I don't know anything about anything called the Splinter of Knowledge!
I know that.
Then, why?!
Because you found out what I am searching for.
That is your sin.
I can't go back there. Not anymore...
You awake?
Hm? Y- Yes.
Sorry, but I have a job for you.
Can you get changed and come downstairs?
Sure.
A rush delivery?
You could say that.
Sorry to wake you up so early.
That's all right. I'll be right back.
Oh, hello, sir.
Morning.
You're certainly here early.
Well, I have something to take care of.
What's the big rush?
I feel like it'll disappear...
...the instant I look away.
I just kept counting...
...all the many traces of loneliness...
...that I'd vomited up.
In this time that seems so dry,
...my heart is thrashing around and drowning.
It takes those lies that make my head spin...
...and tears them to pieces.
And the place I lose my way in...
...is a dim, hazy world.
What's the big idea, asking me to meet you in this dump?
For your sake, you better not try to foist off some useless info on me again.
You have my word. Even a cheapskate like you will want to buy this.
You're a real flatterer. All right, I'll hear you out.
A while back, the old lady who owned this area finally died.
Yeah, I heard about that. That old lady they said was immortal, right?
Yeah.
Is that the big news you said you had for me?
Give me a minute.
Then, how about the fact that in my circle, that old lady...
...was known as a bit of a walking encyclopedia?
More than "a bit," I'd say.
The way I hear it, there was nothing about Witches that she didn't know.
Yeah, and the old lady apparently left behind...
...something called the Splinter of Knowledge when she died.
Splinter of Knowledge? What's that?
Beats me. But rumor has it that Solomon is looking for it.
Solomon?!
You better not be making this up.
I said it was a rumor, didn't I?
And if Solomon is after it... Maybe it's information about Witches.
If something like that were to fall into their hands,
...things could get ugly.
See, didn't I tell you you'd be interested?
Fine. I'll buy it off you this time.
But before I do, I want you to do a little work for me.
Like what?
I want you to find out where that "Splinter of Knowledge" thing is.
Hey, wait a minute, that's a little...
Then we're through talking.
You're not the only information dealer around here.
Wait a minute! All right, all right.
Damn it, you're always pulling stuff like this, Nagira...
Splinter of Knowledge, huh?
That convenience store...
It was close to Touko's place.
What are you doing?
- Well, if it isn't Lady Dojima. - You're sure here early.
What were you checking out?
A murder.
You know the Walled City, right? We hunted a Witch there a while back.
There's been a string of murders there lately.
Of what, Witches?
One of the victims just happened to turn up on our list.
So we started checking the others, and...
What, some of the other victims were also Witches?
Not some. ALL of them.
All of them?!
You make it sound like the Witches are fighting each other!
That's a pretty strong possibility, wouldn't you say?
The mailbox.
That letter...
The letter... How could I forget something so important?
I left it there.
It might be dangerous...
But...
It's gone?
What happened to it?
Other people are looking for it?
There's something seriously bad about this. I'd stay out of this if I were...
Who is it?!
You sure?
Start talking!
Okay, I'll tell you... The Professor, for one.
The Professor?
It looks like there are a few others besides him.
So, it's not just Solomon...
Even a cautious guy like the Professor is making a move for this thing?
Whatever it is, it must be something major.
Come on, let's just call it quits.
There are even rumors that people have died for this...
Died? You mean people are killing each other?
There must be some infighting going on.
Infighting? The way I hear it, the Professor works alone.
That's true, but...
In any case, I want you to keep digging.
But that isn't gonna be...
I'll make it worth your while.
F-Fine.
See ya.
Michael, I read the report from this morning.
Don't you think we should check into this case a bit...
I can hear you.
Oh, you mean the cases in the Walled City.
I think you're right. But isn't it dangerous to go there alone?
I'll just go there to get a feel for the situation.
I see. In that case, I'll get the data to you right away.
I'll leave you to it.
Oops!
The cops are on the move, too...
Looks like those rumors that people died are true.
Professor, this isn't your style. Aren't you being a little reckless?
Yes?
It's me. Can I come in?
Oh, sure.
What is it?
There's something that I wanted to ask you.
About a month and a half ago, an old lady died in the Walled City.
I see... They had her flagged, just like I thought.
Nagira, how do you know about that old woman?
Well, there are these crazy rumors that she was immortal.
But even if it's a Witch we're talking about, I wouldn't believe stories like that.
But the real problem here is that "Splinter of Knowledge" thing...
...they say that this immortal Witch passed it on to someone before she died.
Splinter of Knowledge?
Right now, the Walled City is being turned upside down because of it.
Have you heard anything about this?
No, sorry...
Sworn to secrecy, huh?
The organization still has their claws in you, huh?
Oh, well. I can find out for myself even if you don't tell me.
Sorry to bother you.
Why do you care about this, Nagira?
They say that Solomon is after it.
I can't just stand by and watch lots of people die for something like that.
The Splinter of Knowledge...
The inner mysteries of the Craft...
She knows something about this.
This case might be even bigger than I imagined...
Oh, good morning.
Where's Nagira?
What's with the hairdo?
I'm not sure. I don't think he's in yet today.
Hey, where's Miho?
Beats me.
She's out at the Walled City.
Walled City?
Oh, those murders?
Yeah.
Don't you remember? We were talking about them yesterday.
Oh, you mean how Witches are fighting each other and...
Now look here...
But will she be okay by herself out there?
A guy who knows where to find the Splinter of Knowledge?
Yeah, that's right.
So... What happened to your face?
Oh, this?
I had a little fight with the missus.
Anyway, what do you wanna do? You gonna see this guy?
All right. But if this is some cock and bull story, your face is gonna look even worse.
No way! I'm not making this up!
Give me a little credit, all right?
That's strange...
I can't get through.
He usually checks in with me.
I can find out for myself even if you don't tell me.
I can't just stand by and watch lots of people die for something like that.
I'll go look for him.
Look? Look where?
You know where he went?
Well... I'm not sure.
But I'm sure I can find out.
Find out how?
This is the place?
I'm supposed to meet that guy here?
That's right.
Professor... I see, so this was an invitation from you.
That little bastard...
I see you still have a sharp nose.
However, that doesn't seem to be the case where your own life is concerned.
Michael...
Are you up there, Michael?
Robin... Are you inside there?
Careful! Pretend like nothing is going on.
What's the deal with this well?
More to the point, what have you been up to this past month?
I'm sorry. I was worried about all of you, but...
I understand.
Truth be told, though, I have no idea what's going on around here.
So, what do you want me to do?
You took a big risk coming here.
You want something from me, right?
The Walled City?
That guy really went there to follow up on a hunch he had about the Witches?
Probably.
He might be in serious danger.
It looks like there's a war going on between the Witches there right now
A war?
The inner mysteries...
Michael, is there anything you can do to find out where he is?
Easier said than done...
I'm sure he has his cell phone on him. If you can trace that...
Well, I guess that's not impossible...
But that place is one big jumble of buildings...
If somebody could get one of our terminals close to him,
...I could go through that, and...
Hey, that's right! Karasuma!
She's been there since this afternoon.
If I'm lucky, I might be able to use her terminal.
Robin, what's that person's ID?
It's hot in here...
Think you could turn on the air conditioning for a bit?
You still love to hear yourself talk, I see.
I took the liberty of doing some digging.
It seems that I was mistaken to think that you knew something about this.
You made me waste my precious time.
You fool...
A woman?
What?!
Nagira...!
That shouldn't have...
Hot!
Oh, sorry.
That's okay.
Thanks for the help.
It was nothing.
Still, the powers of a hunter are pretty damn impressive.
That guy, the Professor, was the best there was in this neck of the woods.
And you took him out without even breaking a sweat.
That's not true.
That power wasn't what I had intended.
I didn't mean to send out that much power.
The inner mysteries...?
What's that?
This is the arcana of the Craft that I retrieved from the Methuselah...
The inner mysteries of the Craft.
Inner mysteries of the Craft?
And I think it's also the Splinter of Knowledge.
What?!
Are you saying that you had it all along?!
Dammit, what have I been doing...?
I'm sorry.
Wait, if that secret is the Splinter of Knowledge he was looking for,
...then your power just now...
I see... So that's why they're willing to kill each other over a little stick.
Solomon...
Robin, something just occurred to me.
The reason you were attacked by those Solomon guys...
You don't suppose it was because of that thing, do you?
Just how far back do I need to go?
Tell me.
It's all so vivid that it hurts.
The truth is, nothing can be shared,
...so I never looked back.
...all those promises...
...inside me eventually...
...gave up on that light from some other time,
...like the light of a morning you can't return to.