: The Three People on the Field Trip

Fujino Genkuro subconsciously adjusted his glasses, nudging the burly man snoring beside him with his elbow.

The other person looked at him with displeasure, but when they noticed that the thin middle-aged man's gaze was somewhat unfriendly, they didn't want to cause trouble. They muttered something in annoyance and turned away.

"Why are you asking about this?" he asked, somewhat puzzled.

This unusual reaction naturally didn't escape the attention of the three. Shinobu Kocho felt she might have grasped some clue and quickly asked, "Mr. Fujino seems... to have a rather poor impression of this sect?"

"It's not just bad, it's downright misleading and corrupting!"

"I have never personally met their monks, but I have gleaned some information from letters from my family:"

"These people spend all day preaching fallacies like 'Living is about enjoying life, so don't do things that seem difficult,' and 'Don't take on responsibilities and obligations that are arduous and painful; live happily with a tranquil heart'..."

"If it were merely to promote this doctrine of self-abandonment and sloth, that would be one thing, but its true purpose is probably to attract naive young people and those who are desperate to escape reality, leading them to follow in the footsteps of the cult leader and pursue eternal life after death!"

As a scholar, he detested these charlatanry and deceptive tricks.

As a doctor, I deeply abhor the idea of ​​immortality and rebirth in paradise.

Fujino's words echoed through the swaying train. Even though his voice wasn't loud, it still attracted some curious glances from those nearby, which made him feel a little embarrassed and he had to calm himself down.

He frowned deeply, his disgust undisguised: "Whether they're after money or murder, these people are not on the right path! I advise you two to stay far away from such people!"

Seeing his appearance, the three Demon Slayer members realized one thing.

The Eternal Paradise Religion must have problems.

Shinobu Kocho smiled apologetically and said softly, "Mr. Fujino, you've misunderstood. We're not trying to join that sect; we're just doing some research!"

"A field study?" The doubt in Fujino's eyes did not dissipate.

"That's right. Actually, we are reporters from a tabloid under the Ubuyashiki Company. We are doing some fieldwork on local folk beliefs and just want to collect some different voices."

Her explanation was so natural, as if she were a real female journalist.

Then look at the innocent girl beside her who remained silent, and this cold, aloof young man who claimed to be having nightmares.

He certainly didn't seem like the kind of decadent person who escapes reality and pursues nothingness... Fujino Genkuro's gaze softened a bit.

He adjusted his glasses, his previously stern gaze softening, even showing a hint of understanding: "I see... I'm sorry, I lost my composure..."

"If it's just an investigation, that's fine, but that place is ultimately a mess, so it's best not to get too involved."

"And even if you wanted to conduct research, it would actually be quite difficult."

"What do you mean by that?"

Asuka asked a question, and Fujino explained, "Although the Eternal Bliss Cult has been peddling their negative doctrines, they actually rarely develop core followers. At most, they accept offerings and consultations from some residents..."

"My family members are like that. They don't completely believe in this sect. But older people, when they get old, they'll believe in a little bit of everything... Occasionally, they'll entertain these monks from the Blissful Religion."

"They will appear in town when they need it, but otherwise we don't know where their temples are. Even if you want to go and do some research, there's nowhere to go."

"Since you're doing this kind of survey, why don't you come back to my hometown with me? Our elders have lived here for decades and might be able to provide some more specific information. It's better than you wandering around like headless flies."

This suggestion was exactly what I wanted.

Asuka and Shinobu exchanged a glance, and the Insect Pillar, whose acting skills were superb, flashed a perfectly timed look of gratitude in her eyes: "Really? That's a huge help! Thank you so much, Mr. Fujino!"

Kanao's gaze silently swept across everyone's faces before finally settling on the rapidly receding, autumnally-tinged mountains and forests outside the car window.

The twilight of late autumn arrives exceptionally early.

As the train pulled into Nagano Station with a metallic scraping sound, the heavy, gray clouds pressed down, shrouding the sky.

As the crowd disembarked surged toward the exit, Shinobu Kocho subtly slipped a few steps behind, pretending to straighten her clothes.

A black raven, like a ghost, silently landed on her raised forearm.

She quickly informed the other party of all the information she needed to provide, including the clues about the Eternal Bliss Cult that Fujino had mentioned, and that her group was about to change their route and head to the countryside of Nagano Prefecture.

"Mr. Tomioka should be waiting at the meeting point at Niigata Station. Have him come to Nagano Station, and we'll go together!"

"Gah—!!"

The raven's dark eyes flashed in the twilight, its wings flapped silently, and it was instantly swallowed by the vast dusk.

Asuka's gaze followed the disappearing black dot until Fujino's voice urged her from ahead, bringing her back to her senses.

"Gentlemen, this way."

Fujino Genkuro's relatives lived in the countryside, and he had to take a horse-drawn carriage along the winding mountain road for a while, which was a rare opportunity to appreciate the scenery of the mountains and fields.

At this moment, the afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the mountainside, illuminating vast expanses of bright red maple forests, inspiring Fujino Genkuro to write poetry:

"The setting sun shines on the deep valley, red leaves drift and play on the shallows, and one can quietly listen to the pine cones falling."

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Shinobu Kocho and the other two, anticipating the final touch.

Birds, devoid of artistic talent, are lost in confusion, while butterflies ponder the poetic realm and carefully consider the words.

Kanao Tsukihana, who had remained silent until now, gazed at the lone goose on the distant mountain and spoke softly:

"Birds return to the mountains..."

"Wonderful, wonderful!" Fujino Genkuro paused for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed, "I didn't expect this little girl to be fluent in haiku?"

Kanao smiled but did not answer, which made her seem even more like a literary young girl.

The carriage finally stopped at a fork in the road; the narrow dirt road ahead was no longer passable.

After paying the driver, Fujino Genkuro pointed to the path formed by tall beech and maple trees: "We're here, it's not far ahead, just a few minutes away."

The path winds its way uphill, disappearing into the shadows of a denser forest.

The three followed Fujino onto the path, their feet sinking into a thick layer of humus and fallen leaves, which felt soft and silent underfoot.

The bird suddenly felt a chill envelop it.

This wasn't because the mountain winds were cold in late autumn, but because he sensed a slight discomfort through his spiritual pressure.

"Watch out, something's wrong."

He didn't say anything, but patted Shinobu Kocho's hand and gave her a wink.

His fingertips were already resting on the hilt of the knife at his waist.

After walking for a while, Fujino pointed to the outline of a dark-wood roof that was faintly visible through the trees ahead:

"Look, there it is. It's an old house, a bit out of the way, but it's still quite quiet."

The moment he finished speaking—

A chilling aura that would set off alarm bells for any bird caught in the air rushed towards them.

Asuka drew her sword, and the blade of the Nichirin Blade gleamed with a deep green light.

"Prepare for battle! There's a ghost!"