One-Eyed Monster

Igor and Kadi looked at the giant machine with surprise.

Although Igor had previously worked on steam cars, he had never truly encountered this railway.

Such a massive entity made Igor think that thing was a giant dragon.

Only, most dragons breathe fire from their mouths, while this thing was puffing thick white smoke from its top instead.

"The platform was already grand enough, but I didn’t expect this railway car to be even more astonishing," Igor couldn’t help saying.

"This is indeed a great invention; one could say Rostov’s Luona has shortened the distance between the Imperial Capital and every other city. Although this thing consumes a lot of steel and coal, we have Alchemists here, so these things are no problem!" Coban Kangen joined in with admiration. Many people’s worship of Rostov comes from this gigantic machine; few people would express admiration for the Yonder Travel Academy, as the school doesn’t seem to have brought any change to the world.

However, in fact, the Yonder Travel Academy is where the real contribution lies.

Igor is one such example...

The steam railway stopped at the platform with a whoosh, and many people got on and off. Led by Coban Kangen, Igor and Kadi excitedly boarded this giant railway car.

"This thing has reduced the original half-month journey to three or four days, which is truly a remarkable achievement!" Coban Kangen exclaimed as he walked, clearly still in awe of such a machine.

Igor and Kadi were captivated by the railway car, instantly forgetting the worries they bore just moments ago, focusing entirely on the railway car.

"I actually envy you for being born in Luona," Coban continued to muse.

"And I envy you being born in Xinbal," Igor gradually emerged from his curiosity about the steam car.

"Hehehe..." Coban and Igor shared a smile, evidently interested in each other’s lives.

At this moment, they were already seated in the steam railway car, while Kadi continued to revel in his excitement. Igor and Coban had long since calmed down.

Once the excitement subsided, Igor returned to his troubled state of mind, his face reflecting all of his worries.

"Don’t worry!" Coban comforted Igor.

"Uh, I’m just a bit restless," Igor said truthfully.

"No need to worry, many things will resolve themselves," Coban reassured simply.

"It’s not concern... I’m just puzzled; why do these unseen beings choose to appear at this moment? And they always focus on Craftsman Spirit—what is their objective?" Igor raised a series of questions that were unfamiliar to Coban.

Coban realized the challenges Igor faced were not solely about those so-called enemies but rather the unknowns that troubled Igor.

Those unknowns are indeed the real issue—they are not afraid of any enemy but unable to communicate with an unknown realm, which is hard to articulate clearly.

Coban sighed, "Many times, the greatest threat we face is the unknown."

Igor looked up; Coban Kangen was much older than Igor and his companions but not to the point of being an elder. This Coban had forged his own path, becoming the vice team leader of the League Guard in Bistal, stepping away from the shelter of the Kangen Family.

Leaving one’s hometown requires courage, and Coban Kangen not only distanced himself from home but also from the shelter of Kangen, which demands significant courage. Coban being able to achieve this position indicates he possesses considerable abilities.

Igor and Kadi had interacted with many predecessors but not much with middle-generation figures like Coban Kangen, except for a few in Luona.

Coban watched Igor and shared his views on these matters: "All unknown events are beyond people’s predictions, so they are not fixed by our worries."

"However, we still cannot stand still; even if unknown, we must explore."

"Adventurers are the key to this exploration!"

"I am honored to travel with you who aspire to be adventurers."

Coban’s narration was lengthy, and Igor and company listened attentively...

"Once we explore the unknown, we can overcome them. Maybe our generation won’t succeed, but we can pass down the valuable exploration!"

Igor only half-understood, yet the confusion in his heart seemed to lessen with Coban’s words.

"Don’t rush on this long journey of exploration!"

"Igor, be patient, don’t worry, you have us behind you!"

These words from Coban were vaguely familiar to Igor, but he couldn’t recall where he had heard them before.

Adventurer was the profession Igor aspired to undertake; he deeply wished to become that role.

But now he realized that becoming an adventurer was not an easy task; possessing curiosity and courage alone isn’t enough to become an adventurer.

Many things require personal experience and training...

A very, very long path indeed!

The struggle with Soul Devourers is an exploration process; Igor now believes he faces not only a pile of unknowns but also responsibility.

"I once thought Rostov was a show-off."

Coban continued to comfort Igor, taking on the role of Igor’s mentor.

"I always felt this guy liked to create things that squander resources; naturally, many people still hold this view, believing Rostov’s actions are merely to please His Majesty the King."

"It wasn’t until later when I personally sat on this steam railway that I realized that the reality wasn’t as I imagined. Many things aren’t like our preconceived ideas; they require serious observation to discover changes within."

"Rostov’s steam car altered my prejudice against him."

"Not to mention, he has shortened the long journey without taking shortcuts!"

"It’s really amazing, you know!"

"Even now, I find it incredibly amazing!"

"I now think Rostov is a remarkable person; he and Lord Popovich are changing this world with effort. I believe they, too, are adventurers. On this long road, anyone exploring the unknown should be considered an adventurer."

Coban finished his speech and shrugged, stating his viewpoint on adventurers.

His words reminded Igor, making the somewhat confused Igor feel more clarity inside—a new doorway opening for him.

It turns out adventurers can do this too.

Not only those constantly on the road are adventurers!

Igor looked out the window; as the steam car moved forward, everything around them sped backward, seemingly striving toward their dreams...