Walking in the Question and Answer System of Heroic Spirits

She was a dark-skinned woman with strikingly dark eyes.

Rin Tohsaka: "Phew, finally it's over."

Kenneth: "Flowing magic? That's quite rare."

Sora: "Flow?"

Kenneth: "As the name suggests, it is magic that controls the concept of flow. Although it is complicated to perform, the effect is still very strong."

Kenneth: "Look at the video, that woman made the monster's blood flow backward, thus rendering it unable to fight."

Weber: "Didn't you kill them?"

Kenneth: "That's a valuable asset of the Secret Corpse Dissection Bureau. How can we kill it so easily?"

"...Thank goodness, he's still alive."

After examining the monster, the woman breathed a sigh of relief before turning her attention to the two individuals.

[Second Generation: "Was that a flowing magic trick?"]

[Woman: "Yes, because I used to fight these mutated chimeras frequently in the dungeon. It's been a long time since I've teamed up with him like this."]

"I am Ashira Mystras from the Materials Department. My apologies, Your Excellency El-Melloi II. This was our oversight."

The portly employee bowed apologetically, saying, "I apologize for the lateness of my greeting. I am Karlgard Israel from the Department of Management at the Bureau of Secret Corpse Dissection. Nice to meet you."

Ashira then led the group into a perfectly intact room.

"...These two are the disciples of Hartres, whom I was supposed to meet."

[On the way, the Second Prince whispered to Grey.]

Grey was taken aback; she hadn't expected it to be these two.

After all, these two people's way of doing things is nothing like a magician's; it's more like a civil servant's.

Rin Tohsaka: "Huh! Is it these two?"

Webber: "Hartles' apprentice, so that's what it was all about."

Shiki Jieli: "If we can find them before they disappear, we might be able to get some clues."

Weber: "That's hard to say."

"I'd like to ask you both something."

Taking a sip of his black tea, the Second Prince cut straight to the point.

[Ashira: "About our teacher?"]

[Karg: "It's a pity we haven't seen Professor Hartrace since ten years ago."]

[Second Generation: "Speaking of ten years ago, was it when Dr. Hartrace left the Department of Modern Magic?"]

[Kalgar: "Exactly. Later, the Department of Modern Magic operated for a while with the Dean of Academic Affairs vacant. Of course, that was until you became the monarch."]

[Second Generation: "What kind of person was Dr. Hartracey before?"]

[Kalger: "Well, we can't really say we know everything about that person... but, thinking about it, he was very caring. He treated everyone equally, whether they were survivors like us or former students."]

[Second Generation: "But I heard that the five survivors, including the two mentioned above, were treated well as disciples of Dr. Hartrace."]

[Kalger: Haha, that's an exaggeration. We are, after all, outcasts. As I just said, simply treating us as equals might be considered generous by others... Ah, as the Dean of the Clock Tower, he's incredibly kind.]

Well, it's really hard to tell they're talking about the same person.

[Hartlesh, what is this guy's true nature?]

Rin Tohsaka: "It feels like they're not talking about the same person."

Koles: "Is that cunning and ruthless Hartres really so gentle in the students' eyes?"

Fiore: "Did something happen afterward that caused his personality to change so drastically?"

[Ahira: "Mr. Hartrace was particularly dedicated to education in all twelve subjects... Thinking about it, I feel he focused on something different from the other lecturers."]

"Dedicate your life to the most brilliant things. This is the teacher's favorite saying."

"We are interconnected beings. As magicians, we are single-mindedly drawn to the past, so we must constantly confront those already connected to us, and be aware of those who will continue to be connected to us. But at the same time, you are still unique. Therefore, you must at least dedicate yourself to what you consider radiant."

Upon hearing this, the Second Prince was taken aback.

This way of life is exactly the same as someone else's.

[Recalling Hartress's words on the Mystic Eyes train, did he discover something magnificent during the Holy Grail War?]

[Second Generation: "Shouldn't we always be pursuing the root cause?"]

[Karg smiled wryly. "Of course, that's exactly right. Even if many magicians, including myself, were caught up in the struggle of the Clock Tower and lost sight of the greater good, it would be the same. However, that person seemed to be looking at something quite different... I think so."]

[Second Generation: "...I see."]

Rin Tohsaka: "I'm starting to feel like there are two different people."

Shiki Jie Li: "If it's not a change in personality, then this person is just hiding it too well."

Weber: "If that's the case, then it's terrible."

After a long silence, the Second Prince finally got to the point.

"By the way, do you two know of the disappearance of Dr. Hartrace's disciple—a survivor like you?"

The scene fell silent again for a moment.

[Karg: "...Of course I know. Because the recently missing 'Jorek Kurdish' was not only on our team before, but he's also my brother."]

[Second Generation: "I see. Forgive my rudeness—"]

[Kalgar: "No, that's understandable. He has a different surname than me. After my brother left the labyrinth, he joined the Krudeis family, the first family to hold the title."]

[Second Generation: "So that's how it is. It's common for survivors whose strength is recognized to be adopted by families without heirs."]

[Kalger: "Yes, my brother is very capable. He saved my life countless times back in Albion."]

[Second Generation: "No matter what other team you're on, you won't find a partnership as perfectly coordinated as yours with Jolek."]

[Kalger: "That would be wonderful."]

Lion Jie Li: "It seems you're intentionally avoiding this topic."

Weber: "He does know something, but he doesn't seem willing to say it."

Weber: "Unfortunately, we'll have to return empty-handed."

They chatted like this, on and off, for about ten minutes, until it was almost over.

[Kalgar: "Your Excellency El-Melloi II, I would also like to ask you a question. Would you mind?"]

[Second Generation: "Of course I don't mind."]

After much hesitation, Karl said, "You probably made your name because you survived that Far Eastern magical ritual called the Holy Grail War."

[Second Generation: "...What happened?"]

[Kalgar: "No, I just think you're a bit like us survivors. From that perspective, you're the most successful person of the new generation in the Clock Tower. So, what do you think of your current position? Has becoming a monarch and achieving success made the world seem brighter?"]

【"..."】

After a moment of contemplation, the Second Prince said seriously, "I just feel very tired."

[Karg: "...Is that so? Is that how it is?"]

The answer, though brief, seemed to have touched him in some way.

[Second Generation: "That's hardly a decent answer."]

[Kalgar: "No, this is enough. Thank you, Your Excellency El-Melloi II."]

The conversation ended there, and the three of them took the elevator and left the Secret Corpse Dissection Bureau.

After they left, Karl murmured, "...Do you think the disappearance of Gesells and the others was orchestrated by the teacher, Ashira?"

"It can't be unrelated, can it?"

Ashira said calmly, "That person should already know what we've done. It would be a miracle if there were no connection between them, considering he's not only reappeared on a public stage after ten years, but the team has also fallen into this state."

"A magician shouldn't utter that word lightly."

[Kalger said bitterly, "In that case..."]

Ashira: "...That's right. Goodbye, Karl."

[Kalger: "You're leaving? But this is the safest place in London, you should know that, right?"]

"Even so, I'm leaving."

Chapter 330 Verbal Clash: The Unfriendly Lord Euphoria

Rin Tohsaka: "Those two really do know something."

Weber: "They just disagreed on how they did it."

Koles: "This woman gives the impression that she is willing to die."

Gold: "That man also looks like he's about to break down."

Kenneth: "It seems there's a big secret behind this, which should be related to their survival of the maze."