Capítulo 51: Chapter 81&82
Chapter 81: Sing the Song of Rebellion!
The moment Eyeshade Three appeared, all eyes were immediately on her. Some were wary, some were curious, and some were panic-stricken. No one had anticipated that Eyeshade Three would show up at that moment.
"How did you find us here?" Sakaguchi Ango asked cautiously.
"Of course, I followed you. Unlike my original body, I can't control the Clockwork Emperor, so I had to resort to this old method," Eyeshade Three replied nonchalantly.
"You've been following me all this time?" Sakaguchi asked.
"Don't make it sound like I'm some sort of stalker with no private life. I just planted a tracker on your car," Eyeshade Three said casually.
"…I'll be switching cars soon," Sakaguchi muttered.
"It doesn't really matter," Eyeshade Three shrugged. "After all, this is probably the last time we'll meet."
"Last time?" Sakaguchi furrowed his brows, sensing something hidden in her words. "Why do you say that?"
Everyone shared the same confusion. The more observant members, like Dazai Osamu and Edogawa Rampo, exchanged a glance, both feeling uneasy. The phrase "last time" was ominous was she going to die, or were they all going to die?
Eyeshade Three, seeing their unease, replied bluntly, "This city is going to perish soon. Before that happens, I'll be leaving, and I won't be coming back."
"What?!"
"Stop with the ominous predictions."
"You better provide some proof."
Everyone began speaking over each other. The possibilities behind her statement were chilling, especially since Eyeshade Three was a part of the Nightmare faction, which had the power to threaten Yokohama's safety.
Dazai's expression darkened as he stepped forward and stared at Eyeshade Three. "You know the reason why Nightmare has come to this city, don't you?"
"Yes, but it's just a guess," Eyeshade Three nodded slightly. "After all, I'm not the real Nightmare."
"Even if it's just a guess, tell us. What does Nightmare want to do?"
Dazai's tone grew serious, and even his usually carefree expression disappeared. This was a rare sight of Dazai serious, and everyone knew that when he acted this way, a real crisis was upon them.
After a brief silence, Eyeshade Three smirked and said, "It doesn't really matter if I tell you. It's better if you don't know about the inevitable doom and the despair that comes with it. At least that way, you can die a little more peacefully."
"So you're not here to help us?" Dazai asked.
"Of course not. Even if I wanted to help, you couldn't defeat Nightmare," Eyeshade Three replied coldly. "You're too weak. I'm not going to bet on you."
"How would you know if you don't try?" Dazai persisted. "Since you've appeared here, you must want to help us, right?"
"Such things are obvious. With Nightmare's overwhelming power, you lack the kind of strength that can turn the tide," Eyeshade Three said, shaking her head. "It took a lot of effort for me to escape from Nightmare back then. If she finds out I'm helping you, she won't let me go. After all, unlike you fools, Nightmare actually sees me as a threat."
Seemingly done talking, Eyeshade Three turned her gaze toward Bandage Three. "You heard that, right? These people can't win against the real body. We need to leave while we still have time."
The members of the Armed Detective Agency stared in shock. They finally understood why Eyeshade Three had appeared she wasn't there to help them, but to take Bandage Three with her!
"You can't take her!" Nakajima Atsushi blurted out.
"Why not?" Eyeshade Three asked in response.
"Because she is..."
"Because she is?" Eyeshade Three raised an eyebrow, her expression curious.
"She is..." Atsushi's words trailed off. He had started to say something but quickly realized that Bandage Three was not a member of the Armed Detective Agency, and thus, he had no authority to stop her. His initial burst of emotion faded, leaving him frozen.
The others shared similar thoughts, falling silent. After all, Bandage Three had only been temporarily sheltered by the agency to maintain Yokohama's stability. Now that Eyeshade Three wanted to take her away from the city, they had no real reason to refuse. In fact, it seemed they should allow it.
"Let's go. The Armed Detective Agency isn't where you belong," Eyeshade Three stated. "I am your kind, not them."
"Ugh... I..." Bandage Three hesitated, torn between her past and the present. Her eyes moved between the familiar faces of the agency members and Eyeshade Three. After a deep breath and clenching her fists, she made a difficult decision.
"I won't go!"
"What?"
"I said, I don't want to leave with you!"
"Why? Didn't you hear what I just said? If you stay with them in Yokohama, you'll all be killed!" Eyeshade Three sounded increasingly impatient. "Stop acting like a child. You've already betrayed the real body once. The next time, she won't show mercy!"
"Even if the road ahead is full of thorns, I will sing the song of resistance without hesitation!" Bandage Three countered fiercely, her eyes burning with determination. "This is my destiny, one I cannot defy or escape from, even if the enemy is the invincible Nightmare!"
"Ugh, ugh, ugh..." Eyeshade Three groaned, clearly frustrated. "Come to think of it, I was really a goody two shoes back then, trying to play the role of a righteous companion."
Sighing, Eyeshade Three pulled out two ornate flintlock pistols one long, one short from her sides.
"I really didn't want to resort to this," she said, raising the guns. "But since you refuse to listen, I'll have to forcibly take you with me."
Before she could make her move, the Armed Detective Agency members stepped forward, positioning themselves in front of Bandage Three to protect her.
Nakajima Atsushi's limbs immediately transformed into those of a white tiger, ripping through his clothes in the process. Dazai Osamu and Kunikida Doppo drew their guns, disengaging the safety catches. Fukuzawa Yukichi lightly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, his cold, silver-gray eyes sharp like steel.
The other members prepared their abilities as well, displaying the Agency's formidable spirit.
"Heh, you want to oppose me?" Eyeshade Three sneered, the corner of her mouth curling up.
"Even if we can't defeat Nightmare, I don't think dealing with just one of her fragments will be much of a problem," Dazai said politely, his usual playful smile replaced with a cold, determined expression.
"This child, she doesn't seem to have anything to do with you, right?" Eyeshade Three asked coldly, her eyes flicking toward Bandage Three. "If I take her, it's actually a big favor to you, isn't it?"
"Since she's willing to stand with the Armed Detective Agency, she's already connected to us," Fukuzawa Yukichi replied sternly, turning his gaze toward Bandage Three. "Do you truly want to leave your kind behind and fight with us, with Yokohama, against Nightmare?"
"This is exactly what I want," Bandage Three replied resolutely, her voice filled with conviction.
"Even if that means you might die?"
"Even if the cost is my life, the soul of the brave will never bow to the shadow of evil!"
"Then, the Armed Detective Agency will accept you as our comrade in arms," Fukuzawa Yukichi said, his stern face softening slightly as he nodded approvingly.
"Child, do you wish to join the Armed Detective Agency and become one of us?" Fukuzawa asked, a genuine smile of approval appearing on his face.
Chapter 82: Moths to the Flame, Seeking Their Own Destruction
Upon hearing Fukuzawa Yukichi's formal invitation, Eyeshade Three remained expressionless, but a barely noticeable smile curled at the corner of her lips.
At last, the matter of getting Bandage Three to join the Armed Detective Agency had been settled. With this, the final hesitation on their part had vanished.
The group would soon cross the sea to Yokohama, and of course, the original body, Tokisaki Kurumi, was fully aware of this.
Once their people arrived, Kurumi would act according to the original plan.
She would complete the main mission, become the nightmare feared by everyone in Yokohama, and at the same time, she would complete the side mission of defeating the members of the group.
Once the plan succeeded and the main mission was completed, she would have no reason to remain in this world.
By then, if Bandage Three hadn't yet completed the task assigned to her, she would have no chance to do so.
Tokisaki Kurumi had already joined the Port Mafia, Eyeshade Three had joined the Ability Special Forces, and now it was just Bandage Three whose situation remained unresolved.
If Bandage Three failed to complete her task, side mission two would remain unfulfilled, rendering all previous efforts useless.
This was why Eyeshade Three was here today.
Her goal wasn't really to take Bandage Three away, but rather to use this excuse to force the Armed Detective Agency into a corner, so they would have no choice but to accept her.
It was a plan recently conceived by the recently summoned Lolita Three.
After discussing the feasibility of this plan with her original body and receiving permission, Eyeshade Three appeared here.
Now, seeing that Bandage Three had been given the opportunity to join the Armed Detective Agency, Eyeshade Three's mood lifted.
All that was left was for Bandage Three to accept Fukuzawa Yukichi's invitation.
"Huh... me?" Bandage Three appeared a bit confused in response to Fukuzawa Yukichi's invitation. "But I am a fragment of the nightmare. Don't you care about my identity?"
"The Armed Detective Agency has no normal people. Compared to the former executive of the Port Mafia or the seventy-billion-dollar bounty hunter, your identity isn't that special," Edogawa Rampo said casually. "Moreover, we in the detective agency don't care about your identity. What matters is whether you have the ability and determination to protect others."
"Can I think about it?" Bandage Three said a little hesitantly. "Although I am very grateful for the invitation, I..."
"After all, this is a big decision. It's only natural to want more time to think," Dazai Osamu interjected timely. "But if you agree now, we'll overlook the incident where you stole my money, and I'll even return the black cat to you."
"I am willing to join the Armed Detective Agency," Bandage Three said without hesitation.
"Good."
Dazai Osamu smiled, looking at Eyeshade Three. "That's settled then. If you want to take a member of the Armed Detective Agency, you'll have to step over our dead bodies first."
"...It's a pity to come across a fragment that has betrayed the original body," Eyeshade Three said regretfully. "Since you want to die, stay here and die with them. I shall take my leave."
Just as Eyeshade Three prepared to leave, Sakaguchi Ango stepped forward, trying to keep her there.
"Wait a moment, I want to talk to you."
"I don't converse with the dead."
"If that's the case, then why did you give me the information on the Nightmare?" Sakaguchi Ango asked without giving up. "Back then, you must have been thinking of cooperating with us to defeat the Nightmare, right?"
"At that time, I indeed wanted to cooperate with you. I thought you still had a chance of defeating the Nightmare."
"And what made you think that now we have no chance of defeating the Nightmare?"
"Because it's already too late."
"Too late? What do you mean by that?"
"The group has already set off from North America. The biggest variable in the Nightmare's plan has already been settled. Everything is proceeding according to her plan. Once the group arrives in Yokohama, no one will be able to stop her." Eyeshade Three said with hatred, "I never thought that the masterminds in Yokohama, the Armed Detective Agency, would be foolish enough to make a deal with the Nightmare. If you had just handed over Nakajima Atsushi to the group, the disaster that's coming wouldn't have happened!"
"One of the principles of the Armed Detective Agency is that we never abandon our members," Fukuzawa Yukichi said seriously. "Are you underestimating us?"
"Sacrificing one person to save millions is the most cost-effective trade," Eyeshade Three snorted. "It's your stubbornness that will kill you, extinguishing Yokohama's last hope."
"Miss, please hold on a moment," Dazai Osamu sighed. "The Nightmare isn't going to reveal her plan to you. Your tone makes it sound like Yokohama is about to be destroyed. Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"
"The Nightmare's plan isn't hard to guess. At least, it's easy for me."
Eyeshade Three lowered her gaze, speaking a little sadly. "Compared to those fools who know nothing over there, I know more, have experienced more, and thus, I am closer to the original body, and can somewhat guess what she plans."
"How dare you call me a fool repeatedly?! Do you think I'm made of clay?!" Bandage Three asked angrily. "If you know so much, then tell us everything you know!"
"Yes, if possible, please tell us everything you know."
Dazai Osamu shrugged, half-jokingly and half-seriously. "Even if, as you say, our end is inevitable, we'd rather take a gamble than sit idly by in ignorance."
The others' gazes were filled with solemnity and expectation.
Eyeshade Three bit her lip, looking conflicted.
After a long silence, she closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
"After all, birds of a feather flock together. No wonder I was willing to stand with you in the past."
Eyeshade Three turned back toward them. "Perhaps you think there's still a chance to defeat the Nightmare, or that you can stop her plan, but as the one who knows the Nightmare best, I warn you one last time. Don't try to oppose her. Leaving Yokohama now is the best way to save yourselves."
"Since you already know who we are, then you must know how we'll answer, right?"
"Don't think you're heroes bravely sacrificing yourselves for a cause. Your resistance is meaningless. In the end, it will only lead to your destruction," Eyeshade Three said sternly. "If you oppose the Nightmare, your choice will be the same as suicide."
"Suicide?"
Hearing Eyeshade Three's words, Dazai Osamu couldn't help but laugh.
"I love suicide the most."
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