Detective Conan: Shadow Legion Office

12: Chapter 12 Akemi Miyano’s New LifeJust as Lin Long brought Miyano Akemi back to the office.

On the other side, in an abandoned factory, the smell of rusted iron mixed with the pungent scent of tobacco permeated the damp air.

Gin leaned against the door of his black Porsche, a cigarette between his fingertips, its crimson glow flickering.

His sharp, hawk-like eyes scanned the empty factory coldly, as if searching for the traces of prey.

”Big Brother, it’s been half an hour past the agreed time. That woman, Miyano Akemi, still hasn’t shown up. Could she have run away?”

Vodka paced back and forth, his raspy voice filled with impatience.

He checked his watch and then peeked toward the factory entrance, the flesh on his face bunching up, looking particularly ferocious.

”And that Rye Whiskey (Akai Shuichi), I originally planned to use Miyano Akemi as bait to lure him out, but now there’s not even a shadow of him. It seems he only uses Miyano Akemi and has no feelings for her. As expected of someone who works as an undercover agent, ruthless indeed!”

Vodka took a puff of his cigarette and sighed.

Gin didn’t answer immediately, only slowly exhaling a cloud of smoke.

The smoke ring diffused and dissipated in the air, just like the killing intent that flashed in his eyes.

”What’s the rush?”

Gin’s voice was low and cold, like a poison-dipped blade.

”If a mouse wants to live a little longer, it will always hide deeper.”

”As for Rye Whiskey?”

”Hmph!”

”If he comes, we’ll just kill him along with her. If he doesn’t, then we’ll just kill Miyano Akemi.”

”We don’t lose anything, do we?”

He raised his hand to check his watch; the hands on the dial had passed the agreed time by forty minutes.

It was clearly no accident that Miyano Akemi was this late.

Either she had sensed the trap, or... she had been intercepted by someone.

Either possibility meant trouble.

Gin threw the cigarette butt on the ground and crushed it fiercely with his shoe, his gaze turning completely cold.

”It seems this mouse is determined to seek death.”

He stood up straight and opened the car door.

”Vodka, get in. Go find out Miyano Akemi’s whereabouts. I want to see where she can hide.”

”Yes, Big Brother!”

Vodka replied immediately and quickly scrambled into the passenger seat.

The black Porsche’s engine let out a low roar, like a dormant beast being awakened, and it suddenly shot out of the abandoned factory, disappearing into the night.

In the back seat, Gin closed his eyes to rest, but his fingers tapped lightly on his knee, the rhythm slow yet carrying a suffocating sense of oppression.

People who dare to betray the Black Organization never have a good end. Miyano Akemi, including that Rye Whiskey hiding in the shadows, are all the same.

Meanwhile, in the secret room of Lins Information Consulting Office, the atmosphere was completely different.

Miyano Akemi sat on the sofa, holding a cup of warm milk, her fingertips trembling slightly.

This secret room was specially prepared for her by Lin Long, located behind a hidden door in the attic on the third floor of the villa. It had excellent soundproofing, and apart from Lin Long and Butler Ochiai, no one knew of its existence.

Several abstract paintings hung on the walls, a soft carpet was laid on the floor, and a small bookshelf stood in the corner, filled with various books. The overall environment was quiet and comfortable, a world of difference from the dilapidated apartment she had previously hidden in.

But Miyano Akemi’s heart remained suspended.

Every time the sound of a car engine came from outside the window, she would shudder in fear, subconsciously looking toward the door, terrified that Gin’s cold face would appear the next second.

”No need to be nervous.”

Lin Long sat on the single sofa opposite her, holding a document, his tone calm.

”It’s very safe here. My people have already set up an inescapable net around the villa. Any suspicious person approaching will be discovered immediately.”

Miyano Akemi looked up at this mysterious man in front of her.

From the moment she was taken away from the apartment by him to sitting in this secret room now, her brain had been in a state of chaos.

She didn’t understand why Lin Long wanted to save her, or why he had such confidence to dare to go against the Black Organization.

”Mr. Lin Long...”

She hesitated for a moment before asking,

”Who exactly... are you?”

Lin Long put down the document and looked at her:

”Someone who wants to help you.”

He didn’t explain too much; some things were safer for Miyano Akemi the less she knew.

He stood up, walked to the bookshelf, took out an album, and handed it to Miyano Akemi:

”Take a look at this.”

The album contained photos of Lins Information Consulting Office, including Miwako Sato working diligently at the front desk, the figure of Butler Ochiai tending the garden, and several photos of Lin Long shaking hands with clients.

The last page showed photos of the villa before renovation, as well as the full view of the office after renovation.

”This is... your office?”

Miyano Akemi was a little surprised.

She had originally thought Lin Long was some kind of underworld boss; she didn’t expect him to really just be an office owner.

”To be precise, it’s ours.”

Lin Long smiled.

”From today on, you will work here.”

”Me? Work here?”

Miyano Akemi was stunned.

”But I... I don’t know how to do anything, and my identity...”

”Identity is not a problem.”

Lin Long interrupted her, his tone carrying unquestionable certainty.

”You will be my secretary, responsible for handling some documents and daily affairs. As for the name, no need to use ’Hirota Masami’ anymore, just use ’Miyano Akemi’.”

”Wh-what?!”

Miyano Akemi suddenly looked up, her eyes wide.

”Use my real name? How can that be! If the people from the Black Organization find out...”

”So what if they find out?”

Lin Long raised an eyebrow, walked to the window, pulled back the heavy curtains, and pointed to the garden outside.

”This is my place, and my rules are the rules here.”

”On my territory, you don’t need to hide or cower; you can live openly and honestly.”

He turned around, looking at Miyano Akemi with sharp eyes.

”Since I dared to save you, I can protect you.”

”If the Black Organization dares to come, I don’t mind letting them know that there are some places where they cannot run wild.”

Lin Long’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a convincing power.

Miyano Akemi looked at the confidence and composure in his eyes. She didn’t know if what he said was true or false, but the fear in her heart dissipated quite a bit.

Yes, she had no way out now.

Rather than living in hiding and fear every day, it was better to trust this man in front of her.

At least he gave her a space to breathe, a chance to use her own name again.

”But... I’m afraid of causing you trouble.”

Miyano Akemi lowered her head, her voice somewhat choked.

She was as kind as in the original story and didn’t want to implicate the only person willing to help her because of herself.

”I’m never afraid of trouble.”

Lin Long walked up to her and handed her a cup of warm water.

”Besides, you are not a burden. Your carefulness and caution are very useful to me.”

Lin Long knew that Miyano Akemi could plan the bank heist under the nose of the Black Organization, which meant she not only had courage but also strong execution and observation skills.

Such a person, with a little training, would be a capable assistant.

Miyano Akemi held the warm cup, feeling the temperature from her palms, and her eyes gradually became moist.

Having been in the Black Organization for so many years, she had long been accustomed to using and being used, and no one had ever said such things to her.

At this moment, Miyano Akemi seemed to feel that she had been reborn.

”Thank you, Mr. Lin Long.”

She stood up and bowed deeply, her voice filled with irrepressible excitement.

”I... I am willing to stay.”

”Very good.”

Lin Long nodded with satisfaction.

”Butler Ochiai has already prepared a room for you on the second floor, next to the file room. Go rest first, and start getting familiar with the work tomorrow.”

”Yes.”

Miyano Akemi nodded vigorously, a sense of unprecedented hope surging in her heart.

Watching her back as she dragged her suitcase upstairs, the smile on Lin Long’s face gradually faded.

He walked to the secret door of the room and said to the shadows:

”shadow seven, increase the security level around the villa, especially paying attention to black Porsches and suspicious foreigners.”

[shadow seven received.]

Lin Long knew that saving Miyano Akemi was equivalent to declaring war on the Black Organization.

That man, Gin, was vengeful and would never let it go.

The days ahead would not be peaceful.

But he didn’t regret it; he had long wanted to meet this famous ”water factory” from the original story.

Miyano Akemi was an important chess piece.

She not only understood part of the Black Organization’s operating mode, but more importantly, she was Miyano Shiho’s only weakness. Through her, after he rescued Miyano Shiho, he could let Miyano Shiho work for him.

Moreover, the ”kindness” in Miyano Akemi formed a sharp contrast with the ”evil” of this world.

This pure emotion might become a balance against the erosion of his own power—after all, having dealt with evil black energy for a long time, he could feel his state of mind gradually becoming indifferent, and even somewhat bloodthirsty.

”Is there any news from shadow two?”

Lin Long asked.

[shadow two sent a message: The one billion yen has been safely transferred to the safe house without anyone noticing. In addition, regarding the whereabouts of Miyano Shiho, the Shadow Guards found some clues at an outer stronghold of the organization. She is currently likely under house arrest at a biological research institute in the suburbs of Tokyo, and the specific location is still being confirmed.]

”Keep checking. We must find the exact location. Pay attention to concealment and don’t alert the enemy.”

Lin Long ordered.

Rescuing Miyano Shiho, the most important thing was to determine her location. Saving people was easy, but the Black Organization hid the location of the research institute very well.

He needed more intelligence and a suitable opportunity.

As for manpower?

Heh...

Lin Long didn’t think there was anything that could kill the warriors of the Shadow Trooper Corps.

Lin Long walked to the desk, opened the computer, and the system panel appeared on the screen:

[Current evil black energy: 12750 points.]

[Summonable units: 12 Shadow Guards, 5 Shadow Sharpshooters.]

[Distance to unlock ”Shadow Binder”: Needs 20000 points of evil black energy.]

There were still 7250 points until unlocking the Shadow Binder.

He opened the local news and began to screen targets. Recently, there had been several serial thefts in Beika Town. The culprit was very cunning, the police hadn’t caught anyone yet, and the evil black energy value should not be low.

There was also a fraud gang that specialized in scamming the elderly out of their pension money, which had a very bad social impact and was worth ”dealing with.”

”shadow three, go find the culprit of the serial thefts in Beika Town. After finding them, don’t alert the police, just ’deal’ with them directly.”

”shadow four, investigate the lair and member information of that fraud gang, collect evidence, and then...”

A cold light flashed in Lin Long’s eyes, ”Make them pay the price.”

[shadow three, shadow four received the order.]

After arranging everything, Lin Long leaned back in his chair and rubbed his brow.

The night outside the window grew thicker, and the villa was silent, with only the faint sounds of the Shadow Guards patrolling in the shadows.

Lin Long knew that a storm was brewing.

The Black Organization wouldn’t give up, and Conan might also launch an investigation due to Miyano Akemi’s ”disappearance,” which might even involve more people and things.

But Lin Long wasn’t worried.

Soldiers come, block; water comes, cover.

He had the Shadow Guards and Shadow Sharpshooters as his claws, Butler Ochiai to manage internal affairs, and now he had the help of Miyano Akemi who understood the organization, plus a steady stream of evil black energy to improve his strength.

Whether it was the Black Organization or Conan, neither could stop his progress.

The next morning, Miyano Akemi changed into a clean dress and walked into the office area.

Miwako Sato was a little surprised to see her, and Butler Ochiai introduced her at the right time:

”Sato, this is Miss Miyano Akemi, who will serve as Mr. Lin Long’s secretary starting today.”

”Miss Akemi, hello, I’m Sato.”

Miwako Sato greeted her warmly. She could feel a faint melancholy in Miyano Akemi, but she was very gentle with people.

”Hello, Miss Sato.”

Miyano Akemi responded somewhat cautiously.

Being able to greet people like a normal person was a long-lost experience for her.

Lin Long walked out of the office and handed her a document:

”This is the basic situation of the office and your work content. Get familiar with it first. If you have any questions, you can ask Sato or Butler Ochiai.”

”Okay, Mr. Lin Long.”

Miyano Akemi took the document and began to read it seriously. The sunlight shone through the window onto her, casting a soft halo on her pale cheeks, making her look no different from an ordinary office worker.

Lin Long watched her focus, a faint smile on his lips.

Perhaps this was not bad.

Letting someone struggling in the dark feel the warmth of the sun again.

This was not only helping her, but also reminding himself that even if he was in the shadows, he could not be completely lost.

Just then, the Shadow Guards sent a message:

Gin’s Porsche had appeared at the street corner near the office, but it only stayed for a short while and didn’t approach.

”It seems they have found this place.”

A cold light flashed in Lin Long’s eyes, ”But they dare not rush in.”

This was exactly the effect he wanted—to let the Black Organization know that Miyano Akemi was with him, and to make them hesitate.

As long as his strength was strong enough, and as long as the ”signboard” of the office was loud enough, it could become the most solid sanctuary for Miyano Akemi.

Miyano Akemi seemed to notice Lin Long’s gaze, looked up, met his eyes, and her eyes were full of gratitude and trust.

Lin Long nodded to her and turned into the office.

He knew that protecting Miyano Akemi was just the beginning.

Next, what he would face would be a crazier counterattack from the Black Organization.

But Lin Long was not afraid and said:

”Come on, my Shadow Trooper Corps is not to be trifled with.”