Not a detective

Page 182

As she spoke, she coughed violently, appearing unsteady and almost unable to stand.

Asakawa Riku keenly noticed that the hand she used to cover her mouth was stained with blood, which she had coughed up. Had it really been "cured"?

The old man looked frail; apart from his energetic spirit, his physical signs were all sickly. He didn't look healthy at all.

Even if hair grows back... it's probably because I didn't do chemotherapy or radiation therapy... it has nothing to do with a cure...

However, just as Asakawa Riku was being kept out, these believers suddenly began to applaud enthusiastically, praising loudly:

"That's amazing!"

"It's all thanks to faith!"

"Keep giving up money!"

"I want to study too!"

Master Yasui was also among them, smiling and applauding, praising, "Very good, as long as you continue your practice, your body will one day fully recover."

What an eerie atmosphere...

As the next person to speak stood up, the speaker continued.

To be precise, he "believed he had stood up."

The middle-aged man, sitting in a wheelchair, was pushed forward when it was his turn. He then straightened his back and tilted his head back.

"Hello everyone, although I've told this story many times, I never get tired of it. As you can all see, my legs are completely healed, and I can stand up again—things I never dared to dream of just a few months ago… My legs were paralyzed and lost all feeling in a car accident when I was young. I thought I had to adapt to life as a disabled person, but the church brought me a miracle I never imagined…! It's true! I can actually stand up again! My legs have recovered! It's incredible!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, and it seemed as if he was swaying in his wheelchair, trying to prove how strong and powerful his legs were.

But in reality, the middle-aged man was still just sitting in his wheelchair, with no movement from his trouser legs, and it was impossible for him to stand up.

Throughout, he simply straightened his back slightly and raised his head.

Strangely, the gazes of the surrounding believers also rose high, staring at the top of his head, as if he had really stood up!

He was genuinely looking directly at the air above his head; that look couldn't possibly be faked.

Instead, I actually saw him stand up!

This misaligned gaze created a very strange effect, making it seem as if the middle-aged man was giving a speech while everyone was looking at his head...

"Amazing! Her legs have completely recovered!"

"Even a disability can be cured; it truly is a miracle!"

"Standing so straight, that's really impressive!"

"Indeed, faith in the Lord can keep us free from illness and disaster. As long as we are more devout and abandon our desires, we can take a step closer to immortality!"

As Asakawa Riku listened to those high-pitched and excited praises, his scalp tingled and his back went cold.

I'm starting to feel like I can't take it anymore.

Winter of God: Chapter Eleven - Cognitive Revision

Riku Asakawa felt that this situation was similar to what Chizuko-senpai had mentioned as "sensory psychosis," which falls under the category of "collective hallucination."

Initially, believers might not believe it, but after being in such an environment and atmosphere for a long time, and being isolated, they will constantly hypnotize themselves.

If other believers say the same thing, they will unconsciously believe that they have truly been cured.

Just like what happened on that island, they were all brainwashed by themselves and by the people around them, forming a comprehensive brainwashing network.

Cross-infection and cross-verification transformed into an unbreakable alliance of believers.

At this point, even if those around you point out that "you haven't been cured at all," it probably won't have any effect; you'll just be attacked as an evil heretic.

Asakawa Riku noticed that among the six or seven people here, almost all of them had various diseases or disabilities, which was why they had gathered here.

It's truly despicable that they exploited their desire for healing.

However, beliefs and ideas in this world are not without their uses; such unwavering convictions can transform into a part of reality.

These believers may have genuinely created a "supreme true god" capable of healing wounds and averting disease and disaster, but this false god's power is insufficient to bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded. It is impossible for all believers to truly become superhumans like Shinonome Suetsuki, so it is limited to modifying their "cognition."

In the church's understanding, there is no disease, pain, disaster, or accident; everything is happiness, beauty, and peace.

Therefore, even if Asakawa Riku were to expose their scam now, it would probably be impossible to change the brainwashing effect of this perception.

The gods of this world are not fictitious beings.

“When I first heard about this church from others, I didn’t believe it. I should repent for my past sins, otherwise I wouldn’t have suffered such a disaster.”

A young woman stood up, tears welling in her eyes, and said, “Six months ago, I had an accident. While walking on the street, a flowerpot suddenly fell at my feet, but luckily it landed right at my feet and didn’t hurt me at all. No, this wasn’t luck, it was the blessing and protection of the Church! As long as we sincerely believe in our Lord, we will not suffer from accidents and disasters, and nothing will happen to us… After that, I donated all my savings and bank accounts to the church. This is all I could do.”

However, it is clear that a patch of hair is missing from the top of her head, which is covered with rotten, smelly scars and wounds that have worsened due to infection.

Strangely, no one looked at the conspicuous wound, and no one smelled the pungent stench.

She did not avoid the unexpected disaster at all; she was hit but could not comprehend it because, in the eyes of believers, there is no such thing as accident or misfortune.

People around her probably advised her to treat her wounds, but she scoffed at them because, in her eyes, she wasn't injured at all.

...It's a truly bizarre doctrine that sends chills down your spine.

In Asakawa Riku's view, this is equivalent to a form of "psychotherapy," or the placebo effect.

Although cancer cannot be cured, disabilities cannot be reversed, and accidents will not disappear, in the eyes of these people, none of these exist, and the world is full of happiness.

Is this a good thing for them?

Is it cruel to shatter their dreams?

Asakawa Riku even considered introducing Chizuko-senpai to the group, so that at least she wouldn't be troubled by her disability of having only one hand and one leg...

"I am the real religious figure, the proper Onmyoji, the true deity."

Chizuko's phantom flashed past, and the smiling wolf lady bared her fangs: "To lump these insects together is simply absurd."

No, that's not right. If that woman comes, she'll probably make a huge scene and end up saying something like, "I'm the real one," which is more in line with her personality.

Asakawa Riku suddenly shivered, realizing that he too had been affected by the atmosphere of the group.

Unconsciously, I started to wonder if the existence of such a religion had any meaning... How absurd.

This cult, though it may offer comfort, is merely a useless form of anesthesia. The cancer will not be cured, the old man will still die, and he will die mysteriously. The disability will not be reversed, the man will still have a broken leg, and will instead face strange looks and even ridicule from others. The accident will not disappear, the woman's wound will remain, and there is even a risk of infection and worsening.

It is wrong to think that if you don't recognize the pain, you will never face it and will never overcome it!

Not to mention, this church uses this numbing effect to amass wealth; just the four or five believers I just heard said they had donated all their possessions.

This is just one of the confessionals on the fifth floor. There are other believers, other teachers, and even other church bases in this building.

The number of existing believers and potential believers who are still somewhat skeptical is impossible to count.

Being free from illness and disaster is indeed a very attractive concept...

This is an outright cult!

Asakawa Riku gritted his teeth and silently entered a meditative "ethereal" state, forcing himself to calm down and not be swayed by the eerie atmosphere.

The confessors recounted their stories one by one, some weeping bitterly, others kneeling on the ground in gratitude, worshipping Master Yasui.

"Next."

As Yasui smiled, he brushed his hand over their heads, looking like a saint.

The chair spun almost a full circle before landing on Takagi Ichiro.

"I...I only joined recently."

He seemed a little unaccustomed to it. As the CEO of a company, he should be very used to giving speeches in front of his subordinates, but at this moment he was behaving like a newcomer.

Ichiro Takagi loosened his tie before saying, "My daughter is—"

He recounted the story of Yumiko Ezaki, including how she disappeared, how she was kidnapped, and how she became depressed and mentally unstable after being rescued.

Overall, what he knew was pretty much the same as what Asakawa Riku knew, so it seems this father really cares about his daughter's situation.

It was out of fear that I stepped into that den of demons:

"Thinking back now... if only we had joined this church sooner. My partner and I consulted many renowned doctors, but none of them could cure my daughter or bring her back to the cheerful, smiling Yumiko she used to be. She locks herself in the house all day, refusing to go out or go to school. If I had come to pray for her sooner, she wouldn't have been kidnapped..."

Takagi Ichiro was filled with deep remorse. It seemed he truly believed that if he had joined this place earlier, his daughter wouldn't have been kidnapped by the Spider Woman.

"Mr. Takagi, your daughter is getting better, but she still hasn't gone to school, right?"

Master Yasui walked up to him and said, "Your awareness is very high, but it's still a bit insufficient. Your prayers alone are not enough to completely free your daughter from suffering. If she doesn't sincerely believe in our holy Lord, she cannot be completely free from illness and calamity. You must bring her into this faith as well, didn't I tell you?"

"I...I know, I know."

Takagi Ichiro was startled by that piercing gaze, took a deep breath, and seemed to have made an important decision:

“I will bring her here, mentor. In any case, next time, even if I have to force her to come, I will make her join the cult.”

Winter of the Gods: Chapter Twelve - Drawing the Sword

As Asakawa Riku listened, he felt increasingly uneasy.

He was originally entrusted by Yumiko Ezaki to save her parents, but he didn't expect that he would not only fail to save them, but also see his client about to fall into danger.

Fortunately, Ezaki chose the right agency to hire. If it were a regular private investigator, how could they handle this situation? It was also fortunate that Asakawa Riku arrived in time, otherwise Ezaki might have been forcibly dragged into the church. Once inside, she might have been brainwashed like her parents and sincerely chose to convert, at which point there would have been no way to escape.

Asakawa Riku immediately decided to change the objective of this operation from simply "preliminary investigation" to "solving the problem".

We must act swiftly and decisively; we cannot procrastinate any longer and waste time, otherwise, every other day, new believers may be harmed.

"All the other brothers and sisters have finished speaking. Now, new lady, do you have anything to say?"

Instructor Yasui turned her head and looked at the last seat, where Kirisame sat.

Kiri Aoi tossed her head, her short hair swaying gently in front of her eyebrows. She still had that cheerful, indifferent look on her face.

"Uh... what should I say? I don't know. What is there to say? I'm perfectly healthy and doing very well."

This cult's doctrines primarily target people who are experiencing suffering, illness, disaster, or misfortune. But how do you proselytize to people who are happy and healthy?

Professor Yasui, unhurried and seemingly anticipating this answer, suddenly lowered his voice and said mysteriously:

"Really... But I see that you went through a calamity in your childhood?"

The air froze instantly.

Although Asakawa Riku was standing directly behind Kirisame Aoi, he could almost see her smile fade and her face suddenly darken.

The atmosphere changed abruptly, in that instant:

"……What did you say."

"Let me see... to be precise, it should be back in your student days, right?"

Professor Yasui closed his eyes, his tone becoming enigmatic, and his hands reached out and groped in the air, as if trying to grasp something:

"Ah, you almost died in that accident. It was very dangerous, but you luckily escaped. Since then, your life has started to get back on track. But you also know, if you hadn't escaped that time, you wouldn't have had the life you have now. It's all the Lord's will. If you don't repent and sincerely convert to the faith, this kind of accident will happen again sooner or later..."

"You bastard...!" Kirisame Aoi suddenly became agitated, slamming her hand on the chair and trying to stand up: "What exactly is your relationship with that time—"

"Don't get excited, or you'll fall for it."

Asakawa Riku firmly pressed down on her shoulders; although he was very strong, she was still held down firmly.

His firm voice spoke in Kirisame Aoi's ear:

"Just like the tricks of divination, it's nothing more than investigating your background beforehand and using 'cold reading' and 'hot reading' to guess your past. It's not a miracle."

Seeing his direct and merciless exposure, Professor Yasui's expression seemed to darken for a moment, but he quickly put on a smile again.

"Young man, it seems you still don't believe me. Then let me see your past hardships..."

Those hands reached out, but were coldly brushed away by Asakawa Riku:

"It's no use saying anything. I've already been fooled by some detective. Even if you expose my secrets, it won't surprise me."

Yes, in the end, this kind of divination and prophecy method is no different from Shinonome Suetsuki's detective methods. They both make the other party believe that they have a god-like "Rinnegan". In reality, as long as some investigation is done behind the scenes, or ambiguous words are used, and the same effect can be achieved by observing details such as micro-movements and micro-expressions.

Just like when Yumiko Ezaki came to the agency for a commission, she was fooled into thinking that Riku Asakawa could also see into the past and predict the future.

But in reality, these are all advantages brought about by the "information gap".

Similar to magic, the audience finds it amazing and incomprehensible, but only the magician and the people behind the scenes know the truth.

However, compared to magic, this world also incorporates elements of "magic," namely the power of "religion" and "divine beings," which truly exist in this world. Martial artists like Asakawa Riku and Kirisame Aoi, whose magic resistance is inherently low, are easily corrupted by their thoughts and can only rely on meditation and other calming methods to maintain their self-control, thus creating certain vulnerabilities and risks.