Chapter 79
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 79
"It's faster than I expected."
The landscape blurred past the window in rapid succession.
The train's brisk pace rivaled even modern high-speed railways, showing no signs of inferiority.
"Many people who initially opposed the railway found themselves asking whether more investors might be needed once they actually rode it."
At Monica's explanation from across the seat, I let out a soft laugh.
Indeed, people who had never seen a train would naturally doubt how a hunk of metal could move faster than a carriage.
"It's fortunate that one of the main promoters was the Former Duke of Sheary, otherwise the railway would have never been built and the whole project would have fizzled out."
"...Huh? What did you say?"
A shocking statement pierced my ears as I gazed blankly at the desolate landscape.
"Who promoted it?"
"You didn't know?"
How would I know that? I wasn't even in this world back then, and besides, such details never appeared in the novel!
"Well, I never even considered traveling to other regions by train in the first place."
"Ah..."
Monica nodded understandingly at my hastily improvised excuse.
She didn't press further and simply explained.
"The greatest investor and promoter of the railway project was the Former Duke of Sheary—the current duke's mother."
"You mean Lute Sheary's mother."
"Yes. Every time she visited other regions, she grew frustrated with traveling by carriage and strongly advocated for creating a new transportation system that would traverse the Empire."
Of course, everyone initially objected.
Even the Imperial Court, which maintained a reasonably good relationship with the Sheary Duchy, refused permission, doubting that metal could move faster than a carriage.
"But how did she push it through? If the Imperial Court opposed it, it should have been impossible no matter how powerful the Sheary Duchy was."
"Well, because she is the Duke of Sheary."
What does that mean?
As I tilted my head in confusion, Monica continued with a calm smile.
"High Priestess, the Sheary Duchy isn't most famous for mines or money."
"...Then what?"
"A foul temperament. The Sheary Duchy is most renowned for its inherited, capricious, and unmanageable foul temperament."
Everyone present agreed with Monica's firm statement.
Even Seth silently nodded in agreement.
"The Former Duke was no exception, and after overturning the conference table where His Majesty the Emperor was present roughly three times, she finally obtained permission and the project proceeded."
It was absurd enough to make others laugh, but I couldn't muster even a smile.
After all, I had witnessed firsthand how the corrupted Lute Sheary from the original story tormented the protagonists.
I had assumed her temperament became that way because she suffered from illness, her merchant company collapsed, and she fell into slavery...
But it was simply her innate nature.
"Lute Sheary really treats me exceptionally well."
"It's practically miraculous. That's why I'm sometimes taken aback. Honestly, you're the only person who could ride in a carriage alone with her without incident."
"I should treat her even better. I've always treated her well, but I need to do more."
"...You don't have to go that far. I don't think the Duke will treat the High Priestess poorly anyway."
"Hmm? What did you say?"
I hadn't caught Monica's faint murmur and tilted my head.
But Monica shook her head, insisting it was nothing. Then she suddenly pointed outside with her hand.
"Ah! High Priestess, look over there. That's the boundary between the Western Region and the Southern Region. You can consider the Southern Region's territory as beginning from here."
She was being far too obvious about changing the subject.... Rather than press her, I gazed outside.
Even though it was still barren wasteland, there had been grass and trees until now, but from a certain point onward, their numbers dropped dramatically.
Taking their place were countless pebbles, sand, and rocks.
"We'll arrive at the Southern Station if we travel just one more day."
At Rosetta Flu's words, I nodded.
I was genuinely curious about what the Southern Region would be like.
* * *
What was the Southern Region like?
Being close to the Continent's largest Desert, it must be incredibly hot and dry!
"...It's hot."
Upon arriving at the Southern Station, we boarded a carriage from the Flu Family that had been waiting after receiving advance notice.
In that brief moment, I wiped my forehead, which had become damp with sweat.
"Well, of course. Since this place is close to the Desert.... But the mansion is cool, so don't worry."
Rosetta laughed awkwardly. She seemed worried I might say I couldn't bear it and turn back....
But that wasn't it.
"The clothes are hot...."
I gazed down at my flowing High Priestess robes with a gloomy expression.
Rosetta, who belatedly realized the fabric was somewhat thick for wearing in the hot Southern Region, let out an exclamation of realization.
"You didn't bring any summer clothes?"
Summer clothes? I had sold off all my clothes except for my High Priestess robes and plain everyday wear because I had no money, so there was no way I'd have such things.
Besides, since I had no particular reason to go out, I hadn't bought clothes even after earning quite a bit of money.
But now I was faced with this predicament.
"While you're in the Southern Region, have several outfits made. The fabric here is very soft and breathes well, making it perfect for summer wear."
Rosetta made the suggestion, having read much from my expression.
Monica, who had been listening, also chimed in as if this were a fortunate turn of events.
"That's right, High Priestess! The Southern Region's fabric sells like hotcakes throughout the nation because it's so excellent. Even the Imperial Court seeks it out, so you must have several outfits made here before you leave."
Why are you being so enthusiastic about my clothes?
Anyone watching would think you harbored a grudge.
"Since I need something to wear immediately, I should at least buy some ready-made clothes."
"...Ready-made clothes? I'm not entirely pleased with that, but since you're suffering so much from the heat, I suppose it can't be helped."
What's wrong with wearing ready-made clothes?
Still, I'm truly grateful she didn't object.
"Then before heading to the estate, let's purchase several outfits in this area. There happens to be a decent clothing shop nearby."
At Rosetta's words, I nodded.
Just as in modern times, commerce flourished near the Train Station here as well. There would surely be a clothing shop for those like me, startled by the heat.
"Victoria Lawrence."
I called out to Victoria Lawrence, who rode alongside the carriage in perfect formation with me.
She drew her horse closer immediately.
"I'm heading to the tailor's to pick up some summer clothes. Could you check if anyone else needs anything? Since I'm going anyway, we might as well get everything together."
"Yes, understood. I'll inquire right away."
"And how are you all holding up? Honestly, I'd think you'd be suffering more than I am in this heat...."
I gazed sympathetically at the Holy Knights, who maintained their crisp uniforms with military precision despite the oppressive warmth.
"This level of heat is nothing for knights to concern ourselves with, Your Holiness."
Victoria Lawrence answered with a smile. Now that I looked closer, her face was completely dry, not a single bead of perspiration. The others were the same.
Ah, right—knights were truly inhuman creatures.
I nodded in understanding, and Victoria Lawrence promptly moved ahead. I hoped we'd reach the tailor's soon.
But then I encountered something entirely unexpected.
Just as the carriage began to slow and I thought we'd finally arrived at the tailor's, I felt a flutter of anticipation.
"Your Holiness."
It wasn't Victoria Lawrence who approached the carriage—it was Seth Noel, who had been leading the vanguard.
"Holy Knight Commander? What's the matter?"
"Well, an rather unexpected situation has arisen."
Not troubling, not catastrophic—merely unexpected?
I tilted my head in confusion, but Seth Noel's next words made my eyes widen.
"The Crown Prince is apparently present in this location."
What? What is he talking about?
Why would that man, who should be quietly confined within the Imperial Palace, appear here?
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org