Robin Keating was once a close friend of the King of the Ravel Dynasty. He held many important positions and saw too many things that could only be seen or seen clearly if he stood high enough. Therefore, whether it was politics, military, management, or economics
He is very knowledgeable in other aspects, and has become a wise man who knows everything in Verak's mind.
"...At the beginning, the aristocrats and plutocrats brought Ravel to power by operating parliament. Therefore, when he was in power, he enacted legislation and reforms many times to maintain and enhance the influence of these interest camps in the government..."
Keating spoke objectively.
Verak sometimes listened carefully and sometimes quickly jotted down something in his notebook.
"...The main reason for the civilian uprising and revolution to overthrow the Bressi Empire was the economy. In those years, agricultural harvests failed year after year, triggering a nationwide famine. Not long after, the economic crisis in Wellland spread to Bresci, and then
Coupled with the deepening of the agricultural crisis, the purchasing power of farmers has declined, which has also affected industrial products, and then a major industrial and commercial crisis has formed."
"At the same time, the fiscal crisis is becoming increasingly serious. Every year, as many as 700 to 800 banks fail due to bankruptcies. Short-term debts are high and corruption is becoming more common. The superposition of various crises not only makes the people at the bottom live in dire straits.
Even the aristocrats and plutocrats are deeply uneasy."
Verak wrote something, raised his head and said: "So a revolution broke out? Was it overthrown?"
"So the foundation of rule was shaken, accelerating the outbreak of the revolution." Keating emphasized the details, "Coupled with Ravel's cautious governance and conservative diplomacy, which caused great dissatisfaction among the people, the revolution broke out, which was already shaky.
It didn’t take long for the government to be completely overthrown.”
"It was a series of crises that continued to worsen each other, and many long-buried problems were finally detonated together, which led to the overthrow of the Bressi Empire, right?" Verak checked what he remembered and asked.
"You can say that, but the summary is too simple." Keating was not satisfied. "You need to think about deeper issues, how did these crises erupt, and what opportunities for remediation were missed at each stage."
Verak hesitated: "I... I don't think I can see through such a profound problem with my knowledge. If I can see this, how could Ravel not see it?"
"I'm not asking you to write the best answer, but you have to give your opinion, and I will do my best to correct you later." Keating explained patiently, "As for why Ravel didn't see it,
Some things are indeed only realized after they happen, and some are simply deadlocks. Even if you know them, it will not help..."
"Okay..." Verak felt his head was a little bloated. What Keating was talking about was too complicated. He didn't understand it, and he didn't know how to ask about the vague parts. He could only rack his brains and figure it out on his own.
logic.
Keating could tell at a glance that Verak was still very confused, but he knew that this was the only way to go, so he did not explain the things he didn't understand attentively, waiting quietly for him to figure it out on his own or form enough knowledge.
If you have big problems, come to him again.
"I'll pick it up in ten minutes." Unknowingly, it was noon again. The prison guard came in and placed the two meals next to Verak and Keating before leaving.
Verak rubbed the bridge of his nose, put down his notebook and started eating.
"You learned Dunman quite well. If you learn it fast enough, I will have time to teach you Bash before you are killed or escape from prison." Keating is relatively more aware of Verak's language talent.
.
"Do you also speak Bash?" Verak didn't know about this yet. He only knew that Keating was from Dunman and had lived in Bressey all year round. It was certain that he knew the languages of the two countries.
"When I was young, I went to school in Bash." Keating has quite a lot of life experience. "But I haven't mentioned it for a long time. I don't know how much I can still remember."
Verak immediately said: "I will learn Dunman language as soon as possible."
"Eat." Keating smiled and urged Verak to start eating.
Verak, who felt that his life had never been fuller than before, suppressed his excitement, quickly picked up the food, and ate all the food in the lunch box before the prison guards came to collect it.
In the afternoon, Keating continued to teach the Dunman language, and by the way shared the history of the United States of Dunman, its customs and customs, the capital of the Old South that was in need of reconstruction, the reasons for the outbreak of the civil war, and the basis for inferring that Dunman would become one of the five great powers in the future.
In the evening, Verak told Keating about things he didn't know, bits and pieces of ordinary life. He didn't know whether it was of any use to Keating, but Keating listened very carefully.
, smiling and asking questions from time to time, which made him feel enough respect.
October 1st
The deadline that Verak told Keating to stand up came.
In the distance, Lezein had no idea what would happen to Equality now. A sword hanging over his head that could kill him at any time made it impossible for him to truly relax.
"Come slowly, don't be in a hurry." It was another quiet morning after breakfast and other prisoners went to work. Keating watched Verak, who had eaten and drank and felt good about himself, trying to stand up again like yesterday, and specifically warned him.
"Don't worry, teacher." This time Verak had more confidence in his body. He did not press against the wall and evenly distribute a considerable part of his weight on the wall to reduce the burden on his legs. Instead, he knelt down directly on the ground, and then
Hold up your hands and slowly try to stand without any external force.
Keating's heart felt like it was being pulled.
Verak is really too anxious. He is eager for knowledge, eager for his body to recover, eager to break the deadlock, and eager to help the Equality Society.
Keating understood Verak's thoughts, but he was constantly refreshed by Verak's willpower. He had seen too many people in prison who would do whatever it took to face death, and everyone showed their despicable side in order to survive.
Incisively and vividly.
Verak is the only one who truly lives toward death.
"Don't be anxious." Keating still blurted out these words, but now he already agreed with Verak's eagerness in his heart.
Stay eager, constantly challenge the impossible, and become strong enough.
"Huh...it doesn't hurt much anymore. I just can't exert my strength..." Verak changed into a squatting position. He wanted to straighten his legs and stand up, but it was quite difficult without external force. "If it hurts, but
It'll be fine if I can use my strength. I can bear the pain, but if I don't have the strength, there's really nothing I can do."
"First help him to stand up." It was not an option to continue to be in a stalemate with him. Keating advised Verak to use external force first.
"Yeah." Verak thought so too. He leaned against the wall, grabbed the bed frame beside him with both hands, and pulled his body up with the help of his arms.
Keating was sitting on the edge of the bed. He leaned towards Verak and held Verak's waist with one hand: "Let go and try."
Feeling Keating's strong hands supporting him, Verak was sweating profusely and felt like he would collapse to the ground if he let go. Verak took a few deep breaths and slowly loosened his grip on the bed frame.
Contrary to expectations, he did not fall, but stood tremblingly with his shoulders shrugged.
"Let's go." Before Verak could show his smile, Keating said in a deep voice while pushing Verak forward with a little force.
Verak suppressed his joy, concentrated his mind, and mobilized all his strength to move.
"Uh..." After gritting his teeth, Verak finally raised his left leg a few centimeters and stepped forward heavily.
The first step has been taken!
"Okay, continue." Keating was equally excited, but he didn't show it on his face at all. He still held Verak's waist and pushed him little by little.
"Huh...huh..." With just one step, Verak felt that all his strength had been expended. Sweat flowed into his eyes, making him sting so much that he couldn't open them. He simply closed his eyes and focused on
On his left leg, he tried his best to take a half-step forward with his right leg.
After taking this step, Verak's body suddenly froze and he fell forward.
Keating quickly put his hands on his chest, trying to steady Verak. Unfortunately, because he was also disabled and sitting, he couldn't use much strength at all, which only delayed Verak's fall.
Verak reacted quickly and held onto the bed frame with both hands to prevent himself from falling to the ground.
"Oh."
Keating looked at Verak with admiration, and the two smiled at each other.
After calming down for a while, Verak continued to start rehabilitation training, and his body's condition was recovering at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Keating did not remind Verak that it was time for lectures and silently helped him walk.
From the very beginning, it took him a minute to move half a meter tremblingly. By lunchtime, Verak was able to wander back and forth in Cell 208 with small steps without holding on to the wall.
The prison guard who delivered the meal originally planned to open the door as usual and deliver the lunch box to Verak and Keating, but he froze as soon as he came over.
Verak stood in front of the door and showed a bright smile to the prison guard: "Just put the food on the partition this time."
"How...how did you stand up?" The prison guard was surprised and happy. He had seen with his own eyes how serious Verak's injuries were. He couldn't even feed himself at that time, but he fed him out of kindness.
"Just stood up." Verak didn't know how to answer the prison guard's difficult question.
The prison guard put the lunch box on the partition and pushed it to Verak: "How is this possible..."
"I did it." Verak took the lunch box, "Thank you."
"Thank me for what I did." The prison guard shook his head, still unable to believe the scene in front of him.
"If it weren't for you..."
"I've already said this, no need to thank me." The prison guard looked around, worried that his closeness to Verak would be noticed, and took a few steps back, "I can see that your body is recovering so well, and I sincerely apologize for you.
I feel happy, okay, you guys hurry up and eat, I will pick up the lunch box in ten minutes."
After Verak thanked him, he slowly walked up to Keating with his lunch box and handed the lunch box to Keating.
Keating took the lunch box and said with emotion: "The last time I took the lunch box from you was more than half a month ago."
Verak smiled and sat down: "I didn't expect that more than half a month had passed... I still remember clearly when I first came here, all I could think about was that I couldn't live here for more than a week no matter what."
"Then you not only had enough life, but you also withstood the inhuman test." Keating said with a smile, "Have you ever thought you could persevere?"
Verak opened the lunch box and stirred the food: "I really haven't thought about it. Although I have always encouraged myself, I still feel very unsure. Only then can I really know the answer to this kind of thing. I just
Every time when I can't hold it anymore, I hypnotize myself, and if I persist for a while, I will succeed and I can get over it."
"What are your plans for the afternoon?"
"Afternoon..." Verak concentrated on rehabilitation training. Before he had time to plan the afternoon, he slowed down in stirring the food. "What I planned yesterday was to go to the field today, and then go to see Lecter and convince him to let him go."
We can also take a break and get you a wheelchair. The plan can't keep up with the change, and your body is still a little bit weak. Let's train for another half day. I'll go see Lecter after dinner tomorrow morning."
"Okay, then hurry up and eat." Keating said.
Verak concentrated on eating.
After lunch, after a short rest, Verak started rehabilitation training again. When he felt that he was obviously improving, he began to practice more and more vigorously. If Keating hadn't said that excessive training would have counterproductive effects, I am afraid that he would have been unable to recover.
I will practice all afternoon.
The final results were very significant. By night, Verak could walk more naturally. Except for his awkward walking posture and his body pausing every time he took a step, there were no other problems.
"Nine days." Keating marked the days for Verak. "You were able to walk after lying down for nine days. Lecter wouldn't believe it if you told him."
"He will believe it, and he will be very excited." Verak has been dealing with Lecter for so long, and he knows Lecter's character very well. His own willpower and resilience only make the game more interesting in Lecter's eyes.
Interesting stuff.
"Then you are going to see him tomorrow?"
"Um."
"Have you thought about what to say?"
"We have roughly thought about it, and we will adapt accordingly when the time comes." Persuading Lecter to agree to their escape is the most important part of the escape plan, and Verak is bound to win.
——
October 2
After dinner early in the morning, Verak asked the prison guard to contact Lecter and said that he had something very important to interview with Lecter.
The prison guard knew that the deputy warden valued Verak and that no one in this prison dared to tease Lecter, so when Verak told him that there was something important, he rushed to notify him as soon as possible.
Lecter, who had been doing nothing, learned that Verak was looking for him, and he rushed over soon after. He stood outside the cell and looked at Verak like an animal: "How many days have we not seen each other? I almost forgot that you were there.
Such a great person."
"Let's talk somewhere else." Verak suggested.
"Help him out." Lecter was curious about what tricks Verak was playing, and he didn't believe that Verak could find out the whereabouts of the gold.
"No need." Verak stood up from the bed, "I can walk by myself."
As expected, Lecter's eyes widened when he saw this, not hiding his excitement and surprise at all: "You can still stand up? How many days has it been?"
"Is it surprising?"
"Of course, of course." Lecter pulled the key from the prison guard's waist and opened the cell door himself, "I like you so much, Chris, you are the best toy I have ever seen."
When he heard the word toy, Verak's face turned ugly: "It's a pity that you can't touch me."
"It's temporary! I'm not in a hurry!" Lecter opened the door, leaned over enthusiastically, and invited Verak out like a servant, "Please."