The launch ceremony for the Gardiknight had only just taken place yesterday.
As a new overland transport link between the Imperial Capital and Eupeheim, it was expected to play a major role in Leomel’s future development. The maiden voyage was bustling with guests invited by Marquis Ulysses Ignat, the man behind the ambitious project.
The next morning, after a first day filled with festivities and parties, Ren woke up in his guest room and drew back the curtains.
"Whoa."
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he watched the landscape roll by. The train had traveled through the night while the passengers slept, leaving the Imperial Capital and Erendil far behind. Unfamiliar nature unfolded outside—lush green plains bordering a vast lake.
Ren took in the view for a moment before getting out of bed to get ready. A glance at the clock showed it was just past seven. He still had about thirty minutes before his breakfast date with Lithia and the others.
Even though he was ahead of schedule, he stepped out of his room and into the connecting passage. This section of the train was quiet and sparsely populated, a deliberate arrangement by Ulysses for his invited guests.
Even in the corridor, the rhythmic clatter of wheels on tracks was nearly silent. The boast that the train was a masterpiece of modern engineering held true; it was proving to be an incredibly comfortable overland journey.
He was just about to admire the scenery through one of the large windows—wider than those in the guest rooms—when he spotted the two girls.
"Good morning," he said. "You’re both up early."
"Yeah. Morning," Lithia replied.
"Good morning. Lithia-sama and I both woke up ahead of time and just happened to bump into each other," Fiona added.
It was a funny coincidence that all three of them had gathered well before their appointed time. They exchanged morning greetings and smiles, then, as if by silent agreement, they all turned to look out the window.
The view wasn't much different from what Ren had seen earlier. If anything, the window was simply on the opposite side of the train from his room.
They cracked a window to catch the breeze, welcoming the cool morning air and the fragrance of the forest. The wind played with their hair as Ren let out a satisfied stretch. He checked his watch; it was finally time for breakfast.
One of the famous restaurants from the Imperial Capital Avenue had opened a branch on board. They enjoyed a meal exclusive to the Gardiknight, finished with some tea, and then left the dining car. They had spent quite a while talking, and before they knew it, it was already past nine-thirty.
They didn't part ways there; instead, they headed toward the other attractions. The Gardiknight, Ulysses’s pride and joy, offered more than just fine dining and beautiful vistas; it featured several facilities designed for entertainment, including a general store and even a small art museum.
Such amenities were unheard of on a typical train, but this was no ordinary locomotive. They spent time browsing local specialties and fine tableware at the store, then headed to the second level to admire the paintings and sculptures in the gallery.
Though their day had started early, noon had already come and gone. They shared lunch at a different restaurant, and afterward...
"Hey, what’s the plan for this afternoon?" Lithia asked Ren and Fiona.
There were only a few facilities they hadn't visited yet. While they were debating where to go next, Fiona pulled out her handbook.
"Come to think of it... we should be coming up on a spectacular view soon!"
They made their way to the observation car. What they saw there was nothing short of a hidden region.
As the Gardiknight entered a deep canyon, they were surrounded by shades of emerald and azure. The trees on either side were shrouded in fresh greenery, and groundwater cascaded down the rock faces in shimmering waterfalls that fed into a crystal-clear stream below. Looking up, pillars of light descended from a sliver of blue sky caught between the towering cliffs.
The train reduced its speed, crawling slowly across the bridge.
"Wow... it’s incredible!"
"I never imagined we’d see something so beautiful!"
Lithia and Fiona marveled at the sight. Standing beside them, Ren was equally captivated. The overwhelming beauty surrounding them stirred emotions they had never felt before, a sense of wonder they shared in silence.
Ten minutes later, it felt as though they had just returned from another world. The scenery shifted as they left the canyon, and the three began to talk once more as they made their way back through the connecting passage.
"Um, according to this, there are other beautiful spots coming up!"
Fiona’s voice was full of excitement, and Ren found himself looking forward to it. It was only mid-afternoon, and though they had already packed so much into their day, the journey was far from over.