Murder on the Orient Express—a classic detective story and one of the most famous works in the genre—was written by the legendary Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie. It was precisely because of its excellence that Edward decided to adapt it as part of Sherlock Holmes Season 2.
However, in order to faithfully adapt this story into a film, a train was necessary. And to capture a sense of realism, Edward believed the best option would be to film on an actual moving train.
Of course, he also understood that this was no easy feat. He hadn't set his hopes too high, assuming such a request might be rejected. But to his surprise, the Galar League took it very seriously and, without hesitation, offered him the most luxurious train in the entire region—fully at his disposal.
This generous gesture was exactly why Edward decided to start by filming Murder on the Orient Express first, so he could return the train as soon as the shoot was complete.
"Boss? Is this where we'll be filming?" Shizuka asked curiously as she looked at the luxurious train before her, visibly impressed. Edward smacked his lips in appreciation—he had to admit, the Galar League had gone above and beyond. He was genuinely touched by how willing they were to let him use such an incredible train.
"Yes, this is the one. Get the makeup team, props team, and set decorators on board to start preparing the set. Also, during filming, be mindful of the scenery outside—make sure the windows stay open," Edward said, rubbing his hands together in excitement.
The train was amazing. Edward also understood the Galar League's intentions—it was clear they hoped the show's success would help promote both their scenic locations and this train. And it was likely that, once Sherlock Holmes Season 2 aired, this train would become a must-visit destination for fans.
"Boss, how's my look?" asked Daniel, stepping forward in a meticulously tailored outfit. Standing nearby, Shizuka watched Edward with a complicated expression, quietly observing his reaction.
Edward gave Daniel a quick once-over. From his costume to his physical appearance, everything aligned perfectly with Edward's ideal image of Sherlock Holmes.
"Very nice. I can tell you haven't slacked off—you've kept up your training," Edward nodded approvingly. He could clearly see that Daniel had not only maintained his physique but had actually improved it. Edward was pleased.
Some actors, after suddenly rising to fame, quickly let themselves go. A lack of physical discipline would lead to an unfit appearance. A competent actor would actively manage their body, while a great actor would mold it to fit each role.
Different roles demanded different body types. Excellent actors would sculpt their physiques accordingly—through workouts or even deliberate weight loss. These conditions could always be supplemented later.
"Boss, I didn't want to disappoint you," Daniel grinned, revealing slightly yellowed teeth.
Edward raised an eyebrow. Daniel had even replicated Holmes's smoking habit?
Heavy smokers often had yellowed or even slightly blackened teeth. Holmes, in the original books, smoked frequently, so this added touch of authenticity was impressively spot-on.
"Very good, Daniel. With that kind of dedication, you'd have made it as a great actor even without my discovery," Edward said, patting his shoulder. Daniel gave him a modest smile.
Several supporting actors and extras passing by couldn't help but look on enviously. They all knew Daniel—he'd once been a no-name background actor, the kind people forgot as soon as the scene ended. By all accounts, his career should've been over long ago. But somehow, he'd struck gold—discovered by Director Edward—and had now skyrocketed into stardom. It was the stuff of dreams.
With the entire crew aboard, the train slowly began to move, starting a journey that would not stop unless Edward said so. The entire route and all stops were subject to his direction for the duration of filming.
Meanwhile, Giovanni noticed three people boarding with the production crew—and his expression immediately turned complicated.
"Jessie, James, and Meowth? Why are they here?" he muttered.
Even someone as composed and steady as Giovanni, the mafia boss of Team Rocket, couldn't help but twitch at the sight of them.
Back when they first joined, those three had been decent members of Team Rocket. But once they formed a team, they quickly became the organization's biggest embarrassment.
Every mission they took on ended in disaster. They failed consistently and caused endless trouble. Their unique "talent" was so remarkable that even Giovanni—who normally paid no attention to low-ranking members—had taken notice.
If it weren't for the wealth James's family contributed to Team Rocket, Giovanni would've kicked them out long ago just to stop them from constantly tarnishing the organization's reputation.
But the real problem was—those three had seen him before.
Even though they'd only met a few times, they did know his true identity as the boss of Team Rocket. He needed to find a way to subtly warn them—not to blurt anything out and accidentally reveal who he really was. That would be… incredibly awkward.
"Boss?" Meowth called out the moment he noticed him standing among the actors.
Instantly, the entire train car went silent.
Everyone's eyes turned to Meowth.
At that exact moment, Edward stepped in, planning to call everyone together for a group meal. He froze in the doorway, staring at the silent room, the now-panicking Meowth, and Giovanni's grim expression.
Edward rubbed his face.
…Yeah, he had definitely walked in at the wrong time.
—
Meanwhile, in the Sinnoh region, inside an ancient ruin…
An elder held a mysterious object with a solemn expression. "Liam, look at this. What do you think it is?"
Liam put on his glasses and took a closer look.
It was an ancient painting.
In it, a strange-looking Pokémon was sniffing something on the ground. There, one could faintly see a pale, disembodied hand.
Above the Pokémon, a swirling mist coalesced into the image of a crying face.
"That… that's a Zoroark, isn't it?" Liam recognized the Pokémon immediately.
(End of Chapter)