Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

"This may be related to the local custom of burial. Legend has it that at night, the corpses in the cemetery will come back to life and attack the villagers wandering the road."

"A simple yet effective horror story to prevent children from going out at night."

Nanfang Rihe commented in this way.

Of course, if it were just this end, she wouldn't have approached Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others.

“During this period, villagers from all walks of life in Waichang Village, from the elderly to children, have been dying one after another, and the symptoms are basically the same.”

She said:

"The initial symptoms are mild, such as general weakness, anemia, heatstroke, and heat cold, which then rapidly deteriorate within a few days, eventually leading to death from acute heart failure."

Upon hearing this, Ai Haibara, a pharmaceutical scientist, immediately frowned and said:

"This situation sounds more like some kind of terrible infectious disease."

Upon hearing this, Nanfang Rihe glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

However, recalling how the other party had shot Bo Dao in the head on Ridu Island, she suddenly found their current behavior less surprising, and continued:

"Indeed, the village doctor initially thought so too, and prepared to collect data to report to the government."

"For some reason, I was also able to participate in this work and was responsible for visiting and investigating the villagers related to the deceased."

"During this process, another person involved in the investigation and I discovered some clues."

At this point, Nanfang Rihe paused slightly, because what followed was the real topic.

"Only a few people know the truth at present, but what is certain is that this is by no means an infectious disease, but a heinous murder case."

"The murderer's characteristics are similar to those of a tradition circulating in Waichang Village—"

"It's a monster similar to a resurrected corpse!"

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 210 Arrival at the Requested Location

210.

The fir tree, also known as the Chinese fir, has a straight trunk, gray or dark gray bark, a diameter at breast height of up to two meters, and a height of up to fifty meters.

Driving along the national highway through the mountains, the dense fir forests on both sides blocked out the sunlight and the sky, seemingly blurring the lines between day and night, and between life and death.

After traversing a long, dark forest, the scenery suddenly opened up, revealing vast, flat fields and tranquil villages scattered throughout them.

This is Waichang Village.

As they took in the panoramic view of the village, they quickly noticed a Western-style house, resembling a castle, standing out starkly from the rest of the village, yet quite imposing.

Fujimaru Ritsuka asked curiously:

What is that building?

The castle on the hillside and the village at the foot of the mountain complement each other, forming an interesting layout. Moriarty raised an eyebrow and smiled:

"From a distance, it does look a bit like medieval Europe."

Mashu quickly realized what was happening and laughed in agreement:

"The professor is probably referring to the castle culture of Europe, right?"

As she spoke, she began to explain to Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others.

Ancient European castles, due to their military function, were often built on mountains that were easy to defend and difficult to attack. The lord lived in the castle on the mountain, while the people who chose to submit to the lord would build cities at the foot of the mountain.

Looking at it this way, the scene before us does indeed resemble that kind of layout.

"Perhaps that's what they're thinking."

After listening to Mashu's explanation, Hizuru Minakata finally spoke:

"That's the house of the Tongshi family, who recently moved to Waichang Village."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression as they looked at the castle immediately changed.

The villagers generally agree that the Kirishiki family is very wealthy, but their behavior is eccentric.

Needless to say, she is wealthy, able to live in such a castle, chauffeured around in a car, and dressed in a very fashionable manner.

In addition to her husband, Kirishiki Masashiro, her wife, Kirishiki Chizuru, and her daughter, Kirishiki Sako, they also had dedicated servants to take care of their daily lives.

Their strange behavior was attributed to the fact that the Kirishiki couple only went out shopping at night, and their daughter was rarely seen.

During the day, the villagers could only see their servant, Tatsumi, out and about.

Nanfang Rihe just mentioned that she believes the successive deaths of villagers in Waichang Village are caused by a monster similar to a resurrected corpse.

The villagers began dying one after another after the Kirishiki family moved in, and many of the deceased's relatives pointed out that the deceased had seen members of the Kirishiki family before they died.

All signs indicate that the Kirishiki family is highly suspicious.

As the car entered the village, it began to slow down. Every villager who passed by the car couldn't help but turn around and start discussing it with their companions.

Although Nanfang Rihe has been living there for some time, his presence remains a popular topic of conversation among the villagers living in the closed village.

Before starting the formal investigation, Nanga no Hizuru first took them to the only hospital in Sotoba Village, Ozaki Hospital.

Nanfang Rihe led the four people into the hospital and soon saw a pretty female nurse.

Nanfang Rihe seemed to know the other person, and upon seeing him, he asked:

"Ritsuko, are Dr. Ozaki and Chief Inspector Muroi here?"

"They're all in the backyard now."

While answering the question, Kunihiro Ritsuko glanced curiously at Fujimaru Ritsuka and her group behind her.

"Miss Rihe, who are they?"

"they are my friends."

Nanfang Rihe gave a brief explanation and then continued to lead them away, leaving only the nurse standing there, curiously watching everyone.

Ozaki Hospital is a private hospital belonging to the Ozaki family, and the hospital's courtyard is a private residential area that is not usually open to the public.

On a large lawn stood a wooden pavilion, where two men sat facing each other, seemingly talking about something.

One of them had medium-length brown hair, and his relatively young face was covered in stubble, giving him a weathered look. The white coat he was wearing silently revealed his identity.

He was the only doctor in the only hospital in Sotoba Village, Toshio Ozaki.

The young man sitting opposite him had gray hair parted in the middle, wore dark monk's robes and glasses, and gave off a refined and cultured impression.

He is the deputy abbot of Bodhi-ji Temple, the only temple in Outoba Village, named Muroi Seishin.

Because the officiant—whose father, Shizunobu Muroi, is old and bedridden, he now officiates many ceremonies in Sotoba Village, including funerals.

At the same time, he is also a writer; the article describing Sotoba Village that Ai Haibara found online was written by him.

Although they are still young, only in their early thirties, they are already two of the most prestigious people in Waichang Village, and are also the main people investigating the deaths in the village.

As Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others recalled the information that Nanakaku Hizuru had provided beforehand, the two people in the pavilion also noticed their arrival.

"Miss Hizuru, you're back."

Muroi Shizunobu greeted Minakata Hizuru first, then looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and her group behind her, and asked somewhat hesitantly:

"Are they the friends who came to help?"

Yesterday, Nanfang Rihe told them that she had contacted an expert who could handle mysterious events to help, which is why he and Minfu gathered here today specifically to wait for the expert's arrival.

But the group of an old man, two young girls, and a child in front of him made it really hard for him to associate the four of them with 'experts who can handle mysterious events'.

In fact, Fujimaru Ritsuka knew that their appearance might not be very convincing, so in order to highlight her professionalism, she specially changed into her own suit before the trip, making her look smart and capable.

Unfortunately, this level of change was not enough to impress Shizunobu Muroi and Toshio Ozaki.

Despite being filled with doubt, Shizunobu Muroi remained composed and did not reveal too much negative emotion.

Unlike Shizunobu Muroi, Toshio Ozaki's eyebrows furrowed into an inverted V shape the moment he saw Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others, and his face was immediately filled with visible irritation.

However, the last vestige of rationality in their minds prevented them from immediately expressing their dissatisfaction.

Ozaki Toshio struggled to control his irritation and looked sharply at Minami Hitsuru, questioning him:

Are you sure they can really help?

One can imagine that if Fujimaru Ritsuka was merely a pretty face, no, or even a fake without any "face," then what she would face next was the other party's fierce rebuke.

Fortunately, they are certain that such a future will never happen.

Nanakaku looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and said:

"I'm sorry, but could you please provide some proof?"

"of course can."

Fujimaru Ritsuka didn't feel embarrassed at all and readily nodded in agreement.

The reason she wanted to change her image was because she had anticipated this situation.

After thinking for a moment, she suddenly noticed the dark circles under Toshio Ozaki's eyes.

Perhaps troubled by the unusual events in the village, the other person probably hasn't been sleeping well lately, often suffering from insomnia, and looks very tired.

That's probably why he's so irritable, right?

As soon as she thought of this, she immediately had an idea.

"Well, I'm sorry."

As she spoke, she channeled her magical power, pointed at Toshio Ozaki, and, to his bewilderment, began her magic.

Restore magic, Rain of Isis!

Isis Rain is one of her specialties, capable of removing negative effects inflicted on Servants by enemies.

Of course, it is also quite effective in relieving fatigue.

The moment the magic was activated, Toshio Ozaki suddenly felt his body become light and airy, as if all the accumulated toxins in his body had been cleared away, and he felt refreshed.

Feeling the clear changes in his body, he said in disbelief:

"This is.!?"