Chapter 12

I'm posting the second one for today.

I was so surprised that the number of bookmarks had tripled from this morning that I ended up ordering a pizza.

What on earth happened...

But anyway, I really, really appreciate all the bookmarks and views everyone has given me! Thank you so much!

If this keeps up, I might even make it onto the rankings...

Thank you all for your continued support!

Clack, clack... clack, clack...

A few hours after receiving the shocking explanation from Olivia, Ein and the others had already disembarked from the massive ship and moved to another location.

By the way, the ship had a name, and Chris explained that it was called the Princess Olivia.

"It's completely a ship dedicated to Mother."

Ein couldn't help but accept the reality after seeing all this.

The Princess Olivia's speed was extraordinary, and it took less time to travel from the port town of Roundheart to the continent of Istar, and then to the unified nation of Istarica on that continent, than it would have taken to travel from the port town of Roundheart to the capital.

According to Chris's explanation, the power source, like the ship in Haim, uses magic stones as fuel to generate propulsion.

However, even with the same fuel, there was a significant difference in speed, and the reason for this was the difference in the number and size of the engines.

While the details of the furnace materials were not explained, when setting up a normal furnace, the size and number are determined based on the hardness of the ground.

If the foundation is significantly better, the ship's frame must be made of some special material that Ein doesn't know about.

For some reason, this vehicle, which apparently uses a mountain of magic stones, felt comfortable to Ein.

He felt a sense of satisfaction similar to being full after a satisfying meal.

"Well, the issue was more about Mother's background than the ship's speed."

"Ein? Is something wrong? Did you say something?"

"No, Mother, it was an amazing ship, wasn't it?"

"Hehe... Yes, it is my pride and joy."

Ein's mutterings were partially heard by Olivia, but she didn't seem to mind too much.

The unified nation of Istarica, the second princess Olivia von Istarica.

Olivia's original name... or rather, since she has been divorced, this is now her current name.

While studying about the country, Ein, of course, also learned about Istarica.

In terms of land area, Haim couldn't compare to Istarica, and even if you consider the entire continent where Haim is located, Istarica still wins by a margin of double to triple the size.

When you add up all the small islands around the continent of Istar, the difference is about triple, and if you only consider the main continent, it's about twice as large.

While people do live on those small islands, most of them are farmers or fishermen, so they don't have much military strength.

In fact, Ein couldn't understand why someone from such a country would be sent to Haim as a bride.

*

"Mother..."

"Hmm? Is something wrong, Ein?"

"There are still so many things I don't understand..."

What Ein had learned: First, that Mother was the second princess, and that she married into the Roundheart family because it was necessary for Istarica.

Also, the blonde female knight Chris was one of Mother's former personal knights and is now serving in another department.

Clack, clack... clack, clack...

Lastly, the place they are heading to.

That place is the capital of Istarica, and within it, Mother's family home... in other words, the castle.

The beautiful white castle, called the White Knight, was named after the first king who unified the continent of Istar, who was a silver knight.

What Ein couldn't understand the most was why Mother had hidden the fact that she was the second princess, and what was so necessary for Istarica that they had to send a princess to Haim.

"I'm sorry, Ein. I'm making you think about so many things all at once."

"It's... it's fine! It's not like we're going to be separated, right?"

It's a common story.

The mother sacrifices herself to save her son, who then swears revenge on the one who killed her.

"That's the last thing I would do, Ein. Up until we boarded the ship in Roundheart, I might have considered it, but now it's impossible. There are many things I need to explain, and I can't make decisions on my own, so tomorrow... oh, the date has already changed, but when we arrive at the castle in the morning, I'll explain everything, Ein. Is that okay?"

"Understood. I was more curious than worried! I'll wait quietly."

"...You're really well-behaved, no... intelligent, Olivia-sama."

"He's a good boy, isn't he?"

Chris remained nearby even after disembarking from the ship.

According to her, there's no one stronger than me around here.

She must be an excellent knight, having served as a princess's guard.

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to say that... I'm sorry."

"It's fine, really. I don't have any regrets or feelings for him anymore, so it's not a big deal."

Ein's father was treated as "that person," and Olivia's expression when thinking about her husband was... well, let's just say it wasn't good.

"(Chris and Mother both say things like that...)"

"Oh! By the way, what exactly is this vehicle we're in? When we disembarked from the ship, we went through a tunnel-like passage and boarded this, so I'm not quite sure what it is."

When we changed vehicles, we went through a luxurious path similar to the one on the ship, and then arrived in another luxurious room, so I'm not sure what we're riding in.

From the outside, I could hear the familiar clack, clack sound, but I wasn't sure.

"This is my fault, Ein-sama. We switched to a water train. I believe Haim doesn't have anything similar."

"A... water train?"

So it is a train. I had imagined it might be, given the clack, clack sound... but of course, with the technology to build such a large and luxurious ship, they could make a train, and they have plenty of resources.

But what is a water train? Does it run on water?

"Yes, a water train. To explain the principle simply... crushed magic stones are submerged in a special-shaped tank. At the bottom of the tank is a special layer that, when acted upon from the outside, generates heat in the crushed magic stones."

So it's steam.

It seems more environmentally friendly than using coal, and the smoke shouldn't be black.

"Does it move using the steam?"

"...I'm surprised. You know how it works, Ein-sama?"

"When did you study this, Ein?"

"I just happened to read a book about it."

I'm sorry, I only know up to the point where steam is produced, but not what happens after that.

Something like... the generated steam powers a turbine, but I don't know the details.

I just tried to sound knowledgeable.

"I see, you don't neglect your studies..."

"It was just a coincidence! Really!"

"You're a good boy, Ein."

I'm satisfied that Mother praised me.

Sometimes pretending to know things can be useful.

"By the way, how fast is this water train? I don't feel any shaking."

"You understand that it shakes when it's moving fast... I'll explain. The maximum speed is 1100R, but the usual operating speed is between 850 and 950R."

R is a unit that means the same as km and is pronounced 'road.' The numerical comparison is the same as my Earth memory, so it's always helpful.

"Really that fast!?"

If you consider that passenger planes travel at around 800 km/h, you can understand how impressive this train's speed is.

Despite this, it's completely smooth, and the only sound you hear is the occasional clack, clack.

"Yes, that's right. The reason you don't feel any shaking is because this water train has a special space management device that controls it."

What is this space management device? Is this place some kind of alternate dimension?

I'm starting to feel a bit scared about going near the windows.

"Ah, I see... So the people of Istarica travel comfortably."

"This level of water train is not available for civilian use. By the way, this train is a direct route to the largest station in the capital, called White Rose. It follows a similar route to other water trains leaving from the port, but it has its own dedicated tracks and, of course, a dedicated exit at the station."

So that's why there was a direct path from the ship to the train.

Wow, I feel like I'm getting VIP treatment.

"But riding in a royal carriage... I feel a bit guilty."

When Ein said this, Olivia covered her mouth and laughed softly.

"Mother? Did I say something strange?"

"Yes, Ein, you're a bit amusing... I'm sorry."

"Hmm..."

What did I say? Chris explained.

"Ein-sama, I understand that it's difficult to accept everything you've just learned..."

She looked a bit apologetic but continued explaining.

"Ein-sama is a legitimate member of the Istarica royal family. As the legitimate child of the second princess, Olivia-sama, you have the right to use it, of course."

T-That's right, I'm a royal too!

And not just any royal, but the only son of the second princess!

Of course, I can ride in it! I'll ride again, the juice is delicious.

"To be honest, I had completely forgotten. Yes, as Mother's child, I am a royal."

"I'm glad you understand."

"Don't say sad things, Ein. I'm not lying, you're my only child... okay?"

In the morning, I rode in a carriage (rear car) and, in the capital of Haim, I wasn't allowed to attend the party because I was the second son, and I was naturally excluded from the after-party, but now I'm receiving VIP treatment as a member of the royal family.

Hmm, I didn't expect this turn of events.

Honestly, I thought this might be part of the second life I was given by God, but I remember the gacha said I was from a baron's family.

So, this is just my fate.

"By the way... Olivia-sama."

"Yes, what is it?"

"It's not a problem, but there might be some trouble for you when we arrive at the castle."

"It can't be helped, I suddenly got divorced and returned to the country."

"No, actually, it's about that."

Chris looked hesitant. What's wrong?

"...The message bird you sent did indeed arrive and was delivered to the castle's royal family butler's office."

A message bird is a disposable communication device that works by splitting a single magic stone into two parts that remain connected.

The cost increases with the distance, and for something like this that crosses continents, it's quite expensive.

While the cost is a concern, it's only for one-way communication, so it's not very convenient... or so I've heard.

"Yes, that's why Chris and the others came to pick us up."

Thanks to that, we arrived in the port town of Roundheart so quickly. Otherwise, it would have taken at least a week to communicate back and forth.

"It was delivered, but before we received any communication from the butler's office... no, even before that, we hadn't informed His Majesty or the other members of the royal family that Olivia-sama was returning."

"Oh!"

Mother didn't seem too concerned.

But that could be a problem, right?

"In this case, since Olivia-sama is a royal, the use of the royal family's dedicated train and the Princess Olivia was approved as authorized by Olivia-sama."

"Yes, that makes sense."

"The reason we didn't inform His Majesty..."

"I can guess. If Father knew, he might send out the White King."

"Mother, what is the White King?"

I asked about the unfamiliar term.

"Father... King Silvado's personal ship. It's much larger than the Princess Olivia and has many offensive capabilities, so it shouldn't be launched often."

"Olivia-sama is right, and we can't stop His Majesty... in many ways."

What do you mean "in many ways"? That's scary.

"I know what Chris is thinking. You wouldn't forget to consider the butler's office, and I wouldn't repay your kindness with ingratitude."

"I appreciate your consideration."

Mother herself ordered that the royal family not be informed.

She seems to have the authority to use the royal family's dedicated train, the Princess Olivia, and to authorize its departure.

The butler's office, having no issues, and with an order from the second princess Olivia to keep it confidential, would have an obligation to comply.

"But then... oh, that means I'm returning home suddenly without any notice, right?"

"...I can't quite agree with the phrasing, but in general, that's correct."

"Hehe, that's fine. It sounds fun."

I'm glad Mother is having fun.

"What is Father's schedule for tomorrow?"

"According to the confirmation before we set sail to pick up Olivia-sama, there was nothing special."

"Then it's fine. I'll enter the castle as usual, take a bath, and then go to my room. Is there any problem with that?"

"Y-Yes, but before that, a word with His Majesty..."

"Ein is tired. I'll greet Father with Ein after he has a good rest. Is there a problem with that?"

There's no problem for me, and Mother expressed her intention to do so.

To see Mother being so free and assertive is a first for me...

(She's good like this too.)

Still, it's a bit unfair to His Majesty, so I'll try to smooth things over.

"Mother, if you return suddenly, His Majesty and your family will worry. Chris, when will this train arrive at the station?"

"Yes, it's scheduled to arrive around 11:00 AM."

"Thank you. By the way, how long does it take to get from the White Rose station in the capital to the castle?"

"About 20 minutes by dedicated carriage."

So, we'll arrive at the castle by 11:30 AM at the earliest, and since Mother wants to take a bath...

"I'll have a light meal prepared around 12:30 PM. Then, despite the tight schedule, I'll take a short break around 1:00 PM and meet with His Majesty in the afternoon, around 3:00 PM. How does that sound, Mother?"

"Hmm... Ein, is that okay? You could take a few days off first."

That's too long to wait.

It might even be dangerous, like an ambush.

"Since we'll be staying, I'd like to greet His Majesty as soon as possible, Mother. It would be the greatest insult if he thought my education in Istarica was inadequate."

"...You're such a good boy, Ein. Alright, let's do it that way."

I got a hug.

By the way, will my room be prepared? I'm worried about being rude if I just show up.

"Ein-sama, how can you say such a thing... of course, your room will be prepared."

"Actually, I'll share a room with you, so there's no problem, Ein?"

It's good to see everything worked out well.

Hey, Chris, don't look at us with that dubious expression.

I want to eat magic stones...

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