Chapter 131: 67. Full Moon Church
Since returning to the university with Jasmine yesterday, Fisher has noticed that there are many more outsiders on campus.
“Clean up the road outside the main building; we need to set up a platform later, or how will the newspapers take photos!”
“And mark the text under the school signs with Shivali script! How can those foreign scholars understand all this Nali text?”
“Have the police department’s personnel been transferred over? Yes, correct. The entire academic conference must be closed to the public; it wouldn’t be good if any stray cats or dogs wander in.”
Next Monday, the academic delegation led by Prince Shivali will soon begin their academic activities at Saint Nali University. The Shivali visiting group will presumably arrive at Saint Nali by airship in the coming days.
Since this is nominally an academic conference and not an official visit, they will go directly to Saint Nali University and hold a five-day conference here. At the end of the conference, the Golden Palace will invite the leading prince and scholar group to visit on behalf of the King of Nali.
Therefore, before Shivali’s arrival, the New Party, which is fully responsible for this visit, is certainly eager to ensure everything goes smoothly. They have already entered Saint Nali University this Thursday, pointing out the campus’s arrangements and instructing their subordinates to make replacements to guarantee that the visit is flawless.
It’s no wonder; the important midterm elections are coming up, and this visit must be perfect. If any problems arise and the Griffin Party uses them against the New Party in parliament, it would affect their approval ratings.
Fisher is not concerned with the New Party’s troubles, but Shivali’s people will be here next week, and the entire school will be under lockdown. He plans to arrange for Carlo to come in today. After sending off Jasmine last night, Carlo sent multiple letters urging Fisher.
“The group of powerful Shivali scholars will be coming next week. Are you feeling the pressure?”
On Friday afternoon, Fisher stood at the entrance of the office building observing the ongoing construction at Saint Nali University. Roger, who had no other work to do, came over with a cup of coffee and joined him in watching the New Party officials giving orders outside.
Roger is also someone who doesn’t involve himself in political matters. He previously worked at the Nali Exploration Company, then left to start his own business, and was later invited by Ken to teach at the school.
He just came out to check on Fisher’s state of mind since the theme of this academic conference is Fisher’s theory on the source of magic soul. Before this theory was born, centuries-old traditional views held by Shivali scholars were shattered by Fisher, and they certainly wouldn’t let it go easily.
Fisher feels it’s alright. If Professor Heilson were here, it would be even easier. He has written to invite him, but Professor Heilson is currently on a business trip in the Northern Region and won’t be back for a while, so Fisher has to manage on his own.
He shook his head and said, “There’s no pressure, and the academic conference is just a facade; the real purpose is the meeting at the Golden Palace afterward.”
“That’s true, but the academic conference will still go through the motions.”
“Professor Fisher, I finished the assignment!”
As they were conversing, Jasmine excitedly walked out of the office holding a piece of assignment paper and handed it to Fisher. The paper was filled with writing and magical symbols.
Jasmine is a student assistant; she is responsible for grading her classmates’ assignments, so Fisher would give her this week’s assignment in advance to complete, and then he would grade it separately.
“Ah, I just saw that student doing the assignment. She seems to have exceptional magical talent.”
“That’s right.”
Hearing Roger’s praise, Jasmine felt a little embarrassed, and while Fisher was reading her assignment, she secretly looked outside at the group of workers moving items.
She roughly knows that an important event is coming up next week and that the security near the school will be very strict, so she plans to go out this weekend to find her fellow subhumans from the underwater. Last night, she confirmed with Xianghun at the swimming pool that the subhumans sent to land have indeed arrived at Saint Nali.
“Okay, very good, most of it is correct, but there are some minor issues. I’ll write them on your assignment paper later, and you can use my annotations to guide those students with similar problems when you grade.”
“Yes, Professor Fisher!”
As Fisher was about to go back to write some comments for her, a college mailman approached, holding a large stack of letters.
“Professor Fisher Benavides, here are your letters.”
“Thank you.”
Fisher took the letters from the staff member and examined a letter adorned with intricate classical patterns. In the center was a circular emblem featuring a crescent moon, which is the symbol of the Nali Church that worships the Mother.
He opened the envelope, and the contents were formally written as follows:
“Dear Professor Fisher Benavides, you have successfully registered for the charitable teaching activity organized by the church. The church greatly appreciates your strong support for the public welfare of Nali. You have been assigned to the ‘Full Moon Church’ classroom, and the first charitable class will be held tonight. Please arrive at the church on time and coordinate with the responsible bishop. Thank you once again for your dedication to charity, and may the compassionate Mother bless every child with a pure faith.”
So, it turns out that his earlier registration for the charitable teaching activity has been successful.
The Full Moon Church?
Fisher vaguely remembers that this church is located near the Cocoa River and Natown Street, which has recently seen a large flow of people due to the Pink Pavilion’s rising popularity. Many gentlemen have made Natown Street a must-pass route home.
As for the Cocoa River…
He recalls Meg mentioning the little elves in Parker Park before. Fisher plans to attend the charitable teaching activity in the afternoon and then check near the Cocoa River afterward to see what the so-called little elves are.
Resolved, he carefully put the letter away and, after writing some comments on Jasmine’s assignment, also planned to invite her to accompany him to Parker Park to look for those so-called elves. However, Jasmine declined Fisher’s invitation, saying she had other activities to do in the afternoon.
Although she’s his student assistant, she has other courses to attend, or perhaps, as an ocean subhuman, she has other things to do. Fisher isn’t sure.
Fisher wrote a letter to Carlo, asking him to meet at the Full Moon Church in the afternoon. Entering the school at this time can be complicated, but thankfully, the window in Fisher’s office is still usable. Previously, the security personnel told Fisher to lock the window when not in use, but they probably wouldn’t think Fisher would help others enter the school.
After sending off the messenger with the letter, Fisher took a carriage to the Full Moon Church at the end of Natown Street.
Churches dedicated to the Mother usually use imagery from the Genesis as their names. The full moon and blazing sun symbolize true gods of the same level as the Mother. They advised her not to save the rabbits, but the Mother disobeyed their counsel and proceeded nonetheless.
Additionally, some severely devout believers who contribute significantly to the church, such as archbishops, can also be honored with church names.
However, the most common names are variations like “Church of the Mother.”
When Fisher arrived at the Full Moon Church via carriage, the clergy were cleaning the prayer room. After explaining his purpose, a kindly older lady dressed in a simple black church robe came out from deep within the church to greet him with a warm smile.
“Mr. Fisher Benavides, I’ve long heard of your name. I was very happy to learn that you are in charge of our church’s charitable activity. Please come this way; we have arranged a classroom for you here. You can first get accustomed to the classroom environment, and there are already quite a few students inside.”
Fisher nodded in gratitude and followed the bishop into the church. The classroom was located in a room close to the street, and he didn’t push the door open but saw a dozen “students” already sitting inside. Most of the students are local residents who brought their children for the lecture.
Compared to Fisher’s own charitable teaching when he was young, the number of people here is far fewer.
The bishop had other matters to attend to, so she left first, but Fisher didn’t enter immediately. He noticed Carlo, dressed in a dark skirt, sneaking near the side of the classroom.
Fisher walked over, taking note of how lavishly adorned Carlo’s attire had become. On his pale thighs, he wore a pair of black stockings favored by Nali ladies. His brown hair was tied into a proper lady’s bun, and he had put on a bit of light makeup, looking no different from the other women—if one didn’t know he was a synthetic sorceress.
“I thought you had gone missing. If you dare to run away, I’ll expose our collaboration!”
Carlo looked at Fisher as he approached, threatening him quietly with an annoyed expression, clearly unhappy about Fisher not replying to his letters from yesterday and previously, and perhaps still somewhat resentful about being left in the jungle.
In fact, such a threat had no deterrent effect; it only revealed Carlo’s slight panic over Fisher’s lack of response to his letters. After analyzing his situation last time, he understood how dangerous his position currently was.
“Next Monday, Shivali’s academic conference will start, so I estimate they’ll arrive in Nali this weekend. Tomorrow or the day after, or even possibly tonight. When the time comes, enter the school with me, and I’ll prepare a servant’s outfit for you. You’ll need to change out of this floral dress.”
Ignoring Carlo’s little emotional outburst, Fisher directly addressed the overall context. However, he couldn’t help but gaze at Carlo’s feminine attire, causing Carlo to feel a bit embarrassed. He lowered his head to glance at his elegant skirt and softly explained,
“This… this is just a disguise; I don’t like these clothes! I’m a man!”
“Come back to Saint Nali University with me tonight after I finish my class here. You go back to the Pink Pavilion and say you’ve been out for an assassination to avoid raising suspicion.”
Carlo glanced at the classroom beside him and teased, “Heh, you still participate in such activities? For what? Fame? Conscience?”
Fisher turned to look at the classroom as if about to reply, but the next moment, a lady in the church walked out gracefully. She was dressed in a very conservative traditional Nali red dress with a small hat on her head. The woman’s beauty was stunning, captivating everyone with her every frown and smile. She had no visible expression, but as soon as she spotted Fisher standing by the classroom, she slightly paused.
Fisher recognized her, but not by his own face; rather, he had seen her before at the Pink Pavilion with Trandal, the woman named “Anna.”
And now she suddenly appeared in the Full Moon Church?
Fisher quickly noted her path; it led directly to the very classroom where he was about to teach.
He maintained a composed expression. Upon seeing the lady, he pushed Carlo into the gap between the wall right before him. Carlo winced and opened his mouth to complain, but upon seeing Fisher raise a finger as if to warn him, he could only sullenly remain silent.
Meeting Anna’s curious gaze, Fisher smiled, raising the cigarette he had unknowingly pinched between his fingers. She smiled knowingly back at him, and the exquisite smile that blossomed on her striking features was like a poison that lured men in.
But Fisher remained vigilant, watching as she walked into the classroom he was about to enter.
“What’s wrong?”
Responding to Carlo’s question, Fisher did not look at him but instead asked, “Does the Pink Pavilion know you’re out?”
“They absolutely don’t know. They usually don’t care about me. Plus, I’ve left a magical mannequin in my room at the Pink Pavilion; when it’s seen, it’ll signal me. I haven’t received any signals, so no one has definitely discovered I’ve come out!”
“That’s strange,” Fisher adjusted his clothes and said to Carlo, “Anna from the Pink Pavilion is here; you should return to the Pink Pavilion first and come out tonight. I’m going to class now; I’ll meet with you afterward.”
“Okay.”
Carlo glanced at the classroom, pretending to be a lady as he walked in the opposite direction of the church. His movements were exceedingly graceful, showing no signs of awkwardness. Who would know that Carlo was once a proper gentleman? Even Fisher was fooled by him the first time.
After Carlo completely disappeared from view, Fisher cautiously started to contemplate Anna’s situation.
He had previously seen her while disguised with the Mask Maker’s veil at the Pink Pavilion; now, she was using his own face, and it seemed she didn’t recognize him. It is likely that she managed to act without revealing any flaws when posing as a Shivali gentleman at the Pink Pavilion.
So, why is she here?
Is she really here to attend class?
Fisher tucked the cigarette into his pocket and waited a moment before walking into the classroom for charitable teaching.
There are still two more to go today.
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(The end of this chapter)
