Chapter 158

In Candela of Judgment, the railway was a piece of modern technology monopolized by the Empire.

No country on the continent could lay tracks or operate trains without the Empire’s permission.

It wasn’t because other nations particularly respected the Empire’s patent rights and abided by the rules.

There had simply been a precedent where one duchy tried to defy this and build its own railway only to have imperial troops cross the border armed with sledgehammers and pickaxes to tear it all down.

Even so, because the Empire actively used railway construction and operation rights as diplomatic tools, most countries had at least one railway line.

And Laurencia was unusually fortunate to possess not just one, but three railway lines.

The first of the three connected Laurencia’s capital Lambart to a fortress city in the southern part of the Empire.

That fortress city also housed a branch of the Imperial Knights.

The railway lines that the Empire granted to each nation, more or less for appearances’ sake, typically followed this pattern, linking the capital city directly to an imperial military base.

These lines served as trade routes, transporting the Empire’s abundant goods and latest trends.

But if the host nation ever disturbed the order set by the Empire, the same lines could serve as invasion routes…direct paths for imperial vanguards to strike at the heart of a country.

Laurencia’s second railway line connected Laurencia and Karaf.

The Empire needed Karaf for its magic technology, and Karaf needed the Empire for its rich resources.

Yet the two countries maintained one of the worst diplomatic relationships in history and had no intention of extending a hand in reconciliation.

Thus, they both used neutral Laurencia as a middleman to exchange what they needed.

Laurencia’s second line, together with the first, formed a logistical link between the Empire and Karaf.

Of course, the Empire harbored ambitions of someday sending troops down that line to bring the city of mages under its rule.

Karaf was aware of this.

But thanks to the benefits it enjoyed from indirect trade with the Empire, it chose to turn a blind eye for now.

Laurencia’s third railway line connected Lambart to the eastern border town of Abellar.

To the east of Laurencia lay the Republic of Libron, and the iron ore mined in Libron was transported along this very route.

This third line was the only one of the three that existed purely for Laurencia’s benefit, earned by playing the middleman between the Empire and Karaf.

And the reason I’m suddenly giving a lecture that sounds like it belongs in a political geography class…

Is because I was currently suffering thanks to that damned imperial railway restriction policy.

It was summer break at the academy, and I was on my way to visit Winter Winslet’s family estate.

The Winslet County was a vast territory located in the southern part of Laurencia.

Despite having to travel all the way down there, not a single railway line was available for the journey.

That’s because Line 1 went north, Line 2 northwest, and Line 3 headed east.

So then, how were the goods produced on the wide plains of southern Laurencia distributed?

The answer had everything to do with the fact that I was currently standing on the deck of the sailing ship Morning Swan, gazing down at the flowing river.

Before the invention of trains, the most efficient means of transport had, of course, been sailing ships.

The capital of Lambart was a city by the river, and one of the large tributaries of the Hen River conveniently flowed southward.

Thanks to that, I was able to travel to the Winslet County by boat.

To be precise, the trip involved sailing south to the free city of Maronford, then switching to a carriage to complete the journey.

Even though we were going downstream, the boat ride alone would take a full three days.

On the first day aboard, I came up with the brilliant idea of using magic to summon a favorable wind to speed things up.

But when I saw Dahlia suffering from severe seasickness, I had no choice but to give up.

If she ended up vomiting in front of me, my [Hygiene Sense] trait would trigger and I’d end up coughing blood myself.

The attendant puking, and the master coughing up blood.

No thank you.

And so, in the blazing heat of mid-July,

Under a perfectly summery sky, I leaned against the railing, watching the dazzling, almost eye-straining sparkle of the river.

The breeze over the water was cool, and every time it blew, my hair fluttered lightly, which felt quite pleasant.

I suddenly felt glad that I had brought Dahlia along on this trip.

Sure, the main reason had been to regularly recharge her magical tattoo,

But if I had come alone, who would comb Winter Winslet’s long hair every morning?

“The weather is fine, Baron.”

After I’d been loitering in the same spot near the bow for over an hour, the captain of the Morning Swan approached and greeted me with a nod.

He was an elderly sailor with a white beard.

“Today marks the final day of our voyage. I hope our ship’s hospitality has left nothing to be desired.”

“It’s been calm and peaceful.”

“Well, naturally so. After all, you chartered this entire large ship for yourself. Though I suppose the Hen River’s unusually smooth current helped as well.”

The old man, who was both the captain and the owner of the ship, had been facing a loss this summer due to the lack of decent contracts until he met me. Thanks to me, he ended up earning a fare equivalent to the ship’s full passenger capacity.

Perhaps that’s why he occasionally dropped by during the voyage, chatting warmly and making himself friendly.

Money truly was the oil that loosened people’s smiles.

“How far are we from our destination, Maronford?”

“With this favorable wind, we should arrive by this afternoon.”

“I see.”

It had taken three days to get from Lambart to Maronford.

But I’d heard it would take twice as long…. six days to return to the capital.

That’s because the return trip went against the current, upstream.

For that return journey, I was seriously considering knocking Dahlia out with a sleeping potion and using magic to summon a tailwind.

After all, she wouldn’t get seasick while asleep.

“I’ll come back and let you know when the lighthouse of the Free City comes into view. Until then, please enjoy the rest of your voyage. And you as well, my lady.”

The captain gave a respectful bow to Dahlia, too.

She had been seated in a chair brought up to the deck, trying her best to look out into the distance in an effort to fight her seasickness.

Startled, she quickly waved her hands in protest.

“Huh? I’m not a lady or anything like that…”

Dahlia was wearing a breezy white summer dress that exposed her ankles.

To cover her scars, she also wore long gloves that reached up to her wrists. So it was no wonder she didn’t look like a servant to anyone.

The captain had even offered her the captain’s quarters, the most spacious and comfortable room on the ship, when he saw how seasick she was.

But Dahlia had declined, saying she’d rather get some fresh air outside.

Just as the captain had predicted, the Morning Swan reached Maronford as the sun began to dip westward.

The first impression the Free City gave under the glow of sunset was that of a bustling harbor.

Unlike royal cities, where the air felt weighed down by the indirect pressure of the king’s authority—

Here, people moved freely and spoke with ease.

In the capital, people were careful with their gestures and sparing with their words.

However, in the Free City, people raised their voices without restraint, and everyone moved hastily, as if they were all busy.

Stepping off the ship and onto the wooden planks, Dahlia let out a sigh she had been holding in for the past three days.

“Now that I’m on solid ground, I feel a bit better.”

At the dock, someone from the hotel I had booked in advance was waiting to greet me.

“It’s an honor to serve you. I’ll take you to Hotel Ormalon.”

Hotel Ormalon was a lodging establishment catering to wealthy merchants.

In truth, I had wanted to rent an entire villa along the coast, but my request had been denied.

Shockingly, the reason was that I was a baron.

They said I would need at least a letter of recommendation from someone of count rank or higher.

Back in the capital, I’m a super influencer. But out here in the provinces, I’m treated like a low-ranking noble.

Is this really how it should be?

Have I just gotten too used to the fame I enjoyed in the capital?

“We’ll rest at the hotel today and leave early tomorrow.”

Dahlia was relieved at the thought of finally being able to sleep in a place that didn’t sway.

After arriving at the hotel, we checked in and had a light meal at the restaurant on the first floor.

Then we stepped out onto the terrace and ordered tea, but the prices on the menu the server suggested were absurdly high for drinks.

At first, I thought maybe the view overlooking the river was the reason for the markup, but there were a few strands of saffron floating in the teapot.

On a gold-embossed paper card served with the teapot, I saw the words: “We certify this is the highest-quality saffron produced in the Winslet County.”

This expensive spice, made by processing the stigmas of the crocus flower, was actually one of Winslet County’s major sources of income.

The saffron had made the Winslet family one of the richest and most powerful houses in southern Laurencia for generations, and so the crocus flower was included in the Winslet family crest.

In fact, the brooch I gave to Shannon the other day had a design that directly copied the Winslet family crest. Only the colors had been slightly altered.

Born into such a wealthy family that practically raked in money through saffron, why had Winter Winslet walked away from the position of heir?

Just as I was wondering that, Dahlia coincidentally asked something similar.

“What kind of place is your family territory, Master? I’m curious about who lives there.”

Dahlia looked as if she were half-worried, half-excited at the idea that someone she might end up serving had just appeared.

But the truth is, I don’t know much either.

I went to see Rose Bly to ask about Winter Winslet’s past, but she didn’t know much, either.

All she could tell me was that the year Winter Winslet came of age, he had a major falling-out with his father, the count, and left the family. That he had a younger sibling not much different in age, and that this sibling became the heir to the count’s house.

But I don’t even know that sibling’s name.

When I stayed silent, unable to come up with an answer, Dahlia misunderstood and apologized.

“I’m sorry. I overstepped.”

“……”

She must’ve thought I didn’t want to talk about it.

But it’s just that I really don’t know.

Feeling a bit awkward, I quietly turned to look out at the river and sipped my tea. That’s when a loud voice erupted from the next table.

“Is that true? They’ve shown up again?”