Alice in the Land of Steam

Is Chapter 262 really that powerful?

In 1200 AD, the first World Expo was held in Platinum, the "City of the Lake of Heaven" in the Kingdom of Great Brittany. That city was the headquarters of the Steam Cult and the birthplace of the Steam Age. Therefore, the theme of the Expo was "Industry in the Steam Age". Later, the theme of the second Turinsas Expo was "War and Peace", and the theme of the third Aix Expo was "The Glory of the Renaissance"... Then there were "The Pioneer of Reform", "Our Unknown World", "Looking at the Ocean", "The Great Discovery of Navigators", "Trade Expansion and the New Era" and so on.

It can be considered that the theme of the World Expo represents the curve of the times and the development of the Western Continent. It is not straight, but curved, winding, intricate, and sometimes even backward. But no matter what, it is always on the road to progress.

Today, the theme of the 11th Nimser Fair is - Human History and Civilization.

"…Ten thousand years ago, human beings looked up at the stars and took shelter from the light of the sun and the moon; five thousand years ago, civilization began to sprout and grow under the first burning fire; two thousand years ago, during the Renaissance, four sages showed us the infinite possibilities of human beings; seven hundred years ago, human beings mastered the power of steam engines, but this triggered a tragic war; two hundred years ago, we landed on the continent across the sea and had our first contact with a strange civilization. Looking back at history, we can easily find that the potential power of civilization is not stimulated by a single individual, but is driven by the common inner wishes of all."

"…The brilliant and splendid human civilization should be the leader of the world and bring the dawn of a new era. However, the struggle for power and authority has slowed down the progress of historical development. The pace of the times is always moving forward, and if we cannot keep up, we will be left behind. If we do not learn to value the history of the past, we will also not be able to learn to create the future of tomorrow, and the meaning of both is essentially the same for mankind."

"A civilization that forgets its history will inevitably forget future disasters. Therefore, today, we gather here to hold the 11th World Expo to show the guests participating in the event 5,681 exhibits from 53 countries and 72 pavilions, spanning 3,000 years. In these ancient historical relics, perhaps the people of Greater Brittany can also feel the belief of Joan of Arc who swore to defend the rights of the people to her death, and the people of Minderia can trace back to the long river, fighting side by side with the great Marshal Napoleon on the vast wilderness and listening to the cheers from the soldiers... History is always with human beings, but we have never discovered it."

"At the same time, it is also about looking forward to the future and imagining the possibilities of the times: Will we be able to fly freely in the sky without the help of airships one day? Will energy that is cheaper and cleaner than coal enter the account books of every household one day? Will the steam engine be eliminated one day and more advanced machinery will replace it... The past history is limited, but the future of mankind is unlimited."

“现在是公元1855年12月30日早上9时30分，我以本次博览会开幕式致辞者的名义宣布：第十一届尼姆舍尔万国博览会，正式开始！”

When the elegant middle-aged gentleman on the stage finished his last words, the audience burst into applause and cheers. Some shouted "Long live!", some excitedly threw their hats into the sky, and the ladies who valued etiquette used handkerchiefs instead. For a moment, the sky above the treetops was filled with colorful hats and handkerchiefs, which were more colorful than the colorful garlands and balloons around them, dazzling and overwhelming.

"You should be thankful that horse-drawn carriages and steam trains are prohibited from passing through the East and North Districts during the Expo. In fact, small-scale stampede casualties often occurred during previous Expos." Linger said to his companions, "Once the crowds disperse into the various exhibition halls, the traffic will be much smoother. We can go in then."

"..."

"Tsk." Alice couldn't help but exclaimed when she saw this scene: "There are too many people. If we go in now, we will be squeezed to death, right?"

Does this guy really think he is here for tourism?

It seemed that he was the only one who remembered that he was not here for tourism.

The temperature was obviously very low, but the entire East District and North District were shrouded in a warm atmosphere. The cold winter could not stop the enthusiasm of the tourists. They were like sardines gathering together, rushing towards every street and alley like a wave. This surging posture was even enough to devour the largest sperm whale on the seabed. The streets they passed seemed to have ushered in a small-scale earthquake. The roofs, eaves and windows were shaken and shook off the frost and snow.

As the opening ceremony ended, the pavilions of various countries that had been closed opened their doors to welcome visitors from all over the world and show them their country’s glorious history and various possibilities for the future.

Lingge was speechless for a moment, then turned around and found that his sister was introducing the little fairy in her chest pocket and the two young girls about the expo, and strongly recommended the pavilion of the herbal garden. They were actually listening attentively and were very involved, which made him even more speechless.

Alice rested her chin on her thumb and index finger, frowning and thinking, "But if we do that, the exhibition hall will be packed with people. How are we going to get in and visit?"

……

After waiting for a while and seeing that the crowds gradually became sparse and would not affect normal traffic, Lingge took the girls across the Municipal Square to experience the unique style of the 11th World Expo up close.

The famous Mikhail Boulevard has the largest flow of people and the most pavilions in the eastern district. This road was built in 1550 AD. It starts from the King Kore Fountain in the east, passes through two small and exquisite springs in the middle, and finally ends at the most upscale Mikaelson Spa Hotel in the city. On both sides are important buildings such as the City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, the Bar Association, and leisure places such as cafes, clubs, high-end restaurants, and department stores. It is a major tourist attraction in Nimsher. However, in order to prepare for the expo, the demolition work here started as early as five years ago, and some houses and shops were converted into large and small pavilions. The pavilions of countries and organizations including the three traditional powers in the Western Continent and the United Church of the Church are all located on this street.

The largest, most unique and therefore the most eye-catching building is a grand building over 30 meters high, with three floors and painted in a deep and bright copper color. The architectural style is magnificent and has a simple and elegant beauty. The spacious courtyard in front of the exhibition hall is surrounded by carved iron railings. At this time, it seems that an exhibit is being exhibited in the open air, attracting a large number of tourists to stop and stay.

What is particularly eye-catching is that the gate leading to the courtyard is not of any traditional architectural type, but is built with a mixture of exposed steel, brass gears, metal bearings, springs and even discarded guns and clocks. At first glance, it gives people a strong and shocking visual beauty. In Alice's words, it is a "post-modern steam wasteland industrial style." Although Ling'er doesn't know what style this is, and always feels that she doesn't understand it either, and is just talking nonsense.

"Which country's pavilion is this?" Alice asked curiously as the lively scene in the courtyard attracted her attention.

Metien flipped through the exhibition brochure in his hand and searched carefully. He bought it for one penny from a "conscientious vendor who did not want to reveal his name". In fact, it could be picked up for free at the exhibition center, but it was too troublesome to run back, so he bought one.

She found the corresponding target after just a few pages, because such a unique exhibition hall was obviously ranked at the top in the manual: "Ah, I got it, it's the exhibition hall of the Scourge Mission, the 'Steam Technology Museum'. They are displaying a variety of mechanical creations, including civilian machinery and industrial machinery. Among them are both outdated machinery invented by the Steam Cult in the Steam Age that has been gradually eliminated, as well as new machinery they have independently developed and created, and even the prototype of the first generation of steam engines invented by Master Watt... I really want to take a look."

A longing expression appeared on the little girl's face. Although she was more interested in herbs and medicine, living in this glorious industrial age, who could ignore the charm of the first generation of steam engines?

That was the pioneer of steam civilization.

"Then let's go and have a look." Xie Mi poked his head out of his chest pocket and looked curiously in the direction of the Steam Science and Technology Museum. "Isn't it right here? We don't have to go far, although there are a lot of people there."

"It's not a matter of too many people." Metien reminded quietly: "Have you forgotten that the Scourge Mission is also a member of the United Church, Shemi."

"Ah!" Xie Mi shuddered and shook his head violently: "Forget it, let's go to other exhibition halls."

Although it is covered by Saint Shallia's thread of destiny, theoretically it will not be discovered, but... what if?
It's better to be cautious.

Alice scratched her hair and asked in confusion, "The exhibition hall of the Natural Disaster Mission? I heard that they also participate in public affairs, usually helping to prevent and deal with various natural disasters, while also resettling disaster victims and carrying out post-disaster reconstruction. Then why are there so many steam machines on display? The name of the Steam Technology Museum doesn't match their job at all."

"Because you misunderstood the original duties of the Scourge Mission." Linger said calmly: "Public disaster relief activities are their investment in public welfare, while the original duties of the Scourge Mission are actually scientific research and mechanical transformation. It is said that they directly inherited many legacies of the original Steam Cult, and are the church with the most scientists and inventors in the Cult Union. The 'Disaster Detection Device' they invented has a prediction and warning principle for natural disasters that no one has been able to analyze so far. After coordinating with the governments of various countries, it has been deployed and installed on a large scale. Now it has established a disaster detection network covering the Western Continent, which has alleviated the troubles of natural disasters for the people in most parts of the Western Continent. Although it has not been completely eliminated, it is also a remarkable achievement."

"..."

Alice picked her ears and refused to listen anymore.

From proposing the "Ouroboros" plan and setting up the Night Watch's Nocturnal Roost, to establishing the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders' plant gardens; from the Crimson Church with an army of 300,000 that dominates overseas colonial wars, to the Inquisition that fights against aliens and magicians in places where civilization has ceased to exist... and now there is a Scourge Mission that has established a "Scary Detection Network" in the Western Continent. The alliance of churches is becoming increasingly powerful in Ling's words.

If she continued listening, she was afraid she would lose confidence.

　Give me some meow
　　
　
(End of this chapter)