Chapter 404: Side Story: Another World Line [3]

Side Story: Another World Line 【3】

At dusk, Jerome left the library with his manuscript tucked under his arm.

Only when he stepped out the main gate did he realize his behavior might have been improper; he shouldn't have taken a manuscript containing unpublished content away.

Who knows if some absurdly outrageous ethical drama would be unearthed from the contents inside? If the descendants of the parties involved were still alive, the trouble would be immense, and it could easily escalate into bloodshed.

But thinking of how little attention he had received all day, he quickly set his mind at ease and, with a clear conscience, carried the documents toward the dining hall.

Since the organizers didn't seem to care, it must mean there was no sensitive content.

The dining time was perfectly timed; the great scholars of the academic world were still locked in a fierce battle in the main hall, and the heated debate could be heard from the other side of the courtyard.

Vaguely, he could tell that the content of the last speaker had sparked differing opinions; the two factions were offering different interpretations of the new discovery from their own perspectives, seeking loopholes in each other's theories to attack, showing a tendency to devolve into personal attacks.

He had already identified several names from the list of speakers, and the number kept increasing.

Unlike the fiery atmosphere in the main hall, the dining hall was cold and desolate, with only a few young scholars like him wandering among the sumptuous dishes, snatching the thighs of roasted chickens and picking out the reddest berries from the fruit platters.

Seeing a newcomer join, they made space and then accelerated the speed at which they filled their plates.

Jerome joined them somewhat awkwardly, took portions for dinner, late-night snacks, and tomorrow's breakfast, and left through the back door carrying his trembling plate.

The corridor at night was brightly lit; the white marble floor and the walls painted in the same color enhanced the brightness, leaving not a single dark corner.

The patrol monks passing by from time to time would thoughtfully approach to ask and point out directions for outsiders; even on a first visit, it would be hard to get lost in this white palace.

He even had a thought arise: perhaps the Kingdom of the Lord was nothing more than this, where believers enjoyed eternal light and purity.

Looking up from every window facing the mountain peak, one could see the lights of that white tower winding up along the tower body, like a chain of stars connecting to heaven.

Having seen the shock created by churches through intricate and exquisite designs, he thought he would never feel the same about architecture again, but his cognition was broken here.

A huge white geometric shape stood silently in the night, out of place against the background, as if an incarnation of some minimalist divine oracle, incorporating everything under its projection into its vast and precise order.

Sudden fear seized his mind; he had no heart to continue admiring the night view, quickened his steps to return to his room, and met a monk at the door who seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

The hard lines of his chin and the short beard made him look much older than the other monks.

Although he wore only a standard white robe pinned with a silver badge, the signet ring with ink on his little finger indicated his status; he seemed to be an administrator with some say.

Seeing the room's occupant return, he smiled and came forward; that smile was not out of politeness, but a confusing sense of... relief?

"Hello, brother from Dunling, the journey was hard." The newcomer traced a holy symbol in the air over his chest, then stepped closer preparing to embrace, making Jerome feel very close to him.

Heaven knows how long it had been since he left that he had met someone greeting him with internal church rites.

"Just call me Lei Mengde directly. You must have arrived last night, right? Sorry I couldn't welcome you in time. You see, there are too many trivial matters waiting to be handled here; I really couldn't spare the time for a while."

As the distance closed, Jerome clearly saw the silver badge on the other's chest: in the center of the double-winged ring was a portrait of the Virgin Mary holding an infant; only those who had obtained a theology degree in Dunling would possess it.

"This isn't convenient; let's talk inside."

Noticing the guest had no free hands, Lei Mengde gave up the mutual embrace, took the plate to make it easier for him to find the key and open the door, then followed him into the room familiarly and closed the door behind him.

"I didn't expect you to be from Dunling too; it's not easy to rise to the upper levels here, is it?"

"Oh, not really; shortly after I arrived, I took over the job of the Abbot."

"The Abbot?"

Looking at the overflowing plate, Jerome suddenly felt guilty. If he did this in Dunling, his lunch and even dinner tomorrow would probably be replaced with plain water.

Fortunately, the other party didn't bring up the issue of wasting food and continued the conversation.

"Is it your first time at Bai Ta? Are you getting used to it?"

Too used to it; the accommodation conditions are excellent, the main meals and tea breaks are delicious, professional materials are complete, and work intensity is customizable; I hope to come again next year.

"It's quite good." He answered truthfully. After the joy of meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land faded, a slight doubt arose.

An Abbot is usually the second-in-command of a monastery; what was he doing coming to find him?

"That's good; I was just afraid the hospitality wasn't adequate." Lei Mengde ended the pleasantries; perhaps he didn't even notice it himself, but the smile on his face was gradually fading.

"Is the academic exchange going smoothly? Are there any missing arguments or data?" Like a kind and decent senior scholar, Lei Mengde straightened his clothes, and the badge on his chest shone brightly.

"Although Bai Ta's research on doctrinal classics is indeed not as profound as that of our peers, there are many other collections unavailable elsewhere for reference; if you need anything, just let me know."

"Thank you very much for your generosity; I... currently have no special needs."

Jerome had wanted to ask if there were any predecessors who had studied the noble lineages within the diocese for comparison and reference, but the scholar's alertness stopped the request from leaving his lips.

Did the other party not know the reason he was invited?

In recent years, there had been too many cases of academic misconduct in Dunling; there were often scandals of mutual accusations of plagiarism regarding research directions, making him, in this marginal discipline, sensitive to the matter of spying on research content.

Even though his work logically had no use for an Abbot at all, but what if?

And would an Abbot not know the reason for inviting the guests on the invitation list?

It was also possible the other party truly didn't manage this area and simply came to chat with a fellow townsman, but Jerome still decided it was best to be safe; as long as he kept his mouth shut, even if there were real troubles, they wouldn't come to his door.

"That's fine too; if you need anything, I know the monk responsible for cleaning and organizing the library this week; go find him for help and say Lei Mengde sent you."

"Thank you, thank you so much." Jerome felt slightly reassured; seeing the Abbot had no intention of pressing further, it must truly be out of good will. "Where can I find him?"

"Oh, he is usually on the first floor of the library; even if he leaves for an urgent matter, it won't be for long; just wait a moment."

【Are they all here?】

Jerome didn't remember meeting anyone in the library today.

Obviously, the Abbot's work was very busy; after just a few words, Lei Mengde pushed off his knees, stood up, and prepared to leave.

"That's it then; young people should exercise more; don't eat too much at night." He glanced at the plate, wore a smile everyone understood, shifted his gaze from the table to Jerome, and saw the manuscript tucked under his arm.

"Oh? Is this your exchange content? May I read it?"

Thank you to book friend hebby for the donation of the Alliance Leader! The book friend's grace is endless (sigh).

? ＼(ToT)／＼(ToT)／

? (A song plays: "If You Come Like the Three Winters~")