🎉SCIAW: Chapter 517/520

Chapter 517: Prepares for a Severance

On the way, Chiba also saw the three very brave children.

They were still just children after all.

It was true they had courage. Facing such a big incident, they had actually made the decision to come looking for him. But they really had no idea what kind of people they were dealing with.

Armed kidnappers, just that identity alone meant they would never be gentle with children, the elderly, or girls.

Such people only cared about their own interests.

And when facing anyone who threatened those interests, the only choice was to completely eliminate them.

Chiba stopped the car and looked first at Conan.

"Conan, they are just ordinary children. Don't scold them too much.

But it's best if you don't let them get involved in dangerous situations again."

Conan naturally understood what Officer Chiba meant.

He looked through the window at the three children, his emotions complicated. But at this moment, he understood that, in the end, he and those three were different.

He nodded slightly.

"I know, Officer Chiba."

Looking at Conan's calm expression, Chiba nodded.

His impression of Conan had always been that of a genius boy with a sharp mind, someone who could often see through the essence of a case from unusual angles.

But perhaps it was precisely because he was too intelligent that he forgot those around him weren't the same, and he habitually treated ordinary children as if they were just as mature as he was.

After all, children like him were rare.

Then Chiba called out to the three children who were searching the street.

"Hey, you guys. What are you looking for?"

The three were startled, then relaxed a little when they saw it was Officer Chiba.

"Eh? Conan, why are you with Officer Chiba?"

Genta immediately noticed Conan in the passenger seat. He looked carefree, genuinely surprised to see Conan suddenly there.

Ayumi and Mitsuhiko were also surprised. But when they saw Conan, a trace of guilt appeared on their faces.

Children's emotions were easy to read, and with his understanding of them, Conan immediately figured it out.

So it was you, Genta.

Ayumi, being a girl, had a softer personality. She wouldn't come up with such an idea. Mitsuhiko did have his own thoughts, but his gentle nature made him easily influenced by others.

And Genta, with his hot temper and habit of using force to pressure Mitsuhiko, often did reckless things. His impulsive nature, along with his strong physique compared to other elementary schoolers, made him naturally rely on physical strength to carry out his ideas.

It seems that keeping only a normal classmate relationship with them is best.

Getting too involved with them would only bring greater trouble.

Just as Chiba said, they were, after all, just ordinary children.

Having already experienced being caught in a dangerous situation, Conan understood that keeping some distance was the best outcome.

Although nothing happened this time, what if his actions had been a step slower?

Wouldn't he have already been caught by those two kidnappers?

Now that he had accepted this conclusion, Conan didn't feel any bitterness toward them. But this time, he decided to make the difference in their identities clear.

"I told you guys already, didn't I? I asked you to give my glasses to Inspector Megure."

Conan complained lightly.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Genta immediately protested.

"In that case, all the credit would have gone to Conan alone!"

Very good… I risk myself here, and my efforts are just seen as a way to steal credit?

Even Conan, who had prepared himself, felt a fire rise in his chest, making it hard to breathe.

Not only Conan, even Chiba felt uncomfortable hearing that.

To treat a friend's act of risking his life as nothing more than trying to take credit, whether conscious or not, was enough to make anyone angry.

Being friends with such people was truly a headache.

Chiba glanced at Conan, noticing his quickened breathing. He understood that no matter how smart a child was, there were things he could not simply endure.

But honestly, if he were in the same position, he also wouldn't be able to endure it.

Conan struggled inwardly for a long time, but in the end, he suppressed his anger.

"Forget it. You guys, just get in."

"Oh."

Genta, carefree as always, didn't sense anything.

Ayumi and Mitsuhiko also didn't notice anything due to their guilt.

But even if they did notice, it would have been useless. Conan had already made up his mind. From now on, he would keep a clear distance between himself and ordinary children.

Classmates were just classmates. It was best to maintain that boundary.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Conan watched the three children climb into the car. The anger that had flared up earlier had already been forced down.

"Alright, next, I'll take you home."

"Eh…"

Genta looked disappointed.

Not just him, Ayumi and Mitsuhiko also looked equally disappointed.

"Then what about Takayama Minami's kidnapping case?"

"That's not something you children need to concern yourselves with."

Chiba cut them off directly. Perhaps because they had been around Conan too long, they had started to believe they also had extraordinary abilities.

This time, Chiba felt it was best to firmly separate them from any troublesome matters.

"It's already very late. I'll take you home now. As for the case, you don't need to be involved."

After saying this, Chiba started the car, leaving them no chance to argue.

As for the disappointment on the children's faces, it was probably just because they couldn't spend more time with the celebrity.

Chiba didn't know what else to say.

But no matter what, it wouldn't change anything. These children made such reckless decisions because they simply didn't understand how dangerous it was.

He didn't know whether they would face similar situations in the future. But from today on, Conan should definitely keep some distance from them.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 518: Undetermined Weekend Date

The police car took the Two-Mix duo back to the concert.

The entire venue was even more excited than expected. Although the concert had been delayed by half an hour, because of the fans' natural devotion to their idols, this delay was easily overlooked once the performance went on with full energy.

"It was indeed well sung."

Ren, who had listened to the entire concert, gave an objective assessment. Both the atmosphere and the quality of the songs were quite good.

Especially the style of the songs stood out.

They leaned toward being passionate, full of personal flair, and matched the popular taste of young people.

"No wonder she became a popular singer. Her standard really isn't bad."

This was the highest praise Ren, who was attending a concert for the first time, could give.

After all, he was not a fan of celebrities, and his understanding of music was only that it sounded good and passed the time. He was not someone with refined appreciation.

"Lord god, do you feel any difference between listening to music at home and at a live concert?"

Shiho asked curiously.

"One is outdoors, the other indoors.

The atmosphere at a concert is stronger, and the mood rises because of the people around. But personally, I don't really like it."

Ren thought for a moment and gave his evaluation, still adding his own perspective.

"I don't really enjoy being in such a large crowd. Compared to concerts, I prefer staying at home, leaning on the sofa, listening to passionate songs while reading a book."

Thinking about his usual routine, Ren knew that crowded concerts didn't suit him. His personality was still somewhat introverted, preferring peace and quiet at home.

"So Lord god was telling the truth."

Shiho confirmed that the Divine Being indeed disliked crowded places.

"I already said so."

"Then when we go out together on weekends, you won't dislike it?"

"Hmm… with acquaintances it's much better. In unfamiliar environments, I don't really like the feeling of too many people gathering."

Ren's aversion to social interaction came purely from his personality.

That was simply how people were in this world. Some were good at socializing, while others preferred to stay in their own space and enjoy solitude.

"How about you?"

"It's fine. But now I'm thinking whether I should play music in the sunroom when I cultivate in the future. Maybe it will have a good effect."

As a Planter, she could not only control plants as her eyes and ears but also sense their thoughts.

Considering that plants needed a suitable growing environment, Shiho felt it might be worth trying to play music in the sunroom.

Ren also understood this method of cultivation.

"In that case, you should start with modifying the soil. For planting, the soil is the most important."

"Of course."

Shiho naturally had to begin with improving the soil, first turning it into something fertile, which was a very important step for planting.

"The villa is ready, and next I'll begin experimenting with some planting.

I'll try growing some edible crops. Would Lord god like to taste them then?"

"As long as they're not strange crops, it's fine."

Ren had meant to agree immediately, but he hesitated. Thinking of a certain Mushroom King's eccentric behavior, his expression became a little subtle.

"Hmm? Are there strange crops?"

Shiho was puzzled by this and became even more interested.

"Lord god, is that something only possible later?"

Ren nodded without denying it.

"That is indeed something that comes later.

You can imagine plant grafting."

Grafting, a method of merging two different plants into one.

"Can you imagine mushrooms nurtured with the flesh and blood of animals?

Or a cow born from rice?"

Shiho's face twitched after imagining it. The thought was indeed bizarre.

But precisely because of that, she became more intrigued.

"Is grafting between plants and animals also possible?"

"As long as it's at the level of life itself, theoretically many incredible things can be done. But such behavior easily makes people lose their rationality, because some species cultivated that way carry strangeness."

"Indeed."

Shiho strongly agreed. This kind of plant-animal grafting completely defied normal evolution.

However, considering that gods existed in this world, there was no longer much need to cling to traditional science.

Use science as reference, set normal standards, and then advance supernatural research.

I'm starting to feel a stronger interest in the abilities that come later.

No wonder the god said this Sequence suited me. It really does.

While they talked, the three had already left the crowded concert hall and stepped outside.

Outside, a light rain was falling.

The weather was much cooler than indoors.

But even after coming out, Ren showed no intention of leaving right away.

The Miyano sisters both knew who Ren was waiting for, so they stayed with him.

Soon, a capable, short-haired woman walked toward them.

"How was the concert?"

Miwako, who had just arrived, immediately focused on Ren.

"The songs and the singer were fine, but I didn't really like the atmosphere outside.

But I still troubled you today, Miwako."

Ren was referring to the kidnapping incident.

Miwako didn't think much of it.

"The situation wasn't too serious. With your help pinpointing their location, I could handle it myself.

But I still need to go make a statement tonight, which will probably take some time.

I was just promoted to Police Inspector recently, so having more work is actually a good thing."

"Still, when the weekend comes, I have places I want to go. I can't show favoritism."

Ren was a little surprised at that.

"You still have weekends free now?"

Miwako's smile turned bitter.

"No. Recently our Police Inspector department also has to join patrols. It seems we don't have enough people, so there are more overtime days on weekends.

But whenever I do get free time, I definitely want to go out and relax."

Saying that, Miwako looked straight at Ren.

"No problem, right?"

"Of course, no problem."

Ren agreed without hesitation.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to BurglarOfTurds for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 519: Miyano Sisters' Thoughts

After today's concert, Ren took the Miyano sisters home.

The two returned to their own rooms.

They felt good about the concert they had attended all afternoon, though the only slight issue was that the main act started more than an hour late.

"Hmm~ Starting tomorrow, I'll need to properly cultivate in the villa."

Shiho hadn't forgotten that she needed to act as a Planter. Especially after learning that the subsequent Sequence involved species hybridization, which was even more suitable for her, she became genuinely interested.

Hybridization of plants and animals.

Just thinking about it made the experiment seem exciting.

Akemi glanced at her younger sister's enthusiasm and sighed helplessly.

"Shiho, don't forget, Lord god said to be careful with that, and not to actually create strange species."

"Oh, big sister, you're thinking too far ahead."

Shiho felt her sister placed too much confidence in her.

"I'm only Sequence 9 now. How could I reach the level the god mentioned so quickly?"

For now, all she needed to focus on was advancing as a Planter.

As for what came afterward, she could only think about it once she entered Sequence 8.

After joking, Shiho rolled over on her bed and suddenly looked at her sister.

"Big sister, do you like Lord god?"

Akemi froze slightly at those words, then looked at her. She thought about how her sister was now eighteen and had matured early because of the organization's affairs, so it was indeed time to face such questions.

"Shiho, you can think about it this way.

Someone who saved you from a den of demons, sheltered you, gave you freedom, provided everything you never had before, and even gave you power that everyone desires but cannot obtain. Would you not care? Would you not like him?"

Shiho considered it, then shook her head slightly.

"It's impossible not to care.

Even just this one thing, the god taking us out of that den of demons, is something we'll never forget for our entire lives."

For this reason alone, the god's place in her heart could not be moved an inch.

That diary was, for the sisters, more about establishing a deeper connection with Ren. As for the benefits they gained from it, they knew those also came from him.

He had given them power, given them freedom, and let them escape the oppression and pursuit of the organization.

"Not only that, but Lord god gave us not just safety, but also respect.

He never treated us as his property."

This statement was a little exaggerated, but Shiho said it directly.

Akemi, however, felt no dissatisfaction. She knew it was true.

"He gave us so much help, and enough respect, without ulterior motives, treating us like ordinary people.

Maybe that's part of his personality and habits, but I think this can also be called virtue.

Besides, the god's relationships with others are so complicated, yet he has never hidden anything, especially from Officer Sato, whom we met after the concert.

In such a situation, what girl wouldn't like him?"

Akemi nodded slightly in agreement.

Meeting someone who had helped them so much and arranged so much for them, perhaps they would not fall in love immediately, but at least they would feel the thought of giving everything in return.

"Lord god is not someone who wastes his energy casually.

And he has never wanted anyone to develop feelings for him out of repayment. In this regard, he is still traditional."

Indeed, traditional.

Shiho also felt that in this aspect, the god seemed like an omnipotent deity, yet more like an introverted boy.

"So, no matter for what reason, it's fine to continue staying by his side.

When we truly fall in love with him, I think he will accept us."

At this moment, Akemi had only this thought.

"I understand, big sister."

After understanding her sister's perspective, Shiho had no further questions.

Because she herself felt the same way.

At this time, Ren did not know about the conversation between the sisters. He was not someone who liked to pry into others' lives.

He opened his diary, took up a pen, and began to write today's entry.

[After school, today was the concert I had arranged with Miyano Akemi.]

[I took some time to learn about Two-Mix and understood that they are a self-composed and self-performed group. Arriving at the venue, I could really feel how many fans they had and how many people had come.]

[I originally thought it would just be a special experience, but I didn't expect to see those four, the Junior Detective League, in the park outside.]

[As I expected, the moment I saw Edogawa Conan, he was bound to be caught up in trouble. This time was no exception.]

[The person he bumped into was likely one of the stars of this concert, Takayama Minami.]

[The collision of those two was bound to affect the concert.]

[With that in mind, the Miyano sisters and I followed behind to observe.]

[The result was as expected. She was kidnapped right in front of so many people.]

[Naturally, the concert would be delayed.]

[At first, I didn't want to interfere, but Shiho was right. There was no need to let an accident ruin a rare concert.]

[So I performed a small divination.]

[The kidnapping was indeed for money, but not from ransoming the two celebrities. It was for money stolen in a bank robbery the previous year.]

[The two celebrities were truly unlucky. While seeking inspiration, they had recorded the murder at Shengyuan Temple during New Year. The recording clearly revealed the culprit.]

[Even more unfortunate, the two robbers also learned of this. Those two were truly cursed with bad luck.]

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to BurglarOfTurds for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 520: City of Calamity

As he wrote, Ren couldn't help but laugh.

The members of Two-Mix were truly unlucky. They went out seeking inspiration during New Year and ended up recording the sound of a murder, even using it as background in their new song.

Singers really did disregard everything when chasing inspiration.

But after this, Ren believed they would probably never dare to record casually again.

[Of course, compared to those two popular singers, Edogawa Conan, who helped his classmates take the blame, might be even unluckier.]

[Using Professor Agasa's tracker, he took Ayumi's place and delivered the tape to the kidnappers.]

[His plan was to go himself, while having the Junior Detective League deliver the tracking glasses to Inspector Megure, allowing them to follow and arrest the kidnappers.]

[But he didn't expect that the Junior Detective League he trusted would refuse to let him take all the credit, and they followed with the glasses themselves.]

[Pfft~ When I divined this and saw the source of the misfortune, I almost couldn't stop laughing.]

[He guarded against enemies in front, but forgot about the people behind him.]

[I imagine that after this, besides being careful about dangers ahead, he'll be paying attention to whether the ones behind him are trustworthy.]

After finishing this, Ren stopped his pen.

Actually, once he saw Conan get involved, he hadn't wanted to bother anymore.

Respecting others' fates was his creed.

But his purpose that day was to attend a concert with the Miyano sisters. If something happened to the main performer, it would betray that purpose.

So he had asked Miwako for help.

But besides the concert, another thing had pleased him.

The collapse of the Junior Detective League.

That group of elementary students only had value with Edogawa Conan.

Once Conan was detached, the League lost the foundation to cause trouble.

And that was very important to Ren.

Destroying a group tied deeply to the original fate might bring considerable gains.

Now it was time to see the result.

[The Lord of Mysteries.]

[Obtained Sefirot: City of Calamity.]

…!?

Seeing the prompt for City of Calamity, Ren was slightly startled.

He subconsciously covered his mouth, exhaled lightly, and calmed his mood.

It seems my guess was right.

Affecting certain characters influences my gains, and destroying tightly bound groups in fate strengthens them.

As expected, Conan's reaction was exactly as I imagined. Being betrayed like that, his resentment was deep, to the point where his bond with those children was directly severed.

But thinking further, Ren paused.

No, not a complete severance. More likely, those children had lost their original place in the story.

As I wrote earlier, Conan now needs to consider whether those behind him are truly trustworthy.

Once such caution appears, their bond will never be as strong again.

From members of the Junior Detective League, they became only ordinary classmates.

There would be no other connection.

Although it wasn't a complete severance, the outcome was almost the same.

From this result, the fate between Conan and those children was more important than I thought.

But in this incident, they themselves had chosen to cut ties.

Hmm, not a bad outcome.

Ren was satisfied with this harvest.

The Sefirot City of Calamity was already worth it.

Closing his eyes, pounding drumbeats shook his ears, and the world turned blood red.

The sky was stained crimson, like a setting sun, carrying a hint of the end.

When he opened his eyes, he was in a desolate, abandoned city.

Drumming filled the air, stirring the desire for battle in his heart.

Black winds swept through the ruins. In the city center, a once-grand bonfire had collapsed, yet black flames still burned within it.

A sense of danger and ruin spread through the city, proclaiming destruction and the coming apocalypse.

Ren stood in the city's center, sweeping his gaze around.

Mirrors, huh.

Crack, crack, crack.

As his perception spread, the space around him shattered like broken glass.

The red sunset still lingered on the edge of the sky, ready to fall.

The ruined city suddenly gained life. Beautiful women appeared everywhere, each seemingly real.

Demoness.

All the women froze instantly, then knelt before Ren.

It truly carried the traits of both Demoness and Red Priests.

The outside of the city was like a Red Priest, but inside, everything was Witch-like.

Ren's gaze locked onto one of them.

The Witch he looked at appeared before him in an instant.

She was quiet, like a lotus without threat.

Ren reached out and lifted her chin. She was like a normal woman, with an incredibly beautiful face.

Joy, pain, despair, immortality, calamity, and apocalypse.

They were the symbols of Demoness in different stages.

Withdrawing his hand, Ren saw their essence instantly. They were sources of corruption, the most turbid part of the Sefirot, and also its infection.

Red Priests who craved war, and Demoness who craved chaos.

A perfect match.

Ren had only this thought.

(To be continued.)