Shirou Searches the Luggage in the Train Car / Shirou and the Lordly Girl

"Great, I'm not the kind of neurotic old man who causes trouble for others. But nobody wants to sleep next door where there's a dead body." He shuddered. "I'd go crazy."

"Hartless," Mr. Frederick called, "Move these bags to the empty compartments in the Greek and Paris carriages."

"Yes, sir, is it also number three?"

"No," Shirou interjected before his friend could speak, "I think it would be better if this lady didn't stay in the same room number. For example, let's change her to room number twelve. That way, it'll be easier to call the train conductor, and we won't be disturbed."

"Yes, sir."

The train conductor picked up the luggage, and Old Boss Li turned to Shirou to express his deepest gratitude.

"Young man, you have a kind heart and are very thoughtful. I'm quite satisfied."

"Don't mention it, sir. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything else."

Old Boss Li nodded and said, "Please also bring me that opened bottle of wine. It's already opened, don't waste it."

Shirou and Mr. Frederick both smiled, nodded, and told the waiter to bring the wine over.

"Grandpa, we'll go with you."

Old Boss Li arrived at the newly changed private room escorted by three people. He was all smiles.

"Satisfied, sir? It's about the same quality as the private room you moved out of, isn't it?"

"Yes, that's right. I wonder about the feng shui, but it's alright. I'll put a Bagua here and a jade platform here; nothing will affect me. Besides, trains travel east and west; their direction is never fixed. I told my daughter, 'I want a room facing the train engine.'"

She said, "No, Dad, this isn't right for you. Because you sleep facing this way, and then you wake up facing the other way." She's right. Isn't that right? Last night we entered Romania this way, and then we came out facing the other way.

"At least, sir, are you happy and satisfied now?" Mr. Frederick said.

"No, I don't mean it that way. We're still stuck in the snow, and thankfully, no one's come to check on us. My plane is scheduled to take off the day after tomorrow. But it's a bit better that you have your private jet to take me, kind sir. However, if it's delayed by a few days, my family will definitely be worried sick."

"Old sir," said Mr. Frederick, "We are all involved in the same case, without exception."

"You're absolutely right," said Old Boss Li, "But other people won't encounter a murderer breaking into their house in the middle of the night."

"Old man, I still don't understand," Shirou said. "If the door was bolted as you say, how did that person get into your room? Are you sure the door was bolted?"

"How could it not be? I told you, I could tell from the beginning that that guy Da something was no good. So I double-checked that the door was bolted!" Old Boss Li stood up impatiently and pointed at the door to demonstrate.

"A latch is just a metal thing. Look, push it to the right, and the door locks; push it to the left, and the door isn't locked. Push it again, and you see, it locks again!"

"Yeah, I know, but the door was locked, so how did that murderer get into your room last night?" Shirou really couldn't figure it out.

"Ah!!!" Old Boss Li was startled by his own thought.

"Oh dear!!! That's a ghost! What bad luck! Blood and ghosts! And then there's the snowstorm, I can't even escape it. What's wrong with me this year? Could it be that my wife is thinking of me in the afterlife? Or maybe she found out I went on a trip? Could the King of Hell see what I was doing abroad?"

"Oh! Could it be that you got angry because I glanced at those girls wiggling their hips too much when I was in Brazil last time? Oh dear, my dear, why are you so petty? You've only been gone a short time, our grandson is so young, and our daughter is so filial. Please let me live a few more years!"

Old Li kept muttering to himself in Mandarin, but even Frederick, who didn't understand Chinese, could understand from his expression and tone. He thought to himself that even a foreigner who couldn't stop talking and spoke incoherently was still a very old man in his seventies or eighties.

Feeling a pang of pity for the old man, I offered him words of comfort:

"Sir, sir! You must be frightened. Please have the train attendant bring you a cup of tea or coffee."

"I'll have tea, and some softer pastries," Old Boss Li agreed, "That would suit the tastes of us Chinese even better."

Chapter 1251 Shirou searches the luggage in the carriage

The waiter from the food cart brought over a pot of tea and some pastries purchased from the Middle East. Old Boss Li didn't stand on ceremony and started eating them diligently.

Frederick laughed and said, "Excellent! With such a good appetite, you're sure to recover."

"Me? Haha, I have food and drink, and I don't have to worry about anything. That's not bad."

"Old Boss Li, first of all, I have a small favor to ask you. Would you be willing to let us see your luggage?"

"Why is that?" Old Boss Li asked, puzzled.

Shirou replied softly, "We're preparing to search all the passengers' luggage for our investigation. Of course, I don't want to upset you. But don't forget your handbag."

"Oh God! Please don't mention that! I can't take this kind of blow anymore! Look if you want! Look all you want!"

Mr. Frederick had his attendant open Old Boss Li's luggage, and everyone did so at the same time, quickly finishing the inspection.

Old Boss Li bought a bunch of random things, saying they were gifts for his eldest grandson, filling several travel bags to the brim. However, none of these things were related to the case.

No problem, it seems he really is traveling the world. Old Boss Li insisted on introducing his daughter and grandson to Shirou and the others.

"This is my daughter's child, isn't he clever? Just like me! Hehe!" The old man kept pestering Shirou and the others to show them photos and tell them about his family history.

While the old man was drinking tea, Shirou took the opportunity to slip away; otherwise, the old man could have talked for half an hour.

The three walked together in the aisle.

"Look, we've already come up empty-handed," said Mr. Frederick. "Whose case are we going to check next?"

"I think the simplest way is to check each private room along the corridor, starting from room number sixteen, our friend Mr. Lion Kagari."

Kairi Shishigou, smoking a cigar, warmly welcomed them.

"Please come in, gentlemen. If you're willing, you can even hold a party here. It's just a bit cramped."

Mr. Frederick explained his purpose, and the man in sunglasses nodded in understanding.

"Well, to be honest, I've been thinking about this for a while now. Why didn't you do this right away? Gentlemen, these are my keys, and this is my waist bag. I'll take them all off to show you, no problem at all. Oh, and I'll get your suitcases out for you too?"

"No need, you sit, the conductor will come and get it. Hartless!"

"Wait! I'll take these two boxes!"

Kairi Shishigou was quick to act, taking down both of his suitcases and carefully placing them on the ground.

He opened the box; on one side were the goods he was selling, and on the other side, it turned out, were various contraband items: medicinal herbs, firearms, and highly toxic substances.

Kairi Shishigou winked at everyone and said, "Luckily, the Mystic Train doesn't require security checks, otherwise I would have had to go through a lot of trouble to get anywhere."

"In fact, the Mystic Train simply lacks the authority to inspect luggage. Aren't you afraid of the Mage's Association's ban, Mr. Lion Kagari?" Mr. Frederick said with a smile.

"Is that so?" said Kairi Shishigou. "You could say the ban is no match for me. After all, a behemoth like the Mage's Association doesn't have time to deal with a nobody like me."

Kairi Shishigou turned around and looked out at the snow scene.

"It's making me dizzy, isn't it?" he said. "Gentlemen, this case is enough to drive you crazy. Murder and Snow Spirit's rampage, all of it, doing nothing, just wandering around the room now, it's a complete waste of time. I'd rather follow someone else and do something to keep myself busy."

"Don't worry, this will be over soon, maybe even tonight," Shirou said with a smile.

"Let's hope so," said Kairi Shishigou, not optimistic.

The train conductor helped Kairi Shishigou everything back in its place, and they moved to the next compartment. The US Colonel sat in the corner, reading a magazine.

Shirou explained their mission. The colonel did not object. He had two suitcases.

"The rest of the luggage was shipped away," he explained. Like most soldiers, the colonel's belongings were neatly packed and the search was completed in just a few minutes.

"Hmm." Shirou nodded, then looked at the lighter on the table. It was clearly one of the kind provided on the train.

"Hmm," Shirou muttered to himself. "Unbelievable. This isn't like him. Since he's said it, he should at least make it clear."

The door to the next compartment was closed. The owner was Lord Rin - El-Melloi, the most important figure on this train. They knocked, and Lord El-Melloi of this world, responded with a haughty voice, "Come in."

Mr. Frederick spoke first. He explained his purpose respectfully and politely.

Lord El-Melloi listened silently, her small face expressionless.

"If necessary, gentlemen," she said calmly after they had finished speaking, "Everything is here, and the key is with Alya; she will assist you."

"The key has always been held by your maid, Your Lord?" Shirou asked.

"Of course, sir."

"What if one day someone opens and inspects your luggage?"

Rin shrugged.

"Such a thing is almost impossible. I say almost because this is the first time you've made an exception. In the past, even if such a situation had occurred, I would have told them to know their place and step back immediately!"

"Then it seems we are truly undeserving of such an honor."

"Anyway, wait for Rin to arrive, then you can search together."

"Your Lord, it seems you truly trust Miss Alya?"

"Yes, I've said it before, I won't use people I don't trust. Otherwise, I'd rather have Mercury by my side," Rin said calmly.

"Indeed," Shirou said thoughtfully, "Trust is indeed the most important thing these days."

The young Lord stared intently at his face with her intelligent, azure eyes, and said, word by word:

"Mr. Shirou, what exactly are you implying?"

"It's nothing, Your Lord. I was just curious."

"What are you curious about? Isn't it normal for the Lord of the Clock Tower to need some trusted confidants?"

"My Lord, confidants are common, but to have that reclusive Einzbern personally create a personal maid for you is truly rare."

She shook her head.

"Alya is my personal maid, and she will only serve me for life, it's that simple!" She drew out the sentence. "Loyalty, that's priceless."

Chapter 1252 Shirou and the Lord Girl

The people on this vehicle all have their own secrets; it's full of mysteries.

The Einzbern Family is notoriously reclusive and withdrawn, showing no interest in anything except the Holy Grail War. It even raises doubts about whether any purely human heirs still exist within the family; perhaps everyone has been assimilated into puppets, with puppets now solely responsible for inheriting the family's Magic Crest?

Correspondingly, their doll-making skills are unparalleled, so much so that even Grand Caster cannot find fault with them. Even a mere fragment can benefit a Magecraft family for a lifetime.

Centuries ago, this family created the Holy Grail War system in pursuit of True Magic —the materialization of the soul. Held once every sixty years, the Holy Grail War has been fought for by generations.

They were indifferent to everything else. Even after learning that Kiritsugu had betrayed them, they did not take any action to retaliate.

If it is determined that he has lost his usefulness, then he will never be allowed to set foot in the Einzbern Family's residence again, nor will he be allowed to see his daughter, no matter what price he is willing to pay, because these things are meaningless to the Einzbern Family.

So how exactly did Rin get in touch with the Einzbern? Did they establish some kind of partnership? Or did she pay some price?

That family has become completely twisted, blurring the lines between life and dolls, treating girls as disposable containers. They are far too naive to easily give away one of their family's technologies to others.

Just then, Miss Alya, the maid, came in with the key. Rin told her to open all the suitcases and help the gentlemen search them. She herself watched the snow scene in the hallway outside the door. Shirou left Mr. Frederick to carry out the task of searching the luggage and followed her into the hallway.

As for Waver, he didn't even come over; he used the excuse of searching other people's suitcases.

Rin smiled at Shirou and asked:

"Sir, wouldn't you like to see what's in my travel bag?"

He shook his head.

"Your Lord, no one would doubt someone as noble as you. We are merely performing our duties, nothing more."

"But why do I feel like what you're saying is the exact opposite of what you think?"

"No, at least that's how I see it, for you."

"Is that so? Kaineth is my uncle, and I inherited the name El-Melloi from him. So, you mean? I won't murder the Darnic family's enemy? Or do you think a little girl my age isn't willing to get her hands dirty for that? Maybe you're right."

Rin said with a mocking laugh.

"However, in fact, I really intend to do this. If possible, I would truly prefer you to pin the blame on me. I would be more than willing to do so, to behead the enemy who killed the previous head of household. This achievement would solidify my position. Compared to that, facing the Mage's Association's questioning is far more worthwhile."

Shirou remained silent, listening intently.

Suddenly, she looked at him with an impatient gaze.

"Mr. Shirou, why are you silent? How can I understand what you mean?"

Shirou looked directly at her and said:

"I believe, Your Lord, that you possess extraordinary talent and ability, and that your position is not based on superficial reasons such as blood ties, but on your capabilities."

She looked down at her thin, slender arms, then looked up at Shirou and said with a smile, "You're absolutely right, sir. I'm truly impressed with you. I'd love to work with you sometime."

The girl smiled, turned around, and went back to her room. The maid was busy packing the boxes; the inspection was complete, and there were no problems.

Mr. Frederick apologized to the returning girl.

Lord Rin - El-Melloi interrupted Mr. Frederick, saying:

"Sir, there's no need to apologize. Since a murder has occurred, action should be taken, that's all."

"You are truly understanding, Your Lord."

Frederick offered a compliment, then left the room.

The two private rooms below were closed. Mr. Frederick stopped and scratched his head.