Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength
Chapter 37: Formal Dress

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Formal Dress

During the Industrial Revolution, Ronald had never before ridden on a steam locomotive.

But he could guarantee, with his integrity, that this journey, which might be very novel to a young person from the 21st century, was definitely not a pleasant outing.

The slow speed of the train, the tedious passage of time, and the lengthy resupply after the train arrived at the station.

Everything was seriously dragging down the progress of the trip.

Not to mention the unexpected incident Ronald encountered as the sky began to darken.

--The train actually stopped on a stretch of track in the wilderness!

"..."

With arms crossed and sitting on a chair, Ronald raised an eyebrow.

Something didn’t feel right--

According to the train timetable he had inquired about earlier, the Dongfeng should arrive in Greenwich in about two more hours, and this information was absolutely correct.

So why did it stop now?

If it was a traffic jam, the train had stopped too soon.

If there was a locomotive malfunction, there had been no sign of it earlier.

--So these two assumptions could be ruled out.

But apart from these two scenarios, what other reason could there be for a train in motion to stop on the tracks, two hours away from the platform?

This was a steam train.

Not a child’s bicycle that stops on a whim!

Even if someone was lying on the tracks ahead, the train driver was unlikely to notice and would probably just keep going without slowing down.

So the situation at hand could only be...

"Hurry up--"

"Secure this area, we’re moving back!"

"Don’t miss any movement!"

His contemplation was suddenly interrupted by voices coming from outside.

Turning sideways, Ronald could see, through the window next to him, several figures starting to position themselves along the railroad, clearly on alert for something.

"Hey, why did the train stop?"

"Young man, come here for a moment!"

Someone immediately opened a window in the adjacent carriage and started calling out to the people on alert.

Unfortunately, no one responded.

The guards, loyal to their duties, did not even glance at the somewhat rudely toned passengers.

In the third compartment of this carriage, Ronald quietly watched the scene outside; he didn’t lean out of the window to observe.

He just sat still in his chair, quietly feeling the unease spreading.

Soon, some restless voices started to arise from the neighboring seat:

"Kao Muyi?"

"Why did the train stop!"

"Dear, just wait, I’m going to check it out."

"Good heavens!"

"Why did it stop all of a sudden!"

"It’s already late for departure, how dare they delay us further?"

"I’m supposed to be going to Greenwich for big business!"

"Can the train conductor take responsibility for this?"

"..."

From all around, a cacophony of voices reached his ears, with the sound of doors opening and closing in between.

Clearly, the train’s stall had left all the passengers aboard dissatisfied.

After all, these voices of anger or panic

could not be faked.

However, sitting calmly in the carriage, Ronald couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

Not what he was seeing unfold before his eyes.

But something very important that he himself might have forgotten!

"..."

"Why do I suddenly have the feeling that I’m about to be caught in the crossfire?"

Muttering softly to himself, Ronald began to recall all the events that had occurred since he boarded the train.

In fact, there weren’t many.

He had snuck onto the train--bade Nade farewell--eaten in the dining car.

Despite some details in the process, these were basically straightforward activities.

He had had few interactions on the train; neither the ticket-checking guard nor the old gentleman who chatted with him during the meal would have caused him any trouble.

Now, all by himself, it wasn’t like Nade could possibly...

Wait a minute!

Sitting in the carriage, Ronald’s stiff gaze gradually began to shift downward.

Locked firmly at 35°.

Right at the end of his gaze, just beneath the chair directly across from Ronald.

At this very moment, a wooden suitcase lay quietly, even his towel had been taken out of it.

"..."

"Oops, this is bad."

Feelings indescribable welled up from within his chest.

Ronald had reason to believe that this suitcase would become his biggest trouble for the day.

He even felt the urge to throw the suitcase right out of the window.

But even if he did that, there were already people standing guard outside.

And riding in a train compartment, he couldn’t possibly sever his association with Nade.

So...

What on earth had this guy done after he fell asleep last night?

This morning when Ronald woke up, Nade’s sleeping position had changed from the night before, which was already alarming, let alone the fact that his hands had completely regained their mobility!

Ronald hoped that Nade hadn’t done anything.

But the abilities he had demonstrated along the way, and his intense desire to board this train...

Seemed to be hinting to himself.

This trouble was very likely to tangle with him!

"..."

"This is no time to hesitate."

He must take action!

Making sure there was still no movement by the compartment door, Ronald bent down and yanked out the suitcase.

Snap—

Opening the wooden lid, the contents were fully revealed.

"..."

"Very... very good."

With a twitch at the corner of his mouth, Ronald’s expression almost twisted into a knot.

If possible, he would love to punch Nade in the face right now.

There weren’t many things in the suitcase.

Aside from the items taken out that morning, what remained was almost self-evident.

Four unused metal capsules, a dagger sheathed in a custom scabbard, several used blood-stained bandages, and a piece of bread that had gone hard.

Lastly, and most eye-catching,

Was a well-protected compartment on the right side of the suitcase.

There lay an azure lady’s gown.

Soft yet elastic in texture, its sleek surface reflected a glossy sheen without any treatment, and in some exposed backless areas, the simple yet lavish pattern adorned the edges of the gown.

Ronald could assure, by his judgment, that this was the most valuable piece of clothing he had seen since he had crossed through.

Not to mention the pretentiously luxurious compartment passengers outside.

Even if he had brought over the gown from Ronald’s ancestral home, it might have only matched the hem of this dress.

"You bastard..."

Bang bang bang—

"Open up!"

"Inspection!"

Before Ronald could continue his accusations against the troubles Nade had left him,

Rapid knocking and a man’s commanding tone came from outside the compartment door.

Immediately after, another man exclaimed in panic:

"What are you doing, I am a legal resident of Berlingwich!"

A dignified yet calm male voice appeared outside:

"Routine inspection."

"..."

"Please... go ahead..."

The inspection of this carriage had begun.

But luckily, in an unfortunate situation,

Ronald’s section was the third one in the compartment, so the inspectors would still need a little time to get there.

He had to prepare to deal with the trouble, now!

Whoo—

Suddenly, a gust of wind without a source blew through the sealed carriage.

On Ronald’s wrist, under his sleeve, the funnel-shaped mark of the Divine Comedy faintly emerged.

One of the nine circles of Hell, the sin of ’Violence.’

Activated!

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