Shirou and Olga Marie / Shirou and Director Mary's Secretary

Rin - El-Melloi, the Lord, entered the room. She was a refined and intelligent young lady.

The fact that she could be Sima Yi's confidante is an affirmation of her abilities. She is someone who, given enough favorable timing, location, and popular support, could contend for the throne.

Even if she wasn't the kind of powerful ruler who expanded the frontiers, she was more than capable of Lord of one of the forces in the Clock Tower.

In fact, that's exactly what she does in this world.

Mr. Frederick offered some kind words of apology, but she interrupted him.

"Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities. I'm a reasonable person. Since a murder has occurred, you naturally need to investigate thoroughly, and of course, you should also speak with the passengers. I will cooperate with you."

"My Lord, you are such a kind-hearted lady," said Mr. Frederick.

Waver, who was sleeping face down to the side, twitched slightly.

"Not at all, Mr. Frederick, I was just doing my duty. What would you like to know?"

"Your Lord, may I ask your name and address, if you would like?"

Shirou handed him a piece of paper and a pencil.

"You write it yourself," she said. "It's the same anyway, Rin El-Melloi Archizolti, London, Clock Tower."

"Madam, are you returning home from Constantinople?"

"Yes, I stayed in Austria for a while, and my maid accompanied me."

Could you tell us about your activities after dinner, that is, last night?

"Of course. I asked the train attendant to make up my bed in the dining car, and I went to bed immediately after finishing my meal. I read a book before 11 o'clock, and then I turned off the lights and went to sleep. However, I have never been a good sleeper, especially when traveling, it is really hard to fall asleep."

Gentlemen, can you understand? I've been used to being assassinated since I was a child, so when I'm sleeping, if someone gets close, even if they don't make a sound, just the slightest breath will wake me up."

"No..." Frederick waved his hands.

"Uh..." Waver, standing to the side, lowered his head, not daring to look in their direction, but clutched his stomach.

"Of course, thankfully it wasn't me who was assassinated this time," Rin said with a sly, indifferent smile.

"My Lord, after that, did you wake up and see anyone else?" Shirou continued to ask.

"Well, so around 12:40, I rang the bell to call Alya over. I had her give me a massage with essential oils for a while, and she didn't leave until I was almost asleep. I don't remember the exact time, but it was probably around 1:30, maybe later."

Has the train stopped?

"It's stopped."

"You didn't hear any unusual noises at the time, Your Lord?"

"No."

What is your maid's name?

"Alya."

"She's been following you for a long time, hasn't she?"

"It's been a few years, hasn't it?"

Do you think she is loyal and reliable?

"Yes, absolutely reliable. I won't let anyone I doubt stay by my side, not even for a moment," Rin said with a cold laugh.

"Hmm," Shirou nodded, writing on the paper, then looked up and said, "I think you know Darnic, Your Lord?"

The topic suddenly changed, and the girl's eyebrows furrowed.

"Of course, he's also a very influential and charismatic figure at the Clock Tower."

"That was Old John. He was murdered in his bedroom last night."

"Oh, if that's the case, then that's very gratifying. He's practically my political enemy," Rin said with a smile.

"Oh, what do you think of Lecturer Kenseth who died in the Holy Grail War?"

"Are you referring to my brilliant but tragically short-lived uncle, Mr. Shirou?"

"Hmm, what was your relationship with the previous Lord El-Melloi?"

"To be honest, back then I was just an ignorant little girl in a branch family, and he probably didn't even look at me properly. My mother was that man's sister, but because she had no talent, she was sent to the branch family at a young age. She was depressed and passed away not long after giving birth to me. Hmm... if I had to say, she was a blood-related but strange relative."

Rin said coldly, "The so-called kinship of Magecraft means that even one's own children can be abandoned at any time, let alone a niece who has separated from the family."

"But you inherited the throne of Lord El-Melloi, didn't you?"

"In fact, I have never been destined for the position of Lord in my life. My original family was not particularly prominent within the El-Melloi lineage. It was just that other powerful branch families divided up the insignia and became independent. So, as the one whose bloodline was closest to the main family, I was pushed forward to inherit this nominal title."

"So... are you saying that I boarded this train to avenge my 'uncle'?" Rin didn't flinch and pressed him for an answer.

"No, no, how could that be? Whoever committed the murder on this train couldn't possibly be connected to El-Melloi." Frederick waved his hands repeatedly.

Although the magic arts are not prevalent in this world, the Mage's Association keeps a low profile, and the Clock Tower, as an educational and research institution, does not have as much influence as in other worlds.

However, El-Melloi is one of the twelve families of the Clock Tower, and if the overall interests are involved, the other Lord will also intervene. In fact, most of the Lord, especially those who have accumulated strength over the years, are old monsters whose strength is close to that of Grand Caster.

It would be unwise to make an enemy of such a force.

"Right, Shirou ~!" Frederick said, giving a frantic hint.

"My Lord, we are merely performing our duties and have no intention of offending Lord or the Clock Tower," Shirou said calmly.

"What are you talking about, being so offensive? If I could, I'd like to cut off Darnic's head and take it back to the Clock Tower to demonstrate the inviolability of the El-Melloi family. But what can I do? I'm just a powerless little girl." Rin said softly, her expression pitiful.

No one would believe that. He used to be the designated Magecraft for Sealing Designation, and when he was studying in England, he encountered countless teachers who wanted to cut off his head and preserve it in formalin.

"Is that alright, gentlemen? Are you really that interested in the nighttime activities of a lady like me in my boudoir?" Rin asked with a smile.

"You're joking, we wouldn't dare," Mr. Frederick said with a smile. Even though the Mage's Association in this world was low-key and the El-Melloi family had declined, Lord was still Lord, and he really didn't want to antagonize the influential figures in the Clock Tower.

He hinted to Shirou not to press the matter too much, lest he anger the Lord.

"Thank you for your help, it's all done now." Shirou stood up and respectfully saw the young lady off.

Chapter 1237 Shirou and Olga Marie

"We've finally seen that young lady off," Frederick and Waver both said with a sigh of relief.

Frederick knew that as a nobleman, he had to be prudent and protect himself, but why was Waver so afraid of that Lord? Frederick gave Waver a strange look.

Waver ignored him, continuing to smoke his cigar and calm his stomach. He felt guilty towards the girl, but he had taken on a large portion of the debt, bearing the name El-Melloi in her place, and then teaching at the Clock Tower. His entire life was spent busy repaying and incurring debts, so he should have done his best in his past life.

He reminded himself never to forget that Rin was a little devil who derived pleasure from playing pranks on others.

Of course, because of this emotion, he was no longer able to investigate the case impartially, so he distanced himself from it from the beginning and handed the case over to Shirou.

"Then let's invite that Lord candidate here," Shirou said.

"Again? The daughter of the Animsfia family?"

"Sir, you've entrusted me with the entire investigation of this case, haven't you?" Shirou said earnestly to Frederick.

"Of course, but the Lord of the Clock Tower is an exception. Shirou should understand that even if they really killed Darnic, no one would come."

"But that Young Ladies Marie doesn't seem approachable at all," Frederick said worriedly.

"That kind of personality means she's straightforward, so I'll be careful what I say," Shirou assured her with a light laugh.

"I've already heard from Rin, gentlemen," Olga Marie began. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, Miss Marie," Shirou said, "Given this incident, I would like to ask all the passengers some questions."

"Is that so? Sure," Olga Marie readily agreed. "I understand your situation. Unfortunately, my governess and I are afraid we can't offer you much help. We were asleep last night and know nothing about the situation."

"Miss Marie, do you remember the deceased?"

"As far as I know, he's a tall, thin old man with a very unpleasant face, just like those vulgar politicians from the Clock Tower," Olga Marie criticized bluntly.

"Yes, Miss Marie, you are absolutely right. I would like to ask if you know his identity?"

"If you want to know his name," Olga Marie rolled her eyes at Shirou and said, "He must have left his information when he got on the train."

"The passport says Old John," Shirou said. "But, sir, that's not his real name. He's Darnic. He's very active in the Mage's Association. You should know him well."

As he spoke, he carefully observed Olga Marie. But Olga Marie remained unmoved by the news, only her eyes widening slightly.

"Oh," Olga Marie said indifferently, "Now the truth is out. So he was murdered by his enemies."

"Miss Marie, you must have met him before, right?"

"Yes, I've seen him a few times at banquets, but I spend most of my time on the mountain, so I'm not very familiar with him." The girl shrugged, acting as if it were none of her business.

Indeed... the Animusphere Family, with its ancient lineage in astrophysics, is known for its aloofness. They are all focused on observing celestial bodies and do not concern themselves with worldly affairs. Because of the special nature of their research, it is often regarded as a One Thousand and One Nights by the Mage's Association. Therefore, the two sides rarely get entangled. At least they are not as keen on power struggles as the Three Great Families.

But they just happened to get on this train, and they didn't know anything about it.

Shirou asked:

"So, Miss Marie, when did you go to bed?"

Shirou glanced furtively at the floor plan. Olga Marie and her governess lived in rooms 12 and 13, which were connected to each other.

"Last night, while we were having dinner in the dining car, we had someone set up a bed in one of the private rooms. After we came back, we sat in another private room for a while."

Which one?

"Number 13. My tutor was helping me with my homework. Around ten o'clock, I got a little sleepy, so I asked the train conductor to make up my bed, and I got into bed and slept soundly until dawn."

Shirou nodded; after all, the young lady before him was only an eleven or twelve-year-old child.

Did you notice the train stopped?

We didn't find out until morning.

"Is your tutor also a tutor?"

Olga Marie nodded and said:

"Yes, she actually felt a little unwell after getting on the bus, but she took her medicine and fell asleep."

Shirou nodded.

Olga Marie shrugged and said:

"I'm sorry, it seems I can't help you."

Shirou handed him the paper and pen.

"Miss Marie. It's just a formality. Could you please write down your name and address?"

Olga Marie took the pen and signed her name carefully, each stroke a beautiful and earnest handwriting.

She returned the paper to Shirou and straightened up.

"My governess didn't need to come here," Olga Marie said. "She doesn't know more than I do, and she's not feeling well."

Shirou's eyes lit up slightly.

"Of course," he said, "But I think I should at least speak a little with the governess. Perhaps I could disturb her in her private room?"

"There's definitely no need for that," Olga Marie said firmly, her arms crossed over her chest.

Shirou looked at the girl gently and said calmly:

"This is just a routine matter," he said. "If we deal with it now, we won't have to bother her again when the Mage's Association arrives."

"Alright then, I'll call her over." Olga Marie bit her lip, reluctantly giving in, and walked out of the dining car somewhat angrily.

"She is also Lord, and with her father missing, she is the sole legal heir. It is said she has begun to manage the family affairs," Mr. Frederick said. "Shirou, be careful not to cause trouble. A child and a young lady—they have nothing to do with the murder."

"Don't worry, sir, I know what I'm doing. It's just routine business, nothing more," Shirou reassured the other man.

Shirou looked at the information registered in the notebook. These two people were very famous and couldn't be faked. Teresa Fellowes, a daughter of the Animsfia family, a graduate of the Clock Tower, and served as Olga Marie's tutor and attendant.

At this moment, the governess arrived. She was a young woman with her long hair tied up and wearing glasses. She was beautiful yet reserved, and clearly a well-educated noblewoman.

"Gentlemen, I've heard you wish to see me?"

Chapter 1238 Shirou and Marie's Secretary

"Madam, please don't worry, we're just doing our routine." Shirou stood up solicitously, pulling the chair opposite him to greet her. "We're just asking if you heard or saw anything last night. It might help clarify the case."

"Sir, there's nothing there. I'm asleep." Miss Teresa Fellowes shook her head.

"For example, did you hear any commotion in the next compartment? The Chinese old man staying there was on edge for a while, and he even rang the bell to call the train conductor."

"Sir, I didn't hear anything. I was feeling a bit carsick, so I took sleeping pills and went to sleep that evening."

"Ah! I understand now. It seems we don't need to keep you from resting any longer." Shirou said with a smile as he stood up.