abnormal mutation

Chapter 127 Almosid

"Evening News, Evening News! Border conflict between the Empire and the Kingdom of Alameda has escalated. The Kingdom of Vargas is calling on both sides to exercise restraint..."

"The three kingdoms of the Sass Continent are locked in a fierce war, and the situation is out of control. The chief law enforcement officer has announced a crackdown on arms smuggling..."

"The Prime Minister of the Empire has been dismissed again, becoming the fourth prime minister to be dismissed in three years, after only three months in office."

"The mysterious organization Seventh Authority has been classified as a cult; reporting it will earn you 100 German dollars..."

"The cause of death of billionaire Richard remains a mystery, and his will unexpectedly leaves his fortune to his illegitimate son. His daughter, Windsor, issues a huge reward, and famous detective Colin takes over the case..."

Popular female singer Kristen Stewart will hold a solo concert on the 5th of next month, and tickets are in high demand.

"..."

A group of newsboys carrying heavy canvas bags rushed onto the train, rampaging through the narrow carriages, waving up freshly printed evening papers and shouting loudly.

The carriage was in chaos, with many passengers shouting and cursing, but none of them dared to actually hit the newsboy.

Many impatient travelers bought one, since it was only one cent, and it was worth it to use the package to buy food, stick it on the wall, or even wipe your bottom.

Evan vaguely heard a commotion in the carriage behind him. He opened his door and saw the train conductor leading a newsboy into the VIP area.

The newsboy didn't shout or yell; instead, he gently knocked on each room only once. After the door opened, he would politely ask if the customer wanted to buy the latest evening paper.

A moment later, the newsboy came up to Evan, giving him a harmless smile, his blue eyes scrutinizing the boy who was only wearing a white shirt.

"Sir, would you like a copy of the latest Almosid Evening News?"

"how much is it?"

"Five cents."

"Here you go." Evan took the newspaper, pointed outside, and asked, "What's happening outside? Why aren't we allowed to leave the station yet?"

The newsboy glanced around, then leaned closer to Evan and whispered, "There's been a murder at the station. Don't worry, it'll be over in an hour at most."

After saying that, he bowed and knocked on the door diagonally opposite again.

Evan closed the door and turned to look at Roland: "Big brother..."

“I heard that. Let me see the newspaper.” Roland sat by the window, the warm sunlight gilding his features.

Evan handed him the newspaper and quietly shared the explosive news with the others.

There were eight people in the room. Leongard and Marta sat by the luggage rack, Percy mingled with the teenagers, and Annabeth sat quietly reading a book opposite Roland, occasionally glancing up at him.

They all took off their coats because the carriage was very hot.

This is the train from Sogattak to Almosid. It's not the VIP cabin, but a private carriage with only six rooms, which you can't buy even if you have the money.

As a high-ranking member of the Chamber of Commerce, Roland naturally didn't need to spend money. After the battle on the black market, his status and the resources he could enjoy were significantly elevated.

The journey was uneventful, and the several organizations he had offended did not attempt to ambush him along the way.

But an accident occurred as soon as the train entered the station, the station was closed, and they were trapped in the carriage for half an hour.

Roland wasn't in a hurry. He casually flipped open the newspaper. The words "Almosid Evening News" at the top were designed with an artistic flair, making it look unlike an official media outlet.

Evening papers aren't published at night; they usually go on sale at 2 PM. It's a little past 4 PM now, so it's definitely freshly printed.

The content is diverse, with a low proportion of official news and strict wording, but plenty of gossip and tidbits, using bold and interesting language, and also includes pictures.

Even the advertising slogans were well-thought-out and not so old-fashioned. He even spotted an advertisement for Northern Security Consultants in the gaps.

Selling newspapers is a losing proposition; the real money is made from advertising. The higher the sales volume, the more expensive the advertising costs.

After reading the newspaper, Roland had a vague impression of the city: prosperous, vibrant, trendy, diverse, class-based...

At this moment, the car horn emitted a crackling sound, followed by a muffled male voice:

"Good afternoon, passengers. The station malfunction has been resolved. Please disembark in an orderly manner under the guidance of the train attendants..."

“Let’s go.” Roland was the first to stand up.

The dedicated attendant was already waiting outside the door. He led everyone through the exclusive passage and only turned to leave after entering the exit hall.

Roland didn't sense any dead body. There were many law enforcement officers on guard inside and outside the station, including a Level 4 law enforcement officer carrying two swords and three shields. It didn't seem like an ordinary case.

Noticing his gaze, the law enforcement officer turned to look at him, their eyes met, and their expressions shifted slightly.

'He knows me!' Roland was quite certain.

The law enforcement officer silently averted his gaze, pretending it was just an unintentional exchange of glances.

This reaction is strange. The chamber of commerce and the government each have their own positions, but they haven't fallen out yet. What's wrong with nodding in agreement? What are they avoiding?
'Have the intelligence department investigate this later.'

Stepping out of the station, a wave of warm, humid air hit me, a mixture of the smells of the sea, coal smoke, perfume, and a hint of stinking sewers—hard to describe, neither pungent nor refreshing. "Wow, it's so lively!" Targen exclaimed excitedly.

The buildings in front of us are numerous, the crowds are dense, and the environment is noisy, but this is just the western suburbs of the city.

Leongard went to call a car, while the others waited on the steps to the side.

Roland looked up and saw at least hundreds of chimneys standing tall among the dark cluster of buildings, the dense smoke forming patches of light gray cloud, which were then torn into various abstract shapes by the warm sea breeze.

In the air, two steam-powered airships with diamond-shaped frames were crossing over the city, their roaring propellers and exhaust trails leaving long, grayish-white streaks in the sky.

The architecture is a crazy marriage of steel and brick, with many towering buildings and brass pipes like blood vessels coiled on the surface of the brick walls, spewing out hissing white smoke.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, five chimes came from afar.

On the distant east coast, a huge mechanical clock tower stands tall, estimated to be at least a hundred meters high, its brass gleaming in the sunlight.

Roland has excellent eyesight; even from several kilometers away, he can still clearly see the huge billboard above.

Progress Machinery Company – Building Your Future

'This business atmosphere... it reminds me of my past life.' A slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Director, the car is here." Leongard walked over quickly.

He summoned three cars, which were much smaller and better-looking than the cars in the Sogattak.

Actually, there are cheaper urban rail trains right next to the train station, which are more convenient to take, but they are very crowded and stop frequently, making them less convenient than cars.

After getting into the car, the group headed straight for the east coast along the wide and flat main road.

Almosid is a port city built along the coast. It is long and narrow from north to south, with the most prosperous areas located on the east coast.

Apart from Percy, no one else had been here before, and their eyes were constantly fixed on the outside, unable to take it all in.

This city is highly mechanized, with a crisscrossing network of rails, gas and water pipelines throughout, and steam-powered cars, two- or three-wheeled vehicles, large buses or trucks, construction vehicles, airships...

Roland saw more than one shop selling mechanical toys and prosthetic limbs.

“It’s much more bustling here than Carmen, no less so than Enga Bay. However, Carmen has a better climate than here, neither too hot nor too cold, and it’s not humid.” Annabeth sat next to Roland, her red hair fluttering in the wind, occasionally brushing against his earlobe.

"Isn't this good enough?" Targen leaned close to Roland's chair back, looking surprised. "Almosid's coldest temperature is only around minus ten degrees Celsius, and in the summer it's over twenty degrees Celsius. I think it's just right."

"If it's cold, you can put on more clothes; if it's too hot, you can't just take your clothes off completely."

Annabeth glared at him and said irritably, "Why not? Do you think everyone is as covered up as you are? It's normal for Southern girls to show their thighs and bellies."

"Huh?" Targen was taken aback, his gaze unfocused, and he subconsciously licked his lips.

Evan covered his face with one hand and pulled him back with the other.

"Hahaha..." Percy led the way, launching a merciless tirade against him.

Roland's lips curled up. The boys had grown up; it was time to find them something to do, broaden their horizons, and let them interact with girls more.

Half an hour passed.

The surrounding area is filled with tall buildings and is becoming increasingly prosperous. The air, mixed with the smell of the sea, is very fresh, and the streets are much cleaner. At least, you rarely see people urinating or defecating in public anymore.

Turning a corner, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a vast bay with azure waters and steel ships billowing smoke as they passed by.

“So beautiful…” Evan’s eyes widened, his face filled with shock.

It's hard not to be awestruck by the vastness of the ocean when you see it for the first time.

"Why isn't the iron ship sinking?" Andrew scratched his head, his eyes filled with doubt.

“You don’t understand, do you? The inside of the metal sheet is hollow, with a sealed compartment…” Percy, always eager to teach, enthusiastically explained the science to them.

"..."

During the conversation, the three cars drove along the coastal highway into a seaside villa area and stopped in front of a garden villa.

Several people were standing at the door, the leader of whom was an elderly man, dressed in a black double-breasted suit, of medium build, with neatly trimmed short hair and beard.

Roland opened the door and got out of the car, looking around at the surroundings with great satisfaction.

This villa was rented for him by the Chamber of Commerce. He didn't have to pay a penny. It was second only to manors and castles, belonging to one of the top wealthy areas. It was really not easy to rent it without connections.

The grand gate is flanked by a pair of animal sculptures, and there is a separate garage on the other side.

The villa occupies a large area, has four floors above ground, and features a red roof and white walls, exuding elegance and simplicity.

(End of this chapter)