Conan: No, why aren't you following the script?

After some self-introductions, everyone learned that the foreign friend's name was Robert Taylor, who had been saved by the Takeda family three years ago, and that he had come to Japan specifically to repay their kindness.

"Japan is so wonderful! Ms. Takeda took great care of me three years ago! I must thank Ms. Takeda in person during this visit!"

Speaking with a strange accent, Robert was extremely excited, wishing he could grow a pair of wings right now and fly to the Takeda family to meet Takeda Misa.

To him, she was his ideal woman, an angel he wanted to cherish and protect.

However, Yuzo Takeda, who was driving, silently poured cold water on his foreign friend's enthusiasm upon hearing Robert's words:

“Misa… Robert, actually Misa died three years ago. I heard that she hanged herself on the second floor of the warehouse not long after you left. It’s really… sigh. Anyway, please accept my condolences.”

"You, what did you say..."

Robert was shocked to hear this, and his bright eyes instantly turned ashen.

Seeing this, Toyama Kazuha quickly offered words of comfort, while Hattori Heiji stroked his chin and asked Takeda Yuzo:

"Uncle Yongsan, what happened? Why would a perfectly healthy person suddenly decide to commit suicide?"

"This matter is rather complicated. As for the specific reasons... well, let me explain it to you slowly."

Upon hearing this, Takeda Yuzo sighed and began to recount the story of Takeda Misa.

In fact, when Misa Takeda committed suicide, he was still running his own company in another city, so this matter was just gossip he heard after returning home.

It is said that due to some feng shui issues, the puppet workshop built by the Takeda family was located on a mountain god temple that had once suppressed a spider demon. The spider demon, who was forcibly demolished, harbored resentment towards the Takeda family, which is why it repeatedly used silk threads to hang members of the Takeda family.

Not only Misa Takeda, but according to Yuzo Takeda, his sister-in-law Kinuyo Takeda and his elder brother Shinichi's partner Akio Negishi both died in the Takeda family's warehouse.

As he recounted these events, the imposing Takeda Yuzo looked apprehensive, as if some spider monster were truly at work.

Kitagawa Isao understood this very well.

In the Japanese mythology he was familiar with, there was no shortage of these troublesome monsters. These monsters usually did evil and harmed the villagers. Although most of them were eventually subdued by passing high monks and priests, they were not beaten to death.

Instead, the high monks built temples around them and arranged for villagers to worship them regularly, under the guise of "eliminating the resentment in their hearts."

That's a bit unreasonable.

A monster who wreaks havoc in the village—it would be extremely merciful not to cut him into a thousand pieces or tear him apart by five horses after capturing him. Now, after being captured, he has transformed into the local mountain god and earth god?

In that case, wouldn't all the villagers who were eaten or killed by the monsters have died in vain?

This is utterly outrageous! Those who live by this kind of culture, no wonder they try to whitewash villains in every work they create. It seems there's actually some kind of cultural heritage after all…

What a despicable bunch of people who have no bottom line when it comes to worshipping the strong...

Thinking of this, Kitagawa Isao shook his head with a cold smile.

While they were talking, Takeda Yuzo had already driven to the Takeda family compound, which was known as the 'Spider Mansion'.

After parking the vehicle, everyone jumped out of the truck bed one by one.

At this moment, the members of the Takeda family were already waiting for their arrival at the main gate, and standing at the front was none other than the head of the Takeda family—Takeda Shinichi.

"Oh my, this must be Mr. Kitagawa? I've heard so much about you from Mr. Mori. I'll have to trouble you with this matter this time..."

Shinichi Takeda warmly grasped Isao Kitagawa's hands, then leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I've discussed the murder with Mr. Mori. I've always suspected that someone in the family is behind it, so... if Mr. Kitagawa can find the culprit, please don't make a fuss. You must tell me immediately."

As the head of the family, Shinichi Takeda may appear very kind, but when he gets angry, there is a fierce glint in his eyes.

Seeing the guy's forced smile, Kitagawa Isao didn't mind. He nodded with a light laugh and quickly introduced the other people in his group.

Heiji Hattori, Kazuha Toyama, and Ai Haibara.

Shinichi Takeda nodded in agreement, then turned his attention back to Robert.

“Oh dear, Robert, it’s been three years since we last met, hasn’t it? After you left, Sharon and Emi have been talking about you a lot. You two should have a chat and get to know each other better.”

"Yes, it happened three years ago. I apologize for the trouble I caused you back then."

"Oh, you're being too polite by saying that,"

Shinichi Takeda waved his hand, "Treat this place like your own home. Come in and rest for a bit. I've already made arrangements. We'll have a good drink together tonight."

After chatting for a few more minutes at the door, the group, led by Shinichi Takeda, gradually moved into the living room to discuss the case.

……

"In short, that's roughly what happened. Mr. Mori told me on the phone that Mr. Kitagawa, your reasoning ability is no less than his, so I can only trouble you with this matter. I am now certain that this was definitely the work of a traitor within my Takeda family. I hope Mr. Kitagawa can continue to investigate along this lead."

At this moment, only Shinichi Takeda and Isao Kitagawa were in the living room, so Shinichi Takeda did not maintain his amiable demeanor as before.

However, Hattori Heiji looked puzzled: "Shinichi-san, why are you so sure it was done by an inside man? Couldn't it have been done by an outsider?"

"This……"

Hattori Heiji's words left Takeda Shinichi momentarily speechless. After glancing at everyone's expressions, he quickly changed the subject:

"Well, as the head of the family, I certainly know these guys. By the way, Mr. Kitagawa, how's your alcohol tolerance? We'll have to have a good drink later."

"Well, Mr. Shinichi, actually I..."

"Cough cough."

Before Kitagawa Isao could finish speaking, Haibara Ai, who had been silent to the side, suddenly coughed twice, leaving him with a meaningful look.

Seeing this, Kitagawa Isao quickly waved his hand: "Actually, I'm not good at drinking, so... I'm really sorry, Mr. Shinichi."