Hidden Management Department 4, Information Room.
Natsuki Minamiya looked at the data on the internal computer screen with some surprise:
"File codename: The Distillery? What a strange name for an organisation."
Beside her, Luo Shu casually sipped from a can of Sprite:
"You've never heard of this organisation before?"
"Secret organisations on the mystic side are as numerous as hairs on an ox. For me to remember one, they'd need at least some special technology."
As she spoke, Natsuki flipped through the files, her expression growing increasingly surprised:
"Still, it's rather peculiar that an organisation capable of developing a rejuvenation drug has no reputation whatsoever on the mystic side."
"Maybe because it's full of spies from various countries?"
Luo Shu considered the Distillery's composition - most of the codenamed executives seemed to be moles:
"On one hand, neither the countries involved nor the Distillery itself realised they'd created a rejuvenation drug, let alone that they had two successful surviving cases in Conan and Ai Haibara."
"On the other hand, the Distillery's activities aren't severe enough compared to more dangerous secret organisations, so enforcement hasn't been prioritised?"
"That does make some sense!"
Natsuki glanced at the SDS's internal records on the Distillery.
She noticed the organisation's activities were somewhat... trivial.
Secretly donating to Japanese politicians, assassinations using undetectable drugs, and coercing corporate executives for funds through various means.
Essentially, the Distillery's main operations involved illegally gathering funds for longevity drug research. They could practically be defined as a specialised pharmaceutical company.
Honestly, the Distillery's record was cleaner than some American pharmaceutical companies.
Those openly conducted human experiments on third-world populations.
Whereas the Distillery... not only conducted experiments covertly, but mostly used lab mice as subjects.
And their final research achievement got snatched up by various governments waiting to reap the benefits.
What philanthropists of the pharmaceutical world!
As Natsuki perused the Distillery's files, Luo Shu asked curiously:
"Speaking of which, you're just letting Aya Tokoyogi stay at Copernicus?"
"Aren't you going to keep an eye on her?"
Flipping through documents, Natsuki remained completely unperturbed: "Rest assured, until Aya figures out what's special about that brat Conan, she won't do anything foolish."
"I know her personality well—she's endlessly curious about the unknown."
"Copernicus has more than enough to satisfy her curiosity. There's no need to worry about Aya running away."
"Compared to that, I'm more surprised you and Lacus dared to let Aya pass through the Star Gate to Copernicus without a contract!"
When Natsuki Minamiya turned to question him, Luo Shu's reasoning was straightforward:
"I had no choice. When it comes to extracting the Calamity Jade Seal, the assistance of a legitimately trained Demigod is worth the risk."
"Besides, didn't you say it yourself?"
"Given Aya's personality, now that she's accepted her status as a prisoner, she won't act recklessly—not until she finds a way to break her seals and satisfy her curiosity."
Natsuki Minamiya scoffed at this:
"Hmph."
"I did say that, but some people are different."
Luo Shu raised an eyebrow.
Then, Natsuki Minamiya murmured pointedly:
"Some people swore they'd deal with Aya the moment they left the garrison, yet ended up doing nothing. Don't you think going back on your word is embarrassing?"
Luo Shu was speechless: "If you want to see me and Aya fight, just say so. No need to be so roundabout."
Natsuki Minamiya ignored his retort and instead feigned surprise:
"Oh? The Distillery sent two outsiders to join the Hidden Management Department?"
"Ah, them."
Luo Shu glanced at the files on his screen, unfazed:
"Two codenamed Gin and Vodka. Seems they came through the Hell Sect's connections."
"But it doesn't matter—they're just periphery."
After a pause, he added:
"Though Gin apparently killed Ai Haibara's sister. That might complicate things."
"Worried we'll be blamed?" Natsuki Minamiya remained calm. "How about handing Gin to Ai Haibara as a welcome gift? Recruit her in exchange?"
Luo Shu had no objections, but he suspected Ai Haibara wanted something else:
"Isn't it possible that reviving her sister... would be more effective?"
Natsuki Minamiya narrowed her eyes and pulled up records:
"Akemi Miyano?"
"Confirmed dead for half a month?"
"Current status: corpse in our custody... at Verde's lab."
She turned to Luo Shu:
"It says you ordered her retrieved from the morgue. What, can you resurrect the dead now?"
Luo Shu replied evenly: "My Calamity can't undo an established death, but there are other methods."
"Ever heard of Ghost Arts?"
"A technique excavated from the Warring States Abyss—one that crafts the dead into terracotta figures, forcibly summoning back their souls."
"Operations captured ghost women who know this spell."
"If I first restore Akemi Miyano's body, then use this technique to reintegrate her retrieved soul..."
Luo Shu gave Natsuki Minamiya a knowing look.
Seeing this, Natsuki frowned and said:
"You plan to use this method to resurrect Akemi Miyano?"
"Will that even work?"
"If it doesn't, we can use Shaman Arts. Among the Shaman Classes pioneered by Hao Asakura, there happens to be a method to reverse life and death. Resurrecting Akemi Miyano and having her walk the path of a Shaman to reverse her own death isn't impossible."
"Of course, if Ai Haibara is also willing to become a Shaman, things could be simpler. She could turn her sister into a Guardian Spirit herself, allowing them to stay together forever."
At this, Luo Shu smiled:
"As long as Ai Haibara is willing to work for me, there are plenty of solutions, aren't there?"
Natsuki raised an eyebrow and said calmly:
"In that case, I'll handle the research data from the Distillery, and you handle Ai Haibara?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu proposed: "Meet up in one day. Is that enough time?"
"Hah, are you underestimating me?"
Seeing Natsuki's reaction, Luo Shu curled his lips:
"Then I'll look forward to Miss Natsuki's efficiency!"