110 – Liverpool Coast
The Millennium Pearl is said to lie in the West Sea of Britain.
It is said to be exactly between Liverpool and Ireland, but the problem is that the destination is farther than expected.
It is not possible to walk from London to Liverpool, where I am now, in half a day.
But if you take a regular carriage or train, it’s nighttime, so there’s no way they’re running.
At this point, it would be better to just give up today and take on the challenge on the weekend, but if possible, I want to move with a clear sense of motivation.
In the end, there was only one way left.
Using the sorcery train.
Unlike ordinary trains, a 24-hour sorcery train would be able to travel back and forth comfortably overnight.
But this is not an unconditionally possible way just because you want to do it.
A boarding pass is essential to ride the magic engineering train, but he wasn’t a guy you could get simply by paying money.
“So you came to see me?”
“Yes. In times like this, the only thing you can trust is the witch.”
“Really. It’s been a long time since we met again, but you’re so kind.”
Pretending to cry, she sneaked closer to me.
“Could it be that Phantom Thief didn’t miss me?”
“hahahaha…”
“I wet my pillow with tears every night thinking only of the thief…”
You lie so blatantly that I can’t even say anything.
It’s definitely true that I stopped by after a long time. Recently, as he has grown in many ways, he has been able to solve his problems without much difficulty without having to resort to witches’ help.
Was the last time I saw you was to find the Witch of Prophecy?
At that time, like now, I received a ticket for the magic engineering train. The difference is that this time I ask first.
“Honestly, I was a bit disappointed. After going all the way to the Frankish kingdom with my help and meeting my friend, he didn’t even come back to say thanks!”
“Hmm. That is···. Since then, things have overlapped in many ways…?”
[Certainly, this is your fault.]
Yes. At least on this matter, I was right without any objection.
Even the goddess who didn’t like her witch took her side this time.
But it’s really not an excuse, since after that, things happened so simultaneously that I didn’t have any time to spare.
It would be enough to say that the Goddess is forgetting her original goal.
Of course, aside from that, I didn’t say thank you once before, but as soon as I needed help, I put on my face and came back to you.
But what can I do? Now, without her help, she can’t even get to her destination.
From now on, I have no choice but to pay more attention.
Because it’s not the end once and for all.
“I’m sorry. I will visit you often from now on.”
“Hmm. Then I will forgive you just once.”
Fortunately, she accepted the apology meekly, even though she had a calm expression on her face.
“How about a kiss instead?”
“I will decline that.”
“Do too much. Still, can’t you worry about it?”
Looking at him grumbling with his mouth open, it was hard to tell if he was joking or serious.
“So what are you here for today?”
“It must be the same reason as last time.”
“Oops. Are you going to visit my friend again?”
“No. No, I have business on the other side today. Can I get a ticket for the magic engineering train like last time?”
Today’s destination was the Irish coast on the opposite side of the Frankish kingdom.
“Danger. Am I not a ticket clerk?”
She is a witch who obediently hands over the ticket even though she says so. She heard the price she offered with him, and she was certainly overpriced. The price is so much that even I feel burdened by it, which cannot be compared to a regular train ticket.
“It is quite expensive.”
“Isn’t it? In fact, if it was cheap, it would be even weirder.”
The witch smiled enticingly as she waved her ticket around her.
“Or there is another way, would you like to try it?”
“Another way?”
“When you sign up for a membership, members get a free train ticket every month.”
“Yes?”
She asked in bewilderment at a story she had never heard or heard of.
“Membership, which organization?”
“Of course it is the Magic Engineering Society.”
She pulled out a card on her table and showed it. A symbol unique to magic engineering with a magic circle drawn on the spring.
“Besides that, there are many other benefits. Whatever it is, if it’s related to magic engineering, you can get a discount on using the service.”
“Hmm…”
It was certainly an attractive proposition. As my stage expands not only to London but also to Britannia, and further to the whole of Europe, the utilization of the magic engineering train will gradually increase.
In that sense, if you received a discount on all magic engineering services as well as receiving free tickets every month, there was no reason not to join the membership.
“Good. How do I get into membership?”
“You can visit the conference directly. Anyone who pays the subscription fee will accept it without any conditions.”
“I don’t know how to repay you for this kindness.”
“I just need one kiss.”
“For now, I will only buy this ticket. I have to leave now, so I’ll have to sign up for a membership next time.”
It was a very satisfying transaction. The witch, on the other hand, puffed out her cheeks with a look of displeasure, but she chose to ignore that fact lightly.
“I’ll see you again later after work.”
“Huh. Either that or not.”
She stared at her for a moment, then spat out without thinking.
“If you like me that much, Mr. Witch, could you tell me her name?”
“…Uh, yes?”
A witch obviously embarrassed.
That’s right. He keeps kissing me just to tease me moderately, but when he comes out seriously, he’s surprised and he’s busy avoiding his gaze.
“Hmm. Big! Ah, come to think of it, the promise I forgot…! Mr. Goedo said he was busy with work, so go quickly. I’m going to have to close the store soon. Then, have a good time at work!”
How embarrassing she was, she was kicked out with the excuse of closing the store altogether.
Of course I know. At least what it meant for a witch to tell her name to someone else.
After she somehow got her ticket safely, she made her way straight to London Station.
I entered through the wall, the sorcery platform. I’ve experienced it once before, but I can’t really get used to it.
It was very cold here today as well. Is it because I come every night in the middle of the night? No matter how expensive it was, it didn’t feel realistic because I was alone in this wide platform.
A magical engineering train that appears at the station after a while. It’s a design that gives off a very punk feeling whenever you look at it.
For reference, this train recognizes and opens only when you bring your ticket in front of the door.
Even in the 19th century, it should be said that the ID card was perfectly implemented.
Looking at this, it was clear that magic engineering technology was over-technology in the current world view. Although Dr. Franken, the developer of the technology, disappeared and became Lost Technology.
In the train, no one was seen either. Last time, a cowboy masked man got on board and we talked for a while. I sat in an empty seat, half anxious and half expecting that such a strange encounter would happen again.
The train starts to move as if it is sliding. I was unknowingly amazed at the comfortable ride that did not feel the slightest discomfort.
I’m not kidding, it’s more comfortable than a modern subway, right?
Even looking at the scenery outside the window, the speed was very fast. Even if I can’t do it, wouldn’t it be equal to or better than KTX?
Um. I’m going to sign up for a magic engineering membership tomorrow.
I realized that magic engineering is a truly great power rather than trivial magic.
The distance from London to Liverpool is approximately 200 miles.
It is about 320 km, so it can be seen as similar to the distance between Seoul and Busan.
It takes several days on foot, or at least 2 hours by direct KTX.
However, it took 1 hour and 40 minutes for the sorcery train to reach Liverpool from London, so you can get a sense of how fast it is.
It was a very pleasant trip. Even though I didn’t run into anyone this time, I was able to enjoy my alone time leisurely. Of course, the goddess next to me was talking.
That’s how we arrived at Liverpool. In fact, it is not a city with a long history.
It is a port city that developed rapidly due to geographical factors as globalization proceeded with the industrial revolution.
In other words, it can be seen as a new city that is growing day by day exactly at the moment.
“Somewhere in the sea?”
I asked the goddess while looking at the night sea under the stars.
[Since it is in the middle of the sea, it would be better to go out by boat.]
“How do we get a boat at this time?”
[I believe you will make it.]
Be thankful for that. I sighed as I received irresponsible support that was of no help.
Can we save the ship at night like now?
The problem was surprisingly easily solved.
“Hello.”
“Huh? What are you?”
A hairy old man who responds with a tough personality unique to sailors.
“Are you the captain of that fishing boat?”
“Go away because you are busy. It’s time to go to work now.”
Does it need long words? I just handed him a bundle of money.
A fisherman whose expression suddenly changes after checking the amount in his hand.
Yes. Money solves anything.
What? Are there any problems money can’t solve?
If that’s the case, check whether or not the amount of money is insufficient.
“Good. Just take me to the sea…”
“Thank you. Be better! How can you pay for the boat like this!!”
The fisherman who grabbed my hand and shook it violently passed me by and left the pier.
“… Huh?”
Left alone, I stood in confusion.
What is it? Could it be that you’ve been cheated on right now?
Then I came to my senses at the feel of my hand and looked down.
A rope was placed on the palm of my hand before I knew it. At the end of the long rope was none other than a fishing boat anchored.
Wait a minute.
I don’t think it’s the boat price… Did you just sell ownership of the boat entirely?
“I don’t know how to navigate.”