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In the blink of an eye, the day to leave for Backlund had arrived.
The earliest train from Tingen Station departed at five, and the journey to Backlund took at least three hours. Since delays were less likely in the morning, many people chose it despite the absurdly early hour.
Day had yet to break. Benson stood to one side of the platform, carrying their two suitcases and keeping about half a meter away from the people around them. He kept a wary eye on the other passengers and reminded Melissa to watch her valuables at all times.
"There are so many people this morning," Melissa said softly. From her height, she could see nothing but countless shoulders.
Benson surveyed the dense sea of heads around them, somewhat surprised himself.
"Yes, to think even the earliest train draws so many people. It must be because of the recruitment boom in Backlund."
"I heard that on early trains in the past, having a third of the seats in each carriage occupied already counted as crowded. This really is too early."
With that, he took a pocket watch from inside his coat, glanced at it, and immediately put it away. "Fifteen minutes left."
Melissa nodded, and the siblings waited quietly amid the sea of people.
Tingen Station was the starting station. The steam train was already waiting on the tracks below the platform, but it was not yet time. A barrier cordoned off the front half of the platform, and station staff hurried back and forth around the train, performing their final checks.
Eight minutes before departure, the staff removed the barrier. Soon, the doors opened, and the crowd stirred. The platform staff began checking tickets and directing people toward the different carriages.
The siblings squeezed aboard without trouble and followed