“That’s right!” a voice said.
Other students appeared in the engine room.
“That’s why everyone’s following Naya’s lead and staying back to study!”
“Let’s get the Demon King Express up and running within three days so we can surprise Lord Anos for once!”
“That’s a great idea! Agreed!”
“Let’s do it!”
The enthusiastic voices of the students echoed from every carriage of the train. Thanks to everything they had experienced, they were now capable of grasping what was expected of them.
“Voluntarily training with such zeal? How commendable,” I said.
The students whirled around with a gasp.
“L-Lord Anos!”
“Hey! Lord Anos is back!”
The students stepped out of the Demon King Express.
“The situation has changed,” I said. “People from the outer worlds just tried to target the Sword of Three Races and mom. I managed to follow them out of the world and took a look around.”
The students’ faces gradually turned more grim as I apprised them of the situation.
“Well done getting everything prepared. Thanks to your efforts, we can depart on the Demon King Express immediately.”
The stoker’s jaw dropped. “Immediately?”
“Are you serious... Not even three days...” the fireman muttered in horror.
“B-But Lord Anos, all we’ve done is practice. There’s no guarantee the Demon King Express will actually run,” the students said nervously.
“Practice makes perfect, isn’t that the saying?” I replied.
“That’s why we were practicing—”
“There’s no time for more of that. Which is why we’ll use a saying that was popular two thousand years ago: Do it or drown.”
The students paled, and twittered to each other fretfully.
“I don’t think I understand?”
“What does drown mean? To drown ourselves in work?”
“No, you never know with Lord Anos. It could just literally mean drown and die!”
“Or it could be both! If we sink into the abyss while drowning, we might grow more. We can always come back to life if we die anyway...”
“Whose saying was that?” one student asked me.
“Mine,” I replied.
The students all looked at me with despair. Good—it was when they had this expression that they showed their true power.
“As soon as the passengers are ready, we will depart. Get to your positions,” I said.
“R-Right away!”
The students rushed to their positions and began preparations under the instruction of an utterly gleeful Eldmed.
In the meantime, I sent a Leaks out to everyone I needed. A magic circle immediately appeared before me, followed by Misha and Sasha teleporting over.
“What do you mean we’re suddenly leaving the world?!” Sasha immediately demanded.
“Did something happen?” Misha asked worriedly.
“I’ll explain once everyone gets here. For now, board the Demon King Express.”
As I was saying that, Eleonore, Zeshia, Arcana, and Ennessone teleported over. They were followed by Aeges, mom, and dad.
“Anos,” dad called out, running over with mom.
“Is everything okay?” mom asked. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
I returned mom’s concerned look with a smile. “Things have gotten a little troublesome, mom. I don’t know why, but someone is targeting you. I’m about to go outside the world to find the enemy, but I’d feel better with you within range of my Eyes. Will you come with me?”
If Costoria’s group knew I was trying to enter Pablohetra, they might come to this world for mom again. It’d be far safer to just bring her with me.
“Okay. Sure thing! If you say it’s for the best, then it must be true.”
Mom exchanged looks with dad and nodded firmly. They didn’t fully understand the situation, but as always, they were willing to believe in me.
“Oh! Then please come this way, mother, father!” Ellen said excitedly.
“We’ll lead you to your seats!” Jessica added.
Mom and dad followed them onto the Demon King Express. Misa, who had been waiting for a chance to speak, came running over as soon as they left.
“Lord Anos! Do you know where my father and Lay are?” she asked.
“They’re in the outer world keeping an eye on our assailants. We’re going to meet up with them now.”
She sighed in relief. “I see...”
“Get on board,” I said.
“Right away!”
She hurried onto the train.
“Melheis,” I said through Leaks while making my way towards the train.
“Yes, my liege.”
“I’ll be out of the country for about three days. There’s no clear attack planned on our world right now, but an enemy from the outside could strike at any time. They’re strong. If an emergency arises, rely on the Four Principles of the Divine Realm, the Great Spirit Reno, Diedrich of Agatha, and Golroana of Jiordal. They’ll buy time for me to return.”
“As you command.”
“There’s little we know right now. Look over everything I sent you carefully.”
I had already sent all the information I had to Melheis through Leaks. He would share that with the higher-ups of Dilhade, as well as with Reno, Diedrich, and Golroana.
“I will be awaiting your return.”
“Right.”
I boarded the Demon King Express and took my place on the throne that had been set up behind the engine. The Conflagration King then approached with a reverent bow and expectant grin.
“Depart,” I said.
He burst into cackling laughter, having waited for this moment. “Did you all hear that, people of the outer worlds?! The Demon King Express Beltexfenblem is now setting off on its maiden voyage!”
He waved his cane dramatically. “Sound the whistles! Sound the whistles of the Demon King! Let loose the cry that will strike terror into the masses that still linger unawares! Soon all will tremble at this sinister sound!”
The Conflagration King leaped through the air.
“The sound hailing the arrival of the Demon King of Tyranny!”
The steam whistles blew, and the wheels began to turn. The Demon King Express started moving up the waterway channel to the surface.
“Set course for the Dark Firmament. Onwards to an unknown world!” the Conflagration King declared, grinning from ear to ear as he pointed to the sky. “Onwards, upwards, and awaaay!”