"It's dangerous. That's why," Lloyd grinned, thinking that was the obvious answer. "Moreover, a test run like the one we went through in Hell is a necessary step that we cannot skip. I've found that you have to ride a train and railway yourself to get a proper feel for it. It's hard to determine how well made each section is, how close the final product is to what was envisioned during the construction phase, what specific improvements are needed for certain sections, and if there are any unstable areas or safety hazards without looking over everything with your own eyes and physically experiencing a ride."
Lloyd was serious. There were things he couldn't find out before going on a ride to see and experience them for himself. He continued, "So I have to go on a ride. I asked Corgidus in advance if he could create a development mule for the test run. I glanced at it earlier, and it looked quite phenomenal."
"Hmm, Master Lloyd," said Javier. "That is not what I meant to say..."
"That's not it? What is it then?" Lloyd smiled again, cocking his head to the side.
Javier's face grew stern. "I am aware of the need for a test drive and why someone needs to get the ride experience. But my question is why you should be the one to do it."
"I told you a while ago. I need to directly see and feel everything for myself."
"Can you not ask someone else to do the job?"
"Nope. I can't."
"But it is dangerous," insisted Javier, pointing to the railroad built along the steep slope. "It may look all right on the outside, but no one knows what kind of dangers might appear when it's in operation. My suggestion is to run a safety check first without anyone on before you go ahead with your plan."
"Hmm, that won't work."
"Why is that?" asked Javier.
"Because of the orcs," explained Lloyd. "Even with no other passengers, the orcs will be on the ride since the train moves from the exerted force of the lever being pressed down. It would be pretty weird for me to opt out just because it is dangerous while I have the orcs onboard. Do you want me to turn into a piece of trash?"
"Well..."
"Leave it," said Lloyd conclusively. "I know you're saying this out of concern, but I've got a plan. So you can rest assured."
"You have safety measures in mind?" asked Javier.
"Of course." Lloyd nodded confidently and declared with a bright smile, "You are coming with me."
“...”
"That way, I wouldn't feel too wronged even if the train derails and I fall off a cliff."
"In other words, you aren't willing to die alone."
"That, too, obviously."
Lloyd smiled widely and continued, "I am just kidding. You are a great asset that could help me and the orcs escape if needed. But I will have Yong Yong on standby near us so he can catch the train if it rolls off."
Since the test drive came with risks, there needed to be safety measures put into place. That went without saying.
Of course. I've got to have safety measures in place.
Lloyd was genuinely afraid of the test drive, to be honest. However, he never even considered delegating the task to someone else. The responsibility was his and his alone.
As I told Javier, I have to inspect the results of the construction. But a bigger reason is the danger that comes with it.
Lloyd believed it was only appropriate that he shoulder the danger himself. He needed to take on the risks that came with testing the train as the person who designed it.
There will be countless people who ride the train once it's in operation. So, it would honestly be absurd for me not to participate in a test ride for a train I designed myself because it's dangerous.
Lloyd was disgusted with the thought of making something for other people that he wouldn't use due to safety concerns. However, he had seen this happen from time to time back in Korea.
It occurred a lot on construction sites. That was how safety measures were handled most of the time. I've rarely seen those in charge ever inspect or install the safety nets, tower cranes, and passageways that would be used by the dozens of workers on site.
Instead, they threw the jobs to their employees and some other workers, who simply glanced over them on paper, and there were even those who completely skipped those parts.
I used to curse those types of people inside my head all the time. And yet, I would be no different than them if I made someone else do the test ride in my place because it could be dangerous.
That was not what Lloyd wanted. He felt that in order to be confident about his past self, the risk was his burden to take.
"Anyway, I am going to be on the train for a few reasons. There are a lot of safety precautions in place, so there is nothing to worry about. And if we ever die together, consider it an honor," Lloyd said, laughing once more. "An honor? That won't happen."
"What? Are you going to save me if the train falls off?"
"No. I'm going to escape alone."
“...”
"But fine. I will give you a proper farewell."
“...”
"I could even sadly wave my hands if you want."
"Tsk, never mind." Lloyd then burst into laughter.
A faint smile appeared on Javier's face, and he thought... Despite his tendency to act conceited and self- centered, Master Lloyd never handed his responsibilities to someone else during the most important moments.
Javier initially believed Lloyd to be nothing but conniving. The definition of an opportunist. However, he realized later that this was just his way of survival. That was how Lloyd learned to survive while living somewhere called Seoul. Beneath his false exterior, there was an admirable selflessness and effort to lead a life he could be proud of.
And so, I may somehow come to admire you one day.
Javier thought these were likely his true feelings for Lloyd. Although, he honestly didn't want to admit that and had even less desire to ever make his feelings known. Thinking this, the silver-haired knight laughed and looked at the construction site on the slope next to Lloyd.
♣
From that day on, Lloyd sat down to begin the test drive of the train. He focused most of his attention on the process of choosing the orc warriors who would get the test train to start moving. "I am planning to have eight volunteers in each car of the train."
"Oink?"
The 300 orc warriors snorted in disinterest at Lloyd's words. The task seemed so dull and unappealing that they worried they would lose their muscles. They thought that using shovels and pickaxes to dig and plow the site would be a more beneficial activity. However, what Lloyd said next changed their opinions altogether.
"Anybody wants to take this opportunity to train their triceps by working as a volunteer?"
"Triceps...? Oink?" Everyone's eyes flew open with interest, and their snort turned heated and excited.
"Oink! Does it mean that our triceps will grow larger and more beautiful, oink?" An interested orc raised his hand.
"Of course. The train will move using the muscles of those selected. Its wheels will roll forward from the force that's exerted as the lever for the train is pushed down in a pumping motion," Lloyd explained with the smile of a swindler.
"Push exercises! Triceps, oink!"
"Indeed, it will give your triceps a serious workout. Moreover, since half of the journey is up a steep slope, moving the train will be more difficult, requiring more strength. And that means-"
"More stimulation, oink!"
"Yes, precisely. You are going to get jacked, and since you will have to pump the lever nonstop, you will also gain better endurance."
"Tireless muscle! Oink!"
"Yes, that's what I'm saying. Okay, let me ask you again. Who's up for a tricep workout?"
"Me, oink!"
"No! Me, oink!"
"I will do it, oink!"
As soon as Lloyd had finished speaking, there was a ruckus among the orc warriors. After a tirade of arm wrestling, eight winners were chosen. Then, Lloyd added two more "sand men" on top of them.
"Okay, you two are the sand men," said Lloyd, "Take this."
"Oink? What is this? Aren't these sandbags, oink?"
"Yes." Lloyd flashed a grin after handing over a large bag of sand to them. "Your job from now on is very important."
"Important? Us? Oink?"
"Yes. You will be at the very front of the train. Do you see the chairs furnished outside?"
"Yes, I do, oink."
"Looks like a special seat, oink!"
There were two seats fixed on the front of the train head where Lloyd pointed. "You might wonder what they are doing outside when they should be inside, but there is a reason. That is where you two would vouch for the safety of the train as you battle the harsh wind."
"Brave the gust of biting wind, oink?"
"Responsible for the safety of the train? Us? Oink?"
"Yes. The safety of the train rests on your shoulders." Lloyd pointed to the large sandbags in their embraces. "Throughout the ride, I want you two to sprinkle sand on the railroad.
"Sand, oink?"
"What happens if we sprinkle sand, oink?"
"That will allow the train to move more smoothly without slipping off the rail, thanks to the friction the sand creates."
Lloyd was right about this. And his idea wasn't entirely his. It was borrowed from the actual method in South Korea.
The train that ran the Himalayan Darjeeling Railway, which served as the model for this one, featured sand men.
This idea originated from research materials fashioned by Lloyd's college senior, and it concerned the real sand men in the Darjeeling train, who behaved just like the orcs here. Thanks to them, the train moved through the slopes more steadily.
"So your role is very important. The safety of this train will depend on how meticulously and precisely you sprinkle sand on the railway."
"Our role is vital, oink!"
"We are important, oink!"
"Yes. Without you two, this train won't move. So please do a good job."
"You can leave it to us, oink!"
"Trust us, oink!" Two orcs tapped their pecs, having learned of their job as sand men.
Finally, the test run began, and it was during this that the extraordinary value of Corgidus and his team, who built the test train, became evident.
"Start!"
"Oink! Oink!"
Clack! Clank! Clank...! With Lloyd's go signal, the orcs' triceps powerfully contracted. The four of them grabbed the lever and pressed it with overwhelming strength, pumping it down as if there was no tomorrow. The orcs' propulsion caused the one-car train to move forward, and the sand men sprayed sand at the front. The travel was slow at first as it climbed the mountain, but whenever the orcs showed signs of fatigue...
"Time for a shift change. What did I say is more important than exercise to build muscle?"
"Proper rest, oink!" The four ores stepped back with that united shout.
Subsequently, another four orcs arrived and grabbed the lever; four orcs made up one group. As one group ran out of steam, the other stepped in. The train ascended the rift's slope just like this. Eventually, the train reached a point where the slope grew too steep for the orcs to keep pumping the lever. However, Lloyd had no concerns about it.
"And that's why I used the switchback system to pass through these kinds of areas."
He gave Javier a confident smile as he inspected the railway and yelled, "Stop!" to the orcs who were pumping. At the same time, they pulled the halt lever.
Clunk! Squeaak! When the train came to a stop at the dead-end section of the railway, the metallic wheel clunked as it was locked, and Javier thought...
It looks like the railway is cut off here. How will the train move around?
Javier was extremely curious, and his curiosity grew upon hearing Lloyd yell.
"Sand men! Cardio! Now!"
At that moment, the sand men leaped to their feet, enabling the train to move across the steep slopes thanks to the brilliant switchback system.
