Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou notices an old man, Mr. John, and his young attendant, Caules, at the inn. He senses malice behind Mr. John's kind facade.
• Shirou and Waver board the Mystic Train, where they find all first-class sleepers sold out. Mr. Frederick, a director of the train, arranges their accommodation.
• Shirou ends up sharing a compartment with Caules due to the train's full capacity.

Character Developments

• Shirou: Shows keen observation skills and intuition, noticing Mr. John's sinister nature beneath his polite demeanor.
• Mr. John: Revealed to be a cunning and selfish old man, hiding his true nature.
• Caules: Initially displeased with Shirou's arrival, he later accepts the situation and shows amiability.

Significant Themes

• Appearances vs. Reality: Mr. John's true nature is hidden behind a polite facade, reflecting the theme of appearances being deceptive.
• Class Divide: The train's different classes of accommodation reflect the social hierarchy, with Mr. Frederick enjoying privileges unavailable to other passengers.

Character Interactions

• Shirou and Mr. John: Shirou senses malice in Mr. John's gaze, foreshadowing potential conflict.
• Shirou and Caules: They share a compartment, leading to potential interaction and insight into each other's characters.
• Shirou and Waver: They discuss their plans for when they return to London, showing their partnership and shared goals.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou and Waver are on the Mystic Train to London, where they encounter several familiar faces from their past.
• They meet the heir to the El-Melloi family, Lainas, and the young German, Caules, with his employer, Mr. Old John.
• Mr. Frederick, their companion, reveals that the train has a magic-suppression field to avoid disturbing ancient Spirits.

Character Developments

• Shirou is cautious and observant, assessing the other passengers and their potential threats.
• Waver is still affected by his past, particularly the death of Kaineth and the disappearance of the Lord of Celestial Mechanics.
• Lainas El-Melloi Archisorte is introduced as the heir to the El-Melloi family, with a noble and commanding demeanor.
• Olga Marie Animusphere, the heir to the Lord of Celestial Mechanics, is shown with her attendant, Leineis El-Melloi.
• Mr. Old John offers Shirou a job to protect him, hinting at his precarious situation.

Significant Themes

• The decline of mages and the Clock Tower's influence.
• The importance of personal safety and protection in a dangerous world.
• The power dynamics and class differences among the passengers.

Character Interactions

• Shirou and Waver discuss their past and the current situation, with Waver still struggling with his memories.
• Shirou observes and interacts with the other passengers, showing his keen insight into their characters and backgrounds.
• Mr. Old John approaches Shirou and Waver, hiring them for protection, revealing his vulnerability and need for security.
• Lainas El-Melloi and Olga Marie are shown with their respective attendants, highlighting their status and relationships.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou meets Old John, a wealthy and paranoid man who offers him a large sum of money to escort him to London, fearing for his life.
• Shirou declines the offer, finding Old John's eyes and attitude disgusting.
• The train stops at a transfer station, and Shirou moves to Room 1, next to Old John's compartment.
• Later that night, Shirou hears a loud scream and a bell ringing from Old John's room.

Character Developments

• Shirou: He remains steadfast in his principles, declining Old John's offer despite the large sum of money involved. He is also observant and perceptive, noticing Old John's sinister nature.
• Old John: He is revealed to be a paranoid and potentially dangerous man, carrying a gun and fearing for his life. His true intentions and the reason for his paranoia remain unclear.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Paranoia: Old John's excessive paranoia and fear for his life highlight the theme of trust, or lack thereof, in relationships. His inability to trust others leads him to view everyone as a potential threat.
• Money vs. Principles: Shirou's refusal of Old John's offer despite the large sum of money involved underscores the theme of prioritizing principles over material wealth.

Character Interactions

• Shirou and Old John: Their interaction is tense and uncomfortable, with Shirou finding Old John's eyes and attitude disgusting. Old John, on the other hand, is desperate for protection and becomes angry when Shirou declines his offer.
• Shirou and Old Boss Li: They have a brief conversation where Old Boss Li shares his suspicions about Old John, further emphasizing the old man's sinister nature.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou has trouble sleeping due to the quiet station and the sounds of people moving around on the train.
• He calls for the train attendant, who arrives after a long argument with an old Chinese man, Old Boss Li, who insists someone is hiding in his room.
• The train attendant reveals that the train is stuck due to a Snow Spirit's rampage, and they're between Romania and Hungary.
• In the morning, Shirou learns that the train is still stopped, and everyone is united in their shared misfortune, complaining about their situations.

Character Developments

• Shirou: He's calm and collected despite the situation, showing concern for the train attendant and trying to help Old Boss Li.
• Old Boss Li: Initially panicked, he later cheers up and starts talking about his family history.
• The Red-haired Miss: She's calm and composed, revealing that she knows someone stronger than herself, hinting at her past experiences.
• Rin (implied): She's calm and composed, showing no signs of distress despite the situation, similar to her past self.

Significant Themes

• Misfortune bringing people together: Despite their different backgrounds, the passengers unite in their shared frustration and worry about their situation.
• Strength in adversity: The Red-haired Miss's calm demeanor and Old Boss Li's resilience after initially panicking show how people can find strength in difficult situations.

Character Interactions

• Shirou and the train attendant: They have a brief conversation about the Snow Spirit's rampage and the train's situation.
• Shirou and the Red-haired Miss: They have a polite conversation about strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
• Old Boss Li and the train attendant: They have a heated argument about someone hiding in Old Boss Li's room, with the train attendant trying to reason with him.
• The passengers: They all gather in the dining car, complaining about their situations and expressing their hopes for the train to make up for lost time.

Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Shirou believes the death of Olga Marie holds significance, so he observes her in the Singularity.
• Olga Marie, a young girl from the prestigious Celestial Astronomy family, is introduced. She's proud, self-esteemful, and has a tutor named Miss Teresa.
• Shirou greets them, and Olga Marie leaves haughtily.
• A train attendant informs Shirou that Mr. Frederick wants to see him.
• Shirou meets with Mr. Frederick and Waver in the train conductor's room. They discuss a murder case: a Romanian passenger named John was found dead in his sleeper.
• The train is stopped due to a snow spirit rampage, making it difficult for the killer to escape.
• Shirou agrees to investigate the case.

Character Developments

• Shirou: Shows his analytical skills and willingness to take on the role of a detective.
• Olga Marie: Exhibits her pride and self-esteem, hinting at her strong personality.
• Mr. Frederick: Demonstrates his concern for the Mystic Train Company's reputation and his trust in Shirou.
• Waver: Shows impatience and anxiety, hinting at his involvement in the case or his knowledge about it.

Significant Themes

• Trust and responsibility: Mr. Frederick trusts Shirou to solve the case, showing his faith in Shirou's abilities.
• Power dynamics: The train conductor's comments about women's strength and anger suggest underlying power dynamics and stereotypes.

Character Interactions

• Shirou greets Olga Marie and her tutor, showing respect and politeness.
• Shirou meets with Mr. Frederick and Waver to discuss the murder case, showing his willingness to take on the role of a detective.
• The train attendant Hartless provides information about the murder case, showing his willingness to cooperate with Shirou.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The train is stopped due to a blizzard, and a passenger, Old John, is found murdered.
• Shirou Emiya, a detective, is called to investigate the case.
• Caules, Old John's secretary, is interviewed by Shirou. He reveals that Old John received threatening letters before his death.

Character Developments

• Shirou: Shows his professionalism and keen observation skills as a detective.
• Caules: Reveals his suspicions about Old John's past and his lack of trust in his employer.

Significant Themes

• The past catching up: Old John's past may have led to his murder.
• Trust and deception: Caules doesn't trust Old John, and Old John may have been hiding his true self.

Character Interactions

• Shirou and Caules: Shirou interviews Caules, revealing his sharp insights and making Caules more forthcoming.
• Caules and Old John: Caules expresses his dislike and lack of trust in Old John, hinting at a complex employer-employee relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou and Waver investigate Old John's (Darnic's) death.
• They find clues suggesting two killers: a man and a woman.
• Shirou uses Magecraft to restore a burnt note revealing Darnic's true identity and his connection to the El-Melloi family.

Character Developments

• Shirou demonstrates his keen observation skills and analytical mind.
• Waver shows concern for his stepsister, Rin, as a potential suspect.

Significant Themes

• Deception and misdirection in the investigation.
• The importance of uncovering hidden truths.
• The consequences of past actions (Darnic's role in the Holy Grail War and Kaineth El-Melloi's death).

Character Interactions

• Shirou and Waver work together to examine the crime scene and interpret clues.
• Shirou and Waver discuss their findings and theories about the case.
• Shirou and Waver share knowledge about Darnic's past and his connection to the El-Melloi family.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou, Waver, and Mr. Frederick identify the victim as Darnic, a powerful and ambitious Mage with a controversial past.
• Shirou begins investigating the murder, starting with questioning the train attendant, Hartless.
• Hartless confirms that Darnic was alive at 12:40 but provides no new information about the murder.

Character Developments

• Waver becomes increasingly distant and uncomfortable, hinting at a personal connection to the case.
• Hartless is revealed to be honest and reliable but not particularly sharp.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and ambition, as seen in Darnic's character and past actions.
• The consequences of one's actions and the lasting effects of past events.

Character Interactions

• Shirou, Waver, and Mr. Frederick work together to investigate the murder.
• Hartless interacts with Shirou, providing information about Darnic's activities on the train.
• Waver's strange behavior hints at a potential secret or connection to the case.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou investigates the murder of Old John (Darnic) by questioning the train attendant and other passengers.
• He learns that Darnic is the originator of the Sub-species Holy Grail War and brought the Greater Holy Grail system back to Europe.
• Shirou discovers that Caules, Darnic's secretary, had no idea about Darnic's true identity and has a strong dislike for him.
• Caules reveals that he and the US Colonel got off the train at the Romanian border but returned due to the blizzard.

Character Developments

• Shirou demonstrates his investigative skills and deductive reasoning.
• Caules reveals his disdain for Darnic and his family's history with the Sub-species Holy Grail War.
• The train attendant, Hartless, shows concern for his duties and the passengers' well-being.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of deception and manipulation (Darnic's actions).
• The struggle to maintain magical lineages and traditions.
• The impact of war and conflict on individuals and society (Caules's family and the Sub-species Holy Grail War).

Character Interactions

• Shirou interacts with Hartless, Caules, and the US Colonel to gather information about Darnic's murder.
• Caules shares his experiences with Shirou, revealing his actions and whereabouts on the night of the murder.
• Shirou and Caules discuss their mutual dislike for Darnic and the Sub-species Holy Grail War.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou interviews Caules about the events on the train the previous night.
• Caules mentions seeing a woman in a red cloak heading towards the dining car, possibly going to the restroom.
• Shirou learns that Old John's servant, Edward Masters, was with him until around 9 or 10 PM, and that Old John was annoyed about a letter.
• Shirou discovers that Old John had trouble sleeping and used a potion to help, which he took the night before.

Character Developments

• Caules: Shows curiosity and concern about the murder, cooperates with Shirou's investigation.
• Edward Masters: Remains composed and professional throughout the interview, reveals he doesn't particularly like Old John and isn't loyal to him as a person, only to his profession.

Significant Themes

• The dynamics between Mages and their servants, highlighting the power imbalance and lack of emotional connection.
• The theme of deception and mistrust, as Old John accused Edward of taking a letter without proof.

Character Interactions

• Shirou and Caules: Shirou questions Caules about the previous night's events, showing professionalism and attention to detail.
• Shirou and Edward Masters: Shirou conducts a thorough interview with Edward, revealing his professionalism and perceptiveness, as he picks up on Edward's lack of loyalty to Old John.
• Edward Masters and Old John: Their relationship is revealed to be one of employer and employee, with Old John having a bad temper and accusing Edward of wrongdoing without proof.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Boss Li, a Chinese elder, is agitated and claims to know the truth about the murder on the train.
• He reveals that someone was in his room the night before, and he believes it was the murderer.
• He found a sleeve badge, which he believes belongs to the conductor, in his room.
• He also heard a woman's voice from the murdered man's room.

Character Developments

• Shirou: He listens attentively to Old Boss Li's story, asking pertinent questions to gather information.
• Old Boss Li: He is initially dramatic but provides valuable insights into the case. He reveals his knowledge of Darnic's reputation.

Significant Themes

• Trust and disbelief: Old Boss Li struggles to be believed, while Shirou and Frederick try to verify his claims.
• Fear and vulnerability: Old Boss Li's fear of the unknown and his vulnerability in the face of potential danger is highlighted.

Character Interactions

• Shirou and Old Boss Li: Shirou listens patiently to Old Boss Li's story, treating him with respect and dignity.
• Old Boss Li and Frederick: Old Boss Li is initially dismissive of Frederick, but later accepts his offer of help.
• Old Boss Li and the train attendant: Old Boss Li is frustrated with the train attendant's lack of trust in his story.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou and Mr. Frederick investigate the murder of Old John, a.k.a. Lord Kenseth, on the train.
• They interview the priest, Jean Tulio, who reveals he had an argument with the victim but denies involvement in the murder.
• Shirou creates a timeline of events leading up to the murder.
• Mr. Frederick suspects Daxiong Shishido, a Japanese man selling magic props, as the culprit.
• They question the train conductor, Hartless, and find an armband from his uniform in Old Boss Li's room, suggesting Hartless could be the murderer.
• Shirou hypothesizes that the murderer could have retreated to the restroom or hidden in one of the private compartments.

Character Developments

• Shirou demonstrates his keen investigative skills and logical thinking.
• Mr. Frederick shows enthusiasm in solving the case but can be impulsive in his deductions.
• The priest, Jean Tulio, is revealed to be a passionate evangelist who had an argument with the victim but is unlikely to be the murderer.
• Hartless, the train conductor, appears innocent but is initially suspected due to the found armband.

Significant Themes

• The complexity of the case, with multiple suspects and alibis.
• The importance of logical thinking and evidence in solving the mystery.

Character Interactions

• Shirou and Mr. Frederick work together to investigate the case, with Shirou taking the lead.
• Shirou and Jean Tulio have a cordial conversation, with Shirou showing respect for the priest's beliefs.
• Shirou and Hartless have a professional exchange, with Hartless showing initial unease at being a suspect but maintaining his innocence.
• Shirou and Mr. Frederick have a collaborative relationship, with Mr. Frederick sometimes jumping to conclusions and Shirou guiding him back to the evidence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lord Rin El-Melloi is interviewed. She admits to having a tense political relationship with Darnic, the murdered man.
• Olga Marie, the Animusfia heiress, is interviewed. She shows little interest in the murder and claims she slept through the night.
• Teresa Belos, Olga Marie's family teacher, is interviewed. She also claims to have slept through the night.

Character Developments

• Rin El-Melloi: Shows political astuteness and a sharp tongue. She's aware of her power and influence.
• Olga Marie: Displaying maturity beyond her age, she's protective of her family teacher and seems disinterested in the murder.
• Teresa Belos: A well-educated, reserved young lady who seems dedicated to her role as a family teacher.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and politics among Mage families.
• The impact of the Holy Grail War on the Mage's Association.
• The tension between the Mage's Association and the Clock Tower.

Character Interactions

• Shirou interacts with each interviewee professionally, trying to gather information without causing offense.
• Rin El-Melloi and Olga Marie both show respect for Shirou's position but maintain their composure.
• Teresa Belos is protective of Olga Marie, showing a caring side.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou, a detective, interviews Teresa Felos, a lady, and a US Colonel about a murder case on a train.
• The murder victim, Darnic, was stabbed thirteen times, likely by a woman.
• The US Colonel met the victim's secretary, Caules, and discussed politics and women's issues in Syria.
• The Colonel noticed a woman passing by in the corridor, wearing a red cloak and strong perfume, after leaving Romania.

Character Developments

• Shirou: A meticulous and observant detective, he's investigating the murder case while also gathering information about the passengers' backgrounds and whereabouts.
• US Colonel: A mage serving in the military, he's intelligent, honest, and has strong opinions about politics and war. He's also observant, recalling details from the night of the murder.
• Teresa Felos: A beautiful and elegant lady, she's polite and composed during her interaction with Shirou.

Significant Themes

• Investigation and deduction: Shirou's methodical questioning and analysis of the Colonel's statements highlight the theme of investigation and deduction in solving the murder case.
• Perception and observation: The Colonel's recall of details, such as the woman in the red cloak and the furtive passenger in Room 16, emphasizes the importance of perception and observation in gathering evidence.
• War and politics: The Colonel's views on war and politics, as well as his discussion with Caules, reflect the theme of political intrigue and its impact on people's lives.

Character Interactions

• Shirou and the US Colonel: Their interaction is professional and respectful, with Shirou asking detailed questions and the Colonel providing honest, if sometimes reluctant, answers.
• Shirou and Teresa Felos: Their interaction is brief but polite, with Shirou offering her a handkerchief and Teresa declining it, stating it's not hers.
• The US Colonel and Caules: They had a casual but insightful conversation about international politics and women's issues in Syria, leading to a friendly rapport between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou and Frederick interview the US Colonel, who hints at his interest in the red-haired Miss.
• They then interview Daxiong Shishido, who reveals his true identity as Lion Kagari, a mercenary Mage.
• Lion Kagari reveals that he was hired by Old John (Darnic) to protect him from an assassination attempt.
• He describes the assassin as a short man with pale skin, handsome features, and a shrill voice like a woman.

Character Developments

• Shirou continues to demonstrate his investigative skills and sharp intuition.
• Lion Kagari shows his professionalism and willingness to cooperate, despite his initial tough demeanor.
• Darnic's true identity as Old John is revealed, and his past actions as a Holy Grail War participant are hinted at.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of past actions (Darnic's enemies from the Holy Grail War).
• Professionalism and loyalty (Lion Kagari's dedication to his job).
• The power dynamics between Mages and their relationship with money (Lion Kagari's mercenary lifestyle).

Character Interactions

• Shirou and Frederick work together to interview suspects, with Shirou taking the lead.
• Shirou and Lion Kagari have a tense but respectful exchange, with Shirou pushing for information and Lion Kagari cooperating.
• The US Colonel's interaction with Shirou and Frederick reveals his interest in the red-haired Miss.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou interviews Lion Kagari, Antonio, and the Red-haired Miss (Isola) about the murder on the train.
• Lion Kagari reports seeing a suspicious figure and describes the train attendant's behavior.
• Antonio, an Italian Mage, is interviewed and provides limited useful information.
• Shirou and Mr. Frederick discuss the case, considering Antonio suspicious due to his background and skills in flame Magecraft.

Character Developments

• Shirou: Shows professionalism and thoroughness in his investigation, maintaining a calm demeanor throughout the interviews.
• Lion Kagari: Reveals his necromancer background and eagerness to maintain his professional reputation.
• Antonio: Demonstrates his eloquence, confidence, and knowledge of physiognomy, but provides little useful information about the case.
• Isola: Maintains a calm and collected demeanor, demonstrating her excellent education and poise.

Significant Themes

• The investigation of the murder case, highlighting Shirou's analytical skills and the witnesses' varying levels of cooperation and reliability.
• The potential involvement of supernatural entities, such as vampires, in the case.

Character Interactions

• Shirou interacts with each witness, asking targeted questions to gather information about the murder.
• Mr. Frederick and Shirou discuss the case, sharing their thoughts and suspicions about the witnesses.
• The witnesses provide varying levels of cooperation and information, with Antonio being particularly verbose but unhelpful.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A murder occurs on a train, and Shirou, a detective, interviews the Red-haired Miss, a potential witness.
• Shirou discovers that the Red-haired Miss saw a mysterious figure in a bright red cloak walking down the corridor at around 5 AM.
• Shirou suspects the Red-haired Miss and a US Colonel, with whom she seems to have a relationship, of being involved in the murder.

Character Developments

• The Red-haired Miss is initially calm and collected but shows emotion when discussing her relationship with the Captain and when accused of having a red cloak.
• Shirou demonstrates his investigative skills, using unexpected questions to try and shake the Red-haired Miss's composure.
• Waver, Shirou's companion, seems to have a conflicted attitude towards the topic of the Red-haired Miss and the Captain.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between British reserve and emotional expression.
• The investigation of a murder case, focusing on gathering and interpreting information from witnesses.
• The exploration of potential relationships and motives between characters.

Character Interactions

• Shirou and the Red-haired Miss engage in a tense interview, with Shirou trying to provoke emotional responses and the Red-haired Miss maintaining her composure.
• Shirou interacts with Mr. Frederick, discussing his suspicions about the Red-haired Miss and the US Colonel.
• The Red-haired Miss asks Shirou to clarify a misunderstanding about the priest's involvement in the case, showing concern for him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou interviews Miss Alya, the maid, about the murder on the train.
• Alya reveals she saw a train attendant coming out of a room near her mistress's compartment.
• Shirou and Mr. Frederick question Alya about a handkerchief found at the crime scene.
• Alya identifies the train attendant she saw as a short, pale-skinned, handsome man with a voice like a woman's, but none of the train attendants present match this description.

Character Developments

• Shirou demonstrates his calm and methodical approach to investigation.
• Alya shows loyalty to her mistress and a keen memory for details.
• Mr. Frederick displays frustration and impatience with the case's complexities.

Significant Themes

• The search for truth and evidence in the face of confusion and uncertainty.
• The importance of thorough investigation and analysis of facts.
• The role of communication and information in solving complex cases.

Character Interactions

• Shirou treats Alya kindly and respectfully, putting her at ease during the interview.
• Mr. Frederick grows increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in the case.
• Shirou and Mr. Frederick discuss the case, with Shirou maintaining a calm and logical approach despite the challenges.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou and Mr. Frederick discuss the possibility of Lion Kagari's involvement in Old John's murder.
• Shirou presents evidence supporting Lion Kagari's story and confirms the existence of a mysterious train attendant.
• Shirou and Mr. Frederick discuss the possibility of two murderers or one person disguised as two.
• Old Boss Li discovers a bloody knife in her handbag, which Shirou identifies as the murder weapon.
• The China old man refuses to stay in his compartment due to fear and requests a room change.

Character Developments

• Shirou demonstrates his exceptional deductive skills and logical thinking.
• Mr. Frederick shows impatience and distress as the case becomes more complex.
• Old Boss Li exhibits fear and distress after finding the murder weapon in her bag.
• The China old man displays fear and reluctance to stay in his compartment.

Significant Themes

• The complexity and absurdity of the murder case.
• The struggle between logic and intuition in solving the case.
• The fear and distress caused by the murder and its aftermath.

Character Interactions

• Shirou and Mr. Frederick collaborate to discuss and deduce the case's details.
• Shirou and Old Boss Li interact briefly when she wakes up.
• The China old man interacts with Shirou and Mr. Frederick to request a room change.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shirou helps Old Boss Li change his compartment due to his superstitious fears about the number 3.
• Old Boss Li's luggage is searched, revealing he's a globe-trotting retiree with no connection to the case.
• Shirou and Mr. Frederick begin searching other passengers' luggage, starting with Mr. Lion Kagari, who openly displays his contraband.
• The US Colonel's luggage is searched, revealing nothing unusual.
• Lord Rin El-Melloi's luggage is searched with her maid Alya's assistance, revealing nothing suspicious.

Character Developments

• Old Boss Li: Revealed as a superstitious, talkative retiree with a loving family.
• Mr. Lion Kagari: Confidently displays his contraband, showing he's not afraid of authority.
• Lord Rin El-Melloi: Shows intelligence, poise, and a hint of ruthlessness, suggesting she's not above using others for her goals.
• Shirou: Shows curiosity and insight into Rin's background and motivations.

Significant Themes

• Superstition and its influence on people's actions (Old Boss Li's fear of the number 3).
• The power dynamics between different social classes and organizations (Rin's position as the Lord of the Clock Tower).
• The consequences of one's actions and the potential for redemption (Rin's willingness to take responsibility for a murder if it benefits her).

Character Interactions

• Shirou and Old Boss Li: Shirou shows kindness and understanding towards Old Boss Li's superstitious fears.
• Shirou and Lord Rin El-Melloi: They engage in a subtle game of cat and mouse, each trying to read the other's intentions.
• Mr. Frederick and Lord Rin El-Melloi: Mr. Frederick shows deference to Rin's position and understanding of the situation.