SSS Talent: From Trash to Tyrant Chapter 594: Moving Like Intruders

Trafalgar responded to Caelum without delay, simultaneously snatching a breathing mask from one of the fallen.

"Our priority is to place Cynthia somewhere secure," he stated, positioning the mask carefully over her face. "Her awakening time is uncertain, and we don't know who else might be conscious. Caution is paramount."

Caelum briefly observed Cynthia before shifting his gaze to the exit.

"In that case, entrust Lady Cynthia to my care. In the interim, you should assume the guise of one of the intruders."

Trafalgar met his gaze.

"Very well. Since you are more familiar with this environment than I, I shall defer to your judgment."

Caelum gave a slight nod.

Moving with practiced efficiency, he crouched beside Cynthia and lifted her with a tenderness that belied his usual lethal actions. She remained unresponsive, her breathing calm beneath the mask. Moments later, Caelum carried her silently out of the compartment.

Trafalgar watched Caelum vanish through the doorway before initiating his own movements.

He rapidly shed his outer garments and procured necessary items from the deceased. A dark coat. Gloves. A mask. A simple weapon belt. Selecting the least soiled pieces, those devoid of extensive bloodstains, he hastily put them on, ensuring the appearance was not one of carelessness.

The attire did not provide a perfect fit.

This could not be helped.

Few, if any, would pause to scrutinize tailoring aboard a train under attack, filled with toxic gas.

Once attired, he collected the bodies, dragging them to the wagon's most concealed section. Behind seats, beneath the table line, away from the direct path to the door. While not foolproof against a thorough inspection, it would prevent casual observers from noticing five corpses immediately.

That was sufficient for the present.

He also re-examined Cynthia's seat one final time, verifying that nothing conspicuous remained. The severed threads from the dark elf had vanished entirely. Only faint indentations on the upholstery hinted that anything had been in that area.

Caelum reappeared a short time later.

The door swung open, and the golden-eyed figure entered with the same composed demeanor.

"Young Master," he murmured, "your new attire suits you remarkably well."

Trafalgar offered a deadpan look through the breathing apparatus.

"Cease."

Caelum inclined his head.

"Lady Cynthia is secure. Access to her location requires a specific key sequence, and I altered the lock mechanism post-entry."

"Excellent. That eliminates one concern."

"For the moment."

Trafalgar retrieved one of the fallen men's swords, twirling it idly in his hand, more for the sake of the disguise than any immediate intention to wield it.

"We must locate the others. And Selara. She is our foremost priority now."

"Understood, Young Master," Caelum stepped nearer, his voice remaining low. "But before we proceed, we should strategize. The detonation originated from the reinforced car, the one lined with mithril. That is almost certainly the assailants' objective. The gas was deployed to incapacitate the passengers swiftly, facilitating their search, theft, and escape without witnesses. Their strategy did not anticipate a protracted conflict."

"It deviated from their plan because certain individuals remained alert."

"Indeed."

Trafalgar's eyes narrowed behind the mask.

"Do you have any insight into their specific target?"

"I discreetly observed several conversations while navigating the train," Caelum reported. "They spoke of plans. Blueprints, most likely. Something significant enough to warrant top-tier security but not so critical as to disrupt the entire transportation schedule.

"Blueprints?" Trafalgar mused.

His thoughts briefly turned to Selara.

Alchemists. Engineers. Arcane technologies. Aurevane. A train filled with wealthy passengers and valuable resources.

It was logical that someone would seek to pilfer something.

"We proceed, then," Trafalgar declared. "We must find Selara. Should anything befall her, our entire objective here becomes considerably more arduous."

Caelum gave a decisive nod.

"Understood."

Maledicta dissipated from Trafalgar's grasp.

He retained the pilfered sword at his side instead.

Together, they exited the compartment, adopting the demeanor of individuals belonging to the group that had infiltrated it.

The adjoining corridor held a faint, sweet aroma from the expelled gas. The train's internal lighting flickered intermittently, struggling against the damage inflicted by the explosion. Underfoot, the floor transmitted a strained vibration, the sound of emergency systems maintaining a compromised machine amidst the external tempest.

They transitioned into the subsequent wagon.

Passengers were strewn throughout.

Some were slumped across the seats. Others had fallen to the floor when the explosive force hit. A dwarf, clad in an expensive coat, lay prone near a luggage compartment, one hand still grasping a metal case. Two beastkin had collapsed together in the aisle. A pale woman with small horns rested her head against the window, the adjacent curtain partially dislodged.

None stirred.

Trafalgar and Caelum reduced their pace, their eyes sweeping over the wagon.

Not a soul stirred.

No enemy movements were detected.

No hidden mana pulsed in the quiet air.

They continued their advance.

The next door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the dining car.

What had appeared elegant before was now a wreck, marred by a panic that had been cut short before it could truly erupt. Plates had tumbled from tables, and glassware lay in shards across the floor. Food stained the pristine white tablecloths, dark coffee pooling like rivers amidst the glittering fragments. Passengers of various species lay slumped and unconscious throughout the room, their fine attire and costly adornments making the scene feel almost like a mockery.

A single assailant stood near the far end of the dining area.

Clad in the same dark garments and breathing mask as the others, he kept one hand on the pommel of a curved blade, his gaze fixed on the slumbering passengers with an air of bored anticipation.

His head swiveled toward Trafalgar and Caelum as they entered.

For a fleeting moment, he remained still.

Their disguises had been effective.

But then his attention drifted to the pilfered sword at Trafalgar's hip, and a slight narrowing of his eyes occurred behind the mask.

"Where are the others?" he inquired. "Your objective was to clear the student compartment."

Trafalgar offered no immediate response.

Caelum advanced half a step, his composure unruffled beneath the mask.

"Slightly delayed," he stated. "One of the passengers put up more of a fight than anticipated."

The attacker let out a low curse.