episode_0092

Episode 92, Free City (1)

“If we go together, I’ll buy you auction items. I have a lot of money.”

I became more troubled by the following words and scratched my cheek, saying.

“I don’t think that’ll be easy.”

“Why…?”

My senior asked back as if not understanding. I explained the reason.

“I’m going to participate in the auction, but I also have important business to take care of.”

“Very, important?”

“Yes. So, it’s difficult to go with just the two of us.”

Hearing that, my senior seemed a bit dejected. Of course, it wasn’t outwardly noticeable, but the atmosphere was gloomy.

Somehow, my senior seemed to be expecting something like the previous Magic Kingdom incident.

‘But the timing isn’t good.’

Back then, it didn’t matter if we moved slowly, but unfortunately, it’s not the case now. I’m going to be really busy on the day of the auction.

Then, Lana hugged my senior and said.

“Ruina, please understand just this once. The reason Kyle is going is because of the World Tree’s request.”

“World Tree? The green god?”

“Yes. An elf was kidnapped. They’re staying in the Free City now. Kyle is going to rescue them.”

Lana calmly explained as if soothing a child. Fortunately, my senior seemed to understand the words well. My senior, who returned to normal, said.

“Okay. I understand.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

Lana hugged her even tighter. Then, she frowned with a dissatisfied expression.

“…It’s suffocating. Let go.”

“Don’t say that. Here, I also have the apple pie I mentioned last time!”

Lana showed the pie she took out at some point. My senior was instantly captivated. And Lana put the apple pie in my senior’s mouth.

“Is it delicious?”

“Yeah….”

My senior nodded and mumbled.

It was like seeing someone trained with food. It’s a sight that makes me worry if it’s okay to do that. Still, I liked seeing the two of them like that, so I left them alone.

“Anyway, you’re going too, right, Senior?”

“Yeah. I’m going.”

“Then I’ll book the train tickets.”

If I tell Latral, he’ll add an extra seat. He’s capable enough to do that.

“I’m not someone who doesn’t have money. I have a lot of money.”

“Please think of it as a substitute for the commission fee.”

The reason I came to see my senior is to have some of the dark magic stone made into a magical tool.

“What are you going to make?”

I answered the question.

“Bombs. Really big bombs, too.”

I needed a bomb with insanely powerful firepower, not just a physically large bomb.

“Bombs. Okay, I’ll make them for you.”

Having said that, my senior looked at the dark magic stone disgustingly and accepted it. To be exact, she wrapped it with alchemy so that it wouldn’t touch her skin.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Okay.”

I said I’d depart tomorrow or the day after and left the workshop. As soon as I came out, Lana said.

“Are we going to eat now?”

“I’ll meet Professor Latral one more time.”

I should at least tell him so he can book the train tickets.

Then Lana shouted.

“I’ll talk to Grandpa!”

“Then can you do that for me?”

To be honest, I was a bit annoyed. I just went to the capital to buy a cake for Ruina.

“I’ll do that. So, let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”

Lana, who spewed words like a machine gun, grabbed my hand and pulled me.

Growl-

Lana’s stomach rumbled in the middle, but she urged me, regardless.

“Kyle, let’s go quickly. I told you I’m hungry?”

I chuckled inwardly at Lana’s nagging, which I was perhaps experiencing for the first time. It seemed like she was really at her limit.

“Okay. Let’s go. More importantly, what do you want to eat?”

“I like anything Kyle likes!”

After that, we headed to the student cafeteria.

***

Two days later.

After hearing that the train tickets were ready the day before, I met Bellum before meeting the party.

“The invitation?”

“It’s prepared.”

He handed over two invitations with the Free City’s crest drawn on them.

The colors are white and black, respectively. They represent the front and back of the auction house.

“The money?”

“Here it is.”

Bellum handed over a bundle of checks. If you exchange this check for money in the Free City, you can use it right away.

“There’s a little less money, but it’ll be okay, right?”

It’s only 80% of the target amount, but it’s enough money to use at the auction house.

Then Bellum bowed.

“I’m sorry. Things got twisted along the way.”

“Whatever.”

From the beginning, I didn’t think things would go according to plan. It was another problem to act on the information as it was told.

After finishing my business with Bellum, I headed to the train station.

The station, which I arrived at quickly, was also crowded with people, and Lana and the party could be seen in the distance.

“Brother! Over here!”

“Kyle, you’re late! The train leaves in 30 minutes!”

Contrary to the lively two, Ruina was just standing there blankly.

Well, maybe it’s because Evan is next to her, she didn’t seem to be in a good mood. So, she put Lana in the center and stayed as far away as possible.

“I’m sorry I’m late. Let’s talk about it once we get on.”

Saying that, I led the party. I handed the train ticket to the staff and was guided.

“Wow, it can’t even be compared to the trains in the amusement park….”

Evan exclaimed as he arrived at the assigned room. He was so excited that he was busy staring blankly.

“Look around later and sit down now.”

“Ah, yes!”

But it’s not unreasonable for Evan to be surprised.

This train that travels all over the continent is large, unlike ordinary trains. Think of it as a three-story bus connected.

The reason is because there are many users, but the biggest reason is because they often stay on the train for several days.

As it moves between cities, the time it takes is not short. Therefore, sleeping space is prepared.

“To be able to sleep in this good place for a week…. This isn’t a dream, is it?”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Evan, who finished organizing his luggage, shed tears of emotion.

The train divides the rooms by grades, and the size of the space and service are different. The special class we are using is a grade above the first class, and you can think of it as a suite room level of a hotel or higher.

Anyway, we’ll continue to use this room until we arrive in the Free City.

“If you’re all done, let’s go meet Lana and Senior.”

“Yes!”

I share a room with Evan, and Lana shares a room with Senior Ruina.

So, we decided to meet at the restaurant after we finished organizing our things. The continental train had its own operating restaurant.

Leaving the room and heading to the restaurant, the two were already seated.

“Ruina, how about this salad? It’s the most famous here.”

“I don’t like it. It’s not sweet.”

“They say it’s not good for people to be too picky.”

“…It’s my business.”

Lana and Senior were choosing the menu. It seems that there was a slight difference of opinion in the process.

That’s because Senior doesn’t eat rice, vegetables, or meat at all, and only eats desserts.

“It’s Kyle!”

“Get him away from me….”

Lana immediately discovered me, and Senior asked me for that favor as soon as she saw me.

I sat across from Evan and said.

“It might be okay to eat other foods sometimes. Since we’re on the train.”

“…Are you going to do this to your master…?”

Senior had a bewildered expression on her face at her disciple’s betrayal. I guess she didn’t expect to hear such words.

Then Evan chuckled next to her. Senior didn’t seem to like the sight.

“Why are you laughing.”

“Yes? Did I?”

Evan pretended not to know, asking what he had done at the cold question.

It was a matter that ordinary people would just pass over, but Senior Ruina was a person far from that kind.

“You’re lying, too. I feel bad.”

Saying that, she instantly deployed a magic circle. The power of alchemy shackled Evan.

But I couldn’t let her do that inside the train unless it was outside. I stopped Senior by deploying alchemy in the same way.

This time, she had an expression full of betrayal.

“Why are you stopping me again…?”

“Senior. It’s polite to be quiet on the train.”

“He touched me first.”

That was true, but I couldn’t make a fuss.

“I’ll scold him separately later.”

“…Be sure to scold him.”

“Yes.”

The moment I nodded, my eyes met Lana’s. We exchanged words with our eyes. And Lana acted first.

“Ruina, would you like a strawberry parfait? It’s the most famous here.”

“Chocolate too.”

“Okay!”

While Lana was attracting Senior’s attention. I put up a barrier with mana and looked at Evan.

“Evan. You understand. Just be careful with your words and actions.”

“Yes, Brother.”

Senior doesn’t hate others that much, as seen in the way she accepts Lana even though she doesn’t like it.

Nevertheless, the reason she is especially aggressive towards Evan is simply because she hates him, as seen in their first meeting. I don’t know why.

After that short happening passed, we moved to the cafe after finishing our meal.

The cafe, which only first-class passengers and above could use, was as excellent in interior and atmosphere as the restaurant.

Including me, Evan and Lana ordered drinks appropriately, and Senior naturally ordered a cake again this time. Anyone would think she was crazy about desserts.

“I never thought I would enjoy such luxury in my life.”

Evan admired while taking a break. It’s understandable. Unless you have a lot of money, it’s difficult for a commoner to ride first class or higher.

“Enjoy it for a week. It’ll be busy when we arrive.”

It takes 7 days to get from the Empire to the Free City of the Great Desert.

“Ah, you said you were going because of work, right? I think you said you were going to rescue an elf?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s a burden, but thank you anyway. It’s because of you, Brother, that I get to ride something like this.”

“Then do better when we get there.”

Evan nodded his head up and down, saying he understood. Then he took a sip of his drink and asked.

“But why are we going by train? There’s a warp gate.”

“You can’t teleport in the Great Desert.”

Whether it was because there was a huge dragon vein right next to it, or because of other factors, teleportation was impossible throughout the Great Desert.

I don’t know the reason either. It wasn’t covered in detail in the novel.

“Ah~ So that’s why there were so many people.”

“Because it’s the only way to get to the Free City.”

Fortunately, you can enter the Great Desert if you pass through it directly. It is also possible to travel on foot or by vehicle.

That’s why the train station was so crowded. To visit the Free City during this auction season.

“Idiot. You didn’t even know that.”

Senior intervened at that time.

“I’m sorry. I came from the countryside.”

Evan naturally passed over the words.

As for me, I hope that the two of them get along well, even if they’re not close, but since Senior is acting like that first, I can’t do anything about it.

“Anyway, think of it as resting while you’re on the train.”

“Yes, Brother.”

At least nothing will happen while we are on the train.

After that, we wandered around the inside appropriately and looked at the scenery. Then, we went back to our rooms when it was time to sleep.

***

That night.

Ruina Lindell lay in bed and observed the stars in the night sky flowing in through the glass ceiling.

If I had to find a reason, it’s because it’s an unfamiliar place. After entering Tianis, she had rarely slept outside the workshop. At most, maybe once a year.

She wasn’t particularly nervous, but she couldn’t fall asleep. Ruina only slept 2-3 hours a day at most.

But if she were to start making something, there were no suitable materials and the space was not adequate. Above all, it seemed like her junior who was sleeping next to her would wake up if she did.

That’s a no-no. She was annoying enough during the day.

It was better to just stare blankly at the stars like now. Still, the night sky was as worth seeing as her disciple.

At that time, she suddenly became thirsty. Ruina got out of bed and took out water from the refrigerator and drank it.

She returned to her bed. A voice was heard in Ruina’s ear.

“Ruina, are you asleep?”

As soon as Ruina heard that voice, she suddenly wanted to go back to the workshop.