Chapter 233, Seventy-Third Cycle (63)
Kidd's here too?!
Conan Edogawa immediately looked up, but didn't see anyone playing on their phones; everyone was actively discussing the final round of the game.
However, there are only a few possibilities for Kaito Kid to be in disguise.
There were 13 people present. Kidd sent the message after he entered the church, which suggests that Kidd was likely among the six people who arrived before them.
Of these six people, Subaru Okiya can be largely ruled out.
Conan Edogawa twitched the corner of his mouth.
Although Mr. Akai insists on acting alone, he cannot be replaced by Kaito Kid. If such a thing were to happen, it would be Kaito Kid who would be the one to worry about.
So, only five people are left.
"You guys have been here for so long, have you noticed anything?" Kogoro Mori looked around and couldn't help but exclaim, "Why aren't the lights on? Is there no electricity here? How are we going to survive the rest of the day? We'll freeze to death!"
“Although we can’t go inside yet, I’ve already investigated and found that this church has been abandoned for a long time and was only recently renovated for this event.” Hakuba Saguru looked at them. “Although many parts have been repaired, I don’t know if it’s for the game’s plot, but there’s no electricity for lighting. The only lighting tools we have are candles and our own flashlights and cell phones. But don’t worry about heating, there should be heating inside, so it won’t be too cold.”
Conan Edogawa looked up, staring at the confident, eloquent, and domineering brown-haired boy, pondering the possibility of his true identity.
Hakuba Saguru, the son of the Metropolitan Police Department's superintendent, is a famous high school detective who previously studied in the UK and only recently returned to Japan.
Conan Edogawa had met him a few times, but they weren't close. He had only heard about him from Kid.
The entanglement between Hakuba Saguru and Kaito Kid is very deep. They are rivals who understand each other very well, but they are also somewhat like friends.
Yes, it's like the relationship between Conan Edogawa and Kaito Kid, a detective and a phantom thief.
Phantom Thief Kid is best at disguising himself as someone he knows.
In other words, there is a high possibility that Hakuba Saguru is Kaito Kid.
There were too many people, and the eagle on Bai Ma Tan's arm spread its wings and flew away through the window.
Conan Edogawa looked away.
In fact, the existence of this eagle named Watson suggests that Hakuba Saguru is real, but it's also possible that Kaito Kid also kept a similar eagle.
"This must be the last level, right? We don't expect to have to go somewhere else to start the next level, do we? This cold weather is really exhausting..." A bald man from the band spoke up. He introduced himself as the band's drummer, and his attitude was a bit anxious and impatient. He didn't seem like someone who had the patience to participate in activities that involved appreciating mystery novels.
The bespectacled man next to him, who claimed to be the band's keyboardist, poked him hard, and only then did he stop his accusations.
The other two members of the band are a blond man who plays guitar and a long-haired woman who is the lead singer.
The blond-haired man was also a little displeased. He turned his head and said, "I thought the legendary sleeping Kogoro Mouri was so powerful, but it turns out he took so long to arrive. The media really does exaggerate."
The long-haired woman nudged him: "Keep your voice down, maybe they've encountered some kind of accident?"
"That's not how it is. We did encounter some trouble in the castle, and it was only thanks to Master Kogoro that we were able to resolve the situation and get here quickly." Hikaru Midorikawa immediately began to defend his master.
The eldest disciple, Amuro Tooru, explained the matter to him, one on his left and one on his right, so that the others who had arrived earlier would also know about the subsequent developments on the other side.
Kogoro Mouri was clearly pleased, and his eyes grew increasingly satisfied as he looked at his two disciples.
Conan Edogawa stroked his chin, realizing that the attitudes and statements of those four people were a bit off; in short, they didn't seem like ordinary book fans and mystery enthusiasts.
Moreover, it's highly likely that Kidd is in one of these four's bands.
So here's the question: Hakuba Saguru might be here because of mystery novels and games, but what is Kaito Kid, who never appears without a gem, doing here?
If he's just a book fan attending the event, wouldn't it be fine if he just showed up openly with his real identity?
"Alright, can we chat inside? Why are you standing in the entryway?" Kogoro Mouri said, then suddenly remembered something and looked at Saguru Hakuba. "You just said you couldn't get in?"
Subaru Okiya shifted the beam of his small flashlight to the wall next to the entrance: "Because the door is locked, the sign says the game will only start when all 13 players are present."
"A signboard?" Matsuda Jinpei turned his head and saw that there was indeed a metal box hanging where he was looking, with a signboard hanging below the box.
Matsuda Jinpei took off his sunglasses and went over to take a closer look.
The board was printed with three lines of black text on white paper, outlining the game rules.
1. Do not touch anything inside the church before the game officially starts, otherwise it will be considered as a forfeit.
2. After the game officially starts, please place your mobile phone or computer in the box below to prevent cheating.
3. After all 13 players have gathered, the game officially begins when they press their handprints on the wall together, and they will receive the first hint in the hint box.
P.S.: Have fun playing the game, and I look forward to seeing your performances.
Conan Edogawa turned on his phone's flashlight and shone it on the wall next to him.
The church is very large, and the entrance hall is also very long. There are indeed 13 dents on the walls on both sides.
Upon closer inspection, those indentations were traces of human hands.
The 13 handprints are spaced apart, and only when 13 people gather can they touch them simultaneously.
Furthermore, the handprints are arranged in a pattern of alternating heights, so even a child like Conan Edogawa could participate without any problem.
No one objected, and each person chose a spot to stand.
"I'll count to three, then everyone press down together," Kogoro Mori shouted.
Next to Conan Edogawa is Kenji Hagiwara, who is crouching down. He's winking at Conan, who doesn't need to crouch, seemingly teasing him about his height.
Conan Edogawa silently withdrew his gaze, then narrowed his eyes as he looked at the indentation in front of him, which was clearly a child's handprint.
Is that really such a coincidence?
If no children are present, can an adult press the button using just a few fingers? What type of mechanism is this?
"Zero!" Kogoro Mori shouted after counting to the last number, "Press!"
Amuro Tooru's brow twitched, but he gradually got used to it, and without any expression on his face, he pressed down on the handprint.
Conan Edogawa placed his hand inside, and the handprint perfectly matched his hand shape. He paused for a moment, then pressed down hard.
"Click—"
Everyone immediately turned to look.
The black box, which was originally sealed, was opened right next to the door.
Wearing white gloves, Hakuba Saguru was the first to step forward and take out the note inside.
Everyone gathered around.
"All 13 players have arrived. The game is about to begin. Please put your mobile phones and other communication devices into the box below." After reading this, Hakuba Saguru handed the paper to Mouri Kogoro.
He had already checked the opened box, so he didn't hesitate and put his phone in first.
Others also put their phones in one after another.
When the 13th phone was put in, the box automatically closed and disappeared into the wall, leaving a piece of paper and a key on the table.
"Wow, so many mechanisms! That's quite a lot of money. Do novelists make that much money these days?" Kogoro Mouri exclaimed.
"The real key to unlocking the game is hidden on the cross of Jesus," Amuro Tooru read aloud, picking up the piece of paper.
Hakuba Saguru had already taken the key and gone to open the door.
Kogoro Mouri initially wanted to suggest that he take on the job that might involve being killed at the door, but then he remembered that this was just a game, and that Hakuba Saguru was the son of the Superintendent General of Police, so he remained silent.
Conan Edogawa followed behind Saguru Hakuba, thinking about the game, but he didn't forget to continue observing Tooru Amuro and the people who approached him.
Kenji Hagiwara whispered to Jinpei Matsuda and chuckled, "Jinpei-chan, do you still remember your dream of becoming the Superintendent General of Police..."
Matsuda Jinpei, enraged, pretended to hit someone, and Hagiwara Kenji covered his mouth, but his exposed eyes still crinkled with laughter.
Conan Edogawa turned around and saw that Wataru Date and Tooru Amuro were also laughing. He then realized that this was probably some kind of dark history from his police academy days.
But when he turned his head, he found that Hikaru Midorikawa was also smiling.
Conan Edogawa: "?"
"Squeak—" The door opened, drawing everyone's attention.
The scene inside the door came into their view.
It was a huge chapel, also without lights on, the interior silent and dark.
However, on the tall wall directly in front, there was a cross pattern that ran almost the entire length of the wall, and it was inlaid with stained glass, allowing the light from outside to shine in and reflect a huge cross of light onto the dark and empty chapel.
Directly below the cross is a stone sculpture of Jesus crucified, with rows of silent benches on either side, separated by light, blending into the darkness.
The very bottom of the cross's rays spread out at the entrance, covering their feet, like a path of light welcoming them to heaven.
For a moment, even non-believers felt a strange yet sacred sensation, as if they had come into contact with another world.
That is a world where God and demons exist.
"I see." Hakuba Saguru was the first to speak, his voice tinged with interest and amusement. "Did this church incorporate elements of the Church of the Light in Osaka after its renovation?"
Everyone instinctively looked at him.
Hakuba Saguru was happy to explain: "The unique feature of the Church of Light is the huge cross-shaped opening in the central wall, with glass embedded within it. The light shining through creates a cross of light, resulting in a special light and shadow effect. The interplay of light and shadow creates a powerful and awe-inspiring impact."
Hikaru Midorikawa nodded: "Yes, and there is indeed a major event in the fourth part of 'Running Towards the Sun' that takes place in the Church of Light. It seems that this is a fanfic for the fourth part?"
Amuro Tooru laughed and said, "The Church of the Light... God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light?"
Hakuba Saguru smirked: "That's the design principle."
"Are all high school students these days so calm and knowledgeable?" someone in the band muttered under their breath.
"All?" Amuro Tooru turned his head in confusion, pointed to himself and said helplessly, "Me? But I'm already 29 years old."
The band on the other end were immediately shocked: "What?! You're 29 years old???"
This person just introduced themselves as a coffee shop server, and they thought they were a high school student going there for a part-time job! But this person looks almost thirty?! Really???
Toru Amuro: "..."
"Alright, let's go find the next clue." Date Wataru suppressed a laugh and went inside to change the subject.
"The real clue is hidden on Jesus' cross?" Kenji Hagiwara pointed to the towering cross of light, which was over ten meters tall. "Are we going to climb the wall to look for it?"
Matsuda Jinpei put his sunglasses back on: "It could also be that stone sculpture, which has a cross on it too."
Kogoro Mouri strode forward, saying, "Then let's go take a look together."
As a result, the band on the other side reacted and rushed forward even faster than them, looking excited and actively participating.
Subaru Okiya was in no hurry. He walked slowly at the back, pushed up his glasses, opened his sharp green eyes, observed Hikaru Midorikawa, and pondered the matter.
Hikaru Midorikawa glanced back at him, but before he could look back, Subaru Okiya had already squinted and turned to examine the surrounding buildings.
The second clue wasn't as difficult as expected; it was quickly found on a sculpture of the cross of Jesus.
It was a black box; inside, you could see 13 envelopes and a yellowed scroll.
Hakuba Saguru opened the scroll.
“Jesus is looking at you sadly,” he said, uttering the first sentence.
Everyone instinctively turned to look at the Jesus statue behind them, which was looking down at them.
Under the illumination of the enormous cross of light that gradually darkened behind them, the expressions on the stone statues seemed to become eerily vivid.
After feeling uneasy for a while, they turned back to look at the scroll on the table.
He said, “One of you twelve has betrayed me, betrayed everyone. That person has been tempted by the devil, has turned away from the light and fallen into darkness, and intends to kill you all here. To stop this tragedy, I have given you some clues, hoping you can find that traitor.”
There is another line of small text below the scroll.
Each player takes an envelope with a corresponding number in the order they arrive at the church. Inside is your identity card. You must protect your real identity card from being discovered and perfectly play the role of the person on it to find the next clue. Players who are out of character (OOC) five times are eliminated and will be taken away by the priest.
Subaru Okiya frowned slightly.
12 people?
But there are clearly 13 people here.
So what does the other person represent?
Who is the priest? Where is he now? What role does he play in the game?
And most importantly, this game... how come it's so similar to the time we were searching for an undercover agent in Rum Castle?
What is the relationship between Scotland and this game, or rather, between Scotland and the mystery novelist Ryuichi Taki?
What exactly does he want to do by gathering these people here to play a live-action murder mystery game?
What does Scotland mean by this?
Of those present, only he, Scotland, and Bourbon should know about the Rum Castle incident.
Does Scotland already suspect him? Are they trying to test him by bringing up what happened back then?
Or was he trying to hint at something to Bourbon through this incident?
Subaru Okiya didn't dare to look directly at Hikaru Midorikawa, so he could only observe Tooru Amuro while pretending to talk to someone.
Amuro Tooru was picking up Conan Edogawa, who was struggling to stand on his tiptoes on the ground, and looking at the scroll on the table. His expression was innocent and completely oblivious, as if he really was just there to play a game.
Okiya Subaru: "..."
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