Wasteland Echoer.

Chapter 674 "Mysticism" Course

With the introduction of Artyom and the long-awaited Hefueva, Wright and Dak learned that during the reign of the former mayor Angelica, in order to promote the achievements of the previous mayors, he deliberately claimed that the "Torii Shrine" and the surrounding halls used for worship and prayer were products of the new era, especially after the complete establishment of Torii Town.

In reality, as early as around 600 years ago, about a hundred years after the Shangling Emperor of the Flame Empire launched the "Dragon Celebration," a large number of dragons broke away from the "Dragon Realm" and came to the human world. In addition, the Luo family launched the "Rebellion of the Five Emperors," and in order to maintain the goal of "long-term prime minister," they successively killed five emperors of the Flame Empire, thus starting the "period of turmoil." This caused a large number of people from the Flame Empire to migrate to the Eventre and Crusde regions, forming many settlements.

Especially after the Eventre Empire was captured by the "Nabsk Counterattack" launched by the First Legion of the Old Empire during the reign of Lelita III, and its capital, Ice City, was breached and it became a vassal state, the people of the Flame Empire living in the Eventre region further migrated, and most of them settled around Nabsk, where many new towns were developed.

Artyom speculates that the Torii Shrine and the surrounding temples were built during this period to perform the "Spring Ritual" to celebrate the start of the year's agricultural production.

The Krusd people were primarily hunters, while the Khitanris people were primarily farmers. As a supplement to their economy and production, the Nebusk region and the Krusd Empire welcomed these settlers from the Flame Empire.

At least by the time of the "Fall of the Two-Headed Eagle" during the reign of Ivan XXV, the strongholds around Nebsk, such as Torii, had already developed into towns. The prototype of the "Torii Shrine" had already been built at that time.

Even from some conspiracy theories, the appearance of the Torii Shrine has not changed at all over the centuries, and the "soul of the Chosen One" has protected the entire "Mount Shinki" while also prohibiting most human development of it.

Escorted by Artyom, Hefeleva, and several heavily armed soldiers from the town's military council, dressed in brand-new gear, Wright and Dark walked along a winding dirt road, bypassing the dried-up pond that revealed its bottom of filth, fallen leaves, and garbage, passing the still majestic "Spirit Tree" that seemed never to crumble, and entered the "Torii Shrine" from the rear.

Taking advantage of the day or two that Wright was unconscious and had lost the "Soul of the Chooser," a creature that existed in the form of a bound spirit, Artyom sent people to urgently clean, tidy up, and make minor modifications to the four temples inside the Torii Shrine.

Originally, the four temples of Torii Shrine existed like a closed iron box, square in shape, seemingly to completely trap those who entered, causing their souls to gradually dissipate in oppression and weariness.

However, after the renovation by the newly established "Torii Town Construction Team", four gaps appeared in the originally enclosed space. Each gap was located in the very center of each building, and torii gates were used to fill them, which can be regarded as a balance of the complete suppression of the culture of the East Japan by the local culture of the Flame Empire.

Moreover, each torii gate is tightly entwined by the tentacles of "ancient gods," revealing a unique visual experience of the fusion between the dragon race and ancient culture.

After all, in the bizarre and mysterious wasteland world, disrespect for the "ancient gods" and the creator will also diminish blessings and bring evil punishment.

"The children's classes have just resumed, so the first day's classes will be a little chaotic." Artyom explained with a slightly apologetic smile, pointing to the central "Torii Main Hall" enshrining the deity:
“During Angelica’s rule of the town, his excessive greed and selfishness meant that the children had not received a normal education for four or five years. Fortunately, the town now has sufficient funds and resources, and it’s time to properly educate the next generation of children.”

Upon entering the "Torii Shrine," Dak felt a significant difference from his first visit. He wondered if it was psychological, the gloom hidden within the "Gods' Side Mountain" had vanished, or the "Banner of Protection" had dispelled evil spirits and filth.

Overall, this experience felt very peaceful and slightly warm.

After the soldiers of Torii Town stationed at the red gate saluted Artyom and the two "commanders", Wright and Dark, led by Artyom, entered through the back door of the "Torii Main Hall".

"Thank you for the protection of the gods of the Way, thank you for the blessings of the Lord, thank you for the greatness of creation, and thank you for my own creation!" The woman standing on the makeshift platform led the children in prayer.

The class was "Linguistics," taught in Kruskal and the national language of the Flame Empire. To show respect for the culture behind the languages ​​and the gods and humans who created them, in the Flame Empire's culture, after a linguistics class, one must pray to the gods and express gratitude, or at the very least, pay respect to the teacher on the platform. Dak noticed that the woman temporarily posing as the teacher on the platform was the same woman who had gathered the children in this "Torii Main Hall" that day. At the time, both he and Hefeng Eva believed that she had deliberately placed the children in the "Torii Main Hall" to cooperate with the "alien monster" in harming the town's children.

But as it turns out, she was just stupid, not bad. However, the scheming of a bad person is no match for the quick thinking of a stupid person, and that woman is a perfect example.

Fortunately, the "linguistics" course ended quickly, without keeping Wright and Dark waiting for long.

During the break, Artyom allowed the children a short time to go inside the Torii Shrine, giving the woman a brief opportunity to introduce herself to the two men.

"Greetings, sirs. My name is Vlinova, and I am a native of Torii Town. My ancestors were 'vagrants' of the Flame Empire. Due to the fall of many 'outer districts,' we had no choice but to follow the refugees across the Aiven Ice Desert Path to Krusd, seeking the favor of the goddess of fate." Vlinova extended her right hand, making a standard handshake gesture popular in the Western Continent during the Steam Age.

After all, Volinova had not participated in any military operations, nor was she one of the "staff" appointed by the various regions under the Federal Council. She had no superior-subordinate relationship with Wright and Dach, and could only maintain her sense of superiority as a teacher through this common etiquette.

"Ms. Volinova, it's a pleasure to see you again." Dak extended his right hand, whose wound had just healed, and after a brief handshake with Volinova, said sarcastically:
“We just listened to your linguistics class, which was very insightful and could inspire the children's thinking to some extent, making them interested in the languages ​​of Cidanris and Krusk. I think your ability to teach knowledge is far superior to your ability to manage children.”

"If the 'Heartless Ones' and the Lost Ones ever invade Torii Town, I suggest you immediately run to the town's military council for assistance. Professionals doing professional work will yield professional results, don't you think?"

“Yes.” Volina’s fair face, so distinctly Kruskal, showed obvious embarrassment. Wright, standing beside her, could even “hear” her veins “thumping” with embarrassment. One side of her fairly pretty face was flushed with an embarrassing blush, while the other side was visibly pale.

A few seconds later, seeing the awkward atmosphere, Dark softened his tone:
"However, Ms. Volinova, I have always had a strange respect for the teaching profession. Mayor Artyom's goal is to protect these children from the 'heartless virus,' while you enable them to uphold their understanding of humanity."

"This is extremely important. As long as we always uphold our identity as human beings, the 'heartless virus' will find it difficult to completely engulf our broken spirits. Even if people's hearts have mutated into semi-mechanical beings, they can still suppress their bloodlust and move towards becoming superhumans. It is truly admirable that they can maintain such a pure thirst for knowledge during such difficult times."

“Thank you for your recognition, Commander Dak.” Volina’s tone softened; she abandoned the arrogance she had displayed earlier and addressed Dak as “Commander” in a more tactful manner, continuing:

"My 'Linguistics' class for today is over. In fact, as long as children continue to use Krusk and Khitanris correctly, civilization will not be interrupted. Even if they have been infected with the 'heartless virus,' under the profound influence of language on the soul, they will still uphold and follow their cultural identity despite the ravages of instinct, won't they?"
"Of course, this is a long process and cannot be accomplished overnight. Civilization takes millions of years to be born, and its revival is not something that can be achieved in a day or two. Mayor Artyom told me yesterday that he would like to invite Wright to give some 'mystical' lessons to the children. This is very important, and I would be very happy to do so."

Volina paused, a subtle smile on her face, and said:
"Children shouldn't always read those wonderful fairy tales and happy stories. Letting them see danger, cruelty, and the bizarre is also a way for them to grow up quickly."

“Yes, if the children always stay in the outposts or towns, working and living according to the trajectory predetermined by the Federal Council, operating as a cog in the giant machine of fighting against the ‘heartless,’ then when extraordinary events, pain, and death come, they will wither away like carefully cultivated flowers, turning into nourishment for the storm.” Wright stared intently into Vlinova’s blue eyes with his dark eyes.

At that very moment, Artyom personally rang the bronze bell at the center of the Torii Shrine, signifying the end of the town's children's brief rest period.

After a few words of conversation, Volina, Dark, and Artyom left the "Torii Main Hall," while Wright, who was playing the role of the teacher for this "Introduction to Mysticism" course, took off his heavy cotton coat and removed the black cloth used to cover his tentacles.

He slowly walked to the platform temporarily set up among the sculptures of the gods of the "Taoist God Sect," and under the children's gazes, a mixture of fear and curiosity, he began to unleash the eight "Dark Touches" that belonged exclusively to the "Ancient Gods" and himself.