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Ironically, the means of transportation in this fantasy world are quite similar to modern times.

Railways, vehicles, and ships.

Aside from the fact that they run on magic power instead of fossil fuels like coal or oil, it’s hard to find a distinction from modernity.

“Is there no airplane?”

On the train station platform, amidst the blaring horns and military personnel boarding, Camila Lowell asked.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a machine that flies in the sky….”

In this baseless pseudo Cold War-fantasy world, there are no airplanes.

When asked why, as a complete nerd without a major in the sciences or magic, I had no reply. I’d have to take that up with those who specialize in engineering or magic.

“The only common means of transportation are railways, vehicles, and ships.”

Camila Lowell tilted her head.

“But there are also carriages?”

“Those are for formal occasions. They’re stylish.”

“Oh.”

Even in a world devoid of romance, there is still a certain elegance to it.

It’s a realm of diplomacy and ceremony. That’s why the cult always provided Camila Lowell with a carriage. It’s cooler that way.

But now was not the time to think about style.

“We need to hurry, so we should take the train.”

“Um….”

Camila Lowell said with an anxious voice.

“Won’t it take too long? I heard it’s quite dangerous….”

“Yes, it’s dangerous since we have to cross No Man’s Land.”

No Man’s Land.

An area where vagabonds and monsters run rampant.

This isn’t exactly a place where people thrive, and traveling by land would only bring every possible trouble.

So, when coming to the cult, we used the safest means of transportation—ships.

“We have to take a boat to go safely and quickly. But you might get seasick; are you alright with that?”

But Camila Lowell does get seasick.

Recalling the embarrassing memory of her vomiting, her face turned pale.

“Ah, no. Let’s just take the train.”

“Good choice.”

—

Episode 3 – A Fantastic Vacation

The interior of the train was quite luxurious.

“Wowww….”

A gasp escaped Camila Lowell’s lips.

“This is all funded by taxes, right?”

“Ah, geez….”

The subordinates, struggling with their meager salaries, grumbled. Yes, this train was built with taxpayer money.

By the way, this is the exclusive passenger car for dignitaries.

“It should be decent since it’s for nobles.”

“Wow, Colonel! You’re a noble now….”

“Yeah. A regional baronet.”

If I had been from a wealthy or powerful family, I wouldn’t have become a soldier. I served out of patriotism in my previous life, but I don’t really feel that anymore.

“By the way, you all have a week off.”

“What?”

“Just do as I say. Take a week off.”

“Waaaaah-!”

Pippin and Jake jumped for joy.

A whole week off.

These days, just getting a three-night, four-day break feels like a blessing; a week means making a pilgrimage toward the headquarters.

Pippin and Jake hopped up and down as if they were ready to tap dance, while Camila Lowell marveled at each decorative pattern.

“Camila Lowell, we’re about to depart, so please take your seat.”

“Yes.”

“You all sit down.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Just so you know, we chartered this entire train. It’s for safety reasons and to maintain our image, so the kingdom sent us off in style.

Pippin and Jake each took a seat and lounged, while Camila Lowell…

“I’ll sit here.”

“….”

She sat in front of me.

“…Is it okay to sit?”

You’ve already sat down.

“Uh, well… make yourself comfortable….”

—

Though she is my colleague, we didn’t have much of a personal relationship.

I was too busy to get close to her anyway. With terrorism lurking around, who has time for small talk?

So, referring to her as my colleague feels more like calling her my manager or bodyguard.

“Hehe….”

“….”

She smiled while gazing out the window.

I was trying to relax, but her sitting right in front of me felt a tad awkward. Still, I couldn’t say anything while she flashed those bright smiles.

With sleep eluding me and awkward silence filling the air, I decided to break the ice.

“What’s so interesting?”

“This is my first time riding a train.”

“You’ve never been on one?”

“I don’t really enjoy traveling….”

“Yeah, it can be a hassle. There’s a lot to manage.”

I recalled the time I went to a valley with friends without checking the weather forecast and got caught in a downpour. The guy who recommended the trip was with us.

But doesn’t not enjoying traveling mean you wouldn’t take a train?

“Does this train run on magic?”

“Yes. That’s why the conductors are all trained in magic.”

“Are they magicians?”

“Something like that.”

Magic power compatibility varies from person to person. Beyond whether someone can use it, the extent to which they can control it is what matters.

Those deemed magicians must have a certain level of compatibility.

“They can use magic, but their compatibility is so low that they can’t use proper spells.”

“Oh.”

“They usually end up in research or industrial fields.”

Magic certainly seems convenient. Just being able to use magic resolves a lot of career concerns. It’s truly the essence of a no-brainer.

Camila Lowell looked at her palm.

“Is the ability I use also magic?”

“We suspect it’s magic.”

Since there are so few examples of heroes, research is still incomplete, so we can’t really define it.

Some say it’s magic, others say it’s a power granted by God, and some call it a supernatural force.

We haven’t even clarified the origin of magic itself, so how could we analyze the powers of people who crossed over from another world?

So, we decided to throw the science majors at the problem and see what happens.

“We’ll conduct tests on your abilities once we reach the kingdom.”

“Tests?”

“We need to find out what causes your fainting spells. While we stay at the hotel, we’ll conduct thorough examinations.”

“Ah….”

She loses consciousness for a moment when using her abilities.

I have no clue why. It’s just speculation all around.

“I don’t have a clear memory.”

Camila Lowell has gaps in her memory before and after her fainting. She knows she can handle flames now, but she doesn’t know why she faints.

This is confidential, but she has also fainted at the royal palace while using her abilities.

That’s why she was unaware of what her powers truly were.

“Um… try not to worry too much.”

“Yeah?”

“The researchers are more capable than you’d think, so they should uncover the cause quickly.”

I purposely left out the detail about going to the Magic Tower for testing.

“Rest easy.”

“…Yes.”

—

The train ride brought about countless episodes over the hours.

“Ugh….”

“What on earth are you eating?”

“Jelly!”

Eating squirmy worm jelly, which she had never seen before.

“Colonel.”

“Yes?”

“What are those running animals?”

“….”

“Colonel?”

“It looks like wild animals.”

Being amazed that a monster chasing after the train was just a wild animal.

“You can’t ride a broomstick anywhere?”

A lack of common sense led to her asking obvious questions.

“In the city, you can’t use flying magic.”

“Why?”

“Privacy invasions and safety issues.”

While she seemed confused, Camila Lowell tilted her head.

“Just think about it—what if a magician caught sight of you while you’re changing clothes?”

“Ah….”

In rural areas or while traveling, it’s fine to fly. But if you fly around the city, that’s a serious problem.

What if someone crashes through a window while drunk? What if someone drops something on someone’s head? What if someone flies over a confidential facility?

There were even crazy people peeking into others’ bedrooms. Seriously, there are many nuts out there.

“You need a license to ride a broomstick.”

“A license?”

“Sometimes, young kids recklessly riding broomsticks cause accidents.”

“Ah… a driver’s license.”

In the past, they only educated people with high magic compatibility without considering other skills.

In that period, many magicians emerged lacking social skills and knowledge of other disciplines.

There were incidents like spying on couples, casting spells on passersby, or running from police on broomsticks.

Such events led to the swift development of mandatory military service and compulsory education for magicians.

“There are still plenty of those kinds of people.”

“What kind?”

“Sometimes, you’ll see people racing on broomsticks in the city.”

It’s like an otherworldly version of public racing.

On such days, all police and military are on high alert.

In the past, that would have been a death penalty, but now they just get a warning.

By the way, she suddenly asked about magic. Could it be that she’s becoming interested in it?

“Hmm….”

Camila Lowell wrapped flames around her hand, observing them closely.

She tried poking her finger in, shaking it gently, and even smelling it….

“Why on earth are you sniffing that?”

“Maybe I’m curious about what gets burned.”

“What has to burn for you to get curious about it?”

She blinked at the rising flames.

“Now that you mention it…?”

“Seriously….”

Camila Lowell giggled.

“I must seem like a fool, huh?”

“Humans are naturally curious creatures.”

—

Camila Lowell, Pippin, and Jake went to bed.

They ate, drank, and played happily until they fell asleep.

I took a few blankets and covered them, then waved to the magicians waiting outside. They were in charge of the train and the hero’s security.

Somehow, Camila Lowell had turned into a little caterpillar, all curled up in her blanket.

After I laid her down neatly, I turned my gaze to the world reflected in the window.

A distant horizon glowed with sunset hues.

Stars began to shyly show their faces.

Below, a few monsters were bounding across the vast grasslands.

Occasionally, something gleamed in the distance, suggesting someone was fighting in No Man’s Land.

Some live there, while others perish there.

To cross borders, to change their fate, to escape prisons, out of fear of civil wars, to shake off oppressive lives, to avoid epidemics.

Everyone has different reasons, but it’s a fact that all are heading toward No Man’s Land to survive.

That’s just how the world is.

“…Colonel.”

Just then, one of the wizards on guard came up beside me.

“We’ve crossed the border. We should arrive in the capital in three hours.”

We had now entered a safer zone.

“Thank you.”

“Please rest comfortably.”

The wizard quietly left, and I turned my head back to look outside.

The border towns and cities were radiating brilliant lights, breaking down the boundaries between sky and earth.

“…We’ve arrived.”

As I pulled the blanket up, I gently closed my eyes.

Yes.

Now I might finally get some sleep,

– **Ding!**

Ah, come on. Who calls at this hour?

I checked the screen and saw an unknown number.

Who is it?

“…Hello?”

-‘This isn’t the number I was looking for.’

“….”

-‘Hey, why aren’t you picking up?’

What a crazy person.

 

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