Seven Mummified Corpses

Early the next morning.

With a series of booming sounds, the surrounding trees swayed in the wind.

Two police helicopters landed in front of the church in Rokkaku Village.

"Ms. Ooka."

A middle-aged man in a black suit stepped off the helicopter and went straight to Ooka Momiji, introducing himself. "I am Koga Shinobu, the head of the Criminal Investigation Department of Aomori Prefecture. It is truly my fault for startling you..."

Fujino: "..."

A single phone call was enough to get the Criminal Investigation Department to get up early and come by helicopter?

It seems like the last plane crash was similar.

The Ooka family's power is a bit outrageous...

It seems even the Suzuki Zaibatsu doesn't receive this treatment.

After exchanging pleasantries with Koga Shinobu, Ooka Momiji turned to Fujino, a blush creeping onto her face, and introduced him, "This is Detective Fujino, who came here with me for the wedding. He's handling this case..."

"Fujino the Black Detective..."

Upon hearing this, Koga Shinobu looked at Fujino and quickly stepped forward. "I've heard about him before, and seeing him today, he truly is a man of imposing stature..."

"Ahem, Minister Koga."

Fujino coughed lightly, interrupting the flattery, and got to the point. "Instead of all that, let's hurry up and get to the crime scene to conduct the forensic work."

Soon, the police completed the work of sealing off the crime scene, conducting forensic examination, and taking statements.

"Based on the Forensic Science Division analysis, Wakaba's time of death was around 10 PM to midnight last night. The cause of death is currently undetermined, but the absence of any remaining skin structure between her fingernails suggests that she may have been strangled or drugged and then decapitated."

At the church entrance, Koga, holding an investigation report, addressed the crowd gathered there, saying, "These are the preliminary findings, but a more detailed investigation will only be possible after Wakaba's body is sent to the Headquarters' Forensic Science Division for an autopsy."

"An autopsy?!"

Odagiri Susumu in the crowd, couldn't sit still any longer. "Wakaba is already pitiful enough as he is, do you still want to hurt him?!"

"Who are you?"

Koga didn't play the good cop to everyone; he looked at Odagiri Susumu and asked him with a dark expression.

"This..."

Odagiri Susumu momentarily at a loss for words.

"He was the deceased's teacher, and he came with us this time."

Fujino changed the subject. "Speaking of Koga, have you guys figured out the killer's modus operandi?"

"Well..."

Koga said somewhat awkwardly, "All possible entry and exit points at the crime scene were locked. According to the confession, the main door was also locked from the inside. But we've investigated the skylight; it's not wide enough for one person to pass through... We really can't figure out how the murderer broke into the church and murdered Wakaba..."

"In fact, the murderer never entered the church."

Fujino suddenly interrupted, "He beheaded Wakaba through the skylight. All it takes is to use a mechanism to lift the bed in the church and then do it from the top of the church. The best proof is the wear and tear on the steel frame of the bed Wakaba was lying on, and the raven feather under the bed."

Koga paused for a moment, then quickly called out to the Forensic Science Division officers behind him, "Go and see if it matches what Detective Fujino said."

"That's right, Minister! There is indeed wear and tear on the steel frame of the bed, and there's also a raven feather on the floor at the foot of the bed."

Soon, officers from the Forensic Science Division came out and gave their answer.

"So that's how it is..."

Minister Koga twitched his chin. "If that's the case, then it's possible to kill victims without even entering the church..."

"A crow's feather?"

At that moment, Isshiki Torao suddenly said from the crowd, "I remember that Kabuto Kiriko's dress had raven feathers on it! She must be the murderer!"

"What nonsense are you spouting?!"

Kabuto Reiichi angrily grabbed Isshiki Torao by the collar. "How could my daughter be a murderer?!"

"Am I wrong?!"

Isshiki Torao retorted angrily, "We all have alibis for that time last night, except for Kabuto Kiriko, who was with the Tokita family's daughter. Now she's gone missing. Who else could be the culprit but her?!"

After a commotion, the two men, who were about to fight, were separated with the help of the police.

The Kabuto Kiriko have also become a key focus of the investigation.

After all, considering the timing of the crime and the alibi, the only possible culprit is Kabuto Kiriko.

After identifying the murderer, all the police had to do was issue a warrant for his arrest.

The head of the Aomori Prefecture Criminal Investigation Department left Rokkaku Village with Ooka Momiji and Ai Haibara, while Fujino chose to stay.

He, however, felt somewhat puzzled by the result.

He was certain that the murderer was definitely not Kabuto Kiriko.

Because his System Task has not yet been completed, it means that the murderer is definitely someone else, and the secret of Rokkaku Village has not yet been solved.

To be on the safe side, Fujino decided to let the two leave first.

If he encounters danger, he'll be fine on his own.

He didn't want to see either of them get hurt.

After seeing the two off, Fujino went to the Wind Direction Mansion alone.

Adhering to the principle of finding good people first.

In this village, Uncle Kazamatsuri, who seemed like a nice person, was his first target.

Compared to the Clock Mansion, Matsuri Junya's mansion has a more retro feel, with many animal specimens and several hunting rifles hanging on the walls.

"Did you make all these specimens, Uncle Kazamatsuri?"

Fujino looked around at the specimens and asked questions curiously.

"That's me. One of my hobbies is hunting."

Matsuri Junya and said, "I made all the specimens here."

"So that's how it is..."

Fujino withdrew his gaze and looked at Matsuri Junya: "Uncle Kazamatsuri, there's something I want to ask you."

"Well?"

Matsuri Junya was taken aback. "You say it."

"I saw a Mummified corpses in the basement of the Tokita family's house before..."

Fujino said in a deep voice, "Uncle Kazamatsuri, do you know what happened to that Mummified corpses?"

"You mean this..."

Matsuri Junya made no attempt to hide it. "Those Mummified corpses are the guardian spirits that have been passed down in our village since ancient times. There are the same Mummified corpses in the six mansions in the village, and there is actually one in the church. There are seven in total, and each Mummified corpses has different defects."

"Uncle Kazamatsuri, can I take a look at your family's Mummified corpses?"

Fujino looked up at Matsuri Junya.

"This... is no problem."

Matsuri Junya hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

Fujino followed Matsuri Junya into the secret room of the Wind Direction Mansion.

Pushing open the door to the secret chamber, what appeared before them was also a Stone Coffin.

Fujino stepped forward, and inside the Stone Coffin was a mummified Mummified corpses identical in style to that of the Wind Direction Mansion.

However, this mummified Mummified corpses was missing its right hand, starting from its chest.

In an instant, the clues in Fujino's mind came together.

He understood the meaning of the sentence left on Wakaba's wedding dress.

The seventh corpse, from which the bride's head was taken.

The corresponding Mummified corpses should be the one from the Tokita family...