The establishment of the Time Travelers Alliance began in the first year of Conan

Chapter 302 Attempting to Go Beyond the [Shell] (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Standing at the top of the Star Viewing Tower, Koizumi Akako's shadow was shattered by the moonlight streaming through the skylight, reflected in the mirror-like ground and the surrounding glass curtain walls.

The light in his pupils had faded, and even his long, crimson hair was tinged with a dark red by the shadow cast by a dark cloud.

They actually saved the whole world...

Even though this "paradise" was ultimately infused with her blood and tears...

Clearly, everyone should have the happiness they deserve...

But in the end, why am I still all alone?

Koizumi Akako couldn't understand this.

The air was as still as if frozen, and you could even hear her suppressed sadness and trembling voice.

Her eyes were already red, but that stubborn look in her eyes refused to let the tears fall.

Lin Sheng didn't speak, and Conan stood silently behind her.

They waited quietly for Hongzi's emotions to gradually calm down.

After all, what can they possibly say?

For someone who, from beginning to end, held onto—

What emotions were they holding?

Koizumi Akako, this capricious witch.

Initially, she embarked on this seemingly endless journey of fate with "the blindness of love," joining this unbearable burden.

She thought it was her own choice.

But free will is a lie.

And as she harbored resentment towards that hateful fate, she repeatedly convinced herself:

"This is for Kaito..."

"This is so that everyone can have a choice for the future..."

But in the end, just before she reached the "happy" ending, she suddenly realized...

—Relatives and friends are, in fact, just some kind of reflection of her in the mirror.

"I'm very sorry."

Unexpectedly, it was Conan who spoke first.

Conan knows how much Akako sacrificed for this ending.

This feeling is roughly like someone who has dedicated everything to their homeland, even risking their life, only to be coldly informed of the end—

This is not home.

No—you don't need to apologize.

Koizumi Akako had completely calmed down; her voice was even excessively calm.

She wiped her eyes with her sleeve, then looked up at Conan, whose eyes were full of apology.

"This is not your fault."

Hongzi was even somewhat annoyed by her brief emotional breakdown.

"I was just... suddenly a little excited."

After all, it's just... it's just that I've never truly possessed anything.

As a witch, she was used to being alone.

Now, it's just that we've returned to that familiar place from the beginning.

Besides...

Koizumi Akako looked at the two people standing in front of her. Didn't they also know about this?
Especially that kid Conan.

Upon careful consideration, I realized that my situation was probably not much different from his.

even--

Perhaps that child is the one who is most heartbroken.

Hongzi slowly took a deep breath, suppressing the last trace of soreness and bitterness in her chest.

She asked softly, "Does Kaito know about this?"

"No."

Lin Sheng's answer put her at ease.

"I've discussed this with Conan. To prevent unnecessary panic, only a very small number of people will know the truth that everyone is a [RSI anomaly derivative]."

Lin Sheng explained, "As long as the [cycle] rotates once more, the origin of the alliance will be rewritten."

"It all comes down to a prophetic accident in 1888—a runaway 'prophetic machine' revealed the power of the 'detective,' and thus the CYZ Alliance was born."

"At that time, everyone will only know this and believe it is the result of some kind of prophecy."

Hongzi nodded, indicating that she understood, but then more questions arose in her mind.

She didn't understand.

"why me?"

Clearly, there must have been a reason why I was chosen to stay and was told the truth.

"Actually, you could also put me in the [loop]—"

Lin Sheng interrupted her, staring into Hongzi's eyes.

"So, Hongzi, do you want this done? Do you want us to also put you into the [loop] and erase your memories?"

Hongzi was taken aback.

She understood, of course, that if they were willing, she too could have a brand new life.

I don't remember these things, and I don't know that Kaito is just a reflection of something.

Perhaps she could even have a perfect ending with Kaito in this paradise-like world.

—But she already knows.

Just as the truth cannot be erased from the detective's mind, she can no longer "pretend not to know."

This is the witch's pride.

After a moment of silence, Lin Sheng began to explain the question that Hongzi had just asked.

“Hongzi, you asked ‘why me?’ I can give you the answer now.”

Lin Sheng gently raised his hand, and the surrounding space naturally changed according to his will.

The CYZ effect unfolded silently, and Lin Sheng unveiled a veil of reality that had been covering time and space like a light gauze.

The metal and glass structure that originally belonged to the top of the Star Viewing Tower was like ripples on a soft water surface, and then, like a faded canvas being torn open, it revealed another vibrant color.

Before Hongzi could react, she found herself stepping onto a red carpet that was both strange and familiar.

She returned to that ancient and lonely witch's castle.

"This issue is actually a bit complicated."

Lin Sheng gestured for Hongzi to look at the witch's castle, which she knew all too well.

Hongzi followed his gaze across the hall—

That once bustling place is now deserted.

"Hongzi, have you noticed..."

Lin Sheng paused, then said softly, "Your butler, and the entire witch family, have not returned. Moreover, this disappearance is clearly not the result of the [dual timelines], because they have already vanished."

"What does this mean?" Hongzi asked, somewhat puzzled.

Conan's voice rang out, and he explained:

“If you, Akako-neechan, were a member of the universe from the beginning, then those things related to magic should have returned.”

"Because of these things, in theory, all we need to do is transfer them to the back of the [ring], to the [second universe] that I can't see, and we can come back."

“But they don’t,” Lin Sheng continued.

“Akako, you should know that the ‘Detective Conan-Magic Hybrid Argumentation System’ has always been an important topic for the Magic Research Department.”

"This involves some new developments regarding the [RSI numerical system]. Many people are trying to explain your and Conan's unusual effects using a unified system."

"But the experimental results were very bad."

As Lin Sheng spoke, he transformed the surrounding scene into a laboratory within the [Magic Research Department].

Divination crystal ball, cursed doll, enchantment mirror, magic book...

Taking advantage of the special nature of the time, these magical items can be considered "infinite" in number in a sense.

Before them lay a ritual array, so perfect that even Koizumi Akako could not find any fault with it.

"3, 2, 1... Start—"

A researcher in a white lab coat shouted, and a halo appeared in the crystal ball, but then it went out with a "snap" as if some kind of power source had been cut off.

"What's going on? We clearly replicated it according to the divination method left by the director, so it should be able to produce precognitive images!"

"How about trying 'magic trigger'?"

"Impossible! Theoretically, this doesn't depend on magic itself—"

Lin Sheng waved his hand to dismiss the image and returned to the castle.

"In fact, the experiment could not succeed regardless of whether magic was involved or not. Neither generating magic nor using rituals or tools that do not utilize magic would work."

"Unless the CYZ effect is used to forcibly anchor a site."

Hongzi already knew what Lin Sheng was going to say.

"—Anchoring yourself as a witch who can use magic in the entire universe as the base."

This result undoubtedly dealt a devastating blow to the Magic Research Club and the much-anticipated Red Magic Research Club.

Their department seemed to have reverted to a past where they could only research "anti-magic devices."

"So... does that mean... Universe Two itself is also rejecting me?"

“No.” Lin Sheng slowly shook his head. “Actually, it’s worse than that.”

Lin Sheng revealed the real reason why he and Conan ultimately allowed Akako to stay.

"Your current situation is very similar to Conan's."

"If you stay away from the Star Tower for too long, you are very likely to become like Koizumi Akako, who has lost her magic and can only use shallow prophecies."

The thought that she might lose even her identity as a witch sent a chill down her spine.

She instinctively hugged her arms.

“…What is this?” she said softly.

"However, as long as we have enough CYZ effect, we can still go out for a stroll, right, Lin Sheng?"

Conan couldn't help but tug at Lin Sheng's trouser leg—why can't this guy say anything good?

"And it's not like we have absolutely no good news!"

Conan then offered the possible good news: "We might have a way to find the universe you came from."

Koizumi Akako suddenly raised her head.

"What?!!"

……

In fact, the exploration of the existence outside the [Shell Universe] and the so-called "worldview cluster" began long after the [Ring] had closed and stabilized.

This is a truly cutting-edge cross-domain research project within the CYZ Alliance.

The CYZ Effect Research Institute, the Narrative Studies Department, the Time Research Department which squeezed in, and the newly established Worldview Cluster Research Institute quickly produced their research results.

Preliminary observations on the non-uniqueness of shells and the nature of groups.

[Conan Edogawa] briefly served as the main force in the research and as research material.

After all, having accomplished everything, He has officially been promoted to the second member of the [Core Layer], namely Z-Class Directive-02.

Then Lin Sheng immediately dragged him to do "hard labor".

After all, only He can now repeatedly jump around the mechanism of the [Shell], just like Professor Agasa did back then.

Conan finds it really difficult to retrieve information that is close to the truth but will never trigger the "shell" mechanism amidst constant "stagnation".

He constantly revisits himself as he is about to touch the truth, and promptly shares the pressure with Karasuma Renya.

So finally—

Lin Sheng looked at the report in his hand with a strange, indescribable expression.

"That is to say——"

For the first time, his tone revealed a hint of a headache.

"Is the 'shell' actually some kind of 'closed defense mechanism'? And there's more than one?"

Frankly, this information was a huge blow to those researchers—a blow in every sense of the word.

Even the execution layer was momentarily at a loss for words in the face of this outcome.

"According to the information provided by Mr. ZC-01, the situation is not very optimistic..."

"Yes, ZC-02 actually said that the [shell] is actually some kind of defense mechanism... This universe is really doomed."

After all, considering the "influence" that [Conan Edogawa] has shown in the Alliance's data records.

You really can't imagine what this "shell" is designed to "defend" against.

"So that's the situation."

Lin Sheng pointed to Conan beside him. To prevent himself from having to reset Conan using the CYZ effect again later, he waved his hand to block out the sounds around Conan.

Then he looked at Koizumi Akako.

"Based on the information this guy revealed, we should now be on the edge of the [Detective Conan universe].

"And this so-called 'shell' should be called 'The Universe of the Shell in the Conan Worldview System'."

Koizumi Akako and Hayashi Noboru at the time were clearly as surprised as every researcher who had analyzed this point.

For a moment, she was only filled with shock, and her voice became somewhat stammering.

"So... does that mean there are actually many beings like Conan?!"

"What is Akako saying?" Conan saw Akako suddenly look shocked, and even subconsciously point at him.

He was curious and couldn't help but subconsciously analyze Hongzi's lip movements—

Then the light and shadow of Akako in front of Conan disappeared.

It was clearly Lin Sheng who did it.

Under Conan's somewhat displeased gaze, Lin Sheng nodded to Akako.

"It's true."

"In fact, it seems that the number of [Shell Universes] is theoretically infinite."

Lin Sheng then projected several hypothetical diagrams of the worldview system provided by the Department of Narrative Studies.

"It could be a nested structure, or it could be parallel or layered, or even a parallel system that doesn't interfere with each other, or a spiral system similar to a dual timeline..."

"This one is the most credible at the moment."

Lin Sheng left behind a structural diagram that was considered highly credible.

"The structure of the shell is not in a physical sense. Currently, its surroundings, as well as its inside and outside, are also a shell."

"This defense mechanism is designed to prevent those who come in from getting out."

Lin Sheng even suspected that he might have been captured by this "Detective Conan universe" because of some mechanism of the "shell".

"As for whether every [Edogawa Conan] is this powerful."

Lin Sheng's voice carried a hint of seriousness.

"I'm sorry, Akako, your idea is probably correct."

He waved his hand to switch the images, projecting several documents marked in dark red.

“We tried to track down the three Alliance members who ‘fell out’ of the Conan Universe-001 a long time ago.”

"We have already made contact with a member of the [Detective Conan Universe-002]."

Hongzi looked up, a hopeful glint in her eyes: "So, the Alliance can help me go back—"

“No, we can’t do that right now.” Lin Sheng shook his head directly. “In fact, it would be difficult to even keep them ‘surviving’.”

"In the [Detective Conan Universe-002] is Imai, a member of [Destiny's Mandate]. It seems that he must be cautious in participating in each case and it would be best if he only appeared as a passerby."

Lin Sheng explained under Hongzi's questioning gaze:
"The internal mechanism of that shell is completely different from ours."

"That [Edogawa Conan] only 'depicted' a part around him, thus achieving the continuity of the 'case'."

“However, TDD records a ‘linear timeline,’ so if Imai gives up even once, he will be directly ‘refreshed’.”

—In fact, when Lin Sheng first made contact with Imai through the CYZ effect, he was even somewhat shocked.

He actually did it all by himself!

Using only a simple RSI value measuring instrument and its own timeline monitoring equipment, it has found a way to maintain itself and has discovered the difference in its operating mechanism.

"However, when I contacted him, his CYZ effect was almost depleted, even though I had already sent some..."

Lin Sheng did not continue speaking.

The situation is clearly still far from optimistic.

The alliance can only advise him to avoid touching the [shell] mechanism and to try to avoid certain threats by following [historical inertia].

"As for [Detective Conan Universe-003]..."

Lin Sheng rarely sighed, "The mechanism of that universe's 'shell' has been activated, and it's extremely dangerous."

—All CYZ effects are like mud oxen sinking into the sea.

"This is also the first time we have confirmed that the full activation of the [Shell] will lead to an irreversible Cataclysmic level of danger."

“Cataclysmic?” Hongzi repeated Lin Sheng’s words. “What is that?”

In fact, not long ago, based on the changes in the [RSI numerical coordinate system] and the changes in effects caused by Lin Sheng's own [CYZ effect].

The CYZ Effect Research Institute has tentatively established a rough, four-level threat level classification for the [Worldview Universe]:

Hazard level: Nadir, meaning latent and stable.

This corresponds to the relatively easy "influence difficulty" that the Alliance can exert on Conan Edogawa before the "ritual" takes place.

Hazard level: Volatile, meaning changeable or volatile.

Corresponding to the initial stage of the [ritual] being triggered, the background value of the entire universe's RSI effect exceeded one hundred.

At this point, the "influence difficulty" for [Conan Edogawa] has increased to Hard.

Hazard level: Eclipse, Hazard, or Significant hazard.

This corresponds to the "Difficulty of Influence" when Conan's RSI value rises to 333 after the third and fifth pointers.

At this point, the "difficulty of influencing" [Conan Edogawa] rises to "impossible", and the scope of influence will extend beyond a single universe.

Finally, there's the Cataclysmic event that occurs when the shell is activated, which is a disaster or catastrophe.

This corresponds to the period during the "Hoshimi Tower Case" when Conan's RSI value rose infinitely.

"And the expected result is that everything will be forced to develop according to the inertia of history."

This is probably one of the most ruthless and efficient functions of the "shell mechanism":

As long as the conditions are met, it will pull all deviations back on track indiscriminately.

In other words, the member of the alliance who "fell" into the [Detective Conan Universe-003] has, in a sense, lost any possibility of being rescued.

Lin Sheng even strongly suspected that Koizumi Akako, who was standing in front of him, actually came from another worldview system.

Perhaps, it's a world-building system called "Kaito Kid 1412".

Based on the two sample worldview systems we've encountered so far—

Magic has never been truly acknowledged in the world of Detective Conan.

"Furthermore, considering that Akako is an RSI anomaly source, and her weakness relative to [Conan Edogawa]..."

Perhaps the origin of Akako is not a "shell universe".

But now is not the time to talk about that. Lin Sheng paused, then discarded some unfounded speculations and spoke his true thoughts.

"So, Akako—"

"If you're not really attached to your original worldview and universe, I don't recommend going back given the limited information available at the moment."

Lin Sheng's gaze fell on Hongzi's face. He sighed and added:

"Currently, we can only attempt to imprecisely 'project' the CYZ effect outside the shell."

"Although we established a connection in the '002' universe, it was only after thousands of failures that we managed to make contact once."

Lin Sheng felt somewhat helpless when he thought about this—that would be such a waste of the CYZ effect.

The fact that each shell is a shell inside and out, and that different shells can have different internal mechanisms, has caused the alliance a lot of trouble.

"Moreover, every failure may trigger the shell's own countermeasure mechanism."

"After all, the universe we live in now should be completely safe."

Hongzi listened quietly.

Finally, she nodded slightly, indicating that she would give it serious consideration.

"Okay, I understand." Then, instinctively, she asked, "Is there anything else I need to do?"

Lin Sheng glanced at Conan beside him, reminding him to come back to his senses.

"I need you and Conan to complete a set of [Heroic Spirit Panels]."

This is also why the Alliance is currently very cautious about the [Shell] and the [Worldview System], and is quite uncertain whether its theories are correct.

Hasegawa Moon.

Lin Sheng contacted her and asked her to make a rough judgment based on the rate of decline of the CYZ effect.

The threat level of that universe is currently Volatile.

But the worldview universe she is currently in is extremely, extremely, extremely strange.

It has absolutely no connection to "Detective Conan".

Because it was a world filled with "heroic spirits," "magic," and "summoning."

More importantly and strangely—

It seems to welcome newcomers.

Frankly, the fact that the Shell welcomes outsiders is enough to overturn many of the Alliance's current speculations and theories.

Therefore, whether it was for the sake of rescuing Hasegawa Tsuki.

It still stems from the continued exploration of the [shell] and the [worldview system].

The CYZ Alliance has been preparing for this for a long time.

The technical director of the Equipment Manufacturing Department was finally able to fulfill his long-held wish.

He suddenly leaned back, then projected a list of all categories from the Alliance Support Library, filling every inch of his field of vision.

"Give me a list of all conceptual weapons, timeline weapons, matter transformation, spatial dimensions, consciousness and spirit, magic, CYZ effect weapons...!"

It can only be said that, considering what Hasegawa Tsuki is facing, it is likely a threat with a cosmic impact.

The logistics and support staff, who are usually not very noticeable, were unusually mobilized in their entirety.

The CYZ Alliance will attempt for the first time to open a "door" outside of a worldview.

(End of this chapter)