Ch.165Chapter 165: The… Joy of Travel?

#

As the conductor’s announcement that there were 20 minutes left until departure time pierced my ears.

A flurry of complicated thoughts ran through my mind.

What was I thinking about?

Well, nothing too serious.

Just.

The shadow that suddenly appeared outside this compartment to escort the Third Imperial Prince.

And the three of us, unable to hide our bewilderment at the sight of that shadow.

These two different groups.

Having to spend about 20 minutes together outside this compartment.

I was wondering if we could possibly dispel the awkwardness created by the shadow’s sudden appearance.

It was funny that I had to worry about something like this.

But there was something even funnier.

No matter how much I pondered, there was no solution to this problem.

Indeed, there was no way to resolve this awkwardness.

This shadow, focused solely on protecting the Third Imperial Prince, wouldn’t engage in friendly conversation with us.

And the three of us chatting among ourselves and making noise would be even less welcome.

Also, trying to dispel the awkwardness created by this shadow’s appearance.

By taking Shizu and Excel outside the train to wander the platform wasn’t a good choice either.

Though insignificant compared to the Third Imperial Prince.

Lanos, Proxian, and Bernstein.

Revealing to the central nobility and the public that the young heirs of the warrior families protecting the Empire had gathered in one place.

Would only attract attention from the central media of the Empire, who were already keenly interested in the movements of Cradle Academy students right after the Subjugation Festival.

Even in North Kessler Town, which, while counted among the largest cities in the north.

Could be rightfully called a rural backwater compared to the capital.

Journalists had formed a perimeter with bloodshot eyes, desperate for even a single line of interview from us.

In this capital train station.

Not only would there be journalists permanently stationed here looking for stories.

But countless others would be waiting, having caught wind of our train’s arrival.

The reason I considered going outside the train a poor choice.

Was precisely because of this.

Anyway, sigh….

This is awkward.

When faced with spending these insignificant 20 minutes inside.

At first, I thought we could just pass the time chatting with Shizu and Excel.

But the moment I realized that everything had fallen apart because of the Third Imperial Prince’s shadow, who wouldn’t allow even the sound of people talking outside the compartment.

The emotion rising in my mind was discomfort.

It was slightly different from irritation.

I understood the situation couldn’t be helped.

But experiencing such a dramatic psychological difference between doing nothing by choice versus being forced to do nothing.

How could I not feel uncomfortable?

“Hoo…”

Thinking about it, I unconsciously let out a light sigh to release the heat building in my chest.

Nothing beats a sigh for quietly relieving a troubled mind.

But there was one problem with sighing like that.

The shadow’s head turned toward me when he heard the sound of my sigh escaping outside the compartment.

“…”

That was the problem—he turned to face me without saying a word.

Wearing a matte black mask that didn’t even reveal the light in his eyes.

Standing there staring at me was unsettling.

…No, he’s even trying to control my sighing.

From my experiences before regression, I knew painfully well how devotedly this shadow served the person now talking with my sister inside.

The Third Imperial Pr… ah, I should just call her the Imperial Princess now.

While I understood he was doing this to protect the Imperial Princess.

I couldn’t help feeling restricted by his presence.

If my body felt uncomfortable, I needed to find some way to overcome it.

…But how?

Just as the unsolvable dilemma was about to tangle my thoughts.

[Wouldn’t you call this excessive loyalty?]

I heard the voice of my savior echoing in my mind.

[I’ve seen many of you humans value something so much that you’d easily give up your own lives for it. But that masked fellow over there takes it a bit too far.]

After the three of us had exited the compartment.

Paphnir’s voice, unable to understand the shadow who was monitoring our every move to an excessive degree.

Was, at this moment, more welcome than any sweet voice could be.

Since the other party showed such a positive response, shouldn’t I match it with my reply?

With that thought, I carefully organized my thoughts.

‘It is excessive. But….’

[But?]

‘It’s not just loyalty that drives him.’

[If not loyalty, then what’s driving… Oh!]

‘I believe you understand what I mean without further explanation.’

I continued the conversation with Paphnir, who had opened the dialogue with that brief observation.

Until we left the compartment just now.

As a way to alleviate the boredom while waiting for my sister and the Imperial Princess.

Talking with Paphnir wasn’t something I had considered.

But I should probably reconsider.

The best choice for quietly spending these 20 minutes—short yet long at the same time.

Was to have a conversation with Paphnir in my mind.

It was the best way to escape the current situation where the shadow controlled even the opening of our mouths with his fierce gaze.

[Hey, tell me more. You told me a few days ago that you turned back time! Surely you must know more about this gloomy fellow and the Imperial Princess inside? Tell me quickly!!]

…Should I cancel this?

Anyway, as I answered Paphnir’s questions that were frantically stirring up my mind.

I thought that perhaps the 20 minutes would pass quickly if I kept talking to him in my head.

#

While I was preoccupied answering Paphnir’s mind-stirring questions.

Shizu, who was right next to me, realized that having a conversation with me wasn’t feasible.

So he chose to spend the time in meditation with his eyes closed.

And Excel, who kept some distance from us two, was also passing time in his own way.

In his own manner, different from me with my distracted mind and Shizu who had completely shut off from his surroundings.

Perhaps disliking the fact that even speaking aloud was being controlled by the man standing like a statue next to the compartment entrance.

“…”

Excel, saying nothing, kept his lips tightly pressed into a straight line.

With a deep frown.

His whole body, including his face, clearly expressed “I am angry!” as a way of passing time.

Seeing him like that.

I realized that a person could curse without opening their mouth, just with expressions and eye contact.

Like this, as the three of us each spent time in our own way quietly… well, it was quiet since there was no noise.

Anyway, after confirming that we were being quiet, the Imperial Princess’s shadow maintained his position as if the compartment entrance was his designated spot.

“…”

He simply kept guard without uttering a word.

Standing straight without the slightest movement, he showed no trace of emotion.

But for some reason, looking at him.

I got the impression that his posture revealed a sense of relief and satisfaction.

It was puzzling.

But I had no intention of dwelling deeply on that thought.

Well, if these 20 minutes could pass smoothly without any problems, that would be fine.

Just as I was about to express some satisfaction with that thought and pass the time.

[By the way.]

Paphnir’s voice came through, clearly eager to resolve some curiosity that had just occurred to him.

‘What is it?’

[That masked guy, when he introduced himself earlier, he said he couldn’t reveal his name due to circumstances.]

‘He certainly said that.’

[What circumstances would make someone not only hide their face behind a mask but also conceal their name? Is this what shadows are normally like?]

Ah, so that’s what he’s curious about.

Having slept as a spirit in the sword for nearly a thousand years.

Paphnir often showed curiosity about minor details.

This time, it seems his curiosity was piqued by the shadow zealously protecting the Imperial Princess before us.

Yes, it does look strange even at a glance.

Even with the purpose of protecting someone of noble imperial bloodline.

The way this person so thoroughly conceals any aspect of his individual identity.

But there was something Paphnir needed to know.

‘No.’

[I see, with a name like “shadow” I guess it makes sen—What?]

‘It’s just this person. The organization is called Shadow, but there’s no regulation saying they can’t reveal their names publicly.’

[….]

This person is the only one who acts like this.

Other imperial shadows also serve their imperial charges.

With an attitude close to selfless devotion.

But they don’t wear masks to hide their identity like this.

Nor do they wear uniforms devoid of any splendor while performing their duties.

In other words, Paphnir’s earlier question about whether this person’s behavior stemmed from excessive loyalty.

Wasn’t entirely wrong.

[….]

After hearing my answer, Paphnir maintained the longest silence since we boarded the train and began our conversation.

[…Humans.]

His sigh, which could be interpreted as peculiar depending on how one heard it.

“This is Conductor Steiner. Five minutes remain until departure time. Those who have not yet boarded the train, please hurry aboard.”

Came just as the conductor’s announcement was made in his invariably solemn voice.

And despite the proper soundproofing.

“Hey! You! How! Can! You! Say! That! Haah….”

My sister’s angry shout followed by a sigh was loud enough to penetrate the compartment door.

Since it was a raised voice from my sister, who rarely raised her voice even when angry.

[Oh my! Your sister’s voice is impressively loud.]

It carried such tremendous power that it startled even Paphnir from his lamentation.

It made its way through the soundproofed compartment door.

Both Shizu, who had been in meditation.

And Excel, whose face had been scrunched up.

Without exception, turned their heads toward the compartment door where my sister’s voice had come from.

Shizu, whose consciousness had been sinking below the surface in deep meditation, showed a startled expression as if awakened from sleep by my sister’s shout.

Excel’s expression revealed even deeper surprise and bewilderment than Shizu’s at hearing my sister’s voice in a form he wasn’t accustomed to.

And though to a lesser degree than those two, the same was true for me.

The exception was.

The shadow who must have heard my sister’s angry shout even closer than us three.

Yet he didn’t move a muscle.

Looking at him standing there as if he had anticipated this scene at the end of the private meeting inside that compartment.

‘What on earth did she hear to make my sister react like that?’

A curiosity far greater than my earlier trivial concerns took root in my mind.

But before that curiosity could grow.

Chiiik-!!

The hydraulic compartment door made a sound as it opened.

“…”

My sister, whose expression confirmed that the angry shout we’d heard wasn’t a mistake.

“Wibel. There’s no need to wait outside anymore, come in.”

And the Imperial Princess, gesturing to summon her shadow, appeared.

…Huh? Wait, what?

I’m not seeing or hearing things, am I?

Is that cross-dressing Imperial Princess.

With the train about to depart, instead of going outside the compartment to be on time.

Actually gesturing for her attendant to come inside?

…What’s going on?

When I looked at my sister with eyes full of doubt.

‘That’s how it is.’

My sister’s frustrated expression as she conveyed the message without voice, only lip movements, entered my field of vision.

[An unwelcome guest has joined your pleasant journey?]

‘I’m aware of that without you having to point it out.’

A pleasant journey… could it be?