Chapter 180: Chapter 83: Ogrande City’s New Era
Woooosh...
The winter wind howled, sending bare, withered branches dancing wildly through the air.
But the streets and alleys of Ogrande City were filled with its busy residents.
At the steam train station, a flood of travelers poured into Ogrande City.
Occasionally, people would stop to rest, taking off their hats. They would gaze for a moment at the distant chimneys, large and small, spewing steam and grey mist, before hastily continuing on their way.
The sight of those countless Steam Factory chimneys, along with the cacophony of their roaring whistles, spoke to the robust prosperity of Ogrande City’s steam industry.
A month ago, the Saintisman Empire had launched an all-out offensive against Autanston and the Saint Grelle Empire in the Northern Border Region.
War had fully engulfed the Northern Border Region.
A massive and brutal war had broken out, centered on Ogrande City with Split Mist Town at its core.
Ogrande City suffered heavy losses.
Until...
The [Crying Blood Sun] rose.
A terrifying Holy Witch unleashed Divine Punishment and calamity, finally bringing the dreadful war to an end.
When the battle reports appeared in the major steam-powered daily papers across the Northern Border Region—announcing the complete surrender of Archbishop Andre Burke of the Holy Fierce Sun Church and the devastating losses suffered by Saintisman’s Forbidden Apostles—
it was, without a doubt, like dropping a bombshell into the whirlpool of war.
It created massive shockwaves that no faction could afford to ignore.
Ogrande City’s great victory boosted the morale of various factions and numerous frontline War Legions.
After the war in Ogrande City ended, Saintisman’s army continued its advance.
Consequently, Ogrande City Hall consulted with Zorn, preparing to send him to the front lines to unleash an Evil Spirit Calamity and destroy the enemy’s war fortresses. It was a proposal Zorn wholeheartedly supported.
In the last week of November, Zorn joined forces with the Evil Spirit Divine Mage Francis, who had arrived in the Gelang River Plain Province long before. Together, they unleashed a large-scale Level 4 Evil Spirit Calamity against a Saintisman border garrison.
The effect of an area-wide Evil Spirit Calamity on a war fortress packed with nearly ten thousand soldiers was devastatingly predictable.
Under the cover of night, the Evil Spirit Calamity rapidly spread and blossomed.
Overnight, the war fortress and its garrison of nearly ten thousand soldiers were wiped out completely.
An area-wide "Evil Spirit Calamity" was tantamount to a strategic nuclear weapon.
This was especially true in difficult-to-assault locations like fortified cities and war fortresses.
The Evil Spirit Creatures and the mists of Death could permeate such defenses with ease, moving as if they were in their natural element.
After a Level 7 [Evil Spirit Calamity] had already rung a disastrous bell for the entire World, and now that a Level 4 Evil Spirit Calamity had annihilated a war fortress with astonishing Defense in a single night, the Saintisman Empire immediately altered its plans for large-scale military advances.
Their large formations swiftly dispersed,
breaking down into smaller units for their advance.
However, this gave the Autanston Republic, Saint Grellele, and the resistance armies in the Gelang River Plain Province of the Northern Border Region enough breathing room and time to maneuver.
A High-Level [Evil Spirit Calamity] was like a strategic weapon.
It posed a direct threat to the Saintisman Empire.
Furthermore, it forced the World to recognize for the first time the true terror of an Evil Spirit Calamity.
As the first city to emerge from the turmoil since the all-out war began between the Saintisman Empire and the Northern Border Region, Ogrande City had rapidly ramped up production.
Over the past month, its Steam Factories had already entered a state of full-scale expansion.
Even in the depths of winter, the Wizards of Ogrande City used weather-altering rituals to reduce snowfall, allowing the city to continue operating effectively.
Ogrande City quickly entered a period of unprecedented prosperity.
...
「Geluo Long Street, within the manor.」
A modest farewell banquet was underway.
In attendance were the veteran Rat Catcher Bevis and the young Rat Catcher, "Isaac."
Also present was Alvin, who always seemed to find an excuse to visit Zorn.
Bevis had already reached Level Three. His Sequence was exceptionally stable, putting him at the Middle Stage of Level Three.
Meanwhile, the highly talented "Isaac" was already Level 4 and beginning to push for Level 5.
Even though the young Rat Catcher Isaac’s Level was higher, Bevis, as his mentor, was still the one leading their small team.
While enjoying the sumptuous lunch, Bevis explained his plan to Zorn.
"I hear the new Otan Grelle Steam Empire is about to be established."
"At the same time, many of the large Steam Cities are experiencing rat infestations, both large and small."
"I plan to follow the steam rails east, first to the Ostanton Capital, then to the Old Saint Grellele Capital. My final destination will be the new capital of the nascent Otan Grelle Steam Empire, the Steam City famous for its porcelain, the abode of the [Upper Rankers]—[Silver Sea Bay - Ancient Porcelain Holy City]."
It was, admittedly, an excellent plan.
And this was indeed the trajectory of Isaac’s Legendary journey.
"There shouldn’t be any problems with that route."
Zorn gave a slight nod.
"Both ancient capitals have highly developed steam industries and large populations. They also have a considerable number of Transcendents. Of course, their rat problems are also quite alarming."
"They’re not as severe as the infestations in Ogrande City, but they’ll become a huge problem if left unchecked."
"The Rat Catchers really do need to spread out to solve these tricky infestations."
