Main Scenario/"The Thorn Railway"

Thorn Railway Episode
40-1	Commander's Instrument
40-2	"The Thorn Railway"
40-3	Unexpected Departure
40-4	Natural Lift?
40-5	The Weight of a Sword
40-6	Shoulder to Shoulder
40-7	An Honorable Battle
40-8	Samantha and the Altar
40-9	Obstacles That Stand in the Way
40-10	Iridescent Light of Absolution

ーーThe Giant Tree in St. Iris became the Steel Tree due to poison from the otherworlds.
This fact became known throughout Iris Cloud and Iris Metro, and the armies of each country increased their alertness and kept a close eye on the changes around the Giant Tree as if the blessings of the Iridescent God had weakened.
Eisengrad, Verforet, Flamarine, and Nishiki. The number of Phantom Mist outbreaks, believed to be related to Poison, has increased to the point that the SSS alone is unable to cope with the situation.
The hard thorns surrounding the Steel Tree is impervious to all forces, making it difficult to intervene from the outside.
However, it was discovered that the thorns were moving at certain times, opening a path leading to the Steel Tree.
Each time an enemy affected by Poison is defeated around the world, the Steel Tree draws closer.
The Giant Tree Guardians repelling the Poison back may have opened up the thorns. With Nishiki's Great Magic Circle subdued, and Koutetsu Ningyou empowered by Hone Ningyou defeated, we could see enough steel railways for the Mist Train to penetrate inside the thorns.
We decided to call this ironway the Thorns Ironway and use it as a breakthrough to assault the Steel Tree...
Queensway	"There is the signal again. No doubt that it's plan three. We are leaving on our own. I still don't see any support from the infantry units."
Vivienne	"Mary's unit is completely surrounded... I'd like to help her, but then it wouldn't make sense for us to be here."
Putra	"Yes, I understand how you feel, but we cannot stop here. We have to proceed on the Thorn Railway."
Putra	"However, it's a bit surprising, or rather unexpected."
Vivienne	"Unexpected what?"
Putra	"On the way Phantom Mist appeared. I was expecting this, but I thought we would be attacked in that case. You know, because Phantom Mist tends to appear near railroads?"
Vivienne	"You're right, now if you ask me. It's within expectations if there was some special source of it, but it might be a little weird that the swarms of monsters never came this way."
Queensway	"It means they are not responding to Sir Conductor's magic either. Could it be that there was a source on our side of the train? Someone was possessed by a Wandering Life or something like that..."
Putra	"Either that, or they were purely judging the difference in strength and came to assault the stronger side. The infantry unit this time is large and has many strong people. It would be better to surround them first than to stall us."
Vivienne	"That's a good plan. It's like an army."
Putra	"Now here's the problem. We know the villains behind the monster army. Who are they?"
Queensway	"Mistism..."
Putra	"Correct. Those actions, clearly not from normal Mist Monsters. I think there are Mistism cultists or Steel Seekers in there somewhere."
Vivienne	"But everyone in the infantry unit are totally unfazed. Elite units gathered from all over Iris Cloud after all. Even though they belong to different nationalities, they are well organized."
Queensway	"The commander of the infantry unit is Mary, and I'm sure Mary can handle any situation. We have to complete our tasks."
Yakutsk	"We've got a little bit of the monster army flowing in here. If we are not careful, we will be surrounded here as well."
Queensway	"I'll go outside. I'll keep alert on the rear and cover the departure."
Yakutsk	"Fine, but don't go alone. Pair up with Versailles as per procedure."
Queensway	"Of course. Everybody, please keep a lookout ahead from inside the car. As soon as it is safe to proceed, we will depart."
Yakutsk	"As far as I can see, there is still no sign of the enemy up ahead. We'd better get inside quickly before we attract more."
Putra	"We should watch our speed. Plan three has a much lower chance of success."
Vivienne	"So we can always turn back?"
Putra	"Of course that's part of it, but the main thing is to avoid 'oversight'. There might be clues from within the thorns to clear that Mist. If we don't do something about that, it's going to be hard to continue the operation anyway. If they really thought it was a bad idea, they would turn back with the whole army."
Yakutsk	"After all, Mary's the captain. She would order a retreat without waiting for us. Mary can't be reckless when she's leading such a large force."
Putra	"Yes. If it were just us, we might manage to escape, but not the infantry units. With how so many Allied Forces strength is there, if we lose too much, we won't be able to recover."
Conductor	Good point. Putra was right. The reinforcements this time are not our escort, but our main force. If we lose that entire force, Iris Cloud's strength will be drastically reduced. It is quite possible that future battles will be jeopardized.
Conductor	No matter how many railroads there are, we don't know what will happen in the future. With such a large-scale force, we cannot just push through with the idea that we are the only ones who need to be saved.
Vivienne	"It would be a shame if we unlocked the secret of the steel tree, then find out that the infantry unit was completely wiped out when we return."
Putra	"It would be even worse if all the people there were to become Wandering Lives."
Vivienne	"Hold it, stop that scary talk."
Putra	"I say it because it's scary. We have to think ahead to make sure it doesn't happen."
Yakutsk	"Paddington, are you ready?"
Paddington	"......"
Yakutsk	"Paddington?"
Paddington	"Power has returned to the land of ruin. The railroad wakes up from its slumber and clears the Mist."
Yakutsk	"What, are ya talking about...?"
Putra	"This is not the usual Paddington. Something has possessed her body."
Vivienne	"She hasn't been like this much lately."
Putra	"It might be a hint to clear the Mist. Let's remember what Paddington said."
Paddington	"The old railway is not dead. It runs between graves and corpses, and will look up at the dead Giant Tree."
Paddington	"......"
Paddington	"Huh...?"
Paddington	"Hawawa, what, in the world was I doing...?"
Putra	"Good work. It's been a long time since I heard your nice words. I guess you're in Super Divine Child Mode."
Paddington	"Super Divine Child Mode. That mode where my talents are on full display eh?"
Putra	"No, I don't think I meant that."
Vivienne	"Maybe she was more susceptible because of the proximity of the Steel Tree. Paddington, if you notice you're strange or unwell, tell me right away, oui? Because I don't want you to end up like me."
Paddington	"Hawawa, I have to be careful. I even floated in the air on the Giant Tree Railroad that time and went somewhere."
Putra	"Power has returned to the land of ruin. The railroad wakes up from its slumber and clears the Mist, huh...?"
Putra	"Thinking about it now, I have no idea. In the meantime, I'll keep everyone informed about Paddington and be ready for any situation."

Thorn Railway Episode
40-1	Commander's Instrument
40-2	"The Thorn Railway"
40-3	Unexpected Departure
40-4	Natural Lift?
40-5	The Weight of a Sword
40-6	Shoulder to Shoulder
40-7	An Honorable Battle
40-8	Samantha and the Altar
40-9	Obstacles That Stand in the Way
40-10	Iridescent Light of Absolution