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Chapter 81
🕑 Added 2025-10-01 14:56:35 +0000 UTCAfter only a few minutes, I got the distinct impression Olga Marie was a neglected child.
Desperate to prove herself. Unsure. Skittish. Quick to anger. Overly sensitive to any perceived insults as well as compliments. Also, bossy. But, I supposed that last trait was common to all nobles. She wasn't just a 'noble' either. The Animusphere had lorded over the Department of Astrology since the very inception of the Clock Tower, and boasted influence and power rarely ever matched or questioned.
Admittedly, I typically used all these little bits of information to throw shade at the other party. Not in this case however, she was a little child. I had my limits. Besides, she was a pretty adorable brat once I got used to her way of coping with her neglectful father.
By the time the train came to a halt, she was happily sitting with us, head held high and chest puffed like she was especially proud of herself. She ALSO stole my cookies. Why did people do that so much? Everyone I met ended up taking my food.
"I'll be sure to keep an eye out for when you eventually join us." Hishiri sipped her tea, "Although, I imagine the Animusphere heiress joining us won't be a quiet affair."
I craned my neck, "Is it because the Animusphere are part of the Barthomeloi faction?"
Olga Marie crossed her arms and huffed. "Hm, you don't even know this much. You should be grateful I'm here to tell you."
I hid my mouth behind my palm, stifling a chuckle as well as the involuntary snark that came welling up the second she finished speaking.
"Every heir apparent spends some time in the Department of Policies so that they can learn how to rule properly. You couldn't be a proper Lord if you didn't even know the rules, could you?"
Huh.
"That is the gist of it, yes." Hishiri nodded.
I had to push down a laugh again.
The Department of Policies was hated by every magus. They were called heretics and treated as pariahs in our society. They imposed rules on free research, wholly discarding the ideal of every magus by giving up pursuit of the Root of all Creation.
Yet, how was it that those who 'ruled' this society of ours had to definitively join the department for a time?
An interesting prospect, but ultimately one that was unrelated to me. I wasn't a noble. And, I had no intention of becoming one if it meant subjecting myself to the constant politics of the Clock Tower, always walking on eggshells so as not to cause a diplomatic incident.
In fact, causing such 'incidents' was what I loved the most.
I gazed out of the window, resting my chin atop my palm. "Why are we stopping?"
"It's a scheduled break." Hishiri explained, "I thought you'd be jumping at the chance to explore a new land."
"With my luck, I'll run into a dragon or something out there and miss the train. As much as I'd love that, I do have business on here."
Mainly, finding out who was getting my foot shoved up their rear next. God, I hoped the culprit was one of the Twelve Lords. It'd make for an incredible adventure if nothing else. Atop that, it'd cause my Professor a headache so that was good too.
Hishiri's gaze sharpened, "Would that have something to do with your Mystic Eyes?"
"How'd you know I have Mystic Eyes-… Ah wait, right, that auctioneer yakked during breakfast."
"I admit I should have noticed far earlier. I thought the aviators were a somewhat eccentric fashion choice. So, you've come to sell them?"
Olga looked over curiously. Her next words were extremely child-like, yet, may as well have been the complete truth of the matter. The sort of truth adults missed but children often noticed just because of their innocence and wonder.
"Wait, do you have the rumoured Mystic Eyes?"
I glanced at the Animusphere Princess, "Dunno. I don't think so, at least."
"Hmm," Olga Marie narrowed her eyes, tucking a stray bang behind her ear. "I guess so. They wouldn't be stupid enough to not remove the eyes the moment they were able."
…
Yeah, those Rainbow-ranked eyes were definitely mine, weren't they?
She rose to her feet, "I need to rest."
Her attendant, Trisha watched her young lady leave the car before giving me a small bow. "Thank you, sir."
"For talking to Olga?"
She shook her head, "I believe you'll find out quite soon."
With those cryptic words, the older woman left, leaving me alone with Hishiri.
"I think I shall like to take a walk outside as well." She held out her elbow for me to take.
I shook my head. "Hell no. I'm taken."
At that, she just gave a soft laugh. "I'm sure the Edelfelt Princess wouldn't mind you being a gentleman."
"Probably not. I do though."
She definitely figured it out too. I could tell from the look in her eyes. Even though there was no proof that mine were the rumoured eyes, she was definitely thinking the same thing I was. In my case, it was just because I was that confident. However, I failed to understand her reasoning. No reasonable person could arrive at that conclusion from that.
I eyed the Japanese woman cautiously.
-
In the end, I decided against leaving the train. The day passed uneventfully and I returned to my cabin to tuck in for the night. Karabo Frampton, the Church Executor, kept a close eye on me, but nothing else really happened. The Professor was too busy trying to find clues for whatever mystery he was caught up in now, and even though we had entered the domain of another Dead Apostle, said Dead Apostle was yet to make any move.
I was even afraid the Dead Apostle would do nothing as I climbed into bed. That'd be so boring I'd die before the auction began.
Somewhere along the way, we'd even passed out of the snowstorm out onto greener pastures dotted with hills and empty plains of knee-high grass.
"Come on, man. Don't you have any pride? Get upset about being used for a ritual and throw a tantrum." I whispered to myself, placing my aviators on the bedside table. "Or, has literally no one noticed that the train and that guy got used?"
That was also a distinct possibility.
I only noticed because I watched it transpire.
Shaking my head of those useless thoughts, I began praying for a night attack. Nothing came. Instead, an eerie silence settled on the cabin. I realized that I was sleeping alone for the first time in a good while.
…That just made me miss Luviagelita.
"Those thighs are a blessing upon this world."
With that sacred wisdom in mind, I dozed off.
Only, I was pretty sure that not even an hour had passed before a loud explosion ripped me from my sleep. The ceiling thumped with footsteps, and deafening thunder roared overhead. Then, I heard the familiar clang of steel against steel. Outside, the night shied away from rampant bursts of lightning.
I couldn't help but grin.
My prayers had actually been answered.
"I need to give a reward to whoever decided to attack."
Immediately, I jumped out of bed, threw on a white button-up shirt and black pants before sliding the door aside so hard the poor thing trembled under the sudden force. To my right, Trisha stood guard outside Olga Marie's room, hands behind her back.
Her eyes shimmered as she turned my way.
"What's going on?"
"Lord El-Melloi II is fighting someone on the roof. The other guests have elected to stay out of the conflict as-"
I cut her off, scratching the back of my head. "As conflicts between magi are to be solved between those concerned themselves. Yeah yeah, I know, just say you don't have the balls."
"Well, I'm a woman, sir."
I cackled.
"Yeah, my bad. Alright, I'll head out."
"You don't need to."
I waved her suggestion off. "And, the train staff? They don't have anything to say?"
"It is common for interested parties to enter conflict on the Rail Zeppelin. Thinning the competition, is how I'd put it. So long as the train itself isn't damaged, we have no reason to intervene." Leandra appeared behind me, shrugging her hands. "I suggest you do the same. There's no reason to-"
"Can it. An attack on the Professor is an attack on me. Gray's up there too, right?"
The auctioneer shrugged again. I turned to Trisha.
She gave a hesitant nod.
"So that's decided then."
-
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