"What does ' grasshoppers on a same rope' mean?" Merka asked Mammon.
"Never mind about that," Mammon replied.
"Oedipus will find out eventually, that I'm involved with you."
"But I don't care, because I'm almost dead."
"But before that, Merka."
"You have to go through a difficult challenge."
"Have you always been curious about the relationship between us and the former Economic Lord and Saint Lord of the Altria family?"
"If you pass this challenge, I will tell you the secret."
Merka twitched his lips, realizing that these powerful magicians seemed to enjoy being elusive.
"What challenge? Can't you give me a clue first?" Merka did not hide his sarcasm.
"No." Mammon pursed his lips.
"It's in the newspaper. Just take a good look at it."
--------------------------------------------------
"The Day the Beasts Fell" Part Two
Alexander Port is one of the core cities of the Galleher family.
It not only has the largest seaport in all of Acadia, but also sharp mountain peaks like towers and a coastline with towering cliffs stretching hundreds of kilometers.
Located in this barren land, Alexander did not become a prison but instead took advantage of its unique seaport, becoming a transfer station for resources between the east and west of Acadia.
Countless types of people and goods rotate here, and the strong cultural impact has planted the seeds of art and wisdom in this soil.
Different from Lachésis' refined and elegant art, Alexander is modern, young, and a Renaissance-style capital of wisdom.
After receiving the heavy coin pouches containing harbor fees-
The people of Alexander's favorite pastime is to sit on the marble-paved church steps and discuss philosophy, and to talk about politics.
Over time, the most authoritative teachers and scholars in all of Acadia were born here. Of course, that includes schools and kindergartens.
The Royal Kindergarten is here as well.
But due to the city's progressive thoughts, racial issues in Alexander Port are also the most acute.
For religious reasons, cursed children in other places would die in vain in dark alleys.
They might even think it's their own fault.
But it's different here, where cursed children never submit to the nation's established values.
They believe that all people in this world are born equal.
The only organization for cursed children in Acadia, the Equality Revolution Army, is in Alexander Port.
But to call them a revolution army is just a bunch of petty thieves and criminals.
The government wants to control them too, but they're afraid of accidentally killing too many people, so they can only turn a blind eye.
"Sister, don't you think those cursed children are despicable?"
"Trash is trash. They should just stay in the dark corners."
"But they have to come out and disgust people."
Diana stood in front of a blackboard covered in flyers, angrily speaking to Turing beside her.
The slanting sunset gathered at the feet of Turing and Diana, forming pools of broken and warm mud.
Diana was wearing a gorgeous and delicate sundress, and her two ponytails were agile and lively, as if they were alive.
Her stubborn and serious little face was bathed in the sidelight of the sunset, cute enough to break one's heart.
"Ah... yes," Turing glanced at the blackboard with wandering eyes, and his lips twitched twice.
"What is the Curse Child?" Turing asked.
"Huh? Big sister's forgetfulness has gotten worse again."
"Didn't the teacher talk about it last semester? The Curse Child is a disgusting guy who is missing limbs and can only use magic with the clothes of the dead," Turing imitated Diana's impatience and twirled a finger around her hair.
"Ugh, just thinking about it makes me sick."
"We happened to be talking about it recently."
"There are many dangerous rumors about the Curse Child. The principal told us not to leave the campus if possible."
"Big sister, seriously."
"I remember the articles and magic theories so well. But unfortunately, I have forgotten a lot of common sense. How utilitarian."
"Ahaha..."
Turing smiled indulgently at Diana.
Looking at the colorful sections on the blackboard, Turing suddenly noticed something.
"Is this... about that... Curse Child thing?"
Turing pointed to a particularly prominent flyer.
"The execution of a well-known musician?"
"It seems to be about a magical musician being exposed to having a revolutionary background..."
"I'm not sure. I don't care about the Curse Child thing."
Diana pointed her finger at a corner flyer and enthusiastically said to Turing.
"I asked you to come for this!"
"Big sister, look, the Astrology Research Society is organizing a stargazing event at the Starry Sky Cliff."
"It starts this evening."
"I heard that it is the closest place to the sky from the Port of Alexandria."
Turing furrowed her brow slightly after listening.
"Weren't they not allowing us to go out recently... why is it still happening?" Turing said.
"It's fine, it's fine."
"Big sister, look, it also says that there will be a teacher accompanying us."
"It won't be dangerous."
"Oh... oh..." Turing responded absentmindedly.
She felt that something was not right, but couldn't figure out what it was.
"But what does this have to do with us?"
When Turing spoke, the corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily, as if her own body was preventing her from saying such a dumb question.
Turing immediately regretted her words.
"Big sister... don't you remember this either?"
Diana looked at Turing with deep resentment, her lips pouted so high that they almost touched her nose.
"Before winter break last semester, didn't we dig up a hundred different flower ropes?"
"But the constellations didn't fall."
"Maybe the clouds were too thick at the time, and it was snowing heavily, so the gods didn't see it."
"So this time!" Diana solemnly cleared her throat.
"We need to find a place closer to the sky and do the rope trick a hundred times!"
"This time, it will definitely work."
Diana's excited little face was filled with joy and excitement, and Turing couldn't bear to dampen her spirits.
"But sis... you didn't forget how we did it last time, did you?" Diana suddenly remembered something and stared at Turing's eyes unkindly.
"No, of course not... Haha."
Turing didn't know what to say. She had no memories of the winter last year, the stories she had experienced with Diana seemed like a dream, blurred and unreal.
"That's good then." Diana pouted.
"Let's go directly, it's about time."
"We'll sneak out of school and meet with the stargazing club at the Stargazing Summit."
Diana reached out her hand and invited Turing to join her.
