In Another World With My Smartphone: Volume 25

Chapter I: View from the Otherworld Train

Dad, look! Look!

Hold on, Linne!

It was late afternoon. I was sipping tea on my balcony, having just finished the duties Kousaka had assigned to me...when I heard the pitter-patter of Linne and Elna running toward me.

Oddly enough, the two were dressed in maid outfits, so I really wondered what was going on.

Wow, you’re so cute! It really suits you two.

Mmm... You’re both very cute. Looks good on you.

Yumina and Sue, who were sitting with me, voiced their thoughts.

Just cute? It’s way more than that... How can I even begin to describe this sight?

How do we look, dad? Well?

Really cute.

Dammit. That was such a stupid reply... Well, whatever. It’s still true. They’re really cute, yeah... Wait, hold on. Why are they dressed like that?

Ahem... What’s with the outfits, you two? Did Linze make them?

Yeah. We said we were gonna help Ms. Renne out, so Mommy Linze made some for us. It was so fast... Like lickety-split! Elna replied casually.

Lickety-split, huh? Probably only took her a few minutes, yeah. When it comes to sewing, Linze’s ability is godly. Literally too, given her divinity and all. But they’re helping Renne, huh? I guess they’re similar in age, so that makes sense... How old’s that girl now? Ten? Eleven?

It’s funny working with the current Ms. Renne. She’s so little compared to how we know her.

Mhm. She’s like another person.

R-Really now?

The Renne they knew was a Renne who lived over a decade in the future, after all... I wondered what kind of adult she’d end up becoming.

Hm... The Ms. Renne we know is a perfect maid and she speaks really politely. She’s quite different right now... Also, she’s our etiquette coach in the future.

Seriously?! Sue yelled, going wide-eyed at the revelation. She probably couldn’t believe that Renne, who followed her around sometimes like a little sister, could change so drastically.

I could understand how she felt, honestly. I never imagined that Renne, who used to live on the street and used to call me bruv, would end up becoming a picture-perfect maid... Though it was true she’d been learning to speak more politely since she came here.

Ms. Renne’s amazing in the future. She can do almost anything. She can fight, she can cook, she can sew...and she knows everything there is to know about manners. She’s a little hard on us at times, though...

I see... We probably had her educate you all because she was capable of being strict, Yumina chimed in with a nod.

Linne’s just mad because she skips all her etiquette training and gets in trouble for it. Ms. Renne is very kind to me.

Jeez... Elna’s words caused Linne to grumble. We all then laughed slightly before the door opened and Renne herself appeared.

Umm...are Elna and Linne in here?

As far as Renne knew, the kids were my distant relatives. They were all wearing brooches that had [Mirage] enchanted on them, making them look like regular children to most onlookers. I also explained away them calling me and my wives dad and mom as being weird old nicknames that stuck.

The head maid’s waiting on you both. Shall we?

Oh, sorry! Let’s go, Elna!

Mhm. We’ll be on our way, father. See you soon, mothers.

Oh, wait a second. Let me take a picture!

Just as Linne and her sister started to run off, I stopped them in their tracks. There was no way I was going to miss the chance to capture this precious moment. Thus, I quickly whipped my smartphone out of my pocket.

Oh, right. Renne, you should join too!

Huh?!

Elna and Linne both dragged Renne to their side without another word.

All right, that’s good...

The shutter clicked...and I got three good pictures out of it.

Send us a copy later, okay?!

With that, the three girls rushed out of the room. They were like a whirlwind...

Hm... To think Renne’ll end up like that... Time sure does change people, huh? Sue spoke quietly as she sipped her tea.

That might be part of it, but even now she’s an earnest worker. She always tries her best, no matter the task, so she definitely has the makings of a perfect maid.

I had a feeling that it might have been more nurture than nature, though. She had people around to teach her both etiquette and combat... We had all manner of gods stopping by the castle, after all.

I wondered if Renne might have some blessing from the divine as well. She often tended the fields with Uncle Kousuke, so I couldn’t help but imagine she’d end up as one of his dependents.

I can’t help but feel jealous... Just when will my child arrive, I wonder... Yumina said as she let out a small sigh. Yae’s daughter, Yakumo, hadn’t arrived at the castle yet either, though we knew she was wandering around the world somewhere. The ones we hadn’t heard about at all were Yumina’s child and Sue’s child, whoever they were.

Don’t worry, Yumina. From what the other kids are saying, there’s a good chance ours are already here.

Then why wouldn’t they come to see us, Sue?!

Don’t ask me... They might just be busy with something? Or maybe they’re making their way here...?

Hmm... I really do wonder where they are. I hope they’re not avoiding me on purpose. That’d be real sad...

"Can’t you just use [Recall] on one of our kids to find out what they look like, then search for them?"

Uhhh...Granny Tokie said I can’t go looking through their memories... She said our kids are all safe and sound, so it should be fine if we just wait.

[Recall] allowed me to analyze people’s memories and see things through them. If I used it on one of my kids, I’d be able to easily see things I hadn’t seen before, and then use [Search] to find them.

One of them’s a boy, right? Maybe he’s busy playing around, so he just forgot to come here...

Mmm, yeah. That’s certainly possible. But according to Allis, Kuon has a pretty level head on his shoulders, and he’s pretty strong too. I wouldn’t worry.

And what if he’s in trouble?

He’s Touya’s son. He’ll be able to handle it in minutes...

C’mon now...

Don’t just go making assumptions... One of you is his mother, remember?

No point worrying about it, at any rate. We’ll just have to wait and see, okay?

I suppose you’re right... Oh, Touya. Could I have a copy of that photo?

Oh, me too.

Sure thing.

I sent the pictures over to Yumina and Sue. I’d taken a lot of photos of my kids since they’d arrived, so I just forwarded them all to the photo-sharing app that we all had access to.

Where are the other kids today, Yumina? Any idea?

Frei is with Hilde and Yae at the training ground. Arcia is preparing food in the kitchen with Lu. And as far as I know, Yoshino and Quun are up in Babylon.

That makes sense for Quun, but Yoshino too? What’s she doing up there?

I decided to head up and check it out.

I headed over to the workshop, and sure enough both Quun and Yoshino were there. Quun was busy working on her construction Gollem, while Yoshino was fiddling with some tools nearby.

Oh, daddy!

What’ve you got there?

It’s a musical instrument. Take a look, Yoshino said as she handed over a small board with staggered metal tines lining it from left to right.

This is an instrument?

There was a hole in the middle of it, almost like a guitar’s, and the metal tines were arranged inward like a V-shape. Something about it seemed familiar, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it... And so, I pressed the metal tines. However, they didn’t make any sounds. I was stumped as to how to play it.

Oh, you’re not supposed to press them. Try strumming them instead.

Strumming?

I used my fingertip to strum at the tines, and it let out a pinging noise in response.

Oh, that’s how it works.

It’s called a kalimba. Don’t you know it? You’re the one who taught me how to play it.

I-I did?

Well, it wasn’t really me... It was Future Touya! I’m not really familiar with this kalimba, though.

I took out my smartphone and hopped on the internet to run a search.

Oh, I see.

The kalimba. It was an instrument from Africa, also known as the finger harp or the thumb piano. The mechanisms inside were similar to that of a music box.

Oh, now I remember... My grandpa’s favorite band used to incorporate this instrument. I remember seeing it at their live performances.

So you can make instruments, Yoshino?

"I can. Simple ones, at least. I usually have Quun help make the more complicated ones with her [Modeling], though. It’s fun to play different kinds."

Makes sense. Guess she takes after her mother with her love for music, but she seems to be more interested in instruments than singing. That might be Sousuke’s influence on her...

Can you play for me?

Of course. I’ll strum a tune, Yoshino replied as she began to play a song on the kalimba. The melody was slow and relaxed. It was an extremely beautiful sound.

Hmm... Is this...Pachelbel’s Canon?

Johann Pachelbel’s Canon. It was the first part of his Canon and Gigue for 3 violins and basso continuo. It was a melody made out of a gradually repeated rhythm.

Yoshino played it beautifully, reminding me of why it had become such a famous tune. The way she played it on the kalimba stirred the depths of my soul.

This is amazing... I didn’t know you could play this with just two thumbs... Wait, hold on. Why am I hearing the flute? Huh? Wait, don’t tell me...

I turned away from Yoshino and saw Sousuke playing the flute in a nearby corner.

Of course. Wherever music is, he appears.

I closed my eyes and let the melody wash over me. It was a rare moment of joy, to hear a beautiful song played by the god of music and my own daughter from the future.

Once the performance ended, I gave them both a full round of applause.

That was incredible... What a blessed performance.

Quun and Rosetta walked over, applauding as well...though Quun was clapping using her Arm Gear’s hand mechanisms.

He he he he... I’m a little embarrassed...

No, don’t be. It was a stunning performance, Yoshino.

I’d like to join her next time, I think. A performance with my daughter sounds like a lot of fun...

I looked up at Quun in her Arm Gear.

Can you play anything?

I have some mild talents. My mother likes to listen to music, so I’ve picked up a thing or two.

Apparently, some of my kids liked music, while others didn’t care much for it. Yakumo, Frei, and Linne weren’t all that interested it seemed.

Anyway, forget all that, father! Look at my upgrades! I call it the Armored Arm Gear: Beowulf! I’m ready to fight! Quun exclaimed as she piloted her machine and made it flex its arms. It had big arms and thick legs, with a rugged torso that was clearly built for power. The sight of my tiny daughter riding it gave it a comically unbalanced look.

What are you gonna fight with it, exactly?

Nothing in particular. But it never hurts to have more firepower, no?

Hmm... I wonder if she’s thinking about how to face the wicked devout on her own... I kinda feel like a failure of a father if my kids are worrying about that stuff.

I briefly mired myself in misery when my phone began to ring.

Hm? It’s from King Felsen.

Uhhh, hello?

Oh, Grand Duke? We’ve finished our magic train, I’m wondering if you can help with the last parts...between Belfast and Refreese...

Oh, I see... Got it. I’ll head right over.

The first magic trains existed five thousand years ago, and there were already similar vehicles on the western continent...but the eastern continent’s first modern magic train was built in Felsen, and was intended to be run on a track between Refreese and Belfast.

Various Earth mages had already built the tracks between the two countries, so now all that was needed was the train itself. Considering the fact that I could move things across great distances instantly, it was up to me to take care of that last part. Though I’d admittedly forgotten about it amid all the wicked devout stuff.

I hung up my phone, turned to Quun and the others, and said, I’m gonna head to Felsen to pick up their magic train. It shouldn’t take long, so I’ll take lunch first and—

Before I could even finish speaking, Quun’s arm shot right up—or rather, the Arm Gear’s did—and she exclaimed, Take me! Take me with you, father!

I’m only ferrying it between Felsen and Belfast. We’re not actually riding the train, you know?

That’s fine! I want to take pictures! It’s a brand new train! How exciting!

Oh... Is my daughter a trainspotter? Nah, she just loves all kinds of tech.

I didn’t see a problem with her coming, so I figured there was no reason to turn her down.

You wanna tag along, Yoshino?

I’ll skip out this time. I need to work on controlling my pitch. Go have fun with Quun, okay?

Huh. Guess Yoshino doesn’t care about the train. Maybe most girls wouldn’t... Quun’s just a bit special.

All right, let’s get going, then... But leave the Arm Gear behind, okay?

Aww... But I wanted to show it off to King Felsen...

I’d rather you not do that... It’ll just end up causing me a big headache. If King Felsen doesn’t get fired up about it, his wife definitely will. I don’t have time for that kind of thing today, okay? We’ll do it later...

After I persuaded Quun to give up, I opened a [Gate] and we headed off to Felsen.

◇ ◇ ◇

One week later...we were in the royal capital of Belfast, attending the opening ceremony for the magic train between Belfast and Refreese. We’d completed the test runs, and the two train tracks had already been run through the station building.

The station was named Alephis Station, after the royal capital itself. A single line ran from it to Bern, the imperial capital of Refreese. It made four stops along the way, with the full journey taking about five hours.

We stood on the platform, looking up at the first magic train seen on the eastern continent in thousands of years. It’d been named Rhinebell. It was silvery white with blue streaks running over the outside. It was kind of rounded in shape and didn’t have a chimney like you might see on a steam locomotive. Instead, there were two vents on either side of the main car that emitted smoky ether residue.

In terms of looks, it definitely would’ve been right at home in a steampunk story. But in terms of actual operation, it ran on magic batteries, so it was closer to an electric train than anything else. It was also very quiet.

Enough with the pictures, Quun. Don’t you have enough already?

Just let me snap a few more, okay?! I want to capture all the best angles!

I sighed quietly as Quun took pictures of the train from every possible vantage point. She’d already taken a bunch of photos when I’d first delivered it, so I didn’t understand the point of her getting even more now.

We’d been formally invited to the event, so we were set to ride on the inaugural trip. Normally, it would’ve just been me and my wives, but we managed to get Quun and the other kids on board as well. Allis wanted to join us as well, so Ende tagged along as her chaperone. Though, he’d also been hired by the kingdom as an adventurer just in case anything dangerous happened.

Various noble and merchant families from Belfast would be joining us on the ride, including Duke Ortlinde and his family. Their children were just as excited as Quun was, presumably because they’d never seen a train before.

Ed looks so excited.

Sue’s brother, Edward, was cradled in his mother’s arms as she sat on a bench not too far from the train. The little baby was giggling over at the vehicle.

Mhm! You like the train, don’t you, Ed? We’re gonna get on it soon! Sue exclaimed as she gently held her brother’s hands in her own. Linne and Allis noticed that, so they walked over to him with big smiles on their faces.

Wow, look at little Ed!

Ha ha, wow! He really is little! This is weird!

Their comments made Duke Ortlinde raise his brow.

...Little Ed?

Oh, father! We should board now, okay? Sue said. She wisely saved us a headache by leading her family away. Linne and Allis realized their mistake and they quickly scampered back over to me.

Come on... Mind what you say, okay?

Sorry...

Ed plays with us a lot in the future, so it’s funny seeing him as a little baby.

Apparently, the distance between Belfast and Brunhild didn’t matter all that much in the future. Still, the fact that he played with my kids didn’t surprise me much. He was their uncle, after all.

The Belfastians started to head into their respective train carriages. It appeared departure was close at hand. We all followed suit and entered the train. We were all seated in the first carriage, nearest the front. The door wasn’t automatic, so the station attendant locked it from the outside after we boarded. That meant the door couldn’t ordinarily be opened from the inside. There was, however, an emergency escape lever that forced the door open if necessary.

Wow, it’s amazing! Elze said, then blinked in surprise as she saw the inside of the carriage. It was so spacious that it almost felt like we were in a reception room. There was a soft carpet below our feet, comfy couches lined each side of the carriage, and manastone lights and a skylight rested above us. They even had a fridge in the corner stocked with drinks, including wine and fruit water.

This carriage was a VIP one, largely reserved for royalty or aristocracy. It had more features than the regular ones and even had a temperature regulation system.

The kids all clambered up onto the couches and looked out of the windows. A moment later, a whistle sounded out on the platform, and the vehicle shuddered as it began to move. The mana batteries activated the motors, and the wheels began turning...

It’s moving!