The Imperial One-Way Train is the only means of transportation, spread out like a spider web between each major city.
It has long been established as the national train, as it is reasonably priced and fast compared to other trains, is always full, and even has premium cars that cater to the tastes of the 'nobles'.
“Everyone! Please board according to the assigned group numbers in order!!”
I stood in the middle of the platform and looked around at the train the students would take, the Hatlak-bound excursion train.
Why a tourist train? Because it heads towards Hatlak, and after entering, it visits historical sites and tourist attractions.
They say it'll only be two days, but nothing much is expected.
'It was definitely a scene that went over quickly.'
A memory suddenly came to me. It was a part that was briefly shown as a picture, so I couldn't remember it in detail.
However, we can only know the structure. Since it is an open world, we definitely had to take care of these elements.
“Show me the necklace.”
I got on the train. There were windows and doors along the train, and a long, narrow hallway. The seats were separate spaces like private rooms.
As I stood in front of Group 5 and opened the door, a familiar face was waiting for me.
“Hi! Kyle! We were here first! You’re here now?”
Lumina smiles brightly. And Lien bows her head secretly. Elena looks out the window.
The interior was not cramped. There was a central table and a leg rest for easy movement.
I sat down with a kind word and waited for the train to depart.
“Kids…! Look here…! This is the schedule for day 2!”
Lumina's eyes lit up as she flipped through the pages of her travel book.
“Once you arrive, check out the Bellona Fairgrounds! Enjoy the early arrival of winter in the downtown area of Hatlock! Bellona is the second-largest area in Hatlock, where the old Edford headquarters used to be located!”
What do you mean?
Lumina shares a booklet with me and Lien. She is secretly watching Elena, perhaps because she is afraid to talk to her.
Even though she is the 4th princess who has been excluded from political strife, she is a member of the high-ranking royal family.
“Is this Bellona? I’ve been here once before for work.”
“Really…?!”
“Yes, while Hatlock’s leader sets the trends for the empire, Bellona’s local specialties are second to none.”
Lien said that and let out a laugh. She was holding the teacup to her lips, not knowing when she had taken it out.
She really likes tea. She drinks tea leaves together, but is there no such thing as tea bags in this world?
─At that moment, a good idea occurred to me.
'If Lien and I combine our modern knowledge, wouldn't we be able to make money?'
I don't know if she'll accept it, but it doesn't seem like a bad idea. After all, there's still life left after clearing this game.
As I continued my thoughts like that, Lumina leaned towards me.
“Hey, what does Kyle think of Bellona?”
“It’s a good place to see the history of Hatlock. It was a fierce battleground during the Continental War and was once invaded by the Allied Forces.”
The game content and history are like that. I got an 'A+' in the first semester's basic liberal arts, Imperial Chronicles 1. Except for the major requirements, other studies were easy.
Lumina's shoulders shook once.
“Oh! That’s something that came up in the first semester…! I remembered it.”
“That’s right… I can’t forget it… .”
“That’s great…! I hope I don’t forget what I studied. Haha.”
I told Lien.
“Oh, right. Lien. Are there any restaurants or shops in Bellona that you would recommend?”
“Yes, there are. Um- the most famous one is the east… … .”
Time flew by as I chatted with Lumina and Lien. In the meantime, the academic staff stopped by the room to check the number of people, and Daniel's voice flowed in through the cabin speaker.
-“We’ll be leaving soon. I recommend you fasten your seatbelt. Have a nice school trip.”
Cheeeeeeek-
With that final greeting, the aircraft began to move, emitting a cloud of steam as it moved forward.
Rattle rattle
The slight sway of the train. The sight of the platform passing by.
Since it was a tourist train, I could clearly see the outskirts through the windows.
Everyone in the group looked out the window, and I looked at the area where Elena was.
Golden hair that shines in the sunlight and clear purple pupils. He exudes the aura of a fragile yet strong person in power.
I thought about her.
'Elena was in the position of the 4th princess.'
As I recall, she entered the academy to increase her power and avoid being caught up in the fight for the imperial succession.
Her role increases starting from Act 3, when there is a student council president election, but it is still a long way off.
'Let's focus on the present.'
The train hijacking incident that occurred upon arrival at Hatrock and the subsequent battle for relics were episodes that required a sharp response.
There is still time left, so we can deal with it slowly… … .
“… … .”
Two hours after the train departed.
The group, who had drawn curtains on the windows, fell into a nap.
After that, the train moved at a slow pace whenever it arrived at a historic site or tourist attraction, and meals were served at the station.
***
Dawn when everyone is asleep. A place of the unconscious.
The being that is active in the depths awakens. Only 5 minutes out of 24 hours. It was the time allotted by contract.
“… … .”
That something felt its time approaching. It was usually unconscious, but it decided to wake up the moment its owner fell asleep.
In addition, I had saved up a lot of 'time' over the past three months. I also made plans to be able to get my body back at any time.
-“Lumina, I picked you up.”
-“Well, it’s a gift…?! Th, thank you….”
-“How is it? This is the Bellona style of clothing…!”
-“You’re prettier than Ciel. You suit her well. Lumina.”
-“Lumina, I like you rationally. What do you think?”
-“Wh, what…!?”
The demon floated through the unconscious and ascended above it. The girl's dreams were all about 'Kyle'.
In a dark place, the dreams she had were rising, sinking, moving, and merging in real time, unfolding like a stream of consciousness.
‘It wasn’t for nothing that I signed the contract. If it’s this much obsession…’
The demon who watches him all. The demon who has been in hiding for several months is sure.
'I can take over your body.'
The fact that maybe I just had to tease him a little more.
Originally, it was in the state of having a connection with the Devil's Cult.
The demon slowly lost consciousness, and for a moment he lifted his eyelids.
"ah-'
'How long has it been?'
The moonlight streaming through the curtains was beautiful. The air I breathed was refreshing.
Rattling-
Even in the middle of the night, the train was moving forward. It was hurtling slowly through the darkness towards Bellona.
Rattling-
Private room.
While everyone else was snoring and sleeping soundly, the girl with pink hair flowing in the moonlight had blue pupils gently glowing in the darkness.
The smile was very strange and out of character.
… … She absentmindedly looks at the sleeping party and recalls the moment when she fulfilled the contract.
A strike that risks everything in the story. An ice castle where sword wind swirls.
──That moment
The silver-haired boy who should have died survived.
The devil shed tears at the boy.
'It was just a starting point, but who would have thought it would be of such great help?'
So Sartain spent five minutes enjoying the black tea on the table.
As soon as the contract was over, Lumina fell into a deep sleep as if nothing had happened.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[Crisis alert! A powerful enemy is watching you.]
***
The next day.
My eyelids opened on their own, and the train had just stopped. The scenery was white. A snow roof had piled up over the buildings on the platform.
Three letters embossed on the station sign.
[Bellona].
We had reached the entrance to Hatlock.
[We will stop at Bellona. Students, please follow the directions of the academic staff.]
According to the schedule Lumina was talking about, we will be in this area until tonight. And the next day, the school trip will begin in earnest.
Because we entered Hatrock Station.
We packed our bags at our seats. Everyone seemed to be carrying carriers, but I only had a few bundles.
Lumina was the first to get up, carrying the essentials in her simple bag.
By the way, Lien was a briefcase.
“Kyle…! Lien…! And Princess Elena…! Let’s go…!”
“Lumina, it’s okay. You don’t have to use honorifics toward me.”
Elena said with a loving chuckle, and Lumina quickly corrected her tone.
“Then let’s all go play together…! There’s nothing we can do about the museum… but after that, we’ll have free time…!”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
"yes…!"
Lumina left the room first, followed by Elena. Then Lien looked at me from the doorway.
“Is there anything I forgot to pack? Actually, breakfast is a priority so I’m not in a hurry. I can wait for you.”
“It’s okay. You go out first.”
“Okay, I’ll wait outside.”
Lien heads out of the room.
After double-checking that no one was home, I started to search the room. I pulled back the curtains, checked the corners, under the table, and even checked the trash can.
“… … .”
There was nothing unusual.
Then the answer was one.
What I inferred from the passage I saw yesterday like a mirage.
There is a 'devil' on this train.
