Chapter 129: Elegant, So Incredibly Elegant
Under the gentle afternoon sun, accompanied by the thrum of steam, the train was racing along the tracks. Through the window, one could see the passing scenery of a modernizing world.
Kobayashi, having suddenly appeared on an unknown train, was not flustered in the slightest. This was much better than being hit in the face by an iron container falling from the sky the moment he crossed over.
His tense nerves relaxed slightly, and he began to look around for useful information.
First of all...
The surrounding seats were made entirely of wood. Although the passengers were dressed in suits and elegant dresses, their overall image very gentlemanly and refined, their attire, in his eyes, was a very retro style. Add to that the occasional backward buildings and scenery flashing past the window, and the piercing sound of the steam whistle every few moments.
I see. Is this another island nation—19th-century Britain?
During this period, the railway was a crucial part of this country's development, so there were many people on the steam train, from all walks of life.
Therefore, as he walked down the aisle of the train, men, women, old, and young all cast their gazes upon them... no, to be precise, upon RyuZU, who was following behind him.
Elegant. She was so incredibly elegant!
She had silver, shoulder-length hair, a delicate and cute face, a gorgeous Western-style dress, and graceful mannerisms.
Following behind the eyesore of a man in front of her, she didn't get angry even when being stared at by a large crowd like a gorilla in a zoo. Although her eyes were slightly closed and her expression was plain and rather cold, combined with the elegant aura she exuded from within, she was all the more attractive.
In this country that practiced the etiquette of gentlemen and ladies, her appearance was like a shining pearl, illuminating what would have been a dull journey.
"That girl, could she be..."
"Ah, looking at the accessory on her head, that's probably it."
"So beautiful, so elegant!"
"Which master's work is this?"
The praise from the passersby was endless. Kobayashi also felt a sense of pride, the corners of his mouth curling up as he puffed out his chest. It would have been even better if it wasn't mixed with comments like "that man is such an eyesore," "his clothes are so low-class," and "he's completely unworthy of her."
The continuous whispering was a little hurtful.
Thanks to the lax ticket enforcement of the era, he was able to easily move between the various carriages. But it was also possible that RyuZU behind him was so outstanding that the guards didn't dare to approach and offend them.
In any case, he didn't run into any clueless idiots looking for trouble.
At the end of the day, this was a country that followed the etiquette of gentlemen and ladies. There shouldn't be anyone so uncivilized.
He arrived at the second-class carriage.
Unlike the messy and crowded low-class carriages behind them, the seats here were divided into individual small compartments, providing the passengers with a higher level of service.
As he was walking down the middle of the corridor, an exceptionally conspicuous presence appeared in his line of sight, and he couldn't help but let out a small sound of surprise.
"...Huh?"
"What is it, Master Kobayashi?"
"No, it's nothing."
He shook his head and continued to walk forward.
But before he had taken a few steps, RyuZU suddenly spoke. "Don't tell me you've taken a liking to that girl in the kimono just now, Master Kobayashi? It was just her back, yet it was enough to arouse your filthy, sordid desires?"
"That's not it. I just thought that a woman in a kimono was very conspicuous in a group of people with a medieval European style," he said, ignoring her sharp tongue.
"You are the same in that regard, Master Kobayashi."
"...Eh?"
He looked down at his own adventurer's gear. It was indeed very different from the elegant and proper suits of the successful people around him. No wonder people had called him an eyesore and low-class.
This was indeed his lack of consideration.
Coincidentally, Kazuma is making clothes right now. When I get back, I should have that tailor with a flair for fashion design me a set of clothes that's suitable for any occasion.
Right now, his attire was rather conspicuous. It was better not to wander around too much.
He casually pushed open the door to an empty compartment and walked in. Not long after he sat down, a man and a woman also came in.
The man was about 30, the girl about 6 or 7. She was being held in his arms. Judging by their intimacy, they were probably a father and daughter.
When he saw Kobayashi and RyuZU in the seats, he was slightly surprised and a little puzzled, but he did not panic. Instead, he took off his hat and gave a slight bow. With the perfect air of a gentleman, he requested, "I'm sorry, may I and my daughter rest here for a bit?"
"Of course. I also just found an empty room to rest. Please, make yourself at home," he said with a gentle smile, gesturing for him to sit.
The man nodded as if he understood something, bowed again in thanks, and then sat down opposite them with his daughter.
Perhaps because they were strangers, the two sides didn't talk much. But the little girl's gaze was constantly fixed on RyuZU, who was sitting quietly beside him, her big eyes shining with a certain light.
Her gaze was too intense. RyuZU opened her eyes and looked at the little girl, puzzled.
The man noticed and quickly apologized. "My apologies. It seems my girl has been a bit rude to your companion."
"No, it's fine. It's just a child's curiosity," he said, waving his hand to show he didn't mind.
The little girl, however, blinked her big eyes and blurted out, "Big sister is so pretty! So elegant! Like a real lady! When I grow up, I want to be just like big sister!"
Almost every child has an idol and hopes to become like them when they grow up. It was obvious she had taken RyuZU as her idol.
"Phi!"
"It's alright! Please don't scold her, sir."
The father wanted to stop his daughter's forwardness, but he also stopped the father from scolding her. To be admired by a little girl... he couldn't be happier. How could he scold her?
Then he gave the little girl a kind smile and said, "Phi... is it okay if I call you that? Do you want to be as elegant as RyuZU?"
"RyuZU? Is that big sister's name? I do! When I grow up, I want to be as elegant as Big Sister RyuZU and become a real lady!"
The little girl raised her small right hand. That eager and serious look was just like a child answering a teacher's question in class. It seemed RyuZU had made a big impression on her.
"Very good! Then, to become more like RyuZU, you should get a little closer to her!"
"Really?!"
The little girl looked at RyuZU with expectant eyes, which made the usually sharp-tongued and outwardly cold automaton not know what to do.
However, he was doing this on purpose. Who told her to say she would take care of him like an infant before they crossed over? Since that was the case, she could start by playing with a little girl.
Seeming to know she couldn't escape, RyuZU began to play with the little girl. Her clumsy movements were a stark contrast to her usual elegance and competence, giving her a different kind of charm.
At the same time, taking this as an opportunity, he began to chat with the man.
"Is your destination Liverpool?"
"Liverpool?"
"It's not?!"
For some reason, the man seemed very surprised. He glanced at RyuZU, as if puzzled as to why they weren't going there.
This made him keenly sense that something was amiss, and he quickly asked what was special about that place. After explaining that he was not from this country, the man nodded in understanding and dispelled his doubts.
Machinart City Liverpool.
The large amount of cotton produced in the city of Manchester was transported to all parts of the world from this place. It was not only a trading city that this country boasted to the world, but also a city of learning, second only to Cambridge.
And within it, there was an academy that was enough to attract talented people from all over the world.
—The Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart.
"The Royal Academy of Machinart?"
Hearing this name, he felt it was very familiar.
Seeing him in deep thought, the man did not disturb him further, but just quietly looked at the scenery outside the window.
Time passed bit by bit. A memory from the depths of his brain began to surface. But just as the memory was about to break through the barrier of his mind, the train went berserk and out of control. It did not stop at the modern station with its beautiful semi-circular iron roof, but instead passed through at an extremely high speed.
"Wh-what's going on? Why didn't we stop?"
The usually elegant gentleman now became flustered. At the same time, sounds of confused questioning came from the adjacent rooms.
Just at this moment, the train suddenly jolted, causing the little girl, Phi, to lose her balance and fall to the ground. Her nose stung, and she was about to cry out.
"You mustn't cry. A lady does not cry over such a small pain," he said, helping her up and gently reminding her.
"Mmm... mmm." She nodded, holding back the pain and revealing a pitifully lovely smile.
"Very good."
He patted her head.
Then, the conductor burst in and said with a panicked face, "All passengers, please... please listen to me calmly! The brakes... have failed!"
Hearing his words, Phi's little face turned ghastly pale. Even as a young child, she knew what this meant.
The next instant, the people on the train began to panic. Screams, curses, and questions were endless, and it was a complete mess.
Although Phi, who was being held in her father's arms, was also scared, she did not cry for her mother like the other children.
"Very good, Phi. A true lady must remain calm in a crisis and always maintain her elegance. You have already mastered a little of the essence."
Unfortunately, his comfort had no effect. The runaway train was still out of control. If this continued, a great tragedy would surely occur.
"Can't be helped. I can't just stand by and watch."
He decided to make a move.
Then he let go of the little girl in his arms, but was unexpectedly pulled back by his sleeve.
"Phi?"
"Don't go. Don't go."
Her eyes were tightly closed, tears at the corners. Is she really worried about me?
He rubbed her head and said, "Phi, a true lady should not hold back a person who wants to do something great, but should instead offer her sincere blessings. Rest assured, I will stop the train."
"Big brother..."
Phi opened her eyes and looked at the smiling Kobayashi. For some reason, her heart believed that the big brother before her would surely be able to do it.
"Then... big brother, you must be careful. Come back quickly. I... I believe in you. I'll be waiting for you."
"Ah, I'll be right back."
With that, he and RyuZU climbed out of the window, leaped onto the roof of the train, and ran towards the front.
(End of Chapter)