Chapter 155
While soaking in the hot spring, the three of them asked the locals for some information. After calculating the time, they felt it was about time, so they left the hot spring, changed into yukatas, and went to find the proprietress.
The proprietress said she still had work to do, but she had actually been waiting for a long time. When she saw them arrive, she immediately smiled, but there was still a hint of worry in her eyes: "Please sit down."
After the group sat down, the proprietress poured tea for them and then eagerly began to tell them about the "Mother Spring Cult".
"The cult leader was an old woman in that village. She was like a close elder to us; supposedly, she understood people very well, but I never met her and don't know how well she understood them... At first, things were alright; people would just go to her to confide in her when they were upset. But ever since a city person came, this 'Mother's Spring Cult' inexplicably started, and then things became extreme. Many people from the surrounding area gathered in that village to serve the 'Mother's Spring Cult'... In short, it's very strange."
Bo Yezhai summarized: "A wild genius meets a pyramid scheme prodigy, a powerful combination."
The proprietress's bitter and resentful expression suddenly faltered: "...You're right."
Bourbon pondered for a moment: "So, although this county is quite developed, I've never really heard of this area before, yet I saw promotional ads... Could it be that marketing was done by that city guy? Boss lady, you haven't advertised, have you?"
The proprietress's eyes widened in surprise: "No, actually I was a little curious how you all knew about my shop! I just was too embarrassed to ask. We're supposed to be in the Tokyo metropolitan area, but it's actually a bit remote..."
Scotland nodded involuntarily.
He had never heard of this place either.
Since Usui Saiki would definitely not be happy with a particularly remote location, his options are greatly reduced. And while this place is indeed part of the Tokyo metropolitan area, it certainly isn't considered a bustling metropolis.
His hometown is in the neighboring Nagano Prefecture, but he had never heard of this place, which shows how obscure it is. It can avoid a lot of trouble, and it can be said to be the perfect place to deal with Usui Saiki.
The fact that such a small, unknown place could produce a cult that brazenly abducted men in broad daylight is astonishing, even to Scotland.
Usoya Saiki pondered, "I see. So it seems that the advertising for your hot spring inn was also orchestrated by that marketing person, trying to expand the number of believers by increasing the number of tourists..."
System: [It's a good thing this is Japan; even civil servants are still manually filling out forms, and data isn't shared between departments. In a country highly reliant on the internet, this cult could be preaching online.]
"Technological development has been quite rapid these past two years; in a few more years, we'll probably be able to conduct cyber missionary work... but things will probably still be like this in the countryside." Bo Yezaki sighed. "I wouldn't be so unethical as to deceive these ignorant, pitiful people!"
system:【……】
So does this mean they're admitting they're indeed immoral, just to varying degrees...?
The proprietress continued recounting the cult leader's exploits. She said the leader could read minds, levitate, and cast curses—he was incredibly powerful. Many people in the neighborhood had participated in activities organized by the "Mother Spring Cult," and about 30% of them became believers on their first meeting…
"That's a pretty high probability."
After gathering the information, the three returned to their room to continue their meeting. Bourbon offered the following summary: "Of those who went, at least half were probably there with the intention of exposing the other side. The rest were skeptical, and in these kinds of situations, it's rare to make a decision on the first try..."
Scotland said, "Because in the beginning, there was no saying that you would die if you left the church, everyone was relatively relaxed and joined with the mindset that maybe it was true, so there was no pressure."
Bo Yezaki was eating the fruit that the landlady had given him. The fruit was even cut into small pieces so that he could eat it with a fork: "Now that there are rumors that you can't quit once you join, I think the probability of joining on the first try is much smaller... But this also illustrates a point."
"What?"
"This shows that the cult leader is indeed quite capable; so many people went and he didn't see any flaws."
Usakabe Saiki's eyes gleamed: "This is going to be a tough battle, my friends!"
Bourbon & Scotland: "..."
Who are your friends?
Usoppei remarked, "Thanks to Bourbon this time, he really knew how to pick a location! Everything that happened was interesting! Unlike before..."
"Before?" Bourbon raised an eyebrow. "What happened before? Something boring happened? Or nothing happened at all?"
Usoppei sighed softly, "Wherever I go, people die. This must be the fate of a great detective."
Bourbon: "...Do you really have absolutely no connection to those dead people?"
"Of course not!"
A Scottish probing question: "So, you, the famous detective, went to help the police solve cases?"
If it happens a lot, maybe the statements will reveal something... Although the time I encountered the class monitor, he escaped because of Usakabe Saiki, so I suspect he might do the same thing at other times.
"No, not at all. Someone as low-key as me wouldn't seek the limelight unless absolutely necessary."
Bourbon & Scotland: "…………"
Do you consider your usual attire to be low-key...? We've almost forgotten what the word "low-key" means! After all these years, how come your Mandarin is still this bad? Are you doing it on purpose?!
However, it was expected that Usakabe Saiki, who claimed to be a detective helping to solve cases and even knew the son of a police inspector, would leave virtually no trace.
This guy seems crazy and dares to say and do anything, but he is meticulous in the details. That's why they are always unsure how to test Bo Yezhaiji, worried that they might expose something instead of finding out anything.
After all, Usakabe Saiki's eyesight is indeed very good... Although Vodka said that this guy's eyesight is only inaccurate when he's looking at undercover agents, but... since the two of them were identified as undercover agents, their stance of agreeing with Vodka's statement is a bit unstable.
"Let's go check out that village tomorrow," Bourbon concluded. "I'd better go to bed early tonight!"
Perhaps because there was something interesting to watch the next day, Bo Yezhai didn't cause them any more trouble. It was just strange, though, that even though he didn't go to bed late, he still didn't get up until almost noon... He had already woken up once in the middle of the night, so why didn't he get up!
Bourbon, who only sleeps 3 hours a day and is still full of energy, can't understand the mentality of people who like to stay in bed.
This guy is really not suited for a job; he's just coasting along in the organization and getting paid.
Little did anyone know that Usui Saiki's work at the Metropolitan Police Department had reached the point where being late was no longer a problem, and no one even asked him why he was late...
There was no need to bring too much luggage. The three of them packed a few things, called the missionary from yesterday to ask for directions, and then drove there.
After passing through a somewhat desolate area, the number of people gradually increased. They even drove to a place where the car was surrounded by a group of people who started chanting a melody that sounded like scriptures. Finally, the group made a lotus-shaped hand gesture and shouted "Mother" in unison, leaving the three people in the car stunned.
Bo Yezaki was astonished: "They even have matching prayers and hand gestures... These people running a pyramid scheme are really something! It looks pretty legitimate!"
“…Actually, I checked, and it is indeed a legitimate religion; it has already been registered.” Bourbon’s tone was complicated.
Usoba Saiki: "Yakuza is legal, cults are legal too, Japan is so free! If I were the boss of an organization, I would set up headquarters in Japan. Maybe one day our organization will become legal too... Actually, we could package it up as a religion now, since religions are tax-exempt!"
Two Japanese policemen: "…………"
I'm so angry, but I can't refute it, which makes me even angrier.
Although their road was blocked, the group's purpose was to preach, so they opened their windows, explained that they had been invited to participate in today's event, and were immediately allowed to pass.
This time they finally drove to their destination without any problems. The person from yesterday was waiting for them at the entrance of a building, directed them to park, and then warmly came up to shake their hands.
"I thought you were just joking yesterday, but I didn't expect you to actually come... Please come in! The event is about to start in a little while, you've come at the perfect time! The cult leader will be back soon to demonstrate her mind-reading abilities. Didn't you want to confirm whether the cult leader is a fraud? You can participate for yourself and immediately find out that the cult leader is a genuine superhuman!"
The man led them into a meeting hall filled with traditional atmosphere, with screens, low tables, and cushions, and some talisman-like decorations hanging around, creating a mysterious and ancient feeling.
After they were seated, the man quickly handed them envelopes and paper and pens, asking them to write down their questions on the paper, add their names, and then put the paper in the envelope.
Bo Yezaki asked directly, "Since it's mind-reading, why write it down?"
The man spoke with righteous indignation: "Because only in this way can it serve as conclusive evidence! Otherwise, some people are stubborn and refuse to admit what they were thinking, wouldn't that put the leader in a very difficult position?"
It sounded reasonable, but the three of them were convinced that the problem with this mind-reading technique lay in the prop in the envelope.
However, there's no need to keep nitpicking now. If we're found out we're here to cause trouble and get kicked out, that would be a problem. So for now, it's best to just behave and do as we're told.
So Usoppei said he had no more questions, and the man left satisfied to answer other people's questions.
Usakabe Saiki held his pen, stared at the paper, and pondered what question he should write about. After thinking for a moment, he turned to look at Bourbon and Scotland's papers, trying to get some reference.
While Scotland was still pondering, Bourbon had already started making things up without a care in the world. Just as he finished writing the question and was about to sign it, Usoppei suddenly stopped him.
"Let's do an experiment."
Usoppai blinked excitedly, almost like he was trying to be cute. Usually, when he acted like this, it meant someone was about to be in trouble: "The three of us, let's not sign our names, let's just write our wishes, okay? Oh, right, Scotland, you can write with your left hand in a bit, and make sure your handwriting is a little messy."
Bourbon and Scotland both raised their eyebrows and readily agreed.
When it comes to causing trouble, the two of them combined can't compare to Usakata Saiki.
In situations like this, listening to the experts is definitely the right thing to do!
That's good. Stop fighting amongst yourselves and go start your own cults!
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Bonus chapter for landmines! 5 more to go!
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Thin Leaf: Someone as low-key as me...
Vodka: Pshaw!
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Bo Ye: I wouldn't be that wicked!
System: (Surprisingly, it has self-awareness)
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