Mystery: But the Witch's Path

Chapter 141 abolishes the drawbacks of the "Grain Law" to address the emergence of...

When you advance to the Despair Witch level, you can also learn from my method.

17

"This is knowledge I specifically sought out from other 'Witches of Despair'."

"They all advised me to use this method—and they were even willing to go with me."

"I'll go with you." Altair repeated these words softly, then fell silent, inwardly scoffing at the "witches." "How could they possibly be so kind? — This is more like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken; they're up to no good."

After a few seconds of silence, Altair looked up at Vivian and said, "Don't rush to advance yet. I've already arranged the ritual. Once I've digested it, we can advance together."

After hearing Altair's words, Vivian was briefly stunned, a look of disbelief on her face. She asked curiously, "Aren't you going to switch?"

Altair grinned mischievously, reached out, and lifted Vivian's chin, saying, "Don't you like how I look now?"

"I like it." After saying that, Vivian blushed instantly and lowered her head.

On the morning of January 1, 1348, Altair felt something was wrong with his body and opened his eyes to look into the bed.

-

After realizing it was Vivian, he closed his eyes again and began to enjoy the moment.

At nine o'clock in the morning, after breakfast, everyone followed Altair to St. Samuel's Cathedral for morning prayers and worship.

As noon approached and the sermon ended, Bishop Elektra hurried over and inquired, "Count Altair, what are your plans for the near future? When will you return to Tingen?"

Altair thought for a moment and casually replied, "About three days later."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Altair added, without giving him time to make a request, "Bishop Elektra, I think you should also know that I am not yet of legal age to inherit my family's seat in the Upper House, so don't bother me with those political decisions. I don't even have the right to participate, let alone vote on them."

After hearing this, Bishop Elektra paused for a moment, his expression gradually turning somber. Then, as if remembering something, he inquired, "I wonder if your factory is hiring anytime soon, or if you're looking for other jobs in retail, service, or general labor?"

Upon hearing this, Altair looked troubled, pondered for a few seconds, and said helplessly, "I will write to them for advice when I return to the manor later."

As Bishop Elektra's expression gradually improved upon hearing this, Altair poured cold water on his hopes, continuing, "But please don't get your hopes up too high. After all, I'm just a small shareholder and can't expect them to recruit too many followers of the Goddess of Night."

"I understand." Bishop Elektra nodded emphatically and continued, "Then I will stay here and, on behalf of the goddess's devotees, thank you for your generosity."

After speaking, Bishop Elektra tapped her chest four times clockwise, offering her blessing, "May the goddess protect you."

Altair returned the greeting, and then left in his carriage.

On the way, Vera, his personal maid, asked curiously, "Count Altair, how did you guess why Bishop Elektra was looking for you?"

"The Grain Law has been decided to be abolished," Altair said casually, looking out of the carriage window at the pedestrians on the roadside.

Seeing Altair's actions, Vera also lifted the curtain of the car window and asked in confusion, "I can't see it."

Vera's silly look instantly amused Vivian, who chuckled twice and then explained, "Look at their clothes."

"Urban dwellers of this era," even if their clothes were inexpensive, would try their best to keep them clean, neat, and well-fitting.

Neat and tidy, because it makes them look presentable.

"Rural people" are different; they don't care about these external factors, and loose, durable clothing is their first choice.

""

"Of course, I'm not saying this to belittle rural people," but rather to illustrate that different ideological stances can lead people to make different choices.

Altair nodded, agreeing with Vivian's words.

Vera was puzzled and pressed for an answer: what was the connection between the large influx of rural people into cities and the repeal of the Grain Act?

""

"Of course." Without Altair needing to step in and explain, Vivian, being an Intis, stated with certainty, "Before the Grain Law is abolished, the nobles will engage in a final frenzy, renting out and reaping the farmers' property for extended periods."

"If you have money, pay the rent; if you don't, we'll take back the land."

"Farmers without land to cultivate will migrate to cities in large numbers to work in order to survive. As the number of people increases, wages will drop, slums will expand, and social conflicts will continue to increase until they erupt."

"That's how Intis got started."

Altair asked curiously, "Did the Republic of Intis enact any relevant laws back then, such as limiting the nobles' ability to raise land rents, and enacting laws to carry out large-scale infrastructure construction and distribute agricultural subsidies?"

Vivian shook her head silently, then nodded and said, "Half and half. There are restrictions on the nobles' ability to increase investment, it doesn't count as large-scale infrastructure construction, and there are no agricultural subsidies."

"This happened about 160 years ago, when Russell Gustav officially came to power and became the regent of the Republic of Intis."

"Back then, the nobles of Intis suffered a lot of punishment because of this. The Laurent family came to an end because of this."

""

While Vivian was recounting her family's misery, Altair could only smile wryly, because she simply couldn't comment on the matter.

-

Praising Roselle's handling of the situation? Vivian certainly wouldn't be happy, especially since she herself was a noblewoman—

There's no real reason to say that Russell's actions were wrong.

So she didn't offer any comments, but instead remained silent and listened to Vivian's story.

On January 4, 1348, at 10:00 AM, Altair and his steward Hahn gave each other a final explanation of the precautions before boarding the steam train.

She had just gotten into the car when she heard Vera say from not far away, "Sister, do you think Butler Hahn will be lonely being left alone in Backlund?"

"He's so pitiful—"

While Vera was still speaking, Altair walked up behind her and said coldly, "Then I'll throw you down. Go keep Hahn company."

Upon hearing this, Vera quickly reacted, denying, "No, no, I was just joking."

--------

Seeing Vera's reaction, Altair slowly left the carriage, thinking, "If it weren't for Bishop Elektra's request, she wouldn't have allowed Butler Hahn to appear at the station to see everyone off."

"After all, it wouldn't make sense for him, as the head steward, not to accompany the master when he leaves Backlund."