アンデッドガール・マーダーファルス 7話

This isn’t good. At this rate, we won’t last even 20 minutes. We’ll all drown! No, Lupin is known not to kill. Mister Fogg, how far below the surface of the moat is the floor of the tower’s semi-basement? Hm… The basement is about six feet below the surface.

The surface of the moat is about four. Then at worst, the water will stop right before the ceiling. W-We’re supposed to stay in the water for that long? When Lupin declared that he could open any lock, I decided to seal away the locks.

He managed to control my train of thought with a few simple words. What do they want us to do? They want you to break through the wall of the basement. What should we do, Reynold? Fatima, you go. I’m going to keep to the plan. Understood. I’ll go. Hurry up and get here, Lupin.

Mister Fogg! Hold onto the ceiling decorations! Everyone, come to a wall! I can barely see a thing! Follow my voice! Or the sound of the water— It’s gone quieter. Has the water stopped? Wh-What the?! It’s gone. Mister Fogg, if your watch is not broken, could you tell me the time? It’s 11:30 PM.

{blur2pos(320,315)fad(381,1)}Free for All {pos(320,50)blur2fad(313,1)}Episode Seven That’s my eleventh loss. But how did he get the safe? It was impossible to get in or out of the room, and the safe was underwater! He may not have completely gotten away yet. As long as the bridge at the front entrance is blocked,

It’s impossible to leave the grounds. For now, let us head to the surface. We need to warm up by the stove. Mister Ganimard, may I see your handcuffs? Certainly. What are you doing?! Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you all Arsene Lupin. What?! Come, now. That’s impossible!

How did you figure it out? My disguise was perfect. Your footsteps when we crossed the bridge were light. That means your fat belly is fake. But first, let’s talk about the safe. Yes, where did the safe go? It wasn’t taken out of the hole that I created. True. Through the vent, then?

But no adult should’ve been able to go through that duct. Correct. And it had a metal grate over it! But it the water pressure tore it loose. Talented as the Phantom may be, he cannot get through that duct. But the purpose of emptying the moat was not just to confuse our guards.

It also let him send a rope into the room in a way that would not normally be possible. But to pull the safe up with the rope, he’d need to have someone in the room. But you even tugged on Ganimard’s moustache! I did. And that was classic Lupin strategy, you see…

The reason he showed up in my room with a disguise was to make us think that his disguises could be easily seen through— mere fake noses and wigs. Now, then… Who exactly wins in this situation? You’ve caught me… But I’ve stolen the diamond. I win, of course.

You may have taken the safe, but you have not obtained the diamond. One of Mister Fogg’s handmaids delivered it to Baker Street this afternoon. So the diamond is back at Baker Street? No. As a gentleman, that wouldn’t be fair. I had declared to Lupin that I would hole up in the basement room

With the diamond, after all. Then where exactly is the diamond? Your left coat pocket. What?! All I have in here is my tobacco box… It’s gone! To think he could pull that off on the fly… Lupin’s gone! Find Lupin! He should still be somewhere in the mansion!

Arsene Lupin is apparently a great thief in France, but in Japan, we have Nezumi Kozo, Jinnai Kosaki, and the most famous of all, Goemon Ishikawa. There’s this crazy story about how Goemon Ishikawa was captured in Kyoto’s Fushimi Castle, and sentenced to be boiled to death in a cauldron.

That’s all people ever talked about, which was no fun for his lackeys. So they decided to steal every single pot and cauldron throughout Edo, causing all kinds of trouble! Now, the ones most inconvenienced by this were the tofu vendors, who needed pots to boil their soybeans.

Realizing business would be over at this rate, one old tofu vendor decided to use his head. And what he thought up was… A smoke bomb? After all that planning… Well, what was I supposed to do? So, where’s the diamond? And where’s the safe? It’s pretty heavy. Ooh. The Penultimate Night…

And the safe made of pure silver. Truly, art created by something inhuma— We’re here, Tsugaru! The old tofu vendor decided he’d use his head and catch the thieves. He hid inside his giant cauldron and planned to stay up all night… But he’d had a few drinks first, and ended up snoring loudly!

Two thieves heave-ho the cauldron outta there with the old man still in it! Surprised, he poked his head out, and shouted, “Dear, it’s an earthquake!” startling the two thieves! Then the old man looked around him and said, “Oh, no! They stole my whole house!” And we call that little tale, “The Pot Thief.”

Despite your warning, I decided to stick my neck out for this. Wh-What are you? I’m Aya Rindo, and I’m a detective who specializes in monsters. Aya Rindo? But that’s impossible. You— You mistook that Parisian reporter for me. In other words, you assumed that I was a normal human being with a body.

That’s why I had Tsugaru go after you and lose on purpose. No wonder he didn’t put up much of a fight. We had a meeting with Mister Fogg in the evening, and I requested that he put me in the safe instead of the diamond. So you were inside the safe this whole time.

I was holding the door shut with my teeth that whole time so it wouldn’t open. Though I was quite impressed with you flooding the room. Well played. But I haven’t lost yet. Do you think you can prevail against Tsugaru and Shizuku? You there, with the blue hair. Oni Slayer, was it?

Well, I have the Phantom of the Opera on my side. Don’t I, Erik? Erik! That bastard! You’ve made such a mess. Yeah, I’m done being a gentleman. Now some real trouble’s shown up. Too true! One diamond, two monsters, and one phantom thief, eh? I prefer things neat and clean.

I’ll take you out with a single strike each. Hey, that one wasn’t me! I don’t have any more bombs planted! Then… The bridge has fallen! The bridge? Without the bridge, we won’t be able to… …leave. M-Multiple intruders! Are you ready, Aleister? Just say the word. Carmilla. But of course. Victor. Ready. Jack.

No problems here. Now, then… Why don’t we get started? The night has only just begun. Now, then… Lupin has the diamond. We’ve destroyed the bridge, so ambushing him should be easy enough, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll hold onto the diamond. There will probably be a scramble for it within Royce’s encirclement.

Ooh, I hate those guys! Jack will search the east side while Victor and I will search the west side for the diamond. You and Aleister will cause a diversion. Any questions? Would it be all right if we killed your “old friend,” Professor? I have no objections. A diversion? That’s no fun.

I actually like causing diversions. I get to put on a show. I cannot understand your interests in the least. You’re the last person in a position to criticize someone’s interests, Carmilla. Don’t move! Put your hands u— How awful. You got blood on my dress. You’re a vampire. A little blood won’t hurt you.

I’m a gourmand! We should split up, too. I’ll take the east building. You take the west. Roger. I should take a moment to refuel. Don’t be frightened. I’ll make sure this is worth dying for. Looks like some new guests have arrived. I’m not interested in them. Neither am I! In that case—

Damn it! You filthy monster! How dare you step on my coat?! Huh? W-W-W-W-W-Wait! H-Hold it! Lupin’s getting away! Wait, wait, wait! I was in the wrong! Let’s talk things out! Hand over the diamond. The diamond? You mean this? The hell do you think you’re doing?! Is someone roughhousing in here? Was it Lupin?

You’re a bit late to the party. Well, well… Aya Rindo. I never would’ve thought of a Trojan horse strategy. Well, the Royce lad got in the way, you see. He, Lupin, and my assistant went running into the courtyard, laughing. Laughing? I sent Shizuku after the Phantom.

If you want to join in the fun, you should hurry. I fear circumstances have changed. New intruders have appeared at the front entrance. An unidentified group of five. They are not working with Lupin. How do you know? Because they’ve already killed over twenty people. Let us hurry.

Would you mind taking me with you? I’ve grown interested in these intruders. I’m terribly sorry, but Ms. Rindo— I’m fairly certain the new intruders are no ordinary folk. My knowledge may be of use. That maid… I know you’re there, Phantom of the Opera.

I’m Agent Number 7 from Royce’s advisory security department, Fatima Doubledarts. If you do not come out, I will shoot you from here. Even if you defeat me, I do not have the diamond. You are included in our purge list. The deformed Phantom

Who has terrorized the Paris Opera House for the past twenty years. Enemies of humanity are enemies of Royce! Crossbows? I can’t say that I’ve seen that type before. They’re specialized for taking down monsters. They can fire bolts continuously. You’re right there. Holmes! Hello? Is anyone still alive here? H-Help me… Wha—

One should be quiet in a museum. But this is so much more fun. The great detective, Holmes… Doctor Watson… And what exactly is that behind you? I’m also a great detective. Did you commit this atrocity alone? But how? With magic. Now I remember who you are. You’re Aleister Crowley, aren’t you? Who’s that?

He made the headlines not too long ago. He’s known as a self-proclaimed researcher of magic and numerology who went around to various cults in London and conducted cruel rituals. I’m currently with a different organization. You’re not its leader? No, no. I’m nothing more than a lackey. Are your lot also after the diamond?

I believe Lupin currently has it. That’s quite all right. I’m supposed to be creating a diversion. Oh, I’ve also received permission to kill you two. Wha— I’m so happy! I never thought I’d be able to talk to the great Holmes about magic. You’re far more noble than Mathers and Yeats.

I know this scent. It’s a paralyzing agent used by the indigenous people of the Andaman Islands. It seems your thumbs work more than twice as fast as a regular person’s. Meaning, your fingers are your weapon. Quite a cheap illusion. Aw, you saw through me at first glance. I’m impressed!

In that case, I guess I’m going to have to shut you up. Is someone there? Are you the last one? Would you stop putting holes in my body? I’m quite fond of it. A vampire? Are you hurt? I-I’m fine. Weren’t you with the Cage User? I’m Shizuku Hasei.

By the way, have you seen the Phantom? N-No… Who was that? She’s one of the intruders, and I believe she’s a vampire. Who are you? You don’t look like you work for Royce… What in the world is a Cage User? A detective.

Allow me to ask you the same question. Have you seen the Pha— No, I haven’t. I see. Then if you’ll excuse me. You really think you can just kick me aside and then run away? I’m terribly sorry, but Lady Aya has instructed me to pursue the Phantom. Lady Aya?

I see. Well, I’ve been ordered to kill anyone who gets in our way. So if I happen to run into this Lady Aya… Do you mind if I end her? Please flee. You’ll be in the way. But she’s a vampire! If you don’t have the proper weapon— But I do. A naginata?

Hey, now. If you destroy his courtyard, Phileas Fogg is going to yell at you. There’s no need to worry. The mansion is properly insured.