The Impostors

Facing his disciple, the Lord El-Melloi II shook his head and admitted his actions.

As for the reason... well, because you are the [mastermind] I mentioned before. Is that reason acceptable?

Are you kidding me?

When the Lord El-Melloi II's pronouncement, which sounded like a condemnation, echoed through the carriage, everyone present stirred. Except for those in El-Melloi Classroom, almost everyone watched with a sense of detached amusement.

They wanted to see what kind of "good show" this "master and apprentice" pair could put on.

"Teacher, please stop fooling around--"

Bound by the chains of light, Caules managed a forced smile, looking as if he had been caught making a fool of himself in front of everyone by a prankster.

However, upon seeing the Lord El-Melloi II's serious expression and the still-unmoving spell around him, Caules's expression gradually became puzzled.

"Um, are you serious?"

"Are you still pretending not to know anything at this point?"

After gently patting Gray's hand that was clutching his shirt, the Lord El-Melloi II raised his head and spoke to the young man in a declarative tone.

"It seems you've decided I'm the murderer. But as someone skilled in deduction, you know that a single explanation isn't enough to hold water here, is it?"

"That's right. If only Magecraft were present, the [Department of Law] could handle it with their authority alone. But this is the [Rail Zeppelin], the territory of the Dead Apostle. Therefore, in addition to speculation, we also need to prepare physical evidence that can convince the train authorities. Just like how Miss Adano prepared the message from the skull and the acting manager's statement to prove the power of the Karabo Mystic Eyes."

The master nodded, acknowledging Caules's words.

According to the current procedure, the next step should be for the Lord El-Melloi II Prince to present evidence to prove his reasoning. However, his next words were quite surprising—

"But I didn't prepare any evidence, and I didn't even conduct any relevant investigations."

"Are you... telling a joke?"

The serious atmosphere in the carriage was instantly shattered by the Lord El-Melloi II's words, and everyone wore expressions of disbelief.

"Teacher, please forgive me, but I cannot accept your explanation."

Coming to his senses from the shock, Caules took a deep breath and looked up to face his teacher.

"Perhaps our Forvedge Family is not worthy of your attention, but to falsely accuse your own student without any reason is truly disheartening!"

Anyone present could hear the anger hidden beneath Caules's serious expression.

"First, I need to correct two problems in your statement."

However, faced with Caules's anger and the questioning of the surrounding onlookers, the Lord El-Melloi II remained unfazed and extended his index finger—

"First of all, I am not framing you, and you are not Caules. Perhaps you think your spell is perfect, but to tell you the truth, someone discovered your flaws the very first day you boarded the train."

"Varied--"

Before "Caules" could react, the Lord El-Melloi II immediately extended a second finger.

"Secondly, I'm not saying you're the murderer of Trisha. But as the mastermind behind this series of events, can you imagine how much of a hindrance Trisha's existence would have on your future actions if she hadn't died?"

"..."

The carriage fell silent once again after the Lord El-Melloi II's speech.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of a car door being pulled open echoed in the not-so-small space. Looking in the direction of the sound, one could see—

"Are you kidding me?!"

Someone, after clearly seeing the person's face, instinctively exclaimed in surprise.

Her long, golden hair was styled into a serious bun at the back of her head, and a pair of tortoiseshell glasses slightly concealed her solemn demeanor. Even so, her identity was immediately recognized by everyone.

"Trisha?"

Olga Marie's voice sounded somewhat hesitant.

"It's me, Miss."

Trisha, who had already stood in front of the silver-haired girl, spoke in a calm tone.

"Trisha, Trisha, Trisha..."

Looking at that incredibly familiar face, Olga Marie clenched her hands, which were placed on her chest, and her shoulders trembled until the very end—

"Trisha, waa..."

Olga Marie threw herself into Trisha's arms and burst into tears, as if to vent all the grievances she had suffered during the time between their separation and reunion.

Trisha gently pulled the silver-haired girl into her arms, then slowly knelt down and whispered something in her ear—

"Silly Mary, stand tall and hold your head high!"

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"Caules" shifted his gaze from the reunited master and servant to the Lord El-Melloi II Prince.

He asked the same question that was on everyone's mind.

There was absolutely no way Trisha's head could have been a fake, but who is this Trisha in front of us?

Could it be true, as the Lord El-Melloi II said, that Trisha did not die?

But does Magecraft truly exist that allows one to separate the head from the body while remaining immortal?

"You admit it?"

The Lord El-Melloi II countered with a question to "Caules".

"Ah, that's right. There's no point in covering it up any longer."

"Caules," no, the boy disguised as Caules also answered readily.

"But you need to answer me: what exactly happened? Why is Trisha still alive with only her head remaining?"

"Ah, of course."

The Lord El-Melloi II nodded, then revealed the answer to everyone.

"First of all, it is common knowledge that the passage of time is meaningless within the dimensional rifts created by Imaginary Number Magecraft. After Trisha's head was sealed into the [imaginary space], she was still [alive] until the moment Miss Olga Marie discovered it. That's why she was able to leave behind the [hint]."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded subconsciously. It was precisely because of the clue left by the head that the train intervened and detained Kabbalah.

Without giving everyone much time to think, the Lord El-Melloi II continued.

"Since the head was alive at the time, we can preserve her soul then and transfer it to another blank body."

In this way, Trisha naturally survived.

"What the hell...?"

Someone in the crowd instinctively wanted to refute the Lord El-Melloi II's words, but after glancing at Trisha, they could only swallow their words back.

"The spell to preserve the soul... was it that girl?"

While still under the restraint spell, the imposter suddenly remembered Lily.

"To be able to learn this technique at such a young age, her talent is worthy of being called genius."

Genius...?

After listening to the imposter's lament, the Lord El-Melloi II subconsciously twitched his lips upon thinking about Lily's identity. However, his attention was quickly drawn to the imposter's question.

"But what about the body? The only body that can be compatible with a soul should be a [doll], right? But how could you gather all the materials to make a doll in such a short time?"

Regarding this... I still suggest you consult a professional.

The Lord El-Melloi II's gaze suddenly shifted to a certain spot inside the carriage.

"What do you think, Miss Aozaki?"

(Probably two more updates?)

Chapter 368. Imposters

"What do you think, Miss Aozaki?"

The Lord El-Melloi II shifted his gaze to someone in the carriage. However, before the person could react, the other passengers in the carriage began to question what the Lord El-Melloi II had just said.

"Are you kidding me, Lord?"

A flashy-looking Magecraft was the first to step forward and question the Lord El-Melloi II.

Jean Mario Spinella, having left his previous field of work—television media—has decided to find a powerful patron.

[Department of Law] is his best option at present.

Therefore, upon hearing what the Lord El-Melloi II said that seemed to be detrimental to Hishiri Adashino, he, eager to curry favor, immediately jumped out—

"They actually said Miss. Hishiri is that..."

But before he could finish his flattering words, he was interrupted by a voice from behind.

"That's amazing, Lord."

"Varied--"

Following the direction from which the sound came, Jean Mario stared in astonishment at the woman in a furisode kimono who had already stood up on the other side of the carriage.

When did you discover it?

"Hishiri Adashino" asked the Lord El-Melloi II with a smile.

Although she still had the same face, through her conversation with the Lord El-Melloi II Prince, everyone finally understood—

The Lord El-Melloi II's seemingly delirious guess was actually correct?!

"That's incredible..."

Jean Mario muttered to himself, his face deathly pale.

His pitiful appearance drew sympathetic glances from the other passengers present.

Having offended two powerful figures at the same time, everyone can already foresee this guy's fate...

However, the two big shots had no time to pay attention to this guy at the moment.

How did you find out?

Still sporting the appearance of "Hishiri Adashino," Aozaki Touko asked the Lord El-Melloi II with some curiosity.

"I don't think I made any mistakes in my [Trace."

"That's right, your imitation is indeed very beautiful. I think it must be the application of spirit summoning magic. If we only look at the appearance, no one would suspect that Miss. Hakuno has been replaced."

There are only a few minor flaws..."

Looking up at the [Grand Caster] before him, the Lord El-Melloi II gave his answer.

"The first point is [smoking]. I worked with Miss Hakuno for a period of time. During that time, I didn't notice any signs that Miss Hakuno smoked. But you..."

"Understood."

Aozaki Touko nodded, then pulled a pack of cigarettes from her sleeve, took one out, and lit it. After slowly exhaling a puff of smoke, Touko Aozaki asked Lord El-Melloi II a question.

"Is this the only one? While it could be considered a clue, it's not enough for you to draw the conclusion that [Hishiri Adashino has been impersonated], is it?"

"Of course. My conclusion is completely untenable based solely on [smoking]. Although it's highly unlikely, it's possible that Miss. Hakuno learned it during the time we weren't together."

Seeing that Aozaki Touko seemed to have relaxed completely, Lord El-Melloi II subconsciously twitched the corner of his mouth.

"So at the time, I only had some doubts. Actually, what really made me start to have doubts was [the train's attitude]."

"Oh?"

Touko Aozaki, her curiosity piqued, awaited the Lord El-Melloi II's next words.

"Because both the train conductor and the auctioneer, these two people who represent the Rail Zeppelin, treat you with far too much respect, even to the point of reverence."

"I see."

Upon hearing this, Touko Aozaki showed a look of sudden realization.

[Rail Zeppelin] is the domain of the Dead Apostle, while Hishiri Adashino is Magecraft from the Clock Tower. Logically speaking, these two parties, who have little in common, would never show each other an attitude of being willing to be inferior.

Unless it is --