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As the scenery outside the window continued to change, Cyd exhaled a sigh and drew a sad face on the window.
"Aren't we supposed to be mature adults?" Kairi Sisigou smirked. "No smoking allowed here, you know."
"That's why I'm doing this instead," Cyd replied, wiping away the sad face. "So, what exactly is the truth?"
"You already know, don't you?" Lord El-Melloi II crossed his legs, quietly pushing away a fry that had subconsciously formed into a frown.
"I don't really understand magic," Cyd shrugged. "I only have a vague idea, but you already know the full truth, right?"
"Ah, just as I imagined, it's a bit cruel, a bit too real," Lord El-Melloi II took out a cigar, contemplated for a moment, then put it back down. "Those lightning deaths weren't accidents; they were deliberate murders. The culprit is Lord Codrington, and the murder weapon... is that workshop. As for Wills..."
"He was an essential component in the operation of that workshop," Sisigou sighed, as if confirming his expectations. "Those black dogs were created using the dead, and probably in significant numbers."
"To achieve his goal, he didn't care how many people died, even using his own child as a tool. Truly a magus," Cyd propped up his chin.
"Can't argue with that. Lord Codrington's death likely had something to do with that fairy in front of the 'door'," Lord El-Melloi II leaned back in his chair and looked out the window. "No matter what, Wills would have stepped through that door. Instead of letting him hesitate, it's better that he knew nothing, and simply went to that world with the one he loved. For him, that was the perfect ending."
"But not the perfect ending for you, my brother," Reines took a sip of her coffee. "You almost punched a heroic spirit in the face."
"Cough, cough! Don't say something so ridiculous. I just hadn't pieced everything together at that time," Lord El-Melloi II coughed awkwardly. "What's wrong with trying to save a fellow living being?"
"Well, this incident is perfectly resolved. The lovers are together, the Codrington family reclaimed the workshop, and we earned quite a reward. Kairi doesn't plan to report this presence to the authorities either," Reines put her coffee cup back on the table. "Happy ending."
"It's far from happy!" Lord El-Melloi II slammed a folder onto the table. "That vixen just wants to drag me into something even more troublesome! And she acts so innocent, like, 'Oh, I didn't do anything!'"
"I'm so glad I didn't stay at the Clock Tower," Sisigou scratched the back of his head.
"The Mystic Eye Collection… Train?" Cyd opened the folder and began flipping through the documents.
"That's right. Wills wasn't born with his Mystic Eyes; they're connected to that Rail Zeppelin," Lord El-Melloi II pinched the bridge of his nose with a look of disgust, clearly not wanting anything to do with it. "Department of Policies got involved to recover the original documents."
"So, she gave you the documents to..." Sisigou hesitated.
"To drag me into it! Damn it! There's no way I'm letting that vixen manipulate me!" Lord El-Melloi II said angrily. "I'd rather die than get involved with that thing!"
Although he said that, Lord El-Melloi II knew very well that vixen could always find a way to pull him into troublesome situations.
"Well, we should discuss our request now."
Sisigou and Cyd exchanged a glance, then looked sincere.
"Tch," Lord El-Melloi II raised an eyebrow, instinctively knowing that whatever Sisigou was about to say would be a headache.
"I've got a lot to do, so I'll leave this guy in your care," Sisigou clasped his hands together.
"Huh!"
"Ah, my needs are simple. Just give me a place to stay," Cyd grinned.
"Not a chance!" Lord El-Melloi II raised his voice. "I'm already living in a cheap place myself."
"Well, that's because my adorable brother has this boring sense of pride. Even though there's a big mansion, he insists on staying in that tiny place—and it's ours," Reines shrugged.
"I think it's only reasonable!" Lord El-Melloi II pouted.
"Wait, are you poor?" Cyd's mouth dropped open. "I saw you smoking cigars without a second thought, so I thought you were rich."
"Smoking cigars doesn't make you rich. I'm burdened with a terrifying amount of debt," Lord El-Melloi II held his forehead and shook his head.
"Well, I've heard some rumors," Sisigou scratched his face. "But think about it: you're essentially contracting a powerful Servant, and all you have to pay is... some small change."
Lord El-Melloi II started to ponder.
Considering that vixen's smile, he knew that no matter how much he resisted, there was no avoiding the Rail Zeppelin. Having Cyd around would certainly make things more stable.
"My brother, what's there to hesitate about?" Reines shrugged. "With Cyd's help, you can restore our family even faster."
"Tch, fine," Lord El-Melloi II extended his hand to Cyd. "I'll be counting on you."
"Sigh, I'm really not wanted," Cyd smiled bitterly as he shook Lord El-Melloi II's hand. "Even though they all wanted to summon me during the Holy Grail War."
"Holy Grail... War?" Gray tilted her head.
"Speaking of which," Sisigou glanced at Gray and patted Lord El-Melloi II on the shoulder, "what's the deal with that little girl?"
"Yeah, I'm curious too. There's something remarkable about her," Cyd looked in Gray's direction, as if his gaze could pierce through her cloak to see the object she held in her right hand.
Lord El-Melloi II glanced at Gray. If Gray wasn't willing, he wouldn't say anything.
For Gray, this wasn't a happy subject.
"Master, I don't mind," Gray nodded.
"Alright, she's a child born from a certain clan, resembling King Arthur. This is Gray," Lord El-Melloi II sighed.
"King Arthur, huh... No wonder she looks like her," Sisigou exhaled. "Mordred, the rebellious knight, King Arthur's illegitimate child—that's my Servant."
"So... that trembling thing under the cloak is also related to King Arthur, huh?" Cyd pointed at Gray's cloak, which was shaking.
Gray and Lord El-Melloi II exchanged glances, and then she released Add's mouth, revealing it.
"That's Add, an entity that exists to seal a Noble Phantasm once wielded by King Arthur."
Due to Lord El-Melloi II's casual tone, the cube called Add started yelling in a very rude tone.
"You, watch your tone!"
"Gray, you should probably shut that thing up," Lord El-Melloi II frowned.
"Yes, Master," Gray nodded and turned around with the cage in hand. There was a bit of screaming, but the world soon returned to peace.
"Well, I won't ask for more details," Cyd smirked. "Let's get along, roommate."
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