Steel and Mana

Chapter 303 – Ass

The rhythmic clatter of the train’s wheels on the newly built track was both soothing and unnerving to Lyria. She felt like that since it left Avalon. It was her first time riding anything like this thing—a steel and iron behemoth that hissed and roared with power, yet she could see no signs of any magic propelling it forward. No… That is not true. There was one clue. In the front, where it blew out the big plume of white smoke, there was something, a flicker she knew was a result of a formation. So there WAS magic within it… she knew it wasn’t just something men could make. It had to be the work of a mage.

While in Avalon, she learned through word of mouth that there were mages within. She already knew that would be the case... but she didn't think it would be more than one. Three? It was no wonder Lord Otto lost his life. She even realized she had heard two of them speak: the so-called Lady Sasha and Lady Mikan. It suddenly made sense why they were in the bed of this… Sovereign! Smart. Seducing witches was a sure way to power; she couldn’t fault him for that.

Still... she questioned if this Sovereign was real or just a puppet used by the mages. Her own idea was the latter, feeling that they were merely the subordinates of Mirian Ishillia. That was the only logical conclusion. As for the third? It was this region's Prime Minister, a young boy. It further reinforced her idea that these mages were here to create new weapons for Mirian to stand up against the Eternal Emperor. That made more sense than any other explanation.

While thinking about it, she sat in the passenger car, right behind the main engine, gazing out the window at the rolling hills and occasional building sites that dotted the landscape while they were passing by. As for what they were building? It seemed like these were either small future stops or service stations if anything would go wrong with the train… Or military sentry posts. She couldn’t really tell. Drawing her eyes from the rolling scenery, she looked around the inside of the cabin.

She had to acknowledge the train itself was a masterpiece, something they had to get to themselves. Lyria’s eyes occasionally flicked over the interior’s more nuanced points: polished wood paneling, brass fixtures, and seats that, while utilitarian, spoke to a level of craftsmanship absent in most Ishillian designs. It was a world apart from any of the other rudimentary modes of travel, not just in Ishillia but anywhere on the continent. She’d already overheard the other passengers, members of her, and other caravans, marveling at the smoothness of the ride and the speed with which they were covering the ground. They were making calculations of how much profit they could gain just by using it, even though they were not the ones owning it. She couldn’t help but smirk because, realizing that there was magic involved, a weak entity like Atuvia had no chance of understanding it. Magic was unknowable to regular people… only mages could comprehend and wield it. That was a fact.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

She leaned back in her seat, allowing her posture to remain relaxed, but her mind began to race. Her mission in Avalon had been carefully planned, but she had to make sure she didn’t make mistakes. Not big ones, at least. Asking questions about their artifacts, particularly the radio, had been bold—perhaps too bold—but it had yielded insights into how they used magic nonetheless. Plus, she wasn’t detained, not once.

The Avalonians were cautious, their answers carefully measured, but the very act of withholding information told Lyria what she needed to know. Their secrets were worth protecting, and even the civilians were wary of outsiders, maybe taught from an early age not to divulge their secrets.

Her inquiries had raised some suspicion; she had seen it in the eyes of that young officer, too. Yet she remained confident. Her story—that of an ambitious merchant looking to climb higher on the ranks—was plausible enough, and her decision to redirect conversations when she sensed discomfort had likely staved off deeper scrutiny for now. The key to a successful mission was patience, and Lyria had it in abundance. She would return to Avalon in time, armed with more plausible reasons and deeper pockets to gain additional connections. She had time… and she would use it to her fullest.

The train lurched slightly as it began a gentle curve, and Lyria shifted her gaze to the other passengers. Besides the others she originally came with, there were laborers and a few minor officials from Avalon coming to inspect their investment, their chatter blending together with the noise of the train. She’d already made a note of the other, dangerous Avalonian escort riding in a separate car—elite soldiers who were ostensibly there to oversee the labor force traveling to Atuvia. They were directly sent by the Sovereign to help with finishing the final railway station. Yet she couldn’t help but feel their presence was as much about showing Avalon's strength as it was about overseeing the construction.

Her fingers brushed the edge of her notebook, a well-worn ledger-like book she used to maintain her cover. Inside, innocuous notes about trade prospects and market trends masked coded observations about Avalonian technology and infrastructure, everything she had memorized during her stay. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. After a calming breath, her focus was on observation again—the train’s layout, its mechanisms, and the interactions of its crew. Every detail mattered.

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In the adjoining car, Kiwi, a codename chosen by one of Yuri’s agents, now ranked as an intelligence operative, adjusted the collar of her laborer’s uniform and cast a subtle glance toward the door leading to Lyria’s compartment. She had been briefed extensively on her sharp mind, quick wit, and dangerous interest. Her inquiries about the radio had set off alarms within Avalon’s top branch, aiming their intelligence network's top agents on her. Kiwi had been tasked with shadowing her during this journey, and she wasn’t alone, bringing her sisters and even elite soldiers along this trip.

“She’s calm,” Kiwi murmured to her partner, a sister disguised as a railway mechanic. “Too calm for someone leaving empty-handed. She buys only knick-knacks and mostly brings home money, while her partners bring along a hoard of sellable goods. She is an odd one out, alright!”

“She’s playing her role of someone who can do much more with money at the start of her career than with material goods.” her partner replied, adjusting her cap. “Which means we need to do the same. If there are any obvious moves, she’ll bolt, so we need to be extra careful. For now, we watch. Gather intel on her contacts once we’re in Atuvia.”

“And the labor force?” Kiwi asked, nodding toward the dozen or so Avalonian workers traveling with them. Officially, they were here to assist in completing the railway’s final station. Unofficially, several of them were also operatives trained in infiltration and counter-espionage, new recruits, no longer from the old gang but from Avalon itself. Their mission was twofold: ensure Lyria’s activities were monitored and establish footholds within Atuvia’s infrastructure for future operations.

“Cover’s solid. They’re builders and engineers first, spies second. No one’s going to question why Avalon sent its best to ensure the station gets finished on time.”

Hearing her sister’s words, Kiwi’s lips twitched into a faint smirk.

“Just remember, Melon, that this isn’t a sprint. It’s chess. And she’s already made her opening move.”

“Don’t worry.” She chuckled, “I trained my apprentices well.”

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With the change of scenery coming closer to the border, Lyria’s thoughts drifted to her arrival in Atuvia. The railway was a monumental project, a collaboration between her ‘homeland’ and Avalon, yet the balance of power in the partnership was evident for both sides. Avalon provided the technology, expertise, and innovation. Atuvia could do nothing but provide raw materials and labor after failing to produce adequate results. It forced them to invite Avalonian experts in to finish the project, once again, owing more and more to them. Still, the Guilds weren't stupid and hurried to copy everything... from their machinery to Avalon's basic knowledge. But not everyone was happy about it.

Her mission, however, required subtlety, and dangers were brewing towards it within Atuvia. There were–only smaller groups for now–who felt they were being taken advantage of by both Avalon and the Atuvian Guilds. They either had to be taken care of or used as bait… Openly antagonizing Avalon would be foolish; instead, she aimed to integrate herself into the flow of trade and diplomacy to become a trusted figure within Avalonian circles, maybe offering these dissident voices as proof of her trustworthiness. It was an option, and she would have to use all possible aids to get to a position where she could personally visit the actual birthplace of this… train. The manufactories of Avalon.

She opened her notebook and began jotting down notes, the act casual, as if she just remembered something. Her entries were mundane—or would appear so to any prying eyes. Yet they served as memory triggers for later, a way to catalog her observations without drawing suspicion, containing code phrases only she and her superiors knew of. She also noted down the train’s speed, the materials used in its construction, and the demeanor of its crew—each detailed as much as she could, including names, appearances, and anything she knew of.

Across the aisle, a merchant struck up a conversation with her all of a sudden, commenting on the train’s marvels. Lyria responded warmly, closing her notebook and engaging in idle chatter about trade opportunities and the potential for economic growth the railway would bring.

“The Avalonians certainly know how to build,” she said, her tone laced with admiration. “This train alone could revolutionize trade across the continent! Not to mention all the things we saw within their city… Comparing it to Aldrim or Zortan? I wouldn’t dare to!” She chuckled.

“Aye, I wouldn’t either.” the other merchant agreed. “But all of their inventions are more than just awe-inspiring ideas. I hate to say this, but these stuff are the manifestation of power. I don’t think Ishillia ever realized it yet. This train? Whoever controls it controls the continent… I can already see that.”

“Could be true…” She smiled, but deep down, she cursed because she knew he was right, “And with Avalon’s expertise, the future looks bright for all of us.”

In the worker’s car, seeing through the windowed door connecting the two, Kiwi kept her expression neutral as she observed the interplay between passengers. Lyria’s ability to blend in was impressive, but it only deepened her natural suspicion. A trustworthy merchant might be awed or intimidated by the Avalonian advancements; Lyria’s admiration felt calculated, and her curiosity was too pointed.

“Her smile is cute,” she murmured to her partner. “But my gut tells me the Sovereign is right. She is a whore, just like us.”

“She’ll slip,” the other operative replied confidently. “They always do.”

“Let’s hope it’s done sooner rather than later. The sooner we identify her network, the better.” Kiwi’s gaze then shifted to the Avalonian laborers—letting out a chuckle.

“What?” Melon asked.

“Ass.” She whispered, making her chortle.

“I still can’t believe Boss managed to push it through.”

“You know her.” Kiwi winked at Melon, “Boss Yuri knows how to play her cards.”

There was no arguing about that. Not that long ago, the new Secret Service was officially established, turning their Black Ops group into a proper branch of the military directly under Yuri and their Sovereign’s control. Avalonian Secret Service. A perfect name.

Infiltrating Atuvia’s intelligence networks was their first big mission. Sent for mapping the two Guilds’ vulnerabilities and laying the groundwork for future Avalonian information gathering. It was a game of shadows, and Lyria was just one piece on the board, the first to be taken out. If she indeed was an enemy of Avalon.

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As the train passed the Avalonian border inspections and began its descent into the foothills leading toward Atuvia’s heartland, Lyria allowed herself a small smile in her seat. She wasn’t dragged off the cart… which was good. Her first visit to Avalon had been a successful reconnaissance mission, a chance to test the waters and establish herself. What remained was her preparations to send the information back home… but she wasn’t going to be sloppy just because it looked safe at the moment. It also needed careful preparations.

And she had a nagging feeling that she was being watched. The Avalonians were too careful, too organized, to let someone like her come and go without scrutiny, even if they only had nothing but mild suspicion. Paranoia was the best safeguard for someone like her.

As the train rolled into the final station, still being worked on by hundreds of people, Lyria gathered her belongings, her demeanor poised and unhurried. She would return to Avalon soon enough, armed with more questions and better strategies. Kiwi and her team also disembarked in the shadows of the platform, their eyes never leaving her. Their starting game of chess just got interesting, with each move calculated and each player seeking the upper hand.

The question was, whose king would fall first?