Shirou and the Mysterious Chill / Shirou and the Einzbern Maid

"Miss, I have a very simple question. I'll repeat it again: a murder occurred on this train. Are you saddened?"

"I never thought about it. No, I'm not sad."

"Murder cases... You're used to murder cases, aren't you?"

"Needless to say, this kind of thing is not pleasant," the Red-haired Miss lady said calmly.

"You are indeed a typical British lady; you never easily reveal your emotions."

She smiled slightly, revealing her charming dimples.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with my thinking; there's no need to examine my feelings. After all, people die every day, don't they?"

"Yes, someone died. However, this was murder," Shirou said, emphasizing his words.

"Well, of course." Miss England complied by suppressing her smile, but her haughty expression revealed that she actually didn't care at all.

Do you know the deceased?

"I first met him last night, while we were having dinner in the dining car."

He left a deep impression on you, didn't he?

I didn't pay much attention to him.

"In your impression, is he a bad person?"

She shrugged dismissively.

"To be honest, I never thought about it. Whether he was a good person or a bad person, he's dead, and it has nothing to do with me."

"I imagine you don't approve of my method of questioning. However, I just asked a gentleman a question; he's a soldier and was willing to tell me all his thoughts on the case. My question was precisely focused on that central point."

His answers are limited to "yes" or "no," "this" or "that." But ironically, his attitude changes completely when he mentions you.

The Red-haired Miss's eyes flashed when she heard the word "soldier".

Chapter 1244 Shirou and the Mysterious Coldness

The Red-haired Miss was clearly intrigued by Shirou, and she showed an expression that suggested she wanted to continue the conversation. Indeed, no woman would be indifferent to the opinions of the person she likes when they are interacting with others.

Shirou remained silent for a long time.

At this moment, Waver, who had been sitting idly by, secretly raised his head, looked at the Red-haired Miss, and then at Shirou. He seemed to be very conflicted about this topic.

The Red-haired Miss hesitated, wanting to ask about what happened next, but Shirou spoke first.

"You must be very curious to know what he said at the time," Shirou said.

"... Hmm..." The Red-haired Miss hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help but admit her thoughts, saying, "Hmm! What did he say at the time?"

"I won't tell!" Shirou gave the Red-haired Miss a triumphant smile.

"Huh--?!?!" The Red-haired Miss was stunned. Why would such an absurd answer come from her in this situation? It was completely unexpected.

"Just kidding, that colonel is undoubtedly loyal to you; everyone who has seen the look on his face when he's with you thinks so. We can assure you." Shirou laughed with Mr. Frederick.

However, Waver's expression was somewhat bitter.

After laughing, Shirou adopted a serious expression and looked intently at the woman's face, saying:

"Finally, I see a change in your emotions, ma'am. I could tell at a glance how much you feel for the Colonel."

"..." The Red-haired Miss was a little shy and didn't say anything.

"Madam, you are methodical and articulate, and your answers are concise and to the point. No witness could be more efficient than you. However, Miss Isola, precisely because of this, your answers are also the most emotionless. Your testimony gives the impression of indifference and detachment."

"You are an intelligent lady, so you must have already anticipated this questioning. That should be the way the British and American police investigate cases—everything should be well-prepared, the facts presented, and everything done step by step. But I have my own rules here."

"Indeed, as a person, it is valuable to have self-awareness. If everyone can take care of themselves and be more pragmatic, it is definitely better than everyone only caring about appearances and using morality to constrain others. However, this case is slightly different. After assessment, I believe it is necessary to understand everyone's views on Old John. Magecraft are usually a bit different from ordinary people when it comes to these kinds of feelings, so we have to put in more effort."

Shirou explained, maintaining a polite smile.

"So I'm going to ask you all sorts of questions, and you'll have to answer by saying how you feel right now, and what your thoughts were in the past? I hope this doesn't bother you."

The Red-haired Miss had regained her composure and gave a forced British smile, saying, "Alright, if you think it's necessary, I'll cooperate with your answers, even if it seems like a waste of time. Whether I like or dislike Mr. Old John's appearance, it won't help in figuring out who the murderer is."

"Miss, do you know who this Old John is?"

She nodded and said with a light laugh, "That elderly Chinese man has already explained it to everyone in the carriage."

Shirou and the others were used to this and smiled with a hint of helplessness. Getting that old man to stay quiet was much more difficult than this case.

"What are your thoughts on Darnic?" Shirou asked bluntly.

"Utterly despicable." The woman answered crisply, making no attempt to hide her disgust for the man.

Shirou looked at her thoughtfully.

"I suppose you're traveling around the Middle East to relax, ma'am?"

"Yes."

"Back to London now?"

"Yes."

"Really? I thought maybe you'd go to the US, or that he was willing to settle abroad for you. You know, he acted like he really wanted to propose to you."

The Red-haired Miss blushed and remained silent for a long time. It wasn't out of shyness, but rather annoyance as if she had been reprimanded. She raised her eyes, stared intently at Shirou's face, and finally couldn't help but speak:

"Sir, I don't know if you've ever been told this before, but you're really rude."

This question clearly seemed to have bothered her. The British are generally very discreet and would never interfere in other people's lives, even their own family. So their conversations weren't about whether someone had eaten, but about the weather. The topics never focused on personal lives.

However, Shirou seemed to have grasped something, and suddenly looked at the Red-haired Miss with sharp eyes, asking, "

"Madam, shouldn't you have a bright red cloak?"

"No, that's not mine," Miss England retorted instinctively.

Shirou leaned forward, like a cat about to leap out and catch a mouse.

"So, whose is it?"

The young woman shrank back in alarm.

"I don't know, what do you mean by that?"

"You didn't answer 'No, I don't have it,' but instead answered 'This isn't mine,' which is obviously because you knew someone else had it!" Shirou pressed.

This time, the Red-haired Miss nodded.

Whose person was it on the bus?

"I don't know, but around five o'clock this morning, the room temperature dropped and it got very cold. I woke up from the cold and realized that the train had been stopped for a long time. I opened the door and looked into the aisle, thinking that the train might have stopped at some station. Then I saw someone wearing a bright red cloak walking towards the other end of the aisle."

"Do you know who she is? Is her hair blonde, black, or gray?" Shirou pressed.

"I can't say for sure. She was wearing a hat at the time, and besides, I only saw her from behind." The Red-haired Miss shook her head.

"What about body type?"

"Judging from her appearance, she was tall and slender, though it's hard to say exactly. Her bright red color resembled blood, and there was a chill in the air when she passed by. I even thought she was the one who woke me up from the cold, but then I remembered there was a magic-suppressing field inside the train, so I went back to sleep."

"Yeah, yeah, a strange chill."

Shirou was silent for a moment, then muttered to himself, "But that's strange... It's hard to understand, I can't figure it out, it's meaningless."

Then, he looked up and said, "Miss, thank you for your cooperation, it's done."

"Ah!" she exclaimed in surprise, but quickly stood up.

"You dropped your handkerchief." Shirou then took out his handkerchief again and handed it over.

"This isn't mine. I think you've misunderstood." The Red-haired Miss looked at the handkerchief and shook her head.

"Ah, because there's an 'A' embroidered on it, I thought it would be yours."

"I didn't... ah..." The Red-haired Miss paused, as if she had just realized what she meant, and corrected herself, "I meant my handkerchief, it's always been with me."

"Is that so? That's a real shame," Shirou said meaningfully.

Chapter 1245 Shirou and the Einzbern Maid

"One last question," Shirou began. "Madam, besides the Colonel, did you know anyone else on the train?"

"No." The Red-haired Miss shook her head.

"Are you sure? What about relatives who are related by blood but aren't close?" Shirou asked again.

"No, sir!" the Red-haired Miss replied decisively.

"Is that so? Well, I'm sorry to have bothered you." Shirou gestured for the young lady to leave.

As she approached the door, she hesitated for a moment and then turned back.

"That priest seems very uneasy. He said that you told him she was the last person to see the deceased alive and witness the argument with him. I think he thinks you suspect him of having any involvement. Can you clear up this misunderstanding for him? To be honest, he wouldn't even dare to bother with a fly."

She smiled slightly.

"When did he meet the deceased?" Shirou nodded.

"Things after 10:30."

Was anyone with him at the time?

"Yes, the Chinese old man is with him."

"Has he left the room since then?"

He says no, and the train conductor can vouch for him.

Shirou turned to Waver.

Is it possible that Old John was murdered even earlier than that?

Waver waved his hand dismissively, like a dead fish.

"Then, ma'am, I think you can tell your friend that he can rest assured."

"Thank you." She suddenly smiled at him, a smile that completely melted away her intelligent yet cold image, revealing the warmth of a kind and gentle lady.

Then he turned and left.

Mr. Frederick looked at Shirou curiously and asked:

"Young man, I really can't figure you out. What are you planning?"

"I'm looking for loopholes in the case, sir," Shirou replied, flipping through his notes.

"Vulnerability?"

"That's right. So far, no one's testimony has yielded any breakthroughs, so I wanted to find a breakthrough with that seemingly calm, intelligent, and highly self-controlled woman. I wanted to use some unexpected behavior to shock her. Did it work? I don't know yet. But I know she definitely didn't expect me to use this method in my investigation."

"You suspect her," Mr. Frederick said slowly. "What's your basis for that? Such a young and charming lady, no one in the world would associate her with 'murder.' Besides, she's very calm and composed, never easily swayed by emotions. Even if something were to happen, she probably wouldn't choose to kill someone, but would seek help from the relevant authorities."

Shirou sighed.

"You must all abandon your emotional biases and not limit this murder to the possibility that it was unpremeditated and without accomplices, but merely an impulsive act. I have two reasons for suspecting Red-haired Miss: first, based on something I overheard; second, you don't know yet."

He recounted fragments of a strange conversation he had overheard during his journey by boat leaving Syria.

"That's certainly a strange statement," Mr. Frederick said finally. "That needs to be investigated. If this confirms your suspicions, then both of them were involved in the case—she and that old-fashioned US Colonel, a pair of lovers-killers?"

Shirou nodded.

"However, there is no evidence to prove this yet," he said. "You know, if they were all involved in this case, what could we expect? They could testify to each other's alibis. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Yes, that won't happen."

The US Colonel had the victim's secretary, Mr. Caules vouched for him. I think next, this young lady's roommate will also tell us that she didn't go out all night."

"Didn't you say there was another reason for your suspicions?" Mr. Frederick reminded him.

Shirou smiled slightly.

"Ah, you'd have to ask our teacher Waver."

Mr. Frederick looked at the man with long, straight black hair with a puzzled expression, but the man shook his head impatiently. "Don't drag me into this, it's annoying!"

"What's wrong with him? Waver, he seems really off." Mr. Frederick asked, puzzled.

"Let's ignore him for now; the teacher is just being difficult," Shirou said with a smile.

"What's going on?" Frederick blinked in confusion, then returned to the main point, saying, "Alright, but I think you're wrong. I believe this young Englishwoman doesn't seem like a murderer."

"Ah, let's not talk about that now," Shirou said. "Let's meet the last one on the list, Lord El-Melloi's maid."

The maid Alya, was called into the dining car by the waiter and stood there respectfully.