/ The Child of Fuyuki Forest

"For certain reasons, the train conductor is temporarily unable to leave the control room. I will now relay Rodin's instructions—"

[On behalf of Rail Zeppelin, I express my support for Ms. Ryori in this matter. I apologize for taking up your time, and ask for your understanding.]

After saying this expressionlessly, Leandro bowed and left the carriage, leaving the passengers looking at each other in bewilderment.

Judging from the meaning expressed in the words left by Leandro just now... just as the Lord El-Melloi II said, Hishiri Adashino should have already made arrangements with the train crew beforehand.

"... They know."

"..."

Yvette and Karabo seemed to have given up on leaving and reluctantly returned to their seats. With the [Department of Law] and the [Rail Zeppelin] combined, facing these two formidable forces, further opposition would be futile.

"Since no one objects, then--"

After scanning the room and confirming that everyone was in place, Hishiri Adashino bowed slightly to the people in the carriage.

"I'd like to briefly share my opinion..."

But before she could finish her sentence, the voice coming from the loudspeaker once again stole everyone's attention:

"--Hello, passengers."

The announcement echoed through the somewhat crowded carriage. It was clear that it was the train conductor, Rodin.

"The [Rail Zeppelin] has deviated from its original route and is expected to enter the [Son of Forest of Einnashe] in ten minutes."

Rodin announced in a calm and composed voice.

If this single statement hadn't yet made everyone realize the gravity of the situation, then what followed made them understand the terrifying implications of the [Son of Forest of Einnashe]'s existence.

"Look—"

Yvette, who had been looking around, suddenly changed her expression when she happened to turn her gaze to the window.

Following her pale finger, everyone looked and discovered that what should have been a clear, sunny day was instead shrouded in a vast expanse of white fog.

No, that wasn't actually fog; it was just an illusion caused by the dense blizzard outside the train obstructing everyone's view.

"So... that is [Forest of Einnashe's son]...?"

Inside the train, someone let out a sigh filled with pessimism. And as if to echo the sigh—

[Crunch!]

The train shook violently, and then everyone could clearly feel the train gradually slowing down.

As the train gradually came to a stop, the train conductor Rodin, belatedly announced over the loudspeaker—

"Please ensure your own safety before the auction begins. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

Chapter 360.

"Rodin-- "

The auctioneer's voice, Leandro, rang out in the cramped carriage, but was quickly drowned out by the low rumble of the surrounding engine.

On the other side of several pressure gauges, regulating valve handles, brakes, and water injectors, the dull thud of iron and coal burning together could be heard continuously.

--This is the only locomotive that guests cannot enter: the [Rail Zeppelin.

In reality, most of the train's power comes from magic, and this locomotive is not essential to the train. The reason why this locomotive, which simply imitates an old steam locomotive, could appear is actually because the managers of the past liked this kind of atmosphere.

Or perhaps, because she is a [Dead Apostle].

In Rodin and Leandro's understanding, Dead Apostle are a species that possesses extraordinary Magecraft and abilities that transcend human capabilities, yet in some ways, they have human preferences.

"Has everything been taken care of over there?"

The train conductor stared intently at the measuring instruments in front of him and spoke to the host who had just walked in.

What Rodin was referring to was naturally the [mystery drama] that was about to unfold on the train.

"Yes, the message has been relayed."

Leandro nodded, indicating that she had conveyed the [train's will] to the passengers, but then she showed a hesitant expression.

Is this a good idea?

What do you mean?

The train conductor asked without turning his head.

"This is how we, as [the passengers on the train], express our [stance]..."

For the train crew, successfully holding the auction for the Mystic Eyes Eye left by the former manager and maintaining the normal operation of the train are the two most important things in their lives.

And they themselves are proud of the [gear] that they exist as.

But everything changed after that woman visited today.

The woman with glasses, though smiling as she asked the train for support, still seemed to sense Leandro in her smile—

That chill that seemed to seep into your very bones...

"[The train's stance] remains unchanged. Only regarding [that passenger]... As long as the train's operation proceeds without problems, then we shouldn't pursue anything concerning her..."

The train conductor's expression remained unchanged as he faced the host's questions. However, Leandro, who had known him for many years, noticed the faint helplessness in his tone.

"Understood."

Actually, it wasn't that the train didn't want to investigate these matters; it was simply because of that person...

"So, how are the preparations for this [auction items] going?"

The train conductor, abruptly shifting the topic back to the main subject, said to the host.

"The reserved Mystic Eyes P.andaemonium has been confirmed in the Pandaemonium. It seems the auction should proceed smoothly."

"That's good. What's the main event this time?"

"Have no idea."

"That's what the host replied."

"As usual, only the acting manager knows which guest is [that one]."

It was the same when the manager was in charge; even the staff of the Rail Zeppelin didn't know who owned the Mystic Eyes that were auctioned as "Eye Catchers."

However, if the target does not show up before the auction begins—or if they receive an invitation but do not intend to board—the exceptional agent manager will notify them of the person's identity. Since she has not come to notify them, the person should already be on the train or will board as an additional guest for the day.

Although it was an odd custom, at least Rodin and Leandro did not complain about it.

"Speaking of which, what are your thoughts on the [murder case]?"

The host suddenly asked a question.

"While the guest is unfortunate, this level of conflict should be commonplace for you by now."

That's true...

The host nodded in agreement with the train conductor's words.

On this train, ruthless tactics like eliminating troublesome competitors before they've even had enough funds are commonplace. Even bizarre practices like taking heads off the train are not surprising on the [Rail Zeppelin].

Only--

"What if something like what happened seven years ago happens again?"

Both incidents begin with the death of a guest, except that seven years ago the guest died by petrification, while this time the guest was beheaded...

That kind of thing will never happen again!

The moment Leandro's voice fell, the train conductor's resolute voice echoed in the cramped carriage. His gaunt face twitched slightly involuntarily as he spoke.

The consequences of what happened seven years ago were not just the seven-year suspension of train service. The stain and damage that incident caused to the reputation of the Rail Zeppelin is a deep pain in the hearts of all the train's staff.

From that moment on, Rodin made a vow in his heart that he would never allow a similar incident to happen again.

Therefore, considerable effort was put into screening the guests participating in this auction, in order to prevent the incident from happening again seven years ago.

But... or perhaps it was fate that didn't go as planned?

"What happened, Rodin?"

Leandro, who noticed the train was starting to slow down immediately, asked Rodin, who was controlling the train.

"..."

Rodin did not answer Leandro's question immediately; his gaze was fixed on the train's dashboard.

After a while --

"The train's direction of travel has become abnormal."

The train conductor, who had finally looked away from the dashboard, began to answer the question Leandro had asked earlier. However, compared to before, the twitching in his cheek was much more severe...

"It's hard to believe, but someone has indeed sabotaged the track ahead. It looks like it won't be long before we pass [the Son of Forest of Einnashe]."

"What?"

Rodin, his attention focused on the plummeting temperature readings and no longer bothering to talk to Leandro, wore a serious expression.

He picked up the microphone used for broadcasting on the train...

Chapter 361. Child of Einnashe

It's getting colder and colder...

At that moment, one of the passengers gathered in the carriage muttered something under their breath.

"Yes, it seems the heating is starting to stop working too."

The Magecraft from the television station Jean Mario Spinella shiver as he looked at the radiator that was gradually losing its function.

About ten minutes had passed since the Mystic Eyes Zeppelin plunged into the blizzard. The White Demon's fierce attack had divided the world outside the window into a single hue: a gray sky and everything else white. The train, which had previously traversed the boundary between other worlds, was now motionless, a testament to the ferocity of nature.

The passengers on the train could clearly feel the cold air slowly seeping into the interior. They also understood that if the cold air continued to penetrate at this rate, it wouldn't be long before the entire train was sealed inside this icy world...

Clang!

The train carriage door was suddenly flung open... no, it should be kicked open.

"What happened? Why did it suddenly get dark?"

Mordred swaggered into the carriage, accompanied by Fujino Asagami, and approached Shirou as if no one else was around, asking him a question. Then, a petite figure wearing a hood followed Mordred into the carriage.

"Master..."

Gray walked up to the Lord El-Melloi II Prince and quietly greeted her teacher.

How are you feeling physically?

"I've almost fully recovered. I ran into Saber and Fujino Asagami when I woke up, and then I came here with them."

"My disciple has caused you trouble."

After listening to Gray's report, the Lord El-Melloi II nodded his thanks to Saber.

Slap slap slap--

Just then, a sudden noise in the carriage interrupted the whispers and drew their attention.

"It's come to this point, are you still going to continue your boring mystery drama, you Department of Law student?"

Looking at the woman in the center of the carriage wearing a furisode kimono, Father Capella, who was at odds with her from the start, coldly questioned her.

"That's a real misunderstanding on my part."

After adjusting her glasses perched on her nose, the female Magecraft from the Department of Law gave an innocent smile.

"I just wanted to discuss with everyone what we should do in this situation. After all, I think everyone should understand the seriousness of the existence of something like [the Child of Einnashe]."

Everyone in the carriage wore a serious expression; clearly, Magecraft like them were very familiar with the title of "Child of Einnashe."

However, among those present, there were exceptions...