Train Under Siege
Wow! Look at these seats!
Smile, come sit here! It's super soft!
By both objective and subjective standards, these train seats are closer to hard benches.
Unclear whether Luna has ever ridden a train before.
Hey! That's slander!
I've been on plenty of trains!
This is just my first time in a cabin that has [seats]!
There are train cars without seats?
Wow. That question really did sound like it came straight from a rich sheltered kid.
Asherah, you probably don't know this, but of course there are cabins without seats.
Like when you're fleeing debt collectors and hop onto a freight car without a ticket!
Or when you have to cling to the roof of a night train to escape a casino!
What does any of that have to do with my upbringing?!
And the second example isn't even a passenger car!
Boo! Down with narrow-minded bourgeois thinking! Workers of Lavistar, unite!
Luna is not a worker.
She is a [voluntary non-economic actor] with no intention to work.
Oh! Oh! Omega knows what that means!
Daddy taught Omega a word! Luna is a [free rider]!
As usual, my team displayed a remarkable group solidarity.
And beside me sat a gravestone maniac—
I mean, Senior Maid Bell, staring gloomily out the window.
Are you worried about something?
Hmm?
...
W-why do you care whether I'm worried or not?!
Listen! I'm only here under orders from Polaris to help you complete your [trial]!
My job is to prevent you idiots from dying a premature death by some curse.
That's all. Nothing more.
I'm not helping with the trial itself, so don't get your hopes up.
I-is that so?
I shouldn't be surprised, though. She was pessimistic about our [Journey] from the start.
She even told me she'd at least erect a gravestone for me if I died, or something like that.
Or wait...
Did she actually say that? If so, when?
I started getting a throbbing headache when Luna thankfully interrupted.
Oh? That's odd...
Hey, Senior Maid! Didn't you volunteer for this mission?
W-what?!
H-how did you—
H-hey! Where did you hear such nonsense?!
Well, I am Lavistar's greatest [oracle].
I nodded off earlier and saw the future in a dream where you confessed to everything.
U-u-uh...
S-shut up! That's just a stupid dream!
Hmm? Strong denial is usually strong affirmation in disguise, you know?
W-what kind of ridiculous logic is that?!
Then what? Does strong affirmation mean strong denial?!
No, don't be silly. Strong affirmation is just strong affirmation.
Anyway, judging by how flustered you are... seems like I was right, no?
You sham oracle! Stop twisting everything!
Really? Did you volunteer because you wanted to join our [Journey]?!
Come on, you should've just told us from the start!
W-what am I supposed to have told you?!
I get it. You believed in Captain and the Savior Party, didn't you?
Even the Senior Maid of Candle Square had faith in our success!
No... I never said anything like that...
Don't worry! You said you were Bell, right?
If we perform well in this [trial], I'll tell Captain to recruit you into the Savior Party!
Our entry standards are strict, but...
I'm sure a maid from Candle Square will pass with flying colors!
Stop! Just stop!
W-who would want to join some stupid Savior Party?!
[Forced employment] at Candle Square is bad enough as it is!
Forced employment?
I tilted my head at the unusual expression.
Likely a figurative reference to the [Firstborn's Duty].
House Rhys is one of NOA's well-known allied houses.
Their heir is required to serve a term at [Candle Square].
Source. NOA Central Library, The History of the Seven Houses, chapter on Rhys.
Oh, right... Bell is also an heir, isn't she?
But why would someone already so busy with heir training need an additional obligation?
According to the same source...
E-enough! Stop!
I'll explain it myself.
Hearing your family's shame from someone else is the worst.
Bell exhaled sharply, then began recounting her family's history.
After the [Star Savior] banished the Void Star and ascended, the world remained in turmoil.
During that chaos emerged a figure known as the [Immortal King Mogulus].
Once a disciple of House Rhys, he committed countless atrocities in pursuit of eternal life.
Unable to ignore it, the Rhys ancestors joined forces with the Grand Witch Alicia to defeat him.
Afterward, House Rhys established a duty to restore their honor.
Their heirs must serve as a maid of Candle Square and attend to the Saviors.
This became known as the [Firstborn's Duty].
So you're the heir to House Rhys?
...Yes.
For now...
For now...?
Just as Bell was about to continue, the train jolted violently.
*Screeech!!*
Kyaaah! What's happening?!
Mommy! Daddy!
The train screeched as it engaged its emergency brake. I gripped the armrests to keep from being thrown forward.
When the train finally stopped, I immediately stood up.
What's going on?
Captain! Look!
I looked at where Asherah was pointing at past the window.
Heavily armed bandits had the train completely surrounded.
All of you! Hands up and get off the train!
Do as you're told, and we will guarantee your lives!
But if you don't...
KABOOM!
At the bandit's words, part of the cabin exploded.
The explosion was deliberate, a show of force to scare the passengers.
Captain!
Asherah looked at me with a hardened expression.
We were thinking the same thing. I nodded in reply.
Let's go. We're taking those bandits down.
Captain's orders confirmed!
Voyager Savior Party, prepare for battle!