Ludger sat in the first-class compartment of the steam locomotive.

Compared to standard compartments, the space was far larger, furnished with plush sofas and even a bed suitable for a comfortable night’s rest. On the opposite side, shelves were stocked with various wines and beverages, and ringing a bell would summon staff to bring whatever one desired.

Naturally, the ticket price for such luxury was exorbitant.

But Ludger didn’t care.

It’s not like I’m paying for it myself anyway.

The entire cost had been covered by Heibach Kadatushan. Since he was the one who commissioned Ludger, he also had to foot the bill.

“Wow. So this is first class?”

The person seated across from him glanced around the compartment in wonder.

“Arfa. First time in first class?”

“Yes. When I came to Rederbelk with Mr. Phantos, we had to use a cramped cabin.”

Arfa.

He would be accompanying Ludger to Mystic Night this time.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to go? I thought only mages were allowed to attend Mystic Night, and I’m not one.”

“Mystic Night is invitation-only, but you don’t have to be a mage to attend. I registered you as my companion, so it’s fine.”

“All right. Then I’ll do my best.”

The Kasarr Basin, where Mystic Night was held, was notorious for strange phenomena—many of which affected human perception and even manipulated minds. Having Arfa, an automaton immune to such illusions, would definitely be advantageous.

“It feels like it’s been a long time since it was just the two of us traveling together, hasn’t it?”

“...It has.”

The mention of it brought to mind the Delica Kingdom incident. Ludger realized how much time had passed since then.

The train whistled, steam trailing behind as it began to move, white clouds dissipating into the sky while the scenery outside started to flow by.

“Where’s this train headed?”

“Felix City. That’s the final stop.”

“Oh, I know that place.”

“You do?”

“Yes. Felix City used to be a small town just a few decades ago, but after the potential of the Kasarr Basin was discovered, it completely transformed.”

Felix City was now the primary transit point for anyone heading to the Kasarr Basin and Mystic Night.

It had once been an unremarkable settlement, lacking trade goods or economic merit. But after Mystic Night became a major event, the town rapidly expanded into a city, evolving into one of the continent’s top tourist destinations.

“You’re well-informed.”

“I read about it in a book.”

Arfa never forgot anything he read. Unlike humans, automatons lacked the concept of forgetting; all information was permanently stored.

The only problem was that he was still deficient in everyday common sense.

“Oh! I want to try that drink!”

Ludger briefly wondered if automatons could even drink. But then he dismissed the thought.

If he can function submerged in water, this should be fine.

Besides, Arfa had already secretly been tasting food and drinks before, claiming to be curious about flavors.

More surprisingly, Arfa could break down consumed food into energy and convert it into fuel for his mechanical heart.

A machine that could eat like a human—no wonder people tried to pass off [N O V E L I G H T] automatons as human soldiers during wartime.

“Just don’t overdo it.”

“Okay.”

Arfa eagerly sampled different drinks, taking small sips one by one, while Ludger watched, half-expecting him to malfunction. But nothing happened, and Ludger eventually turned his gaze back to the passing scenery.

The wheat fields gave way to new cities, and before long, the train stopped at various stations, gradually filling with passengers.

By the time it neared Felix City, the train was full—and most of the passengers were mages.

All headed to Mystic Night, no doubt.

Not all of them were there purely for research. Many came to network, build connections, and raise their reputations.

Just like the group that soon approached Ludger’s compartment.

“Oh? Isn’t that Ludger Cherish himself?”

First class was supposed to be private, but a group of mages “accidentally” entered, pretending it was coincidence, even though they’d clearly sought him out.

“Mr. Ludger Cherish, are you also participating in Mystic Night? Whose invitation did you receive—”

“I don’t know who you are, but this is my private compartment. Please leave.”

“Ah, no, I only meant—”

“I’d prefer if you left. Arfa, show our guest out.”

“Yes.”

For what must have been the thirty-second time, Arfa gently but firmly pushed a would-be intruder out of the compartment.

“You’re quite popular, Leader.”

“This is the kind of popularity I could do without.”

“Thirty-two so far. If you’d like, I could stand guard at the entrance and turn them away for you.”

“No. That would only damage my reputation. Just leave them be.”

“Yes, Leader.”

Thankfully, no one else tried after that, and soon the train reached Felix City.

The station was crowded with mages, many wearing robes emblazoned with the insignias of their respective factions. Others, robed in nothing at all, were clearly wanderers or independents.

A few elves were scattered among the crowd, but beastkin and dwarves were rare—understandable, given how few of them pursued magic.

Despite the bustling throng, the atmosphere was tense rather than lively, each mage watching the other with a mix of wariness and curiosity.

“Ugh, the air feels heavy.”

“Bear with it.”

Even Arfa, despite being a machine, could feel the oppressive aura unique to gatherings of mages.

Ludger guided him out of the station and straight to the waiting carriages.

“Where to, sir?”

“Landriver Hotel.”

“The Landriver? My, you must be quite wealthy.”

The coachman smirked as he cracked the reins—not on actual horses, but on two translucent, mana-formed steeds that appeared and began pulling the carriage.

“A summoning array engraved into the carriage?”

“Ah, a mage indeed. You caught on right away. Yes, sir—most transport in Felix uses summoned familiars. So many mages visit, you see, so even the carriages have been magicked.”

Ludger observed the ghostly horses.

Pure mana constructs, mimicking magic beasts—but with none of their powers beyond pulling the carriage.

“Still, maintaining this must take quite a bit of mana. Looks almost permanent.”

“It is permanent, sir. The ley lines here keep the mana supply constant.”

That made sense. Felix City, being so close to the Kasarr Basin, sat atop rich mana veins, overflowing with magical energy.

The streets were full of other carriages pulled by similar spectral steeds—clearly a familiar sight for locals.

Arfa gazed out, wide-eyed.

“The world really is full of amazing things.”

Before long, they arrived at their destination—the Landriver Hotel, the tallest and most luxurious building in Felix City.

Ludger’s room was, naturally, a VIP suite. Paid for entirely by Duke Heibach Kadatushan, of course.

First-class train tickets, a VIP suite—Ludger intended to milk this support for all it was worth, even booking every service available in the hotel just to spite the old duke for his constant pestering.

He entered the grand lobby with Arfa, immediately noting its opulence—glimmering marble floors, golden chandeliers, and expensive decorations everywhere.

“Mr. Ludger Cherish, please wait a moment,” said the receptionist politely, recognizing him but showing no exaggerated reaction.

This was a place where many high-profile figures stayed, after all.

Ludger scanned the lobby.

Some guests were clearly wealthy merchants or nobles who had come merely as spectators to Mystic Night. Others were mages emanating powerful mana.

He slipped a monocle from his pocket—the Eye of Possibility he had acquired from the Imperial Vault—and put it on. With it, the flow of mana around people became clearer, allowing him to roughly gauge their strength.

Then—

The sound of murmuring rose from the entrance.

Ludger’s gaze turned instinctively toward it.

The Eye of Possibility immediately caught an overwhelming surge of mana beyond the crowd.

Arfa noticed it, too, staring intently at the doors.

“Leader. Someone’s here.”

“So it seems.”

“Who could make such a stir in this place? Everyone here is already someone important.”

Ludger said nothing, eyes narrowing.

The crowd parted as if cut by a blade, and a group of people stepped through the entrance.

“......!”

Ludger’s eyes widened as he recognized the figure leading them.