I don't want to be an elf!

For her, this was a deal that would do her no harm.

The only thing to worry about is whether the group paid the remaining reward to Mori Ougai when Nakajima Atsushi was kidnapped.

However, this is not something Kurumi Tokisaki should worry about.

“Once the group arrives in Yokohama, we can even join forces to defeat them. All we need to do is find out from them why they've put a bounty on Atsushi,” Edogawa Ranpo added. “What you want to do is none of our business. From now on, we'll keep to ourselves. How about that?”

"I must say, in addition to your extraordinary reasoning ability, you also possess excellent oratory skills," Kurumi Tokisaki said approvingly. "You have successfully piqued my interest, Detective. I can grant your request."

Upon hearing Kurumi Tokisaki's words, everyone couldn't help but show a relaxed expression.

Finally, this deadlock has been broken.

Of course, this deal still carries significant risks for the Armed Detective Agency, since whether Atsushi Nakajima can be rescued depends entirely on whether Kurumi Tokisaki keeps her promise.

However, even so, it's still much better than the entire detective agency being wiped out.

"Well then, everyone, let's finish today's battle."

Kurumi Tokisaki pulled out two flintlock pistols, and her clones outside also hovered in the air: "Are you ready?"

"Why?" Atsushi Nakajima blurted out, "Didn't we already reach a deal?"

"Because Nightmare needs to go back and report. The situation here is definitely being monitored remotely by Mori Ougai. If we don't even fight, wouldn't that be blatantly telling him that Nightmare and we have made a deal in secret?" Edogawa Ranpo replied.

"Oh, I see." Atsushi Nakajima's heart, which had been racing, relaxed again. "So, we're going to put on a show, right?"

"Even though it's acting, I'm going to make it real."

"Huh... what do you mean?"

"Dr. Yosano's special ability is to restore a half-dead person to a full state, right?"

Kurumi Tokisaki smiled elegantly, but the words that came out of her mouth sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

"Well then, in order to prevent Dr. Yosano from being too tired and beating everyone half to death, I'll take care of that."

Chapter Seventy-Six: The Four Heavenly Kings in Clones, Adding Another Fierce General

"Everyone! Are you all alright?!"

By the time Dazai Osamu and his group returned to the Armed Detective Agency, the battle was already over.

Seeing the entire building destroyed before them, the three of them ran up quickly, their faces showing varying degrees of worry.

They had done everything they could to get here, and in order to arrive as quickly as possible, they even asked Bandage Three to use Shadow to deliver them to the detective agency.

Unfortunately, even though they arrived here in just five minutes, the one-sided battle ended in an even shorter time.

Upon arriving at the office, which had been reduced to open-air ruins, they saw employees sitting on the ground, their clothes tattered and torn.

"Are you... alright?"

Dazai Osamu looked at his companions with a mixture of shock and confusion.

Although they all looked disheveled, they seemed to be alright.

Kunikida Doppo and Yosano Akiko were alright, but Edogawa Ranpo was lying on the ground like a salted fish. If he weren't still breathing, Dazai Osamu would have thought something had happened to him.

"He almost died, but I cured him."

Despite being almost half-naked, Yosano Akiko said nonchalantly, "That Nightmare guy really goes all out. He really meant it when he said he wouldn't show any mercy."

"This is the first time I've been beaten so badly."

Edogawa Ranpo lay sprawled among the ruins, saying in a desolate tone, "Even my father never hit me."

"I'm sorry, President, Atsushi has been arrested."

Kunikida Doppo stood up and bowed apologetically: "Faced with overwhelming numbers, we have no way to resist and can only make this compromise."

"Kunikida, do you mean that in order to save everyone's lives, you handed Atsushi over to Nightmare?" Fukuzawa Yukichi's tone was accusatory, and his expression turned stern.

"Don't be so harsh on him, President." Edogawa Ranpo also helped himself to sit up. "This was my idea, and I made a win-win deal with Nightmare."

"A deal? With that demon?!"

Bandage Three, who had been hiding in the shadows and unwilling to show himself, jumped out anxiously after hearing his words: "Have you lost your mind? Making a deal with Nightmare can never be a win-win situation; she'll always win twice!"

"In that situation, it was the best judgment I could make."

"Ranpo, no matter what deal you made, never abandoning your comrades is the bottom line of the Armed Detective Agency. Even you cannot cross that line."

"Don't rush me. When did I say I abandoned the newcomers?"

Faced with everyone's confusion, Edogawa Ranpo recounted what had just happened and the details of his deal with Tokisaki Kurumi.

After learning of his plan, Fukuzawa Yukichi's somber expression softened slightly.

Afterwards, Dazai Osamu relayed the information he had just obtained from Bandage Three to the members of the Detective Agency who remained behind, and the two sides exchanged information.

"Interesting. Could it be that the reason Nightmare and the team are paired up is related to her past?"

Edogawa Ranpo pondered for a moment, then looked at Tokisaki beside him: "Hey, do you know anything?"

"I have never had any contact with the group."

"Useless. No wonder the main body doesn't see you as a threat at all." Edogawa Ranpo clicked his tongue. "It seems that Nightmare really thinks that keeping you here won't affect her plans much."

"Nonsense! I am Nightmare's greatest enemy!"

"You appointed yourself, didn't you?"

"You really dare to say that!"

The two started arguing, like elementary school students.

But the tense atmosphere gradually dissipated.

At least, things didn't turn out the worst.

At least they still had a chance to get Nakajima Atsushi back, and none of the company members lost their lives protecting him.

Although temporarily handing over Atsushi Nakajima to Kurumi Tokisaki and the group is a risky move, it is indeed the best option among all the choices.

Next, they only need to wait for Kurumi Tokisaki to send information about which transport ship and transport route Atsushi Nakajima is on, and then they can begin the mission to rescue Atsushi Nakajima.

Until then, they could only wait patiently.

-------

-------

Meanwhile, two figures stood on the building opposite the Armed Detective Agency, witnessing everything that was happening inside the open-air detective agency.

Watching the bandaged three wrestling with Edogawa Ranpo, one of the girls, wearing a rose headdress and with long black hair, couldn't help but sigh, "Luckily, I was the second one to be summoned, so I don't have to suffer like this."

"I heard from Clone Number One that Bandage Three has gone insane. I thought she was just exaggerating, but I didn't expect it to be true."

Another girl, dressed entirely in pure white Lolita fashion, exuding innocence and elegance, said with a sigh, "Luckily, I was the third one to be summoned, so I didn't have to suffer any hardship."

If Ango Sakaguchi were here, he would immediately recognize the first girl as the Nightmare clone, Eyepatch Three, with whom he had once spoken.

Standing next to Eyepatch Three is another member of the Four Heavenly Kings, Loli Three, who was accidentally summoned a few days ago when the main body was preparing for the future battle with the combination in the shadow space and summoning more clones.

Loli 3.jpg

However, Loli Three was clearly lucky.

The first summoned Bandage 3 is still alive in hell. The second summoned Eyepatch 3, although not as difficult to work as Bandage 3, is still more than the other ordinary clones.

As for Lolita Three, she doesn't have any job.

These days, just like any other ordinary clone without a mission, she either plays cards with others in the shadow space or travels and sightsees in Yokohama or the surrounding cities.

Compared to Bandage Three, who went insane under pressure, this was like living in paradise.

That's why she felt so sorry for Bandage Three when she saw him in this state.

After all, if she were the first one summoned, she would have to take the place of Bandage Three.

The thought that she might be the one pretending to be crazy among these detectives sent a chill down her spine.

“Well, although we can’t tell Bandage Three directly, the good news is that we should be able to complete the main quest soon. Once the main quest is completed, she won’t need to play the role anymore,” Eyepatch Three said. “Next, we just need to wait for the Detective Agency to stop Nakajima Atsushi from being transported out to sea and wait for the group’s reaction.”

"But this girl doesn't seem to have completely gained the Armed Detective Agency's trust yet," Loli Three said hesitantly. "So far, no one has considered her a member of the agency, right?"

"That's true... After all, her mission is indeed of hellish difficulty. Let's give her more time."

"Why don't you go and help her?"

"Me? How can I help?" the blindfolded man asked, puzzled.

"Hmph, even though we're all alone, the bystander sees things more clearly."

Loli Three revealed a fox-like smile.

For example, you could do this...

Chapter Seventy-Seven: There is no elf kinder than me

the next day.

After Tokisaki Kurumi brought the bounty target back to the Port Mafia, Mori Ougai immediately contacted the group.

After the port mafia contacted the group and indicated that they had acquired Atsushi Nakajima and could deliver him at any time, the group immediately notified the ocean-going cargo ship that was docked at Yokohama Port that morning to prepare to set sail.

After signing a series of documents and obtaining the right to leave the port, the Port Mafia handed over Atsushi Nakajima to the group's representative in this area.

After confirming that the bounty target was correct, the leader of the group readily handed over half of the bounty, which was 3.5 billion US dollars, to Mori Ougai.

As for the other half, it will be handed over to Mori Ōgai only after the group has actually received Nakajima Atsushi.

However, in Tokisaki Kurumi's view, the deal between the two organizations was over.

Because Mori Ougai will never be able to get the remaining 3.5 billion.

At this moment, in the cargo hold of the ocean liner bound for North America, Atsushi Nakajima, whose hands and feet should have been bound, was moving freely.

Although the space is small and stuffy, and there isn't much room to move around, it's still much better than feeling restricted.

"Nightmare, you'll keep your promise, right?"

Through the sunlight streaming in through the window, Atsushi Nakajima stared anxiously at Kurumi Tokisaki, who was calmly sitting on a wooden box meticulously manicuring her nails with a nail file.