Given Barthomeloi's style and Lorelei's upbringing, it was unlikely for her to say something from a brother's perspective. However, her Dark Hand is someone who values family ties greatly, and over time, she's been somewhat influenced by that.
Her voice wasn't loud, nor did her tone fluctuate much, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Waver's previously dominant aura involuntarily diminished: "Because the situation was urgent, this was the best approach I could think of."
"Ahem."
Melvin coughed twice.
"Lord Barthomeloi, their sibling relationship is somewhat unique. Reines often gives Waver trouble, and Waver returns the favor. In their eyes, trouble equals a good relationship. The day they stop bothering each other is when there's a real problem. Moreover, before I came, Reines had already inscribed the beacon for the Touko Journey on the invitation, showing she had already planned to support Waver. The invitation clearly states that up to two companions are allowed, and those two spots were reserved for Reines."
As he spoke, Melvin wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth while raising the invitation.
"That's correct. So, it seems I was overthinking things."
Lorelei nodded thoughtfully.
"Then, Mr. Melvin, could I trouble you to relinquish Lainur's spot to me? I will compensate you handsomely."
"No need, no need," Melvin said quickly, a characteristic smile of delight appearing on his face.
"Lord Barthomeloi's presence here is reward enough. Oh, how will this event unfold next? I can't wait to see."
Melvin seemed unconcerned, and Lorelei said nothing more, turning her gaze to Rodin, Leandra, and the acting manager.
"According to the train's regulations, you won't stop me from proceeding, will you?"
"Well…"
Rodin and Leandra looked to the acting manager, who hesitated, clearly apprehensive.
Lorelei added, "I have no other intentions in coming here, only to observe. Although I have brought others along, their task was to monitor Einnashe's anomaly. They have already left by helicopter, so you can rest assured."
In just a few short sentences, she explained her method of arrival and expressed sincerity by stating that while she did bring subordinates, she boarded the train alone. Of course, there was also an implied show of strength—she had them leave, but that didn't mean she couldn't call them back. She was giving them face; they shouldn't push too far.
"Very well, we hope Lord Barthomeloi will keep her word."
With a mix of firmness and softening, the train authorities could only compromise. After all, this person's reputation in the Dead Apostle world was already well-established. Many Dead Apostles had fallen at her hands, and even the Twenty-Seven Ancestors had suffered losses against her and her Brigade. Even the nominal king of the Dead Apostles, White Wing Lord, had taken a small hit during a war with her.
"Those with real power don't need to lie."
She gave a typical queenly reply.
"Alright, Professor Velvet, enough small talk. Time to reveal the truth—who is this impostor, the killer of the Clock Tower members?"
"I only have a hypothesis, not a deduction, but the clues are sufficient."
Waver closed his eyes and lit a cigar as if holding the key to unlocking the truth, he murmured.
"Olga Marie once told me. Lord Animusphere was also interested in the ritual in the Far East and commissioned someone to investigate it seven years ago, ultimately concluding that the ritual was incomplete and that participation was unnecessary."
"The person who could have colluded with Yvette and handed her the funds to buy the Mystic Eyes."
"The person who could have such detailed knowledge of the Modern Magecraft Theory Department to disguise himself as a mere student like Caules... and the person capable of opening the Mystic Lock on a vault containing a holy relic."
The impostor nodded at each point he listed.
As the sparks fell, the answer was revealed.
"It would be perfectly normal for you to be able to open the vault. After all, you were the one who made it. The former Dean of the Modern Magecraft Theory Department."
"Absolutely correct."
The impostor—or rather, Waver's predecessor—smiled, a smile completely different from Caules'. Though male, it bloomed like a flower.
"Before you came along, Modern Magecraft Theory already existed. Although considered one of the Twelve Departments of the Clock Tower, it lacked a Lord, functioning more as a token position to meet the demands of the times. No one in the Twelve Families took it seriously; they saw it as a means to increase the workforce of the New Age. I found it boring, so I gave up the position of Dean and abandoned the stagnant Clock Tower. However, recently, there have been quite a few changes. The new Lord Barthomeloi is seeking reform, and the once-ornamental Modern Magecraft Theory has flourished under the leadership of a magus with a background similar to mine—a commoner. So, I couldn't resist coming closer to see how the new Professore operates."
The impostor spoke, blinking repeatedly as he did so.
On the fifth blink, Caules disappeared, replaced by a completely unfamiliar person.
The man's age was indeterminate, somewhere between twenty-five and forty-five, and any number within that range seemed acceptable. He was tall and thin, with flaming red hair that contrasted sharply with his pale skin, leaving a lasting impression. His attire had also changed into a navy blue suit—even his clothes could transform, a feat in the realm of animal magecraft (Chimera). Combining clothing alteration with spiritual empathy from the summoning department was the pinnacle of transformation magecraft.
"Old acquaintances called me Dr. Heartless, and I'd be pleased if you addressed me the same."
The only thing unchanged was the smile on his face. It appeared gentle, but it sent shivers down one's spine.
"So, it's the most outstanding member of Modern Magecraft Theory, Changeling—I never expected to meet you here."
Lorelei's expression remained unchanged, seemingly very composed. Only Shinji knew that her calm exterior belied an inner turmoil, evident by the trembling tip of her magic wand.
The Changeling, one of England's famous legends. On the land of Britain, mysterious fairies exist, enjoying various pranks, like stealing your shoes, cleaning your room, or even more seriously, abducting people.
It's said that those taken by fairies rarely return to what is known as modern reality.
It's a place magecraft cannot reach, a distant shore.
Or perhaps it's the abyss they yearn for, a gift from the heavens.
Heartless was such a person. He was once abducted by fairies, who also stole his heart. The name Heartless derived from that incident.
"After all, before you became Lord before Velvet took over Modern Magecraft Theory, I had already left the Clock Tower and couldn't witness it in person."
"Indeed, after killing many magus—in reviewing the files, I suspected it was you."
Lorelei's gaze turned cold. She represented the rules of the Clock Tower, and Heartless was the rule-breaker, the one who must be punished.
"It's an honor to be remembered by the current Barthomeloi."
Even with the highest echelon of modern magus focused on him, Heartless maintained his floral smile.
"Is that so? Then let me give you even more honor."
The wand, resembling a teaching rod, was raised, with cyan currents and an icy killing intent swirling together.
"It's not good for young people to be so impatient. Velvet's deduction show isn't over yet. The most crucial part—Whydunit—hasn't been explained. I could explain it myself, but it's much more interesting to hear it from him, especially with such a well-prepared stage."
Why commit the crime?
What goal is worth the risk of committing such an act?
Waver didn't make him or anyone else wait long and quickly answered.
"This incident is just a remnant; your real goal has already been achieved."
Indeed, killing Trisha was to eliminate a contingency, and competing for the Mystic Eyes of Transcience was merely an additional bonus. It was desirable but not essential.
Heartless's goal had long been achieved.
It all began ten years ago, in 1994, during the Fourth Holy Grail War.
At that time, the most brilliant figure in the Clock Tower, Lord El-Melloi, went to Fuyuki City in Japan and didn't return for three years. Almost everyone believed he was dead.
This event caught the attention of the Department of Astromancy, Marisbury Animusphere. To uncover the truth of the ritual, Marisbury commissioned someone to conduct a thorough investigation of the ritual in Fuyuki, that person being the then Head of Modern Magecraft Theory, Dr. Heartless.
Heartless had a secret technique that allowed him to extract and keep others' heads alive, using their Mystic Eyes as his own. The Headless Serial Killer case from seven years ago was his effort to collect those heads with Mystic Eyes.
Using the power accumulated from Mystic Eyes, Heartless conducted a detailed analysis of Fuyuki City's ley lines and concluded that the Holy Grail War was incomplete and could not become the so-called wish-granting device.
Marisbury, aware of Heartless's abilities, did not doubt him. However, such a significant secret couldn't be shared with anyone, so neither Olga Marie nor Trisha knew about it, leading to the tragedy that befell Trisha.
This event became a turning point in fate, a divergence in the world's timeline.