CH 61.1

A long long line was drawn to the ground on the thin white snow. It is a long long long crimson train heading toward the station here in Torquiva.

It is the first train of the “Grand Frank Railroad”, a transcontinental railroad that began its trial run just a few months ago. The name of the first train that’s currently on its way here is the “Great Whale”.

I don’t know where the information about the train’s arrival today leaked from but…..

The people of Torquiva had been waiting for this since morning. They gathered on the hill with food and drinks and are happily talking with everyone.

「That’s so long! How long is that thing? I can’t even see the end!」

「I wonder what it’s carrying.」

「There’s never been a train that long before. It’s the new model that the Schenker’s third son built!」

「I heard he even got a medal from the army, is it true?」

「Lie, that’s a lie, there’s no way that play freak….」

「Idiot! What if the Schenkers hear you!」

「Ah, I didn’t say anything….」

Your voice is so loud that everyone heard it.

I put my hands on Mince’s shoulder who looks like she’s about to beat someone. I and a few guards were heading to the station while wading through the waves of people to the station.

I had something to do with the people coming on that train.

The station is being guarded by soldiers but when they saw the medal attached on my left chest, they saluted and let me pass through.

And as expected, my guards were not allowed to enter the station so they can only wait outside.

When I was an ordinary commoner mage, I had to go through three of four procedures just to enter the station. Yeah, I don’t even have to get on the train.

Authority is so convenient….

From now on, I’ll be walking around with medal hanging on my chest, if necessary.

And the person who I’ll be picking up today was actually someone invited using the power of such authority.

「I am Sawadi Slayra from the Torquiva Magic Academy’s Magic Construct Laboratory. Is Magic Engineer Tassel here? 」

「Please wait a moment.」

In a salon-like waiting room of the station, I told the guide what I wanted and waited for a while.

The room is full of ladies and noblemen, many are heavy smokers. My vision is completely white because of cigarette smoke.

I wondered if the ventilation system was not working properly or if the ventilation staff was slacking off, or if I could sell them an infinite fan-type magic construct.

While I was thinking about that, a tall bearded man, who was wearing a jumpsuit, came strolling in from the back of the room.

「You should be the rumored genius. You’re a lot younger than I thought. I am Tassel Ranza, a magic tool craftsman.」

「Nice to meet you. I’m Sawadi Slayra. I’m not a genius and I’m here to show you around.」

Yes, I invited this magic tool craftsman from an industrial city in a distant mountainous region.

The most pressing issue is the control of the giant beast-type magic construct which I judged to be difficult to deal with only magic construct theory. Thus, I decided to ask for the help of a magic tool expert.

「Heh, you’re really saying that even though you have that medal on your chest? That train is something you made too, right?」

「I only made the basic theory.」

「And everyone knows that’s the hardest part. Your name is famous even in the Sanaldi community. Even I, as a magic tool craftsman, treated you as a threat.」

「Then, do you have any bias against magic construct makers?」

「I wouldn’t come to this countryside even if I die if I do. I like things that move, I like magic trains, I like magic carriages, and of course, I like infinite energy.」

Tassel-shi gently patted me on my shoulder and pointed his thumb at the crimson great whale, which was changing its cargo.

「Haa….」

「Actually, I was involved in the production of the towing and accelerating device of the “Great Whale”(that one). I honestly thought that it was the work of a genius. The way the 28000 perpetual motion magic constructs were designed and intertwined just to turn a single axle is nothing but the work of a genius.」

「Heh」

「And that’s why I’m here.」

I don’t really understand what he’s saying but since I’m being praised, it’s okay.

However, there’s one thing that bothers me.

「May I ask you something?」

「What is it?」

「Why did the transcontinental train named  “Great Whale”?」

「You don’t know? The collective power of the perpetual motion magic constructs is making a sound like a whale at high rpm.」

「Is that so?」

After we left the salon, we approached the locomotive of the Great Whale. His eyes are sparkling as he talks about maniacal things for a long time.