The Last Gentleman

After about half an hour of uphill travel, the carriage finally left the treacherous mountain road. The wheels rolled onto a broad avenue paved with stone blocks, leading everyone toward the gates of Zion City.

Notably, there were black lamp posts spaced evenly along the road. These weren’t oil lamps but ‘electric lights’.

“Electric lights here?”

Since arriving in this world, Yi Chen had been curious about the era he was in. The only modern technology he’d seen was an old telephone in a small cabin in the cemetery, which could only connect to the overseer and no one else. This made Yi Chen think he might be in a time shortly after the Second Industrial Revolution.

But as he left the cemetery, he didn’t see any other electric devices in the outside world; people relied on oil lamps and candles for lighting. Even the vehicle sent by the organization was a horse-drawn carriage rather than a combustion engine car.

Now, with electric facilities appearing on the road to Zion City, Yi Chen felt even more puzzled.

“Could it be that due to ‘disease,’ certain underdeveloped areas couldn’t keep up with progress and were left behind in the pre-industrial era? But that doesn’t make sense. If it were truly backward, a telephone wouldn’t exist in the cemetery. Perhaps the phone was brought by a overseer from the organization?”

"Gray Zone."

Suddenly, Little Grape interrupted Yi Chen's thoughts with this keyword.

“Based on the memories that have merged in my mind, humans here once entered a period of the ‘Electrical Era’, efficiently and conveniently using electric power instead of steam. However, due to the impact of the disease, electric power couldn’t fully develop and was eventually ‘segmented and restricted.’

"The Gray Zone pervades all corners of the world, constantly spreading and proliferating. Anything within the Gray Zone is affected, and electricity is no exception. When electric wires pass through Gray Zones, the current inside them is affected, turning it into a medium for pathogenic.

"The lightbulbs lit by the electricity can transmit effects through their light radiation, affecting people’s skin. Telephones in such zones emit strange noises and whispers, gradually influencing people's thoughts. Televisions may show bizarre, unclear images, spreading disease through visual means.

"As a result, the development of electricity was completely halted, and human technology was forced back into the Steam Era. However, in larger cities that are relatively safe, like Zion City, there are likely power plants that maintain electricity within the city and preserve the advancement of certain technologies. That’s the gist of it."

“Even electricity is affected by disease? What exactly is this ‘disease,’ and where did it originate?”

“My memories are incomplete, so I can’t answer that... Besides, even among humans, no one may truly know. Perhaps, as you explore and seek answers, you’ll gradually understand.”

Just as Yi Chen’s curiosity grew and he was about to continue the conversation with Little Grape, the carriage came to a halt.

Edmond’s voice called out:

“Mr. William, wake up! We’ve arrived at Zion City. Up next is an important evaluation and awards ceremony, which determines whether we can formally join the organization and our subsequent benefits.”

“Alright.”

Stepping off the carriage, Yi Chen didn’t see the expected city gates but instead two tall, black Gothic towers with pointed spires, etched with vertical ribs.

Between the towers was a narrow, claustrophobic, dark passageway—the only route into the city. On either side of the towers were endless black walls, adorned with pointed spires and vertical structures.

At regular intervals on top of the walls were gargoyle-like statues, adding another layer of eeriness to the already somber exterior.

It felt more like a militarized Gothic city wall than an ordinary city boundary.

“William, come on! We still need to pass through this passageway used for quarantine, inspection, and purification before we can officially enter Zion City.”

“Alright.”

A total of 19 assessors were sent here. They lined up in relative order, entering through the narrow doorway of the tower.

Inside, the hallway featured a cylindrical dome and ribbed arch framework, with wall lamps on either side, decorated in a classical style.

Not far in, a man dressed as a gentleman, holding a walking cane with a curved handle and wearing a white mask, blocked the path.

On either side of him, a hidden passage appeared in the walls.

A mature, deep voice sounded from behind the mask:

“I am pleased that so many newcomers have passed this difficult assessment. However, before setting foot in Zion, you must undergo a thorough physical disinfection. Men to the right, Madam to the left. Upon reaching the ‘Disinfection Chamber,’ please remove all clothing promptly. If any trace of contamination or symptoms of infection remains after disinfection, you will be immediately disposed of.”

Yi Chen, at the end of the men’s line, arrived in an enclosed space. Edmond, was the first to strip completely.

As Yi Chen undressed, he noticed, to his surprise, that his current body—the one belonging to William Behrens—was quite fit. Although slightly thin, his four-pack abs were faintly visible, and his body fat percentage was within the normal range.

After about half a minute, nozzles extended from the walls on all sides, even above and below.

A pale yellow liquid with an intense odor sprayed out at high pressure, washing over everyone’s bodies. Some of the more severely injured assessors were knocked over by the force.

Yi Chen steadied himself as best he could.

“Chlorine water? It seems mixed with something else...”

When the washing ended, a strange, intrusive sensation scanned everyone’s body, as if detecting something.

A low hum, followed by a slight tremor in the air—and one of the young men sitting against the wall disappeared.

“Disappeared? What kind of technique is this?” Yi Chen was shocked. He had been vigilant, but he hadn’t noticed a thing.

Everyone dressed again and returned to the corridor.

After the disinfection process, the group was reduced to 17 people.

They continued to follow the masked gentleman toward the exit of the corridor.

As they stepped out, the glow of the morning sun washed over them, revealing a city with a Gothic Revival style, a unique architecture beyond conventional construction.

[Zion]

The city had multi-layered, intersecting streets connected by arched bridges, with winding and uneven alleyways and elevated cathedrals, guild buildings, and noble estates supported by pillars, spiral staircases, and large steps—achievements that surpassed the architectural feats of Yi Chen's previous world.

The gentleman guide placed his top hat over his chest and gave a slight bow to the group.

“Welcome to the headquarters of G&D, Zion—the world’s sanctuary. I am your temporary guide, Jeff Peterson. Please follow me to the ‘Divine Skin Mansion.’ Based on your assessment performance, you will receive varying levels of the ‘Skin of the Gentry.’ Do not leave the group on our way; doing so will be seen as willingly forfeiting your right to the skin.”

Upon hearing this special term, Edmond and most assessors showed expressions of eagerness, their excitement evident, as if the perils they’d faced were all worth it.

Yi Chen remained expressionless, but his heart raced with anticipation. He was keen to find out what reward his bold gamble would bring.

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