Chapter 2002 - 541: No Matter Who Ends Up a Loser, It Definitely Won't Be the Demon King (2)

No one in this era would sentimentally consider that to be pollution.

After all, the Campbell people had just experienced the first stage of industrialization—a period of joyous growth for all industrial civilizations in their lifecycle.

The cake that grew from the land was enough for everyone to share.

"Saint Sis above…"

Erin couldn't help but let out a gasp, for she witnessed a scene that baffled her even more, one she hadn't seen on her previous journey.

In the wasteland beside the railroad, several oddly-shaped machines were slowly moving.

Their steam-emitting fronts were like monsters puffing on cigars. However, they were much smaller than locomotive engines, and instead of carriages, they dragged a row of metal plowshares.

Amidst the deafening roar, they effortlessly turned over the hard soil that typically required several oxen to pull.

In the past, farmers in Thunder County would not choose to open up land in the summer; the best window was from late autumn to winter.

Yet now, they could even do it in the summer!

Several old yellow oxen stood at the edge of the fields, wide-eyed like copper bells, even forgetting to chew the fodder in their mouths.

Perhaps they were also contemplating their lives as oxen and where their future lay.

Beside those machines belching black smoke, several farmers in coarse cloth work clothes were frantically operating levers, their faces filled with both nervousness and excitement.

Next to them stood a few "city people" dressed relatively decently, gesturing animatedly as if teaching the farmers how to navigate these stubborn steel beasts.

Everything that entered Erin's sight was filled with a sense of discord, yet carried a strange harmony that kept her mesmerized.

"These are tractors, the latest product from Thunder City's industrial zone."

Strictly speaking, they were products of Beifeng City.

Long ago, the players of the Great Graveyard had mounted steam engines on tracks, later modified to be placed on wheels and tracks.

Over the past half-year, these advanced technologies had been exported to Thunder City through player channels. Some sensitive life professional players and guilds had even started investing in factories here, turning it into their "branch base."

Although these folks were not the protagonists of this industrialization wave and didn't feel deeply attached to this land, their bustling for joss paper and contribution points became the crucial lubricant of this industrial wave.

Colin's voice rang in her ear, snapping Erin out of her shock. Only then did she realize that she had become so engrossed she forgot there was another person in the compartment.

"Thank you."

Blushing, Erin thanked him and gently put the segment of orange into her mouth.

The soft touch reminded her of last night's tenderness, bringing to mind her first kiss, wondering if it was also Luo Yan's…

Her head grew hotter the more she thought about it.

Bowing her head, Erin wished she could find a crack in the ground to hide until the citrus juice burst in her mouth, so sour it made her cover her mouth.

Luo Yan quickly handed her a tissue.

"Sorry, I hadn't tasted it; I didn't know it was so sour."

"Ahem… no worries, I... accidentally choked." Erin forcefully swallowed, realizing she could have spit it out as she looked at the tissue in her hand, ultimately wiping her mouth with a flushed face.

"Drink some water." Watching Erin flustered, Luo Yan offered her a cup of hot water, something he had prepared earlier.

Erin blushingly accepted once again.

"Tha... thank you."

Luo Yan smiled slightly.

"You're welcome."

Thanks to that piece of orange, Erin felt that the stiffness in the compartment had dissipated significantly, and the initial awkwardness had dispersed.

Holding the cup Prince Colin handed her in her hands, she gazed down at the swirling mist, circling her index finger along the rim.

After a moment of silence, she looked up again at the view outside the window, her eyes dreamy as she expressed her deep thoughts.

"…It's only been a year, yet I feel as though a hundred years have passed here. My brother told me you brought miracles to Campbell; back then, I thought it was just a polite remark. Until now, looking at everything outside the window, I truly understand the weight of those words."

Earlier, when passing a small town, she saw a cake smeared with cream in the window of a newly renovated bakery.

Although she didn't know the price of that cake, the fact that the baker put it there meant people here could afford it.

And long ago, such delicious pastries would only be seen in the windows of Thunder City's district, never reaching such a remote place.

Having it is better than not having it.

Luo Yan smiled, throwing the orange peel into the trash can. Then, he took a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his hands, and spoke in a casual tone.

"This is not a miracle, nor is it solely my credit… I prefer to call it the strength of the people."

"The strength of the people…"

"Yes."

Watching Erin murmur to herself, Luo Yan nodded with a smile.

"It's a power strong enough to change the world. When they unite to move downwards, it becomes the Twilight Province you have seen. And when they unite in an upward effort, they can support a sky even the gods have never witnessed."

After pausing, he also cast his gaze out the train window, speaking in a casual tone.

"…As for me, like you, I'm merely a passenger on this train, at best polishing its rusty wheels and tracks."