Chapter 112

“We were each born into royalty or nobility. I, in particular, was born a daughter of the royal family and have lived a life of privilege. I was always held in high regard, praised as someone special.”

“But in a moment like this, in the face of fear and violence, I’m reminded that I am nothing more than a powerless woman. I cannot wield a sword like a knight, nor can I take down an enemy barehanded like a warrior.”

“Even so, I am still a princess of this kingdom. Because something flows through my blood…. something that makes me noble.”

“What is it that makes us royal, that makes us noble? What makes a royal worthy of their crown and a noble worthy of their title? I was taught that it is pride and honor.”

“Pride and honor cannot be touched by hand nor seen with the eyes. Yet there are moments when they reveal themselves. And I believe this is one such moment.”

“If someone were to ask me what honor is, what pride is, this is how I would answer. It is the courage that knows no cowardice in the face of danger. It is the resolve to not turn away from the suffering of others.”

“If we stay here and barricade ourselves, we may feel safe. At least for a while….until the enemy eventually reaches this place. But we have another choice.”

“Will we be nobles who choose safety? Or will we be nobles in the truest sense?”

“I, Estelle Louise T Paragon Moore Wilhelmina of Laurencia, humbly ask this of you. Show me your courage and your resolve.”

Estelle finished her long speech without pausing once.

It was an impromptu speech, made without a script or preparation.

And yet, Estelle delivered it as though she had been born for this very moment. Her oration ended magnificently, and silence fell over the cabin.

But it was a charged silence. A silence that simmered and burned.

Watching the diplomats with bated breath, Estelle soon realized she had succeeded in persuading them.

“I, Aiden, eldest son of Edmund Aster, Lord of Berylfort Castle, will fight for Her Highness.”

A man with chestnut-brown hair was the first to kneel on one knee before Estelle.

He was a young man, likely around Estelle’s age, and in his eyes shone a mix of a good conscience, a yearning for honor, and the fiery spirit of youth eager to prove his courage before a beautiful princess.

Sensing this, Estelle readily extended her right hand, and the young man pressed his lips to the top of her glove.

Estelle smiled.

“I will remember your loyalty in my heart.”

Count Vische also stepped forward.

“I may be an unworthy old man, but I am not yet so feeble as to cower behind the young. I, Guillaume de Vische, shall also follow Your Highness’s noble will and show these enemies the mettle of our kingdom. Long live Laurencia.”

With Count Vische who was the highest-ranking diplomat assigned to Libron declaring his support, it was only natural that the remaining two diplomats and the two attendants joined the train rescue party in turn.

However, Count Vische, ever cautious, asked for confirmation of the facts.

“The pride and courage of those present here are truly admirable. They would be even more so if each of us had a weapon in hand. But we are unarmed, while our enemies are not. The knight beside you claimed she could defeat them single-handedly…can that truly be believed? If those words were mere bravado, we may soon become the tragic heroes of a grim tale, Your Highness.”

“It’s not bravado. Josephine is the finest swordswoman in the kingdom. Not even within the Royal Guard was there anyone who could match her in skill.”

“Is that really true?”

“It hasn’t been publicly announced yet, but Josephine is scheduled to represent the kingdom in the swordmanship exchange tournament hosted by the Empire next year. She may even win the whole thing and earn the title of Swordmaster.”

“Swordmaster…”

“I’m right, aren’t I, Josephine?”

Estelle turned to Josephine as she said this, her face filled with anxious concern.

Because what she had just said, she’d said without thinking it through.

In reality, Josephine had no intention of participating in any swordmanship tournament.

But in Estelle’s desperate gaze, Josephine could see what she was trying to say.

Estelle was pleading with her silently, asking her to go along with it, just this once. To tell a hopeful lie if need be, so that the others might find the courage they needed.

Telling a lie went against Josephine’s principles.

But for the sake of the princess who, with noble spirit, had cast aside her own safety to save strangers, fellow passengers whose faces she didn’t even know…Josephine decided, just this once, to set aside her convictions.

Even if what Estelle had just said was an exaggeration, Josephine figured she could make it true herself.

“Her Highness speaks the truth.”

“Ohh!”

With that answer, the atmosphere in the cabin shifted dramatically.

Josephine rested her hand on the hilt of her sword, steeling her resolve.

“Then let us begin the train rescue operation.”

***

Excluding Estelle, their protected guard, there were seven in total.

That was the full number of the train’s makeshift rescue team.

Those without weapons made do by breaking apart furniture in the first-class cabin, wielding chair legs and similar items as makeshift clubs.

Better than nothing, but hardly reassuring.

“It really is a shame we have no proper weapons.”

Train regulations strictly prohibited bringing weapons into the passenger cabins, so their lack of arms was unavoidable.

Josephine, assigned to royal protection, was the only one granted an exception.

Trying to dispel the unease, Josephine spoke up.

“As soon as we disarm the bandits, we’ll be able to arm ourselves. I’ll give the first captured weapons to the two of you who are most confident in swordsmanship. I’d like you two to protect Her Highness.”

Aiden, the son of Viscount Aster, volunteered for the guard role without hesitation, and the older Count Vische stepped back, yielding the position to others.

After a brief discussion, it was decided that one of Count Vische’s attendants would take the second spot.

“This man also serves as my personal bodyguard, so his skills should be adequate.”

“Then I’ll now explain the operation.”

Josephine began mapping out the structure of the train in her mind.

Their current location was the first-class cabin.

Situated near the center of the train, the first-class section had a lounge and dining car toward the front, and a second-class section to the rear.

Beyond the second-class cars lay the general passenger cars, then the cargo cars, and finally, the rear engine compartment.

“Our first objective is to secure the engine room at the rear of the train.”

One of the diplomats had testified that the number of enemies was around ten.

However, that was based on a sighting just before the crash, and it was entirely possible the enemy had reinforcements.

If so, the only way to stop additional enemies from boarding was to get the train moving again before reinforcements could arrive.

Moreover, since the train had come to a halt due to colliding with an obstacle, the track ahead was likely blocked.

That meant they would need to reverse the train and leave the area backwards.

Hence, the rear engine compartment was the priority.

And from here, the rear engine room is just slightly closer anyway.

It was a plan born from those calculations.

“On the way to the rear engine room, we’ll neutralize any enemies we encounter and seize their weapons. At the same time, we’ll rescue passengers and crew members and have them regroup with the main unit.”

Estelle nodded with a tense expression.

“Let’s give it a try.”

***

In the passage connecting the premium car to the first-class car, there was a tarp to block the wind from outside and an observation window through which the next car could be seen.

Peeking through the observation window, Josephine lowered her voice.

“There’s an enemy inside.”

Clench.

The sound of someone gripping a wooden club tightly.

A tension so thick it felt like it was pulling the skin taut filled the air.

“But it’s only one. I should be able to take him down on my own.”

With a glance, Josephine signaled the others to step back, then gently pushed the door leading to the first-class car with the tip of her foot.

Her sword was already drawn.

Creeeeeak!

The hinges let out a high-pitched squeal. It was likely from a lack of oil.

The ambush was all but ruined.

“Who’s there?!”

The bandit turned toward them.

While each premium car was designed for a single passenger to occupy the entire carriage, the first-class section consisted of compact private rooms, each about 7 square meters, lined up along one side of the corridor.

Out of the six private rooms, four were open.

The diplomats who had rushed over immediately after the crash had used those rooms.

“There were no bandits when we left. If we’d been even a little slower escaping, we might’ve been caught.”

“Exactly.”

Meanwhile, the train robber who had come running with dreams of looting the wealthy in first class was now venting his frustration on the walls after finding the rooms empty.

But when he saw a group of passengers approaching from the next car, his face lit up with glee.

“I was about to lose my mind coming all this way just to find every room empty but look at this! The guests are walking right up to me!”

Josephine nearly let out a snort.

The bandit was wearing a mask.

There was something oddly familiar about him, and she couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of recognition. But she already had her sword in hand.

Unnecessary emotions scattered quickly when it came to battle.

The bandit thrust his sword forward and shouted:

“Get on the ground now and put your hands over your head! Hand over everything you’ve got, and I won’t have to hurt you!”

Josephine scoffed dryly at the bandit.

“How very gentlemanly of you. But can’t you see the sword in my hand?”

“Hah, I thought weapons were banned on the train. Must be some VIP on board, huh? Looks like I’ve hit the jackpot.”

“I should be the one saying that. Drop your weapon and surrender, and I’ll spare your life.”

“Fuck off!”

The bandit licked his lips and began closing the distance.

But Josephine was already a half-step ahead.

Her arm, as if one with the blade, shot forward in a straight line.