Long-Sealed Mystery is a quest in Shikanoin Heizou's Hangout Event: Act I - Trap 'Em by Storm.
Steps[]
- Go to Bantan Sango Detective Agency
- Return to the Tenryou Commission
- Talk to Owada
- Talk to Heizou
- Talk to Heizou
- Talk to Heizou
- Find a quiet place
- Talk to Ryuuji
- Wait until the following day (08:00–12:00)
- Talk to Sango
- Look for Ryuuji at Netsuke no Gen Crafts
Gameplay Notes[]
- The Memories of the Heart achievement An Ideal Detective Am I is granted for correctly answering Heizou's questions on the first try in Things Clear Up.
- Answer for The Motive?: Shiroyama's Testament and Takatsukasa Isamu's Message
- Answer for The Modus Operandi?: The Autopsy Report of Takatsukasa Isamu, Shiroyama's Testament, and the Toxicology Report
Dialogue[]
Quest DescriptionThe well-respected young detective suddenly receives a complaint. You wonder what is the story behind it...
Sango's Complaint Letter[]
- (Go to Bantan Sango Detective Agency)
- Ryuuji: Welcome back, Mr. Heizou. I'm glad you're alright! How about some Tonkatsu? You must have missed the taste of home after so long!
- Shikanoin Heizou: Maybe next time, Ryuuji. Seems like somebody's been expecting me... and I'm afraid they're only gonna be disappointed once again.
- Sango: Well well, look who it is. The great Detective Heizou... What nonsense were you talking about just now?
- Sango: I've been worried about you, you know. So much so that I took the trouble to write that heartfelt letter to the Tenryou Commission. Well? Was it sufficiently flattering for you?
- Ryuuji: Uh oh, they're at it again.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Ahem, let's not waste (TravelerTraveler)'s time, Sango. Just tell me, what do you want?
- Sango: Hehe, fine by me. My request is simple: disclose all the details of the "Ryuuji Case." It's time you stop hiding the truth and let me investigate it thoroughly.
- Shikanoin Heizou: First of all, that case has already been solved. Second, I've disclosed everything the Police Station has on the case. And third...
- Sango: Enough, you can only fool Ryuuji with that. If you don't want to cooperate, I can assure you that I will write more letters to the Headquarters of the Tenryou Commission. I will not give up on this case.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Ugh...
- Paimon: W—Wait, hold on, can someone please explain what's going on here? Paimon doesn't have a clue what you two are talking about.
- Ryuuji: *sigh* Alright, let me explain.
- Ryuuji: Several years ago, a terrible murder took place in the Police Station. I was still working at the Tenryou Commission then, and the victim was actually... my dear boss.
- Ryuuji: Due to various factors, I was deemed to be the top suspect, which is why it's called the "Ryuuji Case."
- Ryuuji: Also, Heizou wasn't a part of the Police Station back then, he was a detective at the agency... Ahem, which at the time was called the "Bantan Sango & Heizou Detective Agency."
- Paimon: Huh!? That's crazy! But wait, then why did Heizou leave?
- Sango: Hmph!
- Ryuuji: After the incident, I was quickly convicted and sent to prison. Fortunately, Sango then promptly proved my innocence and caught the real murderer.
- Sango: But that "murderer" was actually just a dummy to throw us off. Am I right, Detective Shikanoin?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Ugh...
- Ryuuji: Sango thought that everything went smoothly, so much so that she suspected the real murderer was someone else. Of course, Detective Heizou was also helping with the investigation, but after a long time, he still came up empty-handed.
- Ryuuji: Later on, he decided to join the Police Station to continue his investigation on the inside, which is why he left the detective agency.
- Sango: Hah, that's what I thought too. I was foolish enough to believe that Detective Shikanoin and I shared a common goal.
- Sango: But I was wrong about him. He has no sense of loyalty at all! He just wanted to become an official as a means of gaining fame and fortune.
- Shikanoin Heizou: C'mon, stop exaggerating. Let me set the record straight here.
- Shikanoin Heizou: First, I joined the Police Station long after that murder case happened, and it had nothing to do with any inside investigation. That's just somebody's wishful thinking.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Second, purely out of curiosity, I did investigate the case later from within the Police Station. My conclusion was that the suspect Sango had caught was in fact the real murderer.
- Shikanoin Heizou: And lastly, when Sango didn't buy my conclusion and asked me to disclose all related case files from the Police Station, I did exactly as she asked. I didn't hide anything.
- Sango: Hmph, he's lying right through his teeth!
- Shikanoin Heizou: That's it, I want this to end once and for all. Since (TravelerTraveler)'s my supervisor today, they have complete access to all the Police Station's files.
- Shikanoin Heizou: If (hehe/
sheshe)'s willing to help re-examine the case and arrives at the same conclusion that I did, then you won't have to doubt me anymore. - Sango: Whoa, huh?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Unless, you don't trust the Traveler?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Heh, c'mon, say it!
- Sango: Hmph. It's not about whether the Traveler's trustworthy, I'm just wondering if you will interfere somehow...
- Shikanoin Heizou: Hah! The thought never even crossed my mind.
- Sango: You have to swear that you will not mislead the Traveler by any means, and let (himhim/
herher) investigate the truth on (hishis/ herher) own. - Shikanoin Heizou: No problem. Cross my heart, hope to die.
- Sango: Well, (TravelerTraveler)? Are you willing to help me with this? Will you agree to re-examine the Ryuuji Case and find the truth? You can bill me later for however much you'd like as compensation!
- Ryuuji: Sango! Really? However much they want!?
- Sango: Money is valuable, no doubt, but pursuing the truth is the reason I started this agency. The Ryuuji Case is the only case I failed to solve. I am willing to give you anything.
No need to go that far, I'll help you for free.- No need, a simple "thank you" will be enough. I'll do my best.
- Sango: Alright, I'm counting on you, Traveler.
- Sango: You hear that, Detective Shikanoin? Hah! Now we just need to wait and see!
- Shikanoin Heizou: Alright, alright, I got it. No need to keep yammering like that... you'll scare the kids next door.
- Shikanoin Heizou: C'mon, let's go back to the Police Station, (TravelerTraveler).
- (Talk to Sango and Ryuuji again)
- Sango: Traveler, I believe you can find out the truth. That Shikanoin is hiding something, I just know it.
- Ryuuji: *sigh*... Sango and Detective Heizou are both great people, but when they're together, only arguing ensues.
- Sango: Oh suck it up, Ryuuji.
Ryuuji's Curious Case[]
- (Return to the Tenryou Commission)
- Shikanoin Heizou: Alright, (TravelerTraveler), hang out here for a sec, I need to go to the archives to get the case files.
- Shikanoin Heizou: For now, why don't you go and chat with Yoriki Owada over there? He worked on this case too back in the day.
You seem to really want me to look into this.- Shikanoin Heizou: No no, you misunderstand. It's not that I want you to look into this, it's just that you're the only one who can.
- Shikanoin Heizou: You're the only one I can think of who Sango would ever believe. She trusts in both your qualities and abilities, so I hope your findings can finally convince her and put an end to this whole thing.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Sure, she's just writing complaint letters for now, but who knows what she will do in the future? Haha.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Alright, I'll go get those case files. You go ahead and talk to Yoriki Owada for a while.
- (Talk to Owada)
- Owada: Oh, hello there!
- Heizou sent me to talk to you about the Ryuuji Case...
- Owada: The Ryuuji Case? So you want to re-investigate that one.
- Owada: That was several years ago now, but I still remember it clearly. It's pretty hard to forget something like that.
- Owada: Especially when the victim was the head of this Police Station. His name was Takatsukasa Isamu, the younger brother of Takatsukasa Susumu, head of the Takatsukasa Clan.
- Owada: He was really one of a kind. Decisive, brave, and smart. He was much younger than me, and already had quite a reputation.
- Owada: I'm sure he would have gone far in the Tenryou Commission, if only he was still alive. What a shame... Who would have guessed someone was plotting against him.
- They said Ryuuji was the top suspect.
- Owada: Hehe, people will believe anything they hear. Everyone in the Police Station knew that Ryuuji saw Takatsukasa Isamu like a father.
- Owada: Ryuuji was an orphan, you know. Before he joined the station, he had been taking odd jobs here and there. It was Isamu who really took him under his wing.
- Owada: Ryuuji was simple and not particularly bright, but he was very loyal to those who treated him well.
- Owada: He's also hard-working. Isamu must've seen these qualities in him and decided to keep Ryuuji by his side.
- Owada: Ryuuji worked with him for years after that, and was even promoted to be his personal assistant. Do you really think Ryuuji would do anything to harm him?
- Paimon: So then why was Ryuuji convicted? Even Paimon can tell that's a mistake.
- Owada: Here comes the interesting part of the case. Within a week and before all of the loose ends had even been tied up, Ryuuji received his conviction.
- Owada: Moreover, it was signed by Madam Kujou Sara.
- Paimon: What!? Why would Sara do something like that...
- What do you think, Owada?
- Owada: Hehe, I'm getting older now and my eyesight is poor. I can't see too clearly anymore.
- Uesugi: Hey c'mon, Yoriki Owada, there's nothing to see! It's obvious that the Kujou Clan did it!
- Owada: You can't just go around saying things like that, Uesugi. Those were just hearsay, there was no evidence.
- Uesugi: That's not true. Traveler, you may be unaware that the Takatsukasa Clan has always been assisting the Kujou Clan in the Tenryou Commission, but who doesn't want to be the boss, right?
- Uesugi: And Takatsukasa Isamu was the key figure for the Takatsukasa Clan to bring down the Kujou Clan! At that time, no one was held in higher regard than Isamu.
- Uesugi: So naturally, the Kujou Clan saw him as a potential threat. Kujou Takayuki must have been planning it all along, that rascal.
- Uesugi: Takayuki is able to control the Takatsukasa Clan as long as he’s [sic] in power. But by the time he retires, Isamu would have been at the apex of his political power, while Masahito and Kamaji of the Kujou Clan would still have been too young...
- Uesugi: Heh, the two of 'em wouldn't stand a chance against Isamu. You think Kujou Takayuki would simply sit back while Isamu gained traction? So he decided to strike first!
- Owada: You youngsters and your conspiracy theories.
- Uesugi: No, it's true! It's the only way to explain it! Otherwise, why would an impartial person like Madam Kujou Sara sign Ryuuji's conviction so quickly?
- Uesugi: They had to find a scapegoat to pacify the Takatsukasa Clan, so Kujou Takayuki must have told her to sign it immediately.
- Uesugi: Ah, I'm not accusing Madam Kujou Sara of anything, mind you. I respect her very much, but maybe she had no other choice...
- Owada: Hah, what do you know? I'm sure Madam Kujou Sara must have had her own reasons.
- What about the real murderer who was later caught by Sango?
- Owada: The guy was a forensic expert who worked in the station named Shiroyama. I have to admit, he wasn't easy to track down.
- Owada: That Sango really is something, though. She caught him without even breaking a sweat. It turned out that after poisoning Isamu, Shiroyama secretly took the poison to Ryuuji's place in order to frame him.
- Owada: Later on, the poison was also found in the forensic office, but that was already after Shiroyama's death. He confessed everything in a testament.
- Uesugi: That's right, he hung himself in the forensic office not long after Sango was on his trail, probably because he knew it was only a matter of time before he would be caught.
- Uesugi: Of course, he didn't admit whether he had been prompted by Kujou Takayuki. He took the responsibility alone... I bet Kujou Takayuki promised him a sizable compensation. After all, Shiroyama had a family to feed.
- Owada: There you go again, pulling conclusions out of thin air. There wasn't any evidence of that at all.
- Uesugi: Tch! Listen, I can almost guarantee that it was the Takatsukasa Clan who invited Sango to investigate. We all knew that Ryuuji was just a scapegoat, you think the Takatsukasa Clan wouldn't figure that out? They're not stupid.
- Uesugi: So, they were suspicious of the Kujou Clan, and invited Sango to take the case. However, the Kujou Clan were still a step ahead and were able to remove themselves from the situation before the whole thing blew up. They drove Shiroyama to take all the blame as well as his own life... A perfectly clean cut for the Kujou Clan.
- Uesugi: With Shiroyama dead, there was no one left to testify. Even the Electro Archon herself wouldn't be able to do anything.
- Owada: Tsk, you make up stuff faster than a politician. It's a wonder nobody's asked you to be an adviser yet.
- Uesugi: Hey, that's their loss!
- Paimon: *sigh* The whole thing is starting to sound complicated...
- Shikanoin Heizou: Hey, (TravelerTraveler), I brought the files.
- Shikanoin Heizou: I bet you got quite an earful just now, huh? Hehe, but don't believe everything they say. After all, people can tell you anything, and it's hard to separate truth from rumors without facts.
- Shikanoin Heizou: So, what really matters is the case files. Everything laid out here is all that the Police Station has about the case. Please, take a look.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Remember, you may find many clues during an investigation, but not all of them are useful. And in some cases, the clues you'll find will not only be useless, but downright misleading.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Also, if a clue cannot corroborate anything on its own, you can always compare it with other clues, and maybe then you'll find what you're looking for.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Okay, that should just about do it, I'm looking forward to your results!
- Paimon: Hold on, what actually counts as a result?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Usually, you need to find two things from these clues: a proven motive and proven means. Once you can confirm these two things, the criminal can be proven guilty.
- I understand.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Alright, you can go ahead and get started now. I look forward to hearing your verdict.
- (Talk to Uesugi)
- Uesugi: Hey, Traveler. Investigating a case isn't so easy, is it? Don't worry, I'll tell you all you need to know.
- About President Sango...
- Uesugi: Hah, Sango? The Takatsukasa Clan really hired an amazing detective, didn't they?
- Uesugi: She comes to the station to submit applications every now and then, and has been constantly requesting to reinvestigate the Ryuuji Case. But Heizou has always prevented her from doing so. I really didn't expect that she'd go as far as writing a complaint letter, though. Whew, she's relentless.
- Uesugi: As for why Heizou senpai has been keeping her away from the case, I think he's afraid that Sango would be putting herself in danger. After all, we're talking about the murder of an important man, that can be deep water if you're not careful...
- Uesugi: Sango may run a detective agency, but in the end, she's just an ordinary person.
- So are they friends?
- Uesugi: Uh well... not exactly. I've pretty much seen them argue every time they meet. But, Heizou might still consider her as an old friend. I heard that he used to work with Sango.
- Uesugi: Sometimes he'd ask me to hand over less pressing cases to the detective agency. I guess he just wants to support Sango's business.
- Uesugi: Hehe, Heizou senpai is a good person, there's no doubt about that.
- (Talk to Owada)
- Owada: Don't take anything Uesugi says too seriously. Just nod along...
- About Takatsukasa Isamu and Ryuuji...
- Owada: Oh, that? Well, let me see...
- Owada: Ryuuji saw Takatsukasa Isamu as his foster father, that's for sure. But I can't say whether Isamu helped Ryuuji without expecting anything in return.
- Owada: After all, Isamu was a resourceful person. A simple and naive person like Ryuuji wouldn't ever be suitable as an adviser, but he could certainly be a loyal and trustworthy aid.
- Owada: Isamu was expecting a child of his own later, but unfortunately he was killed before the child was ever born...
- Owada: Anyway, enough about all that... Aren't you here to investigate the case? You'd better get a move on.
The Motive?[]
- (Talk to Heizou)
- Shikanoin Heizou: So, what did you find? Have you come to a conclusion?
- Nothing yet, I'll keep looking through the files.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Sure, let me know once you've made some progress.
- (Read The Autopsy Report of Takatsukasa Isamu)
- The Autopsy Report of Takatsukasa Isamu: The deceased, Takatsukasa Isamu, 41 years old, Police Station manager.
- The Autopsy Report of Takatsukasa Isamu: Clothes intact at time of death. No visible trauma observed on the body, no sign of a struggle. The throat was congested and swollen, caused by a cold before his death.
- The Autopsy Report of Takatsukasa Isamu: Local ulceration was found in the stomach and intestines, caused by a novel toxin found in the stomach contents. Stomach contents include: partially undigested soft rice residue; ...
- The Autopsy Report of Takatsukasa Isamu: ...small volume of fish-liver paste residue, the main ingredient of which is highly-concentrated fish-liver extract, a valuable nutritional supplement; ...
- The Autopsy Report of Takatsukasa Isamu: ...small volume of cold medicine residue containing a large amount of acidic fruit and vegetable extracts. Appears to be a specially prepared medicine from the Office of Forensic Science; ...
- The Autopsy Report of Takatsukasa Isamu: ...small volume of novel toxin residue, which was found to be the same toxin discovered in the homes of Ryuuji and Shiroyama. Cause of death: abdominal mucous membrane disease plus respiratory and circulatory failure triggered by the novel toxin.
- Paimon: Yikes... he ate all kinds of stuff!
- (Read Ryuuji's Testimony)
- Ryuuji's Testimony: "A week before the incident, Master Takatsukasa Isamu caught a cold and lost his appetite. Rice was all he could eat and he had been taking some special cold medicine."
- Ryuuji's Testimony: "The night before the incident, he had yet to recover and was still busy with his work, so I was worried about his health. When Dr. Shiroyama came to deliver the medicine, I consulted him about a health supplement."
- Ryuuji's Testimony: "Dr. Shiroyama said fish-liver paste could help boost his immune system, so I went to the forensic office to retrieve some and gave it to Master Takatsukasa..."
- Ryuuji's Testimony: "But by the next day... Really, Master Takatsukasa was so kind to me, I swear I wouldn't ever do that to him!"
- Paimon: Hmm, come to think of it, Shiroyama was a forensic doctor... He could easily pull off something like this.
- (Read Shiroyama's Testament)
- Shiroyama's Testament: "I murdered Takatsukasa Isamu. I poisoned his cold medicine."
- Shiroyama's Testament: "Though he appeared to be honest and honorable in public, in secret, he asked me to search out a new type of poison to get rid of those who opposed him."
- Shiroyama's Testament: "He also said that if I refused, he would have me thrown in prison. He used my family to blackmail me."
- Shiroyama's Testament: "He left me with no choice. I killed him with a new type of poison that I had someone purchase for me at the International Trade Association... To protect myself, I later framed my colleague Ryuuji."
- Shiroyama's Testament: "But now it's only a matter of time before the detective uncovers everything. I know that I've made a big mistake, and that there's no escaping it now. Only death awaits me. I merely ask that my family be spared."
- Paimon: Hey, this is the key to proving that Shiroyama was the murderer, right? That is, if he was telling the truth, of course.
- (Read Takatsukasa Isamu's Message)
- Takatsukasa Isamu's Message: A note placed with Shiroyama's Testament. After comparing the handwriting, it was confirmed to have been written by the deceased, Takatsukasa Isamu.
- Takatsukasa Isamu's Message: "Shiroyama, long time no see. I trust the thing I asked you for is in progress?"
- Takatsukasa Isamu's Message: "I paid a visit to your home today while you weren't around. Thankfully, your wonderful wife welcomed me in... She's a fine woman. A perfect match for you."
- Takatsukasa Isamu's Message: "Your wife is five months pregnant, I believe? Fancy that — my wife too."
- Takatsukasa Isamu's Message: "I took the liberty of returning once more to provide her with some health supplements, even helped administer them to her myself. She was most grateful indeed."
- Takatsukasa Isamu's Message: "You will be equally grateful to me, no doubt? Then don't keep me waiting."
- Paimon: Takatsukasa Isamu seems like a thoughtful person, but something about the tone sounds weird...
- (Read the Conviction of Ryuuji)
- Conviction of Ryuuji: The suspect, Ryuuji, 20 years old, Doushin, a subordinate of the deceased, Takatsukasa Isamu.
- Conviction of Ryuuji: Ryuuji grew to resent his boss, Takatsukasa Isamu, following conflict at work. He then secretly bought a bottle of poison to kill him in revenge.
- Conviction of Ryuuji: Unused poison was later found in the suspect Ryuuji's house. For the crime of premeditated murder, Ryuuji is ordered to remain in temporary incarceration awaiting trial. This file shall be kept as evidence.
- Conviction of Ryuuji: Signed: Kujou Sara
- Paimon: Wow, Ryuuji's conviction really was signed by Kujou Sara... But now we know she had it wrong.
- (Read the Conviction of Shiroyama)
- Conviction of Shiroyama: The suspect, Shiroyama, 22 years old, forensic doctor, a subordinate of the deceased, Takatsukasa Isamu.
- Conviction of Shiroyama: Shiroyama grew to resent his boss, Takatsukasa Isamu, following conflict at work. He then secretly bought a bottle of poison to kill him in revenge.
- Conviction of Shiroyama: Unused poison was later found in the suspect Shiroyama's office. In his testament, he confessed to having planted the poison found in Ryuuji's house.
- Conviction of Shiroyama: For the crime of premeditated murder, Shiroyama is hereby sentenced to death. Punishment cannot be carried out as the suspect ended his own life before the execution could take place. This file shall be kept as evidence.
- Conviction of Shiroyama: Signed: Kujou Sara
- Paimon: Huh? So Shiroyama's conviction was also signed by Kujou Sara... just like Ryuuji's!
- (Read the Toxicology Report)
- Toxicology Report: On the toxin that caused Takatsukasa Isamu's death:
- Toxicology Report: An odorless, tasteless, and inert substance. Soluble in water, but insoluble in other substances. Has the properties of a synthetic toxin. It appears as a fine, white, powdery substance in its normal state. Tentative name: "white powder."
- Toxicology Report: The station has investigated the ledgers of all domestic commerce guilds, no transaction record for such an item was found.
- Paimon: Hmm, a synthetic toxin? What's that?
- (Read the Research Log from the Office of Forensic Science)
- Research Log from the Office of Forensic Science: (It's blank. Looks like someone tore out a few pages.)
- Paimon: Eh? That's weird, there's nothing here! This must be some of the false information that Heizou told us to look out for.
- (Talk to Heizou)
- Shikanoin Heizou: So, what did you find? Have you come to a conclusion?
- Nothing yet, I'll keep looking through the files.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Sure, let me know once you've made some progress.
- (Dialogue ends)
- Yes, I did.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Really? You found the criminal's motive and means that quickly? Awesome! Alright, let's talk about the motive first.
- Shikanoin Heizou: What clue reveals the criminal's motive?
- Shiroyama's Testament
- (−1 Heart)
- Shikanoin Heizou: Just Shiroyama's Testament? Though it does have the confession of his motives, this alone is not enough, he could have been lying.
- Shikanoin Heizou: We need evidence to prove what he said is true. Perhaps you should give it some more thought...
- (Dialogue returns to option selection)
- Conviction of Shiroyama
- (−1 Heart)
- Shikanoin Heizou: Although the conviction states that Shiroyama grew to resent Takatsukasa Isamu due to work conflicts, it's not detailed enough for us to understand the motive. Perhaps you should give it some more thought...
- (Dialogue returns to option selection)
- Shiroyama's Testament and Ryuuji's Testimony
- Shikanoin Heizou: Although Shiroyama's Testament contains the confession of his motive, Ryuuji's Testimony cannot prove it. Perhaps you should give it some more thought...
- (Dialogue returns to option selection)
- Shiroyama's Testament and Takatsukasa Isamu's Message
- (+1 Heart)
- Shikanoin Heizou: Excellent work! According to the victim's message, the two had deep conflicts. Although we cannot confirm whether the poison had been requested by the victim or not...
- Shikanoin Heizou: It is true that Isamu used Shiroyama's family to blackmail him. Such circumstances could be enough motive for Shiroyama to commit the crime.
- Paimon: But... wasn't Takatsukasa Isamu good to Shiroyama? He even went to Shiroyama's house to bring health supplements...
- Paimon: *gasp* But maybe he didn't really bring health supplements! Maybe it was something bad!?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Haha, is that what you think, Paimon? Well, we later found out that what Takatsukasa Isamu sent to Shiroyama's house was indeed health supplements.
- Shikanoin Heizou: But if you consider the circumstances, what he sent wasn't important. What was important is that sending the supplements was actually a dangerous signal...
- Shikanoin Heizou: Isamu was essentially implying, "I can put anything in your wife's supplements at any time. If you really care about her safety, then get me what I want."
- Paimon: Ah! So scary! Your assumption sounds like a real threat! You're not really that dark inside... are you?
- Shikanoin Heizou: You don't really catch criminals by standing in the light, do you?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Basically, these two clues work to verify each other, and the murderer's motive is confirmed. Now all that's left is the means of the crime.
- (Continue to The Modus Operandi?)
- Nothing yet, I'll keep looking through the files.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Sure, let me know once you've made some progress.
- (Dialogue ends)
The Modus Operandi?[]
- (Talk to Heizou)
- Shikanoin Heizou: Next, which clue confirms the criminal's means?
- Shikanoin Heizou: So, what did you find? Have you come to a conclusion?
- Research Log from the Office of Forensic Science
- (−1 Heart)
- Shikanoin Heizou: This blank research log? I don't see how it can explain anything. Perhaps you should give it some more thought...
- (Dialogue returns to option selection)
- The Autopsy Report of Takatsukasa Isamu and Shiroyama's Testament
- Shikanoin Heizou: Close! The autopsy report states that the cause of death is a special toxin, but how was this toxin administered to the deceased?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Was it mixed with the cold medicine, as Shiroyama stated in his testament? If so, we need some evidence to prove that. Perhaps you should give it some more thought...
- (Dialogue returns to option selection)
- Ryuuji's Testimony and Conviction of Shiroyama
- (−1 Heart)
- Shikanoin Heizou: Haha, maybe you've seen enough files for the day... I'm afraid these two documents are completely unrelated. Perhaps you should give it some more thought...
- (Dialogue returns to option selection)
- The Autopsy Report of Takatsukasa Isamu, Shiroyama's Testament, and the Toxicology Report
- (+1 Heart)
- Shikanoin Heizou: Bingo! The autopsy report confirms that the cause of death was a special toxin. The testament indicates that Shiroyama used his position as a forensic expert to mix the toxin into the cold medicine taken by the deceased.
- Shikanoin Heizou: But is that really the truth? Is it not possible that the toxin was mixed into the fish-liver paste?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Well, according to the toxicology report, this "white powder" only dissolves in water. Neither rice nor the fish-liver paste could be used as a carrier of the toxin. The cold medicine was the only option.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Putting the poison elsewhere would not only fail to guarantee a lethal dose, but would also increase the chance of it being noticed by the deceased. Therefore, the means is also confirmed.
- Paimon: Add that to the motive for the crime, and... Whoa! So the murderer really was Shiroyama!
- Shikanoin Heizou: Yep, (TravelerTraveler). Pretty clear-cut, wouldn't you say? Look, I really don't know what Sango is so suspicious about.
- (Continue to Things Clear Up)
- Nothing yet, I'll keep looking through the files.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Sure, let me know once you've made some progress.
- (Dialogue ends)
Things Clear Up[]
- (Talk to Heizou after choosing the correct clue)
- Paimon: Yeah, it's pretty clear-cut... Huh, you could say it's almost too clear-cut!
- Wait... I still have some questions.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Oh? Well, let's hear them. Maybe I have answers.
- Shikanoin Heizou: What's bugging you?
- Why is the "Research Log from the Office of Forensic Science" blank? Did someone tear out some pages?
- Shikanoin Heizou: This also puzzles me. Maybe someone doesn't want us being privy to the content inside, or maybe Shiroyama tore a bunch of pages out by accident.
- Shikanoin Heizou: But regardless, this isn't essential to the case. Like I said before, a lot of what comes up in an investigation is irrelevant information.
- Shikanoin Heizou: The crucial elements are Shiroyama's motive and means, which we have established.
- (Dialogue returns to option selection if there are any left)
- The Toxicology Report mentioned that this poison isn't sold anywhere in Inazuma, but Shiroyama's Testament said that it was bought at the International Trade Association.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Maybe the report was wrong. The International Trade Association is a gathering place for merchants from all over. Countless merchants pass through the port of Ritou every day. It's natural for there to be a couple of missing records here or there.
- (Dialogue returns to option selection if there are any left)
- Based on the "Convictions" written by Kujou Sara for Ryuuji and Shiroyama, the two committed the same crime. Why are their punishments different?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Haha, very nice. Top marks for attention to detail. It doesn't have any real bearing on the case, but let me explain how that works for you.
- Shikanoin Heizou: So, why would Madam Kujou Sara sign one conviction sentencing Ryuuji to temporary incarceration awaiting trial, and another conviction sentencing Shiroyama to death?
- Shikanoin Heizou: You may have heard some rumors back at the station that when this case first came up, the Kujou Clan higher-ups were in dire need of a scapegoat to keep the Takatsukasa Clan off their backs, and poor Ryuuji became the successful candidate.
- Shikanoin Heizou: In less than a week, the conviction was drafted, sent to Madam Kujou Sara, and signed. Allegedly, she knew what it was about as soon as she saw it, and signed it with no questions asked.
- Shikanoin Heizou: But anyone who buys this story clearly doesn't know that much about Madam Kujou Sara. She's the most principled person in the entire Tenryou Commission, for goodness' sake.
- Shikanoin Heizou: So how would she respond to a case filled with unanswered questions and no confession from the suspect?
- Paimon: Oh, you mean...
- Shikanoin Heizou: Exactly. Before she signed it, she changed Ryuuji's conviction from the death sentence to temporary incarceration.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Ryuuji escaped a disastrous fate without ever realizing it. Had Madam Kujou Sara not changed his sentence, Sango would have been seeking justice for a dead man.
- Paimon: Why was Sara so lenient with Ryuuji?
- Shikanoin Heizou: That's the wrong question. This wasn't about Ryuuji, but Madam Kujou Sara's principles. The conviction could have been for a Ryuuji, a Guuji, and even a Tanuki, and she would have made the same decision.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Given the enormous pressure she was under at the time, I'd say she did the most she could, don't you think?
- Paimon: Pressure? Really, was someone higher up putting pressure on Sara?
- Shikanoin Heizou: The pressure came from all sides. The deceased was the leader of the Police Station and the rising star of the Takatsukasa Clan. All eyes were on this case.
- Shikanoin Heizou: How this became reduced to the unimaginative rumor that Madam Kujou Sara convicted Ryuuji under pressure from her superiors, I have no idea.
- Paimon: Ugh, rumors here, conspiracy theories there... lies at every turn!
- Shikanoin Heizou: Fortunately, Madam Kujou Sara works in an open and transparent manner, and pays no heed to rumors like this. She just rolls her eyes and forgets all about them.
- How do you know?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Just because she has never publicly clarified the truth doesn't mean she was hiding anything. So when I asked her about it, saying it was relevant to a case I was working on, she just told me how it was.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Believe me, in this case more than any other, I have checked every last detail.
- (Dialogue returns to option selection if there are any left)
- (After asking all three questions)
- Shikanoin Heizou: Well, I've answered all your lingering questions, and you've checked all the material the Police Station has, so... what do you think, case closed?
- Paimon: Paimon still feels like something doesn't add up, but then again, Heizou did give us all the files the Police Station had... Ugh, this is annoying...
- We've seen everything... that the Police Station has. Now I see the problem.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Oh, I don't follow, enlighten me.
- At the detective agency, you told Sango: "I've disclosed everything the Police Station has on the case."
- When we started to look at the files, you said to us: "Everything laid out here is all that the Police Station has about the case."
- Just now, you said it again: "You've checked all the material the Police Station has."
- Paimon: Right! Why do you keep emphasizing "Police Station" every single time?
- Shikanoin Heizou: You tell me. Why do I keep emphasizing "Police Station" every time?
- Because you're trying to hint that there is other information that the Police Station doesn't have.
- (+1 Heart)
- Shikanoin Heizou: Hahahaha... So we're finally here, huh?
- Shikanoin Heizou: I was starting to think our investigation was about to end a little early. That would have been a real shame. Man alive, you finally saw through my little game.
- Shikanoin Heizou: You're absolutely right, there is other information that the Police Station doesn't have. Reason being... it's my own evidence. And this evidence should help answer a couple of your questions more clearly:
- Shikanoin Heizou: Why was the "Research Log from the Office of Forensic Science" blank, and where did the white powder come from?
- Paimon: Aha! Paimon knew you were keeping secrets!
- Shikanoin Heizou: Heh, don't you have secrets, too?
- Paimon: Uh... No! Nuh-uh, nope, definitely not!
- Shikanoin Heizou: Let's talk somewhere else. This isn't the best place for this discussion.
The Final Clue[]
- (Find a quiet place)
- Shikanoin Heizou: This is a quiet spot, let's talk here.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Alright, here's the secret I've been keeping all along: the torn-out pages from the Research Log of the Office of Forensic Science.
- Paimon: Great! But Paimon can't believe you've kept this a secret all this time.
- Shikanoin Heizou: It's not like you think. I wasn't the one who tore out the pages.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Look, just read it over first.
- Acidic nutrients extracted from the Sunsettia were mixed with the oil extracted from the fish liver. When the mixture was purified, the formation of a fine, powdery substance was observed.
- Over the course of a week, Forest Boars to whom this substance had been administered suffered first from damaged and diseased skin mucous membranes, followed by respiratory failure, then death.
- The mixing and purification procedure was then repeated, but replacing the Sunsettia with concentrated Sunsettia juice and the fish liver with concetrated fish-liver paste. A large quantity of the powdery substance was produced.
- When Forest Boars were administered this dose, the time of death was reduced from one week to a few hours.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Finished? Do you see now?
- Shikanoin Heizou: The method used by the perpetrator to commit his crime wasn't by putting the white powder in the cold medicine...
- He put it in the fish-liver paste!
- (−1 Heart)
- Shikanoin Heizou: Wait what? Where'd you conjure up that answer from? Try again.
- (Dialogue returns to option selection)
- The cold medicine and the fish-liver paste were mixed to form the white powder!
- Shikanoin Heizou: That's correct! The white powder was Shiroyama's invention.
- Shikanoin Heizou: As a forensic doctor, he provided a special cold medicine for Takatsukasa Isamu. The autopsy report showed that this medicine contained a high volume of acidic fruit and vegetable extracts.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Then, he tricked Ryuuji into sending fish-liver paste to Takatsukasa Isamu. When the two substances were taken together, a toxic dose of the substance formed in his body.
- Shikanoin Heizou: This is the real modus operandi.
- Paimon: Ohh, that's awful... One was medicine, and the other was an expensive nutritional supplement. Both completely harmless...
- Shikanoin Heizou: True, both are harmless on their own, but when combined... Poof! That's it.
- Why didn't Shiroyama admit this in his testament? There was no need for him to hide it.
- Shikanoin Heizou: It was not him who wanted to hide it, but the person pulling the strings behind him.
- Paimon: Huh? You mean there was someone else pulling the strings!?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Aren't you curious where I found these pages from the research log?
- Shikanoin Heizou: It was in Kujou Takayuki's secret warehouse.
- Shikanoin Heizou: After I found the missing pages, I did some digging around and found out that Shiroyama had worked for Kujou Takayuki before joining the Police Station.
- Shikanoin Heizou: The Kujou Clan secretly provided Shiroyama with funds to study forensic science. I guess you could say that Kujou Takayuki's investment paid dividends in this case.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Of course, I only learned all of this after the Vision Hunt Decree came to an end. Kujou Takayuki had lost his grip on power, and the Tenryou Commission was undergoing a general reshuffle.
- Shikanoin Heizou: To avoid coming under suspicion, Madam Kujou Sara put me in charge of building a case against Kujou Takayuki.
- Shikanoin Heizou: I found a huge stash of fish-liver paste in his secret warehouse... nothing hugely incriminating about that, of course, but I still took the trouble to open each and every package, until finally...
- Shikanoin Heizou: I had to concede that this really was just a huge stash of fish-liver paste.
- Shikanoin Heizou: But then... underneath the floor tiles where the fish-liver paste was stacked, I found a secret compartment with this torn-off research report lying inside.
- Paimon: So it was him who wanted to frame Ryuuji all along! What a nasty piece of work!
- Shikanoin Heizou: Let's review the whole case, from the top.
- Shikanoin Heizou: First, Takatsukasa Isamu, for whatever reason, noticed Shiroyama's talent as a forensic doctor, and asked him to develop a special poison on his behalf. But Shiroyama was already working for the Kujou Clan, so he refused.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Takatsukasa Isamu wasn't about to take no for an answer, and that's where things took a dark turn: He twisted Shiroyama's arm by making a veiled threat to harm his family. All Shiroyama could do was to secretly report everything to Kujou Takayuki.
- Shikanoin Heizou: When Takayuki learned what was happening, he instructed Shiroyama to pretend to cooperate with Takatsukasa Isamu, then kill the latter with the white powder once it was fully developed.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Meanwhile, Ryuuji's only role in this case was to deliver the fish-liver paste to Takatsukasa Isamu on Shiroyama's orders, completely unaware of the fact that he was being used as a pawn, and that this was a key ingredient needed to create the poison.
- Shikanoin Heizou: After the incident, Kujou Takayuki hoped to make Ryuuji the fall guy, until the death sentence was stalled when it reached Madam Kujou Sara.
- Shikanoin Heizou: In the meantime, Sango had begun her own investigation. Kujou Takayuki grew nervous that the truth would get out, so he threw Shiroyama to the wolves, hounding him to death and erasing all traces of contact between the two.
- Shikanoin Heizou: And yet, he wanted to keep this secret formula, so he hid it. Greedy guy, that Takayuki... he must have wanted to have it on hand just in case he needed to employ it again in the future, and make someone else disappear...
- Paimon: This Kujou Takayuki is an evil lunatic! We've gotta report this to Ei. Whatever his current punishment is, it needs to be 10 times worse!!!
- Shikanoin Heizou: That would be practically impossible. One research log found in his warehouse doesn't prove anything, even I can think of a hundred excuses.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Besides... Ryuuji directly contributed to Takatsukasa Isamu's death by delivering the fish-liver paste to him. The fact that he was unaware of the true nature of the situation doesn't matter.
- Paimon: But... but he's still innocent, right? Isn't it just a coincidence? ...Paimon really doesn't get how the law works.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Legally speaking, the judge would most likely rule that it was accidental. But in practice, Ryuuji may still have to end up shouldering some responsibility...
- Paimon: So basically, you've been hiding the truth all this time to protect Ryuuji...
- Shikanoin Heizou: Mental trauma doesn't heal as easily as physical wounds... My biggest worry is that Ryuuji would struggle to cope if he knew the truth.
- Shikanoin Heizou: He's like an innocent child... he freely gives his trust and his love to everyone that treats him well. That's why he thought of Takatsukasa Isamu as a father figure.
- Shikanoin Heizou: I'm pretty sure that to this day, he has never paused to wonder whether Takatsukasa Isamu was actually a good person, or if Sango just hired him as a gofer...
- Shikanoin Heizou: ...Or why I left the detective agency.
- Shikanoin Heizou: If he found out the facts about Takatsukasa Isamu, I'm afraid it would crush him...
- So... why are you revealing the truth to me today?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Haha, well, as you can see, I'm a little less confident than people might think.
- Shikanoin Heizou: To prevent Ryuuji from getting hurt, I covered up the truth. But by doing so, have I held him back?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Did I do the right thing? I couldn't turn to anyone for help, and everyone around me thinks I'm so smart, that I should just be able to handle every case on my own.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Even if I tried to discuss it with them, they'd just say: "Don't be ridiculous, Mr. Heizou, no problem's too difficult for you!"
- Shikanoin Heizou: But you're different, (TravelerTraveler). Unlike them, you don't have that kind of prejudice towards me.
- Shikanoin Heizou: You've traveled far and wide, and had all kinds of experiences. It must have taught you a lot.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Most importantly... my intuition tells me that you're someone special. I can trust you, and you can help me... right?
- Shikanoin Heizou: So, I'd like you to be the one to decide whether we should expose the truth or not.
- I need to think about that...
- Shikanoin Heizou: Oh... you don't need to tell me what you decide, and you certainly don't need to decide right now. Let's just say, I'm leaving this "teensy-tiny" matter up to you.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Alright, let's get back to the detective agency. You can mull it over on the way. Once you've made up your mind, just tell Ryuuji and Sango your verdict.
Your Answer[]
- (Talk to Ryuuji)
- Ryuuji: Hey, Traveler! Hey, Detective Heizou!
- Ryuuji: You're back already, huh? Hehe, I bet you're tired! Well, I just bought some Tonkatsu. Care to join me? There's plenty for everyone!
- Paimon: We'd love to... but wouldn't you like to hear the results of our investigation first?
- Ryuuji: No matter what you were able to find, it's all in the past and won't ever change. So I think we'd better chow down first!
- Ryuuji: Besides, if Sango's not happy with the results, we might not have anything to eat later...
- Sango: C'mon Ryuuji, pipe down! Let's hear the Traveler's conclusion first.
- Paimon: Uhh, okay then... Over to you, Heizou and (TravelerTraveler).
- Shikanoin Heizou: (TravelerTraveler), don't worry, just tell us your findings. Everyone trusts you, as do I.
- Sango was wrong about Heizou, and the murderer was indeed Shiroyama.
- Ryuuji: Well, whaddya know. I suspected that was the case... *sigh* Please rest in peace, Master Takatsukasa...
- Sango: No! Impossible! Traveler, are you sure you checked every last file? Carefully?
- Trust me, I did.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Hehehe.
- Sango: Ugh, no... you little... Shikanoin Heizou! You didn't pull any shenanigans on the Traveler, did you!?
- Ryuuji: Sango... no accusations without evidence, remember...
- Shikanoin Heizou: The truth is out and the case is closed, Sango. Please don't send any more of your harassment letters to the Tenryou Commission.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Well, I really owe it to you Traveler, I'll be sure to properly thank you later. Until then, see you!
- Sango: Hey! You're not going anywhere!
- (Proceed to Ending: There's One Secret)
- Detective Heizou hid some evidence, the truth of the matter is...
- You tell them the whole truth about the Ryuuji Case.
- Sango: But how... how could this be!?
- Ryuuji: Huh... So that's what really happened?
- Shikanoin Heizou: Ryuuji... I know it's hard to accept, but...
- Ryuuji: Wait a minute, sorry, I...
- Ryuuji: I have quite the stomachache... Sango, can I take the day off?
- Sango: Sure, of course... Take the week if you need it!
- Ryuuji runs away in a fluster.
- Paimon: Oh, Paimon hopes Ryuuji will be okay...
- Sango: I... didn't expect things to turn out like this.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Just give him some time to himself, I think he will eventually come to accept it.
- Sango: I'm still a little worried though, what if he doesn't come to work tomorrow...
- Shikanoin Heizou: Then we'll go to him. Don't you worry about that, Sango. You need some time to process all of this too.
- (Dialogue continues below)
- (Talk to Sango again)
- Sango: I am at a loss for words right now... please, just leave me be.
- (Wait until the following day (08:00–12:00))
- (Talk to Sango)
- Sango: Ah, you're here. Don't worry, Ryuuji came earlier this morning.
- Sango: I guess he can handle a lot more than I had thought. I was honestly worried he'd suffer a breakdown.
- Sango: But as of today, it seems he'll be fine.
- Is he not here?
- Sango: He went over to Netsuke no Gen Crafts to buy something...
- Shikanoin Heizou: Let's go find him then, shall we?
- Sango: Before you go... Heizou, I uh... I kind of understand now what you meant when you left.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Oh, really? I'm happy to hear you say that.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Haha, (TravelerTraveler). Alright, time to find Ryuuji.
- (Talk to Sango again)
- Sango: Wait, aren't you going to see Ryuuji?
- What did Heizou say to you when he left the agency?
- Sango: Hah, now that I think about it, it's like a slap in the face...
- Sango: He said, "Some things will always be more important than the truth."
- (Approach Ryuuji at Netsuke no Gen Crafts)
- Paimon: Look! There's Ryuuji, with a little kid, too! Hmm? Is he buying her toys?
- (Talk to Ryuuji and Takatsukasa Chika)
- Takatsukasa Chika: Uncle Ryuuji, was my daddy handsome? I've never seen what he looked like.
- Ryuuji: Of course, Takatsukasa Isamu was a very handsome man. Also, it's not "uncle." Call me brother.
- Takatsukasa Chika: But you look so old.
- Ryuuji: Well, I'm still your brother.
- Takatsukasa Chika: Huh? How come?
- Ryuuji: Because he treated me like a son.
- Ahem...
- Takatsukasa Chika: Huh? Who are you guys?
- Shikanoin Heizou: We're friends with your big brother, Ryuuji, and with your father, too.
- Takatsukasa Chika: Oh, really? Yay! I've met loads of my daddy's friends today. Can you tell me some stories about him? I really wanna hear them.
- Shikanoin Heizou: Hehe, sure! Why, I know enough stories about your old man that if I started talking now, you'd be all grown-up before I finished them.
- Takatsukasa Chika: Wow! That's amazing! Well, I don't wanna grow up too soon then... Maybe when I'm 100... no, no, 200 years old... Umm, no, 300 years old!
- Takatsukasa Chika: Yep! I'm gonna wait until I'm 300 years old before I become a grown-up, so that I can make sure I finish all the stories first!
- (Proceed to Ending: The Famous Detective's Principles)
Ending: There's One Secret[]
| There's One Secret | |
|---|---|
| Aether | Lumine |
|
|
| That only we know of. | |
Ending: The Famous Detective's Principles[]
| The Famous Detective's Principles | |
|---|---|
| Aether | Lumine |
|
|
| "Some things will always be more important than the truth." | |
Trivia[]
- The Ryuuji Case was previously summarized in the Inazuma Commission Bantan Sango Case File: Cleanup Work.
Other Languages[]
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Long-Sealed Mystery | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 尘封的疑云 Chénfēng de Yíyún | Dust-Sealed Mystery |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 塵封的疑雲 Chénfēng de Yíyún | |
| Japanese | 封じられた謎 Fuujirareta Nazo[!][!] | Sealed Mystery |
| Korean | 봉인된 수수께끼 Bong'indoen Susukkekki | Sealed Mystery |
| Spanish | Sospechas polvorientas | Dusty Suspicions |
| French | Un mystère poussiéreux | A Dusty Mystery |
| Russian | Давно запечатанная тайна Davno zapechatannaya tayna | Long-Sealed Mystery |
| Thai | ความเคลือบแคลงที่ปิดผนึกไว้ | |
| Vietnamese | Mối Nghi Ngờ Chôn Giấu | |
| German | Ein lange versiegeltes Mysterium | A Long-Sealed Mystery |
| Indonesian | Misteri yang Tersimpan Lama | Long-Sealed Mystery |
| Portuguese | Mistério Selado | |
| Turkish | Uzun Zamandır Mühürlü Gizem | |
| Italian | Un mistero di lunga data |
Change History[]
Released in Version 2.8