Chapter 305: Scattered

Mummy ashes... Lu Mian instantly thought of the "Highland Secret Medicine" shop in Laps City.

"Mummy" was something that originated from the former Highland Kingdom, with a specialized ancient Highland vocabulary, which Emperor Roselle translated into "Mummy."

In other words, the most authentic and ancient mummies were in the Star Highlands, which was also the largest "producing area" of mummy ashes.

Franca became more and more excited as she spoke:

"You say, why are men in Trier so passionate about things that can strengthen that aspect of ability? Even things like mummy ashes are dared to be eaten! It makes those who really need it unable to buy real ones!"

"Many women in Trier are also very passionate, hoping that their husbands and lovers can perform better in bed," Lu Mian had read relevant reports and asked Franca somewhat curiously, "Is it really useful?"

Franca sneered:

"Powder ground from corpses made by special processes, besides causing disease, I can't think of any other effect. Uh, the role in the occult field is another matter.

"Think about it, now the whole Trier is full of fake mummy ashes. Don't they also eat them very happily, unable to distinguish between true and false?

"There are many herbs with similar effects, but once the name of mummy ashes is added, the price can turn several times higher. Who wouldn't do that?

"Don't overestimate the conscience of those businessmen. I've heard people complain at many occult gatherings about things like grinding the bones of dead rats into powder, adding herbs, and selling them as mummy ashes.

"I just, uh, I didn't have extraordinary abilities before, and when I was still working hard, I saw the owner of a coffee shop using chicory to make fake coffee. Later, he didn't even want to use chicory, collecting coffee grounds, animal bile, and even brick ash and coal ash to replace it. Believe me, if you have been to the kitchens of some restaurants and coffee shops, you would want to hang the owner on the gallows. Those snail shells were used again and again, constantly picked back from the garbage dump, stuffed with materials, and served to new guests..."

Franca chattered a lot, venting her dissatisfaction caused by fake and shoddy products hindering her extraordinary career.

After she finished speaking, Lu Mian asked with certainty:

"Have you digested your 'Witch' potion?"

"That was a long time ago. During this period, have you seen me acting as a 'Witch'?" Franca's emotions returned to normal, and she answered somewhat proudly.

Lu Mian changed the topic thoughtfully:

"You seem to look down on the 'Rose School of Thought' carrying out terrorist incidents in the Northern Continent, and even mocking them for hindering the resistance of the Southern Continent people against colonists? I don't quite understand your logic. Shouldn't one resist and retaliate when bullied?"

"Should, if it's just to seek the pleasure of retaliation, to feel good for a moment, there is absolutely no problem in doing so," Franca walked to the window of Lu Mian's bedroom, looking at the docks and yards blocked by buildings, and said with unfocused eyes, "But if you want to lead the Southern Continent people to drive out the colonists, such behavior will only produce the opposite effect. A philosopher in my hometown once said that a king cannot send troops casually because of anger. Resisting colonization is such a serious and difficult thing, and it cannot become a trash can for venting emotions."

Seeing that Lu Mian was still puzzled, Franca pointed outside the window:

"There are many workers there, many coolies. They work hard every day, sleep in rooms full of bedbugs, and it is already very difficult just to maintain their own family's survival. Are they colonists? Did they get benefits from the colony? Yes, their work might be brought by colonial trade, but without the colony, entering a normal trade state, will they be unemployed? I don't think so. The greatest possibility is that they still have such a job that barely supports their own lives, while the bosses lose excess profits.

"They have their own demands, have a tendency to change the current society, often join various parades and protests of Trier citizens, and have strong dissatisfaction with the government.

"There are many similar people in Trier. Some of them, based on various reasons, are even very sympathetic to the colonized Southern Continent people.

"A philosopher king in my hometown once said that when we do things, we must distinguish who is our friend and who is our enemy. The 'Rose School of Thought' manufacturing various terrorist incidents will only push those who sympathize with the colonized and those who are also resisting the government to their opposite side, making themselves the object of hatred for the rulers to bridge internal contradictions. This is harmful and useless to the cause of the Southern Continent people resisting colonization.

"That philosopher king even forbade his intelligence personnel to engage in assassinations, retaliation, let alone manufacture terrorist incidents."

Franca came back to her senses and added with bright eyes:

"As long as we can find more friends, isolate the enemy to the greatest extent, and stimulate that little spark, even the smallest and most scattered fire can eventually ignite the entire wilderness!"

Who is our friend, who is our enemy... Finding allies, isolating the enemy... Even the smallest and most scattered fire can ignite the entire wilderness... Lu Mian felt a shock, as if his vision had been opened, and he repeatedly chewed on the words Franca said.

Especially the last sentence, which gave him a brand-new understanding of "Pyro," and his first acting rule was about to emerge.

After more than ten seconds, Lu Mian nodded solemnly:

"I now agree with you. The 'Rose School of Thought' manufacturing terrorist incidents is a very stupid behavior, a decision made after the brain is filled with desire. Uh, as a believer of the 'Mother Tree of Desire,' this is also very normal."

Franca curled her lips:

"If the 'Rose School of Thought' focused on assassinating colonial generals, members of parliament, and high-ranking government officials, and focused on destroying battleships, ammunition warehouses, and arsenals, I wouldn't specifically mock them. But they want to hold blood sacrifices every once in a while, want to kill a large area of people regardless of identity. I tmd don't want to become a sacrifice for these lunatics one day."

"This is a very typical case of pushing sympathizers to the opposite side," Lu Mian evaluated objectively.

Franca used a disdainful tone again:

"This group of lunatics not only holds blood sacrifices in the Northern Continent nations, but also in the Southern Continent, holding them where they can exert influence, often turning villages into uninhabited lands. I think the Southern Continent people don't just have the big mountain of colonists on their backs, but also the 'Rose School of Thought'."

Lu Mian nodded slightly and took the opportunity to say:

"I was just taken by that lady to the Star Highlands for a turn and met a merchant selling mummies. Do you want me to apply to go again and help you get some real mummy ashes?"

That lady... Franca suddenly realized, didn't ask further, thought for a moment and said:

"Not for now. Trier just has many fakes, which doesn't mean there are no real ones. Let's try to find them first. If it really doesn't work, then go to the Southern Continent."

"But I hope you can be promoted to Sequence 6 and become a 'Pleasure Witch' within a week," Lu Mian said frankly.

"Ah?" Franca was confused.

Who exactly is the one to be promoted?

Lu Mian didn't hide it and said directly:

"A certain prophet told me that Guillaume Bénet will appear in the Red Princess District next week. I want to find him, catch him, and this requires the help of more friends. The boss has already agreed to help me find people. The stronger you are, the higher the probability of our surrounding and capturing Guillaume Bénet."

"You kid, learning and using it on the spot, huh," Franca laughed. "You really don't treat me as an outsider now, and you don't even ask if I agree to help before making a request."

"Isn't this asking now?" Lu Mian responded with a smile.

Franca pondered for a moment:

"Wait a few more days. If I still haven't bought real mummy ashes, then go to the Southern Continent to find them. Didn't I tell you? Try not to trouble the Major Arcana cards if you can avoid it."

"Okay," Lu Mian actually had a similar view, but he didn't let go of every opportunity to fleece wool. Otherwise, asking Lady "Magician" to help deal with Guillaume Bénet would definitely be the best choice.

A subordinate who doesn't have the ability to handle problems independently and only knows how to trouble superiors will eventually be abandoned!

Moreover, the principle within the Tarot Club is "equivalent exchange." Asking a Major Arcana card holder at the demigod level for help, what price should be paid?

After chatting for a while, Franca, who was about to leave, looked at the window and suddenly said:

"Although Gardner Martin already knows the situation and has made preparations, you cannot be careless. The 'Rose School of Thought' is a very ancient secret organization and must have all kinds of abilities."

Why did you suddenly say this... Lu Mian was stunned for a moment and cooperated very well:

"The boss is at least a 'Conspirator,' and he doesn't know how many traps he has dug in secret, just waiting for the people of the 'Rose School of Thought' to come."

With this topic, the two communicated while walking out of the bedroom and into the corridor.

Only then did Franca lower her voice:

"I just felt that the glass of your window was a bit abnormal. I suspect there is a 'Wraith'."

A 'Wraith' of the 'Rose School of Thought'? Franca discovered a bit of abnormality relying on the 'Witch's' mastery of mirrors? Lu Mian's spirit tightened instantly, nodding lightly as if it were normal, as if chatting about an incomparably ordinary topic.

He watched Franca turn into the coffee shop and leave the Wind Dance Hall before walking out of the corridor and sitting in his old seat as usual, drinking rich coffee.

For a full hour, Lu Mian relaxed a little, feeling that the "Wraith" had left, and placed his focus of observation on the boss Gardner Martin and possible traps.

For the next few days, Lu Mian lived in this quite suspicious state, occasionally feeling that there were eyes looking at him in the glass window of the room and the mirror in the washroom, but nothing happened.

Finally, he waited for the day Mr. K promised to give the reward.

While walking down the stairs of the Golden Rooster Hotel, Lu Mian met a strange woman.

She was wearing a lake-blue long skirt, her brown hair was naturally draped, her brown eyes had a unique drifting feeling, her appearance was above average, her cheeks were plump, and her temperament was detached.

When Lu Mian passed the front desk, he asked Mrs. Fels casually:

"Is that lady just now a new tenant?"

Mrs. Fels, who was somewhat fat, showed an ingratiating smile:

"No, it's Miss Safali who lives in room 309. She followed a painter to a small seaside town to act as a human model and only came back today.

"It's really enviable. Her work allows her to go to the seaside for vacation."

That human model? Lu Mian nodded, walked out of the Golden Rooster Hotel, and took a public carriage to the Boulevard District.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 306 =====