Train Hopping

Dad?!

Eh? Uh…

What did you wake me up for?! Can't an old man nap in peace?!

No, hold on, I...

Dad? When did you get home? Why didn't you let me know you were coming?

What happened yesterday? How did we end up sleeping on the floor?

Quit your yapping, it's giving me a headache.

Sir, Master.

I'm so glad you're both finally awake!

Gulo!

What happened here?

The two of you got drunk, and didn't want to stop drinking, and our efforts to convince you to return to your rooms to sleep were in vain.

I could only feed two more batches of firewood to the furnace so it wouldn't get too cold in here.

Sir, do you not remember what happened yesterday?

I... Wait, let me think.

Yesterday, yesterday...

I remember. I was to prepare for the banquet to celebrate the completion of Kjeragandr's statue.

The Saintess asked me to select the best drinks Kjerag has to offer, so I was tasting them one by one...

And then, after that... I don't remember much.

Hmph, of course you don't.

You were so drunk you couldn't tell people apart, and even tried to toast to a pillar while hugging it.

At your age! What an embarrassment!

Enough, Dad. Was I not doing it for the Saintess, for Kjerag?

Gulo's still here, so could you ease up on the scolding, before I lose any more respect!

I always taught you respect is something you earn on your own, so why ask me to leave any for you?!

Forget it, I'll bicker with you no longer.

Gulo, where's Rosalind?

She went up the mountain first thing in the morning, Master.

What?!

She woke up early, while the both of you were still sleeping, and she said to let you sleep a while longer.

I thought the same, so I didn't wake you.

......

I guess it's fine for her to just leave like that.

Perhaps this was Kjeragandr's plan for the Paleroches.

They met, they didn't realize, so I guess this means it was just not meant to be... indeed...

What are you riddling about now, Dad?!

I vaguely remember a young girl coming here yesterday, but I did drink too much. I can't remember what she looked like.

You say her name was Rosalind? Hmm...

......

Arctosz, come here.

I should not hide this from you.

Same as you made your own choice back then.

What should be done next, is ultimately up to you.

...By Kjeragandr.

Three generations really drank the night away.

Even dragged me in with the other guards too.

Ghh—

It's been a long time since I drank so much.

And I didn't get any business done at all...

...Since going roundabout didn't work, let's just go head-on.

Judging from the direction, Rosalind probably went up the mountain.

Ohh—This is one of those snowy mountains!

It's even more spectacular up close. Kjerag's mountains sure are impressive.

Ugh, I'm a little dizzy. Really went overboard on the drinks last night.

Wonder if those guys are awake yet. Why didn't the Doctor tell me how enthusiastic Kjerag people can be?

I should give them something as thanks when I get down the mountain later...

Sheesh, it's freezing. The wind's pretty painful.

If I remember right... you're supposed to climb up this mountain on your own to prove your faith to Kjeragandr?

......

It's really tall.

But since I'm already here, I might as well try.

Huh?

The purest air from up in the mountains?

Sounds pretty good to me. Do you take cards here?

Alright, then give me two boxes. Send them to the Burdenpeak Hotel, room 606.

You got it!

Woah, Zofia... you're buying even more stuff.

Didn't you buy four boxes of mountain spring water yesterday? How are we going to bring it all back?

Don't be silly! Who says we have to bring them home ourselves?

I'll send a box each to Młynar and Margaret. I probably haven't even bought enough yet.

Kjerag's air and water are plenty impressive. The Black Knight came here a good long while ago, so she should be living pretty well now.

Alright, enough of that. I hear you have to climb Kjerag's mountains yourself, as a show of devotion.

Come on! Let's get climbing!

They do mention as much in the travel brochure.

Let's see who can reach the summit first, Zofia!

Riley, why didn't you tell them we have a cable car that goes up the mountain?

Hohoho. The tourists have their own ideas, who am I to tell them otherwise?

Fair enough...

Seems like tourists are the only ones who like to climb these days.

They're right though.

Come! Let's go take the cable car!

Really? Won't Kjeragandr see it as a lack of faith?

Nonsense! Kjeragandr granted us this convenience because She loves Her people!

Insisting on climbing would show a lack of faith in Kjeragandr!

Huh?

What do you mean, 'huh?'

We're all Kjeragandr's children. As long as you respect Her and keep Her in your heart, She'll protect us all!

......

Whew. You can actually ride a cable car up the mountain?

Why are tourist spots the same everywhere...? I'd better follow the locals.

Even though I don't know what it means to have faith in Kjeragandr at all.

But Kjeragandr must be protecting Kjerag, judging by how things are going?

Hey, old man in front!

Can you tell me where to get cable car tickets? Thanks for pointing the way!

Sir, please hold on.

Who are you? What's with the getup?

I'm a reporter from Victoria, you see.

People praise the Kjeragandr statue, but surely building it must have been a waste of resources. I'm currently collecting some—

Get lost!

My son who works on the statue sends me money every month, and even calls me to tell me how good work is over there.

You foreigners are just salty about how wonderful our Kjerag is!

Then, why hasn't he returned?

He said he signed some agreement, so he has to stay there.

What was it again?

Non-disclosure.

Do you need an NDA to build a statue?

Hmm...

I'm warning you, foreigner. Any more guff out of you and I'll give you a taste of my walking stick.

Huh? Where'd they go?

Hm~ Hmm-hmm-hm~ Praise Kjeragandr...♪

Brave Burdenbeasts~ Brave people~ Kjeragandr guides us~ To protect our homeland, hm hmm~♪

Hmm, Hm-hm-hmm...♪

Huh? The snow here doesn't seem right...

Yow!

Careful.

There's a trap down there.

You alright?

Oh, Madam Degenbrecher!

Where did this hole come from...? That Riley must have dug it out to catch game!

Many, many thanks. I would have fallen down the hole, if it weren't for you.

You're welcome.

Do you have business on the mountain today, Madam?

Anything we can help you with? I have plans with Riley, Leone, and the other guys to go up the mountain today, so just let us know if you need anything!

I have a bit of work to do, but I'll be fine on my own.

Are you and Old Riley still drinking with the Victorians?

Yeah, we've been competing to see who can drink more, and it's a tie, at the moment!

None of us are giving up, because it'd be an embarrassment for Master Enciodes and the Saintess if we lost to those Victorians!

Also, they just suddenly came in here and set up camp. What do you think is going on?

I've no proper education, but even I know a sudden flood of people here, all hale and healthy even, can't possibly be a good thing!

That's why Riley and I were thinking we could keep an eye on them for Sir Enciodes with the drinking, at the very least.

So don't worry. We'll definitely win!

......

Fine, it would be great if you could drink till they puke.

Just call me if you can't. Don't push yourselves.

Did you decide to watch the Victorians on your own?

Hehe, we thought it up with the other villagers. All of us agreed to it!

We've been living much better these days, and since we now know how good things can be, we're not gonna let anyone ruin it for us.

But Madam, I should be honest with you, just don't get angry with me.

Sure, go on.

I just wanted to say, these Victorians we've been drinking with.

We've come to know them pretty well over the past month, and brushing the other stuff aside, they aren't bad guys.

They don't cause too much trouble, even when drunk, and sometimes they come over to help out with work.

There's a guy with bones about as old as mine. He only goes a little mad when he's drunk, but he doesn't do much other than strip off his clothes to try and swim in the snow. I saw his back then, it was in bad shape.

I don't know what he has suffered, but it hurts to even look at. It hurts to think about now.

I might as well tell you this.

A Victorian Viscount has come to join the celebrations for Kjeragandr's statue, and he's brought his personal army along.

Most of them are veterans who have been fighting alongside him for a long time.

Oh...

There's no need to think too much, just enjoy your drinks together.

*sigh* I don't get it, what's the difference between a personal and regular army?

But they did look far from young, and a few of them seem to have stones growing on their bodies.

That should be the uh, stone disease, I've seen in the news before?

...Oripathy.

Most of the time, nothing happens when you come into contact with it, so you needn't be too worried.

But you should still take some precautions.

You can go to Rhodes Island's office in the city or the newly built hospital for information on how to protect yourself.

That we know, so don't you worry, Madam.

I just wanted to have a chat with you anyways. I wouldn't dare to disturb Sir Enciodes or Sir Gnosis.

Oh?

You're saying I look idle?

That's not what I meant!

I mean, them Sirs are busy with their big projects all day long, so it'd be no good for us to disturb them.

You help us out regularly, even though you're so busy too. We know you're on the same side as us. You're one of us!

......

One of you...

Wait, no. I mean, those Sirs are our people too.

I'm bad with words, but you know what I mean!

Am I wasting your time, Madam?

It's fine.

There's something I need to trouble you and the rest on the mountain for.

Just say the word!

Help me find a pretentious Victorian.

A what?

He wears a top hat and a black coat with the collar covering his face. Some gemstones too.

It's easy to spot such a conspicuous figure.

What's this fella doing with that sort of outfit in Kjerag?

Who knows?

Probably something stupid.

Alright, leave it to us!

I'll send over Old Leones' Burdenbeast the moment we get any news!

Are you serious, Dad?!

The girl yesterday... She's, she's Rosalind? My daughter?!

...Sigh.

I doubt I'm wrong. The girl looks just like you, and Tatyana too.

My eyes are still good enough, I'm not wrong.

Really...?

My... daughter...?

Hahaha! I did say she was a good kid! Good stature, and character even! Wonderful!

Rosalind, Rosalind... She looks like me?

Yes, like me, I remember now. She has the same hair color!

Her eyes and mouth are Tatyana's, especially her eyes... they're exactly the same! So pretty...

...Time flies. Little Rosalind has already grown so big, in just the blink of an eye...

Wait, did she go up the mountain?

When is she coming back? Will she come back?

......

Arctosz, there's something else...

We can talk about that later. I have to prepare some gifts for my daughter!

I remember she loved baked sweet cheese and beast stew, when she was little, so I'm off to buy some now!

Tatyana... is she here too? Does she not want to see me? Then I, I...

Alright! No matter, I'll head straight up the mountain and give them to Rosalind!

And then I'll ask her about Tatyana...

Arctosz!

What is it?! I need to hurry—

Stop right there!

—!

...Just. Stay. You need to hear this.

Rosalind told me she and her mother had been living in Ursus since they left.

She was too young to remember anything of this place.

She said she never knew who her father was, all the time she grew up.

And this time she's here not only to see our Kjeragandr's statue, but also...

She's brought back her mother's remains.

...What?

Remains...?

What do you mean?

B-But, Tatyana was so young. How could she...?

I don't believe it... how can that be...?

I heard it from the girl myself.

......

What happened back then... it was Clan Paleroche that failed mother and daughter.

I carry the shame in my heart, but not regret.

What about you, Arctosz?

......

I...

Fine, it doesn't matter what you want to say. There's no point telling me.

Your father is no perfect man, nor a saint, and certainly not the victim here.

This old man is too old to hear you out, let alone offer any advice.

I only wish to spend the rest of my days sweeping the dust at Kjeragandr's feet.

But you... should think carefully.

......

Tatyana... Rosalind...

Sir, Master!

Matriarch Ratatos is here, she says there's something urgent to discuss!

Ugh. The place reeks of booze...

The ceremony's tomorrow, Arctosz. Don't you drink too much and ruin it all.

I'm in no mood to play with you.

Just tell me what happened. You're not the type to make social calls, Ratatos.

Heheh, you sure know me well.

Fine, I'll get straight to the point, Arctosz. I came here to tip you off.

I still recall that you married an Ursine woman, despite your family's objections, and even had a child with her?

Something happened to the Silverashes, and soon after your wife left Kjerag with daughter in tow. This affair was kept within the tri-clans, but it was no secret to us.

Hmph, I see your nose is as sharp as ever.

I'll take that as a compliment.

I'm here to tell you about your daughter, the girl named Rosalind.

What happened to her?! You better not be taking advantage the situation!

She has nothing to do with our clan business!

I'm not here to settle any old scores, but her untimely return is really unfortunate.

Do you know where she is right now?

She's probably already in the sights of a Victorian spy.

Finally!

But the cable car only goes up this far, and I have to climb the rest myself?

Well, the summit isn't that far anyway.

I could still see a few tourists earlier, but now there's no one else around.

White everywhere... Sheesh, it's a little scary.

......

Huh...?

...How... unlucky...

Wh-What was that?

...Ever since I came to Kjerag... Not a single thing has gone smoothly...

Who's that? C-Come out! Don't even think you can scare me!

Is that... a hole?

Who could be so bored as to dig a hole by the trail? No, this can't be just a hole...

It's a trap!

Sure enough. A trap indeed.

Watch your step, Madam.

Also, if it's not too much of a bother, could I trouble you to pull me up?