Chapter 76

Chapter 76

A train crashed.

The cause was simple.

A fuel-related defect in the mana stones.

Originally, mana stones were of uneven quality.

When mana stones with excessively coarse mana were used as fuel, it caused problems with the magitech equipment.

Therefore, this was more of an issue with the refinement process of the fuel rather than the mana stone itself, and it was due to the operators of the train ignoring minor warning signs.

However.

The reason the entire continent was in an uproar over the Mana Stone Train Crash Incident was threefold.

Firstly, most people regarded mana stones as a perfect power source.

After all, mana stones were essentially fuel powered by mana. To the layperson, anything fueled by mana stones appeared sophisticated, mystical, and perfect, not unlike the mysterious powers wielded by magicians. So, everything powered by mana stones had an image of being luxurious, mystical, and flawless.

That image was shattered.

Secondly, the train was the dream of all commoners.

The Northern Mountain Crossing Train

A train navigating a perilous path through rugged cliffs. Riding with family or parents, enjoying the perfect scenery of the Northern Mountains along with the stability offered by state-of-the-art magitech trains, was the dream of every successful commoner.

To ride in one of the compartments allotted to commoners, some saved most of their income from labor. Others plunged into stocks and gambling.

Their dreams had crashed.

And lastly, thirdly.

Arent there any mages here! Emergency, emergency!

The mana engine isnt working! Mana, mana! Help! Aaargh! Falling!

Kwaaah!

On that train, there happened to be a conscientious pro-journalist, and while the camera broke, the magical film remained intact.

The film capturing the moment the train plummeted from the cliff, and the vivid voice of the conductor.

[Mana, mana!]

That desperate cry was enough to make headlines in every newspaper.

Eeek!

With a chilling friction sound, the train began to slip backward.

Ian recalled the headline of that newspaper in his mind.

But if it were the original story where the heroines receive requests and go, I wouldnt have taken the train.

That was the reason he couldnt predict what was happening now.

But he soon realized.

Ah.

The departure was relatively quick.

Because he immediately caught the attention of the princess.

Or.

What, whats going on here!

There might be something related to the journalist grabbing his camera and making a fuss.

Anyway.

F*cking butterfly effect.

Ian stopped thinking about the cause.

Naturally, thinking about solutions should take precedence.

Or perhaps hoping that this eerie feeling was just a misconception.

Of course, as if to dismiss such futile hope, the door to the compartment connected to the engineers room swung open with a creak.

Um, are there any mages among the passengers! Emergency, emergency!

The engineer, with a pale face, desperately shouted.

Ian somehow felt he knew what the engineer would say next.

The mana engine isnt working!

As he turned his head, Schwab was already acting like a professional journalist, holding up his camera and capturing the engineers face perfectly.

Yes. This part should be well captured since its the headline.

Mana, mana! Help!

Ian, the reporter, and Schwab were the only ones present.

Ian, who confirmed Schwab was changing the film, asked.

What happens if we continue like this?

Were performing the emergency stopping protocol as much as possible, but, we, we dont have much time left. If the brake system fails, the train will accelerate along the tracks. Ah, we were almost there, but of course!

The path visible outside the window seemed infinitely distant.

And then?

Since the precise control magitech engine isnt working, i-its a derailment no matter what!

Escape?

One side is blocked by mountains and the door cant be opened, and the other side is as you can see.

Everyone glanced sideways.

A cliff whose end could not be seen, obscured by cloud-like fog.

Ian didnt bother to look down.

Falling!

Kwaaah!

The future was obvious if things continued like this.

Do you have any idea what the problem might be?

Its probably related to the fuel.

How much longer until we reach safety?

1000 feet, just 1000 feet more and well be safe.

About 300 meters.

If they could just drag the train that much, the problem would be solved.

But how?

We need to minimize the weight.

Danya muttered.

Ian nodded.

Ill discard the rear compartments.

All passengers, including commoners? Hmph!

Ian found himself looking at the engineer as if he were a bug.

Ians group pondered on finding a solution.

Schwab, swallowing nervously, continued to turn his camera.

Surely there would be limitations to blocking a train weighing tens of tons. It would be even harder to push it uphill.

Even though he wasnt an expert in this field, it was common sense.

Using just the mana of a few mages wouldnt be enough to move this massive train forward. It was a situation where they couldnt even push it by force along the tracks. The space itself was precarious, with only a narrow track laid out.

It seemed impossible, but

For some reason, I feel like hell pull it off.

Schwab felt a strange sense of anticipation as he looked at Ian.

And as if on cue, Ian spoke up.

Interactions.

Interactions?

Schwab furrowed his brow at the unfamiliar term but didnt stop turning his camera.

Danya. Remember the seed experiment from before? When you created the seed and broke Yurrans barrier.

Y-Yes!

Im going to try making that seed as big as possible. And it has to be sturdy. Stick it to the back of the train.

Ill do my best!

Ian then turned to Karen.

Karen.

Yes.

When Danya makes the seed, pour water into it. If possible, in the form of steam.

Understood.

Next was Lina.

Lina.

Yeah!

Heat up the seed slowly.

A giant seed attached to the back of the train.

The sound of boiling bubbled from within.

What is he planning?

Schwab wondered briefly.

Ian thinly coated the seed with metal.

Thick on the side facing the train and thin on the opposite side.

Rrrrrrrrkk!

The unidentified seed began to make a sinister noise.

I-Is that thing going to explode?

Danya muttered.

Yeah. Hold on tight!

Ian shouted, grabbing Schwab by the collar.

Kwaaaaaaaaaang!

The train shot forward in an instant.

T-Thank you

Just like that, one more time!

Kwaaaaaaaaaang!

Tremendous acceleration.

Schwab, half out of his mind, instinctively snapped pictures.

Someone shouted.

Ah, curve ahead!

As expected, a sharp left turn came into view.

It was certain they would derail if they continued like this.

Ian urgently gave an order.

Karen, push all everyone to the left!

Yes!

At the same time, Ian summoned a wall to the left of the train.

The train teetered dangerously to the left.

Tzzzzzzzzt!

They managed to make the turn, albeit barely.

And soon, they arrived at the peak of the summit.

Schwab screamed with relief, forgetting all dignity.

I-I survived!

The scenery from the peak was frighteningly beautiful.

Phew.

Ian sighed softly.

Ian let out a small sigh. The explosion utilizing the interaction of grass, earth, water, and fire went off better than expected, despite being a bit of a gamble.

Wahh!

I thought we were done for

Hmm.

Each of them celebrated and felt relieved in their own way.

Their mutual comforting seemed to form somewhat of a team.

Most of it was praise for Ian, after all.

At that moment, Lina smiled brightly and raised her hand.

But I have a question.

All eyes turned to her.

What about the downhill?

A sunny question.

Click.

As the train reached the end of the short plateau at the summit, it tilted forward towards the descent.

Thats a good point, Lina.

That day, Imperial Gazette journalist Schwab eventually fainted.