Rain streamed down outside the association as Landon was invited back into the association, a surprising move was made by the founder of the association.

"Eh!? You want me....you want me to take Landon over to my place!?" Ran exclaimed in shock over Ranran's decision to do so. "Why can't he just remain in the manga cafe!?"

"Let's put it this way," Ranran turned to face Ran while pointing at Landon. "He can't stay anywhere near here, let alone, be here. Royal security is no joke, although we are in Japan and this isn't their backyard, doesn't mean they are completely powerless in terms of political influence." Ranran decided. "I am certain General Stefan had some of his men stationed around this place to ensure they capture him unharmed. And even if he didn't, it's too risky and there's nowhere to hide him if The General comes back."

"Why Ran's place?" Junko asked.

"First, earlier I overheard in school that he isn't working today, since he has no clients coming up lately. Second, he used to work as a police officer before quitting, so it would be safer. After all, he no longer works for them anymore.," Shinichi suggested while backing up Ranran's suggestion.

"Why not yours or Ranran's place?" Emiko frowned.

"Our place is big, but no security. Also, you know both of our parents are always out at work. If anything happens to Landon, it won't do us any good, deshou?" Shinichi pointed out.

"Why not mine? The security around my place is good." Takuma offered.

"True, it is a neighbourhood full of senior citizens, but it probably wouldn't be safe for the other residents if something were to happen there. We don't want to put innocent people at risk." Ranran explained. "Also, I heard they can be nosy in nature."

"True." Emiko sighed while considering other options, "Even my apartment ain't safe, the locks haven't been changing till next week when the landlord arrives. And Michio's place ain't safe proof either, since his mom had to run an errand."

"But before that could happen...." Michio pointed at Landon's choice of clothes, "I know you are wearing casual which is normal for a kid, but your features as a Norwegian and all....people will recognize you on the spot."

Landon glanced down at his clothes, realizing the implications. He was accustomed to blending in as a student at Edgewood Academy in his school uniform, but in a foreign country, his appearance might draw attention. Although his teacher was kind enough to wire him money to buy some clothes around here, it is clear he will stand out among the Japanese people.

"I didn't think about that," he admitted, feeling a bit flustered. "I didn't have any other clothes with me when I fled out of the school."

Ranran pondered for a moment before turning to the rest of the Tantei Association. "We'll need to find something for Landon to wear that won't draw attention. It has to be casual enough for him to blend in, but not too out of place. Any suggestions?"

The members of the Tantei Association exchanged glances, considering their options. Takuma then snapped his fingers. "I have a few spare clothes in our association. They might be a bit big, but they should do the trick."

He hurried outside to the association hallway, before opening the door to the storage unit. As the children waited, Ranran wondered, "Wait, why are Takuma's spare clothes here in the first place?"

"There were the same clothes we borrowed through Sonoko since our fourth major case," Takuma called from the hallway. "When we returned the clothes to them, after that scandal with Red Illumination, Sonoko figured that considering there are no boys in her family, it would be a huge waste to donate those expensive clothes to some charity, so she had it given back to us shortly after."

"Wait, you mean the same clothes the whole lot of you masqueraded as Youtubers the other day?!" Shinichi suddenly remembered.

Takuma reappeared in the doorway, holding a bundle of clothes. "Exactly. These are the ones. They should be the right size for Landon." He revved his cap again, then began rummaging through his collection of junk. Junko honestly hated the way Takuma was always fiddling with his cap. One day she vowed, she'd flush it down the toilet.

The clothes were casual but well-maintained, and they seemed to fit Landon reasonably well, though they were slightly loose. "It's not a perfect fit, but it should work for now," Takuma remarked.

Landon quickly changed into the borrowed clothes, feeling a bit more at ease. They were a good disguise, and he wouldn't stand out as much. "He needed some glasses and a cap, it still makes him stand out." Shinichi pointed at Landon.

Ranran took a moment to survey Landon's appearance. He was indeed less conspicuous in the borrowed clothes, but Shinichi was right. The boy's distinctive features still made him noticeable. Staring at Junko, that gave her an idea, "Fuyuko-san, do you have any spare glasses with you?" 

Junko's eyes brightened with realization. "Actually, I do! I always carry an extra pair in case of emergencies. They're not prescription, but they'll help to disguise his appearance."

She quickly retrieved a pair of glasses from her bag and handed them to Landon. He put them on, and immediately, the transformation was striking. With the glasses, his features seemed less pronounced, and he looked more like an ordinary kid.

"Perfect!" Ranran exclaimed, satisfied with the disguise. "Now, the cap. Takuma, do you have an extra cap?"

Takuma rummaged through his collection once more, pulling out a cap and tossing it to Landon. "Here you go. It should help keep a low profile."

Landon donned the cap, pulling it low to partially obscure his face. With the borrowed clothes, glasses, and cap, he looked like an entirely different person. It was a clever disguise that would hopefully help him blend in.

Ranran surveyed the transformation and nodded in approval. "That should do it. Now, Mouri-san," She turned to the other member, "Take him to your father's office."

The founder's instructions were clear, and Mouri Ran nodded in agreement. She approached Landon, giving him an encouraging smile. "Don't worry, we'll make sure you're safe. Just follow me."

"And whatever happens, don't run!" Shinichi warned. "You will get caught on the spot."

"And just in case Ran can't do much help, considering all of us are dealing with adults...Junko, Emiko and Michio, I suggested you all accompany Ran and Landon to ensure nothing goes horribly wrong." Ranran turned to them in all seriousness, "And take a cab there through our funds, walking would be too easy to catch the whole lot of you."

The three nodded in understanding, recognizing the gravity of the situation. This was no ordinary case, and they needed to take every precaution to ensure Landon's safety.

"Understood, Ranran," Junko affirmed, her expression determined. "We'll make sure Landon gets to the office safely."

"Wait, why are you not joining us?" Michio found himself asking.

"If all of us follow, that includes Takuma as well, then General Stefan will noticed something is off, right?" Shinichi reminded them.

"You have a point." Emiko and Michio echoed their agreement, equally resolved to carry out the task. They understood that they were dealing with a high-stakes situation, and they needed to be vigilant.

With Landon's disguise in place and the plan set, they were ready to move. The rain outside continued to pour, a relentless downpour that seemed to mirror the tension in the room.

Ranran turned to Landon, her voice steady. "Follow Mouri-san, and remember to stay calm. Stay vigilant and be cautious. We'll be in touch."

Landon nodded, a mix of gratitude and determination in his eyes. 

As the strange procession made its way through the shop upon leaving the hallway, Michio's mum, Majima Mio looked up in surprise from behind the counter. "Ah, rah, Emiko, Michio, Junko and Ran-san....who is this boy with you?"

Majima Mio's question caught the group off guard for a moment. They hadn't anticipated running into Michio's mother when they arrived at the boutique shop of Michio's mother, since there is an influx of customers today.

The members of the Tantei Association exchanged quick glances, trying to come up with a suitable explanation. Emiko was the first to respond, her voice steady and composed.

"This is a friend from school, Mio-obaasan," Emiko said, her tone casual. "He just recently dropped by through the backdoor on our service to locate his missing wallet, so he is taking us to the scene where he last saw his wallet."

Majima Mio looked at Landon with a curious expression, sizing him up for a moment. She then turned her gaze back to Emiko, a hint of scepticism in her eyes. "Oh, is that so? Well, be sure to return soon. We have quite a few customers today, and I'll need Michio's help with them."

"Of course, Okaasan," Michio nodded, a small smile on his face. "We'll make it quick."

With that, they made their way out of the shop, Landon following Mouri Ran closely. As Michio held the door open, Emiko and the others guided Landon into the main street. The rain outside continued to fall, providing a steady backdrop to the tense situation. As they hailed a cab, Ran kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, ensuring they weren't being followed. 

.............................................................................................

Back at the HQ, to the two remaining boys' surprise, Ranran immediately took out the laptop from the association before placing it on the table to browse a couple of things

"What is that?" Shinichi pointed quizzically at the screen on the laptop.

"This is a royal emblem." Ranran sighed.

"A what?!"

"Here, this is the family crest of Landon Lockwood's family," Ranran pointed the royal website to Takuma and Shinichi.

As the two boys surrounded her, they noted that the royal emblem of the Lockwood family had an innocent-looking bird surrounded by ivy leaves, the bird's position was in the role of a regal crest shape with an amethyst crown on the top.

The rain continued to fall outside, a constant drumming on the windows that seemed to echo the tension in the room. Inside the association, the two remaining members turned their attention to the laptop, where Ranran had pulled up the royal emblem of the Lockwood family.

Shinichi and Takuma peered closely at the screen, studying the intricate design. The innocent-looking bird surrounded by ivy leaves, with an amethyst crown on top, was a symbol of the Lockwood family.

"So, this is their family crest," Shinichi mused, absorbing the details.

"It looks rather...innocent," Takuma commented, raising an eyebrow. "Not exactly what I'd expect from a family involved in such high-stakes politics."

"Appearances can be deceiving, especially in the world of royalty. Emblems like these are carefully crafted to convey a certain image to the public. Well, at least the person in charge of the design could tell this family is full of deception." Ranran chuckled.

As Shinichi leaned in closer to get a better look, he too joined in, "Oh yes, no wonder you said that. This is a good one."

"What? What am I missing out!?" Takuma grew curious while he took a good look at the emblem, so far, nothing caught his eye.

Ranran smiled at Takuma's intrigue. "Look below the bird left and right, tell me what do you see?"

Takuma leaned in, scrutinizing the emblem more closely. After a moment, his eyes widened in realization. "Ah, I see it now. There are snakes hidden among the ivy leaves. Cleverly woven into the design. Wait a minute," He suddenly halted himself before whipping his head, "You don't mean-"

"Exactly, it seems like whoever designed this emblem for the royal family is aware of their nature," Ranran confirmed Takuma's suspicions.

Takuma's eyes were fixed on the emblem, his expression a mixture of surprise and intrigue. "Snakes hidden among ivy leaves... It's like a warning, isn't it?"

"I mean after hearing from Ranran that the current King was an adulterer, what is there to say?" Shinichi scoffed. "They are all snakes!"

"I mean let's not forget, his ex-wife was loved by the people of Norway," Ranran nodded, her eyes reflecting a certain satisfaction. "I didn't think it extended to royal staff members as well."

Takuma couldn't help but shake his head in amazement. "What gave it away that this has something to do with the ex-wife thing?"

"Simple, the dove." Ranran pointed at the screen once more, "Although his late ex-wife comes from a family of commoners like you guys, she was known for her advocacy for peace and humanitarian causes, which is why the people of Norway constantly relate her as a dove, which is often used as the symbol of peace, and it's not uncommon for families to incorporate meaningful symbols into their crests. It's a subtle nod to her legacy."

"The crests!?" Takuma's brows shot up, "You mean in addition to this royal emblem, every family member has one!?"

"Of course," Ranran affirmed, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Each member of the royal family likely has their own personal crest, which may incorporate elements that are meaningful to them or symbolize their individual roles and interests. These crests are often used in various ways to represent the family members and their connections to the larger royal lineage."

"What about nobles? Do they have their own as well?" Shinichi quipped.

"Yes they do," Ranran nodded.

"Including you?" Shinichi suddenly remembered that Ranran had been born of noble origins through her mother. 

"Including us." The founder confirmed. "Think of it as a visual representation of a family's identity."

Shinichi pondered for a moment. "What do they normally use crests for by the way?"

"It works something like an ID card," Ranran explained, "It is normally used on official documents, personal items, and sometimes even clothing. And in some cases, it serves as a way to mark ownership, indicate familial or political affiliations, and establish a sense of identity."

Takuma was clearly fascinated by this revelation. "So, it's not just for show, it has practical applications."

"But to see a snake in there....." Shinichi tried not to laugh, but it was difficult not to, "If I were the King and I noticed this, I would behead him if it isn't the 21st century."

"It can't be helped," Ranran shrugs, "When his infamous affair in Norway made it to the press at that time, there was the plan to update their new look for their family crests, but the divorce made a huge delay to this plan as a result. And the designer who did this happened to be an underpaid artist who was skilled in making some magnificent emblems for the rich. In a way, the designer owed a lot to the late queen, because she was the only royal who listened to his plight and got him the raise he deserved. When she passed away, when the royal family finally decided the crests had to be shown to the world at a certain deadline, the artist took his chance and added the serpents. He wasn't brave enough to add more, of course, but he managed to make his statement clear."

Takuma couldn't help but chuckle. "A subtle act of rebellion through art. I have to admit, it's a bold move."

"But I am surprised that he had the audacity to do so...." Shinichi was in awe, "I mean if I were in his shoes, and the royal queen who backed up my career had died unexpectedly, I would be trembling at the thought of losing my career!"

"A year after she passed away, Landon's grandmother's marriage to his grandfather made it to the press, so it pissed off many angry citizens of Norway, who has yet to move on from the deceased queen's death. So when the designer added the snake to the royal emblem, although the royal family noticed it, they were not in a position to fire him due to the scandal caused by Landon's grandmother. In a way, if they fire him, he can make money by selling out secrets of the royal family that would've made him millions. And this is the 21st century, so no one's head will be making it down the chopping block." Ranran continued, her tone carrying a mix of understanding and cynicism. "There was also a huge boycott on people no longer wanting to apply for a job under the royal family thanks to the affair, so the family couldn't hire another designer besides this one."

"So to cut a long story short, the designer had them by the balls, right?" Takuma grinned.

"The family asked for it. Though I do feel a bit sorry for Landon." Shinichi is attempting not to smile at the royal family's predicament, but it is difficult not to. "Anyway, what is your reason for browsing the royal family's site?"

"I want to identify the faces of the royal family members," Ranran revealed.

"Why? Couldn't you have just checked in on Facebook or something?" Takuma grew confused. "Nowadays, I read that even royal families in the U.K. do that sort of stuff."

"Not the Lockwood family from Norway," Ranran refutes, then adds, "Because of that infamous scandal, everyone in the royal family had to resort to keeping a low profile online. They hardly have any personal social media presence."

"Then what about those ceremonies they do out in the public? Surely there had to be photos of their faces." Shinichi frowned.

"Yes, there are public appearances and ceremonies, but as I mentioned earlier, thanks to that scandal, they happen to be the only royal family who had highly orchestrated events with controlled access. It's not easy to find candid photos of them online. And given their recent controversies involving Landon, they've become even more cautious about their public image." Ranran nodded in agreement.

Shinichi raised an eyebrow. "Whose photos are you looking for?"

"His Tousan, the Crown Prince. General Stefan, Landon's step-uncle, as well as Landon's grandfather. Plus the deceased women in the family." Ranran decided.

Carefully reviewing the information on the laptop, she wasn't pleased to see no photo in sight.

"Well, that is a waste, is it not?" Takuma sighed.

As Ranran swings her legs silently, Shinichi almost forgets something. "Ah right, Ranran, when Landon offered to hand you over the 'Pandora Book' as collateral, what was that about?"

"About that..." Ranran glanced up from the laptop, her expression thoughtful. "That is a story for another time."

Shinichi exchanged a glance with Takuma, both of them curious about the mysterious "Pandora Book." It was clear that Ranran was keeping a lot of cards close to her chest, and this was just another piece of the puzzle.

Suddenly, they heard the door knock from the bookshelf.

Ranran's head snapped up at the unexpected sound of the door knock. She quickly closed the laptop and set it aside, her expression becoming alert. Shinichi and Takuma exchanged a glance, mirroring her vigilance.

"Who could that be?" Takuma whispered.

"We're not expecting anyone," Shinichi replied in a hushed tone before checking to see who it was, as Takuma followed closely behind, ready for whatever might await them on the other side. As soon as a familiar face popped at the window on a stormy night, Shinichi's eyes widened as he recognised who it was. "Ranran, Sergeant Genzo is here!"

"Ah snap!" Hurried, she threw the laptop to Takuma before ordering, "Hide it, hurry! I don't want him to end up accidentally tipping General Stefan that Landon was here!"

Takuma caught the laptop with nimble reflexes, quickly moving to find a safe place to conceal it. Meanwhile, Ranran, Shinichi, and Takuma shared a quick, wordless exchange of understanding. The unexpected arrival of Sergeant Genzo had injected a surge of urgency into their already tense situation.

As Ranran motioned for Shinichi to open the hidden entrance, she quickly scanned the room for any other potential breaches. There was no time to waste. Takuma carefully stashed the laptop away, ensuring it was well hidden from prying eyes.

Shinichi discreetly opened the hidden door in the bookshelf, revealing Sergeant Genzo's expectant face. The rain outside seemed to intensify, providing some cover for their conversation.

"Sergeant Genzo," Ranran greeted him, maintaining her composure. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit on such a stormy night?"

"Just wanted to drop by, that is all." Sergeant Genzo eyed them suspiciously "I must have come at a bad time."

"Eh?" Shinichi reacted with a blink.

"Cause where is Michio, Emiko and Junko by the way?" The man peered around the room. "I heard that there had been some feud or something not long after last year's major case."

Ranran quickly formulated a response, her tone casual. "Ah, they had to step out for a moment. Urgent business, you know how it is."

"Exactly!" Takuma recovered his mood quickly. He shot the sergeant his usual cheery grin. "Also, Ran had returned to make amends, so all is good and well."

"Ah, is that so?" Sergeant Genzo then shut the door behind him.

"By the way, what are you doing here, Sergeant Genzo?" Shinichi is eager to know the reason for his presence.

"Are you....sure you are all not busy?" Sergeant Genzo questioned the trio.

"No, nothing much is going on at the moment." Shinichi shook his head. "It's been very quiet, hasn't it, guys?"

"Boring, really boring," Takuma nodded vigorously

"Just routine paperwork," Ranran smiled sweetly.

"Really?" Sergeant Genzo quizzed them in suspicion.

"I mean just look outside, all this rain is bad for business," Shinichi shrugged while pointing at the window, showing the heavy downpour.

Sergeant Genzo's gaze shifted from one member to another, his expression a mixture of curiosity and scepticism. He seemed to be assessing their responses carefully. Ranran, Shinichi, and Takuma did their best to maintain a composed facade, concealing any signs of unease.

"You're right," Sergeant Genzo finally conceded, glancing at the rain outside. 

"Well, you must be very busy, Sergeant, we won't keep you waiting around if you are," Shinichi added, edging away.

"As a matter of fact," Sergeant Genzo stepped forward, "I almost forgot the reason why I am here, it's about a recent incident involving overseas, which is why we were contacted over and I had to share it with you guys."

The tension in the room seemed to hang in the air as Sergeant Genzo's words sunk in. Ranran, Shinichi, and Takuma exchanged quick glances, their guard still up. The unexpected arrival of the police officer had taken them off guard, and they were on high alert.

"What incident?" Ranran inquired, keeping her tone steady, though her mind raced to piece together the situation.

Sergeant Genzo hesitated for a moment as if choosing his words carefully. "It involves a high-profile case in Norway. The Lockwood family, to be precise."

"Who?" Takuma pretended to be confused.

"A royal family from Norway, which is why the foreign government has sought our help," He began, his eyes never leaving the children's faces. "It is a lot more serious than one would imagine, that it concerns national importance."

With Sergeant Genzo taking a seat, he began. "Ranran, I know that you used to study at Edgewood Academy back in the U.K., correct?" The little girl silently nodded as the man revealed, "Apparently, this student happened to steal some sensitive documents belonging to the government of Norway," the sergeant continued, "Since this incident involved a 10-year-old boy, adding the fact that he is a royal prince of Norway, the situation has become an international matter. Which is why the ambassador of Norway requested us to look into this matter."

"I see," Ranran responded, her voice steady. "And how does this concern us, Sergeant Genzo?"

Sergeant Genzo's gaze was piercing. "Because there are indications that Landon Lockwood may have sought refuge here in Japan. If that....wasn't bad enough, I have been informed that the student in question was seen outside your headquarters yesterday morning," Sergeant Genzo replied gruffly.

"If you are talking about that boy who was surveying at Michio's Okaasan boutique shop, especially outside the pink vending machine door, we have that footage captured on CCTV, and he did browse around the area." Shinichi showed him the video on his smartphone, "He did drop by, but he left before we could ask who he is, and what was he doing outside our association."

Sergeant Genzo studied the video footage intently, his brow furrowed in concentration. The rain outside continued to pour, a steady drumming that seemed to underscore the gravity of the situation. Ranran, Shinichi, and Takuma watched him closely, wondering if he bought their story.

After a moment, Sergeant Genzo handed the phone back to Shinichi, his expression still serious. "This confirms it. It seems highly likely that Landon Lockwood is indeed in Japan." 

"And in case you ain't aware, yesterday, some weird General from Norway barged into our office, demanding us to hand over Landon, even though we showed him the footage ourselves!" Shinichi spat bitterly as he lay half-heartedly, "He was rude too towards us!"

"Yeah!" Takuma agreed.

"Eh!?" Sergeant Genzo's expression hardened as he took in the information. "So he really took matters into his own hands."

"Sergeant, may I ask...what is the specific document Landon has stolen?" Ranran had to ask.

"I can't share much, since it will risk me getting fired, "Sergeant Genzo leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Ranran. "But if what you said was true about General Stefan, then I think I better get the cops to keep an eye on him."

"Eh? Why?!" Shinichi is curious to know more.

"Yesterday I met up with General Stefan, which is what he asked me to call him, with the Norway ambassador at a special briefing. And as far as I can remember, he was very defiant and insisted on locating Landon, telling us if we couldn't locate him, he would do it himself. The problem was...I remember during the break-in incident regarding your previous major case, you specified that the address of the association wasn't up on the Internet even up till now.  So how would he know the address of your association? Let alone, know the existence of your HQ? Cause I am certain I didn't bring this up before him."

Shinichi exchanged a worried glance with Ranran and Takuma. It was becoming increasingly clear that there was more to this situation than met the eye. 

"Just out of curiosity, did he really steal those documents?" Ranran asked innocently.

"According to the Interpol of Norway and in the U.K., where Edgewood Academy was based, he did, which is why they got us involved in the first place." Sergeant Genzo explained.

"And do you buy a word those people said?" Takuma pressed, "Cause I heard from Ranran recently that royal families have their own secret police, and that victims of royal families will never get justice if the royal family committed a crime, since the family technically own the cops. That means even if a royal family member is innocent but framed for a crime by someone of royalty, they will still end up getting punished for things they didn't do. And Landon isn't even a King yet."

"It's true that matters involving royalty can be...complicated," he began, his voice measured. "There are often political interests at play, and the truth can sometimes be obscured. However, the evidence provided by Interpol and the U.K. authorities is substantial, and it's led them to believe that Landon Lockwood is involved in the theft of those documents."

"But how can we be sure that they aren't trying to frame him?" Shinichi pressed, her gaze steady.

"It's a valid concern," Sergeant Genzo acknowledged. "But to be fair, it ain't our right to interfere."

"Ain't it?" Shinichi challenged, "We are in Japan, and they are technically standing on the soil of our backyard!"

"Let me explain something," Sergeant Genzo began to explain to the children, "Anything that involves a foreign embassy or high commission is regarded as foreign soil, even though it's sitting on our soil."

"Ranran, what is Sergeant Genzo talking about?" Takuma grew confused as he sought his friend for an explanation.

"Let me simplify for you," Ranran leaned forward, her expression serious as she addressed Takuma's question. "He's referring to the concept of diplomatic immunity."

"Diplomatic immunity?" Takuma repeated.

"Think of it as me building my house in your backyard," Ranran simplifies, "Except that house is considered its own little country. If I invite someone into my house, the laws of your backyard don't apply to them. They have to follow my rules while they're in my house, even though they're physically on your property."

"Excuse me!?" Takuma was flabbergasted by her explanation, "But it is my house!"

"Exactly, which is how diplomatic immunity works. It's an international agreement that allows diplomats and their properties to be exempt from the laws of the host country."

Takuma scratched his head, trying to wrap his mind around the concept.

"So to put it bluntly, the laws of Japan will never apply to people like General Stefan, because of diplomatic immunity, right?" Shinichi crossed his arms while sounding displeased at this, "This too applies to innocent people who flee all the way here, right?"

Ranran nodded solemnly. 

"Seriously!? What is the point of having a royal family in one's country, if they are going to act all mafia-like with everyone around them whenever they go?!" Takuma snapped, "All they are doing is leaching onto our hard-earned money and going around causing destruction wherever they go!"

"I questioned this nonsense for the past 2 years when I first started Edgewood Academy, I get that a lot." Ranran rolled her eyes as she sighed.

Recalling Ranran used to be a study of Edgewood, it suddenly dawned on Shinichi that there must have been unreasonable restrictions on the school grounds for her as well. "Was it the same for Edgewood?"

"Oh, that...." Ranran chuckled darkly before revealing vaguely, "Those days...I made sure that would be put to an end a long time ago before I left."

Shinichi and Takuma exchanged a surprised glance, "What....do you mean by that?" Takuma questioned the girl.

"When I say I put an end to things," Ranran's expression grew a little sinister as she smiled, "I made sure that would be some....' adjustments' made."

Shinichi and Takuma shared a moment of realization. Whatever has happened there through Ranran's manipulations, it ain't probably good for those kids who suffered under her, mainly, the high-ranking ones in Edgewood.

"Let's not get too sidetracked," Ranran's tone turned serious once more, "Whatever goes on between the Lockwood family, Sergeant Genzo and the rest of the officers around Japan are not allowed to interfere. Since it involved stupid laws and stuff, they had no choice but to play by the foreign laws of Norway here in Japan."

"But if that is the case....if Landon was captured, won't he be killed!?" Takuma protested.

"Really, I have no words to describe this," Shinichi isn't pleased with the developments over what he had just learned from his mentor. Emotions of disappointment and frustration boiled over his head. "What such idiotic rule exists to protect them?"

"Ooi, it ain't all that bad," Sergeant Genzo gave him an irritated look."It's a very fair law to protect others."

"Like how so?" Shinichi challenged, "It sounds like it benefits the royal family more than other people like us!"

"Think about it this way, for instance, you and Takuma flew to Norway, but some idiot decided to throw you both in prison for transporting drugs." Ranran painted a fictional scenario of the two little boys, "You both narrowly escape from prison to get inside the embassy of Japan in Norway, now tell me, do you think they would be heartless enough to throw the both of you back to the wolves?"

Contemplating the hypothetical scenario, the two boys decided, "I suppose in that situation, it would be a relief to have the embassy protect us," Takuma admitted.

"I agree, but that doesn't change the fact that people could simply use their status to potentially escape justice," Shinichi pointed out, his frustration still evident.

"Shinichi is right," Takuma argued back. "It's one thing if this exists to protect us, but it is another when one uses it to mess with others!"

"Anyway, the reason I am telling you all of this is simple," Sergeant Genzo interrupted the children as he cleared his throat, before announcing, "If he ever drops by this place, send it over to us. Cause I have a gut feeling that after your sightings on General Stefan coming here, Landon could've come all the way here again to seek your help." 

As he stood up from the table, Ranran asked a casual question, "Neh Sergeant Genzo."

"Hmph?"

"Just asking out of curiosity, but if there were evidence to suggest that Landon was innocent, would you still hand him over to the embassy of Norway?"

Sergeant Genzo's eyebrows shot up. "That's not for me to say I'm sure if our government decided the boy was innocent and his life was in danger, then he might not be handed over: He might be treated as a refugee and allowed to stay here. But I wouldn't be the person making that decision. Why? Are you kids planning not to if that is the case?"

While Ranran's expression remained unfazed, Takuma's face fell while arguing, "But, Sergeant, you can't trust General Stefan! He is a bad man!"

"And how would you know that? Is he even your friend to begin with?" Sergeant Genzo's temper rose. "Whatever matters involving politics, mainly someone from a royal family, the last thing you want to do is get involved." He growled. "Cause unlike the 7 major cases you have all solved together, this is a case where the relation between two countries can take place if we don't do a thing about it. Even a war might happen, despite the fact that we are all living in the 21st century!"

Silence.

"Now Ranran, about what I asked earlier, do you have plans to hand him over if he was innocent?"

The 6-year-old girl retains her poker expression, which secretly frustrates Sergeant Genzo greatly since he has no idea what goes inside her head. Even when Ranran used to work as The Fox back then, his colleagues couldn't understand what she truly thought of them, since she rarely gave away her true feelings, unlike Michio, the son of his deceased friend.

"Truthfully...I will hand him over regardless." Ranran shrugs.

"Hah!?" Sergeant Genzo, as well as the two boys, had their jaws dropped. This was not the response they were expecting from her. Then again, Ranran had an unpredictable reputation.

"Why?" Takuma was the first to find his voice, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Ranran gazed evenly at Takuma, then at Sergeant Genzo. "You said it yourself earlier, I barely knew Landon enough to judge him, and neither do Takuma and Shinichi. After all, I ain't the type to listen to one side of the story, then throw everything at my disposal to protect a stranger, mainly a royal prince so to speak. Even if he was proven innocent if I throw in everything to defend him, considering Landon happens to be a prince of a royal family, did it not occur that General Stefan, his step-uncle, would end up destroying one's lives in ways unimaginable?"

"Like what?" Takuma couldn't understand.

"Declare war on another country that is allianced to Japan, enough to a point that when the country suffers poor economy thanks to the war, all of us may end up living on the streets for instance?" Ranran pointed out.

Sergeant Genzo's face contorted with frustration and disbelief. He had not anticipated such a response from the young girl. Her pragmatic approach, while practical, clashed with his own sense of justice and moral duty.

"But Ranran, he's just a kid," Shinichi protested, his voice tinged with desperation. "He doesn't deserve to be handed over to someone who could harm him."

"Your parents, Kudo Yukiko, is a housewife, no longer a silver screen actress since she married your father, Kudo Yusaku, who is a best-selling mystery writer." Ranran reminded the apprentice, "Tell me, Shinichi, although your family had connections to the entertainment world, do they have any connections that could aid in the world of government and politics?"

Shinichi's face fell, realizing the truth in Ranran's words.

Ranran turned her gaze to Takuma. "And what about you, Takuma? Could your family intervene in such matters?"

Takuma hesitated before shaking his head. "No... My family, we're just regular folks. We don't have any connections to government or diplomacy."

"Your families, both Shinichi and Takuma, are mere ants. Talking about wanting to protect others in that world, when neither of your families had any protection from such trivials....it won't end well." Ranran sighed.

"Not even yours?" Shinichi confronted.

"Just because I had nobility running in my blood, and some connections, I know better than my deck of cards won't do us justice against Landon's family. Which is why, it would be better to hand Landon over, but not before getting to the bottom of the truth." Ranran decided.

Sergeant Genzo studied her carefully, his expression a mix of surprise and approval. "You're wiser than your years, Ranran."

Ranran gave a small smile, acknowledging the compliment. "Thank you, Sergeant."

Shinichi and Takuma exchanged glances, still processing Ranran's unexpected response. It was clear that she had a pragmatic approach to the situation, prioritizing their own safety and well-being above all else.

"Well, I think it's time I leave now," Sergeant Genzo got to his feet and looked at his watch. Then, before shutting the bookshelf door, he turned to Ranran to say, "And as for you, Ranran, if you do manage to find him, you all would've two hours to bring him to my office. Two hours not a minute more."

With that, he ended it by leaving and shutting the door behind the association.