"That voice, that insufferable attitude... Is that you, Crab Noble?"
"Marcos Borg, if you please! Honestly, to think the people guarding the opposite sector were you two. Encountering a piece of trash like you in a place like this is the absolute worst."
Hugo’s expression soured at the sight of Marcos, whose attitude hadn't changed a bit since their last encounter a few days ago.
Hugo was genuinely baffled—how could someone who had made such a pathetic spectacle of himself during their duel still act so high and mighty? Marcos ignored him, instead using the ball of fire floating in his palm to illuminate Melt. He looked her up and down with a slimy, lingering gaze before speaking.
"Ho-ho. Well, you have a face and figure that aren't half-bad. I’ve taken a liking to you. Say, girl, why don't you dump Hugo and switch to me? I am the heir of the House of Borg, Marcos Borg! Depending on your behavior, I might even consider making you my concubine one day. It would be in your best interest to start ingratiating yourself with me while you have the chance."
"Face and figure...? No girl is going to be happy being talked to like that! Besides, why is the heir of a prestigious house taking a request like this? Are you actually short on cash, just like us?"
"Urgh...! S-shut up! It’s just that my parents found out about my defeat in the duel and cut off my allowance as punishment! Normally, I wouldn't have to lower myself to this kind of work... Argh, enough! As I thought, a vulgar woman like you and someone of my status are simply incompatible!"
His transparent advances failed to resonate at all. After being flatly rejected by Melt, Marcos’s face turned bright red as he remembered his recent humiliation, shouting to maintain his facade.
Hugo was reminded of the story of 'Sour Grapes' by that rapid change of heart, but he refocused, realizing now was not the time for mockery, and questioned Marcos.
"Sorry to interrupt your failed pass at her, but you came from the opposite entrance of the tunnel to get here, right? Did you see any of the passengers along the way?"
"No, I haven't. Judging by your tone, I take it the same applies to you. Even for a pair of mindless, shallow idiots like you, it would be impossible to miss the passengers of this locomotive. Which means—"
"They’ve all disappeared? Everyone on this train?"
There were only two entrances to the tunnel. Hugo and Marcos had each walked from opposite ends to reach the stalled train, yet neither had passed anyone along the way.
Where had the passengers gone, vanishing as suddenly as smoke? As Hugo and Melt puzzled over the mystery of the bizarre incident, Marcos let out a sharp snort.
"Well, no matter. I currently have my subordinates investigating the locomotive starting from the lead car. You two stay out of the way and just watch quietly from the sidelines."
"We can’t just watch quietly. We need to report this to the station office immediately and ask for instructions."
"He's right. Communication is difficult inside the tunnel, so we should head back outside for a moment—"
"Wait! Why should you be the ones to report it? We reached this carriage first! If you report it, you’ll be stealing the credit!"
"Is this really the time to worry about that?" Hugo protested. "A whole crowd of people has vanished; this is clearly an emergency! We don't have time to squabble over credit or—Wait."
Hugo’s expression shifted while he was arguing with Marcos, who was still trying to prevent them from reporting the situation.
Melt, wondering what was wrong as he began scanning the area, called out to him. "What is it all of a sudden, Hugo? Did something happen?"
"...I definitely heard a child's voice just now. They have to be nearby."
"Hearing things, are we?" Marcos scoffed. "I didn't hear a thing."
"No, I definitely heard it. Over this way!"
"Ah! Wait, Hugo!"
Trusting his instincts, Hugo bolted out of the carriage toward the front of the train—the direction Marcos’s group had come from.
Hurrying after him, Melt found him scanning a hollow beside the tracks. He used a Magic Power Knife to illuminate the dark corners, his face set in a grim mask of determination as he searched for the source of the voice.
"...There! I found someone!!"
"No way!? R-really!?"
Hugo dropped to his knees at a specific spot. Melt rushed over and let out a small gasp at the sight of the mud-covered young girl Hugo was reaching for.
"...Thank goodness. She’s breathing. It looks like she’s just unconscious."
"I can't believe there was actually someone there... You have sharp ears, Hugo."
"No matter how faint, I never miss a cry for help... That’s just what it means to be a hero."
Melt didn't quite understand what he meant by that, but she knew the girl's cry for help hadn't been an hallucination.
As Melt watched over them, illuminating the scene with her Magic Power Knife, the girl stirred in response to Hugo's voice.
"Ugh, nnh... Huh!? A-aaah...! No! Stay away!!"
"Easy, easy. I'm on your side. I came to help you. You're safe now, so just take it easy... okay?"
"U-uh... Big brother, did you come to save Mina?"
"That’s right. Your name is Mina, then? I'm Hugo. Hugo Clay. And this is Melt Epee. We heard the train stopped, so we came to help everyone."
"The train...! Yes... Mama! Mama...!"
Mina had been hysterical a moment ago, but Hugo’s calm demeanor seemed to reach her, and she recognized them as allies.
However, as she remembered whatever had happened inside the locomotive, her eyes filled with tears again and she began to tremble with fear.
"Were you on that train, Mina? It might be scary, but can you tell me what happened?"
"...They took them," she whispered. "Mama and all the others... the Magic Armor Beasts took them away..."