Chapter 120: Chapter 120

Chapter 120 - Blitzkrieg on a Train (2)

A considerably strong wind was blowing on the roof of the train.

Well, it might have been natural for a high-speed train, but the fact that the train was currently running through a steep canyon might have made the wind even stronger. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novᴇlfire.net

‘He can withstand this wind.’

To think that even I, with my relatively poor physical specs, am withstanding this wind.

A knight is a different breed from ordinary people. I couldn't help but feel that way.

Well, in any case, the battle itself went smoothly. Elwin responded with his swordsmanship at the front, and I covered Elwin with the 『Outlaw』.

In truth, it was more like Elwin was holding back the approaching enemies while I shot them dead.

Even if Elwin’s adaptability was excellent, he probably couldn’t draw out 100% of his skills in an environment .

‘And I can see him hesitating when he points his sword at people.’

I could tell, having crossed swords with Elwin in various ways for a whole semester.

The tip of his sword was trembling. Unlike usual.

Well, just not panicking like Yuna was still a mark of a strong mind. It wasn't that Yuna had a particularly weak mind either.

That much was enough.

However, there was one problem.

The fight on the train roof was dragging on. In a way, it might have been an expected outcome.

Elwin’s role was to hold back the enemies at the front, but that position also increased the possibility of friendly fire.

On the other hand, since Elwin lacked killing power in this situation, the role of pushing the front line was left entirely to me.

‘This is troublesome.’

Right now, undead were probably being churned out in real-time in Car 5 due to 『Despair Without Cost』, and the hostages would also be in danger.

It was a situation where advancing quickly was a priority over annihilating the enemy…… but in contrast, the number of enemies was quite large.

‘At this rate, should I just force my way through?’

I had intended to save 『Moment of Decisive Battle』 in case a formidable enemy appeared later, but in a situation , maybe I should just use it…….

It was around the time such a thought occurred to me.

A person's scream echoed across the roof, filled with the sound of the strong wind and the clattering of the train.

One might think that. That the scream was uttered by an enemy we were fighting.

Because it wasn't, I couldn't hide my sense of wonder.

The direction the scream came from was from the rear of the enemy, in the layout of our confrontation.

‘Who is it. Was there someone still resisting in the front cars?’

Since the Railroad Mysterium was mainly composed of the upper class, the possibility of a high-ranking knight being in the front cars could not be ignored.

Anyway, my gaze naturally turned to that rear direction…….

I saw a rather unexpected person in that direction.

“Don't block, dodge.”

With his characteristic blunt remark, the sight of a young man bringing down his handaxe on an enemy who had ignored his warning.

The enemy facing the young man, as a price for ignoring his warning and blocking the weapon…… had to face that monstrous strength head-on.

The weapon shattered.

And with a crunching sound, the person himself was crushed.

I knew about that warrior of immense strength.

And about the young man with that characteristic ponytail and rough impression.

One of the seven protagonists of , Croban Trase, the ‘Visitor from the Outside’.

Let’s turn back time a little, to the Princess’s perspective.

“……The situation is not good.”

The Princess's guard knight, Aisa, muttered with a stiff expression.

The sudden train attack, the enemy forces who were better trained than expected, and so on. It was clear that they were at a disadvantage.

Nevertheless, Aisa used her wits to block the path and establish a defensive line to prevent the enemy from entering Car 1.

She also fought valiantly, stopping enemies from entering through the windows, but with the other guard knight, Kilt, currently absent, holding on any longer was not easy.

In a situation , the Princess could not just stand by either. At least, that's what she seemed to think, as she was gathering the power of Darkness—the magic passed down through the imperial family, which she so despised—in the palm of her hand.

And with a very stern expression at that.

‘How disloyal of me…….’

Aisa was blaming her own incompetence, but that sentiment did not last long.

Because the entrance to Car 1, which they had somehow blocked with objects from inside, had been breached.

‘……Formidable strength.’

Shing. Aisa drew her sword with a tense expression.

And after a moment of silence, what appeared from within the dust was a single, sturdy old man.

Sturdy-looking armor, a robust body that was hard to believe belonged to an old man. And a spear held tightly in his hand.

Crucially, even his slow, deliberate steps revealed a flawless fighting spirit.

Aisa swallowed dryly. In a situation , she doubted whether she could protect the Princess.

To make her, who was ranked among the top Senior Knights, have such doubts was a measure of how overwhelming the opponent’s presence was.

Aisa aimed her sword forward and uttered a word of warning.

Of course, she did not think that warning would work.

Attacking the Railroad Mysterium, which was teeming with high-ranking nobles, meant that they couldn't be a simple band of robbers, and that meant they were probably after the lives of the nobles…… or the Princess. She could only surmise as much.

Aisa was prepared to sacrifice her own life. To offer one's life for one's master, that was the virtue of loyalty bestowed upon a knight.

“Lay down your weapons and surrender. I vow that you will not see a bad end.”

The sturdy old man opened his mouth. However, the fighting spirit leaking from his body had not disappeared at all.

“I can die, but I cannot surrender.”

Aisa's resolute words. It clearly showed that she had no intention of surrendering.

“Let's surrender, Aisa.”

The voice came from behind Aisa.

And that voice belonged to her master, Regina.

When Aisa turned around, Regina was sighing and shaking her head.

“It seems there is no chance of victory anymore. That old man in front also seems to possess considerable skill…… at this rate, there will only be more casualties.”

“But, Your Highness……!”

Aisa tried to protest something, but she could not refute it logically. After all, Regina’s words were true.

“I know your loyalty. But, as a princess of the Empire, don't I also have a duty to cherish the lives of the Empire's people?”

And Regina was the type of person who placed more weight on logic than emotion.

At Regina's words, the old man confronting Aisa lowered his spear.

And slowly walked forward. With his sharp fighting spirit completely withdrawn.

“I will keep my word. From this moment on, no harm will be unduly done to the passengers of this train.”

And so, Regina was imprisoned in a guest room.

In truth, it was called imprisonment, but there were no physical restraints or harm. They even let her stay in her own room.

“What…… in the world is going on.”

Regina sighed deeply and muttered.

And she sorted out the situation.

‘What is their objective?’

The Railroad Mysterium was not a train that could be approached by mere train robbers.

As the status of the people using the train was what it was, the security of its route was strictly maintained…… and the train itself had a protective magic that concealed its magic power.

But to have broken through all those security measures and even taken control of the place?

It was stranger to think of them as simple train robbers.

‘Perhaps, a hostage.’

A hostage. That was the only thing she could think of. She had never thought there would be a crazy group that would take the Princess of the Empire hostage, but…… come to think of it, the direction they were heading, the rebels of the Garcia Countdom in the south, might do such a thing.

“What's the use of guessing.”

Even though Regina’s thoughts had reached a direction close to the truth, nothing about the situation would change.

The train was completely under control, and the connections to other cars had probably been severed as well. If she were a train robber, she would have done the same. To prevent additional reinforcements.

Regina let out a deep sigh. It was because she thought there was nothing more she could do, that this matter was out of her hands.

‘Kilt is absent, and only Aisa was here…….’

Such an exquisite situation. The expression ‘caught off guard’ was accurate.

Yes. There was clearly nothing to rely on in this situation.

Logically speaking, that was the case.

‘……Why does that person come to mind.’

That person, it was about the dark and gloomy boy, Rain Enlight.

A boy of her age who always performed his duties perfectly with a silent expression, and sometimes, truly surprised her.

The boy had a peculiar atmosphere about him.

And that atmosphere was…… one that made you expect that no matter how difficult a task came up, he could somehow overcome it.

“……Oh, how virtuous of me.”

Regina let out a dry laugh and muttered.

It was truly virtuous to a fault.

To think of such a frail-looking boy in a situation , a desperate moment of being cornered.

“Really…… I’m a mess.”