Restart:Untalented Man-Chapter 437: Urgent Message

Chug-chug-chug!

Sure enough, it wasn't an easy task to take a nap with the sound of train wheels moving on the railways reverberating through their coach.

After tossing left and right in an attempt to find comfort, Riz finally managed to get used to the persistent sound.

Slowly, he felt himself drifting into the realm of sleep, overcoming the initial challenge posed by the rhythmic sound of the train.

Choo! Choo!

Just as Riz started to sink into a deeper slumber, a sudden, shrill sound of released steam caused a much louder disturbance in the train coach.

The unexpected noise jolted him awake and any hope of a restful nap was dashed.

It was as if the steam train would not allow him to sleep.

"Great!" Riz irritably said.

He fervently hopes they can quickly move past the era of steam trains.

While the creation of steam trains was undeniably revolutionary in the transportation world, the maintenance and operation costs that came with it were high.

The locomotive is composed of numerous parts. Each component is essential for the train's functionality. It requires meticulous care and regular checks to ensure smooth operation.

The more parts it has, the higher the chance of something breaking or malfunctioning.

Moreover, the firebox of steam locomotives needs to be cleaned regularly which takes time.

Without proper cleaning, the accumulated byproducts could impede the efficient burning of coal and lead to decreased performance and increased fuel consumption.

In history, most steam trains would end up spending more time undergoing maintenance than actually transporting people or goods.

Even when knowing all of these disadvantages, he realizes that another significant leap in innovation might not happen anytime soon. All the people involved in the creation of the steam train are in a celebratory mood right now.

For them, this was a peak of transportation technology.

"You're not sleeping?" Theodora asked after realizing her husband no longer lies down.

"I couldn't even if I wanted to." he shrugged. Too bad he didn't bring any reading material with him. He had two hours or so to kill time.

....

Two hours later,

The vast landscape of fields and greenery was slowly pushed out of his vision. Replacing them were the emerging buildings.

The city wall can no longer be seen. Under his order, it was torn down during the construction of railways. The decision was also made after thinking about the future development of the city.

The previous inner city had reached its limit. To be honest, the city wall was a hindrance at this point.

It is a pretty bold move considering Baroks was near the border. If anything happens, Baroks can easily fall into the enemy's hands. But Riz was confident in his weaponry and soldiers.

The train hurtled straight toward the city centre of Baroks where the station is located.

Through the window of the first-class coach, Riz observed a growing crowd, mirroring the scene he had witnessed in Bideford. The glitters in the eyes of the onlookers once they witness the steel behemoth approaching.

Shringg!

The steam train came to a gradual stop.

Riz let the guards go out first so they could check the perimeter. He was not in a hurry so there's no need to rush things up. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Once everything was secured, the trio promptly stepped out of the first-class coach.

As soon as their legs touched the concrete surface of the train station platform, a wave of cheers and applause erupted from the crowd.

Riz was slightly moved by the display of enthusiasm they had shown. He turned to Theodora and said, "Look, they love me."

Theodora didn't entirely buy into his words. "Maybe they're just overly excited. This is the first time they've seen the king up close."

The corner of Riz's lips twitched.

Not wanting to let Theodora's words spoil his mood, he turns to find the governor of Baroks.

It wasn't hard to find Samuel Lazo and his wife. Among the sea of people, the couple stood out conspicuously. They dressed in more extravagant attire than those around them, making them easily distinguishable in the crowd.

"Your Majesty, welcome to Baroks," Samuel greeted Riz with a respectful bow.

"Did I make both of you wait for too long?"

"Oh, not at all. Two hours is nothing. I am personally eager to see the train."

It would be a lie to say that Samuel was not curious about the project. After all, the train station had been constructed right at the heart of the city.

Numerous buildings had to be relocated which involved compensation. He was the one who approved it.

During the construction phase, Samuel had gained a vague understanding of what the government was trying to build but the details had never been fully disclosed to him.

He could only make half-guesses about the project.

It is only now he was shown a final product.

"Is that so? Then, why don't you take a look?" Riz generously offered.

He doesn't mind waiting for Samuel to check on the train. The man's eyes were shining like a star. The governor looks no different from a kid who entered a toy store.

Even though he was a king, Riz couldn't bear disappointing the old man.

Contrary to Riz's thought, Samuel thinks otherwise. He wouldn't dare to make the king and the queen wait for him.

Before he could politely decline the kind gesture, someone came and whispered something to his ears.

Alongside the message, the attendant discreetly passed a sealed letter to the governor.

Seeing a frown crease on Samuel's forehead, all of them become curious.

"Is there any problem, Samuel?" Riz asked. Just what kind of news can cause the governor to frown like that in front of the king?

"This...it's better for your majesty to read the letter." Samuel handed the sealed envelope to Riz.

Without further ado, he open the envelope and read the letter.

Unlike Samuel, Riz didn't frown but he was surprised.

"Well, this is bad."