Clockwork Bride

Page 174

Is this girl really that lewd?

"Is that even a question? Of course, it's because it's fun and exotic!"

As a result, Pania immediately started jumping around in her room with great enthusiasm, saying...

"A decadent, sinful city overflowing with desire! A lawless city! Doesn't that sound incredibly interesting? Besides, I'm a true god now. So powerful, it would be so much fun to play the fool and prey on others there!"

This girl is really naive to the point of being silly. But what she said, though crude, makes a valid point. The true gods are very powerful. They are the rulers of the modern world, they are the powerful. Even in lawless lands, it wouldn't be a big problem for the true gods to want to show off their power.

"I'm sorry, you don't have any scenes this time."

Unfortunately, Hayden had no intention of taking minors to such places.

Fallen City, a sinful metropolis overflowing with desire, a decadent den of demons.

That's the stage Hayden is about to step onto, but there's no part for the little girl.

192: Neo-Babylon

Four hundred years ago, not long after they had dominated the Earth, the new god of capital had already ventured into the universe.

Of course, "getting involved" and "commercial development" are two different things, the latter being more difficult. Even so, capitalists have never given up on their space exploration plans, because the universe holds infinite wealth.

However, this kind of thing can't be done very quickly.

Leaving the solar system to explore the vast universe? That's really not possible right now.

To enclose the sun in a Dyson sphere and extract its energy? Even the new gods of capital aren't that powerful yet.

Commercial development of the Moon, asteroids, Mars, and Jupiter's moons, as well as the construction of massive space colonies, are things that have only gradually become possible in the last one or two hundred years. Technology needs to develop!

In the past, during the era of feudal gods, the god-kings only lived on Earth.

With the advent of the new gods of capital, technological advancements have enabled these capitalists to elevate their thrones and kingdoms into the universe.

These divine kingdoms—these space colonies—are mostly cylindrical structures ranging from 10 to over 20 kilometers in length and several kilometers in radius, capable of providing simulated gravity through centrifugal force generated by rotation. The people and buildings inside are like water in a bucket; as long as the bucket is continuously rotated, the water inside will be pressed to the bottom of the bucket by centrifugal force and will not spill out.

Of course, there's no need for such a complicated method; you can directly generate gravity using magic. For example, the Peacock Palace of the Peacock King isn't a cylinder. However, artificial gravity using magic is much more expensive; generating centrifugal gravity by rotating a cylinder is far cheaper.

In any case, living in such a place would be wonderful. Not only could one escape the environmental pollution of Earth, but one could also fully absorb the essence of the sun, moon, and stars. The colony possessed a completely closed and self-sufficient ecosystem, with air so fresh and sweet that residents could enjoy the mist and breath, cultivating their inner peace. Carefully managed agricultural processing plants could also produce food with extremely high nutritional value.

A person's achievements largely depend on what they eat. The power of the gods came from what they ate. Strength and wisdom can only be gained by eating enough good food.

Unfortunately, both acquiring such a life and maintaining such a wonderful living environment require immense wealth. Not all gods can remain at their peak forever. There are also gods who fall behind, gods who weaken, and gods who degenerate.

More than half a century ago, a capitalist deity raised her divine kingdom, the cylindrical orbital space station "Neo-Babylon," high into the sky. This orbital space station could even roam freely in space, excavating and towing various resources from asteroids, refining them in outer space. She wanted to create a perfect divine kingdom in the universe, completely independent of Earth.

However, the business world is like a battlefield, and circumstances are ever-changing. She suffered a series of misfortunes over the next ten years, made poor decisions, lost huge sums of money, experienced a sharp drop in stock prices, and ultimately went bankrupt.

Once she went bankrupt, she was no longer a god, and her divine kingdom could no longer sit in the heavens. She could only struggle and fall painfully, as if bound by the earth.

It should have crashed to the Earth, causing a massive disaster. But the unwilling former God used all his divine power to hold it up in the air, making the fall of the cylindrical orbital space station last for several hours, allowing the whole world at the time to see the space station unfold its solar reflective mirror, shimmering like the wings of a bird, burning and collapsing with the friction of its fall, revealing its broken skeleton as it crashed to Earth.

Ultimately, the Neo-Babylonian orbital space station crashed in the Middle East, landing on the border between Jordan and Palestine. The cylindrical colony satellite remained embedded and erect in the middle of the Dead Sea. Despite the effects of multiple magical forces, it did not collapse and has stood for decades.

Its owner went from a capitalist god to a great devil after going bankrupt, but she did not give up. Instead, she worked hard to survive, managed this ruin, and transformed it into a city that did not exist in the official name.

A city of towers standing on the Dead Sea in the Middle East.

A sinful city in a chaotic land, a den of iniquity where desires run rampant and normal social order is nonexistent.

At that moment, Hayden stood on the deck of the ferry, gazing at the city.

"The towering city that never sleeps before you is the largest skyscraper on Earth, the fallen city of Neo-Babylon!"

The ferry guide was a succubus. She wore a suggestive bunny girl uniform, and while smiling and chatting, she swished her heart-shaped tail.

"Approximately 4 kilometers in diameter and 10 kilometers in length. Even after being inserted into the Dead Sea, the exposed elevation remains the highest in the world!"

"This city of sin lacks a public security organization, recognized laws, and publicly recognized moral constraints. At best, there are only some residents' self-governing associations, violent gangs, and corporate security companies patrolling their territories to maintain a minimal level of order. In other words, given enough power, people can do whatever they want here! It's practically a den of demons!"

The succubus guide, having reached this point, already wore a seductive smile.

"Therefore, this is the depraved and decadent Fallen City. It is not only the largest den of iniquity in history, but also the world's largest secret market! Entertainment and goods that are illegal in other regions can be easily found here. Please indulge your desires here. I assure you, in this city, you will definitely experience pleasures that cannot be found anywhere else!"

As soon as the words were spoken, as if it had been planned in advance, the ferry sailed into the port of [New Babylon].

This fallen city rises abruptly from the middle of the Dead Sea, its main gateway being the port area where it meets the sea. The moment Hayden and his companions stepped off the ship and onto the port, it meant they had entered the land of this lawless city. From this moment on, they had arrived in a place where whatever happened would be their own fault.

Hayden, Angela, Professor Albion, Momiji, and the Dark Witch Abigail.

The Hayden team that came to the Dead Sea for this on-site investigation consisted of the above five people.

"The Land of Lawlessness, the Fallen City. Even I am here for the first time."

Stepping on the concrete of the reclaimed harbor, Hayden stroked his chin.

Looking around, although it was said to be lawless, this port area at least appeared to be orderly. Workers silently and methodically unloaded cargo from the ships, while guards in old-fashioned power armor and carrying assault rifles patrolled the vicinity in groups.

There were many newcomers like Hayden, fresh off the ferry and just stepping into the city. Some looked wealthy and ostentatious, while others were armed, wearing protective jackets with guns or swords tucked underneath. But regardless of their appearance, the port workers seemed indifferent to them.

Hayden had initially thought that as soon as he and his companions set foot on the grounds of Fallen City, a swarm of thieves, pickpockets, swindlers, and people trying to steal their belongings would swarm them, but it now seemed that this was not the case.

Then he looked up at the towering, crashed space station before him. It was so high that even though it was embedded in the sea, the exposed part was nearly ten kilometers long, so even with his head tilted back, he couldn't see the top. Just looking at it, he could feel a heavy sense of oppression.

This former colonial satellite space station has now been transformed into a massive, habitable city. The tower's exterior walls are covered with various factory facilities, residential buildings, and warehouses that have been added on.

Of course, these modifications and building layouts are very chaotic. The outer walls of the space station are almost entirely filled with these messy buildings, creating a chaotic mess with no architectural planning whatsoever. But being able to achieve this is actually a kind of order.

So Hayden quickly came to this conclusion: "So that 'lawless land' narrative was just advertising, wasn't it?"

However, the witch Abigail beside her shook her head: "You're being too naive. You've only ever been a mercenary in the American Federation, you don't understand what the real Middle East is like. Don't look at those rich tourists, look at the others."

what?

Hearing this, Hayden turned to look at the other armed outsiders, just like himself. Only then did he realize that many of the dockworkers and patrolling guards were secretly observing and assessing these men. These outsiders were mostly fully armed, and their every move showed that they were experienced fighters, at least not clueless ordinary citizens.

However, the dockworkers and guards looked them over as if they were pigs for meat. Hayden, now in his immortal form, was sharp of hearing and sight, and could even hear several guards whispering mocking these seemingly capable old hands through their communicators.

Are these dockworkers and guards stronger than those seasoned veterans who have come to the Middle East? Probably not, at least Hayden doesn't think so. But the former clearly looks down on the latter.

On the contrary, no worker or guard dared to show contempt for those guests who looked obviously wealthy and seemed like easy targets for theft and fraud. They even seemed somewhat afraid of these rich guests, not even bothering to fawn over them, but simply keeping their distance.

"First-class ticket holders, please use the VIP entrance on the right."

The succubus guide continued with a smile,

"Second-class passengers, please use the left-hand cargo inspection lane."

Hayden is a professional and usually doesn't show emotional fluctuations unless he really can't help it. However, he was somewhat stunned when he heard these words.

Although we all know that poor people and VIPs are not treated the same, do you, our tour guide, really have to be so blunt?

Fortunately, Abigail bought first-class tickets for Hayden and the others. Most of the passengers with second-class tickets were aware of the situation and wouldn't risk their lives—except for one young man, dressed in street punk style clothes, who strode out from among the second-class passengers, glared at the succubus guide, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "We are people, not goods!"

From both a moral and logical standpoint, this statement is not wrong.

However, the two guards in power armor standing at the entrance of the passage immediately aimed their assault rifles at him, and their bodies exuded a cold killing intent!

No sooner said than done! Without anyone seeing what weapon the punk-style young man pulled out, he drew his hands from his jeans pockets and, with lightning speed, delivered two swift hand-to-hand strikes, beautifully hitting the two guards in the throat!

In an instant, a heavy blow to the throat sent both guards sprawling to the ground. Even if these guards were only wearing outdated power armor, it was still military equipment from the last thirty years! How could they be defeated by ordinary fighters with their bare hands!?

Hayden immediately realized that although he didn't know this young man, and although the young man was a self-taught, reckless novice—his strength was the only real thing!

Their combat strength is at least at the level of a top-tier mercenary!

The young fighter glanced at the succubus guide and said again, "We are people, not cargo!"

However, everyone who witnessed this—whether dockworkers, other guards, or even the other second-class passengers—remained silent, their gazes fixed rigidly on the succubus tour guide.

In contrast, a wave of excited commotion gradually spread among the wealthy crowd who had first-class tickets.

The succubus tour guide glanced at the fallen guard, then turned to the young fighter, finally revealing a sweet smile as she said:

"You arrogant brat!"

……What?

"You mercenaries, bodyguards, assassins, and gladiators, you can do the dirty work and earn money here that you can't earn anywhere else, all thanks to these distinguished guests."

The succubus tour guide sneered.

"It's laughable that goods and tools dare to call themselves people."

The young fighter had barely finished speaking when he sensed the chilling killing intent emanating from the succubus guide.

Without a moment's hesitation, he reacted instantly, throwing a hook punch at the succubus guide's forehead. The power of that punch was enough to break steel bars.

...However, at the same time, the succubus's fingertip flicked lightly between his lips and nose like a ghost.

The young fighter felt a tingling sensation in his philtrum, but before he could even feel pain, he collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut. Even as he lay sprawled on the ground, unable to struggle, he still didn't understand what had happened to him.

Hayden, on the other hand, who was observing from the sidelines, was even more horrified. Having already cultivated a celestial body and possessing some expertise in life magic, he immediately saw through the true nature of the move and was even more shocked—this succubus guide had almost drained the young fighter's life force with just a light touch, and had even distorted his nerve signal transmission. The young fighter was now caught in a completely inexplicable surge of pleasure, and if it continued for too long, his personality might even collapse.

"First-class ticket holders, would you like to see this arrogant brat writhe like a maggot, sprawled on the ground, and become a useless cripple? Or would you like to see me suck him dry and melt his little ding-ding completely? If you'd like to see any other performances, feel free to let me know~"

The succubus director stomped on the unfortunate fighter's crotch with her high heels while smiling at the wealthy guests.

She showed off this skill, which suggests she possesses the strength of a high-level demon, yet she used it to serve and amuse her guests.

Now, Hayden finally understood what Abigail meant:

The rich are always treated like royalty, that's true everywhere, it's the same all over the world. However, in a normal modern society, the poor are at most ignored and economically exploited, but at least they can survive.

Even gods cannot slaughter the poor in the streets of modern cities. Capitalist beliefs must be built on the foundation of basic individual rights. This is no longer the feudal era.

...However, in this sinful city of New Babylon, the poor can indeed become part of the services consumed by the rich.

"For the upper class, New Babylon is a novel tourist city offering unique services. Here, the upper class can have the Old Gods (demons) serve them with smiles, and their actions are unrestricted. They can kill and play with any lower class at will."

Abigail explained to Hayden in a low voice.

With enough power, people can do whatever they want here; and money is the greatest power in this era.

"Besides that, this is also the largest black market and piracy factory in the Middle East. Illegal bio-modified products, pirated technology that goes unchecked, all kinds of contraband and stolen technology... Now you understand why this is a place where the lower classes can desperately climb up the social ladder, right?"

Although no human rights are guaranteed here, ordinary people still gather here—because paying a price to climb the social ladder isn't the most terrifying thing. Having no chance at all is.

Besides, the environment in Fallen City is at least better than most parts of the Middle East. In many places, the land is barren and severely polluted, and the poor can't even afford to eat. But here, it's a super black market that gathers some of the world's resources, so even if there are some leftovers, it's enough for the common people to eat.

The rich can enjoy the entertainment that was only available to feudal nobles here; the poor have a slightly better chance of rising in social class.

This is a place where the ancient (feudal) and the modern (capitalist) intersect, where the advanced (new gods) and the backward (old gods) dance together, where the rich are treated like nobles and the poor like pigs and dogs, a city of stark contrasts of light and darkness.

This is the fallen city of New Babylon.

193: A mixture of ancient and modern

The profession of urban mercenaries is essentially the same as that of the underworld, only more commercialized and less about loyalty.

In the world of martial arts, everyone is living on the edge. Having lived this long, who among us doesn't have a few lives on their hands?

...That being said, Hayden was a kind-hearted man, and besides, this young fighter seemed like a hothead, and he really didn't want to see a young man crippled in front of everyone. Furthermore, Hayden and his group were now VIPs with first-class tickets, so helping someone wasn't a big deal.

However, just as Hayden was about to speak up to help, Abigail sensed it in advance, quickly pulled him back, and whispered to him, "This is a routine performance; this person is hired."

These words truly astonished Hayden.

"Without going through this step, how can the first-class guests truly understand that the suffering of these second-class guests is actually a service they can enjoy? Most of the gods' ethics are actually quite normal. Without going through this step, they won't realize that the lower-class people can really be used for their own amusement."

噫

Upon hearing this, Hayden couldn't help but steal a glance at the other first-class passengers. Sure enough, many of the Protoss travelers, seeing the succubus guide torturing the young fighter, showed expressions of sudden realization.

In modern capitalist society, even the most arrogant wealthy person cannot commit rape or murder in the street, nor can they pretend nothing happened afterward. The company will at least fine you, criticize you, and might even demote you, and your rivals will certainly use this as a pretext to attack you.

The reason is simple: times have changed. Capitalist society is built on the consensus that the difference between the rich and the poor lies solely in the amount of wealth they possess. Nominally, all people are equal, and even gods cannot easily shatter this illusion for the general public. That would be detrimental to business.

However, Neo-Babylon has come up with a unique "tourism project." The upper class, accustomed to modern society, can rediscover some of the more brutal class dynamics of ancient times.

Since this is all a charade, what's the point of Hayden helping? He can only watch the farce unfold in silence.

Not long after, the succubus tour guide ended the performance and continued to lead the first-class passengers toward the VIP passage.

The upper and lower classes parted ways at the entrance to the city. But they would not forget the scene they had just witnessed.

--------------------------

The first-class passengers were not there to join a tour group, and they quickly dispersed after entering the city.

The city of New Babylon, a nearly ten-kilometer-high cylindrical colony embedded in the sea, was naturally divided into many layers. Generally speaking, the higher the level, that is, the farther away from the sea, the better the environment.

The "Paradise Zone" on the top floor of the space station retains the beauty of its former divine paradise. Now it belongs to the rulers, housing many important facilities and the wealthy elite, as well as offices of several large corporations. Therefore, the entire "Paradise Zone" is enveloped by a powerful barrier and is always heavily guarded. Lower classes are absolutely forbidden from setting foot there unless they are chosen.