#1248 The Best Express 

It is I, veteran feudal lord Highlands. 

Today, I’m boarding something called a railway train. 
As the moment of departure draws near, the air around me is buzzing with excitement. 

“Window seat! I want the window seat!” 
“Okay, Daddy’s gonna fight hard to get one!” 

…What is with this cheerful, family-outing atmosphere? 
This feels less like evaluating new technology and more like some sightseeing trip with the kids. 

So, what exactly is a railway train? 
I came here without doing a shred of research. I figured, well, I’m going to ride it anyway, so why not just learn on the spot? 

Still, I’ve formed a few predictions. 
Since it’s called a “railway,” I assume it involves iron. And the word “train” has me curious, too. 
Here’s my guess... 
It must be several carriages linked together in a line. 
Of course, tying that many carriages together would make for a huge weight, and no ordinary horse could pull that. 
That means they must’ve found some super-horse...no, some monster beast capable of dragging such a load with ease. 
That’s where the “revolutionary” part lies, or so my intellect concludes. 

And to protect the carriages from bandits, they cover the outer walls in iron plating. Thus the name “iron road,” or railway! 

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the brilliant deduction of Highlands! 
Now then, let’s see how accurate I am! 

“What the hell is thiiiiiiiiiiis?!” 

Iron?! 
I was right about the iron covering, but…! 

It’s iron all the way through! 
A beast made entirely of metal! 
A beast?  
Wait, is it even alive?! 

Sure enough, several “carriages” are linked together in a line, just as I predicted… 
But are these even carriages?  
The size, the length...it’s far beyond anything I ever imagined! 

“Lord Highlands, what are you mumbling about? Hurry up, we’re about to depart.” 

Blast it, Dalkish, I know that! 
Wait, we’re getting on this thing?! From where?! 
I have no idea what I’m doing here! 

No helping it, I’ll just let the crowd carry me and follow the flow... 

“Lord Highlands, that’s the ladies restroom.” 

Ack! 
Fine, I’ll swallow my pride. I’ll admit I don’t get it and let Dalkish guide me. 

…Oh, so this is the inside of the train. 
What in blazes is this decor?! 
It looks like a chamber out of a royal palace! 

“As expected of the farm’s finest technology. Truly first-class living standards... Ah, come now, my boy, let’s grab that window seat.” 

Part of the wall is… transparent?! 
You can see the outside clearly through it...and wait, it’s movinggggggggggggg?! 

This giant lump of metal can really run?! 

From the outside, it looked like a warehouse district on wheels!  
I was already terrified wondering what kind of monster-horse could possibly pull it...but it’s moving! 

What the devil is happening?! 

…No. No, no, no, no! 
I see through this! I’m a veteran feudal lord! I can tell! 

Sure, it’s moving, but it has to be at a crawl! 
That’s the only way this makes sense. No way a hunk of iron this massive could move at horse speed! 

It must plod along at walking pace, like a tortoise, and make up for it with sheer cargo capacity.  
Yes, that must be it! 

Clank, clonk. Clank, clonk... 
Clatta-clunk, clatta-clunk, clatta-clunk... 
Clatterclatterclatterclatterclatter... 
RrrrRRRRRRRRRRR...! 

It’s going way too faaaaaaast! 
This speed is beyond anything I’ve ever known! 
Even a horse at full gallop couldn’t match this! 

And to think, I can actually see the scenery blurring past through this transparent wall?!  
The landscape is melting into streaks of color! 
How is this even possibleeeeeeee?! 

“Lord Highlands! That’s my son’s seat, please control yourself...!” 

Ah, my apologies...! 
Ahem. A veteran feudal lord like me, losing his composure like that… 

Still, look at this size and length. 
And it’s all solid metal, so it must weigh more than kingdoms. Yet it outruns horses with ease! 

What is this thing?! 
All my common sense is being shreddeeeeed! 

*** 

Before I know it, we arrive at our destination. 
Or wait, is this really the destination? 

“Yes, this is Rondmelt, a city of the Demon Kingdom.” 

The Demon Kingdom?! 
Hold on, hold on... Sure, the human border town of San-chome is nearby, but... 

Normally, this trip takes days, even on horseback! 
And we got here...in less than a day?! 

And the ride was comfortable. 

I watched the scenery zip by with the children, eyes shining. And the “ekiben” meals they sold onboard were delicious...! 

Now that I’ve experienced it myself, I understand why people are so excited. The railway is incredible. 

If we had this in my domain, the transport of goods and travel of people would become dramatically easier. It would change the world! 

We must have it! I must bring the railway to my lands!!! 

“Everyone, I hope you enjoyed your railway journey.” 
“Oh, it’s President Ritheseus.” 

Now that I notice it, there are two long iron bars stretched across the ground. So, the train runs along those, huh. 
I see now. That’s why it’s called a “railway!” 

“The railway is a technology that will revolutionize our lives. And to push even further, I’m announcing a major new project right here today!” 

Well, my steward and son wanted to ride, and I kinda stole the chance from them.  
I should buy them some souvenirs as an apology.  
Since I’m here, maybe something unique to the Demon Kingdom? 

“We have reached an agreement with the Demon King himself. Soon, this railway will connect our royal capital with the Demon Capital!” 

Maybe a box of “demon buns” or... HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH?! 

“Once this project is complete, our nations will be closer than ever. People will travel freely, commerce will flourish, and our relations will deepen! To make this happen, negotiations will be held with the feudal lords whose lands the route must pass through. I hope you’ll all cooperate when the time comes!” 

What did the President just sayyyy?! 

If! 
If the line goes through my territory, then this miraculous train of unmatched speed and cargo power would stop there...! 

No, if it stops, that means people and goods will flow in and out of my domain! 
The profit would be immeasurable. 
Direct access to both the Royal Capital and the Demon Capital! 

Feudal Lord Highlands’s brain: full throttle! 
Now, what’s the layout of my lands compared to the capitals…? 

Yes!  
We’re a bit off the straight line, but still within reasonable detour range! 

“When the time comes, we ask for your cooperation in negotiations...!” 
“Gladly! My domain welcomes the railway! Please, build a station in my lands!” 
“Ehhhhhhhh?!” 

The fate of my domain rests on this negotiation! 
I will never yield! Even if it costs my life, I will lure the railway into my territoryyyyy! 

“Wait! Highlands’s domain lies too far south off the route! It should come to mine instead!” 
“Your domain has cliffs! That’s too much elevation for tracks! Mine is flat plains, perfect for building!” 
“If you pick my land, I’ll even sweeten the deal with a generous gift!” 
“THAT’S BRIBERY!!!” 

Whoaaa! 
So I’m not the only one scheming to pull the line into my lands! 

Of course not! Everyone knows how much profit this means. They won’t miss their chance. 
But I won’t back down either! 

Opportunities come to all! But only those who seize them triumph!  
I’ll seize this one with both handsssssssss!!! 

“Our land’s too remote for this to matter anyway.” 

…Dalkish, you carefree bastard!