A true outing was usually aimless, but Rita had her own ideas in planning this trip.
She wanted to create a stage play for the students, with a hero, a Demon King, and a heartrending betrayal. It would definitely teach these still-green monks a proper lesson.
Play: Demon King and Hero;
Hero: Seele Vollerei;
Demon King: Delta;
Friendly participants: all novice monks of Landon Monastery;
There was only one audience member: Hoshino herself—or rather, Rita.
Within Laterano's high walls lay a land rich in water and grass, but outside stood in stark contrast. As far as the eye could see stretched a desert, where the wind and sand raged fiercely. Throughout history, nations and dynasties had built city-states upon stable land. After learning lessons paid for in blood, those fixed cities had become desolate ruins and wreckage.
This was the "wasteland" spoken of by other countries.
But Laterano was different. The wasteland surrounding it was a wasteland in the truest sense, without city ruins covered in crystals, and one could see far beyond the horizon.
"The land as it originally looked." Rita sounded somewhat wistful.
It was hard to see such a sight anywhere else.
"You are the protagonists of this outing. I won't interfere in any way; I'm merely an observer," Rita politely told the students. After disappointed voices rose up, she abruptly changed her tune.
Rita smiled. "However, I did bring some premium meat, vegetables, barbecue sauce, and charcoal. Just something I picked up on a whim. A small favor, hardly worth mentioning."
That sudden reversal drew wave after wave of cheers. Some had been sighing mournfully one second, only to perk right up the next. Life truly was complicated.
The novice monks all stepped forward to collect meat, vegetables, and charcoal grills, every face brimming with delight.