Rhodes Island does not exist.

“This is the Gate of Saints.” The priest on the right raised his staff and explained to the Doctor and Levini why they had to stop. “Any outsider who sets foot in the City of Gold for the first time must bow their head and be grateful when passing through the Gate of Saints.”

"When the golden city was shrouded in great silence, it was only because the saints who upheld their faith stepped forward that a portion of salvation was obtained for all beings. Therefore, this archway was erected here to commemorate the saints' deeds, their name, and their bodies."

"Under the shadow of the arch, the golden city thrives."

"Under the shadow of the arch, the golden city will never decline."

"Amen."

The two priests stood on either side of the arch, one holding up their staff and the other placed on their chests, then bowed their heads simultaneously, and the praise resounded.

The doctor and Levi were overwhelmed by the overwhelming piety and could only follow their example, bowing their heads as they slowly walked through the golden archway.

faith.

This is an essential component of Iberian culture.

After stepping through the archway, what came into view for the two was a residential area in Iberia.

In the residential area, every household has hung various crosses and beads on their doors or windowsills, as if they were necessities of life.

"It's often said that the Iberians are even more devout in this faith than the Laterans of their native land, and it seems that's true." The doctor glanced at the two priests who had somehow moved ahead of them again, and then swept his gaze over the doors and windows of the local residents, and said with certainty.

However, for some reason, although the city's religious atmosphere was indeed very devout at first glance, the doctor could not feel the pure aura that came from religion.

It is far inferior to Laterano, at least.

"Stay close to me, Levini." Thinking this, the Doctor subconsciously said to the little girl beside him.

It was as if he had actually seen some danger.

“Yes, I will.” Levini gripped the doctor’s hand tightly.

The way the two walked down the street made them look like a father taking his daughter out for a stroll.

If those two priests hadn't been in front of them.

"that……"

The doctor spoke up, calling out to the priest in front.

"Yes, may I ask what it is?" The priest asked politely, turning to face the doctor.

"Where are we headed? How much longer will it take?" the doctor asked, voicing what was perhaps the question the girl beside him was most concerned about.

“Our destination is the Sunset Cathedral, which is about a 25-minute walk from here,” the priest replied. “Since this is your first visit, we cannot use any means of transportation.”

“Okay, I understand.” The Doctor nodded, then glanced down at Levini beside him. “Is everything alright?”

“Me?” Levini was puzzled by the doctor’s sudden concern. “It doesn’t matter how long I walk, I’m in great shape.”

After asking the question, the doctor himself was taken aback.

Yes.

Why should I worry about this little girl?

She snatched the suitcase, and he couldn't even catch up with her. What was there about her that made him care so much?

But the doctor also understood.

This concern stems from an obligation, a responsibility.

Perhaps during that stretch of the journey, I had come to regard her as someone who needed to be cherished.

He was determined to realize his ideals, hoping to prevent girls like her from repeating the same fate.

"Oh, right, Revy—"

With that in mind, the doctor decided to say something more to her.

However, his words were interrupted by a woman who suddenly flashed across his eyes.

The woman did not know the doctor, and the doctor did not know her either; their relationship was merely that of passing by each other.

But for some reason, the doctor was unable to erase her image from his retina.

That figure was thus subconsciously and firmly etched into his mind.

Wide-brimmed cowboy hat.

Serrated scalloped cap.

Also, the alien greatsword on its back.

-

Thank you segment.

Thank you for the monthly pass and the razor blade.

Chapter 76, Chapter 75: Deep Sea Tales - Eleven Born in Tranquility

During Iberia's golden age, countless convoys rolled in from all directions every day, returning home laden with goods while singing local folk songs.

At that time, Iberia was one of the top city-states in Terra, both in terms of its culture and economy.

In the early morning, people greet the dew and begin their new lives; at noon, the whole city is filled with the aroma of barbecue and soup; at night, dazzling lights awaken the city's last bit of vitality, making everyone sing, dance, and be merry.

What? You're saying I'm talking nonsense?

What a joke! Those are scenes I've seen in my dreams, and dreams are projections of real experiences, so they must be real!

You ask me who can prove that dreams are real?

You idiot, it turns out the gods never blessed you, that's why you act so ignorant and nonchalant.

Listen carefully: if you want to see what I see, you must pray as fervently as I do, dedicate everything to the Lord in heaven, and trust in Him with all your heart and soul. Only then will you be able to…

(The text below has been scribbled over)

—From "Terra Folklore and Customs Interview Log: Iberia Chapter"

-

"Doctor, doctor?"

Levini's voice pulled the doctor out of his reverie.

"Huh? What?" The doctor shook his head, refocusing his gaze on the girl in front of him. "What happened just now?"

“You’ve been staring at one spot, and you won’t respond no matter how I call you,” Levini said, puzzled. “What are you looking at? I don’t see anything here.”

Indeed, there is nothing left, at least not now.

The doctor, regaining his focus, remembered that he seemed to have been staring at a woman passing by, and that he had somehow become so engrossed that he was almost lost in thought.

"No, it's nothing, I was just thinking about something." So he could only use words to gloss over his inexplicable behavior.

Levi only frowned and did not press the matter further.

But the doctor was confused.

Who was that woman just now? Why was my gaze drawn to her?

It wouldn't be that strange because of her clothes and attire; after all, I've seen all sorts of odd costumes over the years.

If I had to describe it, the feeling would probably be more like the attraction of seeing an old acquaintance.

The problem is that I don't know her.

"I'll have to be more careful in the future," he said to himself.

-

So the two set off again, following in the footsteps of the two priests ahead, and taking the opportunity to observe this extremely xenophobic city-state.

"What does the physician think of Iberia?"

Levi walked beside the doctor and asked.

To be honest, this question stirred up some subtle emotions in the PhD student.

If he had to put it simply, the city-state of Iberia was actually no different from any other city-state he had ever visited.

Of course, architectural style is an exception.

Children were playing in the corners of the street, and some elderly people were playing cards or knitting in the square under the sun. At first glance, one would only think that the people here were living a leisurely and comfortable life at a slow pace.

And...it seems like they're quite happy.

So, thinking about it this way, perhaps the reason why Iberia is so xenophobic is that it wants to maintain this slow and comfortable sense of isolation; in other words, it doesn't want to be disturbed or influenced by the outside world.

After a moment's thought, the doctor returned the question to Levini verbatim.

"And you? What do you think?"

After all, it was she, not the doctor, who was going to be living here permanently, so this question was more significant to her than the doctor's.

"It seems pretty good...?" Levini glanced around at the scene with the eyes of a real estate agent looking at a house, and nodded in reply, "Much better than the desolate town I used to live in."

This is quite true.

However, comparing Iberia to Asturias would be somewhat beneath them.

"If you were adopted by the Iberian Church and officially lived here, would you feel unwilling and uncomfortable?" the doctor asked, looking at Levini.

“Even if I could, so what?” Levini laughed.

Seeing that smile, the doctor was speechless for a moment.

“Actually, I’ve been observing the lives of the residents in the neighborhood all the way here.” Levini hooked her fingers behind her back, her walking posture light and graceful, befitting her age. “They all look relaxed and happy, making you feel that even the flow of time slows down in this place. It’s a very comfortable place.”

“So I thought,” she raised her head slightly, at a perfect angle to gaze at the doctor, “that if I could live here and share the same happiness with them, but if, I mean if.”

The doctor silently lowered his head to look at the girl, waiting for her to continue.

“If the church environment is different from the outside environment, and if the judgment results in me being thrown into a cell for bad kids, what can I do?” she said. “After all, I did those things.”

Blasphemy.

She was fully aware of what she had done in front of those priests.

“The deeper I go into Iberia, the clearer I become about the extent to which religion holds a place in their hearts.” Levini hid her smile, kicked aside a small stone on the road, and let her gaze follow the stone as it rolled. “So I suppose the crime I committed is beyond redemption.”

“And I can’t escape this trial, Doctor.” Levini slowly squatted down, fiddling with the pebble she had just kicked away. “I can’t even leave Asturias, where else can I run to? Outside the town is only wilderness. Without transportation, I’ll just be buried by Originium dust. I might as well rot at home; at least I’ll still be alive.”

Looking at Levini like this, the doctor suddenly realized that he had not come with this girl on a trip or to meet her foster family.

From the beginning, his stance was that of a victim and a witness, observing Levini's trial.

It was only through their conversation on the way that the distance between them shortened, thus creating a subtle feeling.

What is this called, the Stockholm effect?

No, no, it's not that serious.

It was just simple pity.

It is the doctor's pity for Levini, who is the weaker party, as the stronger one.

But is the truth really that simple?

The doctor questioned himself in this way.

Did he not have even the slightest desire to save the girl in front of him?

Even if he was the victim and Levini was the perpetrator.

"Perhaps, but everything depends on the outcome of the trial."

In the end, he said this to himself.

Chapter 77, Chapter Seventy-Six: Deep Sea Tales - The Twelve Judgment Sites

The road is sandwiched between white linen walls, with balconies on both sides adorned with bouquets of crimson flowers.

The four of them strolled along the road, and the familiar sound of bells reached their ears.

"Clang, clang clang."

They had heard similar sounds when they entered the city.

But if you listen to it now, the volume and timbre of the sound are different.

After all, this place isn't in the same direction as the city gate.

"Rustling, rustling..."