Chapter 75

Chapter 75

The train arrived at the station in the city of Schulz, which marks the northern border.

From here, its a three-hour journey by train to Engelholm, the final gateway. From Engelholm, its a six-hour ride on the North Trans-Mountain Train to the northern capital, Lahti.

In terms of time, roughly half of the journey remained.

One had to change trains here.

Hmm.

Ian felt an inexplicable sense of apprehension as he got off the train.

Its so cold!

Danya, who jumped off the train, shivered.

The weather was emitting a faint chill.

Should I lend you my scarf?

Its fine! I can easily regulate my body temperature

Is that so.

Ian nodded.

Indeed, among the beastfolk, there were those who were adept at regulating body temperature. They seemed to have excellent control over their bodies.

However, he didnt know why Danyas tone suddenly became unclear.

Danyas gaze lingered on the scarf with a hint of regret.

Beyond her, Lina and Karen got off the train.

Karen, you should hurry too!

Im fine, really.

You should eat something!

Lina seemed to have already become friendly with Karen, who was silent and composed.

Her charisma is something else.

Indeed, should one call a heroine a heroine? Ian clicked his tongue at Linas overwhelming charm.

Lina often approached him as they walked.

Oh, Ian! Here!

She called out, holding something in her hand.

It looked like a stacked bento.

I-I packed lunch. Um remember back then

Lina hesitated before closing her eyes and blurting out.

Back then, I just took it too seriously! I brought enough for everyone to eat!

Oh really? Since there arent many good restaurants around, that works out. Lets eat together.

Yeah! Ill set it up in the lounge!

With a smile on her face, Lina ran towards the VIP lounge of the station.

Regardless, wouldnt such warmth and generosity be another advantage for the party thats being assembled now?

Thinking so, as Ian moved his feet, Karen approached him.

Theres something Id like to talk to you about.

Karen had a cold expression.

Since the princess ordered her to follow Ian, she had been speaking quite formally. However, it seemed managing her expression was difficult, and she wasnt in a good mood.

What is it?

Were not going on a picnic.

Im aware.

But the people who brought us seem too relaxed about it

Miss Karen.

Ian cut Karens words firmly.

Were not going to fight Duke Pierce.

Thats true. But their attitude seems too casual

For example, if Lina becomes friendly with one of the Pierce familys servants and easily secures evidence

Karen closed her mouth like a mute.

I hadnt thought of that.

I am determined to fulfill the mission the princess has entrusted to me. Thats what it means.

Ian stopped walking and addressed Karen.

It means I wont hesitate to use any means necessary.

Of course, fighting would be the worst-case scenario.

Fighting Richard Pierce would undoubtedly be dire. Being the head of the Pierce family meant occupying the highest position in the best knight family. Even so, Ians thoughts remained unchanged.

Ill count on you when the time comes.

Its not expensive meat, hehe.

As befitting a space used by nobles, the VIP lounge at the station had private rooms.

Lina found a large room and skillfully laid out the lunchbox and plates on the table.

One could say it was an expression of her vivacity, nurtured from an early age by taking care of her younger siblings.

I thinly sliced it and marinated it in sweet soy sauce. Then I stir-fried it with green onions and coated it with our familys special seasoning.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Saying so, Lina started placing pieces of meat, which she had separately prepared in a warming container, onto each plate.

Thank you.

Karen was the first to lightly bow her head.

Enjoy your meal.

Then, it was Ians turn.

Thank you.

Mmm.

After receiving the meat, Ian nodded.

It feels a bit thick?

Ian examined the meat.

Danya, wake up.

Mmm.

Lets go eat udon.

Udon? Whats that, nyah?

At an altitude of over 1000 meters, it was definitely cold outside, covered in snow.

Danya, still half-asleep, seemed about to fall into a deep slumber. It was for temperature regulation, so it wasnt a completely inaccurate story.

Leaving Karen, who decided to stay on the train, the rest headed to the makeshift restaurant on the platform.

Its, its delicious, nyah.

Udon? Its really, really delicious. How did you know, Ian?

The journalist sitting next to us insisted we should try it.

Regardless of what kind of noodle dish it was, eating it in such a cold and high place would definitely taste good. But the udon here was definitely so delicious that it could be called a specialty.

Actually, there was something more surprising than the udon.

As they stepped out of a simple shop, a majestic sight immediately caught their eyes.

W-whats that?

A railway track cutting through the rugged mountains.

If you followed the track with your eyes, a massive iron gate blocked the view.

A majestic iron gate larger than a 30-story apartment building.

It was one of the 99 gates scattered throughout the Northern Mountains, and the largest and most majestic gate: the Gate of Engelholm.

Wow

Though it was located in the farthest reaches of the north, it was the tallest and most formidable.

The reason behind it was undoubtedly that the north existed solely to prevent harm to the empire.

The gate is opening for the passage of the train!

Clang!

It was quite a spectacle to see the single apartment-sized gate opening.

Looking out of the train window, through the gap of the gate, a white canyon and mountain peaks stretched out.

The train slowly began to move.

Wow.

Danya, gazing out with wonder.

Ian was also amazed by the expansive scenery.

The railway track perched precariously on the cliffs.

The view from the train slowly climbing towards the summit was indeed breathtaking.

However.

Tock

As if mocking their amazement, Danya, who had just admired the view, leaned her head against Ian again as if to fall asleep once more. Perhaps she would adapt to the temperature after sleeping for a day. Truly convenient body, indeed.

However.

The steep cliffs.

The tilting angle of the ground felt noticeable.

The inexplicable sense of dj vu became clearer and clearer.

What am I missing?

An uncomfortable feeling that seemed to grasp at him but couldnt be grasped.

Schwab, who mistakenly thought Ian was afraid of being lost in his thoughts, approached him.

Theres no need to worry too much. This train, which runs on both rails and mana, has more than enough safety measures in place.

Mana.

Right. It must have been something related to mana.

Mana. Mana. Mana.

Certainly, something related to mana was happening.

But the train continued to move on smoothly, as if to deny that feeling of unease.

Clunk

No.

It wasnt smooth.

He hadnt noticed it, but the comfort had disappeared.

The faint vibration felt in his lower body leaning against the seat.

Huahm.

Danya, who had been sleeping like a log, woke up to the point where she was now looking out the window with a dazed expression, her head swaying back and forth.

Isnt the train slowing down too much?

!

It came to him.

Screeeeech!

Far away, the mountain peaks moving outside the window gradually stopped.

No. It would be more accurate to say that the train they were on came to a halt.

Only then did Ian become certain.

Why he had felt such unease.

The moment when Ecomana took off.

That was undoubtedly it

The raw flaw in mana stones.

The train crossing the Northern Mountains using mana stones as raw materials

Huh?

It was because it had crashed in the mountains.

Clack! Clunk!

With a chilling sound, the scenery outside the window began to flow backward.