20 – Poisonous Bell
This is a story from the time when the Bayel Empire was still an empire.
At that time, all trade markets were truly within the grasp of the empire.
The dominance of long-distance trade, starting from the upper echelons of a desert region, passed to the empire that had pioneered more than thirty new routes.
The subsequent wealth and cultural flourishing need not be mentioned unnecessarily.
Speaking of the glorious past, it is absurd to talk about the empire navy without mentioning it, but the truth is that the empire’s shipbuilding technology itself was not outstanding.
Instead, it had a small but definite talent.
The empire navy mainly dealt with pirates. Pirates of various origins and numbers would seize the opportunity to attack the empire merchant ships laden with valuable goods, loot them, and repeatedly escape.
However.
The imperial navy warships were always faster than pirate ships. Even if they had to chase to the end of the world, they never missed.
Opinions may vary, but the speed of the warships, slightly faster than any other ship, was often evaluated as the main actor that pulled the empire’s peace.
Perhaps that’s why.
When the federal flagship set a new speed record, the empire’s ships simply came to a halt and ceased to operate.
Neither pursuing technology, nor culture, nor magic.
When what was in motion came to a halt, the dynamics were reversed just like that.
Truly profound.
Kwung—!
“Ah, darn.”
A whining sound echoed beside the head.
The train, which had been gently swaying, seemed to shake vigorously once. Amidst the gentle rocking, the head collided with the train wall.
“Had a weird dream.”
Wondering if we had already arrived, I glanced out the window.
The bustling harbor city was nowhere to be seen, only a slow-flowing scene of green fields and the foothills of mountains.
Beyond the mountain ridge, the sun was setting slowly.
The Federation even has a decent natural landscape, I thought while swallowing the impression, and rested my chin on my hand.
Observing the flowing landscape in a dozing state, things unseen in still lifes or landscapes became apparent.
The nearby fields quickly passed by.
The distant mountain ridge moved slowly.
The setting sun showed no signs of setting.
It was a simple phenomenon.
The train was moving fast, and what I saw varied with the distance traveled.
The key point was that it wasn’t the fields, the mountain ridge, or the sun moving, but the train I was on.
The strange dream I had a moment ago flashed back.
Perhaps it wasn’t that the empire had cut off all progress on its own, but rather that the federation had rapidly strengthened at an immeasurable pace.
Like a train departing across the fields.
Faster than a pirate ship, the imperial warships raced ahead.
“…”
Such a difference in speed, could it not always cause some kind of disturbance?
The moment I advanced my thoughts to that point, I realized.
Dreams conceived in a shallow sleep are mostly fantasies.
It had been a couple of hours since the train emitted its last steam in the city illuminated by the pristine moonlight.
“We have arrived at Leslie Station!”
*
A pungent scent of smoke pricks at the nostrils.
It wasn’t an unfamiliar smell to me.
It had been subtly present since I set foot at Oris Station, and it became most intense the moment I stood in front of the train.
Perhaps it was the smell of coal dust and the burning of coal mingling together.
But the reason I plugged my nose when I got off at Leslie Station was that the smell there was several times stronger than that of Oris Station.
The cause was quickly discernible.
“Are they transporting coal by rail too?”
On another set of tracks beside the train, not with passengers but loaded with heaps of coal, a freight train stood in a line.
An amount difficult to gauge.
“…”
Leslie’s mine was expected, but if the scale is this large, it seemed unreasonable to simply express it as ‘there is a mine.’
It could be a major coal supplier for the entire federation.
By now, the intense expressions of the third-class passengers began to be naturally understood.
They probably came to find work like me.
Around that time, the people getting off the train began to split into two groups.
One side was people dressed neatly, carrying light bags.
They were heading towards the ticket booth.
On the other side, many people wearing dirty clothes with fingertips blackened by coal dust were gathering, and they were heading out of the station.
I checked the balance in my pocket.
Six pounds and a few coins.
It’s money that could set a feast table in the empire, but it takes on a different meaning here.
Now I know that this amount disappears just by staying overnight under a solid roof.
It was the moment when it became clear which group to follow.
July 23rd. Slightly cloudy.
There was a very efficient system called a dormitory.
Were there enough guesthouses for over dozens of people, or was it finally time to use the long-acquired experience of enduring homelessness? I was hesitating.
“Dormitory 1 – accommodates fifty people -“
“Dormitory 2 is full!”
“Dormitory 3 accepts twenty-five people -“
“Dormitory 4 -“
The moment the insincere voices of street performers were heard, people began to disperse with weary expressions.
At that time, I wondered what was going on.
From the moment I had a good night’s sleep at lodging number 3 and now, as I breathe in the morning air at the foot of the mountain, I clearly understand what the lodging is all about.
Eight pounds for a night.
It seemed expensive, but it appeared to be the same for these people.
Most of those who got off the train and came here are short of money.
For them, a private room or a comfortable bed, along with the kindness one might expect from travelers, is less precious than a few extra pennies.
The lodging was a facility for those coal miners.
Providing only a blanket, a space to lay one’s body, and a decent meal, instead of which they charge only a pound for a night, was quite a bold strategy.
“Ah, fine.”
It was appealing.
If there was a downside, it might be that you had to hold the book tightly in your arms, fearing it might be stolen by magic.
“hehehe.”
It’s still early morning.
I took a deep breath while stretching lightly.
My physical condition wasn’t too bad.
After some time, people who had awakened from their sleep at lodging number 3 started coming out one by one.
Among those who had slept at lodging number 3, there were people around my age or slightly older, and they seemed to have been somewhat troubled by their sleep, with shadows under their eyes.
Among them, a man with a tall stature who was breathing deeply beside me asked.
He, too, seemed to have had a restless night.
“Hyung-nim.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Why is Hyung-nim looking so fine? There’s more than one person claiming they feel like their waist is about to give out.”
“I don’t get bothered much in bed.”
“Even the communal breakfast that others leave unfinished, Hyung-nim seems to enjoy it all alone.”
Is this talking about tough jerky and hard bread rather than leather?
Tasting jerky after a long time, I ate it absentmindedly, but it seems unimpressive to others.
Meoldae let out a deep sigh.
“In a mine like this, eating and sleeping are directly linked to stamina. Hyung-nim, I envy you.”
“hahahaha.”
As if scratching his cheek in bewilderment, he didn’t respond to the last words.
It’s closely related to my background and growth, which is why.
“……”
If I accidentally reveal that I’m an imperial, it won’t end just at being detained.
I tightly shut my mouth.
Be cautious.
*
People with fingertips stained black are said to be those already assigned to work in some tunnel of a mine.
Since strength and stamina are required for mining, it seems they have to pass a corresponding assessment to formally establish an employment relationship.
And so, I headed to the guidance office along with people whose fingertips are still white.
A structure resembling a single-story shack.
As I entered the guidance office, two examiners glanced at the audience with twisted smiles.
“….”
The atmosphere is clearly rough.
Fortunately, they explained what needed to be done properly.
“First, get a physical examination from the friend standing next to me. Then, look through the paper attached to the wall on your own, and tell me the gang you hope for and your name. Starting from tomorrow, you will be assigned there.”
The examiner with short hair nodded.
“Be aware that each gang has different working conditions and compensation. If there are too many people, priority will be given to those with better examination results, so keep that in mind. Now, let’s start with the physical examination.”
The physical examination was very simple.
Can you swing a pickaxe twenty times in a row?
“Hoo!”
“Passed.”
It wasn’t as easy as I thought. As evidence, two out of ten people were expelled from the shack for getting tired or missing the pickaxe.
After finishing the turn, I headed towards the wall with flyers attached.
I had to choose one of the eleven gang options.
When I was squatting down and reading the lines of text carefully from the bottom, it happened.
Thunk.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Huh? Why is there gray hair here?”
Someone placed their palm on my head.
I lifted my head and looked at that face.
“What’s up?”
“Your gaze is intense. Looking at your hair, it seems like somewhere in your ancestry, there’s a trace of barbarian blood. As expected.”
As I mimicked a whistle, pressing my hand against my head, I felt an added force in the hand that was already pressing down.
Is this what it is?
This was the first encounter with ‘direct hatred’ since coming to the federation.
I seemed to know the reason. The young man with black hair and black eyes, appearing to be my age, revealed the contours of his muscles even beyond his clothes, indicating considerable training.
While he continued to press on my head, he spoke.
“How many times are you going to the gangway?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Going to the same place as you. The barbarian with weak will like you would probably run away within a week. I’ll take care of the reward for reporting unauthorized deserters, so feel free to run away as much as you want.”
The man laughed spitefully and then shouted, “Sergeant Ajae! This Damon set a new record in the physical examination logs earlier. I’m going to the same place as this guy!” while waving his hand.
Damon, was it?
I guess I can just be formal.
I slowly stood up.
“Damon.”
“…?”
“Thanks for the tip about reporting unauthorized deserters. I appreciate the valuable information.”
Damon’s hand was still above my head.
But he couldn’t stop me from getting up.
Maybe it was impossible from the beginning.
I didn’t realize it because I was crouching, but the moment I straightened my knees, I was looking down at Damon from about half a foot above.
I raised my hand as well.
“Judge. We request Eugene Oslo and Damon for Gangdo #7.”
“…Seriously?”
“Of course.”
Gangdo #7.
The highest workload.
Only two meals a day provided as a quick ration. Return to the dormitory allowed for those on a two-day shift. Recommended to sleep at the entrance of the gangdo.
Double pay.
“Damon.”
“With what guts do you choose the notorious Gangdo #7….”
I let out a bitter laugh, just like he did.
“You can run away as much as you want.”
