Stay away from Conan

Chapter 63 Living Sacrifice

"What are you doing in a place like this?"

Seeing his acquaintance Kudo Shinichi appear at the crime scene, Officer Megure immediately stepped forward and asked.

"We were all invited by Yuanzi to come and play in the villa in this village."

Kudo Shinichi said.

"So that's it."

Officer Megure said, "But what exactly happened here? Why is the body up here?"

"It's the Great Bird God who appears!"

At this time, an elderly woman wearing a cloak made of black feathers came over and said in a perceptive tone.

"The legend of the big bird that attacked humans and used it as a sacrifice has come true! The three-hundred-year cycle of memorial ceremonies is about to begin. The Wakura family talks to themselves, investigates, and excavates ruins! The big bird god Angry!"

"She's right."

Obviously, this old woman has a very high prestige in this village. The villagers who came after hearing the news also echoed her words.

"Yes! It's a spiritual manifestation! A spiritual manifestation!"

Faced with this situation, Officer Megure pulled Kudo aside and began to ask about what happened, and it all started from this morning:

Early this morning, Kudo Shinichi, Mao Lilan and Feilili, led by Suzuki Sonoko, arrived at the stay at the entrance of Fifteen Nights Village.

This place is located in the mountains and is sparsely populated. After arriving at this stop, Suzuki Sonoko stopped leading the way and just waited here. Because they were here for fun, Mao Lilan, Suzuki Sonoko and Fei Mi were all dressed very fashionably and beautifully. Only Kudo Shinichi still wore the same school uniform because he couldn't go home.

Soon, someone came from the village and received them.

Suzuki Sonoko saw the middle-aged man at the head, and stepped forward to say hello: "Uncle Wakura, long time no see!"

This is a man in his fifties who looks energetic and has a peaceful smile. After seeing Suzuki Sonoko come up to say hello, he immediately responded with a smile: "Yes, welcome. "

He is the president of the Hecang Group, Hecang Yonghai. Behind him, there are two young people, a man and a woman.

"Hello."

Seeing Wakura Yonghai coming out, Feili also stepped forward to say hello.

Wakura Yonghai also responded with a smile: "Long time no see."

Then, Feili and Suzuki Sonoko also introduced Mao Lilan and Kudo Shinichi to Wakura Yukai respectively. Wakura Yonghai was very happy about this, and welcomed the arrival of the four people with a master's tone.

"Welcome to the village with the legend of the Big Bird."

Suzuki Sonoko was a little curious about this statement and began to ask about the story of the legend of Otori, so Wakura Yonghai introduced the legend of the village to a few people.

It is said that a giant Moxa appeared in the village a long time ago and would sacrifice the people in the village. The person attacked by it will be impaled on the tree, just like the habit of common larks, impaling the insects or frogs they prey on on the branches.

When introducing the legend to a few people, Kudo and the others also knew who the man and woman who came with Yukai Wakura were. The girl was Yukai Wakura's daughter, Misa Wakura, and the boy was assisting Yukai Wakura in investigating the big bird in the village. The legendary college student, Sho Kosaka.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Wakura Yonghai led everyone to Fifteen Nights Village.

Soon, everyone came to a long and narrow suspension bridge made of woven plant vines with wooden pedals connected in the middle. A worn wooden sign was erected in front of the suspension bridge, and the words "Fifteen Nights Village" could be vaguely seen on it. .

After passing the suspension bridge, you truly entered the Fifteen Nights Village.

Under the leadership of Wakura Yonghai, after walking through a mountain path, everyone came to the iconic building of Fifteen Nights Village - Mozu Sho Shrine.

Looking at the structure of this shrine, Kudo Shinichi was a little curious and couldn't help but ask: "What are the characteristics of the legend of the big bird in Fifteen Nights Village?"

"It's very similar to the legend in the Mayan civilization and the Fubina ruins."

Wakura Yonghai showed great interest in Kudo Shinichi raising this topic and began to explain it continuously.

"When I was in school, I followed various legends of big birds and strange birds around the world, but things like this are still very rare. There are also such ruins in the village. Maybe they are from the ancient Mayan civilization and were spread to Japan. , maybe it’s a big discovery!”

With that said, everyone quickly arrived at the center of the shrine, which was an open space surrounded by mountains, and in the center of the open space was a tall ancient tree.

The ancient tree is about ten meters tall. It is tall and strong with lush branches and leaves. But strangely, there are several sharpened branches on the tree that stand out.

In front of the old tree, there is a very thick log, lying horizontally, with two bases under both ends, like a bench. There is also a large boulder in front of the log, which looks very strange.

"What's this?"

Kudo Shinichi asked in surprise when he saw this.

"People in the village call it the God's Perch, also called the Sacrifice Tree. It used to be a place where living sacrifices were made to the big bird god."

Kosaka Sho stepped forward and explained, "As for the log over there, it is called the tree where the gods reside. It is said that it is the place where the great bird god rests."

"Living sacrifice?"

Kudo Shinichi had some bad thoughts about this.

"Yes."

Kosaka Sho continued, "A living sacrifice is offered here in the manner of a Moxa impaling its prey."

"It is said that in the past, in order to appease the anger of the Big Bird God, the village would select sacrifices, hold the sacred tree tightly, and pray to the Big Bird God, in order to protect everyone from famine and disaster. If the Big Bird God If you are willing to accept the prayer, the next morning the sacrifice will be impaled high on the branches of the sacrificial tree.”

Wakura Yonghai also came out to explain, "But the current saying is that as long as you hug the sacred tree and make a wish, the wish will come true. And such sacred trees are everywhere in the village."

Just as he was talking, a policeman riding a bicycle and carrying a box happened to arrive here.

Wakura Yonghai saw him and said hello to him.

The police also parked the car at this time and said hello to Wakura Yonghai. When he saw the people here, he asked: "We have a guest!"

"Yeah, it's a really nice weather today."

Wakura Yonghai said and introduced to everyone the village policeman, the local master Issei.

Then he saw Tushi Issei lifting the box in the car, so he asked, "Mr. policeman, is there anything wrong with coming to the shrine?"

"Yes, I was transferred here to help prepare for the festival."

With that said, Master Issei took the box and moved it to the hole on the side.

"Uncle, are there any festivals?"

Suzuki Sonoko couldn't help but asked curiously.

"Three days later."

Wakura Yonghai said.

"Hey? What kind of activity is it!"

Mao Lilan was obviously interested.

In this regard, Kosaka Sho began to explain: "It is the tradition of this Mozu Sho Shrine. In order to calm the violent soul of the Otori god, he dresses up as a bird and dances while singing blessings. But this year is more than that, there is something more special, for Come on, Mr. Police."

Saying that, Kosaka Sho looked at Issei, the native master who had just walked out and was still moving things.

"Yes. In the inner courtyard here, there is a national treasure-level ancient mirror that can only be seen once every 300 years."

Issei, the native master, moved things and said happily.

"Yes! Three days from now will be the day that happens once every 300 years!"

Kosaka Shoya said excitedly.

"Really? Once every 300 years! We are so lucky!"

Suzuki Sonoko and Mao Lilan couldn't hide their excitement.

"I heard that the mirror can resonate with the sacrificial tree, and then a mysterious phenomenon will occur, causing a total solar eclipse."

Kosaka Sho walked up to Kamisaki excitedly and said, while Misa Wakura also walked up to it curiously and looked up at the big tree.

"But the next time Japan can see a total solar eclipse will be in 2035, right?"

Kudo Shinichi wondered.

"It's ridiculous."

Wakura Yonghai said, "People in the village are always worried about curses, which makes them a little nervous. But..."

"Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp—"

Before he finished speaking, such a sharp and high-pitched voice suddenly resounded through the entire village and mountains, and then many birds flapped their wings and began to fly into the sky.

Everyone was confused about what happened and looked up at the fluttering birds in the sky in confusion. Misa Wakura seemed to have thought of something and came to Kudo Shinichi while walking and said: "Well, this is a rare opportunity. Please come to the festival." Let’s finish before leaving.”

At this time, the strange noise disappeared, and Suzuki Sonoko, who slowly moved his eyes towards Kamisuki, suddenly shouted.

Everyone followed the sound and saw that hanging on a sharp branch of the god's perch was a bloody corpse whose body was pierced by the branch - Kosaka Sho!