From Chapter 57 onward, prepare for a major upgrade—writing, cleaner grammar, and a more immersive story!
Compared to the other public trains in the port, the Gremory family's private train—the one Bokue Keikain and friends were riding—didn't need to wait for any pre-set departure time. Once the final bit of paperwork for Asia was cleared, everyone boarded immediately.
"W-wow, it's so luxurious!"
The moment they stepped aboard, Asia couldn't help her quiet exclamation.
Despite the train's old-fashioned exterior—the interior, though classic in style, was furnished with every comfort.
The first carriage itself resembled a lavish living room, complete with coffee table, plush sofas, and even a bar for beverages. Warm, subdued lighting came from above via a lily-bud-shaped chandelier, giving an elegant, stately feel.
And that was merely one carriage; further down were sleeping compartments, dining sections, even entertainment cars. In short, just like a private jet for the wealthy—unlike a standard passenger plane with a hundred seats, each occupant here had plenty of space, enabling expansions for amusement, comfort, and style.
Imagine the Astral Express from Honkai: Star Rail, but souped up to a Pro Max Deluxe Version.
"All right. First, just make yourselves comfortable."
In a show of hostess-like poise, Rias gestured for everyone to help themselves. "We're about to depart. Next stop: the Underworld."
S-so it would only take a short time to get there? Then why have so many well-equipped carriages if it was going to be over so quickly? Would there even be time to use them? Or maybe… that's the luxury the wealthy can afford.
Sure enough, once everyone settled into their seats, the train slowly chugged out of the station.
No abrupt warp-speed leaps like a spaceship in sci-fi, but rather a gentle pull-out reminiscent of a timid driving student practicing reverse parking—foot lightly on the accelerator.
Gradually, scenery outside changed...
It felt as though they moved from a dark tunnel straight into an aurora-filled sky, with shifting polychromatic lights glimmering like a star sea. It was the sort of mesmerizing view that made you itch to stick your head out the window, but obviously that was banned. The train windows were sealed, verifying that idea was off-limits.
Soon, the aurora-like display receded, replaced by a new panorama.
Through the glass you could see vast mountains and thick forests, crisscrossed by rivers. The sky was a shade darker than in the human world, but otherwise it looked quite similar.
One difference, though: normal trains don't travel hundreds of meters above the ground, forging ahead in midair.
"W-we-we-we're flying??"
Asia was so astonished she tripped over her own words.
"Don't worry, we won't fall," Rias assured her with a calm smile, then got up and moved to the window. She pointed toward the far distance, where a castle-like silhouette rose.
"You see that there? That's the Gremory territory."
At Rias's remark, Bokue also shifted his gaze. Indeed, it perfectly matched the image of a noble domain: a main castle at the center, surrounded by simpler housing for the populace.
Although the city area didn't seem very large—maybe the size of Tokyo's central wards—still, a decent piece of land.
The train soared across the Underworld sky, drawing nearer to the castle in a slow arc. From afar, they spotted an iron track protruding from the castle's top floor, reminiscent of the Avengers' Tony Stark Tower platform.
Within minutes, they'd glided forward in a lovely wide curve, and the locomotive's front wheels latched onto that track. The entire train was guided into the upper part of the fortress, just as gently as it departed—no jolt or inertia whiplash at all.
Awaiting them on the castle's station platform was a welcoming party—or at least, one person.
As soon as the train door opened, Rias hopped off onto the platform.
Waiting there, of course, was Venelana Gremory, currently acting as manager of the Gremory household.
Seeing each other, the mother-daughter pair wasted no time on formalities. Venelana stepped up with a broad smile, giving Rias a big hug.
"Welcome home, Rias. Right on schedule, I see. The trip must have been smooth."
Rias nodded, about to say more, but Venelana's gaze slid past her daughter to those disembarking behind her—Akeno and the rest.
"Welcome, all of you—Rias's servants. And… oh my, even the sister of Satan Leviathan came along."
"Greetings, Lady Gremory."
Shitori Sona bowed politely. "For certain reasons, I tagged along with Rias. We still have classes soon, so in a couple of days I'll be heading back; I hope staying here won't be a burden."
"Not at all. It's been ages since you last dropped by, Sona-chan. I'm glad you're here," Venelana said kindly, then turned her gaze to the final two stepping off: Bokue and Asia.
"Who might these two be…?"
"Let me introduce them," Rias cleared her throat:
"This is Asia Argento—used to be a holy maiden from the Northern European Church. Circumstances forced her out of it. Now she's living in the Kuoh Academy dorm with me, Akeno, and Koneko."
But before Rias could gesture at the teenage boy next to Asia, Venelana spoke up with a light laugh:
"This must be Bokue, yes?"
Rias blinked. She vaguely remembered her brother mentioning their mother had learned about Bokue, but enough to recognize him at first sight?
"Oh, I forgot to say." Chapters first released on novel⚑fire.net
Venelana's smile was gentle. "When Sirzechs returned the other day, Grayfia happened to come back as well. She gave me a magical visual record of her meeting with you—my, Rias, you sure looked sweet and shy."
"E-eh?! That, that was—!"
Rias's cheeks flared red. She instantly realized: Her mother must have seen that memory from the scene after she and Bokue had finished in bed, with them confronting Grayfia while Rias huddled in a bedsheet.
Venelana had… watched the replay…
Seeing Rias's mortified, speechless reaction, Venelana chuckled softly.
She could have added how handsome Bokue looked, shirtless, with Rias in his arms—yet thinking that telling her daughter to her face how attractive her half-naked boyfriend was might be over the line. So she bit her tongue.
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