Upon hearing the announcement, Yuu Hoshimiya rose and walked behind the cloaked man, decisively whipping the fabric away.
In an instant, a mannequin equipped with a loudspeaker was revealed to the group.
Harufumi Mogi's expression soured as he spoke. "So this guy has been monitoring us from the side this whole time."
Ikumi Koshida gave a light chuckle. "Naturally. The countless cameras in this mansion made that obvious long ago."
Masumi Sera couldn't help but chime in. "As expected of a master thief, quite a grand setup!"
Furuyo Senma adjusted her glasses. "Child, do you know who invited us?"
Even though Yuu was the one who had cracked the code, Masumi Sera took the chance to show off. "Of course. One look at that signature and it's obvious. It's just a trick to fool children!"
Her remark made everyone present feel a bit of a sting.
The mastermind who designed the code had been feeling quite smug, but hearing this immediately dampened their mood.
The other detectives, who had racked their brains to solve the signal, also looked quite displeased—among them were Harufumi Mogi and Ikumi Koshida.
Ikumi Koshida regained her composure and asked with a smile, "Sera-san, why don't you tell us exactly who invited us?"
Masumi Sera was about to speak, but Ran beat her to it.
"It's Kaito Kid!"
Ran smiled proudly. "Brother Yuu knew who it was the moment he saw the signature. Masumi only knows because she was standing right there and heard him."
Utterly undermined, Masumi Sera stared at Ran in speechless disbelief as Ran flaunted her boyfriend.
Honestly, would it have killed you to let me have my moment?
Just then, Yuu Hoshimiya spoke up. "Wrong. The inviter isn't that Kid brat."
Everyone turned their heads to see Yuu literally ripping the mannequin's head off.
In the dining room, someone's face shifted slightly.
Ikumi Koshida, looking confused, asked, "Consultant Hoshimiya, if you say the inviter isn't Kaito Kid, then who is it?"
"Someone using Kid's name, obviously. But the biggest mistake they made was allowing me to come here in Uncle Mouri's place. Too stupid!"
Yuu shook the mannequin's head and pulled out a tape recorder and a timer device from inside.
"I thought there would be some formidable skills involved, but it's all just cheap tricks."
"First, they use a mannequin with a speaker to make us think someone is watching from the shadows."
"In reality, it's just a timed recording, which means the person who invited us here is likely hiding right among us."
"Quite a clumsy method, really!"
Of course, this was only one aspect of it.
On the other hand, aside from his memories of his past life, Yuu had confirmed with Chikage Kuroba before coming that Kaito Kid had been very well-behaved lately.
The person causing trouble this time was definitely someone else.
Speaking of which, he wondered if Chikage Kuroba had come clean to Kaito Kid yet...
Though they weren't biological and hadn't spent much time together, the title of mother and son carried some weight and affection.
After Chikage got together with Yuu, she said she wanted to wait a bit and find the right moment to tell Kaito everything.
He didn't know if she had found that moment yet after all this time.
While Yuu was multitasking with these thoughts, a cold glint flashed in the eyes of one person in the dining room who had heard his words.
Yuu continued thinking about the purple-haired, busty mature woman while picking up a fork and violently rewinding the tape inside the recorder.
The recorder skipped over a large blank section and resumed playback immediately.
"The original owner of this Twilight Mansion was the billionaire from half a century ago, Renya Karasuma."
"The handrails, stairs, walls, tables, chairs, and various entertainment facilities in the mansion were all specially customized by him. They all bear the Karasuma family crest: a crow!"
"However, that is all history now. A horrific massacre took place here forty years ago. I believe you detectives all noticed the massive amount of bloodstains throughout the mansion when you entered..."
The subsequent content from the recorder was identical to the information Yuu had gathered previously, offering no new clues.
It described the three-day memorial auction, the travelers who arrived in the storm on the second day bringing drugs, and how the guests began to slaughter each other.
Men running around clutching treasures, a woman weeping uncontrollably, and someone repeatedly stabbing their own palm with a fountain pen.
The group listened to the recorder recount the tragedy of forty years ago, gradually becoming enthralled.
Shukuzen Ogami bit his thumbnail, looking deep in thought.
Ran's face was quite pale. Staying in this gloomy mansion where so many people had died made her feel incredibly uneasy, and a chill ran through her body.
Finally, the recorder began to play the treasure hunt riddle.
"Two travelers look up at the night sky,
The demon's end descends upon the castle,
The King flees with his treasures,
The Queen weeps into the Holy Grail, praying for heaven's mercy,
The soldier draws his sword and cuts his own throat, and the earth changes color."
After hearing the riddle, everyone fell back into contemplation.
The recorder continued speaking as if no one else were there: "Of course, none of you should think about quitting this game, for you have all been bewitched by my lethal magic."
"Now, we simply wait for the first person to scream. Then, this horrific game of mutual slaughter shall truly begin!"
Yuu scoffed. "Really quite pathetic. Obsessed with playing Kid to the point of calling it 'lethal magic.'"
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and the maid entered, pushing the cart for tonight's dinner.
The elderly Furuyo Senma spoke up. "Even if we have to find a treasure, we have to eat first. It's a sin to keep an old woman from her meal!"
Hearing this, the obese Shukuzen Ogami chimed in. "That's right. After all this fuss, let's eat first. my stomach is growling."
"Wait a moment. I have no interest in playing house with you lot, and I have no intention of eating in a place like this."
Yuu casually tossed the prop he was holding aside. "Ran, Sera, Conan, get ready. We're leaving."
He didn't mind playing along with the mastermind, but he would be the one to dictate how they played.
Ran immediately moved to Yuu's side. Masumi Sera and Conan were a bit reluctant but both rose and joined Yuu.
The others couldn't help but stand up as well. Shukuzen Ogami questioned him sharply: "Consultant Hoshimiya, what is the meaning of this? The recording just said the cars and the bridge are destroyed. How do you plan to leave?"
Yuu had considered inviting Ikumi Koshida to join them, but then he caught a faint, strange scent coming from Ran.
He frowned and said, "Ran, take out the handkerchief in your pocket!"
Ran obediently took out the handkerchief and handed it to Yuu.
Yuu instantly smelled a faint scent of bitter almonds—this was potassium cyanide!
His constitution was superhuman, essentially immune to all poisons.
For an ordinary person, simply smelling this would cause slight signs of poisoning.
He dropped the handkerchief onto the floor, then turned around with a dead-serious expression, looking at the group.
Yuu's aura was now entirely different from before.
Moments ago, he was a friendly, rogueish handsome guy, but now he had transformed into a figure resembling a Demon Lord. The temperature in the room felt like it had dropped several degrees!
His eyes were cold and intimidating, his presence exploding. No one in the room dared to speak while meeting his gaze.
Cold sweat trickled down Conan's forehead.
This aura... Teacher Hoshimiya is serious!
Masumi Sera, looking at Yuu's profile, felt her heart race with excitement.
Yuu exploded into motion, delivering a direct kick into the massive gut of Shukuzen Ogami.
The fat man's body flew high into the air and slammed heavily against the wall, causing cracks to spiderweb across the surface.
Whoa!!!
Masumi Sera's eyes widened in sheer amazement. So powerful! Is this the real Consultant Hoshimiya?
Ikumi Koshida's mouth hung open. She realized that when Yuu fought her earlier, he had basically been holding back enough to fill an ocean.
The other detectives rose in horror, demanding, "Consultant Hoshimiya, what are you doing?"
Yuu was furious. He knew this fated event would change, but he hadn't expected them to target Ran.
They had nearly put her life in danger.
"I had no desire to play this treasure hunt game with you, but you were suicidal enough to make a move on my girlfriend."
"The scent of bitter almonds. There is potassium cyanide on this handkerchief. You kept pushing us to eat because you wanted Ran to wipe her mouth after the meal, thereby poisoning her to death!"
Hearing this, Ran was also filled with horror.
Yuu said coldly, "You wanted to kill my loved one to provoke me into solving the riddle for you. You've got some nerve!"
"A pig like you has no idea that there are actually smart people in this world. Using such a stupid method—you truly have the brain of a swine."
Shukuzen Ogami spat out a mouthful of blood, which seemed to contain fragments of internal organs.
In reality, Ran's physical constitution was also very powerful, and Yuu could have used magic to detoxify her instantly. At most, Ran would have experienced vomiting and nausea, similar to food poisoning.
If it weren't for that, Shukuzen Ogami wouldn't just be spitting blood; he'd be on his way to see the afterlife right now!
Ogami struggled to speak. "Consultant Hoshimiya, you are slandering me. I didn't do this."
"Heh."
Yuu sneered. "Detective Ogami, I remember when the explosion went off, you said, 'What was that sound just now?'"
"And then, the recorder answered you: 'There's no need for alarm. I've simply cut off your retreat.'"
"I'd love to know how you learned to have a conversation with a pre-recorded tape!"
At these words, everyone else realized the truth and stared suspiciously at Shukuzen Ogami.
"A Q&A this fluent can only be done by someone who knows exactly what the recording is going to say next."
"Only the person who set the trap could do that. You were trying to create the illusion that someone was watching us in the shadows. You're exposed, Detective Ogami!"
"I bet your next step was to fake your deaths to escape, but I have no interest in playing these games with you."
Furuyo Senma looked on in disbelief and walked over slowly. "Ogami, did you really invite us here?"
Suddenly, Shukuzen Ogami lunged forward, grabbing Furuyo Senma in a chokehold. He pointed a handgun at the old lady's head and roared savagely, "Don't come any closer, or I'll blow her brains out!"
The sight of the gun made everyone tense up, except for Yuu, who remained perfectly calm.
Saguru Hakuba spoke up. "Detective Ogami, don't do anything foolish!"
Ogami roared, "I only want to know where the mansion's treasure is! Once you find it for me, I'll let you go!"
"If you can't find it, I'll kill this old bag first, then shoot the rest of you!"
"Everyone, get out of my way! I'm going to the central tower in the courtyard to wait. Come find me when you have the answer. Otherwise, you'll be picking up Detective Senma's corpse!"
The massive Shukuzen Ogami struggled to get to his feet, intending to leave while holding Furuyo Senma hostage.
Ran looked nervous, tracing words on Yuu's back with her hand, wanting to coordinate a rescue mission with him.
Ran is still too kind...
Yuu sighed inwardly, then pressed down on Ran's hand.
"Why bother going to the tower? You just want to know where the treasure is, right? I already know!"
The crowd was instantly stunned.
They all considered themselves great detectives with superior intellect, yet they had zero clues regarding Renya Karasuma's treasure.
For Yuu to claim he had solved the riddle was simply unbelievable!
It was too fast. Could he have figured it out the moment he heard the riddle?
Masumi Sera once again let her mouth hang open, and a strange glint appeared in Ikumi Koshida's eyes as she looked at Yuu.
Conan patted his own head; he knew this would be the case.
Shukuzen Ogami looked frantic. "Tell me! Tell me now, or I'll kill her!"
He pressed the barrel of the gun harder against Senma's temple.
Yuu raised an eyebrow. "Is there any point in continuing this act? Even if I don't tell you, would you dare kill her?"
The people present were utterly confused. Ikumi Koshida couldn't help but ask, "Consultant Hoshimiya, what do you mean by that?"
"I've made it this obvious and you still don't get it? These two are partners!"
If Yuu hadn't intentionally allowed it, Shukuzen Ogami would have had zero chance of taking a hostage.
But it happened so fast that no one else saw through it. Even Ran, who knew Yuu's ridiculous strength, had forgotten in her haste to save a life.
"When we arrived at the mansion, we saw several cars parked outside: a Porsche, a Ferrari, an Alfa Romeo, and a Bentley."
"The Alfa Romeo belongs to Detective Mogi, the Ferrari to Detective Koshida, the Porsche to Detective Ogami, and Furuyo Senma hitched a ride with me. So, who does the remaining Bentley belong to?"
"A Bentley is a luxury car. I know the personality of Superintendent General Hakuba; he dislikes being flashy. And since the young Hakuba is just a high school student, the Bentley naturally isn't his."
Saguru Hakuba nodded silently. "I had a taxi drop me off here."
"And you can't expect a maid to own a luxury car."
"Why is that car parked here? Obviously to create the illusion that the master is in the mansion."
"But clearly, the master is right among us, otherwise they could have just spoken through a loudspeaker instead of using a timer and a recorder."
"Following that logic, having a Bentley at the door is very strange. Detective Ogami drove up alone; if he left a car here, how did he get back?"
"Naturally, he needed an accomplice. The two drove up together, then he took the accomplice's car back before driving his own car back to the mansion to avoid leaving unnecessary flaws."
"And if his accomplice knew the other detectives and understood them, they would be an excellent choice."
"Therefore, the only person possible is Detective Senma, who knows Detective Koshida, Detective Mogi, and Hakuba, and who specifically waited for me on a rainy mountain road to test me."
"I'm right, aren't I? Detective Senma, you are old acquaintances with all of them, right?" Yuu turned to look at the others.
Saguru Hakuba nodded. "It's true. Ms. Senma and I solved a murder case together in England once!"
Ikumi Koshida added, "Detective Senma and I solved that dismemberment case in Tokyo together."
Harufumi Mogi gave a dry cough. "Sister Senma and I are indeed old acquaintances!"
Since these two dared to make a move on Ran, Yuu wasn't going to be polite. He mercilessly flipped into full mockery mode.
"But Detective Senma, your biggest flaw was that after I already said Detective Ogami intended to kill, you still recklessly approached him, resulting in this hostage situation."
"I don't believe an old lady capable of solving cases from an armchair would be stupid enough to deliver herself into danger."
"Bad acting aside, your intellect is lacking as well, yet you insisted on showing off your abnormalities."
"Everyone was gathered here as guest detectives, yet one insisted on being the chef and the other insisted on displaying her familiarity with the others."
"Don't you know that anything out of the ordinary is magnified a hundred times in the eyes of a detective?"
After hearing all this, the old lady's eyes behind her reading glasses were filled with a cold light. She gently pushed the handgun away from her temple.
She spoke in a low tone, "Consultant Hoshimiya, it seems we underestimated you. Indeed, it was Ogami and I who invited you all here."
"OK, got that on record."
Yuu shook his phone. "You probably don't know that my girlfriend's mother is the most powerful lawyer in Japan. Attempted murder is enough to get you both life sentences."
The cheeks of Detective Ogami and Detective Senma twitched. This was far too rogueish.
A cold light flashed in Shukuzen Ogami's eyes as he aimed the gun directly at Yuu, wanting to wound him and force the answer to the riddle out.
But Yuu was faster. He closed the distance the moment the man raised his hand, grabbing the arm holding the gun and swinging the massive man into the floor with one hand.
The fat man flipped through the air and slammed heavily into the floorboards, which cracked under the impact.
This time, while it looked terrifying, the injury Ogami sustained wasn't actually as heavy as the previous kick Yuu delivered in anger.
Yuu had held back both times to avoid killing them instantly, but he had held back less the first time because he was genuinely pissed.
With his injuries compounded, even with his thick layer of fat to cushion the blow, Shukuzen Ogami was completely unable to get up this time, lying on the floor groaning in agony.
Furuyo Senma's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly tossed her own handgun onto the table, raising her hands in surrender.
She was over sixty; these old bones couldn't take a slam like that!
Yuu glanced at the silver-haired Furuyo Senma but didn't lay a hand on the elderly woman.
He had been having Noah monitor Senma, and she had only taken the opportunity during the search to plant bombs under the cars; she hadn't done anything else.
In other words, the idea of poisoning Ran's handkerchief was Shukuzen Ogami's alone.
Yuu blamed himself a bit for having too much fun with Ikumi Koshida earlier; a moment's oversight had allowed him to miss the tampering with Ran's handkerchief.
Allowing Ran to carry a lethal poison for so long was unforgivable.
In his mind, he had already sentenced Shukuzen Ogami to death.
But he needed to calculate carefully how to make him die.
At that thought, Yuu applied more pressure with his foot, causing Shukuzen Ogami to cough up blood once more.
Saguru Hakuba frowned. "Consultant Hoshimiya, stop. If you keep stepping on him, he'll die."
Ran also couldn't help but intervene. "Brother Yuu!"
Only when Ran spoke did Yuu release his foot.
Shukuzen Ogami was severely injured, yet his eyes remained fixed on Yuu, his mouth moving continuously.
"Consultant Hoshimiya... tell me... where is the treasure?"
"Tell me... where is it?"
Yuu let out two cold laughs. "What does it matter if I tell you? You wouldn't be able to get it anyway. It's a funerary object. You aren't exactly a tomb raider."
Ikumi Koshida asked in confusion, "A funerary object? Consultant Hoshimiya, what do you mean?"
"Haven't you all realized it yet? Every piece of furniture and every layout in this Twilight Mansion follows the principles of Yin-Yang Feng Shui. It's perfectly symmetrical, with a soul-pacifying object at the center."
"In other words, this is a 'Yin House' situated at the peak of a cliff—a resting place for the dead."
As the words fell, a chilling wind seemed to blow through the room, making everyone feel a sudden cold.
Ran's face shifted slightly, and she tightly gripped Masumi Sera's arm.