On the outskirts of London at night, Marie and Trisha arrived at an abandoned station.
The station before them, which had changed tracks several times, had long lost its function as a station. Naturally, there was a "No Entry" sign at its entrance, with only its exterior as a station still intact.
The sealed entrance felt like a gate to hell. The pitch-black interior resembled a bottomless abyss that could swallow everything, giving the illusion that anyone who entered would never return.
"What a remote place." Marie said, looking at the station.
"Though I'd like to criticize this choice, this station was selected because it lies on a leyline." Trisha replied.
The Mystic Eye Collection Train didn't run on ordinary tracks but on leylines. Though abandoned, this station was built on a leyline, so it wasn't surprising it was chosen as a boarding point.
"Young Miss, please wear this before boarding."
Trisha approached Marie and placed a necklace around her neck. "The greatest thing to watch out for on the Mystic Eye Collection Train is Mystic Eyes. This is a Mystic Code that can weaken the effects of Mystic Eyes, offering at least some protection."
"Yes, thank you, Trisha. Let's go in."
The two climbed over the fence and entered the station.
Somehow, one or two gas lamps that should've been out of service were lit. Their dim light illuminated the white fog of the night. Beneath the stone arches, several figures stood in small groups.
Though the Department of Astromancy was usually secluded in the mountains, it wasn't entirely cut off from the outside world—they always gathered information. Some of it included details about prominent Magi. Now, among the people here, Marie recognized one or two faces she'd only seen in reports.
"Those who can board the Mystic Eye Collection Train are essentially monsters among Magi. The environment is different from the Clock Tower. Young Miss, you must be extremely careful." Trisha warned.
Things were somewhat better at the Clock Tower, but on this train, identities held no weight. Those targeting Marie would relentlessly come after her.
As her private tutor and attendant, Trisha would do everything in her power to ensure Marie's safety. But against Magi, no precaution was foolproof. She couldn't guarantee Marie's safety with absolute certainty.
(That person… The one Mr. Marisbury mentioned. I hope they're on this train too.)
Trisha thought to herself.
Just then, a small commotion arose on the other side. Many Magi were surprised to see an unexpected figure, whispering among themselves.
"That person…"
"No mistake, it's him…"
"The man from the Archelot family…"
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Archelot, the lineage of a Lord from the Department of Botany. As a Lord's heir from the Department of Astromancy, Marie knew about them. The current head of the family was a renowned female Magus at the Clock Tower. In her youth, she was even an idol in the outside world, a highly unconventional figure at the Clock Tower.
Of course, regarding this Lord, Marie knew more about certain rumors—two years ago, she got engaged to a talented young Magus. And that Magus, after the engagement, was said to have used his Lord fiancée's status to secretly pursue numerous women behind her back.
Though these were only rumors heard occasionally, their existence suggested some truth behind them.
"Lord Archelot… If she's attending, this auction will be a bit troublesome…"
Marie, already bracing herself for strong competitors, hadn't finished speaking when she saw Lord Archelot walking through the crowd.
But it wasn't the Lord Archelot she knew. Instead, it was a blonde man and woman. Judging by their attire, the young man was likely the master, as the girl wore a maid outfit.
(Who are they?)
Marie didn't recall seeing either of them in the information gathered by the Department of Astromancy. Seeing the surrounding Magi's reluctance to approach, she could guess their identities were extraordinary.
Connected to the Archelot family, with an unusual status…
"Could he be… that Lord's fiancé?"
(So young, and… so handsome.)
Now Marie felt the rumors might be true. She wasn't someone who cared much about appearances, but she had to admit the young man walking before her was excessively good-looking. No wonder he could pursue so many women behind his Lord's back.
Noticing Marie's gaze, the blonde young man suddenly approached her and gave a faint smile. "Are you Miss Olga Marie Animusphere?"
"Y-yes!"
Faced with the young man who approached and spoke to her like a prince from a fairy tale, Marie's face flushed, and she nodded nervously. "Yes… I… Sorry, who are you?"
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Natsukawa Naoki, and this is my attendant, Sajyou Rei."
Lifting her maid skirt slightly, Rei smiled. "Hello, Miss Marie. I'm Sajyou Rei. And this must be Miss Trisha, right? Hello."
"You know us?"
"We heard about you both from Mr. Marisbury—doesn't that make me that person? (whispered)"
That person?
Marie's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "I see… You went through a lot of trouble coming here."
(He's the one Reines mentioned—I can see why people at the Clock Tower want him.)
Regardless of his status as a Lord's fiancé, just his face alone would likely have many female Magi at the Clock Tower vying for him.
Still, Marie didn't forget what her father said. He told her the person before her could protect her in any situation and was someone she could trust completely.
Regardless of his abilities, after this first meeting, Marie was willing to accept interacting with someone like him.
Because sometimes, even a Lord's heir couldn't escape the normal thoughts of a young girl.
At that moment—
"Woo~"
Amid the thickening fog around them, a horn suddenly blared.
A white beam of light pierced through the fog ahead. Spinning wheels appeared on the tracks. A locomotive emitting smoke emerged from the fog, followed one by one by dark gray carriages.
Seeing the train arrive, the Magi on the platform, including Marie, adopted serious expressions.
"It's here."
"—Mystic Eye Collection Train: Rail Zeppelin."