Chapter 2

"Hooray, hooray!"

A boy in a newsboy cap ran across the train station platform with a bundle of newspapers in both arms.

"They say Archbishop Nicola was murdered at dawn this morning!"

An international train departed from the Holy Kingdom border station, traveling directly to the Imperial capital.

The unexpected news caused a small murmur among the passengers who were waiting for the train early.

"And that's not all! The murderer of Archbishop Nicholas is the infamous "Black Serpent," who is said to be able to stop even a weeping child from crying! For more details, in a special issue of our 'Saint Times'-"

What started out as a mild interest on the part of some of the passengers, with the next name, captures the attention of all of them in unison.

I glance over at the people rushing to buy the issue the boy has brought, then turn away, losing interest.

"Phew, stupid."

That was it. An older gentleman with a graying mustache sitting next to me snorted.

"I can't believe you'd risk your life to sell a few scraps of paper. I'm pretty sure he wants to die."

No one else is sitting next to the old gentleman. He seems to be talking to me.

"What do you mean, he wants to die?"

"The name."

"The name?"

"...They, the Archbishop's murderers."

The old gentleman grimaces and lowers his voice as I repeat the words. He holds back, as if he doesn't want to say them.

"There are some things in this world that should not be spoken of frivolously."

"Aha."

I was bored waiting for the train so I turned my head, unexpectedly intrigued.

"By the way, what is the name that would be considered frivolous to even utter?"

"How could I bring it up in front of strangers?"

"Ha! The old man got his comeuppance."

Apparently pleased with my answer, the old gentleman laughed heartily and shook my hand. He must have thought it sounded like a good joke.

"Oswald Rabbit."

"...Rain."

Not one to turn down a handshake, I stuck out my hand and shouted out my name.

"Rain Gray."

That was my new name. Whether I liked it or not, I was going to have to get used to it from now on.

'Oswald Rabbit, by the way.'

Aside from that, I searched my memory for the incongruity of the old gentleman's name.

Despite his somewhat eccentric first appearance, he was dressed in a very dignified and respectful frock coat and silk hat. It's not hard to tell from his attire that he's of a fairly wealthy class.

I'm guessing he's a businessman NPC from an earlier game in the series, but I can't immediately recall, so I don't think he's particularly important.

"Aha, Rain, I found you!"

It was then that I heard a girl's voice calling my name softly in the distance. Turning my head, I see a blonde girl with her usual cheerful gothic dress.

At her side is a woman in black, her eyes covered by a black bandage and fumbling with a cane.

"Alice, Aria."

I smile, calling their names softly.

"Ho, ho, you have company."

"My sister and niece."

I say, looking at them as they approach. That's the set-up, for now.

"Brother Rain...?"

Aria asks cautiously, fumbling with her blind cane, the way she snatches an assassin's blade out of thin air and returns it seems like a lie.

"Is there anyone beside...?"

"Uh, yeah. We were just chatting for a bit."

Her voice trembles like a mouse in water, stirring up protective instincts so I replied in a soothing tone, as if I cared about her.

After answering, I nudged the elderly gentleman next to me, Oswald Rabbit.

"My sister is very shy. As you can see, she's blind."

"Oh, excuse me."

Oswald coughed and moved out of the way, somewhat smugly.

"Who is this old man?"

Alice asks, cocking her head at the old gentleman as he sits down.

"Haha, just an old man passing by."

"Mmmm, I see!"

At that, Alice nodded vigorously up and down, then pointed her finger at Oswald and said to me.

"Can I eat this?"

"...?"

"Don't eat it."

"Oooh...okay."

I replied without a second's hesitation. Alice regretfully takes another bite and the grass dies.

I turned back to Oswald, whose eyes were wide with embarrassment.

"I hope you'll excuse her rudeness, but my...head is a little sore."

"Well, you must be in a lot of trouble."

The words were meant to blunt her behavior, but as it turned out, they were true.

"Woohoo, Alice is no fool!"

"Haha. I didn't say anything about that, little lady."

Oswald was now mingling with Alice like a grandfather with his granddaughter.

"Alice, you should say you're sorry properly."

"No, you don't. It's nothing to worry about."

"...No, Mr. Oswald. I'll apologize on her behalf."

"How thoughtful of you, young lady."

Oswald smiled bitterly at Aria's polite demeanor.

"So, may I ask what is going on with the Empire?"

After speaking, Oswald realized it was a bit much, and added hastily.

"I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help."

"...ah."

Apparently our group had unintentionally struck a chord with him. It must have been so nice to see us living together in harmony, even if it was a bit scarce. It's a combination that makes him want to help.

At the same time, when I thought of the old gentleman who was so reluctant to even mention the name of the Black Snake, the words "This one it's number two in the organization and she's number twelve" inadvertently came out of my throat. I'm the chief.

"It's not like I have any other business, I just wanted to see the scenery of another country."

"Okay, so I've been a bit of a nuisance. Please forgive me."

"No, thank you for the favor."

But that's it.

I kept my distance from the elderly gentleman, and then, miraculously, scrambled to catch the incoming express train.

One by one, the passengers were boarding and waiting to be checked for departure.

-Boom!

The train, which hadn't even departed yet, jolted from the sudden impact and I smiled wryly at the thought of that.

"They couldn't have let...go so easily."

"Since the Archbishop was killed, the Holy Kingdom should make some sort of gesture of dignity."

Aria replied but her voice was emotionless, lacking the slightest hint of hesitation or jeopardy.

The shockwave that hit the train was a binding, an enchantment that sealed off an area.

Common sense dictated that no one would let an express train leave their country unharmed for the first time since the Archbishop was murdered. I wondered if it was just me, but it was.

"This express train is no longer operating! From now on, all passengers on this train are subject to the kingdom's control!"

Suddenly, knights in pure white heavy armor burst onto the train, shouting.

"Can we eat those?"

"...Wait."

As I spoke, I watched the white knights stroll through the train's corridors, controlling the passengers.

The elite military organization of the Holy Kingdom, formally known as the Holy Warriors of the Crusade.

However, the knightly organization is more commonly known as the Holy Warriors.

'Fortunately, there are no named powerhouses.'

I don't see anyone of a recognizable level.

It's probably more of a show of force to stroke their egos than an actual conflict. The Holy Kingdom is probably sending a pleading message.

Please, let me have some dignity.

It's one thing to keep a low profile and painstakingly comply with controls but there was a reason I couldn't do that right now.

"What do you want me to do, sir?"

"... Right now, it's more important to track the whereabouts of the Holy Maiden."

I said, having made my decision.

Why was it so urgent and important?

Because she's on the cover of this game.

"We can't let the train stop like this."

"Then–"

There's no other way.

I have to make the train move, even if it means threatening it with a knife. That's what I have to do as a villain.

"I see."

One by one, the snow-white knights make their way across the cars, coming to the very end where we are.

"You guys, get off the train now."

Aria jerked to her feet in response to the high-pitched voice with her trademark jet-black stance and the hilt of her black sword in her hand.....