'Alright. Since I don't want to be anyone's errand boy, I think I'll go along with Shira's idea. If she's that strong, she can obviously compare my power to people there.'
I stand up and then check my map and compass.
'Since I heard the Chief once mention that Gown is known for it's transportation services during her return from a meeting long ago.... Now that I think about it. Why didn't I just start off with this Idea? Ah forget it. It's too late to change the past now.'
As I'm brushing off the fact that I didn't think this through, pick up my legs, and start to move them forward.
'I'm still tired from all the ruckus that happened earlier. Now that I think about it. Couldn't Shira fly? Maybe I should have asked her for a ride or something. Nah. She wouldn't even be able to pick me up anyway.'
I start to tread through a the grassy fields surrounding the Town. Walking with no leads on a path towards Gown. Then after around 30 minutes of walking, I happen to stumble upon Train Tracks.
'Hm. Trail tracks? Where am I on the map?'
I take out my map and look for any keys that show up on the map.
'That's weird. There aren't any Railroads on the map I have.'
Chug Chug! Chug Chug!
"Hm." I murmur to myself
'What's that noise?'
Chug Chug! Chug Chug! Chug Chug! Chug Chug!
'It's coming from my right.'
I turn towards my right to see a train running at high speeds towards my direction.
"A Train!?"
'If a trains here, then if I follow it, I might reach some place that's on the map. If I want to board the train, I'll have to do it secretly though.'
I sit in the grass and wait till the Train gets close enough for me to board.
Chug Chug! Chug Chug! Chug Chug! Chug Chug!
'Alright. Boarding the Train in 3...2...1... Now!'
I leap on to the top of the train to then have the wind blasting in my face because of the speed it's traveling at.
'Trains. I remember riding it in my past life. It was when I was around 6 then. I was crying then and Mom had comfort me then. My family then would never believe me If I told them what I am doing now.'
I shake my head and give myself a little slap to the face.
'No, no, no. I've gotta keep myself in the present, no time to focus on the past. Anyways, I should at least get myself a look at where the trains going. That's the entire reason I boarded it. I think I'll sneak into the train through the back.'
Turn to look behind me to see up to 2 passenger cars behind me. I hesitated, then started to crawl towards the back.
'Bad Idea! Bad Idea! Bad Idea!'
Through sheer will, I managed to get to the last cart of the train.
"Great. Now the next problem is how am I gonna sneak in. I should check if anyone's in here. Echo."
I then sense only 2 people sitting far from the back of the cart.
"Ok. Since they're just about 2, I could just knock them out and hide somewhere within."
I put on a mask, then kick aggressively, but silently, open the door without damaging it in any way. There sit a female adolescent dressed up in a royal red gown and a butler in separate seats across from each other.
'The still look to be negligent to the fact that I snuck in. Maybe I won't even need to knock them out at all.'
I sneak creep into the passenger car and close the door, accidentally making a sound.
'Crap! Looks like I'll have to resort to violence after all!'
Without any hesitation, I swoop in on them to find both of them completely unconscious.
"Huh? What happened? Is something going on with the train."
I hastily use my Echo skill to check if there's anything that could have caused this to happen.
"I don't feel anything wrong with the train. I can also clearly see that this wasn't a personal dispute between these people from their looks. What could've caused this."
I take a step forward to slip on a glass cup.
"Oof! Hm? A cup? Were they drinking something? Maybe this is the cause behind it."
Crash!
'What was that!? That sounded like it came from the Cart in front of this one! Is this a trap set up for me!?' I panicked
I reach my dagger from my scabbard on my waist. Just then.
'Crash!
A person dressed up in a blue jacket and black pants, wearing a mask with the look of a demon. Immediately they unsheathe their sword and try to strike me down. I counter their strike with my dagger.
"I don't know who you are or what you came from, but If you challenge me to a fight, you bet that I'm gonna kick your ass!"
We start to battle. Our weapons collided back and forth, producing small sparks with each strike we made.
'This creep has a considerable amount of strength, but I can beat him. I just need to wait for an opening.'
They then go with an obvious strike out of frustration, leaving a hole through the floor.
'Now!'
I charge my skill Echo: Rupturing Rip through my blade and then,
"Take this!"
In one fell swoop, I slash through the persons chest, leaving blood coming out,
"Huff. Puff. Huff. Puff. How do you like that?"
'I hope that was the only person. If I were to taking on at least 3 more of these guys, I would lose.'
"Yawn!"
I turn and look behind me to see the female waking up.
'It looks like whatever affected them is wearing off. That's good..... Guess I'll have to put them asleep on my own then.'
"A Dark Elf? What's one doing here on the Train?" Said the girl
'This is bad! She noticed me! I should hurry up and-'
"Ah! Is that a INL member!? Thank you for protecting us during our most vulnerable moment.. Those people are still after me, being the the Kings daughter and all. Oh yeah! Butler Sharon! Wake up! This kid saved us from another INL member!" She screamed
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
"Wah! Huh? Oh. Princess Ciara! Are you okay!?" He said as moves up to check on her.
"Um..." I muttered
"You aren't hurt are you!? No scratches, no bruises, no cuts right!? Please tell me you aren't hiding any!" Butler Sharon overreacted.
"No. I feel absolutely splendid thanks to this boy here." Said Princess Ciara
"Boy? Oh sorry. I didn't notice you there. You have my absolute gratitude."
"Oh- uh. Your welcome I guess." I answer back.
"Sharon. When do you think we'll be reaching Gown?"
"I have no knowledge of what happened on the train before our awakening, but I'd say around 2 hours till we get there."
"Gown!?"
"Something wrong?" Asked Princess Ciara
'That's great! That means this train belongs to Gown! If Gown has transportation like this, then I can definitely get to Frost with no trouble at all!'
"Sir is there something wrong?" Butler Sharon asked in concern.
"No. Nothings wro-"
Crash!
In came another intruder, this time dressed in yellow shirt, black pants, and a white mask shaped as a dragon. The moment they jumped on, they released their Aura, sending shivers down my spine.
"That's another INL member! He belongs to the Wyvern squad!"
'Another one? So there are more of them here. Are they after something on this Train? If so, what is it?'
"Boy! If you are able to, please protect the princess!" Butler Sharon Ordered.
"A- Alright!"
The butler then entered a boxers stance. His body slowly reflected the color of Iron.
"Metal Authority: Iron Body! Now Let us start! Fool! "
They then commenced their fight. The butler rushed in and threw a punch. They intruder backed off before it reached. Then suddenly, a flame appeared from their arm. The flame then shot towards the Princess while she was sitting behind the chair.
"What!?" I said
I then jumped in front of the flame, protecting the princess from any burns. Due to my tough body, I was able to take the attack, only coming off with small injuries.
'Ow! Why did I even do that!? They aren't even offering me anything in return!'
"Thanks boy! You being here makes it easier to defeat the enemy!" Butler Sharon shouted.
"Yeah no problem." I say as I try to cover up the burning pain I took.
The butler went to close the distance between the 2 and put them in close combat range. The intruder then pulled out a small knife and put swiftly cut through
"Oh ho. You're pretty strong aren't you?"
"I thought I would completely cut through your arm, you have a tough body." Said the invader.
"A man?" I blurted out.
They both continue their clash, destroying whatever is left in the Passenger Car. The seats torn through, windows cracked, holes in the wall, and even a hole through the ceiling.
"ORA!!!"
Crash!
"Your getting in the way of my mission."
Boom!
'These idiots. At this rate, there will be nothing left of this place.' I think to myself as I stand up
"Um sir. What are you going to do?"
"Don't mind me. I'm just going to end the fight."
"Die you rebel scum!"
Boom!
He completely tore off the roof.
'That's enough!'
"Echo: Rupturing Rip!" I then cut the man, causing a gaping wound through his back.
"Wha- AAAAAGGHHHH!!!" The man screamed in pain as he fell to the ground.
"What are you doing!? You're supposed to be protecting the princess!"
"Be grateful that I got him while he was off guard."
"I don't care about winning or losing! As long as the princess is still alive then that's all that matters!"
I grit my teeth and then proceeded to burst.
"Protect the Princess My Ass! All you did was cause destruction! At this rate, this place will collapse soon."
"Ah. Sorry."
"Sorry!? That's all you have to say!? I didn't even have to protect this Princess you worship! I think you may have something way more to offer than a simple sorry!"
"Excuse me sir!" Princess Ciara jumped in.
"What now?"
"First off, I think we should stop this little squabble. Secondly, we should change our location right now since this areas about destroyed anyways."
"Oh. I forgot." We both said.
"Well then follow me because the next cart is filled with people. I don't know about you little boy, but Sharon can follow me through. We'll meet up 2 carts over since that one is specially reserved for me."
"Why did you reserve an entire cart?" I questioned.
"My Dad is the Ruler of Gown, and he paid for almost the entire train just for my personal space."
'So to put it simply, she is Daddy's little girl.'
"Alright. I'll climb through the top then. See ya." I say jumping on top of the train."
"Okay then. Sharon let's go."
"Yes Princess."
Princess Ciara then opens the door and enters into another room filled with other nobles hiding under there chairs. One of them comes out and ask,
"Princess Ciara. Could you explain what was going on back there?"
"Oh, of course. 2 members of F.L.A.G. were currently after me, so my butler took care of them." Said Ciara.
"Wait but I didn't-" Sharon tried to speak but Princess Ciara cut him off.
"Shhhh. Lets keep this a secret between the both of us."
"Yes Ma'am." The butler nodded.
A child noble that looks the age of a kindergartener comes out from under the seat.
"Miss Ciara. Does that mean those bad guys are after all of us too? Please tell me they aren't gonna kill us!"
"Don't worry. Sharon can defeat any others that come here." Ciara responded.
"That's great!" Cheered the little girl.
The 2 then walk through the cart and enter the next one. There, the room is partially full of nobles. A few stair at her then look away.
"Lets just skip through this one. We don't have the time to answer everybody's questions." Whispered Ciara
"Yes." Replied Sharon
They then hastily move through this cart and meet up where they planned. They shut the door and check the area to make sure nobodies watching them.
"Alright we're here. Kid! You can enter through the window!"
Bermil then opens up the window and jumps in.
"Hup!"
"Right on time." Said Ciara.
"Alright. So what did you want to discuss?" Asked Bermil.
Bermil and Ciara then sit down on a chair facing each other. Sharon stands at the door, on guard duty, to make sure nobody's listening to the conversation.
"Once again, I would like to thank you for saving us during the unknown attack. Still, be wary because there might be more." Stated Ciara.
"Got it." Replied Bermil.
"Well to start things off, I haven't told you about the INL, Yet you still decided to fight against them. So I think it's fair if I tell you what exactly they are."
"Ok. I'm listening." Bermil responded.
"Insurgent of Noble Law or INL for short, is an organization of rebels that uses cruel methods on Nobles, and call it "Justice". This organization started over 50 years ago, and has grew tremendously in power since then. Nobody knows exactly who started it. We only have minimal clues of the Leader of the Organization."
"Can you tell me what those clues are then?"
"Yes. Not all of it though. Sharon, can you hand over the picture?"
"Of course."
He handed the picture over to Ciara. She sat down and showed it to Bermil.
"This one was taken during the Kingdom of Romantis Anniversary Festival. It was taken through a window, towards a forest, and what you can see here are 2 people. The one on the left is the Secondary Leader in command for INL. We suspect that the on the left is the leader. As you can see here, there is white hair coming down their back."
"Ok then. When was this festival?"
"It was almost 35 years ago when they were seen. They left some hair on the trail they had, and it was confirmed to be white. That was what also lead to the Invasion of Gown a few months later."
"I- Invasion!"
"Yes. We assume that the Culprit also had ties with Gown.
"Well can you show me any other clues you found for the Culpr-"
"That's about all that I can tell you, since the rest is private information." Said Ciara as she stopped Bermil from finishing.
"Oh well. Nothing I can do about that. For my final question. What is your goal on telling me this information."
"Nothing. I just felt like you needed some insight on what you fought against."
"I see. I still think there would be no difference If you never told me anyways."
"What do you mean?"
"I have no connections to any nobles. Meaning I don't have to concern myself with fighting these people."
"True. But I still hold everything about you, Bermil."
"!"
Bermil jolts up and get a grab on his dagger.
"Don't act surprised. If I were to know this much about INL, knowing about you would be no problem. Look, there's no need to be hostile against me. We never prepared to fight you anyways. You can clearly see Sharon not stepping in to help."
Bermil stands there for a second before letting down his guard.
"Fine. You can stop camouflaging and step out of the corner. I'll listen to what she has to say."
"A wise decision Young boy. Or should I address you as Bermil? If I hadn't released even a bit of my Mana there, who knows what would've happened. " Said the person as they come out of the corner.
Out came a blonde hair, blue eyes man, with the fact that of a sly fox, and dressed in a black and white suit.
"The guy there is Dred. He's my real bodyguard. Seeing your level of skill, you wouldn't stand a chance. Anyways, you can take off your mask now." Said Ciara
"You won't even address me as your real brother. That makes me so sad." Said Dred.
"I only address one person as my older brother and it certainly isn't you! You should have known that by now!" Ciara Nagged
"But I'm your one and only brother."
"Anyways, You said you would listen to whatever I say right. You should know the answer by now already."
"So you want me to be your boyfriend?"
"Quit joking around." Ciara replied.
"Fine, fine, fine. I get it. I'll join your stupid group or whatever."
"Great. Now you can trust me with not only your secret, but your life too. You won't have to worry about being captured cause hiding you will be a cinch."
"So since I joined your group, can you tell me why you're headed to Gown anyways?"
"We're gonna have a meeting with other Nobles on the INL. We obviously aren't the only ones in on this investigation."
"Uggghhhhh. Well can you tell me how long till we get there."
"I'd say in 50 minutes. I saw a landmark outside the window, and I think we're almost there."
"Well, I'll be on the couch sleeping if you need me." Said Bermil.
"Good. I'll wake you up when we're there."
The group then sit down on each of the couches, while Sharon stands at the window. About 40 minutes later,
"I see the Kingdom now. I'd say we'll arrive in 5 minutes away."
"Alright Ciara. I think it's about time you start packing up your stuff." Said Dred.
"I'll carry them for you Ciara!" Sharon intruded.
"Thank you. Bermil wake up! We're almost at the train station."
"Yawn. Ok I get."
Ciara then grabs a luggage and drops it in front of him.
"This is an empty luggage. Since you can't walk around normally, your gonna have to hide in here for a while."
"Eh! What do you mean hide in there!?"
"I mean what I said! Now get in!"
"No! I refuse!"
Dred then walks up to Bermil and threatens him with his Aura.
"Ok, ok, ok. I'll get in."
Bermil then cradles up in the luggage, barely fitting in.
"This is unconfortable. Can't you find anything bigger?"
"Nope. Just deal with it for now."
"You bastar-"
She hastily zips the luggage shut and locks it, followed by constant banging through the bag.
"Alright guys! We're now headed to our hotel." Said Ciara.