Machinist of Mana Chapter 119 An Offer

The soldiers were unamused by my joke, but I was clearly no goblin, and grandfather soon landed near us. It seemed I'd actually lost him for a bit there, the plane not being quite as fast as the out of control train, surprising honestly.

“You're absolutely sure you got them all?” a man in an officer's uniform repeated for what had to be the fifth time.

“I counted each one, and even looked for other survivors. We still need to pull whatever is left of their leader out of that though,” I told him while pointing at the absolute mess that was the engine car. “Doubt there will be much, but you know, proper procedures and all that.”

“Do not lecture me on procedure boy, you may have endangered this whole operation with your actions.”

“Actions which saved the lives of dozens of innocents.”

“By risking the lives of many thousands more.”

He had fairly little to say to me after that, but they did pull remains from the crash. There was little left, but skull fragments and a twisted, ruined corpse did show that we'd done it, we'd managed to actually kill the bastard.

Grandfather and I were held in place until nighttime, when a group of carriages arrived to take our plane, and us, to another location. We weren't locked in, but we were pretty well informed that this was only a courtesy, and that should we try to leave, that would be rescinded.

That was fine though, I was frankly exhausted from the day's work, tired from all the fighting, sore from the injuries I'd taken. Now was as good a time as any to get a few hours in. After all, I might not be getting any decent sleep for some time yet.

I finally woke as dawn began its first attempt at cresting the horizon, pink and yellow light spreading through the sky. Grandfather was still awake, but looked quite rough. Apparently he hadn't taken the same thought as I had and instead decided to keep up. When I went to ask him he put a finger to his lips. Now was apparently not the time for talking.

As I got a look outside I saw that we were back in some city, but I couldn't tell if it was one we'd been in before. Regardless it certainly wasn't Exion, a place I was quite familiar with. No, the feeling was different, the streets a bit rougher, more winding. I could see an imposing wall in the distance, one of at least two visible to me and the marking of the outer edge of the metropolis. We were also on a hill, slight, but there, climbing ever upwards.

We passed through another wall yet, making me wonder how many walls this place had, and seemed to enter a much richer district. Houses here were much larger, people better dressed and the roads better maintained. It wasn't the stark difference between slums and impossible wealth, but it was noticeably a nicer area.

The final wall we approached became clear as we got nearer, and it surrounded one residence alone. The castle there was a mix of palace and fortress, massive, with dozens of towers and parapets that rose to the heavens.

“Are we in the capitol?” I asked.

“Yes, I suspect so,” grandpa replied, frowning. We could only be coming to this place to meet one person.

Once we were shown (forcibly escorted) to a meeting room it didn't take long for the king to meet us.

“I don't know if I should have you publicly flogged, thrown in prison, or given an award. Congratulations, it has been some time since that has happened,” was his opener.

“...” We both set there in silence, letting him go.

“Nothing to say for yourselves? Come now, you interfere in a military operation and nothing at all? Don't mistake me, I'm pleased that you managed to survive, and pleased that you killed those beasts while saving most of the people on that train, but sincerely, you could have said something first.”

“Would you have authorized it?” I asked.

“No, of course not, but that's hardly the point. My auntie may have favored you but this is beyond the pale.”

“What would she have had me do?” I asked.

That particular question got me a look that would strip paint from walls.

“She'd have done it herself, but she was an order of magnitude more powerful and practiced than you.” After schooling himself for a moment though his Majesty calmed a bit. “Though that is a point.”

“Nah, I met her when she was about his age. Well, quite a bit older actually, you lot age weird, but she gave the impression of being a little spitfire regardless,” interrupted a voice from off the side. “Kind of reminds me of her in a way, different sure, but still got that spark.”

The man who'd interrupted us leaned against the wall beside the door. His hair was pure white and cropped short, a long flowing outfit, almost like a robe or coat over some comfy looking clothing hung about him. His ears too, they were pointed and long.

“Ambassador I believe I requested you to remain behind,” our ruler said through narrowed eyes.

My grandfather however sprung up, eyes wide in shock.

“Sit down,” the newcomer said to grandpa. “And you did, but I couldn't bring myself to miss this. Moreover I have a suggestion of you lot are amenable.”

“And what exactly would that be?” I asked.

“That you come work for me for awhile kid. I've got a couple jobs that need doing for my boss and you seem just the kind to do them. Comes with free training and materials too.”

“You don't have a boss,” the king said flatly, as if it were obvious.

“Sure I do, and if you let me take the kid for a bit I promise he'll be both punished and rewarded. The work I need isn't easy, but if you can do it you'll get much for the doing. So what do you all say?”

The man, who'd yet to introduce himself, stood there with a roguish grin, watching. He'd not even told me what he wanted, or why me, but it seemed he thought I'd agree anyway. The older men in the room considered it too, looking almost worried at his appearance.