Kill the Queen 107

Chapter 107 - 10. Express Train to Partenope (7)

The interview continued.


As can be seen from the example of Henrietta de la Roche-Jacqueline, the layout of the tearoom in first class generally followed the order of social influence. She was from a high noble family in Gaul and had been a patron of the Bernhard Reichsban for a long time, so she deserved to occupy the first room in her second car, which was the front line.


Then what next?


As it was, it was Elfriede Eichmann disguised as Thereza. A person at the level of director general of the SS is treated the same as a cabinet minister, regardless of their rank. However, as can be seen from the resentment that the word annihilation gives, she was pushed to the farthest room in the 3rd car, in the 6th room, to prevent friction with a certain couple.


"Yegor Bukharin."


"I am listening."


"And Mr. Oksana Kirillova."


"Please speak."


A couple of diplomats from an enemy country at war. That's why they can't be touched carelessly and have the right to be treated that way. Even in the midst of fighting without mercy, he needed a means to reverse his choice, albeit belatedly. Until just a while ago.


Total war is risking destruction for the sake of conquest, not risking conquest for the sake of destruction.


"We plan to ask the two of you only the minimum number of questions to avoid a diplomatic controversy."


Helmut looked at the two and said. Unsurprisingly, the couple's appearance was very impressive. One was an impressive vampire with a longer beard and fangs protruding out of his mouth than me, and the other was a demon with black eyes and white pupils called Yeok-an.


"So, since the matter is the matter, I hope you will answer it sincerely, even if it is a rather unpleasant question."


"I'm willing to do that."


It was not a very large room, but four people occupied their seats. If it had not been for Tereza, who volunteered to be the doorkeeper, it would have been a rare scene of four people sitting around a table for one person.


"Your name?"


"I am Yegor Mikhailovich Bukharin."


"This is Oksana Alexandrovna Kirilova."


The couple recited their names in fluent Slavic. In the federation, which had a strong patriarchal character, the culture of patriarchy still remained. This culture, where you can guess your father's name, was a tradition that must be recited in formal occasions, and it became an important clue for detective Helmut here.


"I will go over the age a bit. Contrary to the biographies provided by Reichsban, both of you seem to be of a different age than your appearance."


"It is as written."


"Lee Yi is 102 years old this year, and I am 77 years old."


"It must be harder than I thought to lead an old man and carry out diplomatic duties."


"Would a vampire and a demon who can claim to be pure blood use that dignity if they complained about who it would be?"


Yegor discussed his pride as a race. It was a shallow trap. Helmut laughed inwardly and cursed.


'He's a snarky old man.......'


The banner of the Federation is equality. Unlike Bernhard, the races of these countries do not discriminate between superiority and inferiority. And among the taboos that have arisen because of that, there are also prejudice against the race. Yet Yegor Bukharin was judging me based on the prejudice he would feel when he saw me.


Even though he knew that he was not a person who would be swayed by such tricks, he said he liked it if he was beaten or not.


“Why did you board the train?”


"The summoning order from the home country has been issued. The all-out war, which was only a facade, is about to take shape and mature. This is not advice for the people of the enemy country, but you'd better be careful from now on."


"Considering the hassle of transferring, an airship with a direct route would have been better than a train."


"The older you get, the younger you are, the more you realize the virtues you don't know."


Yegor added in the way he treats a quarter-century kid. Helmut, who was now looking at Sheen beyond disrespect, was full of energy. Even if he had a spirit that was not easily shaken by such a provocation, it was all the more so because he couldn't help but be concerned.


"No matter how much warfare there is, we must never forget the hope of peace."


"...... Does your wife agree?"


"Nowadays, people see wise mother and wife as an image of a woman who is weighed down by the oppressive social atmosphere. I do not deny that there are people who can be saved thanks to that perspective, but there is nothing wrong with wishing to be a benevolent mother and a good wife."


Even if it seems old-fashioned, as her wife, she will support her husband. Because that can also be called another virtue. So don't separate him from me. That's what Oksana Kirillova said.


"It can't be helped."


Helmut gestured to Tereza. It was a signal to send her couple back and call for the next passenger. No matter how great a detective may be, strong interrogation against stubborn diplomats was unreasonable.


"Both of you are welcome to leave."


Yegor, who was about to get up from his seat, hesitated. In the same way, I looked at Oksana, who was propped up on her table, and asked abruptly.


"Why is that?"


"I think her earring fell off."


Oksana, who belatedly touched my cheek, responded. It was very natural for her to show her ears.


"Mr. Canaris, I will send you two back, so please bring the next passenger."


"Are you all right?"


"You don't have to worry. I don't even have that much time allotted."


Certainly, Helmut had obvious time constraints. Not just him alone, but everyone on the train. If Seo Jeong-woo didn't step out after the train arrived at Partenope, Elfriede Eichmann would have enough to kill everyone here.


"I see."


Teresa, convinced, left the door open. The three of them waited for the distance between her to increase and stopped improvising when they heard the sound of the door closing between the trains.


"Can you please step out now?"


Yegor spoke over his shoe, which had been trampled under the desk. Oksana noticed everything about her situation in that short time, and she took out her earrings that she had secretly hidden and put them on again.


"Gosha, give me a signal next time."


"I thought you would set the mood."


Oksana smiled lightly, as if she couldn't stop it. Helmut, who had let go of Yegor's shoes only around that time, asked with an extremely serious expression.


"Yegor Mikhailovich Bukharin."


The shadowy face was bloody, devoid of any mischief or the cheerfulness that had hitherto been childish. If he used to be a detective, he looked like a warrior or a soldier now.


"What number is it now?"


It was a question worthy of a Zen dialogue. Even so, the vampire of the Commonwealth grinned and let her eyes shine brightly. To the extent that Oksana, who plays the role of the wife, who couldn't see her sympathetic side, had to dry her hands quietly.


"I see, I heard that I was ignorant in the past......."


"I asked how many times."


"Unfortunately, this is the first. Our purpose in the first place was not what happened on this train."


The eyes of the two men crossed. It was such a terrifying fight of nerves that everyone watching from the side felt it stinging. Regardless of age, they were at odds with each other, so in the end it was Oksana who took a step back that calmed the situation down.


"Yegoruchka, that's enough."


"Somewhere in the east, there is a word called extra welfare. When I see this kid, that word comes to mind. Young students are indeed something to fear. But this Bukharin has no intention of being pushed back."


"I guess so. However, we lived too long because we couldn't control our blood in the desire to compete."


Once boiled, blood seldom cools down. That is the common sense of vampires. Their longevity is not without cost, so instead of maintaining their youth, there are restrictions that must accompany their blood.


In short, their intensified emotions never fade.


Still, Yegor Bukharin regained his composure, as if his growl had been a lie. He even jumped up from his seat, flicking his sharpened fangs.


"I'll go to my room first."


"I will follow you soon. Please rest."


Oksana, who put her hands together neatly, finally stared at Helmut. She slowly closed her eyes and opened her mouth in the calm atmosphere.


"Mr. Grass, I know your desperate act."


I know your will to even die.


"As much as the positions we stand in are different, I also understand the hostility shown."


It's not unreasonable to do that as it's an environment where you can't help but be hostile to each other.


"However, I would like to distinguish the time and place."


However, it won't be too late to compete for victory or defeat even after defeating that public enemy.


"Yegor and I are innocent. It won't interfere with your work, and I have no intention of doing so. Of course, just because I say this, it's hard to believe it straight away. However, as I told him, our burden is too heavy to confront with old feelings."


"What is the point?"


"It is to be faithful to our respective duties."


With those words, Oksana sat on the table and stood up. Just like how she valued manners very much, she bowed slightly in greeting, even to the man who had just been snarling with her man. Then she turned her back and took her steps.


"The day this train arrives at its destination, Partenope's prophecy will come true."


Leaving only the final statement added.




* * *




First class sleeper.


The first interviewer was a lady, Henrietta de la Roche-Jacqueline, in Room 1 of Car 2. Being from a great noble family in Gaul, she must have boarded this train with some purpose. Otherwise, her unusual haste to leave the country was not explained.


― The diplomat couple's room is a space that combines rooms 2 and 3 in car 2. Originally, it was a separate place, but since it was a big person, we took care so that there was no inconvenience in using it.


The second interviewees were a couple of diplomats, Yegor Mikhailovich Bukharin and Oksana Alexandrovna Kirilova in rooms 2 and 3 of Car 2. As can be seen from their position, they were people of interest who represented a country, even if it was an enemy country, but they wanted to be excluded from the line of suspicion by unreservedly claiming their innocence.


"So......."


I had only interrogated three people, but already many unexpected possibilities were emerging. Encouraged by that fact, Helmut tried to quickly get through the interrogation with simple, narrow questions in a short amount of time.


"The old chief is the third."


He was born in a small town near Chernisk in the Far East. His appearance is shiny, bald, with a towering Kaiser beard. The character is a brusque, yet taciturn old elf.


"Your name?"


"Vitaly Soldatova."


She said that this was her first ride on the train, and Vitaly was an older person who could tell at a glance. Her wrinkles, as if she had been confronted head-on with the flow of her years, made him guess the storms he had been through, and unlike Yegor and Oksana, she did not have a special bloodline, so even her breathing sounded very heavy. .


"Why did she get on the train?"


"I have business at Partenope."


"Can you tell me what your business is?"


"I don't want to answer, but do I have to?"


Helmut nodded. But Vitaly still shut her mouth with a very reluctant face. He did not actively express his intention to refuse, but it seemed that he did not want to reveal the reason for his journey if possible.


"Teacher, if you feel burdened to speak first, shall we take turns?"


"...... ?"


"Before I am a detective, I am also a passenger."


Had the murder not happened, Helmut Grass would have been just a passing teacher. However, Elfriede Eichmann committed an unprecedented slaughter in a train with an expression speed of 275 km/h.


It was such an obvious provocation that even the great detective who boarded with his identity hidden could not help but step forward.


"In the past, when this country was still a kingdom, there were many devout religious people. Some followed the order of the pantheon, while others worshiped the three main gods of the Trinity. But, as you know, the truest religion of our time, which has had many followers, is the great celestial gospel."


"You mean the Celestial Church?"


"Führer Adler, her strict anti-religious laws no longer allow the superstition of divinity to enter this country. It makes me happy that I don't have to see the bunch of hypocrites who do all kinds of evil under the guise of being faithful, but that doesn't mean it was the right thing to do."


How long has it been since the concept of religion was erased from Bernhard? Prohibitions of secular values ​​are common in theocracy, but the reverse is rare.


Of course, it is true that a long time has passed. However, for the gods who were said to have lasted for eternity, wasn't it just a fleeting moment? And yet, people no longer remember the numerous human transcendents of the pantheon. I can't recall the three main gods who created the world by creating dazzling light and otherwise darkness in the empty nothingness.


Even the heavenly god of mercy, who was said to have watched over human beings until the moment when the myth faded.......


"It is an unpleasant topic. At Bernhard, I heard that insulting Beatrix Adler is a life-threatening act."


"My wife died in Partenope."


"...... !"


"It was around this time. The day the Führer and her Iron Cross fell in Campania."


Helmut added with a bitter expression.


“Since then, every year, we have visited Partenope and laid flowers. That's all the business of this detective's nabber."


Campania, the birthplace of an ancient civilization and a superpower before Bernhard, collapsed in just one day.


Because the power of her Führer and those who followed her was truly formidable.


The capital of a nation was reduced to ashes along with a beautifully blossoming culture. Church members who believed that the heavenly gods looked down were buried under the soil of the ruined holy ground, and the tombstone with the prophecy written on it was left alone to greet those who barely wanted to commemorate the past.


"It was March 22nd."


So, after a while, Vitaly's melancholy eyes turned to the detective. At the same time, a heavy and affectionate voice recited a certain date from his open mouth.


"I also lost my family then. In vain, I only wasted time without meaning. At one point, I even felt the urge to end my useless life and return to my loved ones."


"If you do, the teacher's job is......."


"It is a memorial service and a pilgrimage."


Those who visit Partenope, where only the ruins of prosperity remain, are usually like that. As a church member who believes in heavenly gods, he wants to make a pilgrimage to a holy place, or to commemorate the dead lost to a dictator, or to see the prophecy of that tombstone soaring into the sky from there.


"I understand that you are trying to comfort the souls of your family members. But the pilgrimage doesn't make sense. I don't think you're a church member."


"If I had to put it that way, it's more like an apathy or a skeptic."


"Then?"


"Everyone has a different way of life. For this old man, it was sloppy survival. Sometimes he even tried extreme choices such that he was ashamed of himself oh. And it is only now that I realize it."


Vitaly Soldatova's pilgrimage meant facing what she feared and turned away from. Hearing those words, Helmut must have felt something touching his heart, and he quietly uttered it in sympathy.


"I must apologize for thinking you were an eccentric old man."


"Is it so?"


"You look like you don't really care."


"It is indeed so."


Theresa laughed as she listened to the conversation between the two in front of the door. Helmut cleared his throat with an embarrassed expression and cleared his throat.


"You can stop and go."


"Excuse me."


Vitaly took a cigarette out of her coat pocket, put it in her mouth, and stood up. She glanced at Tereza, who cautiously opened the door, then nodded her head and left for the smoking dining car.


"I am surprised. Unlike the previous ones, his attitude was quite friendly."


"It is not good to be hard as if it is an interrogation. Sometimes you have to know how to approach someone with the right attitude."


"Is that so? Then what did you find out about that old elf?"


"White hands."


"...... !"


Tereza was taken aback for a moment. It was because of the assertion that came out without a single thought.


"Nonsense. How can you say that just because we shared a few words?"


Well, it wasn't a very long interview. Moreover, wasn't it a conversation that was far from the incident and was trivial. Even so, if you found out something, even the best detectives had no choice but to start with suspicion.


"Because there is a basis to support it."


"What is the basis for that?"


"I'll explain everything later."


"...... It must be so."


Mildly intimidated, she left to call her next interviewer. There were only five first-class passengers left, and of course, the crew members were also among the subjects to be interrogated, so time was still running out.


But it didn't matter. At least for Helmut, getting a clue to the case was proceeding as planned. What he was trying to do from the beginning was not to play detective through questions and answers like this.


"Next is Mr. Étienne Duris."


The fourth is Gaul's chanson realist. He is 47 years old. A middle-aged handsome man who is quite tall even though his lower body is inverted. He has such a smooth face that he doesn't feel awkward even if he uses such an expression. Above all, what stands out the most is the free and carefree style that stands out among well-dressed high-class people.


"Mr. Duris."


"Mr. Grass."


"It might be a bit awkward since I've met you before, but since it's a normal question, I hope you answer honestly."


"That's right."


He has a kind and sociable personality, so it's hard to imagine killing someone.


"Next is Mr. Bastien Richard."


The fifth, as in the previous order, is a businessman from Gaul. Not enough to have the blonde hair that everyone envyed and a good-looking face, but a split chin that shows off sensuality. A sample of an upper-class gentleman who values ​​noblesse oblige. And to a somewhat excessively wary personality.


"Mr. Richard, you were rude in the past."


"That's enough."


"You don't seem to have good feelings for me, so I'm asking you directly."


"Heh, you're wise like a detective."


"What are you doing in Partenope?"


"I'm going to inspect it to review the feasibility of the disaster recovery project."


More than anything else, I am a smoker who enjoyed the Kochel Special.


"Next is Hasato Yonezawa."


The sixth factor is the Yamato Kingdom, which is said to have represented an emerging powerhouse in the East. Despite my birthplace, Honamah is neatly dressed in a suit and jacket. Contrary to his exotic and unfamiliar appearance, he is a Bernhard Gallic speaker with only a little difficulty in pronunciation but no problems with communication.


"Please introduce yourself."


"Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Yamato Kingdom, Hasato Yonezawa."


"I don't know if it's a racial trait, but you look quite young."


"Right. I am twenty-one this year."


Reddish skin like a demon and horns with horns like a goat.


"What are you doing at Partenope?"


"It is a state secret."


"Then let's ask the question differently. What is the reason that a man from a distant country in the East marched all the way to Bernhard?"


"It is a state secret."


Pointy ears like elves and fangs reminiscent of orcs and trolls.


"Do you know a man named Seo Jeong-woo?"


"It's the first time."


"What about Mrs. Shadow?"


"Never heard of it."


Young talent. He was a man who had as many things to hide as a federal diplomat and couple.


"Next is Ines Dupin."


The seventh is a calm tutor who seems to personify the word modesty. An attitude that perfectly fits the image of a woman that conservative social circles demand. She is only thirty-five, and she looks younger than he is. However, if you evaluate it as someone who knows how to look inside.......


'A woman who must never be caught off guard.'


Blue skin shimmering faintly like a spiritual body. A personality that stands out especially among races, starting with spirits.


“Mr. Ines Dupin?”


"Yes that's right."


Nothing special.


"From now on, I will recite your biography. Please correct me if there are any mistakes."


"It is."


"I am 35 years old. Race is Jin. Occupation: upper class tutor. The nationality is the Gallic colony......."


It seems almost impossible to catch it like a mirage, but in reality, it is just a body that is no different from other races.


"There is one thing I want to correct."


"What is it?"


"Our race distinguishes names according to gender. Jin is a male spirit. In my case, as a female type, it should be called Genie."


"Aha, I see."


Aesthetics of the true. A master who knows that it is more valuable to compete with the truth than to spread only meaningless lies. Ines Dupin is a woman who is more difficult to deal with.


"I will write it down."


What is the probability that she is Elfriede Eichmann?


'I don't know yet.'


However, it is certain that there is one more person to keep an eye on.


"Next is Mr. Gennady Yagoda."


The eighth was a stenographer from the Western Province of the Slavic Federation. The same half-man, half-beast that the seeds were said to have dried up in this country. Not just Bernhard, but a few rare races that are hard to find anywhere in the world.


"They say that giving special consideration to encounters with certain races can be one of the forms of discrimination."


"...... ?"


"But this is the second time I have met Yongin. I would like to put the word honor in that fact."


"Heh heh, I'll be happy to hear from you."


"Thank you. So let's get straight to the point."


The scales that stand out between the skin show off their shiny luster.


"Please introduce yourself."


"My name is Gennadi Yagoda. He is 56 years old. The job is shorthand."


The long, elegant horns are definitely those of a dignified dragon.


"He is from the Western Province of the Slavic Republic. Looking at the entry visa in her passport, she obtained the status of residence at the invitation of her professor."


"Yes, I visited Bernhard for a job fair. I didn't have a family, so I seized the opportunity because I wanted to evacuate to a safe place at this time."


"You just got your visa that way, so you're not a real professor."


"I was lucky."


The sharp movements of the vertical pupils must be looking down at the heavenly world.


"According to the data from Bernharde Reichsbahn, it says that you were upgraded to first class due to the frequent flyer program. Have you ever boarded the Schnellfart before?"


"No, but I often use the trains belonging to the Reichsbahn for work. It's been like that since the time of the kingdom before the war, so it must have been ten years already."


"If so, what are you doing with Partenope?"


"I am trying to decide which country to settle in for the purpose of refuge and naturalization before my visa expires."


"Then Campania must be that candidate."


The conversation with the middle-aged Balaur, who was over 50 years old, ended without much benefit.


"You can stop and go."


"Please make sure to catch the culprit."


With that, the interrogation of first-class passengers was over, and Helmut, recalling the conversation they had had so far, wrote it down on a blank piece of paper without making a single mistake.


It is late afternoon by now.


The interrogation, which started before lunch, ended only after sunset. The detective, who loosened her tie a bit, checked the clues she had gained from her hard work over the past few hours.


"Thank you for your hard work, Kanaris."


"Is it over?"


"For now, you should see that."


"I think there are still more subjects to interrogate."


"I plan to interrogate the flight attendants separately later. It's not impossible, but it's pretty low. I think it is necessary to gather all at once and proceed."


Helmut, who almost buried his face in the papers, said. Tereza straightened her hair, which was slightly disheveled from heavy work, and went to the door. She had been that way ever since she boarded the train, but with a slightly more serious face, she spat out as she grabbed the doorknob of room 4 of car 3.


"That's not what I meant."


"...... ?"


"When you look at creative works such as movies, novels, and cartoons, there is always a twist. Mr. Grass, a detective and writer, I think you know better than anyone."


"Therefore?"


"Imagine the reversal in which the most trustworthy character suddenly turns into the most feared criminal."


Suddenly, the door was locked.


"What impression do you have?"


"It must be dramatic, I would like to."


"It will be just as shocking as that."


"What do you want to say?"


"There should be no exceptions."


Helmut twitched his eyebrows. Then, realizing what she meant to say, he lifted her head and met her gaze.


"Do you doubt me? Even after hearing my identity, do you think that I am Elfriede Eichmann's disguise, an associate with him, or your enemy?"


"I don't know. That's something you never know. First of all, I don't even know who you are. Just an outsider claiming to be Helmut Grass!"


"You want me to prove myself."


"I just want a happy ending without a twist."


Tereza stood guard with her back to the door. It was an expression of his intention that if he, driven into a corner, would use force, he could respond positively.


Of course, those worries were unfounded.


It's just that he didn't show it on the outside, because Helmut also agreed with her thoughts. Certainly, from the perspective of a third party, it was not just one or two suspicious things, but himself. So, as he said, Helmut Grass needed to prove himself.


"Good. I am willing to prove it."


"You mean you will accept my interrogation?"


"No, what could be more ridiculous than a detective being framed as a criminal?"


"Then?"


"The important thing is that this conflict will not be resolved just because I am interrogated or interrogated. The key is to convince you, Kanaris, the subject of your doubts."


There is no job in the world as meritocracy as detective. Their reasoning is a double-edged sword that brings ridicule and ridicule whenever they miss, and an incompetent detective soon turns into an unemployed clown.


"So let's do an interim settlement."


"Interim settlement?"


In other words, only one thing is enough for them to prove themselves.


“Why did Kai Schön have to die?”


"...... !"


It is a highly detailed reasoning.




* * *




The famous detective, a man who touched the ground with a cane and put both hands on it, summed up his achievements so far with skillful speech.


"Mr. Canaris?"


"Tell me."


"Let's look at the papers first."


Tereza, who had the upper hand thanks to her back to the door, cautiously approached the table. The documents provided by Bernharde Reichsbahn were full of words written during the interview disguised as interrogation and interrogation.


"What is this about?"


The letters scrawled with a fountain pen are sparsely written on dozens of sheets of paper. Putting it all together would make for a fairly large record, but most of it was fragmentary nonetheless. Compared to the official investigation record, the form and quantity were insufficient.


"The place where the victim, Mr. Schoen, was found was room 9 of car 7, which is a sleeper compartment exclusively for flight attendants."


Still, that was enough for Helmut Grass. What he really trusts are memories in my cerebral cortex that no one else can physically access.


"Mister Kanaris wasn't there, so you wouldn't know, but the scene was terrifying until it was destroyed in an explosion. Mr. Schoen's head was dismembered through the vertebrae, hanging from a ceiling light."


"Oh my gosh......."


"Human genes are innately designed to resist killing. Such slaughter is a crime that is difficult to commit in any state of mind. But Elfriede Eichmann is like a model of a pleasure killer who knows murder, knows killing, and finds pleasure in deceiving others."


Reasoning is a kind of piecing together. It draws a blueprint when it is completed in the name of assumptions and guesses, gathers pieces called clues with observation and insight, and matches the truth by adding imagination to the context before and after.


"Do you know what pleasure killers have in common?"


"Memories and memories?"


"That's not a wrong answer, but what's more important than that is display and concealment."


"I don't know about ostentation, but when it comes to concealment, isn't it a common tendency for any criminal?"


"Then why would they try to hide what they did?"


Thereza pondered. She was a member of the SS who belonged to the extermination country, and she exterminated many criminal suspects, but she did not remember thinking about such a fundamental question until now. It's so obvious that sometimes it doesn't need a reason.


"Is it because of shame?"


"You're right. People feel ashamed. That's why most of those who commit crimes know what I'm doing wrong and try to hide it. For them, rehabilitation is a long way off, and forgiveness is an unfamiliar word."


Therefore, those who commit murder, the sin of sins, usually want to cover up their mistakes and do what they didn't have. That's what concealment is.


"But the concealment of pleasure killers is a little different. They cover up their crimes, not out of shame, but to plan the next murder."


"Are you saying it has repeatability?"


"Yes, to them murder is masturbation. As you know, humans are weak against the addictions of such pleasures. How about murder in the yard where there are so many people who can't stop drinking and smoking? The sense of immorality and tension that it gives, and the sense of conquest that can control the lives of others!"


Concealment, as Helmut Grass called it, meant just that.


"Then what about showing off?"


"A seasoning that will further maximize my pleasure. Satisfying the low self-esteem of being completely on top with a more brutal and terrifying production."


Tereza finally understood what he was saying.


"In other words, Elfriede Eichmann's standard of action is pleasure through murder."


The strong are given many options based on their strength. The same goes for Gwanghwi, the last stone of the Iron Cross. The important thing for her is to identify her target, Seo Jeong-woo.


What else is there to be hesitant about?


A butcher with extra-legal status does not have to pay the price of slaughter. Moreover, unlike Sepyeong, the male prostitute of the Führer has a humanity that cannot bear the appearance of an innocent victim.


"It's good so far. Identifying the culprit is a huge step forward in the investigation. However, I don't think the famous detective would have ended up with such an achievement as an interim settlement."


"Of course."


"If you do, please convince me completely."


Helmut nodded and replied immediately.


"Check the text next to the third paragraph on page 7 of the document."


Tereza flicked the paper. On the second and third class passenger lists and seating charts, there was a physical explanation of why only first class passengers or flight attendants could kill Kai Schön.


"I emphasize again, the place where the body of the victim was found is car number 7. Among them, room 9 is located in the back. Judging from the damaged state of the body, it can be inferred that the crime, no matter how daring, must have been committed in Car No. 7 or Car No. 8."


"Wait a minute, that sounds like a hasty reasoning."


The scene has been lost. The exact cause of death of the victim is unknown.


"It's relatively unlikely, but the murder and mutilation could have happened in different places."


"No, the odds are not low, they are non-existent. Even if it's second class, the seating arrangement in third class is really tight. If anyone had come in and out with a load large enough to hide the body, there would have been eyewitness accounts."


However, as Helmut said, there were no reports of sightings in cars 5 or 6. This is despite the fact that the third-class sleeping compartment has an open structure and a clear view of the hallway, unlike first-class and second-class seats.


"The same applies to car number 4, which is located in the front row rather than car number 5, which is a second-class, so third-class sleeping compartment."


"I still don't understand. If that was the reason second- and third-class passengers got out of the line of suspicion, then first-class passengers couldn't help but be."


"In reality it is not. Elfriede committed murder by inducing such prejudice."


"How?"


"There are three routes."


The Schnellfahrt consists of a total of 9 cars and 8 cars. The so-called car No. 0, which is a combination of the engine room and the car that pulls the train forward, and car No. 1, a dining car exclusively for first-class passengers, and cars No. 2 and 3, which are sleeping cars for first-class passengers as well.


After that, car No. 4 is a second class sleeping compartment, car No. 5 is a third class sleeping compartment, and car No. 6 is a shared dining car.


Car No. 7, where the victim Kai Schoen died, is a lounge and sleeping compartment exclusively for the crew, and Car No. 8 is a cargo compartment that is not even heated.


"One, climbed onto the ceiling of the train through the bullet train, moved to the rear, and entered through the back door of the cargo compartment."


"Did you step on a pile of mana stones and climb up?"


“Two, climbed to the ceiling through the worker’s opening at the connection between cars 2 and 3.”


"After this, the route will be the same as the first. If it's an opening that's rarely used, you'll be able to tell if it's being used by the traces of dust. It's because it's not easy to investigate because it's inside a moving train."


"Three, dismantling the windows in the room and climbing the ceiling."


"This is the least risky method. But even a major would be able to perform such feats with his bare body?"


Certainly. It is not as easy as it sounds to endure the wind pressure and climb to the ceiling in a train running close to 300 km/h.


However, Elfrie de Eichmann was a 6th class wizard, and she was known to handle light.


"Magic leaves traces."


"Perhaps he didn't care what was left."


Or you have done something that is not easy.


"Anyway, based on that reason, I judged that there is a high probability that the culprit is among the nine people interrogated today."


"That sounds like a pretty accurate judgement. I thought it might be you, but seeing how you are gradually persuading me like this, I don't think so."


"Shall we put a wedge into that persuasion?"


Finally, Helmut lifted his heavy hips and stood up. Tereza, whose vigilance had been alleviated by her previous reasoning, waited to see how he would come out.


"That, is that?"


"In the first place, the interview was an additional element. I, through manager Lam, detained all first class passengers in the dining car, and whenever I called someone, I gave instructions to search their room."


"Oh My God! Since when?"


"Ever since I was asked to investigate."


Theresa exclaimed. But it wasn't over yet. As if Helmut was really trying to drive a wedge, as he said, he clearly clarified the part that had been overlooked so far. So, I started to block the doubt from the source.


"Kay Schoen, who was identified as the victim, was a flight attendant. The most decisive reason for his murder is that he could never be Seo Jeong-woo. As you know, the decision to go to Partenope by the First Lady was rather abrupt, and it is virtually impossible to infiltrate as a crew member in just one morning."


"The crew of the Schnell Fahrt is known for carefully selecting his or her industry reputation and experience. Surely he couldn't have infiltrated him with that identity overnight."


"For the same reason, Elfriede Eichmann is also unlikely to be among the crew. That's why, with the help of Mr. Michaelis and Mr. Ram, I researched all the first class cabins."


"The radio in your hand was hidden to communicate with the two of you."


The title of first-generation great detective was not earned for nothing. Helmut, who had dispelled Tereza's doubts with one action, approached her with her wand at her side. She let out the words she hadn't been able to say, passing lightly past the woman in her bodyguard who had no reason to stop her anymore.


"The war of nerves between Yegor Bukharin and Oksana Kirilova, the diplomat couple, was also an extension of that. I was really quick to notice that I was not getting old in vain. I tried to hold onto it for as long as possible, but it wasn't easy. Thanks to that, I had no choice but to be excluded from the investigation."


"Good job. There's nothing wrong with being careful, given the immunity you'll have as a diplomat, even in a country at war. But does Yui mean that there is one more exception?"


“Everyone has.”


"Who is that?"


Helmut, who opened the locked door and went out into the hallway, asked Tereza, who was following me, in reverse. At sunset, car number 3, covered with the thick twilight of the setting sun, was quiet thanks to the absence of all passengers.


"Do you remember Hasato Yonezawa's room number?"


"Isn't it room 1 in car 3?"


"What is Ines Dupin's room number?"


"Room 3 in Car 3."


"Then who do you think is staying in room 2 of car 3?"


"...... !"


Tereza hurriedly rummaged through the files. There are a total of 12 first-class cabins on the Schnellfahrt, and there are a total of 11 first-class passengers on the train. But for some reason, the documents Helmut Grass received said that the seats for this trip were full.


"The documents say it's empty......."


"Yes, according to Mr. Lam, an honored guest made a reservation and didn't show up."


For any means of transportation, if you make a reservation, you must have your name. Especially if it is a train going abroad. However, the person who reserved room 2 of car 3 did not have a common name written on it, let alone a biography.


However, it was written that an official letter of cooperation had been sent in the name of a high-ranking army group, and even though the balance had been paid, only the luggage had been sent and had not appeared.


"So you're saying Seo Jeong-woo is in here?"


"Youngbu-gun is only the focal point. Our identity is a dot organization. I also don't know his exact whereabouts. However, if you board this train, it will only safely escort you to Partenope."


"The heavenly answer must be there."


Car No. 3, Room 2, between Hasato Yonezawa and Ines Dupin's cabin. Tereza stared at the closed door, closed the papers, and took a step ahead.


"Huh!"


Pulling her doorknob vigorously, she quickly entered her cabin. After carefully checking the inside of the closet, under the bed, and even the bathroom, she was sure that it was an empty room. Around that time, she made short eye contact with Helmut, who had come in late, and went on a search.


A letter at the head of the bed, with seals ripped off.


A large number of reports found on the table in a randomly scattered briefcase.


Inside the drawer are counterfeit passports from the three countries of Bernhard, Campania and Gaul.


However, since there was no feeling of use anywhere, the vacancy was a vacancy. After repeated searches, Tereza decided that there was nothing more to be found, so she divided the letters, reports, and passports with Helmut.


A letter with sealed wax, the sender written on the outer envelope is none other than the ghost of Partenope.


The bag that was randomly scattered, the source of the report found in it is the famous forbidden training center.


Lastly, the owner of the photo in the fake passports of the three countries, especially Bernhard's passport.


"Unbelievable...... !"


"This makes it clear."


"They are all great things. Why did they leave such important things unprotected in a place like this?"


"I just want to let people know. That you are on this train."


Yeongbu Army Seo Jeong-woo.


"On the one hand, it may serve as a warning."


Luminous Elfriede.


"A warning?"


"To Elfriede Eichmann."


Here, among the eleven first class passengers, they are.


"Don't think of doing anything stupid."


The express train to Partenope does not stop!