Boarding

"--I heard before that not only the rats from the [Department of Law] were coming, but even some [Lord] was coming. I wondered who it was, but it turns out to be the rumored Department of Modern Magecraft (Norwich)."

Another clear voice rang out from the abandoned platform, directly interrupting Hishiri Adashino's voice.

Everyone turned to look and saw a girl who looked about eleven or twelve years old arrogantly raising her chin, playing with her shiny silver hair, her amber eyes staring at them.

"I never expected to run into you here."

The Lord El-Melloi II blinked, put the cigar he had already taken back into the box, and then politely bowed his head.

"It's been a long time, Lady."

"Snort--"

The girl's voice, emanating from her nasal cavity, perfectly conveyed her attitude.

"Master, who is this...?"

Perhaps it was the girl's aura that was simply too sharp, which aroused Gray's curiosity. In addition, the Lord El-Melloi II...

He's supposed to be a [Lord], after all. For someone to show such rudeness in front of him...

"I am Olga Marie. Olga Marie. Animusphere."

Perhaps because she had overheard Gray's whisper, the silver-haired girl frowned slightly in displeasure, but probably out of courtesy, she still placed her hand on her chest and introduced herself.

The Lord El-Melloi II also chimed in from the side:

"Animusphere, the daughter of the Department of Astromancy) [Lord]."

"..."

The atmosphere on the platform suddenly froze; everyone present seemed to be taken aback by the girl's identity.

Olga Marie's expression of displeasure eased slightly at the sight before her. After all, she was the daughter of a [Lord], and if she lacked even this much magnanimity, she would only become a laughingstock.

With this thought in mind, Olga Marie's mood improved somewhat, and she turned her gaze to the Lord El-Melloi II:

"It's quite rare. I never expected that you, as a [Lord], would have the leisure to bring your students here for [teaching practice]."

The girl must have overheard the conversation between Hishiri Adashino and the Lord El-Melloi II.

However, in response to the girl's sarcastic remarks, the Lord El-Melloi II Prince calmly retorted:

"That's right, just as rare as the young Animusphere clan leaving the mountains."

As the Lord El-Melloi II said, it was extremely rare for Animusphere to be able to see their clan here, even the daughter of Lord, due to their diligent research.

"I think unnecessary small talk is a complete waste of time, so I'll get straight to the point—"

As she spoke, Olga Marie's gaze gradually sharpened. "[Lord], does this train carry the Mystic Eyes you desire?"

"... Well, who knows?"

However, the Lord El-Melloi II did not give her a direct answer. Seeing Lord El-Melloi II ambiguous attitude, Olga Marie snorted coldly:

"Hmph. Even if they did, they wouldn't say it. After all, no one can leak information before the auction."

"That's not necessarily true. If the Mystic Eyes we want are different, then it will be easier. You probably think so too, which is why you asked me, right?"

The Lord El-Melloi II's voice remained consistently calm, so calm that Gray, standing beside him, found it unbelievable. In her view—

While his master's speech wasn't exactly provocative, it often carried a hint of sarcasm and irony. But now, facing this silver-haired girl, even his voice softened.

"--Lady Olga Marie."

The sound interrupted Gray's thoughts. A tall woman walked over and bowed to the group.

"Lord El-Melloi II and Lady Hishiri Adashino, right? I am Trisha Filhod, Lady Olga Marie's attendant."

"Alright, Miss."

"W-What are you doing, Trisha?"

"We'll take our leave now. We'll come to formally greet you both later."

It's clear that Olga Marie has feelings for her personal attendant. Although quite unwilling, the girl ultimately obeyed Trisha's words and hurriedly left with her.

The two stopped only after the thick fog gradually obscured [El-Melloi's ] figure.

"Young Miss, you've been a bit too reckless."

Upon hearing Trisha's reproachful words, Olga Marie bit her lip slightly:

"I just want to see my father from seven years ago..."

Buzz--

Olga Marie's next words were drowned out by a loud, operatic whistle.

Immediately afterwards, a beam of light pierced the white mist, and on the abandoned railway tracks, a locomotive completely out of its time appeared before the girl's eyes.

"[Rail Zeppelin]..."

The girl, whose attention was completely captivated by the train, murmured to herself.

Standing at the train entrance, Kayneth watched the old man approach from a distance and spoke to him in a tone devoid of any respect:

"Haven't you given up on your unrealistic dreams yet, Marisbilly?"

Regarding the second update, if I'm going out later, it will be a little later, like around midnight.

(Above)

Chapter 344. Getting on the Bus

The train slowly came to a stop, and the vintage doors opened gently, like a line of knights bowing to welcome the passengers.

"They're gone."

After saying a few words, the Lord El-Melloi II took the lead and boarded the train carriage. Behind him followed his students Gray and Caules, as well as Shirou, Fujino Asagami, and Lily.

"Oh, we have new guests!"

After entering the carriage, before anyone could even see what was inside, they heard an exaggerated voice.

Turning around, they saw a gentleman in a stylish white linen suit stand up from the table in the carriage to welcome the Lord El-Melloi II and his party.

"... You're not a staff member of the Rail Zeppelin, are you?"

After scrutinizing him for a while, the Lord El-Melloi II spoke with a questioning tone.

"Jean Mario Spinella, the television presenter. Greetings, Your Lord."

Perhaps because he recognized Mario's identity as the Lord El-Melloi II prince, Jean Mario put away his previous playful smile.

"Um..."

Faced with this situation, the Lord El-Melloi II did not show any arrogance, or rather, he was so concerned about his disciple that he had no time to care about such superficial things.

"And who is this?"

After nodding to Jean Mario, the Lord El-Melloi II shifted his gaze from Jean Mario to the other side of the table.

He was an elderly Black man, probably in his seventies. A scar ran across his eyebrow, making his already unfriendly face look even more menacing, like a member of the Mafia.

"Karabo Frampton, a member of the Holy Church."

After a brief silence, the old man muttered softly.

The atmosphere in the entire carriage became tense the next second.

The Holy Church, as its name suggests, is an organization based on the "universal" religion with the most followers in the world. However, it is hostile to the Mage's Association in many ways. In contrast to the Mage's Association's desire to manage the "mysticism" itself, the Holy Church advocates that all "mysticism" except for itself should be eliminated.

In this eerie silence, everyone instinctively became wary.

Caules instinctively reached into his coat pocket, and Shirou instinctively shielded Fujino Asagami and Lily with his body.

The old man, whose very being was locked onto by the crowd's aura, quietly clenched his fist.

The history of countless battles between them seemed to have created a vortex between them. Even the Lord El-Melloi II, who never participated in Magecraft battles, subconsciously tensed up.

But this tension was disrupted by another voice—

"Fujino Asagami, what is [the Holy Church]?"

Although the sound was faint, it seemed amplified many times over in the silent carriage, reaching the ears of everyone else clearly.

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

Lily, who was whispering with Fujino Asagami, blinked innocently after noticing that everyone's attention had turned to her.

Perhaps due to someone's overprotective nature, Lily, who has lived in Fuyuki for several years, has had almost no contact with matters of the [mystical side].

Even with Lord El-Melloi II, whom she knew relatively well, Lily only knew him as a teacher responsible for instructing in Magecraft.

After seeing Lily's expression that didn't seem to be fake, everyone didn't know where to start complaining, but at least the murderous intention that had filled the carriage just now had been alleviated.

The old man named Karabo released his fist, Caules withdrew his hand from his pocket, and Shirou secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Jean Mario been watching from the sidelines, whistled and then sat back down in his chair.

"Hey, is it over already? And they even went out of their way to call the train conductor!"

A lively voice suddenly rang out from the other end of the carriage, and a girl dressed in Lolita fashion walked in from the connecting area between the carriages.

"Yvette ..."

Upon seeing the girl, the Lord El-Melloi II instinctively pressed his stomach. Clearly, the sudden appearance of the girl was quite a burden on Lord El-Melloi II stomach.

Why are you here?

"Hmph, as you know, the Lehrman Family is a renowned family in the Mystic Eyes! Isn't it only natural for them to participate in the auction on the [Rail Zeppelin], which has only resumed operation after seven years?"

"Alright, I understand, you can shut up now."

The Lord El-Melloi II, his brows furrowed, abruptly interrupted the enthusiastic young woman's next words, as if every sentence she uttered was a form of torture to him.

At the same time--

"I am Rodin, the train conductor. Please forgive me for disturbing your pleasant conversation."

Suddenly, a gaunt man appeared in the middle of the carriage.

The black uniform he was wearing was probably the work uniform of the Rail Zeppelin. The gaunt man looked down at his silver pocket watch.

"Thank you for your cooperation. This train will depart on time tonight."

Seeing the Magecraft fall silent, the man nodded in satisfaction. The car door behind him seemed to have heard him and slowly closed.

With the sound of the steam whistle, the steam engine roared again. The carriages carrying everyone began to slowly accelerate.

Then, in the almost frozen atmosphere, the train conductor Rodin, cleared his throat and said:

"This vehicle will return to London after a four-day, three-night journey around the Land of Mist. During this time, please take your time to admire the displayed Mystic Eyes and await the auction on the third day. The Mystic Eyes you win can be transplanted immediately, or you can keep them yourself. Furthermore, the transplantation will not take up too much of your time, so please rest assured."

"For those who wish to sell the Mystic Eyes, please come to our work area before dusk on the day after tomorrow—or the third day. You may also explain your needs to Rodin himself..."

After returning to his assigned cabin on the train, Shirou closed the door and spoke to Fujino Asagami.

"Then we should be able to explain the situation to the train conductor tomorrow."

"But will they agree so easily?"

After all, the rumors circulating in the Magecraft world about Rail Zeppelin [Rail Zeppelin] were quite ominous.

Seeing Fujino Asagami's somewhat worried expression, Shirou gave her a reassuring smile:

"Don't worry, Fujino Asagami- nee. As long as I'm here, I will never let them hurt you."

Lily, who was standing nearby, also offered words of comfort:

"If they're unwilling, we'll take control of the train!"

"Huh?"

Perhaps not expecting Lily's suggestion to be so simple and direct, both Fujino Asagami and Shirou showed expressions of surprise.

"Because maintaining the spell for this train isn't particularly difficult, so I..."

Thump thump thump--