Chapter 93

“…….”

I stared blankly. Lying face down on the bed, I gazed out the window as if appreciating clouds drifting along with the wind or the thousands of advertisements that flashed by each day.

The train, which I thought would head straight down to the surface like a rollercoaster from an upper level, first descended vertically to the lower level like an elevator that citizens use every day.

On the way down, the view outside the window provided a glimpse of the city, resembling more of a Ferris wheel ride than a rollercoaster.

It was ambiguous whether this was intended for people entering or leaving Harvest Planet… but at least from my perspective, it was a pretty decent view.

“Wasn’t it beautiful?” you ask? Well, I might get strange looks for saying this, but it lacked the impact compared to the scenery I’d seen looking out from Aaron’s office.

– Astra Express A-185, departing. Workers near the tracks and the shielding walls, please step back to avoid being caught in the atmospheric turbulence caused by the train’s acceleration. –

As I tilted my gaze, I caught a glimpse of the lower part of the outer wall of the city opening in the distance in front of the train.

Though the distance was too far to hear, it was quite impressive to see a massive wall twisting to create space for the train to pass… even if I had commuted through this gateway, there hadn’t been other vehicles besides cars or motorcycles in my assigned area, so this was new to me.

But, if there’s a gap like that every time a train passes, wouldn’t it be perfect for illegal immigration?

I wasn’t particularly concerned with Paradise’s citizenship trading or revenue; it was just a question that popped into my head… but the answer came quickly.

“Whoa…?”

The train flowed along the gently sloped tracks.

The reason I used the phrase “flowed” instead of “started moving” was that I felt a subtle sensation of levitation.

It was amusing how the gravity pressing down on my back suddenly felt weaker. Yes, it was fun.

At least until the train suddenly launched forward, tearing through the air.

Kukung—!!

Without even a warning to scream, the train instantly surged along the tracks into the desert.

If a mass bomb like this pressed through those doors at high speed, it was certain to leave no trace, even for a robot. That’s one solid security system.

For now, my body, which had been sprawled on the bed, rolled over half a turn, maybe one and a half turns—possibly even two and a half.

The specifics of the numbers were quite simple. My previously clear field of vision was turned upside down, and perhaps out of instinct, I had grabbed the bed so tightly that I was wrapped in the blankets like a mummy.

– Ahsa, are you alright? –

“……Was that just what the hell was normal?”

– Experts say that reaching the target speed in one go and maintaining it throughout the operation is much cheaper and more environmentally friendly. I thought you might already know this since you seemed quite comfortable on the bed… –

…That’s just common courtesy humans instinctively exhibit when a bed is present in the assigned room!

I waved my hand to calm down Zero, who was trying to react dramatically to my dazed expression.

But it was a bit… strange to see this after I had just lectured him on a certain commonsense issue only a few minutes ago…

No, I’m one hundred percent sure that after the recent shock, the standing passengers would have been thrown to the floor as well. Even if I had known in advance, I wouldn’t have escaped a mummified state.

Even if it’s normal for the train to launch like a bullet, wouldn’t a preliminary warning announcement be too much to ask?

“These guys seem to have good service, but there’s always a screw loose.”

I whispered my complaints, knowing full well that voicing them loudly would only cause a stir among the staff, particularly to Zero.

Sarak. Sararak….

I tried to untangle myself from the blankets enveloping me but decided against it.

After all, I had no particular desire to get up for anything.

Instead, I rolled around to search for a more comfortable position… and ultimately succeeded in settling into the perfect lazy pose, feeling like I was sinking into the mattress beneath the fluffiness.

The outside view was nothing but a mix of sand and rocks, so there was nothing more to see.

I traced my messy black hair, contrasting against the white blanket, with my eyes. Seeing that it had grown a bit longer made me realize the annoyance of needing a haircut hit me.

…Huh? Isn’t finding hair or nail maintenance irritating a pretty masculine thought process? I’d better make a note to add a point to my masculinity.

So, roughly, my score would be… about 20 to 50, still quite a distance to go.

– By the way, were there any antipsychotic medications in the drugs you took earlier? You look really lethargic. –

“…That’s probably just me genuinely feeling drained and looking lethargic, isn’t it?”

If that’s the case, I went ahead and ignored Zero’s advice about the potential for lack of exercise.

To be honest, today’s medications are all so quick and potent that it’s hard to say definitively.

But until now, I hadn’t felt groggy from taking vitamins or menstrual relief. I took pride in living with enough caution to avoid drug addiction or dependency.

What I was feeling right now came purely from a mental issue.

…When it comes to complexity, whether the term “pure” can be applied as a prefix to my psyche that ranks within the world’s top tier is another matter altogether, but anyway…

Now, I was truly going. To Neo Haven.

“Huah….”

It was amusing to think that I unexpectedly held the authority to stop the train, which meant I could cancel the trip at any moment, but once I boarded the train, my course was set.

The effort I had talked about with Zero? It applied to me just as much.

Departures were already delayed, and if someone with nothing tries to outpace the privileged, they have to work their butt off.

Sarak….

And in order to make that effort, adequate rest and sleep are absolutely essential.

This isn’t being lazy; it’s conserving energy.

After wriggling my way to the pillow, I effectively sprawled out and stared at the ceiling.

“If something happens, wake me up….”

– Given the time and distance, it would be good for your health to take at least one meal service. What menu should I ask the crew for? –

“Um….”

…Now that I think about it, didn’t I say only food cart options are available?

Then there’s no problem; that’s all I’ve eaten during my city life. Though I do have favorite options among those.

“Ask for a synthetic meat steak set.”

When I opened my eyes next, I hoped to see the familiar green light that always messed up the monitor’s refresh rate while surrendering my body to the looming sleep.

…

There are no abnormal signs…….

As long as we maintain speed……….

The internal clock hadn’t yet moved enough to say it was mealtime.

– A foreign object has been observed on the front tracks, determined to be explosive based on its composition. –

– …The engine room’s judgment is to forcefully advance. Passengers, please rest assured, there may be unpleasant vibrations, but… –

Those cursed ominous words kept echoing in my ears, stirring me from sleep.

No, did I even fall asleep in the first place? In the brief moment I had blinked, I seemed to be getting caught up in something ridiculous.

…Was it just my imagination?

– Anastasia is currently in deep sleep. Since the conductor and staff will act according to the emergency manual, I wouldn’t want to interrupt her rest. –

“That manual also includes the duty to inform VIPs of the situation in emergencies, so please give me a moment… Huh?! Valentine! Could you spare a moment of your personal time?!”

“……What is it?”

It’s not just my imagination.

Just by turning my head, I noticed Zero blocking the door and the first-class attendant wrestling to show her face in the gap between their giant frames.

Even though we barely made eye contact, Zero’s relieved sigh showed he must have had something to say… though I had no idea what it was.

Since the loud announcement had likely woken all the sleeping passengers, I’d better grasp the situation.

I signaled to indicate I was okay, and Zero reluctantly shifted to create space for me to enter.

Huffing and puffing. Bang.

The attendant, looking somewhat rough around the edges while trying to tend to my needs, stepped into the room.

Even though it seemed like she had much to say, her hesitance to open her mouth and her avoidance of eye contact only heightened my anxiety. Just how big of a problem had occurred for her to be acting like this….

“I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t see anything!”

“…?”

Caught off guard by her sudden rambling, I hesitated in how to respond just as Zero provided a pointed explanation.

– It seems this wayward staff member has mistakenly assumed that you, Ahsa, were sleeping without any clothing after merely seeing your exposed skin outside the blanket. The human brain’s tendency to imagine what is covered has led to this overreaction…. –

“Seriously?!”

I quickly unraveled myself from the blanket prison and threw the pillow I’d been holding at the Carebot’s head to silence its voice feature.

The man, shocked to see my disheveled state and my outfit resembling everyday clothes, quickly regained his composure and immediately spilled the underlying problems.

“Currently, explosives set by suspected outsiders or scavengers are blocking the tracks. Of course, the likelihood that this makes any damage to the train or disconnects the track is minimal, but….”

Even before I urged him, I appreciated his awareness. Sadly, it appeared that my timing had been too slow.

Ignoring the admiration, the considerable explosion, followed by flames and black smoke, was observed rising from the front.

His gaze uneasily met mine, and, feeling a surge of cold sweat, he continued persuading me.

“It’s… it’s fine! Even if the tracks are broken, the repulsor device installed under the train will help it pass through the disconnected section without derailing!”

“…Is that so?”

While it was a reasonably convincing observation, I couldn’t help but wonder.

Does the guarantee of safely passing include the oncoming hovercraft emerging from the sand dunes? Or was it a conclusion drawn under the assumption of no hindrance?

…….

…Wait a second, a hovercraft? No way… it can’t be, right?