The Case Book of Arne (アルネの事件簿)

It's too quiet.

And too dark.

What are you doing? There isn't a single guard in the museum!

Over.

Oh, come on. You're the one who told me to focus on the search for Mr. Yelle, sir.

Over.

That doesn't mean you can neglect your guard duties, dummy!

Over.

Fine.

I'll start heading back now, so stand guard for me until I get there, sir.

Over.

Stand guard for him, he says? Damn him.

The most marvelous of them all has made her entrance!

And tonight, I am too marvelous to believe!

L-Little Red Phantom Thief!

Oh dear. Are you here all on your lonesome, Mister Director?

Even if it's just another worthless guard, I deserve a bigger audience than this.

Q-Quit playing games! What have you come to steal this time?!

An unannounced theft wouldn't be marvelous at all. I wouldn't do that.

So today, I come with a warning.

"On the night of the full moon, I shall marvelously help myself

to the jeweler Yelle's latest work, the Blue Heart!"

What? What? What? What? What?!

It's only fitting for the most marvelous one of all to possess that marvelous item.

Goodbye. Until the next full moon.

THE CASE OF LITTLE RED PHANTOM THIEF AND THE BLUE HEART

THE CASEBOOK OF ARNE

So that's the situation I'm in.

This is the kind of warning Little Red Phantom Thief leaves, huh?

EATING WHETS THE APPETITE

Lord Arne, we are going to accept the case, aren't we?

No.

Huh?

Did you already forget about the Hotel Pithos case?

The Hotel Pithos Robbery? Of course I remember that.

It was the case where Little Red Phantom Thief dressed up as you.

The heart we were supposed to be guarding got stolen,

and we were attacked by werewolves.

You're welcome, by the way.

If I hadn't been there, you would all have ended up in hell.

I already told you it all went according to plan.

Regardless, nothing good ever comes from getting involved with Little Red.

Please! I really need your help!

You're rumored to be the only one capable of protecting

the Blue Heart from Little Red Phantom Thief.

That's why I came to you.

That's our Lord Arne.

As his assistant, I can hold my head high.

Well, actually, all those rumors came from my boomerang security guard.

I've brought you another client, kiddo—

Detective! Detective! Detective! Detective!

My man has disappeared!

My beloved one and only!

Please find him for me!

Without him by my side, life is no longer worth living!

Are you sure he disappeared? Maybe he ran away.

Love is fleeting, after all.

Don't say that.

There's no way that's true! He and I are in love!

Whoa!

He even promised to make me his bride!

Wh-What the hell is this lady's problem?!

Fine. I'll go to the art museum.

Thank you very much.

Lord Arne, what about this woman?

Save me!

I'll leave her to you, Lynn Reinweiß.

I think it's about time you accepted a case on your own.

Zwei, you're just taking advantage of Lynn.

Lord Arne.

You really trust me with something like that?

I promise to do my very best.

Oh gosh.

A-dor-a-ble.

Come. We're going with him.

Huh? Why?

Lynn wishes to do this on her own.

I do not want to get in her way.

So, uh...

At a time like this, Lynn, some chamomile tea can come in handy.

It helps to take the edge off the sadness and confusion.

Oh, thanks, Zisye.

Throw in some tasty sweets and you're all set.

I'm sorry for losing my composure like that.

I don't blame you. Someone very dear to you is missing.

He's not the type of person to just leave without saying anything.

With the Arne Detective Agency on the case, you have nothing to worry about.

I can't thank you enough.

I brought ya even more clients, kiddo.

Hope ya appreciate it, kiddo.

Please find my boyfriend! He's gone missing!

She's beautiful.

Looks tasty.

A leannán sídhe?

You're very well informed.

A leannán sídhe is a fairy that's said to grant talent to artists she loves

in exchange for their lives.

The first director of the museum was fond of the following saying:

"Artists sacrifice their own vitality to bring their work to life."

"The enduring radiance of that vitality is what stirs the viewer's emotions."

In other words, that crest is a symbol of art itself.

And we have many other wonderful works of art on display inside.

This way, please.

We'll go do some sightseeing.

We're in a city of art, after all.

Later.

Huh?

But this is the number one tourist spot in town.

The four statues in this room

are by an emerging sculptor who's already heralded as a leading talent.

According to that sculptor,

"True art does not emerge from a complete form."

"Only when a work is incomplete can the imagination of the viewer fulfill it,

and allow it to reach a state of perfect beauty."

That one's by a talented painter with a very promising future ahead.

Mr. Yelle's talents have truly been flourishing recently.

Please take a look at these stunning examples.

So this is what humans consider beautiful.

I don't get it at all.

Little Red Phantom Thief sure has odd taste.

Actually, regarding that, I should tell you...

You don't even have the new piece?

Mr. Yelle went missing about a week ago,

and so did the Blue Heart he was supposed to lend to us.

Meaning there's nothing for Little Red Phantom Thief to steal in the first place.

Right.

Then, the case is closed. I'm leaving.

Ah, please don't go!

If the item you want me to protect isn't even here, why would I stay?

If we can't locate Mr. Yelle, the museum will be in dire straits.

Also, the next full moon is tomorrow.

Once Little Red Phantom Thief finds out, there's no telling what she might do.

I'm begging you! Please at least come and protect the museum tomorrow night.

This truly is a city of art.

Would you like your portrait painted?

How about a painting to remember your visit to the city of art?

Why not? Maybe we should have our portraits done.

No way. If there's a permanent record of me in this form,

I'll be a laughingstock among vampires.

Aren't you already?

What a beautiful young lady.

Oh, I think I'll go with you.

Hey!

Couldn't you have tried to look a little less mean?

Shaddap.

Amy! Nach!

It's Lynn.

You got three clients?

Seriously? Is going missing some kind of new fad?

It's actually very strange.

All three men who disappeared had links to the art museum.

The first was employed by a shipping company that transports artworks.

The second was a curator who quit just last month.

The third was an interpreter who helped out with museum tours.