Gensokyo Detective, but surrounded by Shura Field

Alice, after reviewing the details, had some observations:

"Chu Bai, I've reviewed the list of the three suspects."

"They are Villager A, Villager B, and a half-youkai I know."

"Oh?"

Upon learning the identities of the three movers, Chu Bai immediately recognized a problem.

Two ordinary villagers and one half-youkai.

If they were working in a place as dignified as the Scarlet Devil Mansion, it would be impressive if the ordinary villagers weren't scared witless. How could they possibly have the audacity to steal books?

Especially since those are all magic books. It would be impossible for ordinary villagers to sneak them out unnoticed.

"Looking at it this way, the half-youkai's suspicion level is maxed out..."

"Then should we bring him in for questioning?"

"We can. Even if he's not the culprit, we can at least find out what the situation was at the time."

Actually, Chu Bai had a pretty good idea in his mind.

Three suspects, two of whom are unnamed extras.

In a detective novel, the remaining conspicuous one is definitely the culprit.

Unfortunately, the Scarlet Devil Mansion requires evidence. Hitting people for no reason might result in a deduction of the reward, so the process still needs to be followed.

...

...

At Chu Bai's request.

Koakuma immediately contacted Izayoi Sakuya.

As expected of the perfect and elegant head maid, Sakuya simply said, "Please wait a moment," and immediately disappeared from the spot.

As for the remaining time...

Chu Bai turned to look at Alice beside him:

"Alice, do you know the four essential elements that must be considered when a detective is reasoning?"

"Four essential elements?"

Alice thought for a moment:

"...Singing, learning, acting, and talking?"

"Cough cough cough!"

Chu Bai choked on the spot:

"I'm asking about the four essential elements of a detective, not the four essential elements of cross-talk!"

Suppressing the urge to retort, Chu Bai continued:

"The so-called four essential elements of a detective are the culprit, the motive, the evidence, and the method."

"To conduct a complete reasoning, you need to analyze these four elements in depth."

"In other words, as long as you grasp these, the truth of the case will come to light."

He patted Alice on the shoulder earnestly:

"Alice, as my assistant, you still have a long way to go!"

"...When did I become your assistant?"

"Right now."

"Can I refuse?"

"No."

"Alas... a bleak future..."

Life is not easy, Alice sighed.

However, Alice quickly got back to the point:

"If we reason according to the four essential elements, then the 'culprit' item can basically be determined now?"

"Yes."

Chu Bai nodded:

"The half-youkai mover is currently the most suspicious person. We can temporarily lock down the culprit's identity."

"Next, in order to conduct the demonstration, we need to find 'evidence' at the scene of the crime."

Alice waved the thread in her hand:

"Then is it my responsibility as an assistant to take care of these chores?"

Chu Bai immediately gave a thumbs up:

"Very good, it seems you already have the awareness of an assistant!"

"Does an assistant have a salary?"

"Young people shouldn't always be thinking about salary. You need to have a long-term vision..."

"Then what should I do if I'm hungry? Eat the pie you draw?"

"...Let's change the subject."

...

...

Alice and Chu Bai chatted idly, but the movements of her hands didn't slow down at all.

A large number of dolls scattered around, searching for possible clues in every corner.

It has to be said that her doll army is indeed convenient for this kind of thing.

"By the way, Alice."

Chu Bai suddenly leaned close to her ear and breathed:

"You said you knew that half-youkai mover? Tell me more about it?"

"Ah!"

Alice was startled and gently punched Chu Bai:

"Don't get so close suddenly!"

Slightly calming her accelerated heartbeat.

Alice then introduced:

"The half-youkai's name is Morichika Rinnosuke. He's the shopkeeper of Kourindou, an antique shop on the outskirts of the village."

"Perhaps because of his half-youkai identity, he's a bit 'arrogant' when dealing with ordinary people."

"He has the ability to know the names and uses of items, and he has a 'very strong memory', able to remember a lot of knowledge and items."

Chu Bai took out his notebook and wrote down these seemingly useful clues.

Alice looked at Chu Bai's focused profile, her snow-white face still slightly flushed.

Obviously, Chu Bai's act of breathing in her ear was still a bit too stimulating for her.

However, just as she was about to say something to ease her mood.

Koakuma suddenly recalled some information as well:

"Now that you mention it, I seem to have noticed something unusual as well."

"That Rinnosuke-san, although he was a mover, didn't enter the Great Library at the same time as the other two."

"Two villagers came in first, and Rinnosuke came in 'several minutes later', and he seemed to be 'gasping for breath'."

"...Oh?"

Chu Bai raised his eyebrows slightly.

He came in several minutes later, and he was still gasping for breath?

As a half-youkai, his physical fitness must be much better than ordinary villagers.

As a result, the villagers were breathing steadily, but Rinnosuke, the half-youkai, seemed very tired?

Thinking like this, Chu Bai also wrote down the "time difference in entering the library" and "Rinnosuke's performance" in his notebook.

"Besides that, I also discovered some other situations."

After Chu Bai finished thinking, Alice spoke up:

"Patchouli-san is sleeping soundly on the new desk not far away."

"And below the new desk, there's a familiar dark hexagonal mark."

"Can this mark also be used as 'evidence'?"

Chu Bai nodded:

"Of course, the so-called investigation phase means that no clues, no matter how small, can be let go."

"But you just said... Patchouli-san is still asleep?"

"Yes." Alice said, "She's really sleeping soundly, not disturbed by us at all."

Koakuma also said with emotion:

"Patchouli-sama has always been physically weak. Let's try not to disturb her."

Chu Bai frowned slightly.

For some reason, he felt that something was wrong with this scene.

But he couldn't describe exactly what was wrong.

So he wrote down "hexagonal mark under the table" and "Patchouli is asleep" as well.

Just then, Sakuya reappeared in the Great Library.

"I've already brought the Morichika Rinnosuke you were looking for."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

After confirming that there were no other clues around, Chu Bai closed his notebook:

"Then, now is the time for questioning and rebuttal."

"Let's go ask... this Morichika Rinnosuke-san, who is bursting with suspicion."

Chapter 10: The Scarlet Devil Mansion Book Theft Case (Rebuttal Chapter)

[Time: Winter Season, x Month, x Day, 5:14 PM]

[Location: Scarlet Devil Mansion Conference Room]

[Theme: Questioning of Morichika Rinnosuke]

Looking at the huge banner posted at the entrance of the conference room.

Chu Bai suddenly felt a little familiar:

"Isn't this the game scene from 'X Turnabout Trial'?"

"Yes."

Sakuya nodded slightly:

"This is all Miss's instructions. She's been playing 'Turnabout TriX' recently, so she can experience the atmosphere in the game."