"What's the point of making this thing? What I want is to be able to go over there!"
Although Remilia's mouth was tough, her hands were very honest as she took the object that looked like an old-fashioned television.
"It's all because of a certain someone who keeps muttering about Flandre every day. Sigh, if you don't want it, give it back to me... I'll return it to Kappa Heavy Industries."
"Who said I didn't want it?" Remilia hugged the TV and slipped into a nearby small room.
After entering the room, she asked Sakuya, who was beside her, "How does this thing work again?"
"Eldest Miss, please go sit on the sofa. I will tune the TV for you."
Sakuya, who had followed her in, took the TV from Remilia's hands and placed it on the table. Once she was seated, the TV was turned on, and then Remilia's smile froze.
What was her sister doing? She was dancing with a group of people at the level of grandmothers. She could hardly believe her eyes.
Close eyes. Open eyes. Look at the screen. It was still the same scene.
Looking at Flandre inside, who was smiling incredibly brightly, Remilia began to wonder if she had been too harsh when she locked Flandre away before. It resulted in her being able to play with anyone now that she was out on her own.
"I think I've heard of this scene... it's called 'Square Dancing'."
The voice of the Black-and-White Rat, Marisa, came from behind her. She turned her head and found that at some point, the surroundings were already filled with quite a few people.
"Your sister is quite interesting. While you're here pacing around in circles, she's over there dancing with a group of elderly people. And I must say, she dances quite well."
The speaker was a girl with pinkish-purple hair wearing a light blue top. She looked young but radiated the same "Elder Sister" aura as Remilia. Her most striking feature was a red hairband connected to multiple coils and a vivid, open eye resting on top. This was the master of the Palace of the Earth Spirits, Satori Komeiji, who possessed the ability to read minds.
She hadn't come here to help for any other reason than simply sensing Remilia's care for Flandre. Thinking of how she also had a troublesome sister who could suddenly disappear at any time, she had specifically come to lend a hand. Seeing Flandre's happy appearance now, she felt as if she were seeing her own sister, who also seemed to live as lightheartedly as this child while away.
"Isn't this great! Earlier you were saying you were afraid she'd run into this or that danger. Now it looks like there's no danger at all."
Marisa naturally patted Remilia on the shoulder. Remilia glanced at her and, seeing her silly, happy expression, thought she was right. If Flandre weren't in a very safe environment, she probably wouldn't be acting so relaxed. Although it looked a bit embarrassing, the people around her also had very relaxed expressions, just like ordinary people. This further proved that her environment was not a dangerous place.
"Hmm, the place she's in now doesn't look like where we went before!"
Yukari Yakumo, standing nearby, spoke after sizing up the clothing of the people in the video.
"Oh?" The others all turned their heads.
"When Remilia and I went over last time, how should I put it, the environment there had a very heavy Russian feel. You saw the people in those photos; their clothing style was completely different from here. But these people... they look more like they're from that place next door.(China)"
Yukari Yakumo pointed a slender finger at the people in the screen and spoke. Hearing her words, the group looked at the clothes of the people standing next to Flandre and compared them to the previous photos; the difference was indeed large. The people in those photos looked very poor, and most were Bear Spirits. On the TV, they could see all sorts of dog demons, rabbit demons, and cat demons.
While the people of Gensokyo were discussing the contents of the screen, the square dance on Flandre's side finally reached its end. These aunties liked Flandre very much, stating that as long as it wasn't a rainy day and the place wasn't requisitioned for some large-scale event, they would be here dancing for two hours every morning and evening. So she could come play with them anytime.
Flandre nodded happily. The practice of doing morning exercises has been recorded since the time in Ursus. Although there was a certain difference between square dancing and morning exercises, in Flandre's eyes, they were both full-body movements, so it wasn't a big problem.
After saying goodbye to the square dancing aunties, Flandre walked toward the nearby stall area. After all, she had been there when Croissant mentioned that matter yesterday, and Beatrice had confidently guaranteed that it would definitely be resolved today.
Upon arriving here, she found it was even more lively than the dancing area. Operators from the Lungmen Guard Department were currently in a standoff with a group of people. Beatrice was standing at the very front with her arms crossed.
"I don't care what those people promised you or how much money you paid for it; that's your business. However, the relevant suspects and responsible parties have already been taken into custody by us. We will refund your entrance fees, but we will reclaim the stalls in the plaza and then distribute them for free to independent vendors in need, according to the original method. If you have a need for a stall, then apply according to the implementation rules for independent stalls in the Central Plaza."
"Impossible! We spent a lot of effort building these storefronts, and you say you're taking them back just like that? Who do you think you are!" someone cursed, pointing at Beatrice's nose.
"Beatrice Schwire, Senior Superintendent of the Lungmen Guard Department. This is my work ID. I am giving you six hours to dismantle all illegal structures; I will be back at 3:00 PM for inspection. All structures that have not been dismantled will be forcibly cleared by the demolition team. As for your losses, you can go sue those who promised you entry. I don't mind."
When Beatrice announced her name, many people on the opposite side became even more furious. In their view, these places originally belonged to the Schwire family. To pull this move—inviting them first, and then saying it's not allowed once the renovations are done—was simply burning the bridge after crossing it.
"No way! We spent a massive amount of energy and time for this place. You say dismantle and we dismantle? Do you have any proof! I want to see the Governor! I'm going to sue the Schwire family for embezzlement and malicious competition!"
Seeing Beatrice's completely indifferent look, that person made a show of heading toward the Governor's Mansion. Beatrice directly stepped aside to make a path.
"Please, feel free to go sue. By the way, let me tell you something: the official seal on this mandatory demolition order in my hand comes from the Governor's Mansion. See, it's still fresh; Governor Wei personally stamped it less than an hour ago."
After Beatrice finished speaking, she checked the time.
"You still have five hours and fifty-five minutes to handle the things on these stalls yourselves. Remember, as soon as 3:00 hits, I will have the demolition team forcibly enter the site."
After speaking, Beatrice pasted that mandatory demolition order directly onto a nearby bulletin board. She then ordered people to keep watch before leading her team to prepare to leave. As she turned her head, she saw a certain "Scrambled Eggs with Tomato" watching the excitement from not far away.
Her previously serious, stern face instantly broke into a smile. She walked up to Flandre and reached out to pinch her cheek.
"What are you doing over here, little Flandre? Checking up on your sister's work?"
"No, Flandre is here to watch the excitement!" Flandre said, pointing at the people crowding under the bulletin board to read the demolition notice.
Beatrice rolled her eyes. "What's there to see here?"
"There are many people, so it's very exciting!" Flandre replied.
Well, that answer was flawless; Beatrice didn't know what to say.
"I still have some things to do. If you want to watch the excitement, remember to come here at 3:00 PM. I expect it will be much more exciting then."
Beatrice's emerald-green eyes swept across the nearby stall area. She was certain that even though she said the stall fees could be refunded and the remaining losses could be claimed from the Schwire family, no more than twenty percent of the people here would honestly leave on their own. So there would definitely be a good show in the afternoon. After all, many people have a gambling mindset, thinking their network and money can help them settle this matter.
With so many people involved, they certainly wouldn't believe Beatrice would dare to risk public outcry and actually carry out that forced demolition. But they didn't know that Beatrice was determined. Even several of her own relatives had been sent to the Guard Department's jail by her, let alone anyone else. Unless Wei Yenwu nodded, she was set on demolishing this place today; it wouldn't matter if a god showed up.
"Really?" Flandre's eyes lit up.
"For real! Remember, don't forget the time!"
Seeing Flandre's happy look, Beatrice couldn't help but reach out and rub her head again before leaving with her people in satisfaction. After they left, Flandre also prepared to wander around other places. After all, it was still early, so there was no rush at all. Because she had no goal, she was just wandering aimlessly.
However, as she walked, her surroundings began to change. It was no longer those tall skyscrapers, but had turned into low, small rooms. The streets, however, were quite tidy. But upon entering this area, Flandre noticed several pairs of eyes looking at her. After looking around in confusion, she recalled when she was chatting with Beatrice and Ch'en Huijie, and the other party mentioned this place when talking about Lungmen—the Slums.
This place could be described as a true melting pot. Infected, ordinary people who couldn't make it, and some who had committed crimes elsewhere and fled to Lungmen to settle down basically all lived here. And this was also the place where Lungmen's gang influence was deepest and most prevalent. It was normal for there to be several gangs on one street, and one could often see gangs fighting and brawling with each other late at night.
At first, the Guard Department would come to manage things, but the public security here was too chaotic. If they monitored this place every day, it would waste a massive amount of the Guard Department's police force. Later, after talking with some gang leaders, everyone came to a tacit set of rules: to keep armed brawls to an appropriate level, or at least ensure no one died. In this way, the public security of the Slums improved slightly. To this day, the Slums remain the most chaotic place in all of Lungmen.