[Akira Kurusu, resides in Kamakura…]
[After returning home, news from Chika arrived quickly. The information was very detailed, including a photo. That face truly resembled mine, with only subtle differences in a few features.]
[In addition, the identity of the person responsible for getting him into trouble was also confirmed. Shido Masayoshi—this man indeed exists, and quite a bit of explosive information has already been uncovered about him. It appears he doesn't yet have traitors in his circle, and not many people are helping him cover things up.]
[It was the right call for Akechi Goro to not make a move. He should still be observing for now, but within the original story, his activity was confined to a certain scope. Until the seal is broken, he can't deploy too many eyes from the inside.]
[Aside from Akechi Goro, Akira Kurusu is the only one.]
[Hmm. For a story that's playing out closely according to the original script, it actually works in our favor. Some stories don't need intentional interference, but certain outcomes can still be changed.]
[And if Akechi Goro hasn't awakened his power yet, then the scientist who conducted deep research into cognitive psychology should still be alive.]
[Futaba Sakura's fate can be changed. If her research and data are relocated ahead of time, it could directly disrupt Shido Masayoshi's influence. Yes, it seems proper arrangements should be made.]
[That story hasn't fully unfolded yet. Wakaba Isshiki could potentially be brought in as a believer. Her daughter, Futaba Sakura, is one of the heroines in the story, possessing an extraordinary intellect and elite-level hacking abilities.]
[That story is set in a world where computers are commonplace. But it's only 1990 right now. Could technology really develop so fast within a year?]
[Tsk~ It's not entirely impossible. I recall Nagi once saying there's a company in the U.S. starting research into virtual reality and artificial intelligence. I vaguely remember it being part of a story from some elementary school detective movie. Either way, the emergence of VR and AI came more suddenly than expected. If something like that can appear, then the popularization of computers in one year isn't so far-fetched.]
[It's exactly this explosive leap in tech that always feels tied to the Knowledge Moor.]
[Seems that story should also be brought into the fold.]
[As for the case at the Magician's offline gathering—Kaito Kid indeed contacted the police. He gave them a full account of the case, including information about the vengeful woman.]
[Not exactly a surprising outcome.]
[That woman's backstory had already been discovered through divination. Her grandfather died during a dangerous magic performance. Two people mocked his death online, and their words were seen by the granddaughter. It's not hard to imagine the development of homicidal intent.]
[Of course, that's from the perspective of the person involved. From another point of view, those two might not have deserved death. At most, they were just disrespectful and sharp-tongued.]
[But sometimes, it's better not to leave that kind of message online. One should maintain a basic respect for the dead. Otherwise, one day someone might really follow the network cable and come for your life.]
Ren had nothing further to say about the murder case that took place at the snow mountain villa.
In his opinion, the granddaughter of the magician who died on stage had simply acted on impulse.
But maybe she had a deep bond with her grandfather. Seeing him die during a performance, then witnessing others mock him afterward, might've triggered emotions she couldn't suppress, ultimately leading her to kill.
Unless you personally experience something like that, you can't truly understand what the killer went through mentally.
Ren had no desire to go through that.
He just felt a faint sense of pity for the vengeful woman. Because of the cruel words of two strangers, the rest of her life was ruined. Would her grandfather feel grief if he knew?
Shaking his head, he set that case aside.
Shido Masayoshi's identity was now fully confirmed. A politician from a rising party, currently with limited status. That made sense—Akechi Goro hadn't yet obtained his power.
It was only after gaining Akechi Goro's help that Shido began to rise rapidly in the political world. After all, he used extraordinary means to eliminate his political enemies. If he couldn't rise even after that, it would be pure incompetence.
Akira Kurusu's imprisonment took place after Shido had already climbed to power. From now until April of next year, there was nearly a full year left. So Akira Kurusu's incarceration would happen around six months later.
This six-month period would mark Shido Masayoshi's rise. In other words, this is when Akechi Goro is likely to obtain his power.
There was still time.
However, matters regarding Wakaba Isshiki had to be handled as soon as possible.
Wakaba Isshiki's situation definitely needed to be arranged. The cognitive psychology research being done by those scientists provided too much assistance to Shido. She had to be removed from the picture ahead of time, along with her genius daughter.
That story required a lot of preparation. In addition, arrangements related to the Knowledge Moor also needed to be made.
Unlike the Key of Light, the Knowledge Moor was relatively easier to locate.
Places experiencing sudden technological booms were likely linked to its influence or presence.
Hmm, the next six months were going to be packed.
But before diving into that storm, he still had to finish something now.
Like the gift this trip had unexpectedly brought him.
The Compass of Fate began to spin again.
Watching the rotating compass, Ren felt certain that this time, fate would offer a worthy response.
[Lord of the Mysteries]
[Acquired Sequence 7 Potion: Magician.]
A vial shimmering with starlight-like particles appeared in Ren's hand. The specks within glimmered like magic.
Looking at the potion, a rare smile surfaced on Ren's face.
"Finally got the key potion."
(To be continued.)