The railway system of Hirica was invented over 100 years ago when an engineer harnessed the power of coal and steam to move massive machinery and connect multiple cities across the country. Its impact was so significant that many nations paid Hirica to develop their own train systems.

  The first to do so was the Empire of the Northern Blue Dragon, the largest country in the world. This empire is renowned for its powerful economy, advanced healthcare system, and famous tourist attractions, but also for something far more concerning: it is the birthplace of the world's greatest number of assassins and mercenaries.

  Now, a group of killers from that empire is aboard the train traveling from Toki to Laika, with a clear and deadly mission:

  To assassinate the crown prince!

  At midday, in a city bar, Axel, Maxwell, and their bodyguards, Eustace and Gunter, were sharing beers while discussing their mission.

  —One of my father’s servants gave me this letter. He told me to read it once we’re on the train. By the way, this beer is delicious. Wheat beer will always be my favorite —commented Maxwell, taking a long sip and leaving foam on his lips.

  —What exactly are we supposed to find in Laika? —asked Gunter, holding his mug.

  —I’ve heard rumors about an extremely powerful magical weapon, but only members of the royal family can wield it. For some unknown reason, every time someone takes hold of it, it always returns to Laika. My father never gave me more details —replied Axel, taking a small sip.

  —Sir Maxwell, shouldn’t we be discussing this in a more private place? There are too many people nearby. We might leak information —interjected Eustace, who had yet to touch his beer.

  Axel smiled confidently.

  —Are you new to this? This table is enchanted. Everything we say is distorted, so everyone else just hears us talking about sports or some other harmless nonsense. Lucy set it up. She always does things right.

  He paused before adding:

  —By the way, I like you two better than Maxwell’s previous bodyguards. You’re not excessively overprotective, but you’re still quite skilled.

  —That’s true —interrupted Maxwell—. Lucy is very useful... though I wish she’d stop scaring off every girl I date. She always frightens them away until they run off! But hey, in Laika, I’ll be able to meet plenty of beautiful women, and Lucy won’t be there to bother me.

  —That comment was unnecessary, Max —grumbled Axel—. Lucy does that because she sees you as an older brother… I think? —he added, raising an eyebrow in doubt.

  Then, changing the subject, he continued:

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  —I imagine we’ll be temporarily assigned as soldiers at the border post and placed under the command of whoever is in charge there. What time does the train leave?

  The train was set to depart in thirty minutes. The four of them were in a military-designated carriage. Axel got up from his seat and headed to the restroom.

  Just as he opened the door to step out, he encountered someone unexpected.

  Lily.

  The beautiful and immortal woman smiled at him mischievously.

  —Hey, handsome! Did you miss me?

  Axel frowned.

  —I knew it... Right after you mentioned your intention to take me to the land of the elves, a mission suddenly comes up to a city bordering that country. You had something to do with this, didn’t you? —he asked seriously.

  Lily covered her mouth in fake surprise.

  —Oops! You caught me, kid. But I only influenced the king's decision a little bit. Don't you want to know how I did it?

  Axel sighed, unable to hide his annoyance.

  —I don’t care. We’ll talk about this later. Right now, it’s time to board the train. You stay in the civilian passenger section, and we’ll meet in Laika.

  Lily tilted her head, her expression playful.

  —Are you still mad because I disappeared after the fight with the dark elf?

  —No! I’m mad because I know there will be trouble if you’re here. That dark elf was looking for you. Just stay away while we’re on the train.

  Lily smirked wickedly, saying nothing.

  And at that moment, the train departed, with Axel completely unaware that his journey was about to turn into a bloodbath.

  A few kilometers ahead, a piercing scream echoed through the train, followed by more. Suddenly, the door to their carriage burst open, revealing a group of men dressed in elegant attire. They wore fine shirts and trousers, but in their hands, they held daggers and sharp knives.

  —Which one of these guys are we supposed to stab in the heart? —one of the mercenaries asked.

  —Who cares? Let’s stab them all —another replied with a sadistic grin.

  Axel sighed and realized he had left his pistol in his luggage. Eustace and Gunter had their abilities, and Maxwell was the strongest among them. They all had their combat weapons, but none carried a gun.

  Axel quickly scanned the area and saw, a few meters ahead, the emergency axe mounted on the wall of the carriage.

  —Well, I guess this counts as an emergency —he muttered, grabbing the axe and taking a combat stance.

  The battle had begun.

  Axel dodged the mercenaries’ thrusts with agility, striking them with the axe and knocking them unconscious. They were strong, but not at the level of the Royal Guard. However, soon, a true challenge appeared.

  A dwarven warrior, with a long beard and a massive battle axe, stepped into the carriage. His weapon made Axel’s look like a mere toy.

  —Well, well! A little soldier who knows how to play with a tiny axe? —the dwarf bellowed, slamming his weapon into the floor—. Prepare to suffer!

  Meanwhile, Maxwell had incapacitated several mercenaries, but then he encountered a different kind of enemy.

  A seductive human woman, dressed in a black gown with a plunging neckline, stood before him, wielding two curved violet daggers in her hands.

  —Handsome man, are you the one I’m supposed to stab in the heart?

  Maxwell smirked confidently.

  —I wouldn’t answer that, not even to a beauty like you.

  He struck with his sword, but something strange happened.

  The woman vanished into a shadow and reappeared elsewhere in the carriage.

  That was her gift.

  She could hide and move through the shadows.

  Maxwell narrowed his eyes.

  —This is going to be interesting…

  The battle had only just begun.