#1247 Profit-Seeker 

My name is Highlands. 

Since the days of the old royal dynasty, I’ve served as a feudal lord in the Human Kingdom. 

A lot has happened over the years... 
During the reign of the royal family, I grudgingly obeyed their endless calls to arms, convincing myself it was all for the sake of defending the land and its people. So, I fought the demons half-heartedly. 

At the same time, I did the usual work of a feudal lord: clearing land, managing waterways, keeping the markets in check to stabilize commerce, and making sure my people didn’t starve. I never neglected those duties. 

The real turning point, though, was the Human Kingdom’s defeat and the end of the war. 
Thanks to the royal family’s stupidity and carelessness, the tide of battle turned against us in an instant. I was forced to side with the losers, and for a while, I lived in constant dread of what might happen. 

But when the demon occupation army moved in, they showed none of the arrogance you’d expect from conquerors. On the contrary, they worked tirelessly to restore the lands exhausted by the royal family’s wasteful rule. 
They even tossed out the archaic, oppressive laws we’d been shackled with, finally letting me govern with my people’s best interests at heart. 

Honestly, it was a huge relief.  
Things became so much easier that I caught myself thinking, “If losing the war makes life this good, maybe we should’ve lost sooner, ancestors…” 

Production increased, bellies were full, surplus grew, and trade flourished. 

Then, just as everything was looking up, the demon occupation troops withdrew, and sovereignty returned to the Human Kingdom. 
On the one hand, I thought: at last, we can stand on our own feet again. On the other hand, there was the anxiety that if anything happens, we can’t rely on the Demon Kingdom anymore. 

But I’m proud to say that I survived the brutal, suffocating days of the old monarchy.  

I will govern well. I will build a land of peace where my people live in safety and security!!! 

*** 

Then, one day, a letter arrives for me. 

“An invitation?” 
“It bears the signature of President Ritheseus,” my butler explains. 

Ritheseus… heh. That young pup. 
Lifted up by other youngsters like Dalkish, and now wearing the formal title of “President of the Human Kingdom.” 

I figured some clueless brat like him wouldn’t last long, so I sat back to see how he fared... 
Turns out... he’s done rather well. 

“…Are you tsundere, sir?” 

What did you just say, butler? 
I thought for sure the old, wily ministers—those fossils left over from the monarchy—would chew up a straightforward-looking boy like him...  
But instead, he’s matched them, sometimes even outmaneuvered them, and kept up the good governance from the occupation era. 
That’s actually impressive for a chick that just left the nest. 

Me, though? When they asked if I’d take the role of national representative, the sheer hassle made me say no on the spot, same as most other lords.  
So, I’ve got no right to mock the lad, but... 

“…What’s this invitation for?” 
“Tradition would suggest a ball, a banquet, perhaps some state ceremony?”  

That would be the usual guess.  
But the truth is right there in the letter.  
I open it and read! 

...Hmm, I see... 

“A… test... ride... railway?” 
“A test ride of the railway, sir.” 

Silence, butler.  
I didn’t misunderstand, it just took me a second! 

…But what is a railway? 

“I hear it’s a revolutionary new mode of transportation recently constructed in the frontier.” 

The frontier, huh?  
That project again… 

When I first heard of it, I thought, “What a bizarre undertaking.” And now my suspicions are only growing. 

“But word has it, my lord, that this ‘railway’ is an incredible invention. Everyone who’s seen it speaks of it with the highest praise. They say if it spreads throughout the kingdom, it will change people’s lives entirely...!” 

Hmmm.  
When people praise something that much, it almost sounds fishy. 

“That’s only because you’re naturally cynical, sir.” 

Such insolence from a butler! 
Can you blame me? I lived through the suffocating days of the monarchy! Any ruler who endured that era without becoming twisted is a liar! 

“…You’re right, my lord. You truly did suffer greatly in those days…!” 

And now you’re crying? That’s awkward for me too, you know. 

Never mind that... The real question is whether I accept this test ride invitation. 

“You should, shouldn’t you, sir? After all, it’s from the head of state. Refusing would be terribly rude…” 

True enough.  
I’m reminded of all the times I couldn’t refuse the monarchy’s ridiculous summons!!! 

I don’t think Ritheseus would do something so unreasonable, but still… 

“Besides, if this railway really is remarkable, bringing it to our lands would mean further prosperity. Seeing it with your own eyes could only benefit us, sir.” 

…When you put it that way, I’ve got no excuse to decline. 

Very well then. I shall compose my reply, so wait a moment, butler. 
Of course, the reply will say, “I shall attend.” 

*** 

And so... 
The day of the railway test ride arrives. 

The venue is the town of San-chome.  
I can’t believe they dragged me out to the edge of the kingdom for this. 

Word is that the local ruler here is some thug who grabbed power in the chaos after the kingdom’s collapse.  
There’s no telling what schemes they’re cooking, so I’ll keep my guard up. 

“Oh! Lord Highlands, is that you?!” 

That voice... 
It’s Dalkish of the Wallachia frontier. The young man’s gained some presence since last I saw him. 

“You accepted the invitation, too? A wise choice!” 

Hmph. I don’t need you judging my decisions. 

We chose our nation’s representative. Attending his invitation is nothing more than my duty as feudal lord. 

“Hah! You just wanted to see the railway, didn’t you? You’ve always had a thing for new innovations.” 

What’s that supposed to mean?  
I’ll adopt anything that benefits my lands, nothing more. 

Aren’t you the one who can’t forget the fortune you made off that Orkubo’s Castle and now jump at anything new that comes along? 
Really, just how much profit is your domain still raking in from that castle, I wonder. 

“Lord Highlands, fortune comes to us all at times. But whether we seize it before it slips away depends on our own skill. Let’s both make sure we don’t miss the big catches.” 

Damn it, say what you will. 
But now that I’ve arrived at the venue, it’s even more packed than I imagined. 

It looks like nearly every feudal lord in the country has gathered here. 
And they’ve brought their families along, too… 
Even my butler kept pestering me to bring him along. 
But if he tagged along, who would’ve watched over my estate while I was gone? So, I left him behind. 

Most of the feudal lords brought their children, and boys around six to twelve years old are staring wide-eyed, their eyes sparkling. 
…Yep, even Dalkish’s kids are the same. 

My son is already an adult, so it doesn’t concern me… though come to think of it, he was holding his own child in his arms when he said... 
“Father! If it’s just a railway trial run, why don’t I go in your place?! After all, as the next feudal lord, I should be able to stand in for you. It would also help me make connections and show my face around!” 
He rattled all that off in one breath… 

Maybe he just wanted to ride the railway train, too? 

As I’m caught up in the lively crowd, a voice booms out overhead. 

“Thank you all for gathering here today!!!” 

That voice...President Ritheseus?! 
Of course he’s here. It’s his event, after all. 

But every time I see that young man, his presence feels heavier, his dignity sharper. 
He’s already leagues beyond the likes of Dalkish. 

The weight of representing an entire nation must be forging him into something greater. Who knows how far he’ll rise if this keeps up. 

“Today, we’ve gathered you here so that you can experience the railway that everyone’s been talking about! Soon, this technology won’t just be limited to the Human Kingdom, it will sweep across the entire world!” 

He certainly speaks in grand terms. 

“This trial run is meant to help us share that vision with you all! Now then, please enjoy the railway journey to your heart’s content!!!”