Conan: Death is Watching Me

Chapter 165 The Right-Eyed Madman, Scorpion
"This way."

"My great-grandfather participated in the 1900 World's Fair when he was 16 years old. He was known as the magician of the twilight of the century because of the live puppets he exhibited. He later settled in Russia and worked in a factory in Fabergé, making Easter eggs..."

The main hall of the castle.

After checking everyone into their rooms, Natsumi Kosaka led them on a tour of the first floor.

A series of footsteps echoed through the empty corridors, bringing a touch of life to this long-silent castle.

"It must be very difficult to manage such a castle, right? Will Miss Xia Mei stay here in the future?" the mustachioed man asked curiously.

“I plan to open a pastry shop when I go back to Japan,” Natsumi Kosaka said nostalgically. “I think this castle will be opened to the public as a tourist attraction, right? I also want more people to know about my great-grandfather’s story…”

"This is my great-grandfather's office, where some photos and photographic works from that time are displayed."

"Miss Xia Mei."

Conan observed the room as if he were a newborn baby.

Among the bookshelves are photos of a middle-aged man with many celebrities, and in the middle is a self-portrait... which should be Natsumi Kosaka's great-grandfather.

"Is the person in these photos your great-grandfather? And your great-grandmother?"

“I don’t know why, I’ve never seen a picture of my great-grandmother,” Natsumi Kosaka shook her head. “My grandmother also said she had never seen one.”

Gao Mo walked at the back, observing the crowd.

The projected text has gradually taken shape.

The mustache—[Spending a wonderful evening with Miss Qinglan].

Tsk.

He wasn't afraid of dying at the hands of a woman.

Qian Jiangyi – [Secretly found the treasure].

Even before entering the castle, this guy had been sneaking around, glancing furtively, like a mouse eyeing a thief.

It was definitely not a good thing.

Both Conan and the Russians are searching for the second memory egg.

Natsumi Kosaka – [What did her great-grandmother look like?]

Finally, there's Tomoko Suzuki—[Returning the Egg of Memories to its true owner, Natsumi Kosaka]

Um? ?

Gao Mo paused in his steps.

What the hell?

This isn't the kind of thinking Mrs. Suzuki should have, is it?
"Does this castle have a basement?" Tomoko Suzuki asked, staring at Natsumi Kosaka.

"I don't think so," Natsumi Kosaka said uncertainly. "I didn't hear about a basement when I lived here."

"Could there be some kind of trap or mechanism?"

Tomoko Suzuki turned her gaze to the photos and photographs on the wall.

“Your great-grandfather…”

"Please be careful," Natsumi Kosaka hurriedly reminded, "There are some anti-theft mechanisms in the castle that my great-grandfather made, which could be dangerous."

"This is..." The Russian clerk leaned closer to the photograph and exclaimed in surprise, "This is a photo of him with Rasputin! And it even has Rasputin's autograph... Your great-grandfather actually knew Rasputin?"

"I don't know either, who is Rasputin?"

“I heard he was a historical villain who caused the downfall of the Romanov dynasty,” Gomer said, not staring intently at Suzuki Tomoko. “While that’s a bit of an exaggeration, he did do a lot of stupid things in history, and his end was quite tragic.”

A deep sense of malice suddenly filled the entire office.

The premonition in Gao Mo's mind became increasingly clear.

Despite not having a clear source of malice, and with Pu Siqing's expression remaining unchanged, he had completely locked onto this woman.

Pu Siqinglan – [Find the Dynasty's Treasure] and [Kido Takamori is doomed to die].

A new piece of information has been added.

He didn't immediately assign a task because he wanted to observe the situation further.

To some extent, the mission can also be used as a form of mind reading; with luck, it can be used to gather some crucial information.

Gao Mo remained unmoved.

Pu Siqinglan wanted to kill him, but she cared more about the dynasty's treasure.

It seems they won't take any action until they find the treasure.

……

After visiting the castle, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

Gao Mo took the opportunity to call Sonoko, who was still in Osaka.

"Mom?" Sonoko asked, puzzled. "Mom had to go back to Tokyo this morning because of some urgent business. What happened?"

"Just asking." Gao Mo's gaze was calm.

Good grief, here we go again.

Besides Kidd, he couldn't think of anyone else who would impersonate Mrs. Suzuki at this time.

Because she was Sonoko's mother, he didn't observe her closely and almost let this guy fool him.

"Is that Kido-kun?"

Xiao Lan interrupted urgently.

"Dad just called and said Conan went over too..."

"Yeah, he's over here." Gao Mo looked at Conan running around in front of him.

“That kid always gets into trouble,” Xiaolan said worriedly. “Kito-nii, you have to keep a close eye on him…please.”

There was a tremor in his voice.

Xiao Lan, who had never pleaded like this before, was vulnerable and helpless...

Gao Mo was slightly taken aback.

"It's okay, I'm here."

Even if Ran didn't say anything, she wouldn't let Conan get into trouble.

After comforting Xiaolan, Gao Mo ended the call and returned to his room.

Conan, who was supposed to share a room with the mustachioed man, followed along, pondering and resting his chin on his hand: "Kido-kun, it's so strange no matter how you look at it. There are photos of Mr. Kiichi everywhere, but not a single photo of Ms. Natsumi's great-grandmother."

Moreover, these castles usually have basements, but the entrance can't be found anywhere.

"this is for you."

Gao Mo took out the bulletproof glasses that Xiao Ai had prepared.

The others were fine, but he was afraid that this kid would get shot by Scorpius's soldiers because he was jumping around.

"The lenses can be bulletproof. Don't get involved in the matter of the Egg of Memories. Just stay by Mori's side."

"Why?" Conan asked, puzzled. "If there's danger, you'll be in more danger, won't you?"

He knew that Qian Jiangyi and his group were eyeing the Egg of Memories, and Kidd had given him a special warning, but he didn't expect it to be this dangerous. Even Gao Mo had to prepare bulletproof goggles.

"And why bulletproof goggles?"

“You’ll find out later,” Gao Mo said, tucking the pistol into Ah Yin’s waistband under his jacket. “Xiao Lan specifically asked me to protect you and not let her become a widow.”

"Xiaolan..."

Conan was speechless.

"That's why I don't want her to know my identity."

"Mr. Kido!"

One of the twin maids knocked on the door from the outside.

"Dinner is ready."

"I'll be there right away."

……

A tower behind the castle.

After looking around, Qian Jiangyi carefully walked down the steps, his fingers groping along the wall. When he touched a stone brick, his face lit up with joy.

"Just as I expected, there's a hidden mechanism leading underground. It looks like the treasure is mine now, hehe..."

"Kaka!"

As the stone bricks were pushed into the wall, the dust-covered tower floor slowly opened, revealing a dark underground hole.

Wooden stakes were driven into the stone steps, suggesting that there used to be a rope ladder.

Qian Jiangyi remained calm, turned on his flashlight and tucked it into his collar, pulled a rope from his bag, tied it securely, and then tugged at it. His slightly overweight body nimbly descended into the hole.

They slid down the rope and soon reached the ground.

The flashlight beam illuminated the stone gate and the dilapidated rope ladder beneath one's feet.

"call!"

Qian Jiang turned his gaze to the man-made stone gate, his breathing quickening.

correct.

This is the secret basement that Kiichi Kosaka hid.

What famous detective? What antique appraiser?

It's nothing to mention. He's definitely more skilled as a professional treasure hunter.

Pu Siqinglan's idea of ​​relying on that famous detective was a complete miscalculation.

"Hmph, I'll be going ahead then."

Qian Jiangyi had a sharp eye and walked straight along the passage, entering a side road.

The stairs on the right lead upwards.

There are other entrances... but it doesn't really matter.

Ultimately, he gained the upper hand.

By the time others find this place, he estimates they will have already left the castle.

"We need to hurry."

Qian Jiangyi put away his smug expression, shone his flashlight around, and then quickly walked towards the left passage.

The passageway is designed with ventilation, so it's not stuffy at all; you can even faintly feel the airflow.

However, Qian Jiangyi's expression darkened after they hadn't gone far.

At the end of the passage was a huge mural, and there was no other way forward.

"Dead end?"

impossible!
With such a large basement dug, it's impossible that this is all there is to it.

Qian Jiang's eyeballs darted around.

No hidden mechanisms like those found in the wall bricks were found; only a dent in the mural was highly suspicious.

It's like something needs to be embedded.

"That egg?"

Qian Jiang's face turned ugly.

The first egg is indeed the key to unlocking the treasure, but it is still in Mrs. Suzuki's hands.

Damn the Suzuki family...

He didn't want to share the treasure, and if he opened it with others, he might not get a share at all.

After all, this place belongs to the Kosaka family.

If it involves the Romanov dynasty's treasure, that Russian clerk will definitely get involved.

"Da da."

A series of faint footsteps sounded in the passage behind him. Qian Jiangyi was startled and turned around to see a red dot in his right eye.

Pu Siqinglan walked gracefully towards them, holding a silencer; her tall figure remained as elegant and charming as ever.

"It's you?!"

Inui cried out in alarm, suddenly remembering the Rasputin photograph in Kosaka Kiichi's office.

“Scobing… so it was you! You’ve got your eye on this treasure too! You despicable bastard, I found this place first…”

"Humph."

Pu Siqinglan stopped in her tracks; her beautiful face appeared terrifying, like a demon, illuminated by the flashlight beam.

"Wait!" Qian Jiangyi was covered in sweat. "We can cooperate... and if you kill me here, others will definitely suspect you when they come looking for me... How about we split the treasure inside 55... 73?"

Pu Siqinglan noticed the dents in the mural and wondered what had happened: "Come back with me."

"Good, good."

As soon as Gan Jiang raised his hands, he didn't even bother to wipe away the sweat, and returned the way he came with his body tense.

"Don't worry, as long as we steal the Egg of Memories, we should be able to open the treasure mechanism."

Returning to the rope ladder, Qian Jiang's Adam's apple bobbed as he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Pu Siqinglan had lowered the muzzle of her gun.

Even if they manage to unlock the treasure at this rate, he will definitely be silenced.

Scorpion, that guy... just like his codename, is a complete and utter scorpion.

For so many years, no one knew her gender or exact age because everyone who did was dead.

"biu!"

Qian gritted his teeth and reached for his chest, but the red dot returned to his right eye almost the instant he turned his head.

Blood mixed with brain matter splattered on the stone wall, and a flashlight rolled to the ground, illuminating the long, snow-white legs beside the corpse.

"idiot."

……

Castle Restaurant.

Twin maids pushed a food cart, plating and serving the dishes, while the old butler stood aside with his hands behind his back.

Pu Siqinglan changed her clothes and sat down with the others. The man with the mustache next to her didn't even eat his food, his eyes fixed on Pu Siqinglan's beautiful legs.

"Oh, Miss Qinglan is even more beautiful now! It would be worth dying at the hands of such a beauty, hahaha!"

"Mr. Mori is a real joker."

"Where is Mr. Qian?"

Gao Mo glanced at everyone present.

In just a short while, the text projected by Pu Siqinglan changed again.

[Use the Egg of Memory to unlock the treasure] and [Kido Takamaku will die].

Has the treasure location been found?

"That guy probably went off to look for treasure, didn't he?" the mustachioed man asked suspiciously. "If you ask me, we shouldn't have let someone like that come. He seems more like a thief than an art dealer."

“I just saw Mr. Qian rush into that office again.”

Pu Siqinglan said with concern.

"Could the treasure be there?"

“I’ve never heard of any treasure,” the old butler shook his head. “The traps Master Xi used were all fake gems. It’s said that most of the wealth he brought back from Russia was used to build this castle.”

“Whether there’s treasure or not, let’s go take a look first,” Tomoko Suzuki said, standing up. “We can’t let those kinds of people cause trouble.”

"Huh?" The man with the mustache stared blankly as the others left the restaurant.

Conan, in particular, was the first to run out.

Aren't you going to eat dinner?

He had only taken a sip of soup...

……

office.

Unlike what everyone had seen before, a staircase leading underground had appeared on the floor at some point.

"It was hidden in a place like this; I didn't see it at all just now," the burly Russian man exclaimed in amazement.

"Should we go down and take a look?" The man with the mustache, hungry, crouched down at the entrance to investigate. "Kiyoshi should be down there."

"Butler, do you have any extra flashlights?" Gao Mo asked.

That Mr. Qian may not still be alive.

However, it's true that there's a treasure mechanism below, but Pu Siqinglan probably won't be able to activate it.

“There’s only this one,” the old butler said, taking a flashlight from the bookshelf. “It’s the one that Master Xi used to use.”

"Can it still be used?" the man with the mustache asked doubtfully.

It's an old relic from decades ago.

"Kido-kun." Conan looked at the mustachioed man groping ahead, his gaze slightly darkening, and pulled up Mo's sleeve.

If Pu Siqinglan really saw Qian Jiangyi enter the office, why did she only say so at dinner time?
Moreover, the open opening is clearly visible; Pu Siqinglan should have been able to see it simply by passing by…

"It's almost like they're urging us to go in."

"Let's go down first."

Gao Mo put his hands in his pockets and followed the crowd.

With so many people around, it's actually harder for him to deal with Pu Siqinglan.

Making arrests in public is somewhat dangerous, so he couldn't act freely.

Find the second Egg of Memory quickly, then lure this woman away...

"Ok?"

Pu Siqinglan suddenly stopped, seemingly extremely sensitive to prying eyes, a dangerous glint flashing in her eyes. When she turned around, she only saw Suzuki Tomoko observing her curiously.

“Miss Qinglan,” Suzuki Tomoko followed up, “your eyes are gray, just like Miss Natsumi’s.”

“It’s not just the eyes,” Natsumi Kosaka said with a smile as she walked ahead. “Miss Aoran is 27 years old, just like me, and only two days older than me. I wish I had an older sister like her.”

"Oh? What a coincidence." Suzuki Tomoko said thoughtfully, her gaze towards Urashi Seiran becoming more inquisitive.

This guy also discovered that Pu Siqinglan had a problem.

Gao Mo recalled the incident where Kidd was almost shot by Scorpion, paused, and stepped back to Suzuki Tomoko's side: "Mrs. Suzuki, give me the Egg of Memories."

“No,” Tomoko Suzuki replied with a smile, “It’s too early now.”

(End of this chapter)