Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: On the Train - 3
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Gathering the remaining poison bombs, Leo brushed off his dirty hands.
[Is it all over now?]
<[No. The engine room is left.]>
In the engine room, roughly one to two people.
Their abilities wouldn't differ much from the remnants earlier, but the problem was the engine room itself.
[Well, blowing up the engine room itself would end it there.]
<[Plus, if they take the engineer hostage, it gets trickier.]>
[Then, join up with Ariasfil?]
Leo shook his head.
Joining Ariasfil meant the engine room group might notice in the meantime, and more people could even be disadvantageous.
[Then?]
<[We go simply.]>
Leo stepped back briefly, then started running toward the engine car.
<[It's an ambush.]>
No need to overthink.
For the ambush, Leo smashed the door as he charged.
“Gah!!”
The ambush worked; one black magician remnant blocking the door flew back from the impact.
[Isn't that a frontal assault?]
<[Same thing.]>
Both were sudden intrusions, after all.
“You...! Who the hell are you...!!”
Without answering, Leo swung his fist at the other remnant. Wrapped in aura, the attack couldn't be dodged or blocked.
“Gaaah!!”
With both subdued, Leo hurriedly rushed to the engineer's position. If the engineer went down, everyone on the train could be massacred at once.
“Are you okay?”
“...Y-Yes... I survived thanks to you.”
Fortunately, his mind seemed intact. That mental clarity had kept the train running without derailing even in this chaos.
“What now...?”
“Anything nearby to tie them up? Better to secure them properly, even if they're out.”
Gazing at the two novice black magicians on the floor, Leo said. But something felt off.
From their skill levels so far, there was no sign of the leader coordinating them.
‘I was sure the boss would be in the engine room...‘
At that moment, the engineer opened a drawer and spoke.
“Ah, that? It's right here.”
Leo glanced that way—and poison smoke billowed out. Thicker than the earlier bombs, the toxic mist hit him straight on.
“...You... no way....”
“Close, but you should've checked the engineer more carefully.”
The engineer reverted his polymorphed face and smirked. As the ringleader of this terror, he couldn't help rejoicing at the intruder's death.
“Yeah, gotta admit. Didn't see that coming.”
But Leo didn't die.
To acknowledge it, Leo crushed the black magician—who'd posed as the engineer—with a solid punch this time.
“Gak...?!”
Clutching his suddenly shattered nose, he stared at the unharmed Leo in bewilderment.
A gas mask covered Leo's mouth. Not one of theirs—it was too crudely made.
[Using the Black Rock as a gas mask?]
<[Urgent times call for it. Damn useful.]>
Praising the versatile stone, Leo clenched his fist.
“You think that toy'll hold out long?! Next spell...!”
“Then I'll end it before that.”
A magic circle had already deployed on his clenched fist. A blizzard of frigid wind frosted the engine room, plummeting the temperature.
“That 1-circle crap can't even freeze a finger!!”
Shouting with utter confidence, he spewed poison gas again.
“...Huh?”
His bravado rang hollow as the poison gas all flopped limply. Not just the fresh cloud, but the lingering toxins sank and clung to the floor.
“What the...?! Why...!?”
“Cold air's heavier, so it sinks. And this poison's liquid particles—freezing kills its effect.”
No reincarnation knowledge needed; basic common sense and observation sufficed.
“Then fire magic...!”
“Wanna try?”
The advancing fist utterly shattered his yapping jaw.
Cheekbone and skull crumpled a bit as a bonus, but that wasn't Leo's problem.
“It's over. Now just call Miss Ariasfil.”
Ariasfil wasn't a big worry.
No 5-circle mage around, impossible to take her down here—and if there were, Leo would've spotted it first.
[But Leonardo.]
<[Yes? Why?]>
The Sage eyed the engine room in a puzzled tone.
[But you know how to drive a train, right?]
<[...Pardon?]>
The sudden question flustered Leo, slackening his face.
[No engineer's left in the end. Who's gonna drive the train?]
Even as covert black magicians, that criminal had been at the controls.
“...Ah...”
[Hey... you didn't...]
Leonardo had piled up not just combat skills, but diverse experiences—from his mercenary days and past life's warrior training.
Quickly mastering the Sage's grueling magic regimen was one fruit of that.
“...It's fine. Probably.”
But train driving? Rare opportunity in past or present life.
And unlike horse riding, no time or reason to learn.
[No way it's fine!! What's that differ from a horseless carriage?!]
“It just runs on tracks, so it'll be okay. Long as the tracks are clear.”
No overspeeding into a derailment, and it'd reach the destination fine.
[Hey... wait a sec...!]
The Sage peered outside through the engine wall.
[Fuck!! Stop it!!]
<[Why?!]>
[Tree's down on the tracks!!]
<[Crazy!!]>
Leo bolted for the brakes. Even a total newbie knew those.
[Too late!! We're gonna hit!!]
“Uwaaaaaah!! Nooooooo!!!”
Leo didn't touch the brakes. An emergency stop would've flipped the train instead.
Right now, only screams came out.
“Leonardo!?”
Rushing in, Ariasfil dashed to the screaming Leo in the engine room.
“You okay?! Not hurt!?”
“...Th-The... tracks...”
But something was off. At the train's speed, they should've collided ages ago.
Yet the train kept chugging smoothly forward.
“...Miss, sorry, but could you check out the window?”
“Huh? The window?”
Ariasfil poked her head out the window at his request.
“...Why? Nothing there?”
“Tracks too?”
“Huh? Yeah. Station's not even in sight yet?”
Leo's gaze naturally turned to the sly old coot.
[Kuh... Uwaaaaaah~ Nooooooo~]
First thing at the Magic Tower: research purging that deceitful spirit personality. Leo vowed—not just promised.
Fortunately—embarrassment aside—the incident wrapped up well.
Railway guards and magic knights arrived, stopped the train, dispelled the black magic on passengers, and arrested the black magicians.
Just that scream lingered embarrassingly.
“Truly grateful. Without you two, it would've been a disaster.”
The guard captain and magic knight leader bowed deeply to Leo and Ariasfil in thanks.
“What about the black magicians?”
“Thanks to subduing them alive, we might uncover the organization behind this.”
Normally, passenger safety meant lethal force. But Leo's plan ended it bloodlessly.
Ideal for the knights and guards who still needed to investigate.
“But... one question?”
Ariasfil, who'd been quiet, couldn't hold back—something felt off in their talk.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Why'd the black magicians do this? I don't really get it...”
Hard for her, ignorant of black magic systems. Understanding it blind would be creepy.
“Various reasons, but most likely they needed sacrifices for black magic.”
“...Black magic...”
Black magic
Same label or not, black magic and normal magic were worlds apart—practically different arts.
Even purely academically.
“Black magic deploys spells centered on demonic energy and emotions, not knowledge like normal magic. To put it simply...”
“Magic's mathematical, black magic's literary. At best, positively phrased.”
Magic demands precise calculations; black magic prioritizes interpretation.
Many differences, but this was key to the incident.
“Problem is, black magic can't sustain on personal emotions alone. Way less efficient than magic.”
Hence alternatives. And this atrocity was one.
“Mass slaughter on a train yields heaps of life force, grudges, rage, despair—prime emotions. Corpses sell easy as byproduct.”
Then refine that malice with mana into demonic energy to absorb, or contract demons anew.
Classic vicious cycle.
“Good emotions...?”
“Small rage outlasts great joy. That irrationality amps black magic's abstract power.”
Why black magicians get pelted with stones: no limits on sacrifices or sins for power.
“...You know it in detail. Tough knowledge for your age...”
Slightly caught off-guard, Leo replied calmly.
“Rumors seep in while studying magic.”
“...I see. Shame.”
Saying so, he tugged his hat low over his eyes. Mages hate kids hearing such tales.
“Arrests done, explanations given—you're free to go. Sorry for the holdup.”
“Thanks.”
Leonardo bowed and left the station with Ariasfil. Already chaotic from investigations and arrests—good timing.
“But how to the Magic Tower?”
“Plenty ways, but timing's off—find a rest spot first.”
Lunchtime on holiday: Tower district buzzing. After that mess, needed a breather anyway.
“Then why not follow me?”
Then a man approached Ariasfil's group.
Lustrous blond hair, vibrant green eyes, topped with fine hat and suit—adding charm to his looks.
“...Who're you.”
Leo eyed the man warily.
“Apologies, late intro.”
The man gentlemanly doffed his hat with a bow. His refined bearing oozed class.
“I'm Geoffrey Pednian. 4-circle mage of the Blue Tower, here to guide you, Leonardo.”
“I see.”
Geoffrey's gaze shifted to Ariasfil.
“Greetings, little miss. Heard plenty about you from Rios.”
With that, he slyly reached for her hand to kiss the back.
“Ah, sorry.”
Leo gently tugged her hand away, smoothly foiling him.
“Big bug on the road there. Didn't want it soiling your shoes—my apologies.”
Geoffrey narrowed his eyes, lips curling at Leo. Leo's expression stiffened slightly.
“No matter. Shall we?”
“Afraid not. After that fuss, we'll rest first.”
“Ah, then allow me...”
“That's fine too. Rios recommended a spot—wanna check it myself.”
With that, Leo took Ariasfil's hand and headed into the city alleys. Such odd behavior drew her puzzled stare.
‘...Why's Leo acting weird?’
Normally, Leo was politer than noble heirs—unless provoked.
The man wasn't rude; he was here to help.
Best guess...
“...Leonardo.”
“Yes? Something to say?”
“Does it bother you—that man touching me?”
Thinking back, Leo reacted right before the hand-kiss.
Meaning,
“Yes, odd request, but traveling with him feels off.”
Conviction rang in Leonardo's words.
This was definitely...!
‘He's jealous...!! Of another guy!!’
Saw it once in a book Rios recommended: Once a man claims a girl, even another touching her irks him.
“...Ehehe...”
Couldn't stifle the giggle. Never knew mature Leo had such a cute side.
“You okay?”
“Huh? Y-Yeah! Totally get it!!”
“Thanks for understanding.”
Leo glanced back hurriedly and slipped out of the alley.
[You are a guy. Full jealousy mode.]
<[‘Cause that bastard's a black magician.]>
[...What?]
<[More precisely, later. In two-three years, he does the ritual. Then I kill him.]>
The Sage had once tsked at the Magic Tower's crumbling discipline.
Leo didn't deny it—simple reason.
<[Tower's crawling with future black magicians now. Part of why I'm here: wipe ‘em out.]>
Having seen and handled their crimes firsthand.
[...Ha... insane... but how catch him? Dogshit potential, but not yet?]
<[With his current crimes.]>
Leo scowled, citing a nasty example.
<[That one's case: leaking exam answers via child prostitution and sex bribes.]>
[...Fuck, good call this time.]
Rare consensus between Sage and Leo.