Rias walked back to the central train car. When she reached them, she was surprised to see Judai already asleep. She had only been gone a few minutes.
"He's asleep already?" Rias asked.
Kiba nodded as Akeno said, "He's exhausted, by the look of it. He pushed himself pretty hard yesterday."
Just then, an elderly man in a conductor's uniform approached them. "So, who might this be, Princess?"
"If everything goes right, he will be my new fiancé," Rias said.
"That is… certainly surprising," the elderly man said, clearly taken aback. He then pulled a small device from his pocket and pointed it at Judai. A monitor nearby displayed Judai's image and some data. "Well, Princess, with this, the new entry check is complete. I thought I'd have to greet the new face, but it seems he's otherwise occupied."
"Thank you, Reynaldo," Rias said.
"Of course, Princess," Reynaldo replied with a bow.
Rias then sat next to Akeno, and they settled in for the rest of the journey.
About thirty minutes later, Judai woke up. He massaged the back of his neck, it was sore from resting against the train wall.
He tried to gather ambient life energy to soothe the ache, but found none. When he looked outside the window, there was only darkness.
'Oh, I must be in some kind of dimension,' he thought, peering out at the void.
He got up from his seat.
"Where are you going?" Akeno asked.
"Just stretching my legs," Judai said.
He walked past the three of them and stood in the aisle, beginning to stretch his body. A series of satisfying pops came from his joints.
"Ahh…" The relief was immediate.
But he still felt stiff. Just then, Reynaldo emerged from the forward train car and approached him. "How was your rest, Mr…?"
"Judai. Just Judai. It was terrible, honestly. I can't even heal this soreness because of the dimension we're in," Judai said.
Reynaldo chuckled. "If you'd like, you may sleep in the train car behind us. There is a proper bed available."
"Really?" Judai asked, surprised he hadn't been told earlier.
"Indeed, Mr. Judai."
"I should have used it," Judai sighed, glancing over at Rias, who was reading a manga. "Can I order some food?"
"You may order anything you wish. This is a private train of the Gremory family," Rias said without looking up.
"Alright," Judai said, turning back to Reynaldo. "What's available?"
"Any type of food you can imagine."
"Then I'll have tacos, lots of meat and veggies, with extra spice."
"Coming right up," Reynaldo said with a nod before heading toward the rear car.
Judai then took a seat next to Koneko and glanced at the title of the manga Rias was reading.
'Spice & Wolf,' he noted.
"Do you want to read it together?" Rias offered.
"Sure," Judai said.
The two moved to a pair of seats on the right and sat side-by-side.
"Just continue from where you were," Judai said as Rias began flipping back to the start.
"Okay," Rias said, a small smile touching her lips as she found her page again.
Akeno glanced at them, thinking to herself, 'They really are a pair when it comes to manga.'
A few minutes later, the food arrived. Reynaldo carried a tray over, pressed a button on the train wall, and a small table folded out. He set the tray down upon it.
"Dig in," Reynaldo said.
"Thanks," Judai replied.
With a nod, Reynaldo returned to the forward car. As Judai began eating his tacos, Rias asked, "How do you know about tacos?"
"I'm something of a food connoisseur myself," Judai said between bites.
Ten minutes later, an announcement echoed through the train.
"[We will momentarily be breaking through the dimensional wall. We will momentarily be breaking through the dimensional wall.]"
Judai, who had just finished eating and was resting against his seat, watched as the scenery outside the window began to shift.
The endless darkness gave way to a vast, lavender-hued sky, with a strange and magnificent landscape unfolding far below.
"Cool," Judai muttered, taking in the otherworldly view.
. . . .
Ten minutes later, another announcement came over the speakers.
"[We will soon be arriving at the Gremory main residence. We will soon be arriving at the Gremory main residence. Everyone, thank you for riding this train.]"
The train slowed to a gentle halt.
Everyone got up and moved toward the exit. A carriage was already waiting for them outside. Only a few soldiers, butlers, and maids were present to greet them, with Grayfia at the forefront.
"Welcome back, Ojou-sama. I am glad you have all arrived safely," Grayfia said with a formal bow. "Now then, all family members, please board the carriage. We will proceed directly to the main residence."
Judai noticed the luggage being loaded and said, "You guys brought your bags? Why didn't anyone tell me? I would've brought some clothes."
"That is quite alright, Judai-sama. We will prepare suitable attire for you," Grayfia replied.
Judai was taken aback by the honorific. "Just call me Judai. That's weird, you're older than me."
"I understand, Judai-sama," Grayfia said, not budging an inch.
Judai looked at her, slightly exasperated by her stubbornness. Grayfia's lips held the faintest trace of a smile as she watched his reaction.
They boarded the carriage and began traveling down the road.
"I'm sure the Underworld is technologically advanced. Why still use a carriage?" Judai asked. "Wouldn't a car be faster?"
"Because these horses are faster than a car, Judai-sama," Grayfia answered smoothly.
Judai nodded, though he still felt awkward being addressed so formally.
A few minutes later, they arrived. The carriage stopped before a colossal structure, a massive castle that served as one of the Gremory family's main residences. The grounds outside were lavish, decorated with blooming flower beds, an ornate fountain, and birds flying overhead.
The carriage door was opened by a butler, and they stepped out. Before them, rows of maids and butlers were lined up on either side of a red carpet that stretched all the way to the castle's grand entrance. As they watched, the immense gates began to swing open.
"This is too much," Judai muttered under his breath. For someone who had lived a modest life, the sheer opulence was overwhelming.
Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko nearby heard him and understood, but Rias, who was slightly ahead, did not catch his words. Grayfia stood facing them, poised and proper.
"Ojou-sama, Judai-sama, and all esteemed guests. Please proceed forward," Grayfia said, bowing slightly and gesturing toward the open path.