The Retired [Armed Merchant]’s Laid-back Journey Across the Continent 39

Chapter 39: The Rip-off Artist is Called by an Acquaintance.

An announcement for our passengers. This train will be arriving at Mozatta Station late tonight, in approximately 8 hours. The stop at Mozatta Station will be for 66 hours.

After a night’s sleep, the next day.

As we were relaxing in our cabin after dinner, such an announcement was heard.

“That’s kind of unusual, isn’t it?”

“It’s probably because we’re arriving late at night. It would be a pain to be woken up in the middle of the night.”

“True. And it seems we’ll be stopping for a long time at the next station.”

Al jumped off the bed and sat opposite me.

Aha, so she wants me to explain about Mozatta, does she?

Very well. I apologize for my half-baked knowledge, but I suppose I’ll show it off.

“Mozatta is the leading trading post in the Republic of Ravanant, also known as the ‘Canyon City’.”

“Trading in a canyon? Isn’t that a bit inconvenient?”

“Apparently, they use large hot air balloons.”

“…Hot air balloons?!”

Al’s eyes sparkled.

I understand how she feels. My heart pounded too when I first saw it in the guide.

Trading with ships that sail the sky is unthinkable in the east.

“The Mozatta Canyon seems to be a convenient terrain for mooring hot air balloons and exchanging goods, and hot air balloons gather there from all over the Republic of Ravanant. It said it’s quite a spectacle.”

“I want to see it soon! Can we ride one?”

“It did say there are passenger ships that will let you on if you pay in gold.”

At my words, Al let out an impressed “Oh…”.

Like the Magitek Train, hot air balloons are a romantic mode of transportation.

If we’re traveling through the Republic of Ravanant, I’d like to ride one at least once.

“The Republic of Ravanant has many mountains, unexplored regions, and deserts. It’s probably faster and safer to travel by air than by the usual roads. And they have the protection of a dragon.”

“The protection of a dragon?”

“Yeah. They’re said to have a contract with a white-scaled dragon. It means the sky in our country is much safer.”

There are monsters in the sky too.

At the top of them are the dragon species.

The sky is their territory, a place where humans should not approach.

However, the Republic of Ravanant seems to have made some kind of pact with the white-scaled dragon, the master of this sky.

Thanks to that, the hot air balloons that sail the sky are not attacked by wyverns and the like, and they only have to be careful of bird-type monsters.

In the first place, even bird-type monsters don’t often enter the sky where a dragon soars.

It was stated that the development of this Republic of Ravanant is based on several such pacts.

This is a mysterious land where humans and nature have coexisted since ancient times.

“I’m looking forward to the next station too… I’m really glad I could come with you, Rody-san.”

“That’s my line. Thanks to you, Al, it’s been fun all along. Thank you.”

I conveyed my honest feelings to Al.

I know how precious it is to be able to do that.

No matter how much money I’m offered, I have no intention of returning to the depths of the dungeon.

“Being with you, Rody-san, I’m… happy.”

“That’s my line too.”

We laughed together and held hands loosely.

…At that moment, the train came to a sudden stop.

“Whoa!”

“It’s okay, hold on.”

I pulled Al, who was about to lose her balance, close and braced myself.

Several pieces of furniture fell, and the chairs toppled over… but fortunately, we were able to hold on until the train came to a complete stop.

I’m sure there are injured people in the cars behind us.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. But it’s probably trouble.”

The kind of trouble that would make a high-speed Magitek Train come to a sudden stop.

To get her away from the dangerous, cluttered table area, I carried Al to the bed.

Even if something happens, it’s safer on the bed.

“Well… should I go and see what’s going on, or not?”

I flicked my fingers and returned the furniture to its original position.

It’s originally a household magic for returning scattered items to a bag or trunk, but with a little application, you can do this kind of thing.

Though a broken glass, of course, won’t come back.

“Sir, this is room service.”

Just as I had finished cleaning up, there was a knock on the cabin door.

“Ah, perfect timing. Could you collect the broken glass?”

“Certainly.”

When I opened the door, the usual room service golem bowed.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Are you injured?”

“No, we’re fine. More importantly, what happened?”

“I have come to explain the situation and to summon you, sir.”

The room service golem, holding a sack with the broken glass, turned to face me.

This is starting to feel like trouble.

This is strange, I’m supposed to be a tourist.

“Wait a moment. I’d like to consult with my companion.”

“Of course. Please let me know when you are ready.”

The room service golem said that and went outside the door.

From the looks of it, it seems I have no choice but to respond to this ‘summons’.

“Is it okay?”

“I don’t know, but it seems I’ll find out the situation. Sorry, but can you wait here? I’ll go and listen to what they have to say.”

“I’m good at waiting!”

I hugged the bravely smiling Al and gave her a small kiss.

Even though it’s a special trip, I felt terribly sorry for making Al wait alone again.

“Hehe, take care.”

“Yeah. I’ll be right back.”

I kissed Al’s forehead again and headed for the door.

In any case, I wanted to hear the story… and if the train doesn’t move, I can’t go on a date with Al in Mozatta.

And the owner of the ‘Trans-Continental Railroad’ has already given me an excessive reward.

If it’s a trouble I can solve, I want to solve it quickly and repay the debt.

Though I also think that they might have given me that reward in anticipation of this.

“Sorry for the wait. Shall we go?”

“Yes. Then, let’s go to the front car.”

I followed the room service golem for a while, and after passing the first car, I was guided to the engine car. I was prompted to step out onto the exterior walkway.

And at the front of the Magitek Train, I came face to face with the cause of the trouble.

“Well, long time no see, ‘Rip-off Company’.”

A giant white-scaled dragon sat on the tracks.

And with the giant dragon, an acquaintance waving at me.

“Hey, hey… what in the world is going on? ‘Transporter’?”