NOVEL NEXT Chapter 353: Blackridge Station?
Getting off the train, Lillian stretched her back, letting out a small moan. She then stared at the station with her hands resting on her hips.
They were finally here.
She took a look around, finding the train station not much different from the city if you were to ignore the very clear smell of smoke in the air and the overflowing bins.
The town of Blackridge was both a mining and a blacksmith town that was founded only a century ago.
At first, it was a manufacturing facility for Restara during a war with another kingdom. But as signs of war disappeared, so did the factory.
However, since the owner was still greedy for money and still owned the land, he decided to start a village for excess refugees in exchange for labouring in his mines.
At first, selling off the mineral was bringing in profits, but that was until inflation appeared, causing the value of what he made to drop drastically. And since he had to cater to the needs of his residents, it wasn't as profitable for him anymore.
But then, he had the grand idea of marketing his village as a place where minerals were sold cheaply to local blacksmiths.
Imported minerals were a lot more expensive, especially if you factor in the cost of delivery. This was something he knew extremely well, having worked in the business.
And due to his marketing, his humble village soon grew into a large bustling town as both blacksmiths in Restara and tourists looking for equipment arrived.
Unfortunately, the man who founded the town of Blackridge passed away on February 24th 1992. And his name was Wilson Von Blackridge...
"A Baron who was given the honour of being recognised by his highness for his efforts in supporting Restara's Military..." Lillian muttered quietly, reading the welcome board of the town of Blackridge.
She then felt something tap her shoulder from behind.
Looking back, she found Viesta staring at her with an amused look:
"Howdy, you lookin' like you're interested in this here town. Ever been here before?"
Lillian shook her head.
"Nah... I don't think I needed to have anything blacksmithed in the past." She then smirked and blinked at the woman playfully, "Did you need something made here?"
Viesta smirked back, raising her hands and shaping them into guns, "You got it, partner. Got a blueprint for something need makin'. It shouldn't take too long if the blacksmith knows what he is doing."
She then placed her right hand on the back of her head and turned around, looking towards the train, which was crowded with workers.
She then glanced towards a man arguing with one of them.
"What do you mean I would have to stay here?! I got places to be!"
"Please, sir. This is merely to check for any damage. This train had just been ambushed by—"
"Well, you guys better finish it up quickly! Gods sake...!"
Lillian and Viesta watched this happen with a wry look. At least, it wasn't just them upset, but they couldn't help but a few people were too dramatic over this.
Viesta shook her head:
"I understand that these folks need to be somewhere, but surely they understand that they need to be safe to get there."
Lillian shrugged, "Hey. Some people's lives are basically their work. I know some that had committed suicide after losing their jobs."
"You know people like that, huh...?" Viesta gazed at Lillian with pity, "I take it that you're still affected by their passing?"
"Eh... Somewhat. But it has been some time ago." Lillian shook her head, visibly unfazed.
Viesta nodded slowly, pinching the rim of her hat. She glanced at the sign for a brief moment before asking:
"So, partner, what do you think was the reason for those monsters going rampant?"
Lillian glanced at her for a moment and thought about her answer. How should she go about not revealing too much?
"Dunno... They're monsters, really. They would attack anything that isn't their own... But if I did have to give an answer, I would say that they might have an alpha now."
Lillian placed her hands inside her pockets and shrugged. She then leaned her head back against the sign and fell into deep thought.
The Barrel Mole Alpha was a Savage Maw—a monster of the D-rank with three mana shells formed. It was also the monster that would later lead an attack on the town of Blackridge after following the train.
But that was only if you had encountered the obstruction first. After that, it was up to chance whether or not the alpha would follow.
If Lillian had to rank it in terms of difficulty... She would say it would be rather difficult if you weren't geared well enough, since your usual party members wouldn't be with you to help.
Lillian glanced down at her necklace.
There was no way that the necklace would actually send the monster after her, right? How would that benefit her?
Obviously, it would give her some more combat experience in fighting exceptionally stronger enemies, but still... Wouldn't it be too much?
Lillian shook her head; she believed Lady Luck wouldn't send something like that after her.
She knew her fate was intertwined with the world's story due to the necklace, but unless Millis—the Main Character—was here, she should be fine.
Snapping herself out of her thoughts, she took a curious glance at Viesta, who was staring off to the side.
Lillian, following her stare, found a woman with neck-length purple hair, a charming face, and golden eyes reading the Blackridge sign with a squint. They wore a long-sleeved shirt with pants and carried a backpack.
They looked like any other tourist.
But... Not to Lillian as her mouth gaped at what she could only describe as the Heroine standing right beside her.
"M-millis?"
"Hm?" Millis, having heard her name, turned her eyes to the side and immediately found Lillian.
Her eyes lit up, and her lips curled into a broad grin as she yelled...