Among the various Kung-Fu Noblesse of the Midfield, the Zhuge family, descendants of the Martial Marquis, is renowned for their exceptional stratagems.

Always able to discern the currents of the times, they recognized the Kung-Fu Exodus prompted by the Qing’s decree as a new opportunity.

Having left the Qing and settled at the foot of a mountain in a certain part of Germany, the Zhuge family disseminated their knowledge of mechanisms and formations while inventing or improving various tools to contribute to technological advancement.

The pivotal moment when their name became widely known across Europe was none other than due to sugar beets.

In 1794, Andreas Marggraf, a Kung-Fu scholar born to a branch of the Zhuge family, succeeded in extracting sugar from sugar beets.

The Zhuge family constructed a large-scale sugar manufacturing plant on their mountain, allowing Europeans to enjoy sweetness at a relatively lower price, free from the British sugar trade monopoly.

The mountain where their main family resided came to be known as Zuckerberg, a name that carries the dual meaning of ‘Zucker’s’ (Sugar’s) Berg (Mountain) and ‘Zhu-ge’s’ Berg (Mountain).

It was only natural that the Germanic surname of the Zhuge family would become known as Zuckerberg or Zuckberg.

Subsequently, amassing immense wealth through sugar sales, the Zhuge family established Zuckerberg & Co., opening branches and stores across Europe, evolving into a leading distribution conglomerate.

Zuckerberg & Co.’s flagship products include Jelly Herb Bean with various elixir flavors such as Ginseng and Fleeceflower Root, and the Anti Kung-Fu Lock.

The two products above are being sold at a 30% discounted price at the Zuckerberg & Co. 5th Store (18c, Albemarle Street, London) in celebration of the special discount week.

-Evening Standard-

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“Firstly, although I do not understand why Sir Harcourt employed an ordinary consulting detective to resolve this case, I will particularly explain the reason for my visit here before stating my purpose. The evidence that the perpetrator did not move the lock in this incident.”

Though I already knew it without needing to hear it, watching Watson’s eyes sparkle made it difficult for me to interrupt Ulrich’s words.

“Our Zuckerberg & Co. esteemed Anti Kung-Fu Lock is made with a dual structure unlike ordinary locks.”

Ulrich took out a small, pretty lock from his pocket and began to explain.

“Oh…”

Upon seeing it, Watson opened her eyes wide and listened intently, like a child absorbed in a story from a goldfish salesman.

I could give that explanation too.

“The White Lotus Steel inside the lock is extremely hard, so it cannot be altered with merely a 60-year level of internal energy. Also, attempting to destroy it triggers a loud mechanism, revealing the crime.”

Honestly, I couldn’t tell if this was an explanation or a sales pitch to stimulate one’s desire to purchase it.

Maybe it feels that way because I already know how it works.

“And what covers the surface of the lock is none other than the Damascus Steel Cover, a patented design certified by the British Empire and several other countries.”

“Damascus Steel Cover?!”

“A wavy pattern made with the folding technique disperses internal energy in random directions, a unique processing skill possessed only by the Zuckerberg Family!”

“Indeed! So that’s how it works!!”

Watson clapped her hands loudly, finally convinced, and nodded repeatedly.

“For reference, the doors and windows of this study are equipped with the same locking mechanism I just mentioned.”

“Even so, couldn’t a small object be manipulated using Poltergeist? If one were to close the window using Poltergeist and then use something like a nearby book to meddle with the lock…”

“If that were the case, the same processing technique is applied to the window frame and bars, so the moment the window was locked, Poltergeist would have been obstructed.”

“Indeed, then it would be physically impossible for the perpetrator to shoot the victim from the outside and then close the study’s door or window without leaving a trace.”

“Exactly.”

To aid Watson’s understanding, I used Poltergeist to pull a book from the shelf and opened it.

As I turned the pages without touching them, Watson, Ulrich, and Gregson’s eyes widened in surprise.

This time, I reached out to the door and window of the study in the same manner, attempting to manipulate the lock with internal energy, but it didn’t budge.

“As you just heard, the performance is reliable. The perpetrator couldn’t have tampered with the lock. Or rather, it’s more accurate to say they didn’t.”

“……”

“……”

“What’s the matter, you two? You look as if you’ve seen something you shouldn’t have.”

“Well, it’s just…”

Watson hesitated for a while before speaking.

“Holmes, when did you acquire such a skill…”

It seemed they were astonished to see Poltergeist unfold from my fingertips, a technique said to be unattainable without first reaching the very threshold of the Transcendence realm.

“It’s nothing special. It’s just a different method from what the Secretary used, but it’s the same Poltergeist.”

It’s merely a bit more efficient.

In fact, this was my first attempt.

It was only because I applied the profound principle of the 1200 Inch Punch, which I mastered while treating Watson, that I succeeded smoothly. In reality, I have not reached the Transcendence realm.

“In any case, given the circumstances, only one compelling conclusion remains. The culprit pierced a hole into the victim’s skull within the confines of a locked room, and then vanished, much like the noxious smog billowing from the factories of Tanne Clan of Liverpool.”

I extended my senses but detected no secret passage.

How on earth did the culprit escape after killing the victim?

“Isn’t this indeed a bizarre case? It’s so amusing that it makes me laugh.”

I can’t remember the last time I was this delighted while investigating a case.

“This is no time for laughter, detective. If this case isn’t solved, the honor of Zuckerberg & Co. will—”

“I don’t think it’s right to put me on the same level as an ordinary detective.”

When I interrupted once more, Ulrich’s eyebrows furrowed in disbelief.

“What kind of nonsense is that? It’s either the police or a detective, ordinary or not. I just can’t understand.”

“The one being unreasonable is you. Isn’t it the etiquette of the martial world to listen to the other’s name after revealing your own?”

“That’s…!”

“Ah, I fear my introduction is overdue. I am Sherlock Holmes, London’s one and only consulting detective. I have, perhaps undeservedly, been bestowed the rather grand moniker of ‘Little Heavenly Demon’. And this, of course, is my associate, Dr. John Watson.”

“Little Heavenly Demon? Could it be that you were the one who captured the second son of the Drake family at the Debutante Ball…?”

I nodded.

“…I apologize for the oversight. I failed to recognize your esteemed self.”

Ulrich adopted a more humble demeanor and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

At times like these, one cannot help but be grateful for the privilege of having one’s name appear in the papers.

It spares me the tedium of an extended introduction—an immeasurable convenience, to be sure.

The article even mentions that Her Majesty herself extended an invitation to me for the Buckingham Ball. So, even the most high-handed of the Zuckerberg family will think twice before treating me with anything less than utmost respect.

“Now is not the time for formalities. There are more important matters at hand.”

Watson and Ulrich nodded in agreement.

“If we don’t solve this case, people will lose trust in Zuckerberg & Co.’s locks, regardless of the facts.”

“……”

“The tarnishing of a flagship product would severely impact the company’s image. Yet, bribing journalists to report that there were no issues with the locks would require careful navigation due to the involvement of the Home Secretary and Buckingham. Am I wrong?”

“That is…”

I roughly understood why a figure as significant as Zuckerberg’s heir would cling to Sir Harcourt’s coattails to gain access to the crime scene.

He must have intended to inspect the scene, and if the lock showed signs of tampering, he would have bribed the police to cover up the matter. Should the lock remain intact, he would have spun a narrative to sway public opinion, claiming the perpetrator failed to damage it.

The problem was, they had the wrong opponent.

“You were worried Sir Harcourt might issue a press release omitting the telephone details and blaming the locks extensively.”

The case records noted that in just two hours, four murders had occurred, all linked to telephones.

The four victims were all attacked while answering their phones and died, like the bodies lying here. If this story starts to spread, it’s easy to imagine what might happen.

Surely, those nonsense statements written on the signs of the new religious group I saw earlier, like “The telephone is the invention of the Heavenly Demon Diablo”, will start gaining traction.

If such a thing happens, great chaos will ensue in London.

The person who attempted the first long-distance call in the British Empire was none other than

Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and the reason telephones could be distributed in London was all

thanks to Her Majesty.

“Everyone knows that Sir Harcourt isn’t someone who handles matters in such a vile manner, but this is about

the honor of the royal family. It is hard to predict how things will unfold.”

“Ugh…”

Ulrich frowned, seemingly aligned with my concerns.

The members of the Zuckerberg family are generally known to be quick-witted.

When things get tangled,

they would have already predicted who Her Majesty’s government might choose as a scapegoat.

“As you said, if this case isn’t properly resolved, Zuckerberg & Co. will suffer a massive blow.”

Ulrich muttered with a resigned look.

I instinctively realized what he was about to say.

From ancient times, when people find themselves at the end of their tether, there’s always only one thing they say to a detective.

“I would prefer to handle this myself if possible, but under these circumstances, there’s no other choice.”

Ulrich took out a neatly unfolded check from his pocket and handed it to me.

“I would like to formally request the services of consulting detective, Mr. Sherlock Holmes.”

“What is the nature of the request?”

“No matter the external pressure, I hope you will uncover the truth of this case and protect the honor of Zuckerberg & Co.”

Though he is unpleasant, the fact that he only desires the resolution and clarification of the case without unnecessary requests shows he is a man with the right mindset.

This earns a Passing Grade.

“I will ensure it is resolved.”

I snatched the check Ulrich handed me without even checking the amount, then immediately looked at Watson.

Simultaneously, I recalled another piece of information recorded in the case files.

The most remarkable part of this locked room murder case is that the murders occurred not once but four times in a short span, each in a different location.

Therefore, to resolve the case, we must, of course, examine the other three places and gather evidence and clues.

At this point, it seems necessary to consider whether it is indeed the work of the same perpetrator, but even with accomplices, such impossible murders remain implausible.

“To perfectly uncover the truth, additional investigation will be necessary for a while. Lead the way, Watson. Let’s go catch a carriage.”