Chapter 105: Chapter 105
Chapter 105 - Railroad Mysterium (2)
Objects that generate phenomena impossible by nature, imbued with magic, and exhibiting specific effects. Artifacts.
Undoubtedly, many artifacts appeared in .
Sometimes as a seasoning to pique the story's interest, sometimes as a core element forming the story's framework.
In either case, artifacts were undeniably crucial elements, occupying a significant position in many stories.
Because of this, I had relatively detailed memories of several impressive artifacts.
And among them, the most memorable were the artifacts utilized by the enemy, which tormented players.
The ones that truly made me gnash my teeth while playing were particularly etched in my memory.
“...This, is it here?”
And now, in the Railroad Mysterium catalog, I could confirm a significant number of those 'teeth-gnashing' artifacts.
‘First, the Otherworld Magic Condensation Cube.’
A red cube, roughly the size a person could hold with two hands. This artifact, capable of continuously producing Otherworld magic, was used slightly differently in .
Through processing, it served as a guidance device to attract monsters.
Moreover, it was a wide-ranging guidance device that would never turn off on its own.
‘Because of this, the monsters in the west gathered together, and the front lines were devastated.’
That wasn't the only problem.
‘Death Without Cost.’
An artifact in the form of a Necronomicon - a book - that, when activated, summoned undead creatures in the vicinity with no cost or materials.
Although the undead couldn't distinguish between friend and foe as a trade-off for the no-cost summoning, it was clearly a very threatening artifact.
Furthermore, if it went out of control, it could truly churn out undead creatures like a flood... an undead factory that could be held in one hand.
Besides that, there was also the One-way Teleportation Portal, Phase Coordinates, and so on...
‘So, they were planning to procure the artifacts Ad Astra would use from here.’
I could roughly figure out the enemy's, namely Robelia il Enlight and Kirios il Enlight's, and by extension, Ad Astra's objective.
I carefully placed a copy of the catalog in my pocket, then went directly to find Regina.
Regina, hearing that I needed to speak in private, dismissed everyone, including her Guard Knights, and let me into the room.
Although they were all first-class cabins, the Princess's quarters were, as expected, different from ordinary rooms in their splendor.
Anyway, those impressions aside.
“You said... there was something we needed to discuss in private?”
Regina opened her mouth, her voice characteristically gentle.
“...Yes, and before that, may I ask a few questions?”
“Assuming an artifact was successfully bid on here and ended up elsewhere, would it be possible to track down the successful bidder?”
Upon hearing my question, Regina raised an eyebrow as if my words were unexpected.
And the answer she gave was.
“It's realistically impossible. Railroad Mysterium's policy is not to disclose buyer information. It's also a selling point.”
“Even using the Imperial Family's power, or intelligence, you mean?”
“Sadly, Railroad Mysterium is closer to the Magic Tower than the Imperial Family. It's highly likely that such information would be difficult to access.”
At her words, I thought with a somewhat stern expression.
‘If that's the case... how should I stop the artifact procurement?’
No matter how much I thought, I couldn't find an answer. Even if I told the Princess and tried to borrow her financial power, we couldn't surpass the Crown Prince's Faction in terms of funding.
‘They would procure them even at the cost of heavy losses. Because they have an objective.’ ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ ɴovelfire.net
Because of this, I thought the only solution was to pressure the Crown Prince's Faction by tracking the artifact buyer after the artifacts were used later... but this was the outcome.
As I wore such an expression, Regina asked with a somewhat puzzled look.
“Why the long face? You look like you've discovered something.”
Regina was remarkably skilled at reading my intentions.
I hesitated for a moment. Was it right to confide even this to Regina? That's what I asked myself.
“I think I've figured out the objective of Robelia il Enlight, Kirios il Enlight... or rather, Crown Prince Claudio.”
Since I had already revealed that Crown Prince Claudio belonged to Ad Astra, I had no choice but to stay on the same ship until the very end.
‘I don't know if this is the right decision, but.’
As he was a cunning individual, he would be ruthless when it came to abandoning me... but what could I do?
She was the only person who could politically oppose the Crown Prince.
I would have to continuously appeal to my usefulness.
At my words, Regina's expression grew considerably serious, and she lightly gestured with her hand as if telling me to speak.
Afterward, I explained to Regina what I believed was the enemy's objective.
It was to procure artifacts that Ad Astra would use later.
When I said that, Regina nodded.
“Certainly... if that's the case, I can roughly understand why the two of them were dispatched. The financial power to purchase such artifacts, and the authority to board the Railroad Mysterium. They are indeed suitable individuals.”
“And there's no risk of buyer information being leaked, either.”
“Even if we remember... without physical evidence, it would only be seen as mere slander.”
The Princess let out a hollow laugh once, then drank her tea and muttered.
“They are truly cunning beyond measure.”
I also drank my tea, using the moment to organize my thoughts.
It was quite an awkward situation. I had discovered the enemy's objective, but I couldn't think of a countermeasure.
“It's just like my brother. He generally prefers schemes that are carried out secretly, and even if known, cannot be stopped.”
“...The Emperor's Qualification. Is that it?”
“Oh, you knew that too?”
Even in the original , Claudio often spoke of the 'Emperor's Qualification'.
He used to say that a scheme that exposed weaknesses when revealed was a common man's scheme, but one that couldn't be stopped even if known was an Emperor's scheme, or so he said.
Silence fell once more in the Princess's cabin.
It wasn't resignation. Both Regina and I were simply engrossed in the problem of how to overcome this situation.
In truth, for Serene El Stellia, Railroad Mysterium was a place with no particular business.
While it was true that she had an interest in artifacts, the nature of a train traveling for a long time also made it somewhat stifling.
Nevertheless, Serene was there. And the reason... to be honest, lay with her friends.
Primarily... she thought a train trip with friends would be quite enjoyable. And indeed, she was enjoying it quite a bit even now.
But from a broader perspective, it was also to protect her friends.
There was no need to worry about Elwin. After all, he was the legitimate heir of one of The Three Founding Families; who would dare harm him?
However, Rain and Yuna were different cases.
Although they had received the Princess's guarantee, they were, after all, a bastard child and a commoner, respectively.
And most nobles were bound to harbor considerable discriminatory attitudes.
Given the Princess's busy nature, she wouldn't always be able to accompany and protect them, and Serene thought that an unfortunate incident might occur someday.
Because of this, Serene had made the effort to come to Railroad Mysterium even though she had no major business there. For her friends.
And even now, she was talking with Yuna in the lounge.
As mentioned, there was a protective aspect, but the aspect of connecting with a friend was stronger.
“Wow, this madeleine is delicious. Is it because of the setting, perhaps? Serene, you should try some too...!”
Compared to the beginning of the semester, Yuna's wariness had significantly eased. Was time truly a healer?
At Yuna's suggestion, Serene took a bite of the madeleine.
In truth, she secretly wished Yuna would drop the honorifics with her, just like with Rain, but it seemed they hadn't reached that point yet.
Someone with whom one could converse comfortably, without complex calculations, was a rare presence in this aristocratic society.
Even at the cadet level, it was a world where all sorts of calculations and gains and losses were exchanged.
But the friends she had recently come to know were different.
Rain, Khan, Yuna, Elwin, and even Arien, though she saw her less frequently.
Relationships devoid of calculations truly melted one's heart. She felt it anew, though it wasn't surprising.
However, her heart wasn't always at ease. Sometimes, her mind would stir.
And the cause was none other than Rain Enlight.
It was absolutely not because of any negative deeds committed by Rain Enlight.
On the contrary, she had received help from him. Rain had never done such a thing.
Nevertheless, the reason Serene's heart stirred was... an unresolved knot.
‘What were his thoughts and feelings when he acted that day?
‘After he dropped out of middle school... how had he been doing?’
‘What had happened to make him change so much?’
Occasionally, such worries complicated her mind.
And the occasional... bad rumors about Rain weren't pleasant to hear either.
A playboy, they said? That rumor was truly absurd.
From Serene's perspective, Rain wasn't looking at Yuna in that way. Yuna... well, it was a bit ambiguous, though.
A rumor... that he spent the night out with Arien?
Trembling, trembling, trembling, trembling, trembling.
“...Serene, your hand is trembling? Are you cold?”
“Ah, I zoned out and... well...”
“Do people usually tremble when they zone out...?”
At Yuna's words, Serene became aware of her state and composed herself.
The most important thing was what she should do from now on.
She wanted to unravel the stories accumulated in her heart someday.
She wanted to know what had happened.
The problem was that the opportunity simply wasn't appearing.
‘No, perhaps I'm just hesitating.’
As she was having a leisurely tea time, lost in such thoughts.
From the opposite side of where Serene was sitting, yet close by, an familiar voice was heard.