I Became a Witch and Started an Industrial Revolution

Three days later, the few women arrived at Sivius.

After a simple disguise, the four of them went to the train station, preparing to board the steam train heading to Astal.

“...What is this?”

Looking at the gigantic, smoke-billowing behemoth before her, Miwei whispered to Anna.

Ever since arriving in Sivius, she had been curious about everything.

Just like that carriage on the road that could move by itself and had brought them here—she still hadn’t figured out the principle behind it.

Why did twisting that thing called a steering wheel allow it to start and turn?

Anna thought for a moment and replied: “Mm... it’s a kind of transportation tool, similar to the one we used on the way here. But this one can carry a lot more people!”

The massive, elongated iron box before them rumbled faintly beneath their feet.

Feeling that subtle tremor, Miwei guessed this thing must weigh an astonishing amount.

The barrier in front of the train remained down.

The train attendants stood beside it, waiting for something.

Passengers whispered among themselves but no one spoke aloud.

They simply waited patiently.

After more than ten minutes, the sound of synchronized footsteps echoed from the entrance.

Row after row of Astal soldiers marched in formation toward the platform.

One column of soldiers each carried a wooden box of medium size in their arms.

Their comrades beside them occasionally turned their heads to glance at the boxes.

When Anna saw those small boxes, her eyes immediately reddened.

She turned her head away.

“Honored passengers, please line up in an orderly fashion. Leave the central passage open for the soldiers to pass first.”

“Honored passengers...”

Under the guidance of loudspeakers and train attendants, everyone stepped aside.

Mitia and the others also adjusted their positions accordingly.

Only after all the soldiers boarded were the passengers allowed to enter.

The soldiers sat neatly on one side of the carriage, the civilians on the other.

Neither side disturbed the other.

Miwei sat in her seat, full of curiosity.

She fiddled with the little table between the four of them, then peeked at the soldiers sitting opposite.

She couldn’t help but lean close to Mitia’s ear and whisper: “Why are your soldiers sitting with civilians? Don’t they usually have exclusive higher-class carriages or something?”

Mitia looked at her strangely: “What nonsense? Is it strange to sit together?”

Miwei nodded: “Very strange!”

Mitia explained: “My army isn’t like the ones you’ve seen. Its full name is the 【Astal People’s Volunteer Army】. They came from the people themselves.”

“They aren’t strictly speaking anyone’s private soldiers. They belong to all the people of Astal. Besides... didn’t they already have priority passage?”

“Oh... I don’t get it.”

Miwei scratched her head.

She felt Mitia’s words made her dizzy.

Luckily, a train attendant came by to check tickets, helping her escape further questioning.

Just before departure, all the attendants stood at the carriage doors and faced them:

“Honored passengers, good afternoon.”

“Today, the ashes of 200 martyrs will be returning home on this train. On behalf of all crew members, I express our highest respect to the families of the martyrs! We wish them a peaceful journey.”

The entire carriage instantly fell silent.

From afar, the train’s whistle sounded long and mournful.

After a long moment, the train slowly began to move.

Miwei looked at those small wooden boxes, her eyes filled with complex emotions, tinged faintly with envy.

“So you... bring them home?”

Not long ago, Miwei had still been fighting against Mitia and her forces.

When she entered Ovinia’s borders, she had also seen how the Church’s army dealt with fallen comrades.

Of course the dead couldn’t be taken along, and no one wanted to carry such unlucky things.

Usually, a large pit would be dug, and the corpses thrown in together.

That was already considered merciful—at least they were buried.

From rumors she had heard before, most soldiers who died were just left by the roadside, to be cleaned up by passing monsters.

Humans didn’t need to trouble themselves further.

Looking out the window, Mitia nodded.

Her voice was calm: “Yes... fallen leaves return to their roots. From where they came, to where they belong...”

It sounded as though she was speaking to Miwei, yet also to herself:

“Every town has its own cemetery. Their names are carved on tombstones, people tend to their graves, and on holidays they are honored. Their families make arrangements...”

As she spoke, Mitia stopped.

She said no more.

None of these mattered to the dead.

The only thing she could do for them was to ensure the people never forgot them.

That alone.

The railway stretched endlessly into the distance.

Miwei gazed out at the snow-covered mountains and frozen rivers, awe filling her heart—yet another question followed:

“This iron-track cart you built is amazing, carrying so many people. But aren’t you afraid monsters will destroy these tracks?”

Mitia smiled: “Keep watching, you’ll see.”

Though puzzled by the answer, Miwei obediently continued to observe.

When the train crossed the mountains and entered the plains, four figures in green uniforms caught Miwei’s eye.

As the train approached, she finally saw them clearly.

They wore thick coats and hats, packs strapped to their backs, guns in hand.

Standing in the wind and snow, they saluted the train.

Mitia’s voice drifted to Miwei’s ears: “They’re the Railway Guard, stationed along the line to protect the tracks. There are some in the plains, some in the mountains. They patrol dozens of kilometers every day. It’s hard work.”

Every stretch of the journey, Miwei saw them—sometimes a dozen, sometimes just a few.

She also spotted houses and fortresses of varying sizes, each flying Astal’s bright red flag.

Some held bread in their hands, others carried shovels.

Yet without exception, every figure saluted the train.

The red emblem on their caps shone brilliantly against the snowy glare.

Miwei fell silent for a long time.

Then, gazing at Mitia, she murmured: “Sister Mitia, teach me how to run a Church.”

“......”

The train traveled for two days and a night before reaching Astal’s train station.

Miwei felt as though her backside had gone numb.

She rubbed it secretly.

Mitia grinned at her pained expression.

At night, the train didn’t run due to low visibility, so the journey had been longer than expected.

Now the train came to a halt, and the attendants made their announcement:

“Thank you for riding with us. Please remain seated and wait. Give our heroes a path home. Thank you!”

On the platform, Astal soldiers had already gathered in great numbers, ready to take over their solemn duty from those aboard.