Villages in Japan did not have large populations. Mainly because of population loss, young people left for the cities since there was no money to be made here.
Before long, they learned the whereabouts of Okuda Makoto, the man who had sent the letter.
However, the staff member's answer was far from ideal.
According to him, Okuda Makoto had been missing for over half a year.
He had even been listed as a missing person and reported to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Just as everyone wanted to ask further questions, one question from the staff member abruptly cut them off:
"Could it be that you have some business with him?"
Hattori Heiji explained, "It's like this. He sent a letter to my friend Kudo Shinichi, saying that he had discovered a problem with the deduction from one of his old cases. We came here this time to resolve that matter involving Kudo Shinichi..."
But the moment his words fell, the atmosphere in the village office suddenly changed.
The staff member looked startled, and the villagers handling their business there all turned to look at them.
The expressions in their eyes were difficult to describe.
One of the boys even stepped forward and cursed outright, "So you're accomplices of that despicable liar!"
"Alright, if you have any questions, you should go ask the village police officer!"
Apparently afraid that the villagers present might lose control and do something excessive, causing the situation to spiral out of hand, the staff member cleared his throat and gently ushered them out of the village office.
"Did you see the expressions on those villagers' faces just now?"
"They looked so scary..."
After leaving the village office, Ran and Kazuha were both badly startled.
Remembering how everyone had glared at them with hostility, they still