3. Orient Express Murder (2)
In a confined space like this, there are plenty of ways to sniff out the culprit. First, narrow the range. Regular magic doesn't have a huge area of effect. Invisible, precise manipulations are even more limited—maybe the length of two train cars at most. The incident happened in car 4, so the suspects are in cars 2 through 6. They might've twisted the mana back and forth, but passengers can't move between cars. That eliminates cars 1, 7, and 8.
Next, the people. Weed out the mages. Sure, some mages hide their power and live normal lives, but I'm Theo. I've got a silver tongue.
Chi-chi-jik. Chi-ji-jik.
Not bad improvising with that "mana anomaly" line. These passengers are all prickly nobles. No way "There's a criminal among you, so cooperate with the search" would've flown. But "For your safety, please allow us to examine your precious bodies"? Perfect. Can't wander around alone for a scan anyway.
Theo slipped back into car 4, where Lady Amber was, and called for Marie.
"Marie, grab your tools and run mana scans from car 2 to 6. If anyone refuses, send 'em to me. I'll handle it."
"Got it!"
"Anyone with 3rd Circle mana or higher, send straight to me. Clear?"
"Yes. Captain... um..."
Marie clamped her mouth shut and nodded. She was worried I'd push myself too hard again, but she had to trust me.
No matter how noble they were, 3rd Circle mana or higher wasn't that common. Including the one who refused the scan, we had three. One of them was the perp.
"Passengers, I apologize for gathering you like this. It's a safety procedure, so I ask for your understanding."
Theo was the type to bow deep when he needed to. The nobles grumbled, but he just observed them. Their identities checked out fine.
First: Leo Young-sik of the Hestings baron's family. Blond hair and freckles made for a handsome guy. He was heading home after studying magic.
Second: Pierre, a 3rd Circle mage from the magic tower, recognized as quasi-noble. His face was hard to see under the dark blue robe, but his gaunt cheeks didn't scream "tower mage." Reason for boarding: simple travel.
Third: Poar Michel, brother of Baron Michel, who refused the scan. His sloppy mustache was kinda funny. His neglected gut strained against his shirt like it might burst out.
"I don't have to tell the likes of you why I'm on this train. You interrogating me now?"
I'd dealt with pushy nobles plenty. Service industry and all.
"We're grateful just to have you aboard, Mr. Poar. A gentleman with such a fine mustache—can't help but wonder where you're headed."
Greasy line, even from me. Please buy it. Please.
Luckily, he seemed pleased, stroking his mustache repeatedly.
"Hmph. Going to see my brother, of course. You know, the Michels are in Bluehill."
First I'd heard of the Michel barons. Dude, just say you're going home from the start.
Of course, Theo flashed a bright smile and bowed politely.
"Knew it. Thank you, sir."
Couldn't push the interrogation further. Not against nobles, and the culprit was probably getting suspicious anyway. My head was starting to throb.
As Theo pondered strong-arm tactics, the communicator orb lit up.
Marie's intel was enough to nail the culprit.
"That's my Marie. The most capable in the world."
"Two cakes it is."
Her beaming grin through the orb eased my frayed nerves.
"Leo Young-sik. Mr. Poar. You may return to your seats. Thank you for your cooperation."
Tipping his hat with a polite bow, Theo watched Poar grin in satisfaction as he headed back. The ever-courteous Leo nodded and slipped away.
Pierre, left alone, hesitated, sensing something off.
"Why not me...?"
Click. Theo loaded his Revolver and rested a hand on the barrel.
"Marco, right?"
"No idea what you're talking about, Captain. To a magic tower mage..."
Pierre was still playing dumb, slow on the uptake.
Marie's transmission had revealed: 'Someone with a grudge against Lady Amber. Got rejected for marriage proposals multiple times.'
Pathetic.
'Name's... yeah, Marco. Marco Young-sik. Checked with other passengers—they saw Young-sik heading to the magic tower.'
Case closed. Didn't even ask her to canvass witnesses—best vice-captain ever.
Dragging in Marco Young-sik for a confrontation would've been dicey with real nobles around. Mages are socially awkward—easy to bully or bluff.
"Marco Young-sik already confessed."
Pure bullshit, of course.
"Wha...!"
"So, what's it gonna be?"
"You... filthy noble...! He ratted alone?!"
Mana rose from Pierre's body, sparks flying.
"Lightning magic? No shortage of cash, huh? Gambling debts?"
"Shut up!"
With a gesture, a heavy current surged at Theo. High voltage, but it fizzled out before reaching him.
Theo shrugged at the stunned Pierre.
"This is a train. I'm the captain."
At least 4th Circle. Chantless mana burst like that? Solid mage. Better safe.
"Why can't you just go quietly?"
Theo fired without hesitation, clipping Pierre's shoulder.
"Kuh...!"
Pierre kept sparking, but in the cramped captain's quarters, bullets and fists outpaced mana prep. The shocks were just tingly—no real threat.
"Mages shouldn't fight in tight spaces. Magic towers skipping basics these days?"
Theo closed in, smashing Pierre's face with punches, then blasted a hole through his instep.
"Gaaah!"
"Whew, mage. Ready to fix the lady now?"
"Grrgh..."
"No answer?"
Shoving the barrel at him casually, Pierre stammered.
"If... if you cover for me... I'll fix it. Just say a passing mage did it. Deal?"
Well, now. Bargaining in this spot? Criminals' shamelessness never ceased to amaze.
Irritated, Theo slapped Pierre's cheek hard and grabbed his collar.
"Listen, mage. One more way. This is a train. Don't ignore the captain's authority."
Twisted mana unravels when the caster dies. Basic knowledge for any mage. He was banking on no murders with all these nobles aboard.
Still no answer—he couldn't decide.
"Fine. Big guts, mage. Goodbye."
Chik.
The mage screamed like a madman at Theo's words.
"Crazy...! What remnants?!"
Solo noble assassination attempt? Light punishment. Red Flag ties? Whole family wiped out—parents, siblings, mentors, friends.
"Told you. I can kill. Remnants mean summary execution. Evidence? I'll make some."
Click. Theo loaded the revolver, hand on the barrel. Routine now—no thrill left.
Pierre saw it in his eyes: killer who'd ended countless lives. This guy's for real.
"Wait! Hold on! I'll fix it. I will. Don't shoot!"
Pierre clutched Theo's leg desperately. Theo holstered the gun and pulled out cuffs.
"You lot only listen after a beating. Arms out."
Mana-sealing cuffs for safety.
"No face for you."
Theo wrapped a hood over Pierre's head and marched him to Lady Amber. Her face was ashen—critical condition.
Theo unlocked the cuffs and pressed the revolver to Pierre's nape.
"Fix her."
"Tch...!"
Pierre, terrified, grumbled but released the mana without protest. Soon, Amber's face relaxed, color returning.
Sensing the end, Pierre burst into tears.
"Damn it...!"
A man's sobs—ugly sight.
Amber's groaning stopped; she panted into a light sleep. Her guard teared up too.
"Miss... If anything happened to her...! Sniff...!"
Loyal knight, apologizing profusely to Theo too.
Seemed over, but one loose end: Marco Young-sik, the instigator.
Haul him in, and sure enough, he went berserk.
"What're you gonna do?! Interrogate a noble like me?!"
How to handle this... Can't just arrest a noble willy-nilly. Theo threw up his hands.
"Tch, times like this, latch onto someone stronger."
"How?"
"Watch."
Theo grabbed the communicator, resolved.
Chi-ji-jik. Chi-ji-ji-jik.
Marco Young-sik's dad was a baron, right? Lady Amber Louise's dad? A count. Hand the guy who ordered his daughter's hit to the famously doting count. Perfect.