Chapter 209: The War that Decides the Fate of 'The Bridge' Part 12
The territory before the Slumbering Forest in the west direction is a plain land called Slumber's Gateway. This name was derived from the fact that this plain ends in the Slumbering Forest.
However, what lies in front of everyone right now was no longer the seemingly never-ending view of a grassland, beautiful flowers, and a clear-as-glass river. Instead, multiple buildings that were inspired by the industrial revolution era stood tall everywhere.
The Slumber's Gateway has become an industrial city.
Looking above, they could see multiple chimney-like objects spewing thick fog of black smoke to the clouds, which seems to blend in well with the already dark sky hanging above everyone's head.
Loud noises also echoed as they slowly approached the city, causing them to feel slight discomfort in their ears.
"I apologize. It wasn't always this way back at the very beginning. Just that this time, because of the recent attacks in the past two days, we got slightly left behind in the schedule," Wesley explains.
This wasn't the question though that they wanted to know.
Rather, they want to hear when exactly this city was constructed.
"How long has this city been here?" Jericho decided to personally ask the question that everybody wanted to know.
"Around a week or so now. We actually came to this place as fast we can after receiving the news that the Green Horn City picked the Slumbering Forest as the place to fight the war,"
"Was it for early reconnaissance?"
"Yes, since we believe the Green Horn City already knew of the Slumbering Forest before deciding to send us the declaration of war,"
"I am guessing that you don't want to have the disadvantage in the terrain?"
"Yes," Wesley nodded. "Anyways, we are here now,"
What appeared in everyone's sight was an even louder, darker, and more depressing sight of what it feels to be like in an actual industrial revolution era.
Smoke.
Dust.
Pollution.
Loud Noises.
Angry and stressed people.
Everywhere.
That was the scene that appeared in front of Kayn and everyone.
On top of that, it was crowded with more than thousands of people moving from one place to another as their sweat splashed on the people near them.
"I don't really want to go there," Jericho was hesitant.
"You don't have to worry, we won't be walking during the tour," Wesley assures.
"Is riding a horse going to fix the problem?" Jericho rolled his eyes.
"Just wait a bit," Wesley looks around. "Speak of the devil,"
All of a sudden, a loud beeping noise could be heard in front of everyone.
As the sound slowly approaches, the people around quickly started parting ways.
Not long after, a moving object that seems to look like a car stopped in front of everyone.
"But how?"
"It's not really an actual car if that's what you are thinking. Instead, it's more like a train since it is powered by coal,"
"Do you have more like this?" Jericho's interest was instantly piqued.
Not only Jericho, but even Kayn's interest also rose sharply after seeing an industrial revolution model of a car.
Instead of calling it a car though, it's more proper to call it a motor wagon. Though it uses coal instead of gasoline, probably because gasoline doesn't exist in 'The Bridge' and there's no way of replicating it using the materials found in this place.
As for how exactly it works, he doesn't have the slightest clue. Probably only their merchants would know about that.
"Hoped on," Wesley jumped on the motor wagon while motioning for Jericho to come up.
"How about the others?" Jericho didn't dare to come up if he is going to tour around the city of the Assembly of Freedom all on his own.
"Who said that we only have one of these?" Wesley smiled.
Hearing that, more beeping noises could be heard behind the one in front of them.
"Okay," Jericho finally came up to the motor wagon.
"You, captain, come along as well," Wesley pointed at Kayn.
Kayn didn't say anything in response and simply went up to sit beside Jericho.
"The rest of you, wait for the others as you'll be following behind,"
As soon as Wesley finished saying that, the chauffeur of their ride started driving.
…..
The entire tour took close to three hours to end despite the fact that they were riding on a motor wagon.
It wasn't because the city was huge. Instead, the traffic caused by the countless people moving around from one place to another resulted in their ride barely being able to move.
Moreover, fights would occasionally break out along the route to the point that Wesley had to kill a few of them to settle down everyone who was trying to create chaos.
Kayn and the others realized that for these people, words don't work. Instead, one has to show them cruelty and blood. Because only after someone dies would everyone return to work.
This city was the best and literal reflection of how the world would be like if these people run and managed every single rule, law, and regulation.
The order would be replaced by chaos.
For one to be obedient, they'll have to be met with brutal management.
And lastly, only when one of the other parties dies would everything settle down.
A cruel and dark world, that's what it is.
While watching the scene, Jericho couldn't help feeling glad that he had joined Kayn's side. Because if the entire 'The Bridge' would become like this the instant the Assembly of Freedom wins the war, then it won't be different from the end of the world.
As a matter of fact, having a higher status here might mean that they'll have better lives, but it is ultimately nothing compared to the lives they are already living. In other words, they'll just be sacrificing a better life and their freedom for more power and control.
As a businessman and a guild leader, this is a trade that he doesn't agree with no matter which angle he views it from.
In his mind, he only has one thing he could say to everyone who decided to join the Assembly of Freedom — you guys must be idiots!
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