Episode 47

The world is moved by enlightenment, not locomotives.
–Victor Hugo, <Les Misérables>¹

“There’s truly something different about modern buildings.”

Entering the station, Watson thought of King’s Cross Station standing beside it, across the street.
King’s Cross was large and had a long history, but it couldn’t compare to this miraculous space built eight years ago.

Saint Pancras Station, completed in ‘73, was renowned as the world’s largest railway station, with a column span of 243 feet.

And the Midland Grand Hotel, built alongside the station and considered the face of Saint Pancras, also boasted a grandeur befitting its reputation.

The lavish red building, made with fourteen columns of granite and limestone, sixty million bricks, and nine thousand imperial tons of multiple-refined steel, was the pride of the British Empire.

However, she wouldn’t be staying here today.

Because she had to take a train with Lestrade to another city to escort other litigation parties.

“Some of you may already be aware, but allow me to introduce myself, Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective, engaged in this matter at the behest of the Home Secretary.”

Holmes, walking ahead, stopped and briefly introduced himself as he turned around.
And as usual, he got straight to the point without uttering a single unnecessary word.

“To cut to the chase, I have booked an entire first-class section on the train to Cambridge for you all.”
“Oh…?!”

Even those who had been eyeing Holmes skeptically showed delighted expressions.

“You will be traveling to the hotel comfortably by train.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“So, you’re a detective. I’m glad you’re someone who knows manners. I can finally get some rest.”

First class and a hotel.
The words Meissen Bespoke Ceramic were effective in calming the nerves of those who were on edge from waking up three hours earlier than planned.

However, Watson was only curious about how Holmes managed to secure enough funds to book first-class tickets and hotel rooms.
Could it be that he extracted money from Ulrich or the Home Secretary, claiming it was necessary for the case?

“……”

It was a reasonable and logical deduction in her opinion.

“Thanks to your evacuation to a safe place, the investigation has become much smoother. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Holmes, ignoring Watson’s uneasy expression, led the group to the train platform while maintaining a very businesslike tone.

The cars lined up in a row were connected to the elixir water wheel loaded with elixirs and water.
At the front, pulling the elixir water wheel and the cars, was the Yun-Qi Locomotive, boasting a majestic presence.
Beside the Yun-Qi Locomotive, locomotivemen² with their shirts off were conducting a warming-up exercise.
Because of the heat emitted from the several muscular nice guys, a mirage kept wavering next to the locomotive.
The women of London jokingly called the Yun-Qi Locomotive a steam locomotive for this very reason.

“Is it about time to depart?”

As Watson raised her head, she saw the faint sunrise streaming through the giant glass ceiling of St. Pancras Station.

-Do Mi Re Sol, Sol Re Mi Do, Mi Do Re Sol, Sol Re Mi Do.

In the distance, the sound of Big Ben’s chimes signaling 6 a.m. echoed.

As departure approached, one of the locomotivemen, who had been receiving elixir and water through a pipe connected to the elixir water wheel, glanced at his watch and sounded the essence whistle³ beside him.

-Phweeeooo!!!!!

The majestic sound, indicating the approaching departure time, resonated throughout the entire station building.
At this signal, passengers waiting began to board the train all at once, following the guidance of station staff and the conductor.

“All preparations to uncover the truth of the case are nearly complete. So, you can relax and enjoy your three-day vacation.”

Holmes’s eyes shone with intense conviction more than ever as he said this.

“In the meantime, I will clearly demonstrate the severity of British law to the murderer.”

With this fist.

The detective’s hands, reflected in Watson’s eyes, were declaring just that.

“…I need to have a quick word with him before departure.”

Perhaps due to being apart for a full seventeen hours, as the departure time approached, Watson wanted to converse with Holmes, even if only briefly.

He is the most quick-witted man she knows.
There must have been a reason for him to act alone and leave her out of it.
However, as his assistant, she wanted to at least hear what Holmes was thinking.

“…Hmm?”

But as Watson approached Holmes to speak before boarding the train, she noticed something peculiar.

Apart from Lestrade, the rest of the inspectors who had come for security were gathering toward Holmes instead of boarding the train.

“You must be tired from getting up and moving around since dawn, Watson.”

Holmes, who had been too busy guiding people since entering the station, seemed delighted to finally have the chance to converse with Watson and waved enthusiastically.

“We finally meet, Holmes.”
“Indeed. I’ve been so busy running around that I haven’t been able to sleep properly.”

As expected, Holmes showed no sign of apology.

“I know you’ve been working hard. After all, the busiest person is always the one chasing the criminal.”
“I appreciate the recognition. As always, there’s no one quite like you.”

After their greetings, Watson decided to satisfy her curiosity.
She glanced cautiously at the inspectors gathered behind Holmes and asked,

“By the way, weren’t those inspectors supposed to follow us to the hotel to assist with security?”
“Why bother? Didn’t I say that I’d leave security to you and Lestrade?”

Holmes raised his eyebrows, as if he couldn’t understand why she thought that.

“The remaining inspectors are stationed along the route connecting London and Cambridge to ensure the criminal can’t threaten the targets.”
“Ah, so that’s what it was.”

Watson clapped her hands in admiration.

As expected of Holmes.
Stationing the inspectors was to prevent the criminal from slipping out of London unnoticed and threatening the targets.
With this, a small question was resolved.

“If you have any more questions, I’ll answer them as much as I can.”
“Well, there is something I’m still curious about…”

In fact, various questions were swirling in Watson’s mind.

What method did the criminal use to be able to beat the victims to death with his fists in a locked room?
The reason why the Phantom Fist targeted Ulrich Zuckerberg, who had nothing to do with him, among other things.
What on earth did Holmes mean when he casually said ‘verification is complete’ at Zuckerberg & Co.’s office yesterday?

But, perhaps it was because she hadn’t slept well and walked around all night.
Before bombarding Holmes with questions, Watson felt it was necessary to first let him know how much she had suffered.

“That’s all well and good, but can’t we just go together next time?”
“There were unavoidable circumstances this time, but next time we will. I promise you.”
“You can’t understand how anxious I was wandering around alone all day, Holmes.”

Holmes seemed to chew over Watson’s complaints for a moment, staring into the air, before suddenly looking straight into her eyes and speaking.

“Well, you must have walked from the underground of Scotland Yard to here, so that’s understandable.”
“…?!”
“So, how did it feel to walk through the secret passage hidden by the police?”

Watson’s face instantly turned to astonishment.

When she visited Scotland Yard with Holmes yesterday, Inspector Lestrade definitely said this.
Once they gathered the people involved at the Yard, they could secretly take them to St. Pancras Station.
He hadn’t mentioned anything about a passage.

So Holmes, waiting in front of the station, shouldn’t have known how the people involved and the inspectors shook off the Phantom Fist.

“How did you know I came through there?”
“That’s simple.”

Holmes pointed at Watson’s ankle with the end of his cane.

“Look at your trousers. There’s no lawn from Whitehall to here, yet the hem of your trousers is wet with dew. There wasn’t even rain this morning.”
“Indeed, no matter how many times I see your insight, I’m astonished. Is your quick thinking due to mastering some special method?”
“Don’t be absurd.”
“Hmm…”

Watson suspected that Holmes might have actually opened his Upper Elixir Field⁴, but since the man himself denied it, she decided not to press further.

“Really, making someone walk blindfolded in the dark? Rather a testy demand for a practitioner of Bulk-Up & Cutting. You must have had quite the time keeping your footing.”
“How did you―”
“Because the blindfold marks are still on everyone’s face except Sir Fawcett’s. I wanted to ask about the underground passage, but it’s a pity since you didn’t see anything.”
“It’s rare for you to want to ask me something. But rest assured, even though I didn’t see anything underground, I’ve come across a clue to a puzzle you’ll like.”

Watson was about to brightly explain the mysterious song she heard while walking the secret underground passage.
But.

-Whooooo!!!!

Just then, the sound of the second essence whistle signaled that it was time to depart.

“Splendid! Let’s hear the rest of that story after we catch the culprit.”

Holmes took Watson’s luggage and walked with her to first class.

“Have a nice, relaxing stay at the hotel. Everything should be resolved before we return to London.”

The face of Holmes, as he said this, reflected only the ease and cheerfulness of a detective on the brink of solving a case.
It was a reaction contrary to what Watson had expected.

This man is always consistent.
Investigating secrets alone, holding all the clues in his hands, he hides the truth behind a smile.

Then, when his heart desires, or when there is solid evidence, he recites the truth in front of the audience like an actor waiting for the perfect cue.

All she can do is wait until Holmes reveals the answer.

‘Even so, I thought he would at least say sorry for leaving me alone…’

That thought crossed her mind, but Watson quickly shook her head.

She knew well that Holmes was not someone who would act warmly to others.
What to expect from this man falls into a completely different category.

As that thought was going through her mind.

“Oh. Look at my mind. I almost forgot the most important thing.”
“Huh?”
“I’m sorry for leaving you alone. I mean it.”
“…?!”

In response to Holmes’s words, Watson opened her mouth in a daze, as if she had been struck on the head.