With the infrastructure of the Iron Triangle finally consolidated, Sirzechs Gremory decided it was time to transform raw engineering into an unquestionable symbol of prestige. It would not merely be a transport trip, but a declaration of sovereignty. To achieve this, he summoned Szayelaporro to create the "Alabaster Carriage"—a luxury rail car without precedent, designed to glide over the marble rails with the silence and stability of a palace.
The gala journey was organized to be the first complete route linking Dwargon, Avalon, and Tempest. Sirzechs personally invited King Gazel Dwargo and Chancellor Rimuru Tempest to join him.
Valerius, the Royal Butler, took charge of coordinating the event. Under his supervision, the carriage interior was decorated with crimson velvet, rare Jura hardwoods, and accents of pure Avalon gold. There were no engines; the train was moved by a coordinated system of elite Orc teams at "impulse stations," utilizing massive reduction levers to ensure smooth and constant acceleration.
"Now this is what I call traveling in style, Sirzechs," Rimuru commented, leaning back in a leather armchair while watching the Jura landscape blur past the tempered crystal window. "In Tempest, we're used to mud, but this is on another level."
Gazel Dwargo, holding a crystal glass of Avalon's finest liqueur, tapped the steel frame of the wagon with his knuckles. "The finish is impeccable. Szayelaporro truly knows how to handle Dwargon metal. But what impresses me most is the tunnel. Passing under the mountain in minutes instead of days on horseback... the world has changed, my friends."
As the train crossed the King's Tunnel, the internal lighting of magic crystals, calibrated by the First Sword, softened the transition. Grayfia remained standing beside Sirzechs, a list of new trade treaties ready for signing during the trip. For her, the gala was simply an efficient working opportunity.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Sirzechs said, raising his glass as the train exited the mountain, revealing a panoramic view of the Avalon valley at sunset, "this railway is more than transport. It is proof that our union is physical, unbreakable, and eternal. The steel of Dwargon, the life of Tempest, and the order of Avalon."
The trip served more than just a toast. During the journey, several key agreements were finalized:
The Customs Accord: Grayfia and Gazel's ministers established zero-tax rates for official transit goods.
The Security Protocol: Elite Tempest scouts and Avalon guards would jointly patrol the tracks.
Szayelaporro's Vision: The scientist presented plans for "energy replenishment stations" along the route, anticipating the future.
However, not all was celebration. Valerius, maintaining his usual vigilance, felt a vibration through the rails that wasn't right. On the viaduct connecting the mountain to the plains, a group of saboteurs—likely Falmuth remnants or Eastern mercenaries—had placed runic stone obstructions to derail the gala train.
Sirzechs felt the disturbance in the magicule flow before anyone else. He looked at Valerius and gave a slight nod. The butler, without spilling a single drop of wine, headed toward the rear platform.
King Gazel Dwargo, who had been enjoying the liqueur with regal serenity, felt the irregular vibration through the soles of his combat boots. When Sirzechs and Valerius exchanged looks, Gazel let out a deep, gravelly laugh, setting his glass down with a firmness that made the table echo.
"Sirzechs, your butler is a marvel and your order is impeccable," Gazel said, standing and invoking his imposing two-handed sword, which materialized in particles of runic light. "But this wine is too good to be interrupted by roadside rats. As a guest and ally, allow me to pay my fare with a bit of Dwarven hospitality."
Before Rimuru could process the movement, Gazel didn't just jump—he projected himself from the rear platform of the Alabaster Express. Even at high speed, the King of Dwarves landed on the tracks with the density of a falling mountain, creating a shockwave that stabilized the vibration without damaging the marble.
Ahead on the viaduct, about twenty mercenaries—equipped with Falmuth heavy armor and runic explosives—widened their eyes. They expected a derailment; they found the Armed Hero.
"You are in the way of progress," Gazel thundered. "And Dwargon's progress stops for no one!"
What followed was a demonstration of raw power and sublime technique. Gazel used his earth manipulation ability to fuse the saboteurs' feet to the viaduct floor, preventing escape. With a single arc of his sword, he released a blade of air pressure that sliced through the runic explosives before they could detonate, deactivating them with surgical precision.
When the mercenaries tried a desperate charge, Gazel simply drove his sword into the marble rail. A golden aura exploded, creating a gravity barrier that flattened every aggressor instantly. The Alabaster Express passed the viaduct seconds later. Gazel leaped back onto the moving train, cleaning an imaginary speck of dust from his cape.
"Cleanup complete," Gazel said, re-entering the gala hall and sitting back down. "They were just remnants of a world that doesn't yet understand that Jura has owners now."
Sirzechs smiled, raising his glass. "A demonstration worthy of a King, Gazel. However, if even the King of Dwargon had to soil his hands to protect my road, my hospitality has failed in its security."
Rimuru, still impressed, sighed. "You two are way too intense. But he's right, Sirzechs. If they're trying to blow up the tracks now, what will they do when the trains are full of civilians?"
Sirzechs looked toward the horizon, where the towers of Avalon were emerging in the twilight. Gazel's demonstration was the final reminder: The Iron Triangle needed a permanent watcher.
Upon returning, the Sovereign of Avalon went straight to the heart of the Great Way.
"Szayelaporro," Sirzechs called as they walked along the viaduct. "Your tracks are perfect, but they are blind. I want this road to have eyes, claws, and an absolute will for self-preservation."
The scientist adjusted his bone lenses. "Understood, Lord Sirzechs. You wish to transform passive architecture into an active defensive ecosystem."
Sirzechs extended his hands over the marble parapet. Using [Visionary], he injected massive amounts of magicules into the marble veins of the structure. Forms began to emerge directly from the pillars.
«Notice. Activating Protocol: Geometric Sentinels.» «Manifesting: Avalon Gargoyles (Rail Defense Variant).»
Along miles of tracks, sculptures of winged creatures and robust felines, made of nearly indestructible white marble, were "born" into the structure.
Static Vigilance: They remained motionless like decorative statues, but their magicule crystal eyes could detect any anomaly within a 500-meter radius.
Interception Protocol: If someone tried to obstruct the tracks, the gargoyles would detach. Their bodies were so dense that a dive-impact was equivalent to a cannonball.
Communication Network: Information was transmitted instantly through the rails back to the command center in Avalon.
"Fascinating," Szayelaporro whispered. "They nourish themselves from the residual magicules the tracks absorb from the forest. Perpetual defense."
From that day on, the Great Way was a monster of marble that woke at the slightest sign of betrayal. But such a display of power made the human neighbors stop sending mercenaries and start sending something much more dangerous: Inquisitors of the Holy Church.