Chapter 139: Exploring the Multiverse—Does Hydra Even Qualify?

As the atmosphere fell into a heavy silence, Vernon operated his personal computer.

"I’ve notified Fina. It’s no longer safe here; we need to move the conversation elsewhere."

Vernon stood up as he spoke, leading a few people out into the courtyard.

"It’s going to be a bit crowded, so bear with it. Heiji Hattori, hold Shinichi Kudo. Once we’re up there, Ai Haibara, go find Fina. Understood?" Vernon continued.

Heiji Hattori was utterly bewildered. If the shop wasn't safe, was the courtyard supposed to be?

Just as Heiji was confused, Conan climbed into his arms with complete docility. Immediately after, a shimmering teleportation array ignited around them.

The next instant, Heiji found himself floating in mid-air, surrounded by unrecognizable equipment, while simultaneously feeling the sensation of weightlessness as if in a freefall.

Before he could adapt to the physical discomfort, the shuttle’s gravity system kicked in. Heiji dropped to the floor, though he didn't actually hit the ground—the space was so packed with people that falling was impossible.

"Frank, check the logs for any anomalous indices. Fina, check the magical records for any issues."

As Vernon spoke, he pulled up all the recent observational data.

Before getting to work, Fina smiled at Ai Haibara, who was clutching her waist, and mouthed, "It’s done."

Ai was so happy she wanted to jump for joy, but she managed to suppress her emotions, ensuring her movements didn't disturb anyone else.

Conan and Heiji didn't stay idle while the others worked; they felt as though they didn't have enough eyes to take in the surroundings, which were filled with both mystery and advanced technology.

"That can't be..." Heiji looked out through the observation window. The first thing that met his eyes was a beautiful, vast, and mesmerizing planet.

"We’re in space." Conan pressed his face against the glass.

He had seen photos and videos of Earth, but this was his first time observing the planet with his own eyes from space. The experience was absolutely magnificent.

At the same time, Heiji and Conan realized something. They tentatively jumped slightly.

They landed back on the floor; gravity was real and present, not a hallucination.

Although he didn't know the source of the gravity, Conan could grasp the technological level involved. It was no exaggeration to say that this gravity simulation technology alone was enough to crush everything on Earth.

Before he could finish his silent amazement, Conan suddenly remembered something. If this organization called Ouroboros was this powerful, then the Hydra they were taking so seriously must possess an equally staggering level of strength.

An extraterrestrial power had been hiding on Earth for so long without revealing itself...

The more Conan thought about it, the more he felt a chill down his spine, as if a grand conspiracy lurked in the shadows, and a thick, impenetrable fog had settled over the entire planet.

Heiji Hattori, having reached the same conclusion, shifted his attention to Vernon and his team. Though he hated to admit it, it seemed they were the only ones who could help them now.

Even though Hydra hadn't surfaced after all this time, it meant they must be wary of something. Conan and the others figured that the only thing they could be wary of was the rival extraterrestrial organization, Ouroboros.

"The situation is clear. It seems the worst-case scenario hasn't come to pass." Vernon let out a long sigh of relief as he looked at the system's conclusions.

"What do you mean?" Frank continued comparing the various data points.

"Some data did exceed the standards, and there are strange fluctuations on Ai Haibara and Shinichi Kudo, but these fluctuations actually originate from the world's consciousness."

"It is spontaneously resisting the act of energy being extracted from within the planet, so you and Ai are essentially stabilizers."

"As for the energy extraction method, it’s crudely primitive—about the same level as the technology Hydra had when they were defeated decades ago. Furthermore, no spacecraft were detected in orbit."

"Synthesizing the other information, both the system and I have concluded that this Black Organization somehow obtained a portion of Hydra's technology, and it likely didn't arrive here in physical form."

"That technology then stoked the ambitions of certain people who tried to utilize it, but there is a distinct generational gap in the tech. Combined with the likely loss of both technical documentation and foundational data, they haven't made any substantial progress even after all this time."

Vernon explained briefly. Conan glanced at Ai; he hadn't expected ordinary people like them to play such a vital role.

"We cannot jump to conclusions so easily. Even if the probability is one in ten thousand, we cannot let that possibility slide."

Frank looked up, his expression extremely solemn. "Captain, I request to launch an offensive against this clandestine organization! Lift all restrictions on our methods."

"I agree," Vernon nodded.

*Teacher, these people seem much more ruthless than me. We’ve been too conservative,* Fina thought while stroking Ai Haibara's hair.

"Fina, what’s your opinion?"

"Oh? I agree."

Once the three reached a consensus, Vernon began to modify the policies, then slammed his hand onto the display.

"Which idiot set these restrictions?! Foreign policy can only be changed level by level, and each level has a multi-day cooldown! What the hell is this?"

Vernon was furious. No one had told him about this in advance, and it was incredibly awkward.

On the planet Hextech in the Clockwork Tower, Heimerdinger sneezed several times, scratched his head, and looked confused.

Indeed, he had set those limits to prevent someone from being secretly influenced or controlled, which would turn the shuttle into a weapon in someone else's hands. With these limits in place, there would at least be time for recourse unless the entire crew was compromised.

"Captain, how many levels are there between our current policy and an active offensive?" Frank asked.

"Over a dozen. It’ll take at least several months," Vernon said, his temper cooling as he began to think of a faster solution.

"Actually, we can help," Conan suggested. "If it's about tracking people, they’ve been active in this world for so long that they must have left traces. Tracking is our specialty."

"And I can ask my father for help," Heiji continued after Conan. "He has so many police officers under his command; the speed of a full-scale search wouldn't be slow."

Vernon rubbed his temples. "You two can help for now, but our information must remain classified, or the shuttle will detect a security breach and trigger an alarm."

"Once the secrecy policies are relaxed, we’ll see about negotiating with your country. Also, you and Ai need to undergo a full-body scan in a moment—I need to be certain you haven't been brainwashed!"