The land reclamation project continued to proceed.

But it was far from smooth.

Setting aside the protesting and rioting populace on site, the mere incident of the Sea God's portrait in Sandro's castle shattering, along with the statues of mythical beasts under the Sea God and accompanying murals, was enough to cause unrest.

Don't be deceived by the current lack of religious belief in the Kingdom; it seems that people have more faith in technology and the power of progress.

However, ultimately, everyone still lives by the sea, and the reverence for the ocean is innate. In fact, everyone is a potential follower of Isis.

Now, because of the land reclamation issue, such strange phenomena suddenly appeared, and no one's heart could remain calm.

Even though no one dared to publicly mention it in the newspapers, privately, claims that the Sea God was enraged, that the Sea God has laid a curse, and if anyone dares to reclaim the land from the sea, it would be repaid doubly, had already spread throughout the city.

Naturally, Ethan put some effort into this, but not too much.

Because the human mind is like a wilderness; often just a spark is needed to start an entire blaze.

Besides these mystical rumors, there were also some more scientific objections.

For instance, some newspapers published geologists' statements, stating that Winster was not suitable for land reclamation, and if forcibly pursued, it could cause a large-scale backflow of seawater, eventually endangering the current city area.

This geologist, of course, was from Winster University.

Although Winster University's geology department is not well-known, the public cannot discern this; they only think that since experts said it, there must be no problem.

Therefore, Oswaldo's land reclamation plan is now facing pressure from multiple directions.

It still lacks a catalyst for its complete failure.

A significant catalyst.

Yet, Ethan seemed less anxious and returned to his routine life.

During the day, he painted at home or occasionally went to Ned's for afternoon tea, or if the time came, he taught a class at Winster University.

On this day, he happened to be teaching at Winster University again.

He had already become a true celebrity, and even during classes, reporters might be waiting outside.

Now, he was not only teaching painting but more often propagating his surrealist ideas.

Today, he extended his discussion from surrealism to the ocean, and from the ocean to nature, and further to the harm humans cause to nature, which would ultimately be returned to humans doubly.

Although he didn't state it explicitly, ever since the geologist's statements were published in the newspapers, Winster University had practically become the most firmly opposed center in Winster City against the land reclamation plan.

Moreover, with his constant subtle dissemination of these theories, some students had already started organizing anti-land reclamation protest groups.

Students are always the sharpest knives.

After class, many students gathered around Ethan to ask if he was opposed to land reclamation.

Reporters waiting outside also took the opportunity to question him about his views on land reclamation.

Ethan seemed a bit helpless, but finally said, "I do not oppose land reclamation, after all, I am an investor in this plan. However, I think the current implementers of this plan are ultimately outsiders; they live in places without the ocean and lack a reverence for the sea, which might backfire in the end."

After saying this, Ethan left.

Leaving a group of students and reporters deep in thought.

This too was a spark.

What he needed to do now was to spread sparks everywhere, and then wait until the flames were at their peak.

A gust of wind could burn everything to the ground.

After leaving the crowd, Ethan did not go home. As usual, he went to Gustav's laboratory.

In fact, after El became acting principal, he wanted to improve Gustav's treatment, wanting to allocate a whole new building for Gustav as a research site and even provide him with several assistants.

But Gustav refused; he simply did not need these.

As long as he had basic living conditions, the rest, he only needed endless ancient languages.

Pushing open the door to Gustav's laboratory, the room had changed from being sparse to being piled full, scattered everywhere were Gustav's manuscripts.

And Gustav himself seemed to always maintain that posture, hunched over writing continuously.

Ethan remembered that when he left last time, Gustav was in the same posture.

He didn't seem to have groomed himself for quite some time, his beard almost reaching his chest.

He looked exceptionally gaunt; if it weren't for his exceptionally intense gaze that seemed ready to ignite at any moment, Ethan wouldn't doubt that he might collapse the next moment.

"Ethan, I knew it was you!"

Just by the sound of the door, Gustav knew it was Ethan and hurriedly grabbed what he was writing and waved it at Ethan.

"Just a little more, just a little more, Ethan, I'm about to complete the first lexicon of the Ancient Bylaw."

Ancient Bylaw refers to the ancient language.

After prolonged sleepless research, Gustav had finally compiled what could be called a detailed lexicon.

This lexicon was enough for Ethan to understand most of the ancient language parts of true names, and he could even read the pronunciation.

This was Gustav, a true genius.

"Congratulations, Professor Gustav."

Ethan clapped gently.

"No, Ethan, this honor is not mine alone. Without your selfless sharing, I could never have accomplished this. If I publish my paper, I will surely include your name."

Mentioning publishing a paper, Gustav's eyes grew increasingly fervent.

Publishing a paper?

This sounded like an act of utter madness.

You should know before this, ancient languages had always been considered esoteric knowledge, hidden beneath the world's surface.

Aside from sufficiently seasoned bearers of true names or groups like the Eye of Truth, hardly anyone mastered this knowledge.

Had Ethan not discovered a talent like Gustav, he might still not have truly found a way to learn ancient languages.

If Gustav indeed published a paper, what kind of sensation and consequences would it cause?

"But just a little more, just a little more, I must quickly analyze it completely, oh, by the way, what you wanted is on the table over there, go take it yourself."

Saying this, Gustav turned away again.

At that moment, Ethan could sense that there truly seemed to be a flame burning on him.

It was no illusion; it was a genuine feeling.

Clearly, Gustav was not a bearer of a true name, yet he had a strong aura of true names, poised to burst out.

Perhaps he truly was the Fire Thief of this era?

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