Chapter 892: The Tide of Utopia City

Utopia City.

Mayor Heinz smiled as he gazed at Fan Huo, who hung suspended.

Around him.

A large number of structural devices were working to strip Fan Huo of all his life-preserving measures through magical means.

The time required was a fixed ten days.

A young man hesitated for a moment, then asked:

"Mayor, are we truly going to make an enemy of the Imperial Sequence Organization? Even if we can capture him, it's only because Utopia City can negate War. But if those other members of the Emperor's Order also come here.

I'm afraid..."

"Dorrs, don't misunderstand. We merely wish to bring happiness to this Mr. Fan Huo. The so-called execution is just propaganda that Lu Jiayun took upon himself to spread~

Do you remember our true purpose?"

The young man named Dorrs nodded, and with a tone overflowing with happiness, his eyes shining, he looked at Fan Huo.

"In order to let Mr. Fan Huo enter the happy Utopia, I will inherit all his Card Sequences on his behalf, and reach ten in one go."

That War Card which had previously existed in the museum was now in Dorrs's hand.

The Ring of War formed by the other nine cards surrounding Fan Huo in the center continuously drew it in.

"Soon, soon. Just ten more days and everyone can be together, everyone can be happy!"

Dorrs, or rather the people of the entire Utopia City, had not a trace of suffering on their faces.

This was a world of happiness.

A city that let everyone live without regret.

It never invited any outsider Train Conductors.

Nor did a Guild system exist here.

Everyone was equal.

Everyone only needed to revere Heinz.

Everyone... was happy.

"Tsk... this thing you've cooked up is truly disgusting. This city makes me want to vomit, too."

An indifferent voice sounded from behind Heinz.

His expression didn't change. Still smiling, he turned around, displaying a respectful and courteous posture as he spoke:

"I greet you, Mr. Order. May you remain happy as always~"

Mr. Order, master of the Order Card, a Top-Tier Train Conductor who had once completely collected all thirteen Order Cards.

A member of the Ancient Council, who had been traveling the Wasteland for an unknown number of years.

He frowned in disgust.

"Enough. I don't believe you have any respect for me whatsoever. Moreover, your so-called happiness means nothing to me. I am merely here to fulfill our agreement, nothing more."

"Heh heh~ Although you took back that Order Card, your contributions to Utopia City over all these years are beyond doubt. You naturally deserve the respect of every citizen of Utopia City."

Mr. Order's disgust did not diminish in the slightest.

He raised his hand, and a golden card appeared before him, then he tossed it toward Heinz.

[Order Card · Peace]

"I don't want another card to be lost in your hands."

"Of course, Mr. Order. Please believe in me. However..."

Heinz's tone shifted.

"Speaking of which, some time ago you wanted to enter a certain mysterious place in the Wasteland. To think that an ancient True God appeared along the way, and while helping Colorless, also took away another Card Sequence you had brought. Heh heh~

To think that even you, Mr. Order, could suffer defeat and be stripped of your spoils."

Mr. Order's expression grew even uglier, but he did not deny this matter.

Aside from the [Peace] in Heinz's hand, the number of Order Cards still remaining in his possession was eleven.

In other words, what he had lost was not Order.

"So what of it? That Card Sequence was merely one item in my collection. I am Order, and Order alone is enough."

"Oh~ You know the identity of that ancient True God?"

"Hmph, nothing but an illusory shadow. If I hadn't been unwilling to waste time, I would naturally have fought him there."

This was not Mr. Order being stubborn.

He genuinely believed he could do such a thing.

"However, you Homeward-bound Souls truly found the object of Memory? And it's in that Altos's hands? Why not simply find a way to seize it back? Why go through such great trouble?"

Heinz's smile gradually faded. Those always-smiling eyes slowly opened.

"Lord Order, you should know better than anyone the power of Card Sequences. Since among my subordinates there is an opportunity to collect ten War Cards in one go, why not attempt it?

This person is certain to die, and his Card Sequences will certainly belong under my command.

At that time, it will be a perfect ten of a single Card Sequence, and the power of War will belong to Utopia City."

"A city that yearns for happiness, yet wishes to possess the power of War?"

"Because the maintenance of happiness requires power to exist. Isn't that right?"

"Hmph."

Mr. Order said no more. He merely cast a distant glance at Fan Huo.

"You and I, we are even."

With that, Mr. Order's figure vanished within a radiance.

Heinz stood in place, still maintaining his respectful posture for a long while before finally returning to his original stance.

"So, the final preparations are complete. Mr. Fan Huo, I hope your friends can also fall into that eternal world of happiness, just like you."

————

Wasteland.

The third Wasteland day.

In Ye Qiyan's same-sector Public Chat Room.

["Did you all hear? The mayor of Utopia City spread the word not long ago. As long as Altos of the Emperor's Order brings a special item called the object of Memory into Utopia City, he can trade for that War's life!"]

["Really? What's the object of Memory? It doesn't sound like much."]

["Not sure, but I heard from our Guild's Seniors that it seems to be related to something called the Homeward-bound Souls?"]

["Hey hey hey, do you all think Mr. Altos will go make the trade?"]

["Uh, they're in the same organization, so he probably will?"]

["Tsk, impossible. That one is a thorough Demon Overlord, terrifying as can be. Why would he give up his own item for someone else?"]

["Just wait a week and we'll find out, won't we? I've already arrived at Utopia City. Goddamn, this place is really nice, and they actually pay you when they say they will."]

["Really? Holy crap! I want money too!"]

This incident caused by Utopia City stirred up no small waves throughout the entire Wasteland.

Utopia City, or rather the Homeward-bound Souls' objective, had already been laid bare.

Just as Shaya had said.

The Homeward-bound Souls' first target was not Fan Huo, but the object of Memory in "Altos's" hands.

Inside the pure white locomotive section.

Ye Qiyan sat here, fiddling with that perfectly ordinary, featureless stone in his hand.

On the private chat interface before him were the messages Lin You had sent over the past two days.

["Um, Brother Ye, why don't you sell me that object of Memory? I'll pay any amount."]

["Fan Huo is my friend. I can't just watch him die, so..."]

["Ah, anyway... just consider it as me and Fan Huo each owing you a huge favor. Please, Brother Ye! Think of something, just... save him."]

A smile hung on Ye Qiyan's face.

He moved the private chat interface to the side.

The station-entry Light Screen appeared before him.

"One huge favor from each of you, huh. That's not bad at all~"