abnormal mutation

Chapter 102 Trade Fair

The two officers were not extraordinary individuals, but they knew more than the average person. Roland's gun was slung at his waist, but they made no attempt to check his gun license.

Compared to firearms, the two giant wolves posed a significantly greater threat.

Roland took out his security advisor credentials, gun license, and four identity documents that he had prepared beforehand and handed them to the other party. He was amazed at the significant role played by the law enforcement field. The good public security of the Sid Empire was inseparable from the law enforcement spiritual domain and this group of law enforcement officers.

The middle-aged law enforcement officer was the first to open the security consultant's certificate. Upon seeing the surname and title on it, a smile immediately spread across his face.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Otto. The headquarters of the Northern Union Chamber of Commerce is on Central Avenue. You'll see it when you get to Central Square..."

"Thank you."

Without much conversation, the sled turned left and continued along the street.

The Solonian identity, coupled with the role of a security advisor to the Northern Merchants' Guild, is highly valued here; it's said that the vast majority of entry-level positions in Sogatta are held by Solonians.

It was midday, and the golden sunlight felt warm and comfortable on people. The snow in the roadside flowerbeds was even showing signs of melting.

"It's so warm here, are we heading south?" Andrew jumped out of the car, jogged around to warm up, and grinned widely.

"You don't even know the largest city in the North, let alone the South?" Targen mocked him, his eyes darting around.

“I like it here.” Evan sat on his backpack, looking around with curiosity at the graffiti on the walls on both sides.

During the conversation, the sled turned several more intersections, the skateboard scraping across the road with a constant screeching sound, which was very damaging to the sled.

Roland didn't care much. There was a steam rail line south of Sogattak that led to Eskopet, Seinane, and Almosid, and it had only been open for a few years.

The track leading to Almosid was laid by the Northern Union Merchant Guild. The Sid Empire did not contribute a single penny, but the management and pricing rights belonged to the Empire. The Merchant Guild only had the right to operate the track and has not yet recouped its costs.

Even so, competition for such projects remains fierce. If the Hid Empire hadn't been experiencing financial problems in recent years, these projects would never have been open to the public.

Half an hour later, the sled turned another corner, and suddenly the view opened up, with crowds of people everywhere, and the sounds of singing and music could be faintly heard, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

The bustling street is fifty or sixty meters wide and stretches for several kilometers from north to south. The ground is paved with smooth stone slabs, and the buildings on both sides are tall and have different styles.

A steam railcar weaved through the crowd, puffing out thick, grayish-white smoke, clanging and rattling as it drove away, disappearing around a corner.

Roland looked at the roadside and saw a strange-looking "vehicle" parked in front of a shop. It was very big, like the large tractor engine in his previous life in the countryside.

In front was a horizontally placed cylindrical steam engine with a peculiarly large chimney that made him seriously suspect a design flaw, as it obstructed his view. The rear section resembled a carriage canopy, with large rear wheels that were as tall as a person.

"Is this a steam locomotive?" Evan asked curiously.

"It should be." Roland nodded slightly.

He finally understood why the law enforcement officer had immediately determined that it was his first time in Sogatok and had even kindly given him directions. In this scene, his sled seemed completely out of place.

Of course, there are sleds and horse-drawn carriages here, but sleds are either parked in the suburbs and used when leaving the city, or they are amphibious. I have never encountered one that is dragged into the city like this.

Roland didn't mind. The group got off the bus to lighten the load and took the opportunity to admire the bustling scene of Central Street.

There were many churches along the way, but they were rarely next to each other, probably to avoid the embarrassment of false believers seeking divine help everywhere.

After walking several hundred meters, a large square appears, with a black human-shaped statue tens of meters high standing in the center.

He glanced at the bronze base from afar, which was densely covered with classical Solonian script, presumably describing the life and experiences of the figure. The large characters for "Prince Safavid" and "Founder" were particularly eye-catching.

The area south of the statue is a public area where many people are resting and playing. Under the statue, a graceful girl is dancing, and a young boy is playing a harp to accompany her. The music is cheerful, and the people around are all smiles.

The plaza to the north of the statue is even larger, and at the end of the line of sight is a huge twin tower, one to the east and one to the west, each about forty or fifty meters high.

The building bears the words "Northern Union Chamber of Commerce," and a huge banner of the chamber hangs between the two buildings.

"Here we are."

Roland's mood was also affected by his surroundings, and he became much happier. "You guys wait for me here. You can walk around the area, but don't go too far." The area seems safe, and with the two wolves watching the car, there shouldn't be any problems.

"Great……"

Several amphibious steam snowmobiles and two steam locomotives were parked in the square in front of the building. Without any guards, Roland walked straight to the front of the building.

Just as he was wondering which building to enter, a gaze fell on him. He looked up and saw a person on the top floor to his left looking at him through the glass with a surprised expression. It was none other than Suleiman.

"Come up!" His voice clearly reached Roland's ears.

As soon as he finished speaking, a man dressed as a guard rushed out of the hall, glanced around, and then ran a few steps to Roland.

"Mr. Roland?"

"it's me."

"plz follow me."

After a brief conversation, the two hurried upstairs, running up the stairs to the tenth floor and entering a room on the south side.

The windows were large, and the golden sunlight filled the room, gilding the dark yellow patterned carpet with a golden sheen.

Suleiman, with his back to the sun, his suit edged in gold, smiled smugly: "Haha... I knew from the day I met you that you weren't destined for a short life..."

God knows how much he's been suffering these past two days; he doesn't know how to explain all this to Julia.

"You knew everything?" Roland could clearly see his relief, but he didn't want to expose him.

Suleiman gestured for him to sit down and poured him a cup of tea:

“What happened that night? I sensed the disappearance of the Mark of Fate and rushed over, only to see the Seventh Apostle leave. I spent a whole day divining, but I couldn’t find even the slightest trace of your existence…”

"I sensed danger and ran away beforehand," Roland said vaguely. "It was all caused by [Big Mouth], the Seventh Authority must be furious."

Suleiman gave him a deep look, but didn't ask any further questions: "It's good that you're alright. My fate mark probably won't work on you. Be more careful in the future, and use your [big mouth] sparingly."

“I understand. I almost lost my life, so how could I not keep a low profile?” Roland shook his head with a wry smile. “However, with the Seventh Authority being so arrogant, don’t they have any means of countering it?”

“If I speak out, I will surely be found out! There are no true secrets in this world. I have already contacted the Imperial government and the Oborozuki Church. We are of one mind and we will not let them succeed this time!” Suleiman said indifferently.

"Hmm, isn't the Crimson Goddess Church also an enemy of the Seventh Authority?" Roland wondered.

“The Crimson Church… is somewhat mad, acts arbitrarily, and is not easy to cooperate with.” Suleiman’s expression was complex and inscrutable.

"What can I do?" Roland also wanted to get involved, preferably just to fight a battle where things were going well and he could reap the spoils.

"You should rest for a few days. Take the railcar to Almoshid to start your new job in a few days, either sooner or later," Suleiman suggested.

“Alright.” Roland said with a hint of regret, it seemed that Suleiman didn’t want him involved in the matter.

Suleiman smiled and pulled two gold cards from his pocket, handing them to Roland:

"The Golden Card that says 'Northern Pass' can be used at any store directly under the Merchant Guild, with a 30% discount, no queuing, priority booking, and a private room at the Sauron Inn in the Northern Territory, free for the first three days..."

The card with black lettering is an invitation to a trade fair organized by our chamber of commerce, held weekly. The next one should be tomorrow night, on the seventh floor…

"Thank you, Uncle." Roland's eyes lit up. It would be great if he could get a 30% discount on gold. He just didn't know if the trade fair would sell magical items and extraordinary traits.

“There’s a black market here too,” Suleiman said meaningfully. “That guard you just saw is called Leongard. He can take you there. Remember not to reveal your identity.”

"Understood." Roland chuckled.

Needless to say, this black market is tacitly approved by the authorities. Everyone has their own selfish desires, so it's better to guide than to suppress.

(End of this chapter)