Catastrophe Card King

Chapter 780: Chapter 251 Daily Life Heading to Black Gold City

“Mr. Leonard Churchill, we’ll be arriving in Black Gold City in about half an hour. It’s been a long time since I’ve been back, and I’m feeling quite excited… By the way, have you been here before?”

“No.”

“Ah, then it’s perfect—I can take you around for a tour. Black Gold City is the largest city-state in the western part of Valdona County and also the largest high-calorific coal producing area in the entire Federation. It’s quite wealthy, but it’s dusty and smoky everywhere. Even though I’ve grown up here since I was a child, I still dislike the feeling of getting covered in dust every time I step outside.”

“…”

On a train that whooshed across the dark wasteland.

In the luxurious VIP carriage, the orange glow of the crystal lamps illuminated the entire space brightly.

Leonard Churchill and Vera Williams were leisurely enjoying their lunch.

As they were about to arrive home, the daughter of the financial conglomerate was enthusiastically introducing her hometown.

Churchill listened with interest, nodding from time to time.

He put a piece of meat into his mouth with his fork, glancing out the window at the plains beyond, where in the distance, he could faintly see the lights on the horizon.

He felt a surge of emotion in his heart, marveling at how vast the Federation truly was.

Seven days ago, they had returned to Bolton Town, which had been subjected to a blood sacrifice.

Then, after nearly two days of travel by motorcar, they finally reached Parrot City, which had a train station.

After that, they changed trains seven times, passing through dozens of cities, both large and small. Now, after five more days, they were finally about to reach their destination: Black Gold City.

Although Churchill knew the Federation was very large, having only experienced Sinless City before, his first visit to the Rich Ore Layer still left him astounded by the expansive territory.

Since it’s an Underground Cave world, there’s no such thing as borders, and Lords are always expanding and developing new land; even the Federation Archive Bureau doesn’t have accurate data on the size of the territory.

It is said that it takes another ten days to travel from Black Gold City to the Federation’s capital, Dragon City.

Furthermore, the population of the Federation is so large that there is no precise figure; just Black Gold City alone has a permanent population of over a million.

Cities like this are numerous throughout the Federation.

Churchill now understood why a place of exile like Sinless City was filled with so many people and continually receiving newcomers.

…

Churchill gazed out the window, slightly lost in thought.

At that moment, their exclusive maid added the dessert to the meal.

Vera continued her enthusiastic introduction of Black Gold City: “However, there are many delicious things in the city—Rolly’s pastry shop, Fried Fish of Filo, Wood House Potato Mash… I’ve been super fond of them since I was a child. Leonard, you must try them.”

After all, Black Gold City is far from Dragon City, and in the eyes of many nobles, it symbolizes the newly wealthy from remote areas.

Having spent the past few days together, Vera felt that Leonard was unfamiliar with many things here and thus offered a few more explanations.

Churchill smiled lightly and said, “Okay.”

“Let me think, what else is there besides food…”

At that moment, Vera seemed to remember something. Her eyes twinkled with a playful light as she said, “Oh, Black Gold City also has a very famous musical and dance play in the Federation! The most famous ‘Royal Dance Troupe’ in the entire Federation is right here, in Black Gold City.”

As she spoke, she seemed to think that musical and dance plays were common everywhere and then added another point often discussed among her male classmates at the academy: “If it’s the ‘Enchanting Special Performance’ at midnight, there are many beautiful young girls there~”

“Oh? Enchanting Special Performance… What’s that?”

Churchill looked at her with a peculiar expression, guessing somewhat.

Experiences involving life and death are indeed the most direct way to quickly develop a relationship.

This girl had dropped all formalities after coming out of the Mithril mines.

She spoke as freely as if they were close friends, without any of her earlier ladylike restraint.

She shared trade secrets, family intrigues—everything with Churchill.

The constant companionship on their journey had made them more familiar with each other.

Open and elegant, she was like a fully bloomed rose.

“It’s… well, dazzling stage plays are very popular among the Upper class society,” she replied.

As she said this, Vera’s gaze wavered slightly as she looked at Churchill; she still felt a bit uneasy, “But I… I haven’t been there.”

She stuck out her tongue, adding, “I’ve only heard about it. My brothers and the adults at home really like to go. But if you’re interested, Leonard, I… we could go and see.”

“Heh…”

Listening, Churchill laughed.

From the description, it seemed to be something akin to an Adult Theater.

This was commonplace in the brothels of Sinless City, and he didn’t find it curious.

But the Royal Dance Troupe had such performances, too?

This was the second time he had heard this name.

The first was when the Flood Gang opened for business a hundred years later.

If the performances were indeed of that caliber, he was indeed a bit interested.

“…”

Vera, seeing his “You’ve never been there, yet you’re taking me?” skeptical chuckle,

felt a stubborn pride welling up within her.

Her brow furrowed, inwardly chiding herself for feeling apprehensive just now.

It was perfectly normal in Upper class society, after all.

With the anticipation of a rebellious girl eager for the unknown, she puffed her cheeks and pondered for a moment before solemnly saying, “Yes! We must definitely check it out when we get a chance!”

It was as if, having survived a life-and-death adventure, she had found some inexplicable “courage,”

prompting a shift in her perspective on life, a resolve to pursue what she desired.

Why shouldn’t I go to see the Enchanting Special Performance?