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Shirou leaned forward.

“You understand my predicament, sir. Do you think I would believe you? Or are you protecting your sister, or perhaps the young ladies of the El-Melloi and Animusfia families? I’ve heard that your father, Lord Euryphus, is trying to unify the noble factions, and now you’re all in this together, aren’t you?”

"Ah! I don't quite understand what you mean, but... I'm innocent." A sinister grin spread across the red-haired man's face. "Alright, sir, my words are easily proven. Let the Mage's Association investigate me; they'll give you the fairest judgment!"

Shirou was writing something on a piece of paper. He looked up and said calmly, "..."

"Alright, sir, you can go now."

Shiro called for a servant.

"Please have that priest come here."

"Yes, sir."

“Another heir to the throne! What’s going on with this train?! I know him, Bram, the nobleman of the Spirit Division, is he also the murderer?” Frederick exclaimed. “Ah, no, impossible. I tell you, it’s impossible.”

This time, he was truly afraid. Unlike the already fallen El-Melloi and Animusfia families, the Bram family's Lord Euryphus was a top figure among the twelve factions of the Clock Tower, and he was not inferior even to the three great noble families. The only reason he was willing to submit to Barthezmelloi was because the latter's bloodline was more noble.

“Okay, we have to understand these things. Even if in the end everyone in the car is proven to have a motive to murder Danick, we still have to investigate things thoroughly. Only in this way can we find out the truth behind it and truly solve this problem.”

"I'm dizzy..." Mr. Frederick lay down on the sofa, suddenly realizing how wise it was to play dead like Weber. He was practically a genius strategist.

At this moment, the priest was brought in by the attendant.

He sat in the chair opposite Shirou, clutching a large handkerchief, weeping incessantly, looking utterly compassionate.

Shirou tried to comfort him and tell him not to cry, but he cried even harder than before.

Shirou continued to pat the old man's shoulder gently, saying in Japanese, "Alright, let's stop pretending, Matou-sama. I know you better than you think."

“Wow… young man, I didn’t expect you to know the surname I used in Japan sixty years ago.” The priest raised his head again, his demeanor changed drastically, and a strange sound came from his face.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out that several insects in disguise had crawled off his face, body, and arms, and then burrowed into his clothes.

At this moment, he seemed to have aged more than ten years; his body had become thin and frail, and he was hunched over. His eyes had lost their whites, leaving only black circles, and his pupils gleamed with a fierce light. He no longer resembled a clergyman whatsoever.

“Actually, I’ve been looking for you ever since I learned that the Einzbern family was here,” Shirou said with a light laugh as he sat back down.

"Oh, so what if you find me? What can an old man like me do? Do you think I still have the strength to kill someone?" Machiri Zorgen retorted.

Judging by his age, he's over five hundred years old. In a parallel world with abundant magic, he'd be nearing his limit, developing dementia after the Fifth Holy Grail War. It's truly remarkable that he's managed to survive until now in this world with scarce magic.

“At least you can tell me the story of that Holy Grail War,” Shirou said.

Chapter 1265 Shirou's True Identity and the Other Passengers

The Third Holy Grail War ended in an attack by the German army summoned by Darnic, who stole the Holy Grail. The plans of the Einzbern family, Machiri Zorgren, and the Tohsaka family, the three starter families, were completely thwarted.

After that, magic became even scarcer in the world, and the Mage's Association adopted a low-key and secluded attitude. The Matou family disappeared from public view, having returned to Europe.

"I'm just an old man on his last trip before I die."

After saying that, the old man turned and left.

The next one is a British male servant.

He walked straight toward Shirou, his voice as calm and composed as ever. At that moment, he was no longer a stern English servant, but a kind, scholarly old man.

Before Shirou could speak, he explained his situation.

"I'll just be honest, I didn't expect there to be outsiders who know so much about our Clock Tower, even though we haven't been recruiting students for a long time. Sir, are you a spy for some faction? I'm really curious."

“No, I’m just a detective passing by. Please sit down, make yourself comfortable, and tell us about your story,” Shirou replied calmly.

“Well, to be honest, my personality really isn’t suited to playing the role of a strict servant.” The old man sat down, removed the human skin mask from his face, nodded, and said with a smile, “Sirs, I am Locke Belfebon, the head of the Summoning Department, a branch of the Clock Tower’s Spirit Summoning Division. I was ordered by the Clock Tower to monitor Danic for more than half a year, but I never expected him to be assassinated by someone else. I’m ashamed to say, I’m really sorry, because of my inadequate supervision, he’s dead and the murderer has disappeared, causing you all trouble.”

He paused and continued.

"And Lecturer Bram has always been like this. He just doesn't want to be questioned. I can vouch for his innocence. I hope you won't take offense."

The Summoning Department is a subordinate department of the Spirit Summoning Department. As a former subordinate of Monarch Euryphus, he was protecting his superior's legitimate son, and everything seemed perfectly reasonable.

However... there's something rather strange about this case.

Shirou looked at him calmly and asked:

"Mr. Belfebund, is that all you have to say?"

"Yes, sir."

"Alright, thank you for your confession. You can go back now." Shirou seemed unwilling to talk to him any further.

So the old man apologized slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then left the dining car calmly and politely, just as he had arrived.

“This is truly…” Frederick said, “more fantastical than any novel I’ve ever read. Even online forum serials aren’t this far-fetched.”

"Of the twelve passengers, nine have been confirmed to be connected to the Danic case. What's the next step? Or rather, who's next?"

“I can almost answer your question,” Shirou said. “Look, our bodyguard, Mr. Shishikatsu Kairi, has arrived.”

"Did he also come to turn himself in?"

Before Shirou could answer, the man in sunglasses had already come to the table.

He glanced at them warily, then sat down and said slowly:

"Honestly, what exactly happened on the bus? It was like a madhouse."

Shirou winked at him:

"Are you here to take revenge on Danic too?"

"No, no, I have no grudge against him."

"That means he was hired by one of his enemies."

"No, no, but I'm starting to believe that I'm the only person on this bus who has no connection to his family. Are you surprised, I say? Surprised?"

“Of course, it’s a little surprising,” Shirou said softly.

“Damn Merlin’s mustache! This must be a joke!” Mr. Frederick suddenly shouted.

"Do you have any thoughts on this case?" Shirou asked Kairi Shishikage.

"No, young man. This whole thing has completely baffled me. I don't know how to analyze or judge it. They couldn't all be involved."

As for who is guilty, that's beyond my expertise. How did you figure it all out? That's what I want to know.

"It's all based on deduction." Shirou pointed to his head.

"Oh, believe me! You're an extremely clever and witty detective. Yes, if I ever meet someone who needs a detective, I'll definitely tell them that there's such a clever and witty detective as you. If Edogawa Ranpo and Matsumoto Seicho were alive, they would have used you as a model for their stories."

Shishiro leaned back in his chair, looking at Shirou with admiration.

“Please forgive me,” he said, “but at first glance, no one would believe you when they see how young you are. I salute you. Really, I salute you.”

"Thank you for your compliment, Mr. Lion Robbery Jie Li."

"It's nothing, I admire you very much."

“Thank you, but…” Shirou said, “the problem isn’t completely solved yet. At least for now, we can’t report to the authorities that we know who killed Mr. John?”

“But I can’t help,” said Mr. Lion Robber. “I know absolutely nothing. Haven’t you made any deductions about the other two? That old Chinese man? I think he’s probably the only innocent person on this bus?”

“Maybe,” Shirou said with a smile, “unless,” “they want that old man to take them to Hong Kong to hold the Holy Grail War.”

“Now, nothing surprises me anymore,” Mr. Shishikatsu Kairi said calmly but helplessly. “A mental asylum… the only place where something like this can happen is… a mental asylum!”

“Merlin’s beard, these coincidences are too bizarre,” Mr. Frederick said. “They couldn’t all have been involved in the murder.”

“Sir, don’t you understand?” Weber looked at Frederick speechlessly.

"I don't understand at all!"

Shirou glanced at him speechlessly, and Merlin, too, didn't have a beard.

"Sir, you still don't know who killed old John?"

Mr. Frederick paused for a moment, then blinked and asked in confusion, "Could it be... that you know?"

Shirou nodded.

“Yes, I know,” he said. “In fact, I guessed it from the beginning. Things are so clear now, I’m really surprised you didn’t see it.” He looked at Shizi Jieli and asked, “And what about you?”

The man in sunglasses shook his head, staring at Shirou with curiosity.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I have absolutely no idea. Which one of them is it?”

Shirou was silent for a moment, then said:

"If you're willing to help, Mr. Shishi Jie Li, gather everyone here. There are two possible conclusions to this case. I will tell everyone both."

Chapter 1266 Shirou's Two Deductions

All the passengers crowded into the train compartment and sat around a large table. Their facial expressions were somewhat similar, some showing amusement at the spectacle, others a defiant anticipation of judgment; curiosity, tension, and mockery were all mixed together.

Unaware of what was happening, Old Man Li, who was mingling among them, was still comforting the dejected people.

“Now, you must control yourself, my friend. Everything will be alright. You must control yourself. If that despicable murderer is among us, we all know it won't be you. Sigh, just thinking about that would drive anyone crazy. Just sit here, I'm right here beside you. Don't worry anymore.”

Once Shirou stood up, he fell silent.

The train conductor was gathering his men and pacing around the door.

At that moment, the train conductor from Shiro's carriage came over and asked.

"May I stay here, sir?"

“Of course, Hartress. I need someone to write down my conclusions. Close the door first.”

“Yes, sir.” Hartles closed the door, took the banknotes from Shirou, and found a seat.

Shirou cleared his throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen: I will speak in English because everyone here understands a little English. We have been commissioned by Mr. Frederick, the train director, to investigate the cause of death of the deceased Danic, and have come to two conclusions. I will tell you both of these conclusions and let Mr. Frederick decide which one is correct."

"You are all already aware of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of this case. This morning, Danick was found stabbed to death. At 12:37 last night, he was seen alive; at that time, he spoke to the train conductor, Hartress, at the door of his room."

Later, we found a dented watch in his cloak pocket, the hands stopped at 1:15.

We conducted an autopsy and determined the time of death to be between midnight and 2 a.m. As you all know, at 12:30 a.m., the snow spirits of the ancient road went berserk, forcing the train to stop and deploy a protective barrier.

After assessment, we believe that it will be impossible for anyone to leave the train after 12:30.

"Now let's talk about the testimonies. First, there's Mr. Shishijie Jieli, a free magician who was hired by Danic as Danic's bodyguard."

Several people turned to look at Mr. Lion's Robbery.

"His testimony indicates that no one passed by his compartment, which was berth number sixteen at the end of the sleeper car. Therefore, we can only conclude that the murderer could only have been in this carriage in Istanbul."

"I would say that this is the conclusion we have drawn."

"What?" Mr. Frederick exclaimed in surprise.

"However, I will tell you another conclusion, which is much simpler. Danic has an enemy, a powerful man who terrifies him. He described this enemy to Mr. Lion Robbery and told him that if the murder were to occur, it would most likely happen on the second night after the train leaves Istanbul."

"Now, I tell you, ladies and gentlemen, Danic knows far more than he says. This enemy is a formidable and elusive figure! He has fair skin, androgynous good looks, and speaks in a woman's voice."

Just as Danic had expected, he boarded the train at the first stop into Romania, perhaps at the Romanian border crossing. He got on through the door opened by the American colonel and Mr. Caules.

They had just stepped off the train and onto the platform when the vampire, dressed in a pre-prepared train conductor's uniform and carrying a master key, unlocked the door and entered Danic's compartment. Old John, having taken a magical potion with a sleeping effect, was already fast asleep.

So this man viciously stabbed Old John twelve times, then escaped through the door leading to Old Master Li's private room.

“That’s right, I can feel him! That damned vampire!” Old Man Li nodded and said.

"As he passed by Old Man Li's private room, he casually slipped the dagger he had just used into his travel bag. But inadvertently, he lost his uniform armband. Then, he slipped out of the room and fled down the corridor."

Then, he hurriedly stuffed his uniform into a suitcase in an empty compartment. A few minutes later, just before the train was about to depart, he got off through the same door he had come from!

Everyone held their breath.

"Wait! What about the watch? How do you explain that?" asked Shizi Jieli.

“I will explain the whole case to you. Danic boarded the train in Istanbul, just like us. Eastern European time is an hour ahead of Central European time, and he forgot to set his watch. Therefore, Mr. John was assassinated at 12:15, not 1:15.”

“But such an explanation is absurd,” Mr. Frederick exclaimed. “How do you explain the sound coming from his room at 12:37? It was either Old John’s or the murderer’s. You’re the one who said this, Shirou.”

"Not necessarily. Perhaps, well, it was a third party. This person went into Old John's compartment, wanting to talk to him, but found him dead. He immediately rang the bell to call the train conductor, and then, just as you said, realizing something was wrong and fearing being accused of murder, he started imitating Old John's voice."

“That’s possible,” Mr. Frederick reluctantly agreed.

Shirou glanced at Old Man Li.

"Ah, Grandpa Li, you mean to say...?"

"Yes, but I'm not quite sure what I'm trying to say. Do you think I forgot to adjust the time too?"