Chapter 155
While soaking in the hot springs and gathering intelligence from the locals, the three calculated the time and felt it was about right, so they left the hot springs, changed into yukata, and went to find the proprietress.
The proprietress had said she still had work to do, but had actually been waiting for quite some time. Seeing them arrive, her face immediately showed a smile, though it still carried some worry: "Please sit."
After everyone was seated, the proprietress poured tea for them, then eagerly began telling them about the "Spring Mother Cult."
"The Cult Leader is an old lady from that village. Before, she was just like a caring elder figure. They say she understood people's hearts well, but I never went to see her, so I don't know how well she understood... At that time it was actually fine—people would just go to her when they were troubled to confide in her. But ever since some city person came over, this 'Spring Mother Cult' was mysteriously established, and then it became extreme. Many people from the surrounding area gathered at that village to serve the 'Spring Mother Cult'... In any case, it's very strange."
Usuha Izuki summarized: "A natural genius met a pyramid scheme expert—a powerful combination."
The proprietress's bitter and resentful emotions suddenly stuck: "...You're right."
Bourbon thoughtfully said: "In that case, though the county level here is fairly developed, I'd never heard of this area before, yet I saw advertising... Could that also be marketing done by that city person? Proprietress, you haven't advertised, have you?"
The proprietress's eyes widened in surprise: "No, I was actually wondering how you all knew about my inn! I just never had the nerve to ask. Though we're technically part of the Tokyo area, it's really quite remote..."
Scotland involuntarily nodded.
He'd never heard of this place either.
Since finding a truly remote place would definitely displease Usuha Izuki, their choice range was much smaller. While this place could indeed be called part of the Tokyo area, it certainly couldn't be called prosperous.
His hometown was in neighboring Nagano Prefecture, yet he'd never heard of this place either, which showed how obscure it was. It could avoid a lot of trouble and perfectly fit the criteria for dealing with Usuha Izuki.
Yet such an obscure place had actually produced this kind of cult that brazenly kidnapped men in broad daylight—Scotland was truly amazed.
Usuha Izuki pondered: "I see. So advertising for your hot spring inn was also something that the marketing person did, trying to expand believers by increasing tourists..."
System: [Good thing this is Japan, where even civil servants still fill out forms by hand and different departments don't share data. In a country highly dependent on the internet, this cult could directly preach online.]
[Technology development has been pretty fast these past two years. In a few more years they'll probably be able to do cyber-preaching... though the countryside will probably stay like this.] Usuha Izuki sighed. [Scamming these ignorant poor people—even I wouldn't be this unscrupulous!]
System: [...]
So this was admitting he was indeed unscrupulous, just to different degrees...
The proprietress continued telling about the Cult Leader's deeds. Apparently the Cult Leader could read minds, levitate, and curse people—very impressive. Many people from the surrounding area had attended "Spring Mother Cult" activities, with about 30% converting to believers after their first meeting...
"That percentage is a bit high."
After questioning for intelligence, the three returned to their room to continue their meeting. Bourbon made the above summary: "Among those who went, at least half should have gone with the mindset of exposing them, while the rest were half-believing. Moreover, with this kind of thing, very few people make up their minds after just once..."
Scotland said: "Because initially there was no saying that you'd die if you left the cult, right? Everyone was relatively relaxed, joining with the mindset that maybe it was real, without much pressure."
Usuha Izuki was eating fruit the proprietress had brought, even cut into small pieces for easy eating with a fork: "Now that rumors are spreading that you can't leave once you join, I think the probability of joining on the first visit will be much lower... But this also indicates a problem."
"What?"
"It shows that Cult Leader really has some ability—so many people went and none saw through the trick."
Usuha Izuki's eyes sparkled: "This is a tough battle, friends!"
Bourbon & Scotland: "..."
Who's your friend.
Usuha Izuki sighed: "This time it's thanks to Bourbon—really knows how to pick places! Everything that happens is interesting! Unlike before..."
"Before?" Bourbon raised an eyebrow. "What happened before? Boring things? Or nothing at all?"
Usuha Izuki sighed deeply: "Wherever I go, people die. This must be the fate of a famous detective."
Bourbon: "...Do those deaths really have nothing to do with you?"
"Of course not!"
Scotland tried to extract information: "So you, this famous detective, went to help police solve cases?"
If it happened frequently, maybe police records could reveal something... though during that previous encounter with the squad leader, Usuha Izuki had escaped, so they suspected he'd do the same other times.
"Not really. Someone as low-key as me wouldn't show off unless absolutely necessary."
Bourbon & Scotland: "..........."
You call what you usually wear low-key... We're about to not recognize the word low-key! After all these years, how is your Japanese still at this level—this has to be intentional!
But Usuha Izuki saying he worked as a detective helping solve cases and knew Police Superintendents' children while basically leaving no traces was within expectations.
This guy appeared crazy and reckless, daring to say anything and do anything, but was actually watertight in details. That's why they could never figure out how to probe Usuha Izuki, worried they'd probe nothing while exposing themselves instead.
After all, Usuha Izuki's insight really was good... Though Vodka said this guy's insight was only inaccurate when identifying undercover agents, but... they were the two identified as undercover agents, so their position supporting Vodka's statement was somewhat unstable.
"Let's go check out that village tomorrow." Bourbon concluded. "Let's sleep early today!"
Probably because there would be excitement to watch the next day, Usuha Izuki didn't cause them any more trouble. But strangely, though he didn't sleep late, this guy still didn't get up until nearly noon... He'd even woken up once in between—why didn't he get up!
Bourbon, who could be energetic on just 3 hours of sleep, couldn't understand this type who loved staying in bed.
This guy really wasn't suited for work—he could only slack off and collect salary at the organization.
Little did he know that when Usuha Izuki went to work at the Metropolitan Police, he'd reached the point where no one cared if he was late, or even asked why he was late...
No need to bring too much luggage. The three selectively packed some things, called yesterday's preacher for directions, then drove to find the place.
After passing through a somewhat desolate area, there were gradually more people. When they drove to a certain place, their car was actually surrounded by a group of people who sang hymn-like melodies, finally making lotus-like hand gestures and shouting "Mother" in unison, leaving the three in the car stunned.
Usuha Izuki was shocked: "They even have matching prayers and prayer gestures... This pyramid schemer has a system! Looks quite official!"
"...Actually, I checked—this is indeed an official religion, already registered." Bourbon's tone was complex.
Usuha Izuki: "Yakuza are legal, cults are legal too—Japan is really free. If I were the organization's boss, I'd set headquarters in Japan. Maybe someday our organization would become legal too... Actually we could package ourselves as a religion right now, since religions are even tax-exempt!"
The two Japanese police officers: "..........."
So frustrating, but they couldn't refute it, which made them even more frustrated.
Though blocked, these people's purpose was preaching, so after they opened the window and explained they'd been invited to today's activities, they were immediately let through.
This time they finally drove unobstructed to their destination. Yesterday's person was waiting at a building entrance, directing them to park, then enthusiastically coming over to shake hands.
"I thought you were just talking yesterday, but you actually came... Please come in! The activity will start soon—perfect timing! The Cult Leader will return shortly to demonstrate her mind-reading divine power. Didn't you want to confirm whether the Cult Leader is a fraud? Participate personally and you'll immediately know the Cult Leader is a genuine psychic!"
This person led them into a conference hall filled with traditional atmosphere—screens, low tables, cushions, with some talisman-like decorations hanging around, creating a mysterious and ancient feeling.
After they were seated, this person quickly gave them envelopes and paper and pens, having them write their questions on paper along with their names, then put them in envelopes.
Usuha Izuki asked directly: "Since it's mind reading, why do we need to write it down?"
The person replied righteously: "Because this way it can serve as solid evidence! Otherwise some people are stubborn and won't admit what they were thinking, which would put the Cult Leader in a difficult position, wouldn't it?"
It sounded reasonable, but the three were convinced the problem with this mind reading was in the envelope prop.
But there was no need to nitpick constantly now—being discovered as troublemakers and thrown out would be problematic, so they'd better obey for now.
So Usuha Izuki indicated he had no more questions, and only then did the person leave satisfied to answer other people's questions.
Usuha Izuki held his pen, looking at the paper, thinking about what question would be best to write. After thinking, he turned to look at Bourbon and Scotland's, trying to reference theirs.
Scotland was still thinking, but Bourbon had already started making things up carelessly. Just as he was about to sign his name after writing the question, Usuha Izuki suddenly stopped him.
"Let's do an experiment."
Usuha Izuki's eyes blinked excitedly with a cute feeling. Generally when he showed this expression, it meant someone was going to be in trouble: "All three of us won't sign our names—just write wishes, how about it? Oh, and Scotland, write with your left hand later, and make your handwriting messy."
Bourbon and Scotland both raised their eyebrows and readily agreed.
When it came to causing trouble for people, the two of them together couldn't match Usuha Izuki.
At times like this, choosing to listen to the expert was definitely right!
Great—stop the internal conflict and go create trouble for the cult!!!