Crossover anime/manga, can you be my immortal companion for life?

Then... then...

Then the woman actually spent an entire afternoon telling them about their religious history.

From the story of how a village thousands of years ago still worshipped the primitive land god Ebisu, to a time when the whole of Japan was suffering from famine, when suddenly a god descended from the sky and gave them food, and then they made offerings to that god little by little.

They even clearly stated their religious structure: each generation has a spiritual guide and a female spiritual guide, and the main believers are these villagers. Their way of believing is also very free; as long as they are kind to others and respect their god, it is in accordance with the doctrine, and so on.

Kerry was so excited by what she said that he almost yawned, but the woman didn't show anything unusual.

Kerry even went so far as to create opportunities for the women to be alone with them, and even went so far as to subtly imply that they were all college students who had come out to play without their families' knowledge, and that no one would know if they disappeared. He even pretended to drink the tea they offered, wondering if it was some kind of sleeping pill.

As a result, nothing happened.

The woman even advised them to be friendly to their families, and if they didn't mind, she could answer their phone so they could contact their families to let them know they were safe.

This woman was just like everyone else in the village, which puzzled Kerry and his companions. When they left, she even smiled and waved to them at the door.

“Although we are all God’s children, we will not discriminate against people of other faiths. As long as you treat others with kindness and respect our faith, especially since you are innocent, you will surely be able to go to Paradise.”

She didn't even mention asking a few people to help spread the word about their faith.

This made Kerry and the others lose confidence.

We're scared when you act a little abnormal!

I asked around the neighborhood, but didn't find out anyone was missing.

Kirito had his daughter look it up online. Apart from the mudslide incident many years ago, there were no other cases in this place. There were no missing persons, no murders, and even violent incidents were rare because the villagers seemed to believe in the benevolent True Fish Cult.

The locals don't have any strict rules about not being able to go out. Many people, just like those who go home for the Chinese New Year, have rushed back from their work locations to participate in this festival.

Everything seemed normal. If it weren't for the lingering fragrance, Kerry and his companions would have already given up on the investigation and focused on sightseeing.

“I think it’s pointless for us to keep investigating like this. We should focus on the location on the night of the festival.”

One person stared at the church, another stared at the riverbank where they said they would all be baptized, and the remaining two were at the ceremony site.

At this moment, everyone was gathered in Kerry's room at the hotel. Kazuma took out a newspaper and casually wrote and drew on it.

Of course, there was no map of Hanyu Hebi Village on it; Kazuma just felt it was necessary to do so to create an atmosphere.

Kerry frowned as well.

"Just do it."

Kerry refused to believe it. A useless policeman, a strange geological disaster that happened years ago, a mysterious cult, a village surrounded by mountains on three sides, ancient customs, a folklorist, and a humiliating internet celebrity—with so many elements, how could he possibly have nothing?

If there's nothing there, and these people are just identified as food for some reason, it's like a cosplay-themed adult video. When it comes time to get down to business, they take off their cosplay costumes and leave on a wig. It's like a doujinshi about a girl with glasses. When the main event comes, they take off the glasses. It's like eating a hamburger without pickles—it's soulless!

It's even worse than Yu-Gi-Oh! obscure deck enthusiasts hearing that an obscure deck has risen to the top, immediately searching for its construction, only to find it's Primal Stone, Trigger, Abyss Beast, and finally some obscure trash decks that have been eliminated!

Based on the above factors, even if someone is very patient, they will inevitably slip up on the day of the festival.

For the remaining two days, Kerry and his group also went to the village every day.

So much so that many villagers know them.

They're the kind of people who greet each other when they meet.

Kerry and his companions also noticed that as the festival approached, the number of people around them was increasing. Every day when they passed by the festival stalls, they could see that the stalls were basically set up, and the food stalls had begun to add gas stoves or electric heaters.

The toy stalls had already started displaying and hanging up all sorts of items early on.

The day of the official performance, eagerly anticipated by the band members, finally arrived.

"Hey, you don't even know how to wear a yukata? Are you even Japanese?"

Kazuma stood behind Kerry, fastened Kerry's belt, and then stepped in front to help straighten his collar.

"Who are you scolding?"

Kerry looked in the mirror. The clothes were actually quite practical for movement, as long as he didn't care about getting them damaged.

"Go on, go on, you go to the festival with the pretty girl, I'm the poor guy, I'm going to stake out the church."

Kazuma gave Kerry a push from behind.

"Wasn't this plan yours?"

Kerry wasn't angry at being pushed; he just chuckled as he watched Kazuma, who looked unhappy.

"Yes, yes, it's because you're Lord Campfire, and our immortals are better suited for reconnaissance than combat."

Kazuma walked over there and put away the wand and the crystal ivory.

Kazuma had originally considered forging this material, but the physical methods they had tested showed that, apart from Kree's divine sword, nothing could damage the ivory.

Kazuma simply didn't have the skill to carve weapons with a sword, so he just used the thing as a big stick, holding the thin end and hitting people with the thick end.

Anyway, it's heavy and hard, so it's quite powerful when used.

"If you're free, how about we go to the festival together tomorrow?"

"It would feel like something's missing if I didn't meet you all, such important friends, in a romantic setting."

Kirito, also in Kerry's room, was tidying up his white cloud-patterned kimono. He didn't look out of place wearing it at all, because his skin was much whiter than Kazuma's, which actually made it look quite good. On the contrary, Kazuma, with his brown hair and green eyes, looked like someone from another world.

"Tsk, why are you talking so harshly?"

Kazuma made a comment.

"Honestly, it's rare for me to speak to you guys sincerely, but you always have this attitude."

Kirito grabbed Kazuma's neck.

"Let's go, we two unfortunate souls are off to investigate."

Kerry tidied up the guns, sword, gas mask, and flashlight in his backpack, then walked out of the room and saw Xiangzi standing arrogantly in the corridor, looking like he was waiting to be praised.

There was still an hour before the festival was scheduled to begin.

249

Chapter 249 Happy times are always fleeting.

Surprisingly, Xiangzi actually wore a yukata today.

Kerry thought Xiangzi would do something abstract, like wearing a black Lolita outfit.

However, it seems that Xiangzi still yearns for the sense of ritual in festivals.

Xiangzi was wearing a light blue long-sleeved bathrobe with blue butterfly embroidery, and a large blue bow tied around his waist at the back.

And she probably posed for quite a while, just so that Kerry could see her in this outfit as soon as he came out.

"Let's go."

Kerry, dressed in a crimson yukata, waved.

However, it's clear that she won't get any praise from Kerry.

"coming."

As Kerry walked past him, Xiangzi turned around and followed.

Now that the event has officially begun, the venue is completely different.

The streets of the night market are dotted with lights like stars, their colorful glow captivating children.

The bustling crowds kept changing, and every stall was packed with people because it was the first day.

"Mom, I want to eat a chocolate banana."

A pink-haired, pink-eyed high school girl, who was clearly out having fun but was still wearing her school uniform, spoke to her mother in front of Kerry and the other girl.

"No, Yuno, those sugary junk foods will ruin your figure. We brought you out here so you can experience more things and remember them well so you'll have something to write about for your Japanese class essays and summer reports later."

This mother is clearly a great achiever in the area of ​​disappointing parents in East Asia.

With just one sentence, her daughter, whose face was originally flushed and smiling, turned pale and disappointed.

The daughter's father remained silent.

After the three left, Keli and Xiangzi walked into the crowd.

Xiangzi stared wide-eyed at the various things in front of him, his eyes sparkling with dazzling light.

Taiyaki, goldfish scooping, shooting balloons, yakisoba, mask shop, candied apples...

So many things I want to play!

But Xiangzi stole a glance at Kerry, who was scanning the crowd.

No, Kerry is on high alert, and I... I can't act like a child.

Be elegant!

So Xiangzi raised his slender white fingers.

"Let's go check out the shooting booths over there and see how well we can shoot at stationary targets."

"Just say you want to play."

Kerry, of course, didn't care about the girl's feelings.

Upon hearing this, Xiangzi immediately became somewhat agitated.

"I……"

"Don't be so nervous, just treat it as a normal trip."

However, Kerry's next words shut Xiangzi up.

Xiangzi turned his head away and took a deep breath.

Yes, as a comrade-in-arms, I've seen him in his disheveled state countless times.

She understood Kerry's point; it wouldn't be good to be tense over certain things during this rare time of relaxation.

Moreover... is it really necessary to hide your true self from comrades you'll be spending countless years with in the future?

"Then...then I want to play that one..."

Xiangzi muttered something to himself, and without waiting for Kerry to hear him, he went over to join the queue.

Kerry continued to scan his surroundings and followed suit.