7. Train (2)
7. Train (2)
It was not Yuma who was startled by Benosetian's sudden action, but the old veteran who had guided Yuma and Cloné to this reception room.
The old man was a sword expert in charge of Count Benosetian's escort and the captain of the Halo security forces here.
Not knowing his lord would go so far as to kneel, the old man hurriedly knelt before Yuma as well.
Yuma looked at the two elders who were suddenly being excessively courteous and spoke.
"Rise."
Count Benosetian, having knelt to show the utmost courtesy, rose to his feet.
Of course, Yuma didn't quite catch the intent behind that courtesy.
It was just a little overwhelming.
Yuma nodded.
"Pleased to meet you. Count Benosetian."
Benosetian carefully observed Yuma's words and actions.
'Is this... really a commoner?'
The composure underlying his words.
That composure and the dignity that naturally emanated from him were difficult to regard as those of a commoner.
He recalled the words of the mercenary Ymir, who had visited the 1st Princess Palace at his request.
That he was someone who gave off an aura that did not seem ordinary.
"Right."
Yuma sat down naturally on a chair in the reception room. And he made Cloné sit beside him.
Benosetian also sat facing Yuma.
The old man stood stiffly beside him.
"Why did you want to see me, Count Benosetian?"
Yuma wasn't particularly curious how his identity had been discovered. It was obvious the ticket office clerk had reported to her superiors.
"It is to convey my position as a vassal of the Empire to Lord Yuma, the proxy of Her Highness Princess Brigitte and the Sword of Her Highness the Princess."
Wait.
It seemed like a strange phrase had been mixed in just now.
And Yuma wasn't the only one bothered by that part.
Cloné, who was beside him, opened her eyes wide.
"The Sword of Her Highness the Princess...?"
Yuma added a remark to Cloné's wide-eyed words.
"Did the Count make that up to mock me?"
Benosetian shook his head vehemently.
"No! How could I commit such an impertinence! It is written exactly on the official document that came down as an urgent dispatch early this morning."
Benosetian hurriedly took an envelope from his chest pocket. He held it out to Yuma.
"Please read it."
Yuma read through the envelope.
[I am Brigitte von Astes, 1st Princess of the Astes Empire. I hereby inform the nobility throughout the Empire.
I have today appointed a proxy who will travel between the Empire and other nations in my stead, exercising my will.
My proxy, the man who is my Sword, will bear a golden plaque with three swords rising toward the sky. The one who holds it is to be treated as my equal, with the formalities afforded to a great bloodline.]
'My Sword.'
Yuma's brow furrowed subtly at that passage.
'Princess Brigitte, is she reading romance novels or something.'
He thought that if he ever had occasion to visit the 1st Princess Palace again, he would have to inspect her bookshelf.
Benosetian smiled as he received the document back from Yuma.
"Lord Yuma. Immediately after you purchased your ticket, a call came in from His Highness Prince Schubertche."
There was no slyness felt in that smile. It seemed more like a smile meant to show he was speaking sincerely.
"Knowing that no matter where you go, Lord Yuma, you have no choice but to use our Halo trains, he contacted us in advance."
Yuma silently listened to Benosetian's continued words for now.
"I received His Highness the Prince's instruction to report if I discovered Lord Yuma. However, I intend to refuse that instruction. The reason I have brought you here now is to guide you to board via the emergency passage so that Lord Yuma may ride the train without difficulty."
I am working for you.
Yuma thought Count Benosetian was making a considerable effort to make him feel that way.
"State your conclusion."
Yuma did not like such ambiguous stances. He only wanted a clear conclusion.
"Are you siding with the 1st Princess Brigitte, or not?"
Benosetian swallowed hard.
In what way was this a commoner? A man who demanded an answer so firmly before a noble.
Benosetian had initially intended to remain publicly neutral. But the words wouldn't leave his mouth.
"...I will support Her Highness the 1st Princess."
Drawn not by Princess Brigitte, but by Yuma's martial power and aura, he had no choice but to declare his support. He wasn't certain that Brigitte could defeat Schubertche. But the man before his eyes, Yuma, did not seem like he would be defeated by anyone.
"Tell the Princess of your support yourself. She will be quite pleased."
Yuma spoke indifferently and then rose to his feet.
"Let's go, Cloné. It's departure time."
"Yes!"
The old man moved with disciplined precision.
"I will guide you through the secret passage. It's a passage leading to the VIP cabin."
***
The old man pressed a button.
It was a magic device similar to a modern elevator.
Cloné felt the sensation of slowly descending, her mouth wide open.
The elevator door opened. And visible before them was a massive, long black magic train.
Blue magic steam flowed out mysteriously.
The very front cabin, excluding the driver's compartment.
That was the VIP cabin for honored guests.
Ziiiing-
The VIP cabin door opened.
"You may sit wherever is comfortable."
The old man guided Yuma and Cloné courteously to the very end.
There were 30 seats in the VIP cabin. Only 15 were already occupied. Yuma and Cloné went to the far right end of the cabin.
Cloné, seated by the window, looked outside with her golden eyes.
"Lord Yuma, Lord Yuma."
And she looked at Yuma, who was sitting to her left, with sparkling eyes.
"Have you ever ridden a train before, Lord Yuma?"
He had never ridden a train in this world. But there had been a train exactly like this in 'Loof Blood'. Of course, it was said to be a highly realistic implementation, but it was only a train in VR.
It wasn't quite as vivid as it was now.
"It's my first time too."
"Okay, then you could be a bit more excited!"
Cloné shyly puffed out her cheeks. Yuma chuckled softly. She was utterly innocent. This innocence even dissolved all of Yuma's faint tension.
Clatter, clatter─
The resonance of the wheels passing over the rails at a very steady rhythm was felt.
The dense forest on the outskirts of the capital. The verdant trees that comprised the forest came into view. The sunset was glowing red.
Cloné gazed intently at the scenery.
Aspiration.
Like that red sunset. She wanted to ignite an intense flame. She wanted to become stronger. Strong enough that she wouldn't need the protection of Lord Yuma and the Princess beside her now.
Strong enough that it could be a mutual relationship, not one-sided protection.
Yuma's low voice seeped into the ears of Cloné, who was sprouting such aspirations.
"Anyway, once we pass through Akan and arrive at Count Luvelt's estate, there will be no time to rest. Since we must carry out the Princess's orders. So for now, just enjoy the scenery."
The sight of darkness gradually settling over the landscape was like a painting being drawn in real time.
"Yes, Lord Yuma."
Cloné smiled softly. As Yuma said, she decided to set aside, for a moment, her magical achievements and her aspirations for strength. She decided to heal by just looking at the scenery.
However, even Yuma, who had given Cloné such advice, couldn't completely shake off his stray thoughts.
'The Blue-haired Sword Saint.'
If he was now in the middle of the 'main story' of this world, that guy would probably be fulfilling a role like a hero who saves the world alongside Cloné, who was sitting to his right.
A magician, a hero, and a crown princess confirmed to ascend to the next imperial throne.
It was a fairly plausible combination.
Rather than a hero who couldn't kill enemies without parrying saving the world, it was much more rational and probable for those three to save the world.
'I must find him within two years.'
The whereabouts of the Blue-haired Sword Saint.
He had to secure that person's identity within two years. A person whose only clue was his blue hair. It would be a very long journey.
7 o'clock.
When full night arrived, a cabin attendant dressed in a neat sky-blue uniform approached.
And she wore a bright, professional smile.
"I will prepare dinner for you. Esteemed customers."
"Yes!"
Cloné wasn't very hungry, but perhaps because the very fact that meals were served on the train was fascinating, she unfolded the tray attached to the seat with an excited face.
Soft toast cooked to a mouthwatering golden brown. A yellow omelet. And high-quality sausage cooked to a golden crisp were served.
"Wow."
The moment Cloné picked up her fork, her golden eyes shining─
Kwaaaaaang!
An explosive roar loud enough to numb the ears resonated throughout the entire VIP cabin.
Boom! Boom!
Figures clad in black uniforms resembling military garb strode out from within the thickly spread gray smoke.
Four of the five guarded the door of the VIP cabin. Only one stepped forward.
One man in a black uniform walked forward without sparing a glance at Yuma and Cloné. The iron mask completely covering his face stood out.
In his right hand was a heavy, spiked mace, a round bludgeon.
"Count Vynens."
"...What are you?"
The red-haired count.
Vynens furrowed his brow as he looked at the iron-masked man.
From the iron-masked man's mouth, words as heavy as the iron mask he wore flowed out.
"Your sins. The sin of abusing your noble rank to tyrannize commoners. The sin of violating the wife of an innocent citizen. The sin of cutting down with a sword the people who rose in rebellion. Countless sins are visible behind your back."
"...What bullshit is this madman spouting. Rakan."
"Yes, my lord."
The young man called Rakan drew the longsword mounted at his waist.
And from that longsword, a brilliant aura bloomed.
"Ooooh!!"
Admiration poured from the mouths of the ten nobles seated in the VIP cabin. A knight slaying the iron-masked villain.
They were certain that the scene they envisioned was about to unfold before their eyes.
Shwaaaak!
Rakan's brilliant sword aura slashed down toward the iron mask. Diagonally. But the sword stopped just short of the shoulder joint.
Crunch─
Rakan had not even perceived that the mace gripped in the iron-masked man's right hand had been swung. By the time he realized it, half of his head was already caved in.
Splatter...!
Blood scattered in all directions of the VIP cabin.
The instantly dead Rakan's body was mercilessly sprawled on the floor.
"Reflect on your sins and die. Vynens."
"W-wait...!"
The iron-masked man did not hesitate.
He swung the mace, imbued with blue energy, once more. Count Vynens's head burst. Spewing brain matter and blood simultaneously.
The iron-masked man swung the mace widely in the air to shake off the flesh and blood.
"For the glory of the Empire."
Silence descended upon the train.