"You're saying Scorpio's among the people here, aren't you?"
The great detective scanned the crowd.
Aside from Officer Megure, the Suzuki family, and their group, the only suspicious ones were the four outsiders invited by President Suzuki, right?
With Ryu Hikawa already dead, that meant the culprit was hiding among the remaining three?
Meanwhile, since one of the ship's lifeboats was missing, everyone naturally assumed Scorpio had fled with the videotapes.
"At least we can breathe easier knowing he's not on the ship anymore," the art dealer Shoichi Inui said with a smile.
"Indeed, we can relax now."
The others shared the sentiment.
"But Scorpio might still be after the other egg. He could very well show up at the Kosaka family's castle," Conan mused.
"No, I bet he's already there!"
Officer Shiratori threw a bucket of cold water on their relief, then turned to Megure. "Inspector, once the ship docks in Tokyo tomorrow, I'd like to join the group heading to the castle. Is that alright?"
Megure nodded, recognizing the gravity of the situation. "Fine, it's settled!"
Uncle Maori marched over to Conan.
"Listen up, kid. This time, you're going straight home. No tagging along and causing trouble, got it?"
They were likely facing Scorpio, a ruthless killer. Get your butt home!
Tsuneo, sitting nearby, let out a dry chuckle.
I ought to thank you on Scorpio's behalf.
If you could also kick a certain phantom thief out of the group, he'd probably build you a shrine.
"No, I think we should bring Conan along," Shiratori countered.
"What?!"
Uncle Maori's face twisted in confusion.
"Conan's… unique way of thinking might actually help us," Shiratori said, hands in his pockets, looking down at the great detective with a smile.
Conan frowned, unsettled by Shiratori's odd grin.
Something's been off about the way Shiratori's been looking at him.
…
The next day.
After the ship docked in Tokyo, the group headed to the castle in Yokosuka.
"Mr. Maori, is Hikawa's ring really Maria's?" Shiroev Chinnikov, from the Russian embassy, asked.
"We're not entirely sure yet, but it's been sent to Officer Megure for appraisal," Uncle Maori said, shaking his head.
"Speaking of Maria, she was the gentlest of the four sisters, with striking gray eyes," Chinnikov said, recalling his research. "After the Russian Revolution, the imperial family was executed, but the bodies of Maria and the crown prince have never been found."
Gray…
Conan latched onto the keyword.
Tsuneo, behind the wheel, glanced at the rearview mirror with a smirk.
Guessed who it is yet?
The two cars drove out of the city, winding along a mountain road. The castle loomed in the distance.
To Tsuneo, the grand, ornate castle looked like something a witch would live in…
Probably the aftereffect of watching too many movies and dramas.
Shiratori, however, saw it differently, gazing up with a smile. "This castle reminds me of one in Germany, modeled after Cinderella's castle."
"Why's it built in a German style?" Conan asked, puzzled.
Wasn't Miss Natsumi's great-grandmother Russian?
Before they could explore further, a yellow Beetle pulled up behind them.
"Yay, Conan!"
"Conan-kun!"
"How you doing?"
The Teitan trio—Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi—hopped out, trailing behind Ai and Dr. Agasa.
Conan tilted his head, exasperated.
Why are these guys here…?
"Tsuneo, did you eat anything good in Osaka?" Genta, ever focused on food, asked.
"Of course! I tried everything!" Tsuneo replied, brimming with enthusiasm.
"Any good eel rice?"
"Five bowls!"
As the two foodies chatted, Ayumi gazed at the castle, her eyes sparkling. "It's like a fairy-tale castle!"
"There must be tons of treasure inside," Mitsuhiko said, grinning as he dreamed big.
Conan, wearing the special glasses Dr. Agasa had brought, asked dryly, "Why'd you bring them along?"
"They snuck along when I wasn't looking," Dr. Agasa said, scratching his head helplessly.
"By the way, isn't he here? Why'd you prepare these?" Ai asked, arms crossed, nodding toward the guy discussing eel rice with the kids.
She could guess the glasses were meant to guard against Scorpio.
But was that really necessary…?
"Better safe than sorry," Conan said, tapping the lenses.
Scorpio's strength was unknown. Best to play it cautious.
"Listen up! We're here for serious business. You kids are not going inside, understood?" Uncle Maori barked, cutting off the trio's treasure-hunting fantasies.
"Yes, sir!"
"Got it!" Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi replied in unison, their smiles undimmed, not a hint of hesitation.
Conan shot them a sidelong glance.
Answering that eagerly? Definitely up to something…
A few minutes later, the art dealer Shoichi Inui arrived, lugging a massive backpack.
He didn't look like he was here to sightsee—more like he was gearing up for an expedition.
"You're not going in?" Ai asked, glancing at Tsuneo.
The others had already entered the castle, and it sounded like they'd locked the door.
"No need," Tsuneo said, hopping into Dr. Agasa's car. He rummaged around, pulled out two chocolate bars from a hidden spot, and started munching.
With the great detective and a certain thief on the case, Scorpio's in for a rough time.
This chocolate's a new flavor. The Doctor sure knows how to hide the good stuff.
"Tsuneo!"
Dr. Agasa glanced at Ai's icy stare, sweat beading on his forehead.
How could you dig that out in front of them?!
"Doctor," Ai said, her gaze zeroing in on his round belly.
"…" Dr. Agasa played innocent.
"Alright, let's get moving!" Genta declared, chomping on half a chocolate bar he'd gotten from Tsuneo, brimming with energy.
Clearly, the repairman had a soft spot for his fellow foodie.
If Conan had asked for chocolate, he'd probably have been kicked into next week.
(End of Chapter)
----------------------------
If you enjoy this story, please check out my Patreon to read 30–40 advanced chapters ahead!
I'll leave the Patreon link below: [pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for always supporting me!