ARC-2 :Noareiz Mage Country Edition
Magic Train
This was a product of the technological expertise of the Magic Kingdom of Noareiz.
It was as large as a giant magical beast, so long that you couldn’t see the rear from the front.
Though it was an incredible thing that crossed the continent, what was most astounding about it was that it required no roads.
A massive magic stone attached to the front was inscribed with various magic circles, which continuously created a path for the train. Most magical creatures were apparently run over by it.
The train’s driving force was converted into magic power, which was then fed back into the magic stone creating the path, allowing it to cover long distances.
As for the fuel, it seems they used flammable stones.
“Isn’t all this information in the brochure? Don’t act so high and mighty.”
Mastema complained to me while flipping through the booklet she received in exchange for the ticket.
Seriously, I was in the middle of explaining everything so smoothly.
“Hey, reserving a spot on this magic train is a tough job. Let me enjoy the moment a little more.”
“It was very informative, Master.”
“Are we allowed to ride as well?”
“Refunds are not allowed. Only the buyers themselves can board. Just enjoy it.”
Noel and Arnella usually act in a similar manner, perhaps because they’ve received the same education, but moments like this show the difference between them. Arnella thanked me honestly, while Noel hesitated.
It’s quite amusing.
We were already seated in a private room aboard the magic train.
I had reserved the finest seats, and I must say, it was quite luxurious.
Even nobles can’t ride it so easily. They say even the princess only uses it for urgent matters.
It apparently takes about a day to reach the Magic Kingdom of Noareiz.
Given the distance from the empire, it’s astonishingly fast.
We had a full-course meal, and there was even a shower in the private room. In the upper-class area where we were, there was a bar as well, and apparently, the drinks were free.
The sound of free drinks wasn’t bad at all.
Although, this was all included in the fare.
We had stored our luggage on the shelves in the private room.
In the end, we each settled for a single, somewhat large bag.
We could gather whatever we needed at our destination.
I only brought along the Heaven Sword, Thunder Sword, and Fire Sword as weapons.
All of them were sheathed and placed in the private room.
As for theft, only specific individuals could enter the private rooms, so there was no concern.
Besides, if a normal person were to touch the Heaven Sword, they’d be turned into a mummy in no time.
The sofa in the private room was plush, and Mastema was jumping around excitedly.
She has become much better at controlling her power.
Now, she’s able to function with the strength of a regular girl, as she appears to be.
Although, when she’s asleep and not conscious, things still get out of hand.
Since we didn’t have to worry about disturbing other passengers, I let her play around.
Now then, I’m feeling thirsty.
Water was provided, but since I was already here, I might as well visit the bar.
I left Mastema in Arnella’s care and took Noel with me.
To avoid any unfairness later, I’ll take the two of them along as well afterward.
I didn’t want any trouble, so I had removed all the outward signs that identified Noel and Arnella as slaves.
On top of that, I dressed all three of them in formal gowns, which drew quite a bit of attention.
Noel was wearing a light purple dress, the lower part of the skirt slightly translucent.
It highlighted her beautiful legs.
Wearing it with such confidence, no one would suspect she was a slave.
When Noel and I arrived at the bar, a beastman bartender was polishing glasses.
When I asked for a recommendation, he offered us fruit cocktails, so I ordered two with a milder alcohol content.
I received a cocktail made from a tart fruit, while Noel was served a grape-based cocktail.
After receiving our glasses, we left the bar counter.
“Enjoy your journey.”
I raised my glass in response.
The beastman bartender was well-educated, though he was probably also doubling as security.
Even taking into account that he was a beastman, the muscles under his formal wear were exceptionally powerful.
“It’s delicious.”
Noel commented after taking a sip of her cocktail.
I took a taste as well, noting the balance between the fruit’s sourness and the sweetness of the sugar.
The alcohol was faint, just enough to be noticeable.
I had asked for a mild cocktail since Noel wasn’t much of a drinker, and it seemed to be just right.
“Would you like a sip, Lord Ahavain?”
“No, I’m fine. You drink it.”
“Understood.”
Noel was at that age where she likely enjoyed sweet things.
I had instructed my two slaves to call me by name.
Making them call me ‘Master’ would defeat the purpose of removing their slave marks.
Well, while they still addressed me with the honorific ‘sama’ attached, it would be easy enough for others to mistake them for ordinary servants.
Incidentally, I had also given all my slaves, including Mastema, the family name of Olbrust.
It was to make it clear that they were under my protection.
I took the sliced fruit from my glass along with the remaining cocktail and bit into it.
A flood of sour juice followed by a touch of bitterness filled my mouth.
When I handed my glass back to Noel, she too finished her cocktail.
She placed a grape on her tongue, biting into it gently before swallowing.
I watched her pale, porcelain skin as her throat moved while she swallowed.
“I’ll return these.”
“Go ahead.”
Noel headed back to the counter.
Since she was wearing heels, she couldn’t move as swiftly as usual, but she looked good, so I had no complaints.
The departure time for the magic train was approaching.
As I waited for Noel in a scenic spot, she was taking longer than expected.
When I went to check on her, I saw that someone was bothering her.
It appeared to be a nobleman, judging by his attire.
His attendants stood by, smirking, without making any move to stop him.
It’s your job to admonish your master, isn’t it?
The bartender was trying to calm the noble down, but the man, clearly looking down on the beastman, ignored him and continued to approach Noel.
Noel brushed off the hand that tried to grab her and firmly rejected him, causing the nobleman’s face to flush with anger.
Was he already drunk?
I walked over to the bartender.
“Apologies, sir, it seems your companion…”
“It’s fine. I’ll handle it.”
The bartender looked apologetic, but at this point, it was difficult to intervene physically.
I grabbed a bottle of ice water and headed toward Noel.
The atmosphere between her and the nobleman was growing tense.
Noel had been trained to defend herself, and I had instructed her not to hesitate in a pinch.
When the noble reached for her again, she grabbed his arm, tripped him, and pinned him down by stepping on his chest.
It was a brilliant move, effective even without strength.
Caught off guard, the nobleman frantically ordered his lackeys to attack.
The bartender, seeing this, tried to intervene, but I stopped him.
Before the lackeys could reach Noel, I stood beside her.
“Lord Ahavain, I apologize.”
Noel apologized while still stepping on the nobleman.
Seeing me appear suddenly, the lackeys hesitated.
I poured the ice water over the nobleman’s head to cool him down.
“What are you doing?! Do you know who I am? I was only speaking to her because she was beautiful!”
Hardly an impressive stance while being stepped on.
Well, I couldn’t deny that Noel was an extraordinary beauty, but that didn’t give him the right to touch her.
I hadn’t even laid a hand on her yet.
“What’s your name?”
“Tch, why would a commoner be in a place like this… Fine, I’ll tell you. I am Baron Kartoffel of the noble Empire! Now, remove that foot and bow your head, along with that woman!”
“Ah, Baron, is it?”
I pulled out a card I had received from the princess and showed it to him.
The moment the baron saw it, his face turned pale.
“U-understood. I was wrong. I’ll leave immediately. Please, lift your foot.”
When Noel released her hold, the baron scrambled to flee to the general area. His lackeys, though confused, followed him.
Those who hide behind power cannot stand against greater power.
