form a striking triangle on the star map. Its vast boundaries accommodated countless constellations, including the Uranus and Pleiades that Saint Tomi used as references in his calculation formula: "This is the Summer Triangle and Winter Triangle that have been passed down from generation to generation in Moriah astrology. Because of the upward and downward activities of the Red Moon and the Blue Moon, they will form two different triangular areas in summer and winter respectively."

Three moons? The Summer Triangle and the Winter Triangle? The up and down movement of the Red Moon and the Blue Moon... Ling'er's pupils suddenly contracted, and at this moment he thought of an ancient secret that Rorona had mentioned to him: in the distant ancient centuries, there were actually three moons in the starry sky of the Mirror Star World, and two of them would ascend or descend every summer and winter, bringing changes in the concentration of magic power around the world, which is the so-called ascending and descending seasons.

However, after the disaster of the sky change, two of the moons disappeared for unknown reasons, and the destruction of the magic environment by the witch association caused the change of magic concentration to lose its meaning. Therefore, the legend of March was gradually forgotten by people. However, the current calendar and timekeeping method of the mirror elves are based on the magic tidal activities caused by the change of magic concentration, so some relevant records are still preserved in the city of Nereids.

In other words, Saint Toumi did not introduce any variables in the calculation process, but calculated and drew conclusions based on real data. However, times have changed, and in modern times, even the starry sky has undergone earth-shaking changes, which makes it impossible for later generations to get any clues from his calculations.

“No wonder no one has ever been able to replicate St. Tomi’s miracles in the past.”

After understanding this, Xino couldn't help but sigh that mathematics and astronomy are both subjects that are extremely sensitive to data. Even the slightest error will lead to extremely serious consequences, let alone the missing key information of two moons?
Saint Shalia blinked her beautiful eyes and said, "Am I helping you?"

"Of course!" Xinuo gave her a bright smile: "And it's a great help!"

"That's right." Ling Ge also said, "As long as we can get the specific information of the two moons, such as the most important, their movement trajectories in the ascending and descending seasons, and then apply Saint Tomi's formula and data, then the rest is just some tedious calculations. Saint Shallia, this time it's really thanks to you, the astrology of the Moryas is indeed unique."

When hearing Lingge thanking her, Saint Xia Liya couldn't help but bend her eyebrows, and two dimples appeared on her cheeks, looking very happy. But when she heard him sighing about the astrology of the Moruya people, her smile faded a little. Xino saw her reaction and said quickly: "I don't think it has much to do with the astrology of the Moruya people. It's mainly because Xiao Xia has learned the essence. Otherwise, with so many Moruya people in the world, why didn't anyone connect the Winter and Summer Triangle with Saint Tumi's ascension to heaven? So, it depends on the person. Do you understand, Lingge? Look, the person!"

Xinuo gritted her teeth and emphasized every word. She felt that she had given a very obvious hint. You wouldn't even notice it, right? However, Linger raised his head and looked at her strangely. "This statement is not without reason, but we still have to face the facts. Without the wisdom accumulated by the ninety-nine generations of the Moryas, how could we, the latecomers, see the curtain of the starry sky? Therefore, no matter how excellent the latecomers are, as long as they are advancing on the steps of the pioneers, they must face up to their contributions and respect them. I think even if Saint Tumi were reborn, he would not be able to refute this point of view, right?"

“You, ah, this…”

That's the truth, but that's not what I want to hear you say.

Xinuo opened her mouth, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn't. After a while, she suddenly sighed deeply, and her whole body suddenly became much more haggard. She turned to the shepherdess and shook her head, saying that she had tried her best, but there was nothing she could do.

Saint Shalia's smile completely disappeared.

Her hands seemed to hang down casually, clenched and unclenched, loosened and clenched again, leaving wrinkles on her clothes, and she kept telling herself in her heart: I'm not angry, I'm not angry.

Really, not angry at all.

After all, I've gotten used to it.

Give me some meow