A Scheming One

"What is that thing?"

A loud, boisterous voice broke the increasingly serious atmosphere in the carriage. Everyone turned to look and saw that the blonde girl who had just kicked the door open was now sitting on a seat in the carriage, her legs casually propped up on the table in front of her.

She looked exactly like a delinquent girl.

At this moment, the "delinquent girl" asked her question in a provocative manner.

"Hmm, answering questions isn't exactly my forte."

Instead of showing any anger or other emotion at Mordred's interruption, Hishiri Adashino smiled and turned the conversation to the Lord El-Melloi II, who was standing on the other side.

"So, how about we hand this problem over to our only [teacher] here?"

The Lord El-Melloi II first glanced suspiciously at the ever-smiling Hishiri Adashino before explaining the meaning behind the name "[Child of Einnashe]" to Mordred and the others.

The reason for adding "[etc.]" is that the Lord El-Melloi II suddenly realized that his disciple Gray might also be unfamiliar with this matter...

If you want to understand [the Child of Einnashe], then you must first know that you can tell from the name that there must be a relationship between the two.

[Forest of Einnashe], also known as "Thinking Forest", is the seventh of the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors.

Dead Apostle, also known as vampires.

The origins of the Dead Apostle are the twenty-seven ancestors, and being able to rank seventh among the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors is enough to demonstrate the power of [Forest of Einnashe].

Legend has it that the [Forest of Einnashe] is both a sentient, predatory creature and a powerful, albeit sometimes perceived Reality Marble operated by a high-ranking Dead Apostle of the same name. It appears approximately every fifty years, attacking any humans who gather there and using its immense magical power to nurture the fruit growing deep within.

As the name suggests, "[Child of Einnashe]" means "the child of [Forest of Einnashe]".

Their appearance is due to the fact that from the depths of the [Forest of Einnashe], drops of blood often drip from the crimson fruits that have been nurtured with magic but have never been picked. Some of these drops of blood will turn into seeds.

After the seeds lie dormant underground for a period of time, they will begin to evolve on their own. The evolutionary path of the offspring is mostly different from that of the mother, and in some extreme cases, the mother's influence is not even visible. But in any case, the so-called "Child of Einnashe" is its final form.

"And now, the child who's trapped here seems to have chosen [ice and snow]."

The Lord El-Melloi II, having turned his gaze away from the wind and snow outside the window, thus concluded his explanation.

"Then let's just take it down."

Turning his attention back to Mordred, he uttered a highly aggressive idea, which was then immediately rejected by the Lord El-Melloi II.

"It's very difficult. Within [Child of Einnashe], it's hard to mobilize the magic within [Mana]. Is your own magic enough?"

To defeat a monster of the size of the [Child of Einnashe] in one fell swoop, Mordred would have to use her Noble Phantasm.

However, as the Lord El-Melloi II had previously stated, if the magical power within [Mana] cannot be used, then Mordred's only option to use her Noble Phantasm would be for Shirou to use Command Spell...

"Then what do you want me to do?"

Mordred's tone was somewhat impatient. If she could, she wouldn't want Shirou to use his Command Spell so easily, but given the current situation, if she didn't get away as soon as possible, things would only get worse.

"Actually, we don't need to destroy [the Child of Einnashe]."

Hishiri Adashino's voice once again drew everyone's attention--

"I've received word from the train crew that the Magecraft power of this forest allowed the train to detach from the Ley Line. The conductor said that as long as we can find the main trunk of the Ley Line again, we can depart immediately."

In other words...

Hishiri Adashino's gaze swept over the people in the carriage, and after a brief pause, she continued:

"We need someone to get off the train to find the main trunk of the [Ley Line] and mark it to guide the train out of this forest."

"Manufacturing markings..."

The moment the words left his mouth, the atmosphere in the entire carriage instantly froze.

According to Hishiri Adashino, their proposed solution should be theoretically feasible.

However, choosing who to enter the forest has become the most pressing issue for everyone.

Because that means braving the blizzard to enter this forest. But in this land that contemplates, in this man-eating, demonic forest, no one can guarantee their safe return.

Just as everyone was looking around, trying to find one or two "suckers," a small hand suddenly shot up from the crowd.

"I can help with this."

Regarding the arrangement of this volume

My initial idea for writing this volume was to explain what happened before the Fifth Holy Grail War and how everyone grew up. Then, the <Casebook> that took place before the Fifth Holy Grail War became a good choice.

Whether it's Xiaoming, Lily, Touko Aozaki, or the true protagonist Shirou, I think they all need an explanation.

That's why they started with two volumes, but now it seems like they overdid it.

Another point concerns the plot before and after the resumption of updates... First, I must admit my mistake; it was indeed a bit padded.

As for the reasons, one aspect is probably the state of mind...

Another aspect is that I need to explain the content clearly to everyone. If I were to simply present a bunch of dry clues to everyone, I feel like I wouldn't need to write this book at all. That would be no different from just giving out an outline.

Moreover, I can at least guarantee that my previous "watery" content definitely contained some valuable information.

As for the truly valuable information, we'll have to wait until the very end of this volume to reveal that.

By the way, after about two chapters, it should be time to wrap things up. Even if I wanted to add more filler, there wouldn't be any left.

(Above)

Chapter 362. He's a Cunning Man.

"I can help!"

The sudden sound broke the slightly tense atmosphere in the carriage.

As everyone looked in that direction, they noticed that the girl who had been standing next to Hishiri Adashino had raised her hand.

"Teacher Lily?"

Judging from everyone's expressions, not only the other passengers, but even Shirou showed a surprised look.

No one would have expected that such a petite girl would be the first to volunteer to enter the forest. While Magecraft's abilities cannot be judged by ordinary standards, if even a child like this volunteered...

"Then take me with you!"

With a whoosh, a black blade emerged from Father Karabo's black fist.

That's the common weapon of the Executor of the Holy Church —the [Black Keys].

"In that case, they have no choice but to go."

It must be said that humans are truly creatures of blind obedience. After seeing that two people had already volunteered, the blindfolded girl with the Mystic Eyes sighed and also asked to join them.

"I won't say anything more. Just be careful after you get off the bus."

The Lord El-Melloi II said this to Shirou.

The Lord El-Melloi II understood that with his own strength, if he were to get off the vehicle and explore this demonic forest with them, it would be tantamount to [offering himself a free kill].

Rather than dragging them down, it's better to stay on the train obediently.

"Take care on your journey."

"Okay, I understand."

Shirou nodded solemnly in response to Fujino Asagami's instructions.

Since Ms. Lily is going, I should naturally go with her.

Seeing Shirou's expression, Fujino Asagami sighed quietly. In fact, Fujino Asagami understood that with Shirou's personality, even if Lily didn't say anything, he would bring it up himself.

There's nothing we can do; that's just how his personality has been since he was a child...

Fortunately, the objective of this mission wasn't to eliminate [the Child of Einnashe]. Furthermore, he was accompanied by Miss Lily and... Saber...

Fujino Asagami glanced at Saber, who was already eager to try, out of the corner of her eye.

Although I haven't witnessed Saber's strength firsthand, since she is a [Heroic Spirit] like Lily, her strength is naturally trustworthy.

From this perspective, the operation might not have carried much risk...

"Hey, what's wrong with you guys?"

Seeing the serious expressions on everyone's faces and the even more tense atmosphere in the carriage than before, Lily had first brought up the matter, looked puzzled.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, unable to grasp the meaning of the girl's words for a moment.

Ultimately, Olga Marie, who reacted quickly, spoke up and asked the girl:

"Didn't you say, Miss Lily, that you wanted to find the main trunk of the [spiritual vein]?"

That's right.

"That's why we need to make some preparations, and then we'll get off the bus together to search for the spiritual vein."

"No need."

After hearing Olga Marie's explanation, Lily unexpectedly rejected everyone's "kindness." Then, under everyone's gaze, Lily gave her answer—

"If it's just about [finding spiritual veins], then I can handle it alone."

"..."

"Oh my, looks like this is going to be interesting."

Seeing the shocked expressions on everyone's faces, as if they had heard a fairy tale, and Lily's matter-of-fact expression, a meaningful emotion flashed in Hishiri Adashino's eyes behind her glasses.

Although no one except her family and the Lord El-Melloi II Human Order or believed that this petite girl could turn the situation around on her own, Hishiri Adashino still summoned the train conductor as Lily had requested.

Perhaps they just want to see the show fail?

"Miss, do you have a way to resolve the train's current situation?"

The train conductor Rodin, who had already entered the carriage, asked Lily.

"Yes, but I need to go to the control room."

"... Hmm, no problem."

Faced with Lily's request, the train conductor, after a brief moment of thought, finally gritted his teeth and agreed.

Although I don't allow guests to visit the train's control room, this is clearly a special case.

The train stopped because it was suddenly surrounded by the [Child of Einnashe] and lost its way. If it were to rashly proceed and drive into a branch of the [Spirit Vein], the train would probably have to wait until the forest ran out of magic and dissipated on its own before it could readjust its direction.

In that case, aside from the fact that the Mystic Eyes auction, which was already in preparation, would be delayed, the more important question is whether any of the passengers on the train would survive if the snowstorm were to completely end...

Moreover, there is a [Lord] and [Lord's Heir] on this train. If something happens to these two on the train, even if their master returns, this train may not be able to withstand the wrath of the [factions] behind them.

So, under all this pressure, the train conductor finally broke his principles and opened the door to the train control room to the young woman before him...

"Rodin, who are these two...?"

The auction host, Leandro, who was originally in the locomotive control room, instinctively showed a surprised expression when she saw the young boy and girl following behind the train conductor.

"This is Miss Lily. She says she has a way to get the train out of its current predicament."

The train conductor introduced the girl to the host.

As for Shirou, who was following behind Lily, he came along specifically because he was worried about Lily's safety. As for the carriage, with Saber taking care of it, there naturally wouldn't be any problems.

"Can I take a look?"

"Please..."

Although she couldn't understand why Rodin would invite such a young girl to the control room, Leandro still gave up her seat in front of the console as requested.

After glancing at the control panel, Lily, who had come to the console, gave it a knowing look.

"Hmm, I knew it..."

"What do you mean?"

Leandro asked cautiously.

However, Lily did not answer her question. Instead, she conjured her wand and tapped it lightly on the control panel... Then, an incredible scene unfolded before Rodin and Leandro's eyes.

Through the transparent glass in front of the control room, they could see—

Thousands, hundreds, thousands—no, countless purple specks of light began to emerge from the ground.