Imprisoned for a Trillion Years, I Was Worshipped by All Gods!-Chapter 485 - 41-Ironblood City

"Dear passengers, Charlie No.1 has arrived at Ironblood City. We will stop here for six hours to rest. During this time, you may step off the train, but please do not wander too far to avoid any danger."

A clear, lilting female voice, resonating with a distinct mana, echoed throughout the train, reaching everyone's ears clearly.

"Ironblood City at last!" Carter stretched with a long yawn before looking over at Alan and Isabella with a smile.

"We've been on this train for ages; want to go for a walk together?"

Isabella suddenly chimed in, "But I want to walk with my brother alone! It's rare for him to have free time. Carter, you can walk around with your dad."

Carter glanced at Alan, only to find him looking fondly at Isabella.

"A brother-obsessed sister and a sister-obsessed brother... You two make it impossible for others to join in!" Carter felt like he'd gone from being part of the conversation to being a bystander in an instant.

Isabella giggled, "Well, that's what you get for not having a brother!" She hugged Alan's arm affectionately and pulled him off the train.

Watching them, Carter suddenly felt that his happy childhood had been a bit lonely. He rushed over to his father, Harris, who was nearby.

"Dad, I want a brother too!"

…

Charlie No.1 had stopped in the heart of Ironblood City. As soon as they stepped off the train, they were already in the bustling city center.

However, since this city was located on the buffer zone between two nations, it wasn't as lively as Alan had imagined.

The streets were sparsely populated, and most of the people looked despondent and gaunt, like walking corpses.

Unlike the people from the Plantagenet Kingdom, there were also many knights and citizens from the Barton Kingdom on the streets.

They wore elegant clothes adorned with the Barton Kingdom's emblem and strutted through the streets arrogantly as if they were the true masters of Ironblood City.

Alan frowned. Though Carter had already told him about the situation in Ironblood City, he still found it unsettling.

This was, after all, territory of the Plantagenet Kingdom—his homeland!

He shook his head slightly, preparing to leave, but just then, a group of overweight Plantagenet Kingdom guards strutted over and handed him a leaflet, speaking sternly,

"Take a good look. These are the city's rules. Don't say I didn't warn you; if you don't follow them, you'll end up in jail at best, or executed publicly at worst!"

Alan took the leaflet and read it. The text was lengthy, but the main point was clear:

For the sake of stability in Ironblood City, residents were not allowed to provoke or anger Barton Kingdom's citizens or knights.

Even if mistreated, they couldn't retaliate and could only report the issue to these guards for resolution.

No wonder the people of Barton Kingdom walked around so arrogantly, while those from the Plantagenet Kingdom appeared lifeless.

The rules made it seem as though the Plantagenet Kingdom citizens were the slaves of Barton Kingdom.

"How could there be such a rule? Isn't Ironblood City still part of our kingdom?" Isabella's big eyes widened in confusion.

"Hmph! Watch your mouth, little girl! If you stir up trouble in Ironblood City, you'll pay for it!" snarled the guard, hearing her question.

As soon as he finished, a Barton Kingdom knight not far away beckoned to him,

"Hey, you over there! Get over here. I've barely walked a few steps, and my shoes are already dirty. Clean them up!"

The overweight Plantagenet Kingdom guard instantly nodded and bowed, hurrying over to polish the knight's shoes.

Laughter from Barton Kingdom citizens erupted around them.

"Brother, I don't like this place," Isabella said, feeling distressed.

Alan squeezed her hand, "Let's buy what we need quickly and head back to the train."

Isabella nodded in agreement.

The train didn't have much to eat; the dining car was both overpriced and unappetizing, with food that resembled pig slop.

As they walked through the streets, Alan followed the scent of freshly baked bread into a shop and led Isabella inside.

Alan glanced at the various breads and biscuits in the display case, noting that samples were available by the counter. He tried each one, finding the flavors quite good.

Isabella, fond of sweets, was practically starry-eyed.

Alan smiled, "Boss, four servings each of every flavor of bread and biscuits, and some of these snacks as well."

A shop assistant approached with a smile, opening the cabinet and carefully packing the bread.

"Big sister, why is your face so dark? Is that a new trend in Ironblood City?" Isabella asked, looking curiously at the assistant, who, despite wearing male attire and having a darkened face, seemed like a woman to her.

The assistant's thin frame stiffened for a moment, and she stammered, "I'm a man. I was born with a dark face. You must have mistaken me."

At that, the shop owner, who had been helping other customers, came over with a friendly smile.

"My assistant here was born with a dark complexion and isn't very skilled. Forgive him. Let me help serve you two instead."

He then quickly packed up the bread Alan had ordered, weighed it, and handed it over.

"Thank you; that'll be ten gold coins."

"Ten gold coins?" Alan and Isabella's eyes widened.

How could bread be so expensive? In most cities, it would cost only about one silver coin.

Ten silver coins made up one gold coin, meaning the price had been marked up almost a hundredfold!

Seeing their reaction, the shopkeeper chuckled, evidently used to such responses, and explained,

"Folks, this is already a fair price. Since Barton Kingdom's people arrived, Ironblood City has suffered from a severe shortage of food and water, driving up prices."

"Plus, we have to pay high taxes to both Barton Kingdom and Plantagenet Kingdom. It really can't be helped."

Alan looked at the shopkeeper, whose sincere gaze and calloused hands were evidence of hard work under harsh conditions.

The other customers in the shop bought bread without any complaints, each purchasing large amounts.

"Here, twelve gold coins," said Carter, who had just walked in, handing a bag of coins to the shopkeeper.

Then he turned to Alan, "Other shops sell bread of poorer quality for fifteen gold coins. This place is honestly a bargain."

The shopkeeper counted the coins and handed two back to Carter. "You don't need to pay so much, sir."

Carter waved his hand dismissively, "Take it."

Grateful, the shopkeeper added some extra bread to the bag before handing it to Alan.

Alan considered this and accepted it, then looked at Carter,

"Becoming a magus requires talent. Your soul isn't strong enough; pestering me won't change that."

Carter's eyes showed a hint of disappointment, but he quickly replied, Stay tuned for updates on novelbuddy

"I know. But even if I can't become a magus, I thought you could still teach me a bit about swordsmanship. You're a swordsman too, right? I happen to be one myself!"

With that, he took out a wide sword crafted from gold and adorned with luxurious gemstones, giving it a few flourished swings in the air.

However, after only a few swings, his plump body was already tiring.

He quickly put the sword back into his storage ring.

"What did you think of those moves? Are they close to your level?" Carter asked with a mix of confidence and anticipation.

Alan patted his shoulder and said sincerely, "I think your goal to become the future Head of the Light Guild is excellent. Safe, and very suitable for you!"

"Really? But I think roaming the world as a heroic knight in ballads would suit me well too!" Carter's eyes sparkled as he looked at Alan.

Alan: "…"

Isabella stifled a giggle, "Dreams are nice, but I'd suggest you be realistic."

"But my dad says if you don't have dreams, you're just a salted fish!"

Isabella looked Carter up and down, "Then I suggest you start by losing weight. Look at my brother—he's all muscle, unlike you, who's all fat."

"What's wrong with fat? My dad says it cushions me, so I'm hard to knock down!"

Not far off, Harris facepalmed at the sight, realizing he might have spoiled Carter too much.

Bang!

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Suddenly, the sound of a door being kicked open startled everyone, drawing their gazes to the source.