Ch.339[Chapter 339] Event: Steam Speed

“Sir Dominic’s mission is to escort the Matsuri Ship and make sure it doesn’t get destroyed.”

Unryu Hime said while caressing the cool metal part of the Matsuri Ship.

“Escort?”

Sir Dominic questioned what Hime had said.

He thought it was just racing, but does this mean there’s escorting to be done?

As if reading Sir Dominic’s thoughts, Hime explained to him.

“The Steam Speed Event is basically a steam locomotive race, but it’s not just about running. It’s a competition that requires techniques to check the frontrunner and shake off pursuers. Like this.”

With those words, Hime jumped into the engine room of the steam locomotive with nimble movements.

When she pressed a suspicious red button, a single compartment on top of the train lifted up, and shuriken launchers popped out from inside.

The shuriken launchers were precariously secured with a single rope, but they looked capable of countering attacks from any direction.

“We’re experts at countering. No one can counter better than ninjas.”

Except pirates. Hime said that and then pressed her lips tightly shut.

It seemed Hime still had some trauma regarding pirates.

“Anyway, our Matsuri Ship has always maintained a top position with its fast speed and excellent countering skills. However… after our weakness was revealed last time, we had to respond quickly.”

“Response. Is that related to why I came in as a substitute?”

“Yes.”

Hime wagged her tail gently toward Sir Dominic as she spoke.

“You’ll be in charge of escorting the Matsuri Ship.”

“Escorting…?”

Sir Dominic stroked his chin thoughtfully at Hime’s words.

Sir Dominic thought that the steam locomotive race in this Steam Speed Event would involve more long-range countering than close combat.

The problem was that Sir Dominic had no means to respond to long-range attacks, which meant he could block enemy attacks but would have difficulty responding to them.

“Could you explain more precisely?”

Sir Dominic asked, curious about how Hime had solved this difficult problem.

“To be precise, Sir Dominic won’t be a passenger on the steam locomotive.”

“Hmm.”

“Instead, you’ll be circling around the steam locomotive, countering opponents and responding to their counters.”

“How exactly?”

“Like this.”

In response to Sir Dominic’s question, Hime showed him something that had been hidden behind the locomotive.

It was very small compared to the locomotive, but Sir Dominic found its appearance quite familiar.

It was a spider tank.

Though the modeling was a bit different from Sir Dominic’s spider tank, the overall framework was definitely that of a spider tank.

“A spider tank…?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Hime nodded at Sir Dominic’s words.

“Actually, this is both a gift for Sir Dominic and a token of appreciation for helping our Ninja Tortoise team.”

Hime said as she stroked the legs of the spider tank.

The spider tank Hime showed had a more sleek design than Sir Dominic’s spider tank.

If Sir Dominic’s spider tank was like a moving fortress surrounded by thick brass plates, this spider tank looked like a nimble spider truly focused on mobility.

Above all, the engine was different.

The spider tank Hime had prepared had four more exhaust ports than Sir Dominic’s spider tank.

It was truly a spider tank made for speed!

Sir Dominic felt the instinct of a speed maniac awakening within him at the sight of its elegant form.

He desperately wanted to ride that magnificent spider tank and go wild right away.

“Truly… an impressive spider tank.”

“I’m glad you like it. Actually, I prepared it after seeing you ride spider tanks frequently.”

When Sir Dominic showed his approval, Hime let out a sigh of relief.

Her fox ears twitched as if they had no intention of hiding her joy.

“Would you like to get used to that spider tank now?”

“…! Is that allowed?”

“Of course. Actually, today we were just planning to briefly coordinate and finish, so we have plenty of time. Besides, the more familiar Sir Dominic becomes with the spider tank, the more it will help us.”

Hime nodded at Sir Dominic’s words.

Literally, today was the day for Hime’s team Ninja Tortoise and Sir Dominic to coordinate.

Since it was before proper training, Hime was considerate enough to let Sir Dominic get used to the new spider tank.

“…”

Sir Dominic slowly walked past the steam locomotive Matsuri Ship toward the new spider tank.

With a gleaming smile that only a speed maniac could make.

…

It wasn’t uncommon for proposals to come from other teams, like what happened with Sir Dominic.

A slight change for victory was something any team would consider.

The same was true for Sir Dominica.

“So, you want me to help you win this steam locomotive race?”

“That’s right.”

Sir Dominica, who had stopped by the café, fell into contemplation at the words of Tsuki, a female warrior wearing an iron hat who had come looking for her.

“Um, could you stop kneeling first? It’s a bit burdensome.”

Sir Dominica felt uncomfortable with Tsuki kneeling and looking up at her, so she tried to make Tsuki stand up.

However, Tsuki instead bowed her head even lower from that position and began to plead more earnestly.

“I beg of you! As far as I know, Sir Dominica is the only outstanding escort!”

“No, I mean… th-that—”

Sir Dominica began to stutter, seemingly quite flustered.

Tsuki’s actions were so sudden and absurd.

However, the feelings behind Tsuki’s actions were sincere.

Realizing this fact, Sir Dominica eventually let out a deep sigh.

“Alright. I’ll help. I’m reluctant to participate directly, but if it’s about helping someone else, that’s a different story.”

Sir Dominica’s heart softened at Tsuki’s behavior, and she finally accepted Tsuki’s proposal.

“R-really?”

Tsuki lifted her head again with sparkling eyes, as if deeply moved.

Of course, she was still kneeling.

“Yes. So now stand up. If you make me feel more uncomfortable, I might change my mind—”

“I-I’ll stand up! I’ll stand up right now!”

Tsuki jumped to her feet at Sir Dominica’s words.

However, Tsuki made one mistake: she forgot that if you suddenly stand up after kneeling for a long time, your legs might cramp.

“-Ugh?”

Tsuki managed to jump to her feet, but then she felt an intense tingling sensation in her legs.

It was definitely a leg cramp.

Tsuki tried to maintain a proper posture with remarkable willpower, but the sensation in her knees made her legs buckle momentarily, and Tsuki began to tilt forward.

At this rate, Tsuki would surely fall forward and roll on the ground.

As Tsuki squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for impact with the floor.

She felt something soft against both her cheeks.

Soft?

Surprised by this incredibly soft sensation, Tsuki raised her hands to feel what was touching her cheeks.

A squishy feeling filled her palms.

Curious about the source of this terrifyingly soft sensation, Tsuki slowly opened her eyes to see what was in front of her.

And what Tsuki saw was—

“…Are we filming a romantic comedy?”

It was Sir Dominica’s face, looking down at her with incredulous eyes, as if the situation was absurd.

Sir Dominica was looking down at Tsuki, and only then did Tsuki realize that she was tightly embraced in Sir Dominica’s arms, looking up at her.

Feeling embarrassed by this realization, Tsuki’s face instantly turned red as she broke away from Sir Dominica’s embrace.

No matter how soft and comfortable it was, she knew this situation was inappropriate.

“I-I’m sorry. My leg cramped and…”

Tsuki began making clumsy excuses that she wouldn’t normally make, being so flustered.

Sir Dominica listened to Tsuki’s excuse and then grinned as if it was fine.

“Well, these things happen.”

Sir Dominica genuinely thought so.

After all, both Tsuki and Sir Dominica were women, and it wasn’t intentional but a mistake, so what was wrong with it?

However, Tsuki felt even more embarrassed at Sir Dominica’s words.

Didn’t those words sound like Tsuki was the kind of person who might do such things!

“Uh, um, ah…”

Tsuki was so embarrassed by Sir Dominica’s words that she couldn’t string together a proper sentence and flailed her hands.

And when her embarrassment became too overwhelming to continue her thoughts, Tsuki fled from the spot.

“A-Anyway! You’ve accepted the escort job!”

Tsuki reminded Sir Dominica of their agreement one last time.

Sir Dominica was about to say she understood, but Tsuki had already disappeared into the distance.

“…She’s fast.”

Sir Dominica muttered quietly, watching Tsuki vanish in an instant.

“Here are your two iced Americanos.”

“Ah. Thank you.”

Sir Dominica accepted the two iced Americanos.

“Come to think of it, she left before the order even arrived.”

Sir Dominica thought as she sipped her iced Americano.

It seemed she would have to drink the remaining cup as well.

As Sir Dominica was enjoying a moment of leisure with a cup of coffee at the café.

“Ah.”

After finishing one cup of coffee and about to start on the new one, Sir Dominica suddenly exclaimed.

“Come to think of it, isn’t Sir Dominic also participating in this race?”

Sir Dominica thought as she gazed at the distant, faintly visible Himetotzsaigo Castle.

Thinking that perhaps a civil war might break out between Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica.