The Distillery.
A notorious criminal organisation from Detective Conan, most famously represented by their internal executioner - Gin, real name Kurosawa Jin.
The reason for his notoriety represents a rather tragic fact for The Distillery...
Most of the named executives were moles, making it impossible for Gin to kill them all, earning the organisation its infamous reputation as a den of traitors in the underworld.
And now, this den of traitors wanted to plant their only competent worker as a mole on his side?
What kind of operation was this? Trying to achieve the 'all members are traitors' milestone?
"Who recommended these two 'exceptional' individuals?"
Luo Shu shook the documents in his hand as he asked Yukino Yukinoshita.
"It's from the Intelligence Department. The detailed report is here."
Yukino smoothly extracted several pages and handed them to Luo Shu.
Recently, Yukino Yukinoshita had become increasingly adept at handling documents.
The Class of Fairy of Knowledge was inherently suited for processing information, and now that Luo Shu was using her as a secretary, exposing her to various classified internal materials daily, her brain's information processing speed had grown remarkably fast.
Almost without Luo Shu needing to ask, Yukino Yukinoshita, having memorised the documents, explained:
"These two individuals were recommended by Miss Meer from the Intelligence Department, and the recommending party is a covert organisation called the Hell Sect."
"This organisation holds considerable influence among the Shrine Faction in Japan and in America, with many powerful members within its ranks. They collaborate with our SDS in America, controlling numerous minor political parties, making them an important ally for us there."
At this point, Yukino paused, glanced at Luo Shu, and added:
"According to intelligence, Hao Asakura is reportedly also a member of this organisation."
"Oh?"
Luo Shu's tone rose slightly as he skimmed the documents Yukino had handed him:
"Hao's organisation? Are you sure he didn't found it himself?"
Luo Shu vaguely recalled that Hao wasn't the type to submit to others.
Yukino Yukinoshita lowered her gaze and calmly replied:
"The Intelligence Department has considered that possibility, but due to the strong information interference surrounding him, accurate intelligence has never been obtained."
"Then let's assume he founded it."
Luo Shu declared decisively, stroking his chin with a faint smile:
"But to plant people in my ranks... Has Hao detected my presence? Or is someone simply trying to infiltrate my operations?"
Yukino listened quietly, then asked softly:
"Should we approve their application?"
"Of course, we should. After all, they're intermediaries sent by a friendly organisation. Refusing would make things awkward for everyone."
Luo Shu waved the documents and chuckled:
"But treat these two as peripheral personnel—no need to involve them in core internal affairs."
"Still, arrange for someone to make discreet contact with them. They might as well be put to work, right?"
Hearing this, Yukino fell silent for a moment before asking reluctantly:
"Don't tell me I'm the one making contact again?"
Though she said this, Yukino was already growing accustomed to Luo Shu's demands.
Sometimes she wondered if Luo Shu had helped her become a Fairy of Knowledge precisely to exploit her like a workhorse.
Dumping the entire Hidden Management Department's paperwork and data management on her... Really, didn't Luo Shu worry she might sabotage things?
Oh, right—Familia members couldn't harm Luo Shu. Well, that settled it. She was well and truly trapped.
"Yukino!" Luo Shu exclaimed, looking at her with exaggerated admiration as he patted her shoulder. "I never knew you were so passionate about work!"
"I thought your current workload alone would have you tearing your hair out, yet here you are volunteering for overtime!"
"I misjudged you."
Yukino barely resisted the urge to smack Luo Shu over the head with the stack of files in her hands. Volunteering for overtime?
Wasn't it this irresponsible boss who'd forced her into it last time?
Making a newcomer who's only been here for less than a month handle all departmental liaisons and document processing... Are you some sort of capitalist deity?
"Though having you handle the liaison work would be even worse."
Luo Shu paused to catch his breath before changing tack:
"Let Utaha take charge of the liaison. Her Mind Reading and Hypnosis abilities are perfect for dealing with these double-crossers."
"Coincidentally, I've been planning to let her manage some above-board businesses recently. Having a subordinate who handles shady work saves me the trouble of arranging it separately."
Upon hearing this, Yukino Yukinoshita immediately thought of that woman who wasn't much older than her but had an alarmingly voluptuous figure.
Utaha had been rarely seen at the base lately, but she was unusually active on the Familia's internal forums.
Of course, most of her posts were complaints about workplace dynamics at her publishing house.
Things like male editors helping female authors with their 'physiological needs,' or female editors introducing their authors to brothels...
Yukino found these scandals rather entertaining as gossip.
After all, Utaha's complaints were so frequent that even though she hardly showed up, Yukino couldn't shake the feeling that she was somehow always present, despite never actually coming to work.
But Utaha-san is already overworked with her publishing duties, and now the Director wants to pile more onto her? Does this man really treat women like livestock?
"Should I explain the situation with these two to Utaha-san?"
"Go ahead and brief her. Just remind her not to kill those two."
'In your eyes, is Utaha the kind of woman who'd kill people?'
Yukino barely resisted the urge to retort.
"Is that all I need to notify her about?" Yukino sighed.
"While you're at it, ask if she's interested in branching into other related industries."
Hearing this, Yukino frowned in confusion:
"Director, why don't you ask her that in person?"
"I believe Utaha-san lives near you, doesn't she?"
Yukino wasn't stupid. If she went to inform Utaha about her impending workload increase, she'd just become a punching bag for Utaha's frustrations.
Shouldn't the Director handle such unpleasant tasks himself?
Yet Luo Shu replied with utter calm:
"If I go to her place, I won't have any time left for the rest of the evening. I'm short on time lately, so I'll save it for another day."
Yukino blinked, momentarily baffled by his words. What did he mean by having no time left if he went to Utaha's place?
But realisation soon dawned, and her expression darkened:
"There was no need to explain that to me."
"Then you shouldn't have asked in the first place!" Luo Shu replied nonchalantly, entirely unembarrassed.
Among his own Familia, Luo Shu made no effort to hide his... excessive relationships with certain female members. After all, it was impossible to keep a secret.
That little troublemaker Kisara kept posting his real-time coordinates in the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System. How long he spent at Utaha's place was practically public knowledge.
Only naive youngsters like Yukino remained oblivious. If it were Meer, she'd probably even know whether Luo Shu had used protection the night before.
'My privacy...' Luo Shu lamented inwardly before turning back to Yukino:
"By the way, how are Erina and that secretary doing?"
Yukino Yukinoshita gave Luo Shu a strange look upon hearing his words. Luring someone here only to ignore them the entire day—only you could pull off something like that.
"Miss Erina is underground, experimenting with the Dream Simulation Chamber. She seems to be using it to develop new dishes. After being introduced to the situation by Ms. Tokisaki, she's been holed up there ever since."
"As for Hisako? She should be in my office helping me print documents right now."
Hearing Yukino Yukinoshita's words, Luo Shu couldn't help but chuckle:
"Leaving Erina aside for now, you've already put the secretary to work? Should I say 'as expected of a secretary'? Is she particularly efficient to use?"
Yukino Yukinoshita rolled her eyes beautifully. Did this guy have any idea who was responsible for the workload that forced her to draft help in the first place?
The Hidden Management Department only recruited Familia members and no office staff, leading to excessive workloads—did he really have no self-awareness?
Ignoring Yukino's eye-roll, Luo Shu continued:
"Yukino, stay in close contact with the Intelligence Department recently. Have them keep an eye on intelligence from Kyoto."
"I have a feeling those guys in Kyoto are probably already making their move!"
Yukino Yukinoshita watched as Luo Shu's chilling gaze contrasted with the smile on his face, unconsciously holding her breath:
"Yes, Director."