Casite smiled, humbly waving his hand: "I am merely riding the winds of the era, making slight guidance. However, the young scholars of the Academy, they are the true protagonists... By the way, speaking of a recent research, perhaps Your Highness would be interested."

Luo Yan: "Oh? What is the topic?"

Casite's expression suddenly became mysterious, as though he was ready to stun his listener. Luo Yan leaned in, as desired, showing interest as he waited.

Building up suspense, Casite spoke solemnly.

"Recently, our scholars have proposed a bold hypothesis... They believe that the earth beneath us is not flat and boundless, but rather, a vast sphere!"

"Sph... sphere?!"

Luo Yan was slightly taken aback, a trace of undisguised surprise flitting across his face.

He indeed felt shocked, but not because of the viewpoint itself, rather he was surprised that—such words came from a favorite of the Pope!

If it were in Thunder City, absolutely no one would dare to discuss this, fearing it might not even reach the priest's ears before being whacked by old farmers of Thunder County.

Seeing Luo Yan's surprise, Casite seemed quite satisfied and further explained: "Yes, or more precisely, an elliptical celestial body, which we call a planet. Supporting this hypothesis is the continent you just returned from, the Gana Continent—like a puzzle piece lost for a thousand years, it fits precisely into our confusion."

Luo Yan contemplated for a moment, his gaze directed towards the High Tower and church outside the car window, tentatively mentioning: "This viewpoint seems to contradict the doctrine of the Holy Word Book..."

Casite's eyes gleamed, appreciating the Prince's honesty and devoutness, then continued with a smile.

"Five hundred years ago, this was indeed a taboo topic, but it's been different in the last two hundred years. Especially during Gregory IX — our great His Holiness the Pope wrote to supplement the content not mentioned in the Holy Word Book, making the theory of everything revolving around the Holy Light no longer taboo. And as is well known, the Holy Light shares the same source as the sun, with demons fearing sunlight supporting this notion."

Demons actually do not fear sunlight, they just dislike it, similar to how humans detest dark places and overly hot lava.

However, Luo Yan did not interrupt him; he continued to listen with interest.

"Of course, the heliocentric theory is not our only theory; there is also the double arc theory, although fewer delve into it. That is, our world is like a bowl, with the surface being the convex side, and hell is the concave side. The sun rotates along the bowl edge, sunlight on the surface cycles, with long days and short nights, whereas dusk in hell cycles with short days and long nights."

"Truly incredible ideas." Though Taufu couldn't help but snort in mockery, Luo Yan still sincerely praised.

From a modern perspective, these ideas are certainly whimsical, but so-called science has never been about standard answers in a workbook; it is a method and thought for exploring truth.

Bold imagination and careful verification are the paths to truth, they have already birthed the buds of science, though everything remains rather crude.

Moreover...

He actually has no reason to claim they are definitely wrong.

First, the universe is different.

Although many physical rules in this world are similar to those on Earth, due to the existence of Subspace, the space in this universe is clearly non-continuous, allowing access to clearly more information than people in other universes.

Gazing at the seemingly awestruck Prince Colin, Earl Cassette smiled and continued.

"...Your Highness, as you can see, we are entering an unprecedentedly beautiful golden age. And I believe your return signifies one of the markers of this beautiful era's inauguration! Please allow me to represent my family, my honor, and my faith, to welcome you home!"

Luo Yan quietly listened, a pleasant smile emerging on his face.

His gaze crossed the bustling streets outside the car window, landing on the distant majestic Imperial Palace and the church spire that was already parallel with the palace as they gradually moved away.

"Thank you, on behalf of the Colin family, I also express my gratitude for your welcome... It is an honor to join you in unveiling this magnificent prelude."

....

The Dantes family lives at 11 Loyalty Street, a name that suggests it's not a residence for the wealthy, but rather for the Empire's upscale grassroots.

And indeed, that's the case.

Dense three-story townhouses are situated on both sides of the cobbled road; occasionally a cargo carriage would traverse the somewhat spacious street.

From the sign at the entrance, the Dantes family enjoys a detached house, which is quite remarkable, but regrettably his neighbors do not.

The ground floor next door is a shoemaker's shop, with the sounds of 'Guangguang' likely persisting from morning till the dusk bell rings out. Residents not far away are pouring a basin of vegetable wash water in front of their doors, seemingly trying to dilute the unpleasant smell emanating from the drainage gutter.

In Thunder City, the only thing better is that its drainage system was built by Linte Isaac, even in summer, there's no worry about foul odors. But living in such a community where "property prices were once steep yet old money have long moved away," count too much on the quality of neighbors.

Yet Lumier did not snobbishly disdain them, as his own origins are not that noble either, and might even elicit a subconscious query from others like "what is that" — an origin from the countryside of Thunder City.

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