Chapter 26: Magic Puppet Technique

Akaso Kaze is too lazy to bother with this unconvinced little detective.

He is using his intent to fiddle with Chikako Ikeda's soul in the space.

The head is a head, the arms are arms, the legs are legs, all can move.

But they can no longer be combined, cannot be coordinated, and she can't even stand up.

Ryoichi Takahashi didn't use a scalpel to cut; he used an axe.

There are too many missing bones at the break, and they can't be reattached.

Akaso Kaze thinks this girl's name was definitely chosen wrong.

"Zhijiazi" (Chikako), listen to that name; it falls apart as soon as it's dismantled.

What should he use to connect her body?

Looking around at the items in the space, Akaso Kaze has an idea.

First, he takes a bundle of branches.

These branches were collected using prediction magic and are suitable materials for magic wands.

Using the table knife brought in by Masaki Negishi, he cuts several branches of appropriate size and thickness.

Then he uses the necklace string brought in by Kishida to connect them, making a puppet shape.

Both the string and the branches are things suitable for souls to attach to.

It is very easy to thread Chikako Ikeda's soul's limbs and body onto them.

Chikako Ikeda's soul moves her limbs, turns her head twice, and immediately shows a joyful expression.

Finally, she looks like a proper soul.

[Ding, host is self-taught and has created a magic puppet. Obtained reward: Magic Puppet Technique (Beginner).]

[Magic Puppet Technique (Beginner): Use magic threads to control puppets or corpses for combat. The host can manufacture puppets and control them.]

Magic Puppet Technique!

Akaso Kaze's intent immediately focuses on Chikako's soul.

Threads made of magic power extend from the void, connecting to the soul's limbs, body, and head.

The soul immediately acts involuntarily according to Akaso Kaze's commands.

At ease, attention, turn head twice, do the splits...

Chikako's soul swells up in humiliation.

Zzz.

She shrinks again in humiliation.

In the blink of an eye, five days have passed since the mountain villa case.

The dates in this world are very chaotic.

Today is the 1st, tomorrow might be the 31st.

Today is Monday, tomorrow might be the weekend.

So most of the time Akaso Kaze makes appointments is for the same day.

Especially when making an appointment with someone who might die at any time, he cannot break the promise.

Even if it is snowing heavily, Akaso Kaze has to go out.

He goes downstairs and is about to drive when he sees a chubby woman saying goodbye to Conan downstairs at Kogoro Mouri's place.

"Thank you for taking care of Conan these days; I will definitely come to thank you again another day."

Huh, the Grim Reaper is on the move; could there be more souls to collect?

Seeing the woman take Conan away, Akaso Kaze greets them.

"Ran, where is Conan going?"

"Akaso-san, are you going out? That was Conan's mother just now, taking Conan away."

"Conan's mother?"

Wait! Isn't Conan actually Shinichi?

Edogawa Conan is just a fake identity; where would he have a mother?

"Yes, Conan's mother is named Fumiyo Edogawa, a very kind-looking auntie," Ran says.

"Fumiyo Edogawa?" Akaso Kaze suddenly understands.

He remembers.

This is Conan's parents pretending to be people from the Black Organization, kidnapping him and playing a big prank on him.

Tsk tsk! Having such a pair of prankster parents, it's not easy for Conan to survive.

No soul, then it's not interesting.

Akaso Kaze smacks his lips, says goodbye to Ran, and gets in the car.

Half an hour later, at the home of Maru-denjiro, the chairman of the Maru Group.

Akaso Kaze looks at the Japanese sword flashing with cold light in front of him.

"Akaso-sensei, this Kikuchiyo is a famous sword passed down through generations in a family. I obtained it with great difficulty, and I won't sell it for less than 20 million yen."

Just like the European longsword obtained last time.

This sword is also a naturally formed magic tool.

It should have been formed by years of killing on the battlefield.

The blade carries a very strong aura of death.

As long as it is converted into magic power, it can become a magic tool.

In the island nation, carrying a European longsword is too conspicuous; a Japanese sword would be much better.

Looking at the shrewd-looking Maru-denjiro, Akaso Kaze smiles faintly.

"Mr. Maru, I see that your forehead is dark; you will definitely have a bloody disaster in the near future."

"Would you like to trade this Kikuchiyo for one of my talismans?"

Maru-denjiro is stunned.

Baka, one talisman for 20 million?

You are even darker than me.

This is at least a treasure sword; Suwa Yuji Suwa borrowed a lot of money to exchange for it.

You want to exchange it for a casually drawn talisman? You're thinking too beautifully.

He shakes his head repeatedly, "Sorry, Akaso-sensei, I won't sell it for less than 20 million."

Akaso Kaze smiles dismissively.

I wanted to save your life for the sake of the magic tool, but since you don't value it, forget it.

He casually takes out a check and writes 20 million for him.

He takes the Kikuchiyo and leaves.

You won't even trade 20 million for your life; when you end up under my command in the future, I'll show you.

Not long after leaving the Maru house, he encounters a traffic jam.

Traffic in Tokyo is terrible; it's bound to be jammed when it snows.

Akaso Kaze is waiting boredly when a familiar figure runs over in front of the car.

"Huh, isn't this Conan-kid?"

He rolls down the window and greets with a smile.

Conan is stunned when he sees Akaso Kaze.

He glances behind him, continues running forward for more than ten meters, then suddenly turns onto the sidewalk and secretly gets into Akaso Kaze's car from the other side.

His face is pale, full of gravity, with sweat beads on his forehead: "Akaso-brother, hello."

"Conan-kid, what are you doing in such a rush? Is someone chasing you?"

Akaso Kaze asks with a smile.

"No, no." Conan forces a smile and shakes his head.

"Hmm?" Akaso Kaze scans Conan twice.

The corners of his mouth curl up; you've run all the way here and are tired like a dog, yet you say no one is chasing you?

Wait! The way this kid looks, he must have just escaped from his mother's car.

That won't do; Conan being pranked by his parents is such a fun thing, if he escapes just like that, how boring it would be.

Akaso Kaze quickly gets out of the car.

Conan is thinking of a countermeasure when he suddenly hears a click.

Looking up, he is dumbfounded.

Arie, why is Akaso Kaze outside the car, and why did he lock it?

"Akaso-brother, what are you doing?"

He asks, knocking on the car window.

"Nothing, just getting out to get some air."

Looking at Akaso Kaze's strange smile, Conan feels something is wrong.

"Akaso-brother, let me out to get some air too."

"It's so cold outside, why do you want to come out?"

Akaso Kaze says while looking in the direction Conan ran from.

Sure enough, a chubby woman runs over with light steps.

Eye of Space.

Akaso Kaze looks her up and down.

It's really hard for Yukiko Kudo.

She is wearing a human-skin mask on her face and a lot of sponge padding inside her clothes.

She was chasing Conan in such a hurry that she is sweating profusely.

"Here, here..."

In Conan's terrified eyes, Akaso Kaze waves to the chubby woman.

"It's over. I knew this Akaso Kaze was suspicious; could he be sent by the Black Organization to watch me?"

Just now, the chubby woman casually mentioned his real identity as Shinichi Kudo, and he thought he had long been discovered by the Black Organization.

Now seeing Akaso Kaze do this, he naturally assumes they are accomplices.

Yukiko Kudo is panting from chasing Conan.

The ground is covered in snow, and she slips and falls.

"Oops!"

Yukiko Kudo is regretting chasing too fast when it goes dark before her eyes, and she falls into a strong embrace.

Looking up, a very handsome face appears less than a few centimeters away.

"Don't worry, Madam, that kid won't be able to run."

Akaso Kaze says with a smile.

"It's over... they really are accomplices."

Conan in the car is in despair.

"I'm such a big idiot; it's all my fault for being clever and getting into Akaso Kaze's car."

"Damn it, what should I do now?"

Meeting Akaso Kaze's eyes, Yukiko Kudo blushes.

Although separated by a layer of sponge, she can still feel the powerful pressure of the other party.

"I, I'm sorry, thank you." Yukiko is a bit incoherent.

"You're welcome, I'm very happy to help such a gentle lady."

Akaso Kaze says with a smile.

[Ding, Yukiko has developed a favorable impression of you; current favorability is 1 star.]

Being praised by a top-tier handsome guy, Yukiko Kudo almost breaks her defense.

She and her husband have been living apart for many years, and she hasn't been in close contact with a man for a long time, especially such a handsome man.

She wishes she could tear off her disguise, reveal her true face, and receive more praise.

Finally, reason stops her.

Yukiko Kudo leaves Akaso Kaze's embrace reluctantly.

She steadies herself and says to Akaso Kaze: "This child wants to run away from home; thank you for helping me stop him."

"You're welcome." Akaso Kaze smiles brightly, "Naughty children should be strictly disciplined."

He presses the key and opens the car door.

Yukiko Kudo gets in and, using her body as cover, holds a handkerchief over Conan's nose.

After a while, she gets out of the car holding the unconscious Conan.

"Look at this child, he's fallen asleep." Yukiko Kudo says embarrassedly.

"Do you need me to drive you?"

"No, I came by car."

"I'll see you back to your car."

"Well... okay, thank you."

Akaso Kaze picks up Conan and walks with Yukiko Kudo.

Yukiko Kudo secretly hugs Akaso Kaze's arm.

It's because the road is slippery; it's definitely not because I'm lusting after his body.

Yukiko Kudo thinks silently with a blushing face.

[Ding, Yukiko has developed a favorable impression of you; current favorability is 2 stars.]

PS: The Yukiko you wanted is here... should there be a story?.