Chapter 198: End-of-term exam (3)

Time passed, and the day of the Demonic Realm practical training arrived.

The location of the practical training was the Southern Demonic Realm.

The means of transportation was the Transcontinental Train.

"Older Brother. We should get moving too. Unnie, wake up a bit."

"Yaaawn......"

"Charlotte. Let's move too."

"How boring."

I headed to the train station for our departure with the Valkyries (+ Lady Keres).

The Academy Train Station, visited since early morning, was bustling with students from the Hero Department and the Department of Healing Arts who had gathered for the practical training.

Hooooonk—!

The train entered the station, covering the arched roof woven from steel and glass with black soot.

The bells announcing the train's arrival rang simultaneously as if in unison.

Clang—! Clang—!

「The Express Train Bound for Erunt Duchy will be arriving shortly!」

「Students preparing for the graduation practical training exam, please prepare to board!」

「I am a porter! I will carry your luggage for 10 Mar!」

「Guys! Where are you!」

The voice of the station employee shouting to announce the train's arrival.

Porters pulling carts and moving the students' luggage.

Hero Department students searching for their party members.

The Academy Central Station was chaotic from the early dawn.

Watching that sight, I could once again realize that I was right in the middle of an Era of Upheaval.

'To think I would see trains being created in this world while I am alive.'

Originally, airships existed in the Empire, but trains did not.

It wasn't that they lacked the technology.

In the first place, there was no way they couldn't make a slightly longer carriage run fast with the technological prowess to float sailing ships in the sky.

The reason they couldn't build them regardless was because of the railway maintenance issue.

A world where demonic beasts dug up the ground and geographical changes occurred constantly. Even if railways were laid down, they would often be severed by the next day.

However, the situation in the Southern Region had recently changed.

After the frontline against the demonic beasts was stabilized.

The lords, having gained some breathing room, were able to stably maintain the routes connecting their territories.

The railway that started in the Southern Region like that succeeded in crossing the southern part of the continent, passing through the capital, and eventually connecting to the Academy.

The time it took to reach this point was a mere 1 year.

It was no wonder I felt I was right in the middle of an Era of Upheaval.

And it seemed I wasn't the only one harboring such sentiments.

"Although this girl is not even thirty years of age, there is no other way to describe this but a feeling of a completely changed world."

Turning my head, Lady Keres, wearing a mask and a cotton cloth, was looking up at the locomotive.

"When this girl was young, I heard that the iron horse could not run for three days before its waist was severed by a demonic beast, and sailing ships could not stay afloat for a week before sinking. In reality, that is mostly the case as well. However, seeing this sight, it seems the Southern Region can now let the iron horse run freely."

"Are you jealous?"

"Yes. I am truly envious."

She didn't particularly deny it.

"I only have the wish that such a path will one day reach the Eastern Region as well."

"It will certainly become so."

"This girl also firmly believes without a doubt that the Lord Saint will make it so."

"......"

Her eyes curved beautifully beyond the cotton cloth.

Seeing that eye smile, I couldn't say the words I was going to say.

'Why are you expecting that from me?'

The liberation of the Eastern Region was the domain of the military, not the domain of medicine.

Of course, I knew very well that Quinine, vaccines, and antibiotics made a great contribution to the liberation of the Southern Region.

However, the ones who played the decisive role were heroes like Imperial Prince Edmund.

I merely laid the foundation for them.

However, since I couldn't shatter the mood here, I chose silence, neither affirming nor denying.

"To think there are only twenty cars when all students are boarding. The inside is obvious without even looking."

While waiting for our turn to board the train like that.

Lauren, who joined the party a little late, appeared while grumbling.

"With this size, I can't even guess how many students they'll cram in. Are they going to treat my body, which is no less than a saint, as cargo?"

"Lauren. You shouldn't be complaining about this. Didn't you promise not to expect special treatment once you became a student of the Academy?"

"I can at least complain. It's not like I'm saying I won't board."

His companion was his nanny.

Since he planned to stay in the Southern Region for a long period, she tagged along as a servant to assist him.

"Even so, it seems the Academy is short on money. If they lack space, they could just divide the train and board us separately, seeing as they insist on cramming us into a single train."

Lauren seemed dissatisfied with the size of the train.

Quietly listening to those complaints, I somehow also thought the train was small.

'Come to think of it, they said they'd pack 50 people per car and travel for a week. How cramped will it be then?'

In that moment, I recalled my previous life.

When traveling for volunteer work, there was a time I traveled while rubbing shoulders with fellow doctors inside a cramped bus.

The experience of traveling in Southeast Asia while rubbing skin against the person next to you was not a very pleasant one.

However, hearing Lauren's point, it seemed this trip would likely be the same.

'In my previous life, I only had to endure it for a few hours... but here it will be a week.'

Come to think of it, I've only ever ridden in comfortable first class since coming to this world.

How long would I really be able to endure that cramped space?

It was when I was having such worries.

Freya, who had been listening quietly, spoke as if to soothe Lauren.

"You don't need to worry. Because this train is a Type 3 Train."

"Type... 3?"

"Ah, it seems you don't know well. The Imperial Railway Type 3 Express Train we are taking is a bit different from common mass-produced trains. It is a special formation exclusively assigned for nobles and knights during normal times, a train created to commemorate the new establishment of the Southern Railway. Each passenger car may look small from the outside, but with expansion magic applied to the interior, it's said that they can accommodate about 70 people per car."

According to Freya's ensuing explanation, the train in question could transport roughly 800 people all at once.

In other words, contrary to the saint's worries, it meant that even with this number of people, we could board like a normal train.

...Considering it's the first train in this world, I wonder where the standard for 'normal' should be placed.

Anyway, it meant there would be no need to travel stacked like a slave ship.

"There is a high-class dining room prepared for long-term travel here, and the middle car also has a bar and a cafe to soothe the boredom."

"Lady Freya. Do you by chance also know what alcohol is sold at that bar?"

"Hmm... I don't know that much."

At the word 'bar', Lady Keres's head snapped around at a terrifying speed.

In turn, my gaze also pierced the back of the duke's daughter's head.

"Young Lady."

"Didn't my White Death Disease treatment just end a few days ago? It's been 6 months, wouldn't about one bottle be fine?"

"......It's fine if it's one or two glasses, not one bottle."

"Thank you."

If I had it my way, I would have banned it entirely.

However, there were no problems in her daily life to call it alcoholism, and the duke's daughter's liver enzymes were far too healthy.

So I had no choice but to permit it.

Because there was no way one could diagnose a superhuman based on the standards of my previous life.

At that moment, Charlotte looked at Freya in amazement.

"Miss Freya, you seem to know a lot about trains like this."

"Ahaha......"

"Are you perhaps interested in trains?"

Freya shook her head.

"No, Young Lady Hausen. I just naturally came to know it while following the traces of the senior heroes."

"Then are you saying you remember all the heroes who rode this train?"

"Of course. Since there are only 6 of those cars operating in the Southern Region, you see? At this time a few months ago during the Gray Swamp Subjugation Battle, the number 2 formation carried the 7th Knight Order, and the year before last during the Border Eradication Battle, number 4 was deployed. At that time, Lady Margarethe of White Silver boarded car 4, passenger cabin 3. However, since the car we are riding is car 5, we won't be able to look around for traces of Lady Margarethe."

Charlotte flinched at the information pouring out like a flood from Freya.

Charlotte probably didn't know.

That the diligent Freya had a hobby of collecting the great performances of past heroes.

Even I would sometimes be surprised by the hero-related knowledge that popped out from Freya.

'It seems that got even worse after she learned the Library of Memory from Count Barlot.'

In the past, it was at least just at the level of remembering which hero achieved what merit.

Lately, it was to the point where she memorized what hero ate what meal in what region and what lines they spoke.

I wonder if that magic was really taught for her to do that.

"Really? Then do you have any good tips to know before boarding that train? Especially meal menus that senior heroes rated highly..."

"Since most of the meals are Southern-style, it's said that those who aren't used to it often suffer after ordering Bottarga Pasta or Jamid. Instead, the reviews for a dish called Beshbarmak are consistently quite good. Unnie will like it too."

"Okay. Then I'll have that for lunch."

However, maybe it was because it wasn't the first or second time Freya was like this.

Erika, who had already adapted, rather looked like she was cherry-picking only the information she needed.

Then Freya would get even more excited and explain in detail, and Erika was planning a restaurant course based on that information.

Charlotte, who was watching that bizarre symbiotic relationship.

Whether Charlotte had also quickly adapted, she voiced out praises for Freya.

"Miss Freya, you sure know a lot."

"Yeah. Unlike the great detective who has no interest in anything other than deduction."

Jenny responded as if interrupting that soliloquy.

"Do you not feel anything after seeing Junior Freya? Couldn't you remember this much too?"

"Jenny. I say this every time, but a person's brain has a capacity. There's no reason to store information that isn't necessary for oneself. That is a waste."

"Even so, could you please memorize at least basic etiquette and social conventions?"

"Why should I? From now on, I can just ask Miss Freya to find out."

"Good heavens......"

Of course, praise was just praise.

She didn't seem to have learned any particular lesson from that sight.

While we were chatting like that.

The line waiting for the train had decreased significantly.

When it was soon time for us to board, Freya conveyed it to me as if confirming once more.

"Older Brother's cabin is Car 9 Special Private Room. We are in a 6-person cabin in Car 12. If you need to find us, please come that way."

"Oh, a 3-car difference from Teacher. I'll come visit often."

"Yeah. Come visit often as long as it doesn't cause any problems."

Along with Erika waving her hands vigorously, the Valkyries headed towards their own train car.

It was then.

Sneak, sneak.

Erika, who had been reading Freya's mood, suddenly slipped away to the side.

I don't have combat experience, so I wouldn't know well.

But it looked like she was secretly slipping away from the party by even using the stealth technique she learned at the Academy.

I heard her presence concealment is top of the class level as well.

I wondered what reason Erika had to go that far to hide her presence.

And the cause was quickly revealed.

"Unnie. Where are you going. You need to follow me."

"Huh? How??"

"I can see it all."

"Ugh! Precognition is cheating!"

Even before Erika could break away from the party, Freya snatched the back of her neck.

It seemed she had used the precognition magic she learned from Count Barlot.

"Eeeeng, I'll just go buy that sweet pastry."

"I knew you would do that, so I already bought it."

"As expected of our little sister. Should I give you a kiss?"

"I'll decline that."

I don't know if it's right to use arcane magic like this, but...

Since Freya herself said it suited her aptitude enough that she could use it in daily life, I decided to just leave it be.

"Then, back to the train..."

It was right after apprehending the deserter Erika like that.

Freya's gaze turned towards Charlotte.

She was right on the verge of naturally blending into the crowd in the opposite direction of Erika.

Freya's eyes sharpened.

"......Young Lady Hausen? Where are you going?"

"I remembered the cabin. I've left my luggage with Jenny, so I'll just go scout for a bit to see if there are any interesting incidents."

"There's no way an incident would happen in a station like this, so just come quickly. And drop any plans you have of leaving the cabin to roam the hallways. If you get caught during roll call, our party will get points deducted."

"Don't worry. I plan to figure out the roll call times and the professor's route as well. I'm confident I won't get caught. If push comes to shove, I could even disguise myself as a train attendant."

"Just because you don't get caught doesn't mean you are innocent."

"Collecting clues in advance in preparation for a potential train murder incident is also..."

"Sister-in-law."

"Yeeess......"

Charlotte tried to push through with her own sophistry, but...

Just by Freya lowering her voice slightly, she immediately tucked her tail.

Perhaps because all the party members possessed such strong individuality without exception.

It was obvious to the eye that Freya would suffer during this practical training.

'It's a relief that Jenny is at least there.'

Freya could hold Erika's leash, and Jenny could hold Charlotte's leash.

It was fortunate in the sense that Freya at least wouldn't have to handle both of them alone.

No, wait, should I include Lady Keres as well?

'......Freya will take care of it.'

She's done well up until now.

I assumed she'd figure it out without fail.

While Freya was forcibly boarding the Valkyries, who kept trying to slip away, onto the train.

I docilely headed toward Car 9 with Lauren.

"Lauren. You are in Car 9. As you requested, you have been assigned to a 2-person room with your nanny."

"Thank you for your consideration, Lord Saint."

Lauren, who had eventually begun speaking casually to me, was assigned to the same car as me.

Due to his position as a saint, he was simply too precious of a manpower to put in economy class.

The moment he boarded the train like that and checked the interior, Lauren's mouth dropped open.

"Hah... I wondered how much they expanded the space, but I never dreamed it would be this big."

The interior of the train was far more massive than what was seen from the outside.

At this size, moving all students at once wouldn't be unreasonable at all.

While strolling down the spacious train hallway to find my cabin.

I encountered a welcome face in the hallway.

It was Ayla and her older sister Valeria.

"Ah, Teacher is here!"

"You have arrived, Director Schun."

"Good morning, Ayla, Valeria."

"Teacher. You see, Unnie arrived 1 hour early in advance, and was waiting in the hallway for Teacher to...... Mmph, mmph!"

Valeria hurriedly covered the mouth of Ayla, who was trying to say something.

She was probably the only person in the world who could cover a saintess's mouth like that.

"Mmph, mmph!"

"It seems our cabin is right next door, Director. If it's alright with you, could we have a meal together while traveling?"

"Of course, Valeria."

"Thank you, Lord Saint."

Having secured the promise, Valeria only then undid the bindings on her younger sister.

Ayla puffed out her cheeks to the fullest at her older sister and sent her maximum protest, but...

Poke.

That protest was dismissed with just Valeria poking that cheek.

***

"Excuse me, Lord Saint. If it's alright, may I guide you through this train's usage rules now?"

"Yes. Please do."

Around the time I was unpacking my luggage in my cabin.

A train attendant wearing red clothes visited my cabin.

As it was a high-class train, it seemed to have its own usage rules.

"Then I will provide the explanation alongside the others, so please come out to the hallway."

I stepped out into the hallway as the train attendant requested.

Ayla and Lauren were out there.

The train attendant politely gathered her hands and began explaining to us.

"First, before explaining, I must state in advance that this train is operated by the Erunt Ducal Family, and all legal issues that occur within the train will be handled according to the laws of the duchy."

I nodded my head.

That would naturally be the case.

The railways between territories were protected by their respective lords.

However, that only stopped at about a single route at best.

There was a separate family that oversaw and guarded the railway crossing the continent.

That was precisely the Erunt Ducal Family of the Southern Region.

"I understand."

"Each passenger car has a duplex structure, with bed cabins prepared on the 1st floor and seat cabins on the 2nd floor. You can have your meals in the Car 10 Dining Room, and you can submit a voucher according to the menu you desire. There is a bar and cafe in Car 11, so you may use vouchers for those as well."

The train attendant pulled out a stack of tickets from her embrace.

"Five vouchers are provided per day. Three for meals, and two that can be used at the cafe or bar."

"Waaah......"

Ayla held up the vouchers, spreading them out in a fan shape.

Valeria watched her younger sister with a pleased smile.

Five vouchers were placed into Lauren and the nanny's hands as well.

The same went for my bodyguards, Gregor and Perisia.

The problem was me.

"......Train Attendant?"

"Yes, do you have any questions, Lord Saint?"

"It seems you forgot my vouchers?"

At this, the train attendant's body froze.

Her eyes rolled busily left and right.

"Pardon? Ah, that is......"

Did she forget the vouchers?

To say that, a whole stack was perfectly hanging at her waist.

Then why is she reacting like this?

Not just me, but everyone found the train attendant's reaction strange.

"U-Um, I apologize. It doesn't seem to be a question I can answer, so I will bring someone who can."

The employee disappeared to the front car for a moment with words asking us to wait.

Before long, the door to the front car where the employee had disappeared opened, and a new figure emerged.

It was a middle-aged man wearing a gold braid over his uniform.

Spotting us standing in the hallway, he took off his hat and placed it against his chest.

"It is an honor to serve you, Lord Saint. I am the conductor of this train."

A large fruit basket was held in his hands.

It was piled high with fruits I was seeing for the first time, seemingly from the Southern Region.

"I was just on my way to give my greetings, but I didn't expect to meet you here. This is a gift from His Grace the Duke to the Lord Saint."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

I accepted the basket handed over by the conductor.

"I heard the story from our train attendant. You said that the Lord Saint requires vouchers, correct?"

"Yes. That is so, but."

"Do you absolutely need vouchers by any chance? If you do, we can provide them for you, but......"

"......?"

What is this nonsense.

Without vouchers, how am I supposed to eat.

"......"

"......"

An awkward silence settled between the two of us.

"?"

"?"

It didn't take much time for question marks to pop up above the conductor's and my heads.

The conversation was diverging somewhere.

There was something that couldn't be explained by the convention of the Misunderstanding Genre.

The one who noticed that divergence first was the conductor.

"Um... The Lord Saint holds the ownership of this train, so... when making the contract with the Academy side, it was decided that we would not charge for the services the Lord Saint receives, but......"

"......?"

What kind of nonsense is this now.

I understood why our conversation was diverging.

But ironically, my doubts deepened even further.

Did I ever buy a train without knowing?

Did I ever make a payment to buy something like that in my sleep?

Or did I bestow a grace upon the Duke without knowing and received a train as a gift?

Questions bit the tails of questions.

At that time, Perisia, who had been quietly watching, intervened.

"Lord Yulian. You currently hold about a 7% stake in the Southern Transcontinental Railway Operating Company."

"I do?"

"Yes. Did you not purchase bonds at the time of the railway construction?"

Ah, right.

I had completely forgotten about it.

Was it 1 year ago?

I had bought Southern Railway bonds back then.

At the time, I couldn't guess how much the railway would skyrocket, so I just poured all my spare funds into it.

I had completely forgotten what happened to those bonds since then.

"Could those bonds have......?"

"After the Southern Railway was completed, all the bonds were automatically converted into stock. The ducal family in charge of operations and maintenance holds 32% of the total stake. Other trading companies and families also purchased rights, but among individual shareholders, Lord Yulian is the largest shareholder."

"......"

"Congratulations, Lord Yulian."

I did buy a lot of bonds back then, but.

I didn't know it would be to this extent.

"Um......"

The conductor, who had been listening to the conversation, spoke cautiously.

"Lord Saint, do you perhaps still need vouchers? I can prepare them for you for now, but... a guideline to provide all services free of charge to the Lord Saint has already been passed down to all employees... If you intend to use vouchers, I have to relay the response guidelines again, which is why I am asking. What will you do?"

I could also understand why that employee and the conductor had been flustered.

They probably memorized my face and prepared to provide whatever service for free.

They must have been taken aback because I suddenly asked to receive services with vouchers.

"......I think it will be fine. I apologize for causing a disturbance."

Only after hearing those words did the middle-aged conductor let out a sigh of relief.

"......Should I invest in railways too."

The mutterings of the Stock Queen of the Academy, Valeria, were a bonus.