Chapter 114: Chapter 114

Chapter 114 - Hi, Jack? (3)

By the time Elwin and Yuna were taking care of the remaining people in the passenger rooms, or those who had been harmed, I had separated myself from them under the pretext of guarding the direction of Car 6.

And I was lost in thought again.

I asked myself that question. More important than resolving the immediate situation was knowing who the enemy was.

The deduction was not very difficult. It was thanks to the words uttered by the assailant who had attacked us earlier.

-You…… Imperial…… son of a bitch…….

Imperial son of a bitch.

It was a phrase one might have casually dismissed, but on reflection, such an expression was odd.

If they were ordinary robbers, would they know exactly who I was and use the expression ‘dog of the Empire’?

It could have just been a passenger fighting back, but to lump the train’s passengers together like that…… could only be explained by a grudge against the Empire itself.

‘But in the Empire, which has unified the continent for a long time, there are few who would use such an expression.’

And ‘few’ also meant ‘easy to specify’.

‘Rebels, and the hardline faction at that.’

The conclusion was reached quickly.

A faction that held a grudge against an unspecified number of Imperials, especially the upper class…… and had even a sliver of plausibility for committing the insane act of attacking a train filled with figures from noble families.

There was only one such faction.

However, that alone did not resolve all the questions.

‘Nothing happened in the original story.’

I’ve mentioned ad nauseam that I’ve played countless times, but in all those repetitive playthroughs, I had never heard of the Railroad Mysterium being attacked.

And that would mean the situation was unfolding in a way different from the original story…… which, in turn, must be due to my actions, the only difference from the original.

‘The cause…… is likely sabotage by the Crown Prince, or 『Ad Astra』.’

Moreover, for something to happen just when we were on board.

A simple coincidence, or a butterfly effect caused by a minor mistake I made. Was it alright to see it that way?

I was not that optimistic a person.

My thoughts even reached the point of wondering if they had seen through our information gathering and set a trap…… but I wasn't sure about that.

In the first place, all the thoughts I’d had so far were just deductions.

Perhaps it was just a coincidence that a truly insane gang of train robbers had planned to attack the nobles who held the Empire in their grasp.

‘But, the general picture is forming.’

Based on this deduction, the enemy’s target was likely the Princess.

Whether they took her hostage, or in the worst case, killed her to show their resolve……

whatever the case may be.

If so, my objective was singular.

‘Prioritize protecting the Princess in Car 1.’

And to that end, advance to Car 1.

As I set that goal…….

[ Episode 6. Hi, Jack? ]

[System : Overcoming Ten Thousand Deaths has reached a checkpoint!]

A notification window I hadn't seen in quite a while appeared before my eyes.

I let out a dry laugh.

Considering what had happened after I had seen this checkpoint notification in the past, based on that empirical rule…….

Hmm. It seemed clear that considerable hardship awaited.

But the content of the notification window didn't end there.

[System : Due to the collapse of the Origin's balance, the checkpoint will be subdivided.]

[System : Be aware that a single mistake can lead to irreversible consequences.]

And so, it spouted words I couldn't understand.

As someone whose inner thoughts were often revealed by their appearance, Yuna was currently very confused.

It wasn't just about the current situation, which was sudden and felt unreal—that is, having to deal with train robbers.

No, in fact, in that aspect, Yuna was maintaining a level of composure that surprised even herself.

Just look at how she had blocked the bomb explosion earlier; hadn't she shown remarkably cool-headed judgment?

Of course, Yuna and Elwin were fundamentally sturdy, and in Rain’s case, he was wearing a Senior Knight-class Knight Robe, so they wouldn't have died instantly…… but they would have suffered considerable damage.

It was truly Yuna’s fine play.

But what flustered Yuna was what happened after.

The cursing voice, screamed until the veins on his neck stood out.

And the gaze of a nameless person, filled with killing intent and malice.

It was something incredibly unfamiliar to Yuna.

Yuna didn't know who he was. She didn't know where he came from. It was likely the same for her opponent.

But, that opponent genuinely tried to kill Yuna. That was what confused her so much.

She was barely holding on against an enemy she could have overwhelmed.

She couldn't bring herself to deliver the final blow and had to rely on Rain.

That’s to say, she had shown such a pathetic side of herself.

‘Really…… so pathetic.’

She was confused, ashamed of herself, and couldn't help but feel sorry for Rain.

Having to look out for her on a battlefield where lives were on the line was a clear burden.

But, what was worse was that this wasn't the only thing that confused Yuna.

‘……That guy, he was so different from usual.’

It was about Rain Enlight.

Yuna remembered Rain aiming his gun at a person without hesitation after the smoke from the explosion cleared.

And pulling the trigger without any hesitation either.

In Rain's actions of killing, there was no trace of hesitation or distress.

The same was true for what happened afterward.

The way he calmly struck back and killed the enemy, unfazed by the killing intent emanating from them, as if it were familiar.

That sight made Yuna feel a sense of dissonance with Rain.

And she might have thought.

Scary. That’s what she thought.

That she was afraid of Rain, who killed people with the same expression he always wore.

But, at the same time, she couldn't help but think.

-Yuna-ssi, get a grip!!

Seeing Rain rush to help her as always, shouting in that urgent voice, she had felt relieved.

Her heart had fluttered, just like always.

“……What do I even want?”

Yuna shook her head. Such thoughts were useless.

What needed to be done right now? Weren't they supposed to deal with the enemies who attacked them and save the people?

Yuna knew. Showing mercy to someone who pointed a blade at you would only be met with a sword strike filled with malice.

Killing someone who was trying to kill you. In combat, that held no ethical flaws.

Yuna repeated that thought as she moved through the passenger rooms, protecting the people.

And she came to a conclusion.

All her thoughts until now had been ridiculous.

She was scared of the enemy’s killing intent. She was scared of Rain, who killed people without hesitation.

But that feeling was completely absurd.

Rain was just doing what had to be done, and he had even done what she was supposed to do for her.

Yet, instead of being grateful to Rain, she felt scared of him.

Yuna felt pathetic about herself. That’s why she became even more determined.

But as if to mock Yuna's resolve…….

“Elwin-ssi and I will continue to advance towards Car 1. Yuna-ssi, please remain in Car 7 and guard the rear. They might attack from behind by climbing over the roof.”

That was what Rain said to Yuna after she finished checking on the people.

Well, it was a very rational decision.

‘Elwin, at least, seemed like he could be an asset in a fight between people. Even if he hesitated to kill, he had the leeway to overwhelm the enemy.’

But Yuna’s case was different. Despite having such a large skill advantage, she was just being pushed around by the enemy from start to finish.

And…… hastily pushing Yuna into a slaughter here would likely result in her getting hurt rather than growing.

Whether viewed logically or emotionally, this was the right choice. That’s why I made that decision.

Elwin nodded at my words.

“Certainly, guarding the rear is important. I’m sure we can count on Yuna-ssi.”

Elwin was a thoughtful person. He probably understood my intentions and gave that reply.

Even though he himself was suddenly thrown into a situation where he had to harm people.

But Yuna shook her head at my words.

“……I can do it too. I won’t get in the way, I swear……!”

……To be honest, I knew she would react like that.

Yuna was a person with a strong sense of responsibility. She might be thinking that I was trying to take on her responsibilities, both in the part I handled for her earlier and in this aspect.

Perhaps she thought I had judged her as not being a useful asset.

As I mentioned before, that thought wasn't entirely wrong.

But, it wasn't the whole story either.

That’s why I had to tell Yuna what I was thinking.

With that intention, I was about to slowly open my mouth, but…….

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Because the train had a large hole blown in it by the bomb, the noise was much louder than I expected. The sound of the wind, the sound of the train running on the tracks.

‘I’ll have to speak a bit closer than usual.’

With that thought, I slowly walked forward.

And after closing the distance to be closer than our usual speaking distance, I opened my mouth.

“……Uh, uh-huh. W-why? No, but, aren't you a bit close?”

Yuna, seeing me approach like that, reacted somewhat awkwardly.

She wasn't looking me straight in the eye as I approached, and it seemed like she was constantly avoiding my gaze.

Elwin was showing reactions like momentarily covering his mouth.

It was close, but was it a situation worth getting that flustered over?

……It's a little embarrassing, but anyway…….

I have to say what I have to say. With that thought, I opened my mouth again.