Chapter 38: The Infallible Detective’s Dilemma

“The operation? The one against the Shadow Beast?”

Bai Zhi remarked with an air of nonchalance.

“Yet, hadn’t we already finalized those plans this very morning?”

“However… I find myself still harboring some concerns.”

Rena hesitated, her voice tinged with a faint uncertainty.

Tilting her head, Bai Zhi prompted,

“Worried… for instance?”

“For example… don’t you think the risks involved in this operation are simply too great?”

Rena turned, her gaze fixing intently on Bai Zhi’s eyes.

“The risks… they are indeed substantial. After all, Ranxin herself must serve as bait, and should we, as the ambush party, be even slightly delayed, her life would be in peril.”

Bai Zhi assented, a thoughtful expression crossing her face before a sudden realization seemed to strike her.

“Ah, I see! Rena, you’re worried that you might not be in top form when the time comes, that you’ll drop the ball and cause the operation to fail, aren’t you? Bastet did mention that your role is crucial, after all.”

With a reassuring gesture, Bai Zhi gently patted Rena’s shoulders a couple of times.

“However… there’s no need for you to worry, Rena. I’ll be right by your side throughout. Even if something were to go wrong, I’d immediately do everything in my power to rectify it. You don’t need to feel such immense pressure; just try to relax a little.”

Leaning in, Bai Zhi rested her chin casually on Rena’s shoulder.

“Moreover, the most critical issue with the containers was resolved smoothly with your help, so the subsequent operation is bound to succeed as well.”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Frowning, Rena shook her head, turning her face slightly so that she was incredibly close to Bai Zhi.

“What I’m worried about… is actually another, far more serious problem.”

As she spoke, Rena’s voice took on a distinctly grave and earnest quality.

“The basis for this operation entirely stems from the results of your and Bastet’s discussions, a series of conjectures about the Shadow Beast’s habits, isn’t that right?”

“Indeed.”

Bai Zhi nodded in agreement.

“During its first encounter with Lin, the Shadow Beast displayed far too many illogical behaviors. It was precisely thanks to these abnormal actions that we were able to deduce its weaknesses.”

“That’s precisely what concerns me!”

A deep frown creased Rena’s brow, betraying her apprehension about matters lurking beneath the surface.

“What if… and I mean *if*… our deductions regarding the Shadow Beast’s weaknesses were flawed from the very beginning?”

“……”

Bai Zhi cast a profound glance at Rena. For an inexplicable reason, Rena sensed a peculiar, indecipherable significance in Bai Zhi’s eyes at that very moment.

“…Yet, the Shadow Beast undeniably exhibited unusual behavior during its battle with Lin, and those deductions perfectly explain its irrational actions at the time.”

Bai Zhi articulated slowly and deliberately, her eyes gently closed.

“Bastet’s and my inferences should be correct. Or, Rena, have you made any other discoveries?”

“…No,” Rena replied, shaking her head truthfully.

Bai Zhi opened her eyes, then lifted her head, gracefully detaching herself from Rena’s shoulder.

“If that’s the case then…”

“But even the most logical deduction is still just a deduction; it cannot be treated as fact,” Rena interrupted Bai Zhi abruptly. “We must account for the possibility of error in our assumptions.”

Bai Zhi calmly countered,

“…So, what do you suggest we do then?”

“We could proceed with much greater caution.”

Rena’s tone grew somewhat hurried.

“With Lin and me guarding Ranxin at all times, the Shadow Beast won’t have an immediate opportunity to strike. We could fully utilize this time to gather more information about the Shadow Beast, and then devise a safer, more reliable operational plan.”

“Hm, a very cautious approach, entirely in your style, Rena.” Bai Zhi rubbed her hands together. “Tell me then, where exactly do you propose we find this ‘more information about the Shadow Beast’ you speak of?”

“Well… if we just keep searching, we’re bound to find something eventually…”

Rena’s voice trailed off, growing softer.

In truth, she knew all too well that even in Granzenias, the Shadow Beast was an exceptionally mysterious creature, with detailed information about it being exceedingly rare, let alone in this world.

Bai Zhi let out a helpless sigh.

“Actually, you’re not the only one who doesn’t know the answer to that question, Rena. In truth, neither do I.”

“Bai Zhi…”

“I promised Ranxin that I would absolutely protect her from the Shadow Beast. But in reality, I genuinely have no other recourse. I once shared your sentiment, but I soon realized it was nothing more than self-deception.”

As these words left her lips, Bai Zhi’s expression sank into despondency, and she sighed, her eyes dim with resignation.

“That would merely be a meaningless delay. If we continue this stalemate with the Shadow Beast, Ranxin will inevitably face misfortune sooner or later. I truly don’t want to see that happen.”

Rena shook her head, her disagreement palpable.

“But there’s no need to rush so much. At the very least, we still have time now.”

“No, Rena,” Bai Zhi calmly refuted. “In truth, we don’t have much time left.”

“What do you mean by that…”

“Hmm, let’s just talk about the operation itself, Rena.”

The conversation was abruptly halted, Bai Zhi seemingly intent on evading Rena’s question as she deliberately shifted the topic.

“The risks of this operation are considerable, something both Bastet and I have been fully aware of from the start. That’s why these subsequent arrangements were made.”

Then, she pointed at Rena.

“Especially the part concerning you.”

“……”

“Those twelve containers aren’t merely for extending the time the Shadow Beast exposes its vulnerabilities, making it easier for us to strike it down. They also serve as a crucial safety measure.”

As Bai Zhi spoke, she gestured with her hands in the air, outlining the shape of a cage.

“Light sources create shadows, and the Shadow Beast would typically escape through these shadows. But what if colossal light sources existed on all sides?

Then the Shadow Beast would be trapped, like a pitiful rabbit, at the center of this cage of light, utterly unable to move.”

Bai Zhi sat up straight, her expression turning solemn.

“This is the cage we’ve specially prepared for the Shadow Beast. Even if our deductions are flawed, and the Shadow Beast doesn’t possess the weaknesses we’ve theorized, it will still be trapped and immobilized by this cage the moment it attempts to devour Ranxin, thereby losing its ability to harm her further.”

“After that, whether we find a way to seal the Shadow Beast, or if the intense light causes it to weaken and perish, the initiative will, in any case, return to us. We can then deal with that malevolent beast however we please.”

Bai Zhi looked at Rena, offering a comforting and encouraging smile.

“That’s why Bastet said you, Rena, are the most crucial part of this operation. It’s precisely because of your involvement that we have the courage to execute such a high-risk battle plan.”

“But…”

Rena still looked unconvinced.

“But what if the Shadow Beast doesn’t appear on the day of the operation?”

“What do you mean?”

Rena placed her hands on her knees, her cascading hair obscuring the side of her face, preventing her expression from being seen.

“What if it senses the trap in advance and doesn’t fall for it? Or what if it possesses other strange abilities we’re unaware of, allowing it to bypass the trap and attack Ranxin? What would we do then?”

Rena continued to persuade Bai Zhi.

“Ultimately, our understanding of the Shadow Beast is still far too limited. Not only are its weaknesses unclear, but we also have no idea about its habits or the kinds of moves it might use.

Executing an operation rashly under such circumstances is simply too dangerous. We really should plan this out more thoroughly first…”

Bai Zhi pondered Rena’s words for a moment, then a faint smile graced her lips.

“Hmm, speaking of which, Rena, I lent you a novel when you first came to my house, didn’t I?”

Faced with Bai Zhi’s sudden, seemingly irrelevant remark, Rena momentarily struggled to adjust to the abrupt change in topic, responding with a puzzled expression.

“Yes… there was such a thing, but why bring it up so suddenly now…”

Bai Zhi spread her hands outwards and reclined onto the soft cushions of the sofa in a relaxed posture.

“If I recall correctly, it was a detective novel. To be honest, I’m quite fond of such stories and often find myself completely engrossed in them.”

“Oh…”

As Rena maintained her bewildered expression, Bai Zhi continued, seemingly to herself.

“However, after finishing one particular novel, a thought suddenly struck me: the protagonists in detective novels actually have quite a tough time.”

“……”

“After all, in the world of novels, they are the sole hope for apprehending heinous criminals. Should they make even a single mistake, it would mean a criminal would forever evade justice, and who knows how many more people would fall victim. Therefore, the protagonists of detective novels are absolutely not permitted to err.”

After speaking, Bai Zhi suddenly sighed.

“Yet, as normal, living individuals, surely everyone makes mistakes sometimes?”

Rena listened in silence, though she longed to tell Bai Zhi that she knew of detective novels where protagonists did make mistakes, and some authors even crafted stories featuring bumbling detectives as a selling point. Ultimately, however, she remained silent.

“Then, a question occurred to me. In the world of detective novels, how does a protagonist, an ordinary detective with average talent, ensure that their deductions always pinpoint the true culprit?”

Bai Zhi spoke with feigned suspense, yet a cunning smile played on her lips.

“I even agonized over this for a long time, until one day I finally grasped the infallible method for a detective protagonist to win!”

“And that is—”

Before she could finish, Bastet’s voice suddenly chimed in from behind Bai Zhi.

“I’m here to check your work… Wow, I turn my back for just a moment, and you’ve already produced this many dangerous items!”

The black cat spoke with distaste, carefully sidestepping the pile of crystal shards on the coffee table as it strolled nonchalantly to Bai Zhi’s side.

“Hm? Oh, Rena’s here too. Perfect! Once Bai Zhi finishes making all the containers, we’ll be relying on you.”

“Ah… yes! I’ll do my best.”

Rena didn’t react immediately, only nodding subconsciously in response.

Bastet paid no mind, simply giving Rena a brief nod before turning an displeased gaze towards Bai Zhi.

“So, after all this time, you haven’t done anything but create these dangerous items, have you?”

“How could I—” Bai Zhi laughed heartily. “At least not for the last minute.”

“Hah—so you’re saying, you need to use your imagination!”

Bastet bent down slightly, glancing at the shape of the shards on the table, then looked at Bai Zhi in disbelief.

“You couldn’t possibly… imagine even a teapot’s shape, could you?”

“Unfortunately, it’s not a matter of imagination.”

Bai Zhi wore a triumphant expression.

“I’ve found the problem: the materials I’m using are incorrect. No matter how I refine the materials taken directly from my body, I only ever get this.”

As Bai Zhi spoke, she picked up a crystal shard and waved it in front of the black cat, startling Madam Bastet into leaping away.

“Please don’t bring such dangerous things near me, Bai Zhi! But… the problem lies with the material itself, you say… a characteristic of absorbing extraordinary energy without limit, hmm… how truly peculiar!”

Bastet pondered for a moment, then flicked its tail at Bai Zhi.

“Never mind that problem for now. In any case, since the root of the issue has been found, let’s try another experiment. This time, I’ll help you.”

After all, they were running out of time.

“Alrighty!”

Bai Zhi responded cheerfully, rising to follow the black cat out.

However, before leaving, she turned to look at the still-dazed Rena, leaning in to whisper in her ear.

“It seems I’ll have to tell you about that detective protagonist’s infallible method another time.”

From Bai Zhi’s perspective, Rena appeared quite disheartened.

Whenever Rena wore such an expression, Bai Zhi always felt an urge to embrace her.

This time, however, Bai Zhi did not extend her hand as was her custom.

She withdrew her gaze, softly saying,

“For now, regarding this operation, will you trust me, okay?”

Rena silently watched Bai Zhi, her lips moving a few times, as if she wanted to say something more. But in a daze, she recalled the silver ring Bai Zhi had just personally placed on her finger.

And so, Rena’s resolve suddenly deflated, leaving her only able to offer a helpless yet resolute smile.

“Alright… I’ll trust you, Bai Zhi.”