Chapter 279 Evalia
Equatora, the second biggest continent on Earth, and Evalia, its largest country.
Compared to Veridiania, this place was way more underdeveloped.
Elbert was headed to Starglow City, one of the poorest spots in Evalia.
Even the international airport here was just a three-story terminal and a few low buildings. Beyond that, it was all wasteland.
Elbert had just stepped off the plane when he spotted an old Mercedes waiting in the distance.
Robert Williams had arranged it online. It was old and dusty, but around here, it was a sign of wealth and the best hospitality you could get.
Most other passengers had to make do with beat-up pickup trucks or tricycles.
A young lady from the plane, dressed to the nines, swayed as she walked to a rickshaw, giving Elbert a regretful look.
Elbert was greeted by a burly driver with a big smile, showing off a mouthful of stained teeth.
Once inside the car, the driver quickly handed Elbert a hand-rolled cigarette.
The driver was thrilled. This guy was a big client, hiring his car for a 200-mile trip. The money from this ride alone would support his family for half a year!
Elbert took the cigarette, sniffed it, but didn't light it. Tobacco was a luxury here, and the cigarette was mostly filled with unknown leaves.
Before starting the car, the driver clasped his hands together and silently prayed to a pendant hanging inside the car.
The pendant showed a tanned beauty, sitting cross-legged on a mat, with long wavy hair spread out on the ground. She was decked out in metal jewelry and light gauze. Her figure was graceful, her face veiled, but her beautiful eyebrows and captivating eyes hinted at her stunning beauty. She also had a faint aura of sanctity.
Seeing Elbert's curiosity, the driver smiled and spoke in the local Evalia dialect, "This is our Evalia saint, Harper! She has boundless power and helped us control the locust plague."
The driver assumed Elbert didn't understand his language, so he gestured animatedly, pointing at the pendant, then at Elbert, clasping his hands together with a respectful expression.
Elbert nodded slightly. Thanks to Robert Williams, there was no language he couldn't understand.
Harper was a recent figure with extraordinary abilities in Evalia, most likely a cyborg. The people of Evalia mostly followed local religions, and Harper was one of the top ten female saints in their religious history.
The locals were blown away by the cyborg's abilities, thinking they were witnessing divine miracles. They named her Harper, and soon, she was worshipped nationwide.
Elbert wasn't shocked that cyborgs were popping up in different countries lately. He was well aware of it.
The journey kicked off and it was a long one.
Their destination was a liquid metal mine, tucked away in a remote part of Starglow City.
As they got closer to a small village called Luxor, the roads got muddy and shabby.
The old Mercedes crawled along, with parts falling off as they went.
Luckily, the driver knew the area well and could handle the terrible road conditions.
Elbert looked out the window, seeing nothing but dust.
The locals mostly farmed, but the harsh environment meant poor harvests.
People were dirt poor, barely able to fill their bellies. Starvation was a common sight.
Finally, as dusk approached, Elbert saw a village in the distance.
It was pretty big, but the mud houses were falling apart.
The villagers were all skin and bones. Some even used grass to cover themselves.
But in the twilight, one figure stood out, looking different.
She was tall, with her hair in a ponytail, wrapped in a colorful striped cloth that formed a dress, showing off her curvy figure. Her features were refined, giving off an ethereal vibe.
Elbert got out of the car and smiled at the girl.
To his surprise, she spoke in Veridiania's language, though a bit awkwardly, "Mr. Elbert, I am Dawn, welcome."
Dawn was a local villager, arranged by Robert Williams to be Elbert's guide.
"I can help you explore the mineral veins," she added.
Elbert smiled and replied in the local Evalia dialect, "Dawn, you can speak to me in your native language!"
Dawn was taken aback that he could actually speak her village dialect.
To secure this job, she had learned a phrase in Veridiania's language.
But she hadn't expected the guest to be so impressive.
As for Elbert, he didn't naturally understand the obscure village dialect of Evalia.
But he had a cheat code.
Robert Williams took only 3 seconds to help him integrate the local language into his subconscious!
With Elbert's analysis of the driver's and Dawn's accents, mastering the village dialect was a piece of cake.
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