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

Chapter 377 The Full View of Academy City

So the four of them ended up squeezing into a rather cramped taxi.

As they passed an intersection, Weber heard the driver ask a question.

“Mr. Weber, would you like me to drop you off at the north gate of the seaside park?”

"That way, we won't have to take the long detour from the Mihana Bridge."

The driver's attitude had a unique sincerity, as if he were genuinely concerned about Webber's wallet.

Weber was naturally puzzled.

Although he didn't have a map, he still remembered what was on it.

North gate of the seaside park?
On the map, the two locations look very close, but in reality, the sheer size of the city seems to far exceed Weber's senses.

What's more, the seaside park is on the opposite bank of the school, separated by the Miwon River!
I imagine there should be a bridge downstream of the Miwon River that directly connects the seaside park and the Detective Academy.

Weber asked tentatively, "You mean we can cross via that bridge down there?"

"Ah, I see. Judging from this, you must be a new student."

The driver seemed unsurprised by the misunderstandings that newcomers often have.

He then explained the difference to Weber.

"That bridge is actually a building owned by the academy itself. It would be a bit troublesome for outside vehicles like ours to pass through."

In fact, it's not just the bridge that connects to the west side of the seaside park.

Although the main body of [Beihana Town Detective Academy] doesn't look very big.

but--

The driver braked at the red light at the intersection, turned around, and said with a smile:

"Actually, the seaside park, or the area surrounding the school, should be considered private property."

"However, after that detective became the headmaster, most of these places were opened to the public."

He paused for a moment, then offered a solution.

"So, if you don't mind, I can stop at the pier on this side of the seaside park, and then you can take the ferry over."

The driver's gaze swept across the crowd through the rearview mirror, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"These basic transportation facilities are free for those of you with Detective Watches."

At this point, the driver let out a heavy sigh.

"Sigh—I wish my son could get into kindergarten too!"

"Even if it's just working as an assistant at those detective research institutes in the academy, that would be fine."

……

Clearly, even when leaving Beikacho Station, Weber had already emphasized to everyone the oddities he knew at the time—

The profession of "detective" may hold a very important place in this city.

However, they still underestimated the importance of the detective in Beika Town.

Because this is an open university, there is no wall-like structure.

Or, according to the driver, the wall was simply separating the core area of ​​the academy from the outside world, which was already open to the public.

Therefore, after the driver quotes a series of numbers for the detour and the time required to travel by land,

Despite having little wealth, Weber, after discussing it with others, chose to take the ferry.

Saving money is one aspect, but on the other hand, in Rider's words, they do need to scout out the situation.

The map on the train now seems inaccurate when it comes to the "Detective Academy".

Even Saber could tell that when Webber asked the question, the driver seemed unwilling to elaborate.

He only vaguely mentioned that an accident occurred at the academy about 60 years ago, and since then, the maps sold to the public have only marked the approximate location of the [Detective Academy].

Moreover, this driver seemed to know a great deal about the laws of Beika Town.

After casually reciting a few articles, he explained to everyone that such measures were legal and compliant.

"After all, although it is an academy, it is ultimately the private property of the Kudo family."

"As long as you are responsible for the students in the academy, the city hall has no say in other matters."

However, despite the driver's rambling, Weber had already prepared himself somewhat.

But when he stood on the ferry crossing on the east bank of the Weiyuan River, he was still greatly surprised.

The magician, who thought he was no longer surprised by so-called "ordinary" things, couldn't help but blurt out:

"What kind of detective academy has a cruise ship?!"

Weber couldn't help but complain about the somewhat absurd scene before him.

"Even a small cruise ship couldn't possibly sail on a river like the Weiyuan River!"

Weber's exclamation was not without reason.

What appeared before him was a ship that completely overturned his common sense.

This ship, which Weber calls a "cruise ship," is more refined than traditional ocean liner.

In fact, rather than being a colossal creature capable of sailing on the sea, it is more like a work of art tailor-made for [Wei Yuanchuan].

The streamlined white hull looked exceptionally elegant on this not-so-wide waterway.

The ship is only about three or four stories high, but its length is quite considerable, as slender and long as the waist of a graceful young woman.

Moreover, perhaps it was because those who could board the ship were all students who could stay at the school.

Therefore, its uppermost building is not a traditional cruise ship cabin, but an observation deck or restaurant with a tempered glass exterior.

In the midday sun, those windows shone like diamonds.

Weber squinted, avoiding the flashes of light and turning his gaze toward the cruise ship's deck.

It seemed that someone had spotted the four people on the dock; he saw a guy with binoculars waving at him.

Rider, who works as a bodyguard, has exceptionally good eyesight.

He made a gazing gesture, looking towards the dock on the opposite bank, and said, "A boat is coming."

All I can say is that compared to the simple, unmanned ferry crossing on the other side of the river, which is only marked by sunshades and a pier, the pier on the other side of the river is much more upscale.

It was a T-shaped luxury pier extending into the heart of the river.

Besides the seemingly new and solid concrete pillars, there is a row of lampposts along the edge that look like they belong to 19th-century London.

Compared to the white railings and mooring bollards of the dock, the style has a strange sense of mix-and-match.

Weber could only attribute it to the headmaster's peculiar hobby.

And just as Rider said.

Of the dozen or so small boats or speedboats moored beside the "river cruise ship," one pure white boat gracefully detached from the dock, cutting a V-shaped wave as it sailed toward the ferry crossing on the east bank.

……

For Goto Shosuke, who wanted to earn some academic credits.

After picking up Weber and the others, he maneuvered the small boat to change direction while looking at the four... who should be his juniors?
To this second-year student at the detective academy, the "new student" they received this time was rather strange.

Although he remembered that there was no age limit for the academy's recruitment, what about that red-haired strong man?

Whether it's his striking red hair, his exotic looks, or his robust and muscular physique...

He doesn't seem like the type to be a detective at all; he'd be better suited to be a bodyguard or a criminal investigator.

However, when he saw Saber holding the sword, a knowing look appeared in his eyes.

He got it!

It must be those armed police officers causing trouble again!

The trainee detective secretly looked down on those unconventional detectives.

By studying "murder techniques" and the expected reactions of victims, one can deduce the existence of the killer, or even directly seek opportunities to confront the criminal...

The so-called "Big Three" are just engaging in crooked and unethical practices!

A detective, like the school principal, should find clues and make the criminal sincerely confess and repent!
If the headmaster weren't so indifferent to these things... Hmph!

Thinking of this, the trainee detective, who was aligned with the school principal's faction, snorted coldly, his previously enthusiastic attitude suddenly cooling down.

……

Weber, who had been a student at the Clock Tower, immediately noticed this subtle attitude of exclusion.

Ah! It's that familiar taste!

Webber then gave Iskandar a wink.

After signaling him not to reveal his relationship with him for the time being, Weber stepped forward to inquire about the information.

Fortunately, the other party didn't seem to think there was any connection between Weber and Iskandar.

The difference between the two, whether in spirit, physique, or appearance, is simply too great.

Therefore, after expressing his ignorance, Goto Shosuke immediately became somewhat enthusiastic.

“Junior Brother Webber, I suggest you stay away from the Armed Detective Faction.”

Goto Shosuke's tone was very sincere; he genuinely believed it was a heretical path.

"Although the school does teach both cold weapons and firearms, and there is even a military base in Hawaii for heavy weapons training in addition to conventional light weapons."

Weber felt that this senior seemed to have some misunderstanding about the profession of "detective".

But seeing the genuine expression on Goto Shosuke's face, he could only swallow his doubts.

The other party seemed genuinely afraid of heading down a path of no return, and even earnestly advised:
"But directly wielding knives and guns to fight criminals is far too dangerous."

"More importantly, it is easy to cause accidental injury. As a detective, besides justice, the second most important thing is respect for life."

"If it's just a handgun, it's fine. After all, you get a gun license as soon as you graduate, and if you're careful, it won't cause any injuries or fatalities."

"If rifles, submachine guns, or even explosives are used, even if the public is evacuated in advance, the final repair costs will still have to be borne by oneself."

The last sentence made Weber nod subconsciously, with lingering fear.

"Indeed, if we were to blow up a building—"

Then, he suddenly realized something was wrong!
"No, no, no!" Weber felt that something must have gone wrong.

He waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "How could a detective deal with such things?!"

"Of course, it's because criminals do it too!" the other person replied, as if it were all perfectly reasonable.

Even now, Weber could detect anger and disgust in Goto Shosuke's tone.

Goto Shosuke simply summarized the cause of the incident.

"In the last [Three Strongest Tournament], in order to increase their chances of winning, the Matou family took the lead in proposing the path of armed detective work, where any means are acceptable in order to solve the case."

The trainee detective said through gritted teeth, "That was the fastest elimination of the other two companies, and it was even the first time there were unexpected casualties."

"Although the competition was eventually stopped because of this, it also led to the promotion of this method."

"Since then, the armed detectives of the Matou family have made a great name for themselves in Beika Town, and even the headmaster of the school had to build training grounds such as shooting ranges."

Recalling the information his senior had once told him, Goto Akio sighed.

"After all, this is natural; as detectives upgrade their equipment, criminals will also develop more advanced equipment."

"more importantly……"

The senior student paused, then didn't continue.

"In short, you'll understand the specifics after you visit the school history museum."

……

Although he still had some doubts about why the "detective's" equipment upgrade would lead to the "criminal's" equipment upgrade, Weber didn't press the matter after the other party showed an attitude of "not wanting to talk about it further."

However, he already had some vague guesses in his mind.

The "detectives" in this world should be similar to magicians, police officers, or soldiers in my previous world, right?
Goto Shosuke clearly intended to change the subject.

He took a deep breath to calm himself down, and then began to introduce the campus to his junior.

He raised his wrist, revealing an identical watch.

"As you may have noticed, compared to our junior, Weber, our watch integrates many functions."

"Besides its function of exchanging information such as sending and receiving letters, its most important function in the academy is to replace a wallet."

"An alternative wallet?"

Weber was a little puzzled. What important function was this?

According to this senior student, aren't all the facilities on campus free to use?
“That’s true for most facilities,” Goto Shosuke nodded.

"Free vehicles are provided for ordinary dining, accommodation, and even transportation. You can rent them directly after authorizing them with your watch."

“But the most important thing is resources, oh right,” Goto Shosuke added, “In the academy, resources are a specific category, referring specifically to things that cannot be popularized.”

He pointed to the approaching cruise ship and asked, as if testing Weber, "Guess how it floated in the river?"

Weber noticed that when the question was asked, Goto Shosuke's gaze fell on the surface of the river.

Thinking along these lines, he replied, "They must have deliberately deepened the riverbed."

"Hehe, only half right."

Goto Shosuke wore an expression that said, "I knew it."

"Therefore, these details that the general public would not notice, and the corresponding knowledge, are also courses that a detective must learn."

"If we know how to calculate based on the river's current, the depth of light refraction, knowledge of shipbuilding, and details about geology, hydraulics, and so on."

"You'll find that although the river has been deepened, it's still not deep enough to support the weight of a cruise ship."

He revealed the answer with a hint of pride: "So, the most important thing is the design of the ship itself."

“Apart from the hull itself, if you look at the stern, you will find that it does not look like a normal propeller.”

"It was designed casually by Professor Agasa, the director of the Detective Equipment Research Institute in the academy. Judging from its effect, it can reduce the weight of an object on the water to half of its original weight while maintaining stability."

Weber's expression of doubt deepened.

He unusually raised a question: "Is this... knowledge that detectives need to learn?"

This is really weird.

Weber did have some understanding of technological developments.

When would it be necessary for a detective to understand this kind of technology and knowledge that might be classified as secret as soon as it is developed?

The expression on the other side was even more matter-of-fact.

"That's why I said these resources won't be free."

He pressed on the side of the watch, and then a sharp needle popped out from the front of the watch.

"For example, this anesthetic needle, even if an elephant is shot with it, will be asleep for about a week."

"If it were an ordinary person, without a special antidote, and if they were not naturally resistant to the drug, they would sleep for about a month."

Weber blinked, his gaze shifting back and forth between the tiny needle and Goto Shosuke's earnest expression.

After confirming that he wasn't joking, Weber silently swallowed and unconsciously moved a little further away.

That is to say-

If you get even one of those, you'll be out of the running for the Holy Grail War.

Weber didn't think the Holy Grail War or the Triwizard Tournament would last more than a month.

Considering that his junior was very likely to join the traditional detective faction, Goto Shosuke mentioned it again.

"Moreover, there are many similar items, most of which require spending points to exchange for."

"In short, if you want to graduate as a [Detective], relying solely on those free things is not enough."

……

When graduation was mentioned, Weber suddenly remembered the purpose of their trip.

He couldn't help but ask, "What about participating in the 'Three Kingdoms Tournament'?"

"Oh? You're that brave?" Goto Shosuke looked at Weber with some surprise.

"Although people outside the school keep calling it the 'Three-Way Battle,' the real name of this competition is actually—"

“It’s the Fourth Detective Competition in the World, right?” Weber interjected.

"Looks like you've made some preparations."

Goto Shosuke nodded. "So, the qualification to apply is actually very easy to obtain. It's just that outsiders call it that because in the end only the so-called 'Big Three' can get close to the truth."

"After all, the last three editions only left behind those three companies."

"From this perspective, isn't this competition very unfair?"

Weber also remembered that Officer Nakano mentioned that the case they requested to be solved had never been solved since the tournament was established.

"Wouldn't the participants of the 'Big Three' naturally know the information left behind by the participants of the previous competition?"

"Why should a detective competition be fair? Criminals won't refrain from shooting just because they don't have a gun."

Goto Shosuke's expression turned serious.

"Weber, I don't want to see you die later."

Speaking these heavy words, Goto Shosuke emphasized, "This is a real unsolved case that has lasted for three whole competitions and a century."

"Although the competition is held only once every 60 years, many detectives begin preparing for the investigation of its [truth] long before it even begins."

"The three starter families have been preparing since the very first tournament."

Goto Shosuke sighed.

"Over such a long period of time, even setting aside the case itself, there have been many... controversies surrounding it."

"If it weren't for the school's tradition, there would have been rumors that ordinary students were prohibited from participating in the competition."

"For example, I wouldn't risk participating in a competition before finishing my second year of school, and I advise you not to do the same."

“Wait, does that mean we have to wait another 60 years?” Weber asked, puzzled.

Then, Tou Akio became even more puzzled: "Otherwise what? The 'truth' obtained from solving a case doesn't need to be acknowledged by a trophy."

"Once you reveal the truth and it is verified, this title will naturally fall to you."

"Would anyone still participate for that trophy?"

He paused, then said matter-of-factly, "Besides, what's really important is solving the case and bringing justice and the truth to light."

"Of course, there are indeed people who are only after that promise."

Seeing the look of disgust on Goto Shosuke's face, which was no longer anger, Weber knew that now was not the time to reveal the purpose of his group.

At this moment, he could only express his agreement with this righteous and awe-inspiring attitude.

……

After disembarking, Goto Shosuke immediately took it upon himself to show Webber and the others the school's attitude.

"Let me take you to the academic affairs office to complete the procedures."

All I can say is that this senior was very helpful in preventing guys from other schools of thought from "robbing" him along the way and "tricking" the new junior into joining the Liangshan bandits.

Only now did Weber finally understand what the driver meant by "school property" at the beginning.

He finally understood why a mere "promise" from the headmaster could seem to spark a conflict spanning a century.

Any promise can be made, including inheriting this city.

Yes, it's not just a school, but a grand academy city.

This is the Beika Town Detective Academy, located in the center of Beika Town, like a star surrounded by the moon.

It is a city within a city.

The entire academy consists of many areas, and each area is composed of multiple buildings, or even groups of buildings.

They were standing on the east side of the academy, and judging from the name on the sign when they left the berth, this should be the waterfront area.

After the cruise ship that had been obstructing his view disappeared from sight, Weber realized that apart from the Academy Pier and the bridge connecting to the seaside park on the opposite shore, there was nothing else.

To the north of the docks and berths, there is surprisingly a water sports center!
An entire street of restaurants and leisure facilities with panoramic views, or rather, a waterfront commercial promenade, is located there.

This would undoubtedly generate a considerable amount of rent each year.

The West, on the other hand, is a place specifically for exercising and practicing detective skills.

In addition to a large traditional martial arts dojo complex that includes departments such as kendo and archery, there is also a large comprehensive gymnasium.

And in the northwest corner, there is a shooting range specifically for trainees.

There's even an "all-terrain training base".

In the words of Shosuke Goto—

"The wasteland in the northwest corner is perfect for these dangerous training exercises because it is remote. The academy has directly brought over most of the terrain scenarios that we might encounter."

“A few rare cases can also be conducted in the simulation training field.”

Goto Shosuke led everyone onto a small vehicle that resembled a sightseeing bus, and began to give a tour like a guide.

"The teaching building is located in the central and southern part of the city, which is the core area. Each of the three grades has its own teaching area and independent research center."

"However, the actual research area is located together with the teachers' dormitories. After all, some teachers in certain fields only teach part-time, and the academy is more like a place that 'tied' them together with equipment."

As if recalling something amusing, Goto Shosuke couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He couldn't help but laugh whenever he thought about how the academy had invited these teachers by acquiring all the companies and factories that provided the experimental equipment.

"In this way, although equipment repair or replacement can be done for free, the only option is to move the equipment over."

Then, he pointed to the somewhat lively area in the east.

"The commercial and residential areas are over there, and even some basic detective equipment stores have branches there."

"The accommodation area is in the north, and due to the history of the academy, it is still divided into male and female sections."

"Although the student council has proposed free choice over the years, the disciplinary committee has always rejected it."

At this point, Goto Shosuke even told a corny joke.

"Maybe it's because if a detective commits a murder for love, it's harder to solve the case, haha."

Finally, the senior even considered that Weber might have regretted not entering the school through the main gate.

He drove his car around, passing through the main gate on the south side and the central square, and entered a very grand building, or rather, a "grand auditorium".

"Let's go! Let's go to the academic affairs office to report!"

With some excitement, Goto Shosuke led the four of them into the academic affairs office.

A few seconds later, it was Goto Shosuke's turn to put on the mask of pain.

It wasn't just because they learned that Webber and Iskandar were colleagues.

"The reason I went to such lengths to be so enthusiastic..."

Looking at the two beautiful girls who had been promoted to [Kendo Club Advisor] and [Medical Club Teacher], he thought.

Goto Shosuke's heart was broken.
-
PS: To show the school map more clearly, the author tried to have an AI create one.

However, as we all know, AI can't handle names well, no matter how you adjust it. For example, the seaside park should be on the opposite side. Anyway, the author did his best QAQ.

Therefore, some building names are incorrectly labeled; please refer to the author's text for details.

(End of this chapter)