Undead Girl Murder Farce
In 19th-century France, the wife of vampire noble Jean Duchet Godard is murdered in her own home. With the local human authorities unwilling to properly investigate the case, Godard hires a pair of private detectives known to specialize in the supernatural: Tsugaru Shinuchi, a man with a mysterious birdcage; and his partner, Aya Rindou. This enigmatic duo has come from faraway Japan for one purpose—to track down the man who stole both Aya’s body and Tsugaru’s humanity.
And we’re here. Oh? It’s unlocked. Oh! Th-They’re all gone! The nice towels are all gone… Well, I’ll be damned. We’ve been robbed. The lesson here is that security is very import— Speak normally! Oh, I don’t need any vinegar. Just salt, if you please. Ah! I could go for something to eat.
We have time before Lupin makes his move. What would you like to do? Well, we came all the way to London. I’d love to see Madame Tussaud’s wax museum. I’ll look into it. Master, would you like some, too? {blur2fad(381,1)an7pos(355,220)}The Phantom Thief and the Detective {blur2fad(313,1)an7pos(333,30)}Episode Six Hello, Watson. Did I interrupt you?
No, I’ve already solved it. By the way, don’t you need to figure out a plan for tonight? He’s the one coming to get the diamond. And there’s more security than I thought there’d be. I thought you were rather skeptical about the security. That was yesterday. Today’s another day.
Watson, I’m looking forward to this. It feels like I’m about to have an intense chess match with France’s very own Arsene Lupin. Mycroft. Hello there, Mycroft. I stopped by to pass something on… but who are you? Have you forgotten your own brother’s face?
You do look quite like him, but you are not Sherlock. Wh-Why would you say that?! Your nails. I saw Sherlock three days ago, and his nails were trimmed. I see. There’s no one who could verify that fact, though. I believe I can. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sherlock Holmes.
I’m quite honored to meet you. And you must be Arsene Lupin. What in the world…? After coming all the way to London, do we really have to go to some wax museum? I’m told they have a special exhibit called the “Chamber of Horrors.” It features gruesome simulacra of humanity.
But I hang out with one of those all the time… Er, I didn’t say anything! Oh, that’s Baker Street right there. Master, should we stop by Mister Holmes’s place? Are you being pouty, Master? North-northwest, all clear! The lace pattern is different! Oh. Hello! Hello! Talk about a bird-brained mix-up, huh?
I must say, you’re a formidable opponent, but the safe you’re after is under heavy guard in an underground vault. So what are your odds of victory, Mister Detective? Exceedingly close to one hundred percent. Hmm. This is lovely. Your country’s government gave it to me.
Sherlock, what is the most defining feature of a lock? That is, what is its essential function? To keep things shut away? No, to be opened! The lock… The detector locks on the Chamber of Additional Crimes are just three keyholes. The lock on that safe as well?
That was created with superhuman skill, so it won’t be easy. But if a human like Fogg was able to open it, so can I. Well then, Mister Holmes and Doctor Watson… I will see you again tonight! He’s as flashy as the rumors say. He reminds me of you when you were younger.
Were you able to talk to Holmes? We did better than talk. We even had tea. It was a brilliant success. I planted two important seeds. What time is the train? 5:25 at Waterloo Station. We still have some time. Why don’t we stop somewhere and— Look out! Were you hurt?
Excuse me! Have you seen a bird cage around here? A bird cage? Have we? No. Thank you for your time. A moment, Miss. What am I going to do? If I’m not able to interview Mister Holmes or Miss Rindo… Mister Shinuchi?! What happened to your face? Hello, Annie. You’re in London, are you?
By the way, have you seen my master? The driver was concealing the right side of his face. He must be the Phantom. The one they call the Phantom of the Opera… Old theaters like that are frequently haunted, aren’t they? They tell ghost stories about The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, too. Oh?
I wonder why Lupin went out of his way to see you. The only thing that’s certain is that both Lupin and I are under a rather troublesome curse of our own. The curse of being a gentleman. Gentlemen never lie about the moves they’re going to make. Their pride absolutely will not allow it.
Oh, that poor chap. Don’t let your guard down, Sherlock. I heard that Royce’s agents are here. I met them. They didn’t seem very reliable, but we share an interest in protecting the diamond. You’re so clueless. Their goal is the eradication of all monsters. What do you mean?
It’s said that the Penultimate Night is the key to finding werewolves. Werewolves? I’m quite certain the Royce agents will not actually try to stop Lupin. They’ll corner Lupin after the crime, incapacitate him, and steal the diamond. And then they’ll let Lupin take the fall. But that’s…
Then I’ll simply steal the diamond back from them. It won’t be as easy as you make it sound. They’re powerful. I have an ace up my sleeve. You mean your baritsu, Sherlock? But you’re not a young man anymore. So Lupin has the Phantom on his side,
And we can’t trust the two Royce agents. Doesn’t this remind you of when we fought Professor Moriarty eight years ago? Do you think we can trust that Japanese detective? The Cage User? I’m not sure… But they’re also monsters. The Royce agents may seek to pick them off in the chaos.
Oh, but… the woman is immortal, isn’t she? Curse that Tsugaru… What did we run over?! Wh-What is that? Oh… You’re the severed head from yesterday. What the heck are you doing here? I could ask you the same question. Weren’t you arrested? Say, you two. I’d be ever so grateful if you’d carry me.
Hey… Hey, wait a second. Wait, wait! Wait, wait, wait, wai— Why do we have to find this bird cage? Keep a keen eye out for it. Could we go back to the main road one more time? Sure thing, Miss. Whoa! Go after that car! It’s empty.
Huh? I really don’t want to write an article saying that Miss Rindo died because her assistant got her mixed up with a parrot. Again, Master won’t die. If we keep wandering, she’ll pop up somewhere— Tsugaru! Miss Shizuku! Pardon me! I’m borrowing this! Welcome back, Master. Took you long enough.
You’ll be getting punished later. Miss Rindo! I’m so glad you’re okay! Well, if isn’t our feisty little reporter. So you’re in London as well. Yes. Lady Aya! Thank goodness you’re safe! I never should have left your side! Please forgive me! Shizuku, are those two…? Yes, they helped me in my search for you.
Oh, I haven’t asked for your names… No, no. My name is not important. Female, a bird cage, and “Lady Aya”? So you must the Cage User’s entourage. I must say, you are dressed quite peculiarly. Mister Sherlock Holmes dresses just that same way. Shizuku, it appears that you were riding with Mister Arsene Lupin.
I didn’t think you’d be from the Cage User coterie. To meet another detective right after Holmes… What an interesting day. I think you mean an awful day. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aya Rindo. Indeed, I am Arsene Lupin. This is my subordinate, Erik. Don’t use my real name.
Oh, I apologize. This is the Phantom. The pleasure is all mine. By the way, are those two your assistants? I’m her apprentice, and this is her maid, Miss Shizuku. And what’s your name? I am know as the terrifying Oni Slayer, Tsugaru Shinuchi. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
What exactly is an “Oni Slayer”? It means that I’m stronger than you, Lupin. I’d prefer to conserve my energy since I have to work tonight, but… I’ll play with you a bit. So what do Arsene Lupin and an accountant counting up money at night have in common? No idea? What?
They’re both so darn noisy! Here comes the real one! Hmph. Allow me to give you a warning. Drop this case, Aya Rindo. I lost. I saw. Now, let us return to the Fogg residence. But Lupin just told you to drop the case. We must prepare for the night’s farce.
Goodness… I didn’t expect a body search. Did you bring the extra ammo? I brought around ten rounds. Splendid. Let me borrow six rounds later. My barrel will be empty in about three hours. You’re planning to use your gun?! Mind if I pass through as well?
Those shoes are new but the soles are already worn. Does your job involve frequent walking? I’m an inspector with the Paris City Police. You must be Inspector Ganimard. Do you mind if I find out for certain? Hey! Excuse me. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Inspector Ganimard.
It appears you’re an expert on Lupin, just as the rumors say. I’m Inspector Ganimard with the Paris Police. I’ve been waiting for you. Has the Cage User’s entourage not arrived yet? They were just here. They asked me to give this to you.
“We’ll guard the above-ground areas so that we won’t be in your way. Please take care of the basement.” What areas are they talking about? They mentioned the top of the tower. Very well. I’m sure they have their own ways of doing things. Let us confirm our positions.
There will be a total of 111 people protecting this mansion, but we should minimize those in the Chamber of Additional Crimes to prevent a disguised Lupin from infiltrating our ranks. Fatima and I will protect the above-ground levels. I can’t bear to stay in this dusty place a second longer.
Is that because it’ll be easier to surround Lupin up there, after he’s stolen the diamond? Our job is to protect Mister Phileas Fogg’s assets. That is all. Watson. Smoke that after our victory. You’ll enjoy it far more. We’d better be able to win this time.
That means it’ll be just the six of us here. There are around three hours until the time named in his letter. Best to lock up as soon as possible. Close the door. Mister Fogg, the diamond? I checked on it before all of you arrived.
Then let us pray that it is still there three hours from now. Now then, Master… The unworthy rakugo performer Tsugaru Shinuchi will observe this performance of “The Pot Thief.” Hey! Did something jump in?! Go after it! Track it down! It went toward the main gates! Hurry! What?!
They say someone infiltrated from the north building. And a guard’s uniform has been stolen! Still about fifty minutes until 11:00, though. Hey, Holmes. Did you hear me? Wha?! What have you done?! What’s the meaning of this?! There’s no way to open the door now. Which means we’re stuck here! Not forever, though.
They’ll call a skilled locksmith first thing in the morning. But even if they do, it’ll take five or six hours to open. We won’t die after half a day without food. What’s important here is the fact that, now, no one can enter this room between 11:00 and 11:30 PM.
Lupin declared that he could open any lock. But if there is no lock for him to manipulate, then not even Lupin can make his way in. That is brilliant. This makes our defense complete. Now, Lupin… What will you do next? 10:55 PM. We need to be extremely cautious.
Mister Holmes, Mister Watson, please keep your hands on the safe. Understood. 10:58 PM. Nothing’s happening. What was that?! Water! They say the outer wall below the tower was blown up! He got us. This is the water from the moat. Liquid can get through the vent. Even if water gets through, the safe is…
Yes. But we won’t be able to protect the safe underwater. How can this be?