#1216 Let’s Build a Railway 

So, I’ve decided to build a railroad. 

Well, it’s simple, really. 
When you think “revolution in transport,” this is it. 

First came the horse, shrinking the world. Then steam locomotives shrank it even more. 

With speed and horsepower leagues beyond pack animals, they drove civilization forward. 

You could say that railways are the very roads of human progress. 

“That’s why I intend to build a railroad.” 

Most of the stakeholders in the room stare at me, blinking.  
I swear I can see little question marks floating above their heads. 

Only a handful shrug it off like, “Oh, the master’s at it again,” and go right along with it. 

“Um… Lord Saint?” someone whispers, summoning courage to speak in the sea of confusion at the meeting. 

“What exactly… is a railroad?” 
“An iron road?” 
“Are we paving the roads with steel? Why would we do that?” 

Both the farm residents and the foreign dignitaries just tilt their heads in bewilderment. 

“I’ve got it!” 

Then one brave soul stands up.  
Absolutely certain they’ve cracked it, but I doubt it. 

“Steel is slippery, right? We’ll use that so our carts glide along!” 
“We’ll save energy, maybe even cut travel time!” 
“Brilliant!!” 

No, not brilliant.  
One sharp turn and the cart flies right off the track. 

I bite the bullet and explain what a railroad really is.  
I’m not sure they’re getting it. 

“Wheels follow iron rails laid end to end?” 
“But why?” 
“Wouldn’t it be easier to just travel on the ground, like a regular carriage?” 

They’ve got a point, but… 

I don’t really know all the details either.  
But look at history; railroads boomed. There must be some amazing advantages, right?  
I’m convinced of it! 

That’s why I’m bringing railroads to this fantasy world! 

There are two tasks ahead: 

One. Lay the tracks.  
Without a continuous runway of rails, no train can run. 

Two. Build the trains themselves.  
Only when track and train come together does a railroad exist. 

Sure, there are a ton of little details piled up, but I’ll sort them out and make this fantasy railroad a reality! 

*** 

Anyway, we’re going to build a railroad. 

That said... 
I haven’t the foggiest idea how to start. 

I mean, think about it. 
Even I, a traveler armed with otherworldly knowledge, don’t know everything.  
I only know what I know. 

Unless you’re an expert, you couldn’t possibly know how to manufacture trains and tracks. 

Is our grand Otherworld Railroad Project already doomed? 
No need to worry! 

I have a steadfast ally! 

I return to my farm and head for the little shrine in one corner of our home. 

This shrine honors Hephaestus, our clan’s patron and the god of craftsmanship. 

Every day for years I’ve offered silent thanks here, thanking him for our health and praying for tomorrow’s peace.  
It symbolizes my faith and devotion. But this shrine has another trick up its sleeve. 

Offer the god his favorite snack… rice balls… and as a reward, blueprints rain down from the sky!!! 

This blessing is unique to Hephaestus, the god of crafting! 

Once before, thanks to this miracle, I received the blueprints for a large ship and we built it to perfection! 

Now I crave that same miracle again! 

God of the Forge, Hephaestus! 
I offer you these seaweed rice balls made from the wakame gifted by Arowana! 
In exchange… please grant me blueprints for a railroad! 

Please...! 
-ease...! 

… 

Did it work? A shaft of divine light pierces the room, and words drift down from above: 

— “RG Mighty Strike Freedom G*ndam is waiting for me…” 

Huh?  
What’s that about? 

Completely unrelated to my prayer, something flutters from the sky. 

…Could it be?! 

It’s the railroad blueprints! 
Thank you, Hephaestus! 

You’re the most reliable ally I have!!! 
I think I faintly hear a divine aside about greed, but whatever...! 

All right! Fate has spoken; now it’s up to us mortals! 

Clutching the gifted blueprints, I’m ready to complete the Otherworld Railroad! 

…but as I look at the plans, it hits me. 
 

 
Train mechanics are way more complicated than I expected... 

I’d built a powered ship before, so I was cocky, but this... 
This is leagues more intricate. 

Why so complex?  
It’s not a transforming robot! Why pack in all these mechanisms? 

...Crap.  
This is going to be way tougher than I thought. 

With winter hauling season looming, I hoped to open in a week.... But there’s no way I’ll hit that mark now. 

…Huh? Too ambitious? You think? 

“Fear not, My Lord!!!” 

Waah! That spooked me. 
Who was that? 

There stand the farm orcs, led by Orkubo, all kneeling before me. 

“We, your farm orcs, take pride in our construction skills! Allow us to help you achieve greatness!” 

You guys!  
Right. Even the impossible becomes surmountable when many hands work together!!! 

“Allow us dwarves to help as well! None handle ore better than our kind!” 
“If you need precision surveying, my magic can assist...!” 
“Elves can weave natural, elegant decorations!” 

Everyone’s pitching in. 
All right, with this momentum, the railroad will be finished in no time! 

Together, we’ll stretch a ribbon of iron to connect city to city… person to person!!! 

“Hmm… looks like I can help too.” 

Ah- Platy? 

She’s peering at the blueprints now.  

Help how? 

“…Well, it says right here: artificial intelligence integration.” 

Oh? Where?  
Oh, you're right. 

An AI module… 

Why though?