Chapter 49

The enemy had already dispatched their top-tier forces, and Zheng Chen felt that the previous slow pace of travel was no longer suitable. The surprise attack earlier had given him a slight upper hand, but in reality, that was already the limit of his strength.

The time of the contract was too short...

The other side could still hold off even in a rush, which already proved that person's strength. At that time, he had no confidence in keeping the other side, so he chose to leave immediately and travel quickly! Otherwise, once the other side brought the news back, the obstacles they would face would greatly increase!

Therefore, this method was the best choice at the moment. He had to reach the destination before the opponent took any real action!

At that time, even if they noticed, they wouldn't be able to set up too many things. In any case, he couldn't give the opponent too many opportunities to react!

Previously, he had few ways to travel. He didn't know how to operate a flying vehicle, and he needed an ID to buy a train ticket, which he didn't have. Many normal methods were unavailable to Zheng Chen.

A gentle breeze surrounded Zheng Chen, significantly increasing his speed. In this state, each step was equivalent to ten steps in a normal state!

Rai also had a strong desire to go to the Edel Garden. She had no objections to what Zheng Chen was doing. Not only that, but she also tried her best to assist him during the journey, as evidenced by the wind surrounding them.

"Ugh... Ah, I'm almost feeling desperate." On the other side, Hissika, who hadn't appeared for a long time, looked at the small town in front of her with a troubled expression. After missing that passenger ship, the distance between them and Zheng Chen had widened significantly. Even applying for a small flying boat in an emergency didn't allow them to catch up to Zheng Chen in a short time.

However, they finally had some information about the other side.

"... The Holy War Angel Protection Association people?" Greaiz, who had returned to the town, also noticed Hissika's group. In the information about Zheng Chen, there was also mention of them, but they were later left behind, so their information was only briefly mentioned.

"Are they chasing that cold-faced man?" Kokowit asked.

"Probably." Greaiz nodded, pulling Kokowit towards Hyde's clinic, "Don't worry about them; it's hard for them to catch up to the boss now."

"Ugh, is it okay to ignore them?"

"Of course, the place the boss is going to is the Edel Garden... If they go, they can also help the boss divert some attention."

The two groups passed by each other without any interaction.

Huff~ With the wind instantly dissipating, Zheng Chen stopped, looking at the strange city ahead. The city was divided into a tiered structure, with three levels representing three different classes. The top level, which was the smallest, ...

Well, it definitely wasn't a place for ordinary people to live.

Ned Riel, after arriving here, could directly reach the Edel Garden.

Once the contract was released, Rai, who was standing next to Zheng Chen, couldn't help but sway slightly. Supporting her, Zheng Chen said softly, "Rest for a bit."

Among the three levels of this country, the third level was the easiest to enter, but it was also the most chaotic. As an outsider who didn't look very powerful, Zheng Chen was likely to run into trouble, especially since he was carrying a very cute girl.

Zheng Chen didn't take long to be targeted, not by any official personnel, but by some thugs.

This kind of encounter... was it the first time he had experienced it?

Forget it, it might be useful to find them. Even with Rai sleeping on his back, it didn't affect his ability to quickly deal with the opponents. Holding a knife he had taken from one of them, Zheng Chen stared at the few people in front of him expressionlessly, "Don't do anything to irritate me. I'll ask, and you'll answer."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zheng Chen threw the knife, which pinned the last person who was trying to escape using the terrain. Hearing the scream, the others no longer dared to make any moves.

"Can you buy a ticket to the Edel Garden?"

"Ugh... We can't afford it." The thugs answered without hesitation. The price of the tickets was extremely high, far beyond what the residents of their level could afford. Prices were soaring, and life was tough.

"Train tickets?"

"... Can't buy them." Noticing Zheng Chen's growing impatience, the thugs quickly explained, "The country has issued a ban recently. It's impossible to buy any tickets to the Edel Garden from the third level. Even incoming trains are subject to inspection. If you want to buy tickets, you have to go to the second level."

The second level... was very different from the third level. To enter, you needed to have a certain status. As for the first level, only the upper class and Holy War Angels could enter.

Rai going there would be fine, but Zheng Chen would be left behind.

He rushed forward, and the Edel Garden's response was also swift, but it wasn't truly effective... What a hassle!

Continuing to travel in the previous manner was not feasible, but it wasn't suitable to do so here. Would he still have the strength to fight after getting there?

"Do you want to rest?" Rubbing his eyes and looking at the night sky, the awakened Rai asked softly. Zheng Chen shook his head.

"For now, we might have to stay here for a day or two." After a while, Zheng Chen said.

"Is that so." Rai's mouth opened slightly, a hint of guilt flashing across her face, "Sorry, I'm asking for too much."

"... It's fine." Zheng Chen said indifferently. Rai was awake now, and they needed to find a hotel. When he had carried Rai to a hotel earlier, the hotel owner had looked at him strangely, almost ready to call the police and report him as a kidnapper.

Since all other methods were unavailable, they would have to use the worst method...

The next day, Rai looked at what Zheng Chen was pushing, "What is this?"

"Our mode of transportation." Zheng Chen patted the vehicle beside him without changing his expression...

"Ugh? Isn't it a bit too simple?" Rai asked curiously. The vehicle Zheng Chen had was indeed two-wheeled, but it was pedal-powered.

If she didn't understand, he would use a more common term to describe it—bicycle.

"It was once very popular." Zheng Chen explained expressionlessly. He had used this mode of transportation in the wasteland. According to historical records, during the prosperous era, this thing was so common that almost everyone had one. However, it was later replaced by a type of vehicle called an "electric bike."

He couldn't make an electric bike, as the energy on this continent was very unique. The energy for flying boats, for example, was not fuel-driven but derived from the crystallized form of flying stones in the sky.

Putting that aside, he used the effect of the patterns to make this human-powered vehicle in less than two hours. It was a special type of bicycle he had seen in historical records—a gear-changing bike, used for racing, and it allowed for easy speed adjustment. Since there were no other options, this was a suitable choice.

There was one more thing that Zheng Chen found strange. He hadn't seen any bicycles on this continent since he arrived.

"..." Rai tilted her head, unsure of which "once" Zheng Chen was referring to, "But, is this really okay?"

"It's fine." Zheng Chen said, "Better than walking. Let's go."

"Wait, let's prepare some thick clothes first." Rai suddenly stopped Zheng Chen, "I remember Grina mentioned that we should prepare more when leaving here. The road ahead will be very cold."

They came silently and left silently. Although the Edel Garden had a temporary lockdown, they probably didn't expect Zheng Chen to suddenly change his travel method and use this rapid march to avoid the time difference.

By the time they noticed... would they be able to stop him? Facing the long bridge ahead, the Ice Crystal Bridge, once they crossed it, they would enter the territory of the Edel Garden. The temperature would drop drastically here!

What a long road.

From the initial cold to now, the bridge that still hadn't been fully crossed was already covered in heavy snow. If they hadn't prepared thick clothes, it would have been very bad.

"… I want to sleep a bit."

Holding onto Zheng Chen from behind, wrapped in a cotton blanket, Rai said with a hint of drowsiness and unease in her voice.

"Okay, I'll wake you when we get there." The wind and snow intensified, making it difficult to ride the bike. He stopped, leaned the makeshift vehicle against the side of the bridge, and carried Rai forward.

The bridge, though long, would eventually reach its end...

Rai, who was being carried by Zheng Chen, clung tightly to his clothes in her sleep, seemingly having a bad dream?

Looking at the small village covered in snow, Zheng Chen paused for a moment before walking over. The village was completely empty. Finding a house, he went inside. The snow would last for a long time, so they needed to stay for a while.

"Such heavy snow." After settling Rai, Zheng Chen opened the door and went out, leaning against the closed door. He looked up at the falling snow, a very pure color. In the wasteland, he had always disliked snow.

A heavy snow meant that living conditions would become even more difficult. Winter was the hardest time in the wasteland, and most survivors didn't like it.

Reaching out to catch a snowflake, he let it melt in his palm, leaving a wet mark. He shook his hand and bent down to grab a handful of snow from the ground...

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