Chapter 83: Safe?

Just as the noble squad predicted, the infiltrating alien forces were limited in number and likely stationed along major roads to ambush passing convoys.
By switching to foot travel and taking backroads through the forest, we avoided encountering any dark elves or blood clan troops.

This made things much easier, but lugging my two egg babies on my back for over an hour drained a lot of my stamina.
Not to mention, escaping Blackshine City earlier had already involved a long trek.
Even though we had the truck for a bit, it was only ten minutes before the dark elf attack hit.

With no choice, I pulled out a recovery potion and chugged it to keep my strength up.
As for the five noble squad members? Their stamina was still going strong.

As silver-rank, nearly golden-rank warriors, Carter, Nico, and the others had clearly trained for endurance.
Despite multiple battles, they didn’t need potions to recover.

Of course, I didn’t offer them any of my potions—why would they not carry their own?
So, I kept quiet and followed silently behind them.

Finally, drenched in sweat, I saw Carter and the others climb a hill and stop.
“We’re here.”

Carter let out a long breath, gazing at the train station in the distance and speaking slowly.
I climbed the hill and looked out, spotting a platform and a strange, massive steam-powered contraption.

That must be the so-called train—a steam-driven industrial machine.
I blinked, thinking to myself.

In my previous era, there were no trains or electric lights.
Thankfully, though the original owner of this body was a bit airheaded, she had enough basic knowledge that I didn’t gawk at every new thing.

“Looks like the train station hasn’t been attacked yet.”
Katherine scanned the area, noting the stable order and lack of battle signs, then sighed in relief.

“Let’s go. We need to get Mengmeng out before a full lockdown or something worse happens.”
Katherine turned to Carter and the others, then glanced at me.

Carter and the others nodded quietly, showing no objections.
Clearly, they valued me more now than at the start.
I understood—they wanted to secure ties with a senior pharmacist like me for their families’ high-tier potion orders.

That was fine. I needed their help, and they needed my potion-making skills.
It was a fair exchange, not charity, which put me at ease.

Without further ado, we descended the hill toward the train station.
“Halt! Who goes there!”

“We’re the Sixth Noble Squad, First Battle Group, Sixth Legion!”
Before we got close, a patrol stopped us.

It was routine questioning, and with the noble squad’s pristine gear, the patrol soldiers could tell at a glance they were legit.
After a brief check, we were allowed into the train station.

“…Now… I should be safe, right?”
Looking at the heavily guarded station and the soldiers around, I let out a breath, feeling like I was finally out of danger.