When the plot-skips players into the game world-Chapter 1281 - 10: Is this your excuse for trespassing here?

Chapter 1281: Chapter 10: Is this your excuse for trespassing here?

Aiwass maintained the appearance of a White Robed Moon Child, reached out to hold Aleister’s hand, and followed Arsene’s side.

He admired the scenery around him, so different from Avalon.

"Laisser... My favorite city."

Arsene pressed down on his wide-brimmed hat and asked in a low, magnetic voice, "How do you feel about it here?"

"First impression?"

Aiwass asked.

Arsene nodded, "Speak candidly."

Aiwass looked up at the street.

Laisser—it’s a city in the west of Iris Flower that’s not particularly wealthy, yet many rich people live here.

The city’s color scheme, primarily grey with accents of white, shone with a Holy Church-like brilliance under the early summer sun. The streets were filled with expensive crystal stone lamps—these lamps were imported alchemical products from Star Antimony, high-grade goods previously prohibited from being imported by Avalon.

Both sides of the boulevard were lined with Iris Linden Trees, and the rhythmic hoofbeats were accompanied by the crisp ringing of bells. On the street, one could simultaneously see carriages, horses, bicycles, and cars about five years older in style compared to those from Star Antimony...

"A very delicate city."

Aiwass remarked, "The kind of place wealthy people would like."

"Indeed, at least the two Dukes of Iris Flower have estates in Laisser."

Arsene sighed, "It doesn’t have a port, but it’s adjacent to port cities. Those influential figures love to live in such places—developed transport, but not overly developed; dense crowds, but not too dense."

"Isn’t developed transport good?" Aiwass asked with interest.

"If transport is too convenient, it also means a higher incidence of crimes... For instance, someone committing a crime and immediately boarding a ship to flee abroad, impossible to catch; and dense crowds mean public health conditions can worsen..."

"Public health?" Aleister asked.

"Yes. Iris Flower is not like Avalon, which is guided by the Path of Authority—here, the living environment emphasizes freedom."

Arsene said with meaning.

His mention of Avalon suggests he had roughly guessed Aiwass and his companions’ identities. Or at least clarified their stance.

"How much freedom exactly?" Aleister cooperatively prompted.

But Arsene’s words were still startling to her: "You can even see someone comfortably relieving themselves by the roadside, then walk away briskly."

"...Ah?"

"It’s not because they can’t find a bathroom, or there’s no public restroom. It’s some people protesting against the councilor in charge of this area by causing inconvenience to everyone in such a way..."

Arsene explained this Iris Flower characteristic style of "protest."

If he handled the event well, it would require more police and public health investment, thereby forcibly reducing the money they pocketed; if they didn’t handle it well, it would soon be brought to the newspapers by enthusiastic reporters.

In that case, they’d either have to pay to bribe press agencies to stop publishing, which means taking money from their small treasury; or let those keen on exaggeration, those courting chaos, blow it up, eventually alerting the party whip to notify about the issue.

"...I understand."

Aiwass nodded knowingly.

On this matter, Cao Cao had long provided guidance—the so-called "use your head." Whether the councilor was wrong or whether it was his responsibility could be used opportunistically to let him take the blame, smoothing out accumulated issues. Ultimately, by dealing with the person, voters become satisfied... If his actions cause serious consequences, the next election can conveniently add "addressing past issues" to the agenda, and this election’s votes are secured again.

Though the actual problem isn’t solved, it provides lasting stability.

"Irisflower People are always like this."

Arsene said, "They’ll perform acts of kindness for selfish or evil purposes, or commit evil deeds for a good, selfless purpose."

"For instance... you?"

Aiwass’s words were sharp and unsparing.

"Indeed."

And Arsene’s face was much thicker than Aiwass had imagined.

He pressed the brim of his hat again, the shadow covering his slightly upturned mouth: "I was born for this reason.

"—Look, those former noble masters, big businessmen or great artists, now one by one are showing compassion, becoming Saints. Of course, I know... While there’s some acting involved, many truly do good deeds.

"But those poor people in the streets and alleyways have practically nothing clean at hand. It’s already tough for them to survive, and if they insist on staying clean, not only is life challenging, they’ll be ostracized by others. In those most chaotic cities, you might even find a street where every household is stained with blood...

"Why is this? Is it because wealth and fame have legs and run to those with high morals?"

At this point, Arsene sneered: "Don’t be ridiculous.

"...It’s just that in other places, civilians don’t have the vigorous survival instinct of us Irisflower People. When faced with a tragic fate, they either resign themselves or end their lives. Their pressure is inward—ours is always outward.

"If wronged, let others also feel wronged; if given counterfeit money, they’ll immediately spend it on others. Everyone harms each other, competing on ability, sparing no one—this is also a new Order recognized by everyone. Authority-style Saints wouldn’t survive here for a few years."

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