Julius sat on the top of a bookshelf in the library. The lights were dim and he was all alone during the night, reading an old letter from a girl named Yuriri..

"Hey Captain."

"..!" Julius looked down at Lemon, placing his feathered hat on his head. "You don't have to call me Captain, Lord Kaguya."

"And you don't have to call me Lord in private. You're one of my knights, just Lemon is fine." Said Lemon. He then dug in his sleeve and pulled out an envelope. "Your mistress sent you this. Catch!" Kaguya tossed the letter up and Julius caught it with ease.

The rabbit-eared boy tore open the top of the envelope, taking out the folded letter inside. Written in exquisite cursive and French. He grinned as he read over the letter to himself, the contents of the message would be kept to himself.

"Now tell me why you're camping here." Lemon asked. Julius tilted his feathered hat downwards as the shadow covered his gaze, "Just one of those calm early morning days. But I know now... I have nothing to worry about.”

Lemon nodded, "Alright then. Try not to be in a sour mood when Midare arrives.”

After school …

The novice detectives returned to the dormitory exhausted from their 'investigations' at school. Their efforts came back to bite them in the ass. Hyde crashed onto the couch along with Mikael.

"Operation...successful…" Hyde said. Mikael took off his hat and fanned himself with it "The hardest part was escaping detention."

"That wasn't the hard part. We had to escape using the windows while they weren't looking." Ibuki dramatically fell and laid on the ground. Yamiko looked up from the book she was reading while sitting behind the service counter.

“Your meeting with the TGA is tomorrow if I recall.”

“Oh! You’re right!” Hyde sat up “We need to rest up.”

“Go on without me. I’ll sleep riiight here.” Mikael yawned.

Yamiko returned her eyes to her book. “You can’t sleep in the lobby.”

Mikael stood up and motioned for Hyde to follow. “Let’s get going, Hyde. To our proper beds.”

The two left up the stairs and to their rooms. Mary was about to join them but was called over by Yamiko. Mary was confused as to why Yamiko would want to speak to only her. “Yamiko..?”

Without looking at her, Yamiko spoke. “Are you enjoying your time so far? With Midare and others?”

Mary smiled and nodded “Y-yes! I’m glad to meet so many new friends on the job. But Midare…”

“..?” There was a small pause that made Yamiko look up from her book to see a glimpse of sadness rain over Mary. Before Yamiko could say anything, Mary let out a small chuckle and moved away “She’s kinda mean.” She then left upstairs to her room.

Yamiko dropped a sweat watching Mary leave. “..hm…”

────── 〔✿〕──────

Hyde opened his eyes and sat up finding himself surrounded by nothing but white space. It certainly wasn’t a dream and he wasn’t completely conscious either. His movement was sluggish, when he looked at his hand it looked like a blur.

“Save the girl…”

A voice? From where..? Looking around, Hyde saw nothing. There was no girl here, was this a game? Complete bullshit.

“My power is fading… don’t fall for… your doppelganger tricks…”

“What..?” Hyde spoke out but was met with no response. Tiredness fell over him and he closed his eyes, returning to the real world.

…

...

Day of the meeting…

The detectives skipped the school day and met at the train station with Midare and Levin. Unfortunately Ibuki wouldn’t be joining them as Midare informed her callers that only she and her 3 detectives would be going. Midare pulled out sunglasses from her trenchcoat’s inner pocket and placed it on her face.

“Sunglasses inside? Is that a new fashion trend?” Levin mocked. “You’re one to talk.” Midare snapped back.

Mikael nervously rubbed the back of his head. “I hope this ain’t gonna take long.”

Hyde let out a yawn “It might since we have to convince them to let us use magic.” he then made finger guns. “Heheh! Once we do that, I’ll be like pew! Pew pew!”

“It’s not that cool. Not the magic I’ll be teaching you at least.” Midare bluntly stated.

Levin chuckled “Oh boy…"

Midare looked over to Mary who was rather silent about the situation. “Mary~ don’t tell me train rides scare you.”

“Not really…”

“Turn that frown upside down.” Midare patted the redhead. “Once I get the TGA's approval, we’ll be on a smooth snail to solve the case.”

Mary dropped a sweat “Don’t you mean smooth sailing?”

Midare shrugged “Same thing, they’re both slow and boring.” , Mikael lowered his hat at her analogy “That is… true..?”

Their train pulled in and the doors opened allowing the people to walk out. Midare commented on how the train station wasn’t nearly as full as the ones in Tokyo then waved at Levin as their paths separated for now.

The skies were grey above the city of Kameoka. It was uncertain whether it would rain or clear up to reveal the sun behind the clouds. Julius had brought an umbrella just in case. He and his cat-eared partner named Tangerine, also known as Rine. His feathered hat atop his light brown hair was tilted downwards slightly to hide his face from others. The two blue musketeers were on their way to the train station to meet up with the detectives as escorts.

"Do you think it's going to rain?" Asked Julius to clear up the silent walk. Rine didn't move his gaze to the sky, instead looking at the ground as he followed Julius. "I hope not."

"Are the dark clouds getting you down?” Julius looked up at the skies. “I see this more as a prelude to something great than a gloomy day.”

“I’m not sad. I’m not very talkative.” Rine replied.

Julius shrugged “That’s fair. The silence can be nice in some circumstances.”

After a bit more walking, they would meet with the detectives outside the station. Julius did a quick bow in their presence. “I’m Julius, one of Lord Lemon’s kn-”

Midare pushed the rabbit musketeer away “Spare the formalities. The city hall is nearby right?”

Rine nodded and Midare motioned for her detectives to follow. “Come on, Let’s get this over with.”

“H-hey!” Julius furrowed his brow “You’re disrespecting one of Lord Lemon’s high guards.” but Midare continued onwards ignoring his warning.

Mikael whispered to Hyde “Think we might get in trouble for this?”

Hyde nervously dropped a sweat with a frown “That would seriously suck.”

“So this is the person Lemon wanted to protect? What a jerk…” Julius muttered.

Midare opened the entrance doors and entered the lobby of the city hall. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling lit up most of the spacious room. There were stairs ahead of them and hallways both left and right. Where they led wasn't any of the detectives' concern. Midare looked up at the kimono dressed feminine man standing at the top of the steps beside a white haired and rabbit eared woman.

Rine and Julius bowed in the presence of their ruler. Hyde was about to do the same until Midare spoke. "Don't lower your head at these guys. They aren't special." She mocked.

Julius furrowed his brow "Don't disrespect the Queen-"

"It's fine Julius. If Midare wishes to dig deeper into her grave then allow her to." Reanne interrupted. "Kaguya. If you will, please take care of our guests while I'll speak with Midare."

Hyde looked at Midare with a concerned expression. "Is it safe for you to go alone?"

Midare scoffed. "I'll be fine. If things turn bad, I'll know where to get a rabbit's foot from."

The comment made Reanne grimace. She shook her head and returned to a neutral look before turning away. “Come come.”

Midare walked up the steps while Lemon went down. The Midare exchanged a brief smirk passing then back to a bored look. Lemon placed his hand on his hip. "My name is Lemon Kaguya. Nice to meet you, the famous detectives."

"Famous…" Mary muttered, her focus being on Midare being escorted away by Reanne. She shook her head to break the trance. "We just started the job."

"It's fine. Follow me, I'll show you something cool." Lemon said and walked over to the right hall.

────── 〔✿〕──────

Reanne took Midare to a balcony with a clear view of the small city of Kameoka. Sitting at a table with an umbrella was a light blue haired female in a suit and tie. Beside her was a blonde in a white double breasted military uniform. Midare felt a chill go down her spine seeing the girl's blonde assistant. The director chuckled at Midare’s hesitation. "Relax Midare. We aren't here to hurt you."

"Yes. Please have a seat." Reanne walked over to the table and sat across from the Director. Midare reluctantly took a seat where she could see both of her sworn enemies.

"We're all friends here so we can skip the formalities and get to the first topic." Reanne sat back and crossed her legs. "You've made no significant progress on your case. Tell us why should we allow you, a war criminal, to use magic?"

Her words cut deep but those accusations were false. Midare had to intervene now, "We have made progress. Slowly, but we're getting somewhere. We found out Soap is using magic to his advantage."

The Director shook her head. "We're already dealing with an issue of people increasingly using magic. You'll just be adding more trouble in the conflict."

"The conflict I'm dealing with is much more important than trying and failing to regulate the use of magic." Midare shrugged while smirking "We're both not progressing in a way. We're so similar."

"Don't compare me to you." The Director hissed. Her reaction made Midare grow a wide grin. "Right, I wouldn't want to be compared to someone so unbelievably stubborn in their goals."

"I didn't come to be insulted."

Reanne sipped her tea gracefully. Though her hand trembled with silent rage "You can't deny, she is right about you, Director. However we still can convict you Midare. The citizens of Imperia are divided because of you."

Midare stood up glaring at Reanne. "Maybe I should reveal the documents you've kept secret from the public. The vampire genocide, nightmare project, plans to reclaim Mariellir."

"Stolen documents?" Sylvia glared.

"Nothing but conspiracies from an Imperial. Imperia is full of people who believe that." The Director said. Midare scoffed "They were given to me before I left the army. Imperia and the TGA wanted me to be in charge of the project but after seeing the horrible things you've done, I wanted nothing to do with it."

Her red eyes pierced the Director's soft brown eyes like a bullet. She could feel the emotion invading her hard interior, the millions killed in countless projects against humanity.

"Don't you feel their souls?!" Midare asked. "I won't be meeting the guillotine by myself!"

"Grr!" Reanne stood up and slammed the table, knocking her teacup over. "Kill her already!"

Sylvia looked at the Director to see if she approved of the order given.

"..." the Director let out a sigh. Closing her eyes to resist Midare's gaze that held the abyss. She had lost, "Let her go. It was clear that Midare was never going to let us refuse her choice."

"WHAT?!" Reanne shouted.

"Quiet down rabbit. This mission is my last before I go into retirement!" Midare responded cheerfully. She turned around letting the wind elegantly flip her coat and walked back into the building to find her detectives.

Lemon had taken the group to the library within the city hall. Shelves stacked with various books, mostly magic tomes collected or donated from around the world. "It's one of the few places where magic is stored." Lemon explained.

Hyde looked around in awe. The smooth dark wooden shelves, clean red carpet floor and the other fancy aspects of the library. While Hyde and Mary were reveling in awe of the place, Mikael asked "What other places store magic tomes?"

"There's one in Mariellir, and I think the TGA has one as well. Oh! And of course France, the country practically has them everywhere." Lemon explained. "But if we're talking specifically about what types of magic, then this library only has simple and complex."

Mikael crossed his arms. "Then I assume France has advanced magic and Mariellir has the sought-after ice element."

Lemon nodded. "Correct. But the advanced category can't be made until Mariellir agrees to the proposal made by the TGA. Unfortunately they won't in order to keep their magic a secret."

"Hey don't touch the books!" Julius shouted at Hyde who wanted to read one of the magic tomes. He returned the book to the shelf. "Aw…"

"It's alright Julius." Lemon spread his arms wide. "To you and only for you detectives, consider this library yours to use."

Julius' eyes widened in surprise. "B-but Milord!"

"However there's only one condition you must accept." Lemon added. Mikael rubbed his chin, "And that is?"

Rine spoke up to finish his explanation. "We document your cases and journey. As journalists!."

Mikael snapped his fingers. "We accept!"

"That was fast." Mary commented. "By the way, do you guys smell smoke or something burning?"

"Hm?"

Everyone looked at Mary confused by her statement. Smell what? Where?

Suddenly, their attention was taken by Soap, standing on top of the bookshelf. He jumped down and dashed past the group like the wind.

"What? Why would he be here? Chase him!" Lemon commanded. Mikael and Hyde ran after him as told but Mary's attention was on a fire made in the back of the library.

"Call the fire department!" Mary exclaimed. Lemon dropped a sweat, "He was planning to destroy the books! Rine, Julius. Try to get rid of that fire. I'll notify the others here. Let's move Mary!" He ran out of the room along with Mary.

In the hallways of the building. Soap came to a skidding halt and turned around to face Mikael and Hyde, wielding a revolver in his hand. "..."

Mikael raised his fists "Well… might as well try."

Hyde frowned and looked at his hand. He had a vague idea of how to use lightning magic so now was the time to use it.

He outstretched his hand shouting "Arcel!"

...and nothing happened.

"...ah."

Mikael and Hyde were pulled back by Midare, narrowly avoiding a bullet. Cherri ran forward and slashed forward with her longsword. Soap deflected the attack with the barrel of his gun and dodged back to avoid another slash.

"Midare?" Hyde was surprised to see his boss come to save them. "Surprised to see me? Save it for later. I had a feeling something bad would happen here."

Soap swiped his hand to the right and created a wall of purple flames in front of himself to block him off from the others. With the path sealed off, he ran away.

Mikael started sweating from the heat. "It's gettin' WAY too hot in here."

"Then get running." Midare said then ran off with the others following behind.

Outside in the Afternoon..

Mary, Hyde, Mikael and Midare stood outside looking at the half burnt building. The fire department came fast to extinguish those flames caused by Soap but unfortunately he had escaped. Rine and Lemon approached the group of detectives with low moods and morale.

Lemon slouched his shoulders, "Seems like while we waste time arguing with each other, Soap is out there already putting his plans in motion."

Rine started writing something down in the notebook he held. "This will make for an interesting first story. Our debut will be a hit."

"You were serious about that..?" Hyde dropped a sweat in disbelief. Mikael shrugged, "Omit our names. Wouldn't want our enemies finding us through the papers."

Midare snapped her fingers. "Wow Mikael, brilliant thinking for once."

"Huh..?"

"Anyway, listen. There are some special weapons you can get your hands on in a shrine on the edge of town..." Lemon suggested that they go retrieve the weapons to combat Soap in future encounters. As well as any other enemies they may come across. Midare snapped her fingers "Interesting proposition. We'll take it."

Lemon pointed passed them "There's a road called the maple road where the shrine is located. If Soap is burning down our library of magic, then he must be trying to destroy all countermeasures we can use against him."

Mikael lowered his hat. "A smart lad, but we won't let 'em win! Let's move!" He was the first to run in the direction Lemon told, the rest of the detectives followed.

"Is it really a good idea to give them special weapons so soon?" Rine questioned with concern in his tone. Lemon placed his hand on Rine's shoulder. "Those detectives are the only ones who can stop Soap. There's no one else with their convictions."

Their resolve was unwavering. Their goals were set in stone. Nothing could sway them off the path they choose. Rine nodded, smiling at the bright future they would bring "Wise words, Lord Lemon…"

────── 〔✿〕──────

Hyde stepped onto a cobblestone bridge over a river that stretched far. They were on the outskirts of the Shijun-Mi district, where less city showed and more rural areas and nature sprouted. The Maple Road was a plain road with many trees overhead, orange and red with some sun shining through. It was the pinnacle of fall. Hyde looked over the bridge at the clean fresh water. So clear he could see the bottom. If only he had a camera right now.

"We don't have time to waste looking for fish." Mikael said walking past Hyde.

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Hyde continued to follow the others down the road.

Deep in the forest was a van parked by a stone pathway. The getaway van which meant Soap was possibly already here. The stone path went into the forest and up the hill presumably where the shrine was.

"Go on without me. I'll keep an eye on anyone who tries to escape here and investigate this van." Midare commanded.

The three detectives nodded and ran on the path towards the shrine. The long long pathway up. Mary almost tripped on the way but luckily Hyde was there to prevent her fall. They had to climb one final flight of steps before they arrived at the foot of the shrine.

"The last step…" Hyde exhaled and stretched his back. He, Mary and Mikael were at a shrine, somewhat old from age with trees blooming out from the building like flowers. The detectives stood against two men in track jackets and each carrying a long object wrapped in black cloth.

"You looking for trouble?" The man threatened. His partner rolled his eyes. "Just some kids. Ignore them."

"Ignore this asshole!" Mikael ran forward and wildly swung his fist punching the first man. He then grabbed the wrapped object trying to pull it away.

"Move kid!" The second man kicked Mikael aside. Hyde tackled the second man and the two rolled to the side trying to get the upper hand. Mary delivered a weak punch which the first man grabbed. "Heh, weak-"

He was cut off by Mary headbutt to his mouth, knocking a tooth of his out. He staggered back and dropped the wrapped object that Mary quickly picked up. She unwrapped it and inside was a halberd with a sharp and big axe blade. It's platinum axehead shined pure.

"Amazing..." Mary muttered, but handling the weapon proved difficult as she had little strength. She had just enough to swing the weapon at the first man, defeating him without his blood staining the weapon.

As for Hyde, he was kicked away by his opponent, rolling back into nearby bushes. He looked up to see Mary wielding the special weapon, "A little help over here!"

"R-right but... it's kinda heavy!" Mary struggled to lift the weapon again. Luckily Mikael ran to Hyde's aid, delivering a running punch to the second man and snatching the wrapped weapon from him before backing away.

"Why you..!" The man raised his fist about to punch back but Hyde got up and placed him into an arm lock.

"Nice going Hyde, I'll finish this..!" Mary dragged the halberd and used all her strength to slash the man Hyde held. And with that, the battle was over. Hyde dropped the defeated man and sat back on the ground panting. "Huff... That was... intense."

Mary dropped the halberd and gripped her knees for support. "Are we going to do that more? F-fighting is difficult."

Mikael nodded in agreement. Then the weight of the weapon hit him. "Grk!" He was pulled down by the wrapped weapon "What the hell?!"

"That weapon too?" Mary dropped a sweat. "...Let's call Midare to help."

Hyde nodded in agreement and they hurried to get Midare to assist them with transporting the weapons back to the agency.