Chapter 130: Chapter 130

Chapter 130 - Unresolved Issues (3)

“The train's engine is running wild.”

Those were the first words I uttered after checking the train's condition.

And everyone present, as if they had grasped the seriousness of the situation just by hearing those words, fell into a heavy silence.

Well, that reaction was natural. In a situation where it was already difficult to control the incident itself, the train's brakes were also blocked.

A train engine running wild is naturally not something that happens easily. It's even less likely to happen naturally.

Even if there was no underlying vigilance, everyone here must have vaguely felt it.

The intention of some unknown entity to push us into this situation and then even snatch away the minimum choices.

Given such a predicament, few were quick to suggest solutions. It probably meant that everyone needed time to think.

However, let's consider the phrase ‘few.’

That, conversely, meant that some did exist.

I slowly saw Serene, who was about to begin speaking.

As if she had some method, she calmly and slowly raised her hand.

“There's a way to stop the runaway.”

The words that followed that gesture were as I expected.

My own method also involved using Serene, and there was no way Serene wouldn't know the facts I knew.

“Please speak, Serene.”

Regina, who naturally led the conversation due to her position, responded to Serene in a gentle voice.

“I…… will absorb all the mana from the train engine. If I do that, the train will stop.”

A remark delivered in a calm and composed tone.

It even gave the impression of stating something utterly obvious, like “I know how to wield a sword.”

“……Is that really possible?”

To absorb all the mana not only from all the magic engineering devices inside the train, but also from the engine of the Railroad Mysterium, which traverses the entire continent at high speed year-round, all into one body.

Aisa, seemingly unable to hide her astonishment, asked back, but…….

Serene replied to Aisa with unwavering eyes, extending her right hand into the air.

And emerald particles gathered in Serene's hand, then those particles transformed into the shape of a spear.

I was well aware of that spear. I had actually seen it once before, and I couldn't help but see it to the point of being sick of it when playing Serene in the original .

Serene's signature weapon and one of the three Grand Artifacts possessed by the Stellia family, 『Gungnir』.

Serene, holding the spear, briefly explained. Since Gungnir inherently had the effect of absorbing mana to increase the weapon's power, it would be possible if her own mana amount and Gungnir's mana amount were combined.

Those words certainly carried conviction. The Grand grade was an artifact grade that only 50 of the world's best artifacts were known to receive, and it was now in Serene's hand.

“……If we do that, the train can be stopped.”

But adding my personal impressions, what added more conviction to Serene's words was Serene herself.

Her unwavering eyes as she spoke, as if failure was not even a consideration, made the listeners nod their heads.

“Haha, honestly, it seems impossible, but…… it's ironic that I feel Serene can do it.”

It was exactly as Elwin said. Serene herself was a powerhouse transcending perception and common sense, but there was something in her words that was more than just the trust given by her power.

‘Generally speaking, no matter what, it's crazy talk, but……’

However, the reason this wasn't crazy talk was because the one who uttered those words was Serene.

‘Chasing the train was also impossible.’

Honestly, I was curious. I had no idea how she chased it.

Now wasn't the time to hear about it, so I would have to save it for later.

“If you say so, let's proceed. After all, there's no harm in trying, is there?”

And as the future course of action was being decided under Regina's lead, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Please wait a moment.”

After all, I had no intention of just stopping the train.

‘Honestly, it's unexpected.’

Let me get straight to the conclusion. Serene's reaction to my plan was somehow not as I expected, which made me a little uneasy.

“How about using that absorbed engine mana to completely destroy Car 5?”

That was what I had thought. If Serene's immense mana was combined with the engine's mana, destroying 『Despair Without Cost』 wouldn't be impossible.

It wasn't a vague guess or an irresponsible deflection of responsibility.

‘It was a similar scenario in the original story.’

Serene, backed by mana, uses 『Gungnir』 to destroy the entire fortress where 『Despair Without Cost』 is located. That was one of the developments in Part 4 of the original .

Therefore, I naturally assumed Serene would have the same thought, but…….

Serene, upon hearing my words, had an expression of deep contemplation.

Serene in the original story didn't hesitate when faced with the same situation. Rather, she actively advocated for this plan herself.

Yet, she showed a different reaction, huh.

‘I think it's possible.’

It was true that Serene at this point was relatively weaker compared to her in Part 4.

However, I thought the condition of using the entire Railroad Mysterium's engine would be enough to compensate for that difference in growth…….

“……I'm still not entirely convinced about Rain's words. Can I give you my answer after I've absorbed the engine's mana?”

Well, that was the conclusion. First, as Serene said, she would absorb the train's mana, and immediately after, if Serene judged it possible, she would proceed with the destruction of Car 5.

And for that operation…….

Yuna and I left the Princess's room in Car 1 and headed towards Car 6, where the rescued hostages were staying.

Because destroying Car 5 required a widespread attack, and if Car 6 and Car 7 were connected to Car 5 at that time, they would inevitably get caught up in it, so it was to separate them in advance.

“……Is it really possible, what you said?”

While moving, Yuna spoke to me like that.

She had directly felt the engine's mana at close range, and being Yuna with high mana sensitivity, she probably felt even less reality in the proposal.

Come to think of it, that reaction was indeed correct. No matter how much power the person Serene had, it was certainly a plan that didn't feel very realistic.

Even I, who knew the contents of the original story, would normally have a little doubt.

“It will be possible.”

After a brief silence, I replied that. It was an answer without a shred of doubt, even though I was the one saying it.

“The Serene I know would surely achieve it.”

Honestly, I admit it. That unwavering remark surprised me a little even after I said it myself.

Beyond the knowledge I possessed, I had trust and faith in Serene. The reason…… I'm not sure.

‘Is it the influence of the original?’

Was it the influence of the emotions the original Rain Enlight felt?

If so, what kind of existence was Serene El Stellia to Rain Enlight?

Everything was speculation floating in fantasy, and there was no way to know for sure.

Yuna's expression upon hearing my words was…… hmm, subtle. It seemed somewhat conflicted, and also a little sullen.

In , the character Yuna was not at all negative. Rather, she was someone who, if something bad happened, would try to positively reframe her thoughts somehow, and she wasn't that sensitive either.

She couldn't hide her thoughts, so once she fell into contemplation, it all showed on the outside. Just like now.

I slowly fell into thought. I wondered if anything recently had occurred that would make Yuna despondent.

And surprisingly, the answer came quickly.

Typical of Yuna, who could hardly hide her true feelings, a remark came out inadvertently.

From it, I could infer Yuna's feelings.

‘Is she feeling impatient after seeing Serene?’

If I thought about it that way, it made sense. In the previous battle, if assessed coolly, Yuna hadn't functioned properly as a capable combatant.

And Yuna was a girl who felt a great sense of responsibility for her own incompetence.

“Of Serene, you mean?”

“……Uh, huh? What did I say?”

“You just said you were envious.”

Yuna, as expected, reacted as if she hadn't even realized she had muttered something.

Is this what happens when honesty goes too far? No, should I even call this honesty?

She was a human being whose very existence was honest.

“……Ugh, how did you know that just from hearing one thing?”

When have I ever not been able to guess what you were thinking? It was truly an obvious thing to say. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on noⅴelfire.net

After hearing that, Yuna was silent for a while. Aside from being embarrassed, she was probably organizing her thoughts.

And after a moment, Yuna laboriously continued speaking.

“……Well, yeah. I guess I was…… a little envious. It's because I was completely useless today.”

It was truly a topic that did not deviate from my expectations by an inch, but I didn't think badly of it.

Ah, I get it, I get it! So, that. The distance is a bit…… uh…… too close…….

Rather, I thought of it as an opportunity to convey the words I couldn't say before.

“Didn't you protect us when the bomb exploded?”

That was truly a good response. Although the intention was to separate the train, if we had been caught in the explosion, I, unlike Yuna and Elwin who had strong magical resistance, would have taken a big hit.

“That’s…… well, yeah, but after that was a bit……”

I sighed lightly and continued speaking.

“There's no need to be impatient.”

Yuna's words were born out of impatience. She probably harbored such thoughts previously…… and they were amplified after seeing Serene's performance.

“Didn't I tell you when we first met? That you could become stronger than anyone else in the Academy.”

And those words also meant that Serene was among those she could surpass.

Even Serene, no less.

“Uh, uh, that, right. You said that. Yeah, I forgot……”

Did she forget? Well, she might have just thought of it as lip service.

To that extent, it must have been an unrealistic statement for Yuna at the time.

I slowly chose my words.

What words would be most helpful to Yuna?

And, after finishing my thoughts, I opened my mouth again and added a remark.

“So, it's enough for you to simply be yourself. Really, that alone is enough.”

Though I uttered these words thinking they would help Yuna, they were simultaneously my sincere feelings.