Chapter 123: with translation of chapter title

Luo Sen

Silver Moon City, on the Orlel River bank, morning mist drifting.

「Roses~~just-picked roses~~roses still with dew~~~Valentine's Day is here~~buy a rose for your beloved~」

Silver Moon City

Aolier River

Sparrow Street

He wore a wide-brimmed round hat, a brown leather vest over his shirt, a vertically striped white shirt underneath, and his lower body consisted of wide-leg pants and brown knee-high boots.

Northern Weilan people

His left forearm draped a leather windbreaker, his right hand held a large wooden crate, his demeanor bustling and hurried—completely the image of a young mage who came from a small city to make a living in the big city.

As he walked forward, various small vendors kept coming up to enthusiastically hawk their wares, but Luo Sen dodged them all by sidestepping.

Saint Valentine's Day

The news about Silver Moon City came entirely from previous rumors and information sent back by informants; he really felt a bit uneasy.

But after walking for a while, Luo Sen relaxed.

Because he discovered that no one was specifically watching him.

In Silver Moon City, nobody knew anyone else, everyone looked hurried, busy with their own little lives to the point of running in circles.

This feeling was very much like a supercity from his previous life.

After walking a stretch forward along the riverside boulevard, Luo Sen turned right into a narrow alley, ate breakfast at a small shop that looked fairly clean inside the alley, and when leaving, he additionally took another portion in an oil-paper bag.

"This takeout packaging is actually uniformly standardized. In other words, even this tiny locality has formed a separate industry."

This is somewhat scary; it feels like Weilan lags behind this place by an era.

He continued walking several dozen meters into the alley, and then saw a stone staircase leading up by the roadside.

Looking at the material of the stone steps, it seemed very similar to cement.

Upon closer inspection, he discovered it was actually cement.

Actually, Luo Sen also wanted to develop cement, but his island lacked much limestone, so he had no choice but to use tempered yellow clay.

Next to the stone steps was a doorplate reading 'Sparrow Street No. 271, Home of Writer Magelete'.

Writer Magelete was her outward identity; in reality, she was an overseas intelligence officer developed by the island's intelligence bureau.

According to reports, Magelete came to the White Continent to make a living as a northern Weilan person; her daily work was to gather important news from the neighborhoods of Silver Moon City, especially news concerning prominent figures.

This was exactly the help Luo Sen currently needed most.

He carried a box and, along a narrow corridor less than a meter wide, climbed upward with some difficulty.

Soon he reached the second floor, raised his hand and pulled the spring doorbell beside the door, which immediately rang 'ding-ling~ ding-ling~'.

"Coming~ coming~~"

A somewhat impatient woman's voice came from inside the door.

After a moment, the door opened, and standing behind it was a young woman wearing a nightgown, with disheveled hair, sleepy eyes, and an appearance somewhat above average.

She sized Luo Sen up from head to toe: 'Are you the special operations agent Luobin?'

"Yes, Miss Magelete."

Luo Sen had not used any Transformation Technique on himself, but he had changed his hairstyle and clothing, and slightly adjusted his demeanor; since the other party had never seen him before, they naturally did not know his true identity.

"Well, Mr. Luobin, you really came early; I haven't even gotten out of bed yet."

Magelete ungracefully scratched her head and ushered Luo Sen into her small cottage.

The cottage was quite small, about forty-plus square meters, yet it was divided into a living room, bedroom, and washroom.

In the narrow living room stood a large square table, on which lay messy newspapers, an ink bottle, a new-style ink pen, and a carelessly tossed new-style women's undergarment.

Luo Sen glanced at the newspaper and saw that it contained not only text but also illustrations.

The paper quality was good, the font standard, the illustrations vivid—clearly a fairly high-standard news industry had already developed.

He also glanced at the undergarment: black, with shaping steel rings and decorative inner padding.

Magelete noticed the undergarment from Luo Sen's gaze, let out a low exclamation, rushed over in a few steps, and hid the undergarment.

"Sorry, sorry~~ I casually tossed it aside after yesterday's bath, didn't expect it to end up here."

Luo Sen shrugged, sat down on a small leather chair in the corner, and handed over the paper bag containing the breakfast.

"I came in a hurry, not knowing what you like to eat, so I just bought something from the roadside."

Magelete was pleased, took the paper bag and had a look, slightly surprised: 'A strawberry pie from Grille's Breakfast Shop—this isn't cheap. But it's very delicious, thank you.'

She ate heartily without any image, chewing while asking vaguely: 'The notice says you want to enter the palace to see the king?'

Luo Sen nodded: 'That's right, go to the palace to meet some big figures and discuss business.'

Magelete understood: 'This isn't actually difficult; people go to see the king every day, just pay the fee. You don't need much—just a few Ogres will do.'

Luo Sen immediately said: 'Such an audience only allows a distant glance; I hope to be able to speak face-to-face with the king for a few sentences.'

Magelete shrugged: 'This gets a bit troublesome; having money isn't enough, you also need a recommendation from a big figure. Since everyone wants connections with big figures, the competition is very fierce.'

After a pause, she continued: 'Besides, the king's health has been poor these past two years; he needs assistance to walk. Usually he only talks with close attendants and rarely receives outsiders.'

Luo Sen nodded to show he understood: 'The funding from above is quite ample; do you have any connections to big figures?'

"Of course, after all I'm the one who does this; wait for me a moment."

After a few bites of breakfast, Magelete turned and went into the washroom.

In the washroom, various private sounds immediately came out; the cottage was really too small, so every sound could be heard everywhere.

After about half an hour, a frustrated voice came from inside: 'Luobin, pass me the undergarment I just hid, thanks.'

Luo Sen then had the illusion of returning to modern society on Earth, and he did as she asked.

He also casually remarked: 'This room is really quite small.'

Indeed small, but for just this little house, the monthly rent is 3 Ogre, and moreover many people are fighting over it; if you're slow to act, it's gone.

Silver Moon City is nothing like our Weilan; everyday expenses here are outrageously high, making it very hard for ordinary people to support themselves.

Perhaps you think this place is cramped, but it's already a very good dwelling; at least it has a private washroom with running water, which is a dream location for countless girls.

Magelete chattered on for half an hour, finally finishing dressing herself up.

Click~

The washroom door opened, and a delicately made-up urban beauty stepped out; to look even better, she even used some Transformation Technique.

At first glance she is indeed pretty, but one shouldn't scrutinize too closely, as there are many, many flaws.

This made Luo Sen feel as if he had returned to his previous life and encountered a capable, sharp urban beauty.

"Mmm~ really beautiful." He politely complimented.

"Thank you, but my own people know my own affairs; basically it's all fake."

"But there's nothing to be done—who let men like to look at beauties? For the sake of work convenience, I can only cater to their tastes."

It's clear that Magelete is a quite competent and capable information officer.

She had no extra emotions, picked up a lady's handbag, and waved at Luo Sen.

"Do you need to prepare?"

"Wait a moment."

Luo Sen put on a windbreaker, then opened a wooden box and quickly stuffed some magical devices into its inner pockets, and used some magical techniques to conceal them carefully.

"I'm ready."

"Good, come with me."

Magelete led the way to the door, explaining: "You've come at just the right time; today happens to be Valentine's Day."

"Now going to St. Walrett Great Temple, you can see many dignitaries attending the ceremony."

"I can only take you to the site and then point out the basic information about the dignitaries; whether you can seize the opportunity depends on your own ability."

Luo Sen nodded to show understanding: "That's enough."

After leaving the door, Magelete added: "Right, this is an extra operation, so all expenses are on you."

"Understood." "Really straightforward—looks like the operation funds are truly ample."

After leaving the alley, arriving on a brand-new boulevard, Magelete waited patiently at the roadside.

About five minutes later, a huge vehicle belching black smoke actually came down the road.

"A large carriage burning Black Stone, a newly launched gadget—only thirty-odd in the whole city. A ride costs 2 klun; want to give it a try?"

"Of course."

Luo Sen took out thirty klun and handed them all to Magelete: "This is our operation funds for today; you can dispose of them as you wish, and if there's any left over you don't need to return it to me."

"Pretty good~~"

Magelete narrowed her eyes in a smile, bringing Luo Sen aboard the Black Stone carriage.

After sitting for a while, Luo Sen fully understood the carriage's principle.

"Rune steam engine, driving gears, then driving wheels, outputting over 40 horsepower; the utilization efficiency of Black Stone thermal energy is roughly between 10% and 20%."

He had previously heard that Kao had a high-tier mage named Wakeli researching this thing, but he didn't expect that it had already been produced as a finished product and even put into use.

"Civilian versions are already out; military ones will surely be stronger."

"In that case, Kao is most likely already developing Black Stone warships."

Kao is working on it, as are Aaron and Levinde, so his information on warships has already become outdated.

Before long, huge black-smoke-belching vehicles making thunderous noises will appear in large numbers on the sea.

"Development is truly fast."

Luo Sen had a feeling of the era's surge rolling forward.

The Black Stone carriage isn't fast, about twenty-odd kilometers per hour, happily running on roads paved with rubble, slag, or stone slabs.

Even so, it still took over an hour to reach the site.

It's clear that this should be the upper district of Silver Moon City.

Because the streets are wide and flat, the roadside buildings are tall and beautiful, pedestrians on both sides are well-dressed, the number of carriages on the road has noticeably increased, and occasionally one or two private Black Stone carriages can be seen.

Luo Sen smelled a faint stench in the air and asked: "Why don't they process the Black Stone instead of just burning it?"

Magelete shrugged.

"Processing Black Stone costs money; nowadays everyone is desperately trying to save, wishing they could split a copper coin into two petals."

"Of course, this smell is indeed unpleasant. The more Black Stone is burned, the smellier Silver Moon City becomes."

These words made Luo Sen's heart twitch slightly.

"Ultimately cutting costs is a huge driving force for technological progress."

Because many technological developments don't stem from theoretical breakthroughs; they simply come from nitpicking details.

"Your steam engine is 20% efficient, mine 25%; with the same coal I can travel farther, so my costs are lower."

"Whether in market competition or on the battlefield, we gain some advantage."

Countless small advantages add up to become an immense advantage that cannot be ignored, causing the opponent to collapse bit by bit.

The trouble is, Weilan society currently lacks such a competitive environment.

At that moment, Magelete led Luo Sen to a very spacious square; behind the square stood an exquisitely beautiful and immensely grand temple.

"Straight ahead is Temple Square; at the far end of the square is St. Walrett Great Temple. Walk along the side, being careful not to block the dignitaries' path."

Luo Sen went along with it.

Soon, the two entered Temple Square; the square had no carriages, entry was forbidden to carriages, and everyone went on foot.

On the square it was also very lively, packed with all sorts of people.

Soft-voiced vendors, male and female tourists attending the holy rites, Temple priests preaching, and so on.

It was packed with people.

Margaret whispered an introduction.

"Sheng Lun Ding is a natural saint of Kao. He preaches free love, saying that in love, whether commoner or noble, everyone possesses equal dignity."

"At first he was considered a heretic, but this idea especially appealed to young people's tastes."

"Once those young people came to power, heresy became sainthood."

"Now, the Sheng Lun Ding Festival each year is especially lively, and it keeps getting livelier."

"On the Temple square today, whether commoner or noble, rich or poor, everyone enjoys basically the same treatment, as long as they are dressed neatly and behave decently."

"Precisely because of that, you might encounter the most destitute commoner here, or you might meet the most exalted noble."

Luo Sen listened to these words, and taking advantage of his height, he scanned the entire Temple square; indeed he noticed many people dressed splendidly, with restrained bearing, clearly accustomed to a life of privilege.

Although these big shots still looked down on the little people, Luo Sen could clearly feel that the gap between them was rapidly disappearing.

And the purpose of his trip this time is to gain legitimate entry to the palace, to legitimately meet King Kao, and to have a confidential talk with him.

Therefore, he needs sufficiently 'big' important figures to make the introduction.

But he could also feel that Silver Moon City is simply too huge.

It is said that over four million people live in this city, making it a super‑metropolis of the era.

In such a great city, over a hundred Arcane Masters gather, over a thousand Battle Masters, and even three Five‑ring Sages hold court in the palace; moreover, in hidden dark places there exists natural divine power guarding the natural divine blood.

Any mortal, even Luo Sen, who possesses peak Ten‑Ring mana and has inherited the Iron‑Dragon Body, faintly feels a sense of insignificance, nowhere to belong.

"In such a mighty metropolis, everyone is like an ant."

As he was sighing, Luo Sen's heart twitched slightly; he sensed a strong surge of natural power nearby, and his heart stirred.

"Such strong natural divine blood—must be a member of the Kao royal family."

He immediately wanted to pursue it, but soon felt more than a dozen powerful mana auras.

Three of them had reached Four‑Ring level, and his steps, just taken a few paces, stopped instantly.

"When the royal family goes out, although they may dress in plain white dragon garb, there are many guards, and surely many people keep watch on their movements."

Therefore, even if one spots a royal family member, it's not easy to get close.

Just as he was pondering how to approach reasonably, Miss Margaret's voice came from beside him.

"Luobin, look over there—that's the famous Lady Blue Rose."

Luo Sen followed the sound and saw a beautiful woman wearing a dark‑blue long dress and a lace lady's hat.

She was chatting intently with several other women similarly dressed in fine attire.

Around this group of distinguished women hovered a retinue of guards.

"I've seen her. Then what?"

"She's a widow, the surviving spouse of the late Count Duoteli."

"The count left her a very substantial inheritance—at least 200,000 Ogres!" Margaret said, her face full of envy.

"And then?"

"Then you're not bad‑looking; go up to her, compliment her a few times, win her favor, and figure out a way to get her to bring you into the palace!"

Miss Margaret wore an expression that said, "How can you be so stupid?"

"Can she freely come and go in the palace?"

"Of course. Otherwise, what do you think earned her such a huge inheritance? It's because she's the niece of the current queen."

Luo Sen realized this was indeed a good opportunity.

"I'll give it a try."

He shifted his steps, slowly moving closer to observe.

Soon he discovered many potential rivals, and everyone was looking for a suitable chance to strike up a conversation; he inwardly sighed.

"The widow's gate attracts much gossip!"

Then he sighed: "Kao is truly cutthroat—every industry is cutthroat. No wonder every Arcane Master is worn out from the grind and flees to Weilan to make a living."

Finally he sighed: "In such a cutthroat place, those who can still come out on top are absolutely super‑monsters."

"I must give it my all; I cannot afford any contempt."

(End of chapter)