Chapter 39 Train (1)
The Train (1)
Ark.
Originally, it was a port city and the last capital of the Prilecha Kingdom.
Now, it had become part of the Hardenberg Duchy and served as a central hub for trade in the Arieh Empire.
Though it was called the heart of commerce, in other words, it was also a place where all sorts of unknown origins mingled.
Petty thieves and robbers were just the beginning—slave traders who dealt with all kinds of species and even those involved in human trafficking were rampant there.
In the original work, it was also the place where Adel was kidnapped and sold into slavery.
And yet, she wanted to go to such a place...
"You want to go with me?"
"Yes."
My head throbbed at Adel's unwavering gaze as she stood tall before me. The fact that she had been kidnapped in the original work was something only I knew, so fine.
But what reason could she possibly have for wanting to go to Ark, a city that was practically a breeding ground for all kinds of crime?
When I asked her directly, her answer was surprisingly simple.
"Because it's the Emperor's hometown."
"Sigh..."
The reasoning itself wasn't bad.
Since she couldn't get the Imperial family's secrets from anyone else, she intended to investigate herself.
The problem, however, was the inherent danger of Ark itself.
In the past, just before the fall of the Prilecha Kingdom, they had set the entire city of Ark ablaze in a desperate attempt to deal a blow to the Arieh Empire.
Because of that, Ark had suffered irreversible damage, effectively turning into a city closer to a back alley than a proper metropolis.
Of course, under the Emperor's orders, the city had been restored. But the scorched humanity of those who lived there could never be recovered.
'Surely, she doesn't know about Ark's infamy?'
When I raised my head again, Adel's bright, eager eyes met mine. No matter how I looked at it, she seemed completely unaware of the city's notorious reputation.
"Is it not allowed?"
"Ark is a place teeming with every kind of crime imaginable."
"Ah..."
She nodded as if she understood my words. But soon after, Adel shook her head and countered.
"But I have Evan with me, don't I?"
Evan.
A knight who had reached the level of Sword Expert, just one step below Sword Master.
In terms of the quality of his aura alone, few could match him. He could probably overwhelm even the Crown Prince, who was a Sword Master, without much difficulty.
It wasn't entirely his fault that he had failed to protect Adel during the Hunting Festival. If anything, the Imperial House bore greater responsibility for their underhanded tricks with the monsters.
Having him by her side would indeed be reassuring.
'However...'
The real issue was her overly optimistic attitude. I thought she had improved a little over the past few days, but it seemed ingrained in her.
At the auction house, she had tried to shield Lily and take Luke's attack in her place. During the Hunting Festival, she had nearly plummeted to her death again at the hands of a monster.
Despite experiencing multiple life-threatening situations, she hadn't changed—which suggested it wasn't an easy habit to break.
Ironically, though she disliked her regression ability, she relied on it more than anyone else.
"Fine."
This time, it might be better not to interfere. If things truly became dangerous, Adel could always summon me through the emblem or find another way.
Accepting her offer of three opportunities had been part of that intention—just in case a save point malfunctioned and she ended up trapped in an infinite loop.
"Really?"
Adel's face instantly brightened. Had she expected me to refuse? She looked even more excited than a child who had stumbled upon a gold coin in the street.
"Yes, really."
"Yes!"
She was so overjoyed that she didn't even notice Allen giving her a pointed look.
"Get ready."
"Huh?"
Adel tilted her head slightly, as if surprised by my words. She hadn't expected us to leave immediately, it seemed.
"We're going to Ark right now."
"Already?"
I shook my head at her grumbling question.
"If not now, there won't be another chance."
Thanks to pushing through paperwork relentlessly these past few days, I had barely managed to free up time. The remaining minor tasks could be left to Allen, so there was no need to worry.
What I needed to focus on was how to make the most of these few days.
"Ah, then what should I prepare?"
"Light attire, a change of clothes, and..."
I opened my subspace and reached inside. Though my hand brushed against numerous miscellaneous items, what I was looking for didn't come easily.
Only after rummaging for a while did I finally grasp it.
"This too."
"What is this?"
A necklace embedded with a pure white gemstone.
An artifact I had coincidentally acquired at the Imperial Auction House.
"An artifact. It's necessary for disguise."
The moment it was worn, it would invert the wearer's hair and eye color to their opposites. Of course, it lacked the core function of disguise—effects like perception hindrance.
Because of its awkward performance, it had ended up buried in a corner of my subspace. But now, it would serve its purpose.
"Does it just need to be worn?"
"That's correct."
Adel carefully fastened the necklace around her throat. When nothing happened, she tilted her head in confusion.
The artifact around Adel's neck vibrated faintly before beginning to absorb her mana.
Hmm...
Her neatly tied black hair began transforming into a silvery hue. The ruby-red irises that had been sharp as blades now shimmered with the deep blue of sapphires.
I froze momentarily at her completely transformed appearance.
It was shockingly beautiful in an entirely different way from before.
"Uh... has something changed?"
Unable to perceive any visible changes herself, Adel looked slightly bewildered. Yet from my perspective, the transformation was striking.
The sharp, piercing aura from her crimson eyes and angular features had softened into something serene with those new blue eyes.
I'd thought this was just a mediocre artifact, but I never expected it could alter someone's presence so dramatically.
Those 300 gold pieces had been well spent after all.
"Allen."
"Yes, my lord."
"Bring a mirror."
"At once."
Allen bowed and exited the chamber. Adel watched his retreating back with a question mark practically floating above her head.
"Did I really change that much?"
"Extremely so."
Where she'd once carried the sharp, villainous aura of a wicked noblewoman, she now radiated the dubious sanctity of a shady saintess.
My description made her cross her arms with an indignant huff.
"What kind of comparison is that supposed to be?"
"Literally what it sounds like. You'll understand when you see for yourself."
"I've brought it, my lord."
Allen returned carrying a full-length mirror, which he carefully positioned on the floor. Adel scurried over with quick, excited steps before letting out a small gasp.
The reflection staring back was undeniably different from her usual self. Her slightly parted lips seemed unable to close again.
"Wow..."
Small gasps kept escaping her as she turned this way and that, admiring her transformed appearance from every angle.
"You were absolutely right, Abel."
She nodded slightly as if finally understanding my earlier comparison.
"I've gone from looking like a villainess to a suspicious saintess with ulterior motives!"
"Pardon? What does that mean, my lady?"
Allen's voice jumped an octave in alarm at her words. His gaze immediately snapped to mine.
The stern disapproval radiating from his eyes—that signature Allen glare—made me instinctively look away.
"Duke."
"...Yes?"
"There are certain things one should refrain from saying to a lady."
"Right. Noted."
I nodded obediently. Satisfied, Allen said no more on the matter.
He probably knew any lengthy lecture would go in one ear and out the other anyway.
When I turned back, I caught Adel sticking her tongue out at me from an angle Allen couldn't see. Maybe I should be more careful with my words from now on.
Especially around snitches like him.
§
Clack-clack.
The distinctive rattling of train wheels filled my ears. Outside the window, landscapes blurred past at surprising speed.
Not much different from the subways of my past life.
Yet another marvel of magical engineering, I supposed. Just like those carriages that could scale mountain peaks during the Hunting Festival, this world's technological development was bizarrely uneven.
Some aspects rivaled modern times, while others felt more primitive than the Middle Ages.
'What a strange world.'
Shaking off the thought, I glanced at Lily dozing against my shoulder, a thin trail of drool escaping her lips.
I couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Well, after sitting still for hours, exhaustion was understandable.
Across from our seats, Abel sat quietly absorbed in a book.
'He looks comfortable.'
The serene atmosphere he exuded blended perfectly with the train's cozy interior, creating an oddly pleasing sight. Seeing Abel so relaxed felt unfamiliar—I couldn't recall ever witnessing him this at ease before.
Yet it was somehow... reassuring.
Turning back to the window, a faint reflection stared back.
Silver hair and sea-blue eyes. A stranger's face that would soon become familiar during our stay at the Ark.
'Speaking of the sea...'
Had I ever even seen the ocean in my past life? Between part-time jobs and studies, there'd never been time. I'd even turned down friends' invitations.
Looking back, why had I refused for the sake of some measly part-time work? Jobs could always be found again, and studies could wait.
A twinge of regret surfaced.
'Should I ask Abel to go with me someday?'
The thought came unbidden, but I shook my head. I couldn't imagine him agreeing.
But if he did...
It might actually be enjoyable.