Chapter 121: Chapter 121

Chapter 121 - Blitzkrieg on a Train (3)

Upon learning that the Hardline Faction's combatants had headed for the Railroad Mysterium, Enrique, the leader of the rebels, naturally couldn't just stand by.

'I must stop them, no matter what.'

That was an obvious conclusion.

If he allowed the Hardline Faction to achieve what they wanted at the Railroad Mysterium, an all-out war with the Empire would be unavoidable.

Regardless of what the Hardline Faction wanted, or whether their plan succeeded or failed, an attack on the Railroad Mysterium, filled with high-ranking nobles, was enough to be interpreted in that way.

Because regardless of success or failure, the fact that 'the rebels attacked the Railroad Mysterium' would not change in the slightest.

Enrique's thoughts then turned to the next question.

What could be done to prevent the situation from worsening?

'I need to clearly convey our intentions.'

Their sudden actions had no connection to the majority of the rebel forces.

This needed to be conveyed to someone 'who would understand,' not to those who would wholeheartedly welcome an all-out war with the Empire.

That was the only way Enrique could think of to prevent an all-out war with the Empire.

Who was this 'understanding' party?

That person was… ironically, the Princess, who would have been the target of this attack.

'The Conservative Faction, led by the Crown Prince's Faction, wants a swift suppression of the rebels. The Reform Faction, including the Princess's Faction, is active in negotiations.'

Fortunately, the leader of the Southern Alliance, to which the Garcia Countdom belonged, was a member of the Reform Faction, which had prevented an all-out war until now.

However, given the current situation, there was no other option.

Therefore, Enrique summoned Croban.

"...I'm sorry to place such a burden on you. But I can't hide the fact that the fate of the continent rests on your shoulders..."

In the solemn atmosphere, Croban merely nodded. Though he was naturally taciturn.

Croban Trase was a man who possessed overwhelming personal martial prowess and situational judgment among Enrique's close associates.

Therefore, he couldn't think of anyone else to entrust this task to.

"If I had my way, I'd send more people with you..."

However, the situation didn't allow for it. Gathering elites capable of matching Croban's pace in such a critical situation was an almost impossible request.

Croban spoke as if he didn't care, then quickly left.

He seemed well aware that there was barely enough time even for such conversations.

Enrique was thus left alone in his office again, consumed by worry.

The direction of the incident was now out of Enrique's hands. All he could do now was to hope that Croban would resolve the situation well... and to hope that the Railroad Mysterium's defenses were strong.

That single word lingered in Enrique's mind.

'...Come to think of it, it's strange, very strange.'

The Railroad Mysterium's reputation was not an illusion. Its lofty status, which made even renowned powerful families fret, stemmed from its overwhelming security capabilities and robust defenses.

In fact, there was no precedent for the Railroad Mysterium ever being embroiled in any kind of turmoil.

'But the Hardline Faction is confident?'

Yet, the Hardline Faction, as if it were natural, led a significant number of people towards the Railroad Mysterium.

As if they were naturally confident in their ability to breach the Railroad Mysterium's security and defenses.

'It's not that they're incompetent, but it's an almost impossible challenge.'

And yet, such a confident, almost certain movement.

Were they acting out of sheer will and hot-headedness?

...Or were they instigated by someone?

Someone who knew how to bypass the Railroad Mysterium's defenses.

"...For now, it's all just speculation." ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ⓝovelFire.net

Enrique shook his head. Even if he formed such hypotheses, they would be nothing more than illusions without material evidence.

When the hand axe in Croban's hand clashed with the enemy's sword, a ear-splitting crackling sound echoed.

At the same time, with a chilling sound, the enemy was crushed.

Seeing that scene, I couldn't help but be inwardly flabbergasted.

Who would have imagined that such a destructive crackling sound could come from a hand axe?

'It's beyond common sense, as expected.'

Anyway, putting aside my impressions and looking at it objectively, it was an incredibly bizarre situation.

While it was certainly a good thing that an enemy's enemy had appeared, it was unknown whether that enemy's enemy would be friendly towards us.

Indeed, Elwin was looking at Croban with a wary gaze, observing his combat prowess and merciless fighting style.

His attire also didn't really support the idea of him being an original passenger on the Railroad Mysterium, resisting the intruders.

I was equally confused. Why was Croban here at this point?

Combining it with my previous deductions, I could infer that he came to stop them.

'Anyway, one important thing.'

Croban Trase was currently as good as an ally to us.

I quickly came to that conclusion, then, seizing the confusion, I approached Elwin and spoke.

"Whatever their intentions, this is an opportunity. Let's think about moving past the enemy while they're preoccupied with that person."

I knew Croban's identity, but I couldn't openly declare it, and his actions also aligned with our objective.

Elwin nodded after hearing my words. He seemed to have recalled our objective once again.

The goal of finding the enemy leader, obtaining the method to release 『Death Without Cost

』, and rescuing the hostages (especially the Princess for me).

Anyway, I reactivated 『Space Perception』. It was to find the loosest point in the front line and break through in a single push.

"...Elwin, I'll take the lead now."

It didn't take long to assess the front, and I made my decision.

This was not the time to consider risks.

Until now, there was almost no 'possibility of quickly breaking through the front line' in the previous combat, but now that possibility had greatly increased. We had to break through this front as quickly as possible.

Because our objective was not the annihilation of the enemy.

I somehow maintained my balance on the shaking train roof, circling around it.

'I don't know if Croban intended it, but he's piercing the front line at a single point like a needle. I should take advantage of that.'

We would quickly advance through the front line Croban had opened.

That was the calculation.

Given the nature of the train roof, it was difficult for many people to gather there, and since Croban had pierced it at a single point, it didn't take long to encounter him.

Of course, even if we encountered him, we had to quickly pass by him.

But in that brief moment, I clearly heard it.

"The main hostages and the Princess are in Car 1. Rescue them at all costs."

I showed neither affirmation nor denial to those words. As it was a fleeting moment, I merely rushed past him.

An answer wasn't really necessary. I would naturally do so.

Meanwhile, on Rain's enemy side – the Hardline Faction of the rebels – they also realized that the battle situation was taking an unusual turn.

"Captain, the regular communication from the guys in Cars 7 and 6 has been cut off."

"Reporting! There are guys resisting on the roof! We sent the people inside the train up, but the situation... doesn't look good."

Vargas, the one-eyed, burly old man and the commander of the Hardline Faction troops dispatched to the Railroad Mysterium, gripped his spear tightly.

Two types of people boarded the Railroad Mysterium: nobles or knights.

Vargas naturally knew what attacking the Railroad Mysterium meant and what kind of resistance it would entail.

After all, he himself was once a knight who had made a name for himself.

They had suddenly cut off the connection with the rear cars, but the resistance from the remaining Car 7 was quite fierce.

Without the Princess's decision, they would have suffered significant casualties even if they won.

Of course, the Princess probably chose to avoid a fight because it was obvious that they would win, even if it meant incurring losses.

Anyway, for such a variable to occur on the Railroad Mysterium?

It was well within the expected range.

"They're coming this way now!"

His subordinate's voice, announcing the enemy's approach, rang in his ears.

Vargas slowly rose from the center of Car 1.

"Prepare to meet the enemy."

At Vargas's resolute voice, his subordinates also gulped dryly and raised their weapons.

And one of them spoke.

"...Captain, how about using the hostages instead? All those nobles are rotten anyway..."

It was a suggestion to use the surrendered hostages as leverage.

They might face criticism for being despicable, but there was no one here who would remember their actions. There would be no one to point arrows of criticism at them.

It might even be a rational decision in some ways.

"No reversal. Do not point your swords at those who have surrendered."

Vargas adamantly shook his head, expressing his disapproval.

What rebuttal could a subordinate offer to such an unyielding decision?

With the sound of shattering glass, two people burst into Car 1.

They were two young boys, still youthful, holding swords.

And Vargas, seeing the intruders, couldn't help but inwardly sigh.

'...Do I really have to point my spear at these children?'

Overwhelming numerical superiority. Superiority in experience.

More than anything, the difference in position between an adult and a child.

The situation of having to raise his spear in that context brought back a thought Vargas had tried to suppress.

'Is this really the right thing to do?'

He had become disillusioned with the Empire's corrupt knights and sided with the people, but even fighting by the people's side, he had stained his hands with too much blood.

To the point where he no longer knew what was right.