"Gah!?"
The grunt was cut short as an armored fist burst through the side of the Birdcage.
Regen had been peering into the magic item when the blow caught him square in the face. The impact sent the device flying from his hands. As the Birdcage tumbled through the air, it shattered, releasing a brilliant light that spilled the captives back into reality.
"Hell yeah! Escape successful! The Detective of the Dawn doesn't just bark—he bites!"
"Yugo! You actually did it!"
Jinba and the others sprinted toward Yugo as he touched down, his left arm braced and ready. As the Security Force moved in to protect the children who had been trapped alongside him, Regen staggered to his feet, clutching his bruised face in shock.
"I-Impossible...! How did you get out? Breaking out of the Birdcage from the inside is supposed to be impossible!"
"You should have checked your contractor's references," Yugo replied. "Your engineer left a tiny, unpatched scar on the interior. It was just enough of a fracture to create a crack leading back to the outside."
"What!? That old fossil... I paid him a fortune, and he cut corners like that!?"
"To be fair, I didn't see it either—until Jinba-san’s bolt grazed it. That opened the way. Thanks for the assist, Jinba-san."
Jinba’s shot hadn't been for nothing. Because of that single strike, Yugo had spotted the flaw in the artifact. He stood tall, facing the man who had mocked the investigator's efforts.
"Regen, the ones who cornered you are the detectives! It was their tenacity, their refusal to ever forgive the evil that makes the angels of this city cry! It was the will of Thomas and the determination of Jinba-san. Their combined souls reached across time to take you down!"
"Grrr, damn you...! Men! Round them up again! Don't let the merchandise escape!"
Humiliation burned in Regen's throat, far worse than the defeat he had suffered years ago. He barked orders to his subordinates, but they didn't get far.
"Hoh? Bold words," Marcos said, stepping forward with his shield raised. "Do you really think you'll lay a finger on these children while we're standing here?"
True to his word, the Criminal Organization Members were completely stymied by the defensive line formed by Marcos and the Security Force. Regen ground his teeth; he had lost his magic item, and now his hostages were gone.
"It's over, Regen!" Jinba shouted. "Surrender and submit to your arrest!"
"Heh... hehehe... Gwah-hahahahahaha!"
The tide had turned completely. The children were safe, and the Security Force held every advantage. Yet, as Regen erupted into laughter, the group wondered if he had simply lost his mind. But when he looked back at them, his eyes held a volatile mix of rage and dark amusement.
"I'll admit, this was unexpected. But I’m the boss of a criminal organization for a reason. I wouldn't walk into a trap without insurance."
"What...?"
"Stop looking at me and look at the children. Don't you notice anything?"
Yugo scanned the liberated captives. A moment later, his face paled as he turned to Jinba.
"Jinba-san! Something's wrong! The numbers don't add up! There are fewer children here than there were on the list!"
"What did you say!?"
Yugo had memorized the names from the list they reviewed last night. Only about half of the victims were present.
"Breaking my Birdcage was a surprise," Regen said triumphantly. "But it wasn't the only one! When I had it repaired, I had a second magic item with the same ability commissioned. The other half of the children are trapped inside that one!"
"A spare...!? Where is it? Answer me, Regen!"
"It’s not here. I gave it to Gimol, my confidant and the Organization's Number Two, and had him lead a Separate Unit. Just in case things went south! By now, they should be tearing the city apart! Hahahaha!"
Panic flared in the eyes of Jinba and his team. While they had focused their strength on the Water Thanksgiving, another group was inciting a riot elsewhere. As the realization of the second threat sank in, Regen continued to gloat.