Chapter 26: The Great Western Albion Continent is Peaceful Today as Well!

“No! My stocks!”

At the westernmost edge of Great Western Albion,

A place rumoured to overflow with magic stones, gold, and various minerals,

An adventurer let out a desperate scream.

“What’s going on now?”

“Haven’t you read today’s newspaper yet?”

“I just finished the orc subjugation request.”

“Ah, that explains why you’ve been missing.”

Of course, those precious stones only emerged from within dangerous dungeons.

Inside the guild building, everyone was equipped with weapons, from swords to spears, just in case.

“So, what’s all this chaos about?”

“Let me see… Ah, here it is.”

The adventurer who had just completed the subjugation received a newspaper from his acquaintance.

On the front page, there was a looping photo showing Lin Rosegarden, the daughter of the Rosegarden family, distributing potions to passengers aboard a magic train.

“…That ruthless governor’s daughter is helping lowly commoners like us?”

“Yeah. Pretty surprising, right?”

To them, the Rosegarden family was known for treating people like living tools.

But the photo on the front page displayed a young girl offering comfort to the people with a warm smile, leaving everyone shocked.

“But. That’s not even the most shocking news.”

As if anticipating this reaction, the man immediately handed over the next newspaper.

Skeptical, the adventurer wondered what could be more surprising than this, but his doubts were soon erased as he read the second newspaper.

“…The ‘Western Continent Railroad’?”

“It’s bankrupt. That huge corporation is completely wiped out.”

The Western Continent Railroad Company.

It was a private railroad company under the protection of Albion Governor Edwin Rosegarden.

However, the term “private” was merely a façade. Due to the ‘New Continent Railway Act,’ like all other railroad companies, it couldn’t escape the influence of the Rosegarden family.

Since all roads in the empire belonged to the emperor, Governor Edwin Rosegarden, as the emperor’s representative ruling Albion, was the de facto owner of all railroads in the New Continent.

If he wanted, he could seize them at any time.

That was the immense power possessed by Governor Edwin Rosegarden.

However, he didn’t wield his power with ruthless tyranny.

The reason was simple: it wasn’t profitable.

Even if he could do so, public backlash would be fierce.

Such unrest would give some hyena-like individuals from the imperial mainland a chance to intervene.

More importantly, after the discovery of magic stones at the western dungeon zone of Albion,

The scent of wealth attracted immigrants and aspiring adventurers from the mainland.

For them, the success of private enterprises served as excellent propaganda.

Since every railroad company had to pay a “railway tax” to Governor Edwin Rosegarden, there was no loss.

And within this environment, the Western Continent Railroad Company, being particularly diligent in fulfilling its tax obligations, became a large and favored corporation.

That was until the train carrying his precious youngest daughter encountered an unfortunate accident.

“When bad luck piles up like this, it’s practically a natural disaster.”

“Hey, finish reading before you jump to conclusions.”

The man was right.

Was it merely a coincidence of misfortune?

The answer was “No.”

Right after the accident, countless corruption cases, including shoddy construction, burst into the public eye.

It also turned out that the management of railway security staff was extremely poor, as revealed one after another.

As a result, the stock price of the Western Continent Railroad Company plummeted.

Simultaneously, the Transcontinental Railroad project, which was supposed to connect the eastern and western ends of Great Western Albion, faced significant delays—or so people speculated.

In reality, it was just a way to thoroughly punish those responsible for putting Lin in danger.

No need to hide it.

Most of the corruption in the Western Continent Railroad Company was exposed through investigations ordered by Edwin himself.

Their relationship had already been strained for various reasons.

“No wonder the merchant guild is unusually noisy today.”

“According to recent announcements, they’re planning to connect a railway to the central-northern frontier. Everyone’s in chaos trying to figure out which railroad company’s stocks to buy.”

What’s there to hide?

Most of the corruption within the Western Continent Railroad Company was revealed through thorough investigations ordered by Edwin himself.

The relationship between the two had already been strained for various reasons.

“No wonder the commercial guild is unusually noisy today.”

“According to the latest announcements, they’re planning to connect a railway to the central-northern frontier. Everyone’s in chaos trying to figure out which railway company’s stocks to buy.”

Splash…!

The adventurers inside the guild suddenly fell silent.

A boy walked in, squelching blood on the floor with every step.

Despite the gathered stares, he trudged straight to the receptionist and dumped a pile of goblin ears—the proof of subjugation—onto the counter.

“Hey, is that kid…?”

“Yeah. No doubt about it.”

The boy’s name was Cain.

Being of humble birth, he had no surname.

He once stayed at an orphanage on the imperial mainland before being sold as a mining s*ave on the colonial continent.

After escaping from the s*ave ship, he ran and kept running until he reached the westernmost edge.

Surviving by specializing in hunting goblins, which even a child could defeat, he made a living.

However, for others, the thought of a child surviving through monster hunting was exceptionally odd.

“Then that sword on his waist… is it?”

“Yeah. They say a fairy who lost a friend to goblins blessed it.”

“The ‘Goblin Killer,’ huh.”

Perhaps because of that, even his plain short-sword had gained a reputation, making Cain a well-known figure in the area.

“You’re back, Cain. I’ve got some good news for you!”

“What is it?”

An adventurer familiar with Cain shared the latest big news.

Holding the newspaper with both hands, Cain carefully read through it.

‘Did the Rosegarden family have a daughter?’

Seeing the large portrait of Lin Rosegarden, a character who didn’t exist in the “original” story, Cain tilted his head.

‘Did she die before the main story started?’

With a reasonable assumption, Cain mentally noted Lin’s name.

Shortly after, he saw the line stating that the stock price of the formerly ironclad Western Continent Railroad Company was plummeting.

“……”

Only then did he realize that the future he knew was unfolding differently.

Deep in thought, he checked the list of other railway companies printed in the corner of the newspaper.

“I have a feeling, Cain. The next company to secure the project will be this one—Baker Railways.”

“They’re going bankrupt.”

“Hah. What would a kid like you know about market economics? But I’m generous. So, which railway company do you think will come out on top?”

Cain pointed at a company name, leaving the man genuinely surprised and worried.

“Don’t go with that one, Cain. Trust me, anyone but them.”

“Why not?”

“Listen, that company was formed by the native pioneers. Do you think our great governor would subsidize them?”

“No, it’s the opposite.”

Faced with a slightly altered future, Cain confidently pieced together the information he knew.

He then headed to the commercial guild to convert his spare funds into shares.

“Cain! I’m telling you, those guys are doomed!”

“Come on, let’s go, sir. We need to sell those worthless scraps before they really become junk.”

Later on,

Cain would end up buying as many shares as he could of the railway company that would eventually be called the Railroad King of the Great West.

***

“Haa…”

Rosegarden Family Mansion,

In front of the small artificial lake in the Rose Pavilion, Lin took a deep breath.

“Blood Sword.”

Waving her handmade wand like a conductor’s baton, the red healing potion gradually took the shape of a sword.

Lin looked calm up to this point, but as she took out the next potion, her expression changed slightly.

She focused intensely, determined to successfully create the second potion sword this time.

Her trembling hands revealed her earnest effort.

“Ngh…!”

Unfortunately, she failed just before success.

The second potion flickered in mid-air before splattering all over the ground.

“It was almost done…!”

Lin kept repeating her attempts, only to meet failure again and again.

She didn’t stop until Kiriel informed her that the designated practice time was over.

“Hehe. Still, I’ve definitely improved.”

One must always strive to surpass their past self.

Though slow, her progress was steady, and Lin felt proud of herself today.

“At this rate, I’ll keep getting stronger day by day… By the time I enroll in the academy, I might be so strong that I’ll end up as an instructor instead of a student!”

An instructor the same age as the students?

It didn’t sound bad, but it wouldn’t fit the role of a villainess, so she reluctantly dismissed the thought.

Vroom…!

After finishing today’s magic practice, Lin got into the car.

When she pressed her finger against the mana identifier, the engine started smoothly.

Her father had permitted her to use the car within the mansion, provided she didn’t drift.

Although it wasn’t the fastest, she promised to control her speed.

Even if she couldn’t feel the wind, the comfort—especially for her legs—made it worth it.

Of course, she could use a broom, which was faster and could fly, but the narrow surface made it feel unstable.

On flat ground, a car was far more comfortable and convenient than a broom.

“Huh?”

While slowly driving around the wide garden for a stroll,
A stranger waved at her.

“Oh! You must be the young lady of the Rosegarden family. It’s an honor to meet you.”

The man, wearing a gentleman’s hat, took it off and bowed politely.

Though it was the first time seeing his face, Lin greeted him with the same courtesy.

Strict as it was, the maid’s training proved useful in moments like this.

Or was it?

The angle of her wrist seemed off by about three degrees…

…Forget it.

“By the way… may I ask your name?”

“Ah, apologies for the late introduction. I am William, the owner of Border Railways.”

As Lin tilted her head, the man continued his introduction with a friendly tone.

Apparently, he was the president of a railway company.

But why was a railway president at their mansion?

“I just met with Governor Edwin.”

Ah, that made sense.

As he mentioned meeting her father, he glanced at a nearby building.

Unlike the mansion where her family resided, it was closer to the main gate.

The Rose Pavilion wasn’t just a residential area; it also housed the governor’s office within its vast premises.

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

The railway president, after excessively bowing to a young girl, snapped his fingers.

His butler bowed and handed Lin a small ornate box.

Inside was a lavishly decorated accessory.

…What the?

Did he have that kind of indecent taste?

What a piece of human trash…

“This is a small token of my respect. It’s crafted by the renowned artisan Filtoner….”

“I don’t need it.”

“…As expected of the Rosegarden lady. You have discerning taste.”

His face twisted in displeasure, his polite mask beginning to crack.

“Grrr…”

“W-What’s with these wolves…?”

Sensing Lin’s discomfort, the wolves growled at the man.

Kiriel, Exia, and Dinavel also twitched their eyebrows in silence.

Lin couldn’t help but feel proud that the wolves didn’t immediately bite the man.

“It would be wise to back off, Sir William. Those wolves are monsters.”

“M-M-M-Monsters!?”

“Leonard, brother.”

“Heh, taking a stroll, Lin?”

Just then, Leonard appeared behind the man with a warm smile.

“My father is in that building.”

“Ahaha… This mansion is just so large that I lost my way. I just happened to run into the young lady and wanted to ask for directions.”

“Oh, I see.”

Seeing Leonard, the railway president hastily fled through the gate.

Watching him leave, Leonard muttered, “Those guys are no good…”

“Move aside! You savages!”

A commotion erupted near the gate.

Curious, Lin hurried over and saw a werewolf and a wolf-eared girl being beaten by the railway president’s cane.

Even though violence was unfolding before their eyes, the guards did nothing, which infuriated Lin.

Zap!

“Ugh…!”

At Lin’s shout,

Dinavel swiftly rushed in and delivered an electric shock to the president.

Only after being struck did the man finally stop his assault.

He glared at Lin for a moment, clicked his tongue, and left in his carriage.

“Are you alright?”

“T-Thank you…”

Lin immediately took out a potion and healed their wounds.

The werewolf man and the wolf-eared girl looked surprised, but they bowed deeply in gratitude.

Luckily, she had just finished her magic practice, so she could treat them right away.

The Cheyenne,

A native race of Albion, resembling wolf-people.

Males had wolf-like appearances, while females looked more human.

Of course, the reverse also existed, but it was rare.

“We’re not werewolves! We’re Cheyenne!”

“Please, calm down.”

The name “werewolf” was imposed by the empire, but the girl insisted on their real name, Cheyenne.

Leonard also apologized to them, and they cautiously accepted it, still shocked by the kind treatment.

“Ah, you’re running a railway company?”

“Yes. We came to meet the governor….”

“Hmm…”

Upon hearing that the Cheyenne were here to meet their father, Leonard pondered for a moment.

Although it was work-related, Lin hoped they would be let in and looked at Leonard with a hint of pleading.

Leonard briefly met her eyes.

“Alright. Follow me.”

With a knowing smile, Leonard led them into the governor’s building.

Some time later,

At the westernmost edge of Albion…

“No! My stocks!!!!”

“…Didn’t you sell them earlier?”

It was said that many adventurers shed tears of blood that day.