Ch.338[Episode 338] Event: Steam Speed

[Steam Speed Event is being held!]

[You can enjoy three different events in this event.]

[First event! Event Story Mode!]

[Enjoy the story of Red Arrow and Iron Shark, traditional masters of Steampunk Racing!]

[The honest but hot-tempered Red Arrow! The cool-headed but cowardly Iron Shark!]

[Look forward to seeing what kind of story they will show!]

[Second event! I’m a Racer Too!]

[You can participate directly in the Steam Speed Event and become a racing driver!]

[During the event period, combine parts sold with tokens to create the best racing steam locomotive!]

[Don’t forget to achieve accomplishments by securing victory!]

[Third event! Cheering!]

[What’s the point of just racing? Of course, there should be stakes… no, cheering!]

[You can support your desired team with tokens to send your cheers.]

[The more cheers a team receives, the higher their probability of winning!]

[While the joy of seeing your team win is important, it would feel even better if there were rewards!]

[Every time the team you cheer for wins, you can receive generous rewards!]

[The Steam Speed Event will run for 14 days starting today.]

[We look forward to your active participation, Commanders!]

…

“Hmm.”

Sir Dominic carefully observed the rails that were beginning to be laid everywhere on his way home.

Numerous rails were being laid throughout Gacha Land for the Steam Speed event.

These rails not only crossed roads but were also being laid on building rooftops, in caves, on lake bottoms, and even in front of Sir Dominic’s house.

The fact that rails were being laid in front of Sir Dominic’s house was something he noticed when returning home.

“I have no idea what’s going on with all this.”

Upon returning home, Sir Dominica grumbled in the living room.

“Why are rails passing in front of our house? And not just one line, but five!”

As Sir Dominica said, the rails laid in front of Sir Dominic’s house weren’t just a single line.

There were as many as five lines, and each line had intersections crossing other rails, making them look like a spider web.

“There’s an event happening. Steam Speed.”

“Ah.”

At Sir Dominic’s words, Sir Dominica let out a dumb sound as if finally understanding.

“I was wondering. Suddenly rails are being laid everywhere.”

Sir Dominica said this as she sat down on the sofa.

“Hmm… I see. So this is the event.”

Sir Dominica, seated on the sofa, skimmed through the event page.

“Shall we participate together?”

Sir Dominic suggested forming a team with Sir Dominica.

In fact, Sir Dominic had read the event page several times on his way home.

And he realized that this event was specifically for speed enthusiasts.

Sir Dominica had hidden it well until now, but thinking back to when she took her driver’s license test, there was clearly a small speed demon inside her.

Look at her now.

Isn’t her heart racing at the mere mention of steam locomotives?

“But we’d need to collect tokens to build a steam locomotive.”

Sir Dominica objected to Sir Dominic’s suggestion.

If Sir Dominic pursued romance, Sir Dominica looked at reality.

“Moreover, we don’t have a license for steam locomotives. We have licenses for spider tanks and airships, but for steam locomotives—”

“We can get one.”

Sir Dominic began to persuade Sir Dominica.

“If we prepare now—”

“Wait a minute.”

Sir Dominica took out her phone and began searching for something intently.

“Steam locomotive license completion minimum period 3 weeks… here it says 2 weeks but only for basic models… it seems impossible, doesn’t it?”

Sir Dominic was at a loss for words at Sir Dominica’s rebuttal.

The event period was only 2 weeks.

If it took 2 or 3 weeks to complete the locomotive license, the event would already be over.

Sir Dominic eventually licked his lips and decided to give up on direct participation.

“Can’t be helped. Then let’s try the cheering event—”

Sir Dominic was thinking of properly participating in the cheering event as a substitute.

At that moment, Sir Dominic received a phone call.

“…Lady Hime?”

The call was from Hime.

…

[“So, you’re saying one of your team members is sick and you want me to join instead?”]

“Yes.”

Inside Himetotzsaigo Castle, in Hime’s room.

Hime was lying on her bed, talking on the phone with Sir Dominic.

[“I’m surprised that Lady Hime is participating in this event.”]

“Well, it’s like a village custom. If there’s a competition to determine the fastest, we participate first and think later.”

[“Then, do you have a steam locomotive license?”]

“Of course.”

Hime pulled out a license from her cleavage.

It was definitely a license for steam locomotive vehicles.

“A ninja must be prepared for everything.”

[“Indeed.”]

Sir Dominic nodded on the other end of the receiver.

[“So what did you say the team name was?”]

Sir Dominic’s heart was already leaning toward accepting this proposal.

That’s why he asked for the team name again.

He wanted to properly engrave it in his mind.

“Ninja Tortoises.”

[“…Could you say that again?”]

“Ninja Tortoises.”

[“Ah. Now I understand.”]

Sir Dominic only fully remembered the team name after hearing it two more times.

[“Land tortoises, though. That’s a bit ironic.”]

“It’s a name chosen hoping the opponent will let their guard down. Rather than a name that sounds fast and strong, this kind of name seems more harmless.”

After giving Sir Dominic this additional explanation, Hime asked once more about his intention to join.

“So, will you join us?”

[“I’d be glad to. I was just pondering that very issue.”]

Hearing Sir Dominic’s answer through the receiver, Hime let out a muffled cheer.

But there was no time to rejoice yet.

She needed to confirm once more to be at ease.

“You’re really joining us, right?”

[“Yes.”]

Yes! A silly smile spread across Hime’s face, and the fox ears on her head fluttered.

“You promise? Are you free this evening? Strike while the iron is hot—”

[“That’s fine. Where should we meet in the evening?”]

“Anywhere is fine.”

[“…Weren’t we going to practice?”]

Oops. Hime was so happy that she misspoke.

This wasn’t a date, but practice for steam locomotive racing.

“Ah. That’s right. Then would you like to come to Himetotzsaigo Castle? Once you arrive, we can start practicing right away.”

[“Sounds good. I’ll come around 7 PM. I should probably eat dinner before coming.”]

“Ah, about that…”

[“…? What is it?”]

Hime hastily interrupted Sir Dominic.

And to Sir Dominic’s question about what was wrong, she mumbled hesitantly.

“Um, if it’s alright with you, would you like to have dinner at my place? I could make you some doenjang soup—”

[“That’s alright. It wouldn’t be right to ask for more when you’ve already given me such a good opportunity. I’ll eat dinner before coming, so let’s meet at 7.”]

“…Yes.”

With those words, the call ended.

Hime was somewhat dejected that Sir Dominic had no intention of having dinner together, but soon became happy at the thought of meeting him after a long time.

Her ears and tail drooped and then perked up, wagging.

“…Hehe.”

Hime hugged her attachment doll, the rabbit doll Usagi-san, and let out a silly laugh.

She was meeting Sir Dominic after a long time.

Just that fact made Hime very happy.

Hime was so happy that she stomped her feet on the bed while tightly hugging Usagi-san and burying her face in its embrace.

Today, Usagi-san’s tired face looked twice as exhausted.

…

A few hours later.

“…Impressive.”

Sir Dominic arrived in front of Himetotzsaigo Castle.

The castle was decorated in an Oriental style, and its size was vastly larger compared to Sir Dominic’s house.

Perhaps the only building of comparable size might be the judiciary under the executive branch.

Sir Dominic clicked his tongue as he looked at the walls whose tops were barely visible even when he tilted his head back as far as possible.

He thought that if such a building had existed in Feralant, the demon race might not have easily ravaged Feralant.

“You’re here.”

While Sir Dominic was still admiring the majestic appearance of this castle, a voice came from behind him.

Sir Dominic knew the owner of this voice very well.

“Lady Hime.”

“It’s good to see you, Sir Dominic. I am Hime. Welcome to Himetotzsaigo Castle.”

Hime greeted Sir Dominic with a ninja-like greeting.

Sir Dominic was about to greet her as usual but felt he should follow the local etiquette, so he imitated Hime.

“It’s good to see you, Lady Hime. I am Sir Dominic of Feralant.”

“Pfft.”

Hime burst into laughter at Sir Dominic’s awkward greeting.

“Th-that’s the etiquette we use when welcoming guests. Sir Dominic, you can just be yourself.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Sir Dominic scratched the back of his head, seemingly embarrassed by Hime’s words.

Then, as if trying to hide his embarrassment, he changed the subject.

“By the way, is that the thing behind you?”

“Ah. Yes.”

At Sir Dominic’s words, Hime turned around and proudly looked at the impressive thing.

A strange steam locomotive painted in cherry blossom color, with several tiers above the engine room, a thick hemp rope knot and a large bell on the roof, and a red Tengu face attached to the very front of the locomotive.

“This is our ninja village’s pride, the Matsuri.”

This was the Matsuri, the world’s fastest steam locomotive that the ninja village boasted of.