Detective Conan: Birth of the Demon Child

Professor Agasa laughed and said, "Who told you your father to be a world-class mystery writer? I heard that his Dark Baron detective series, which he wrote recently, is very popular in the United States and has even topped the bestseller list."

"That's true~ But he's in Switzerland right now, and he and my mom are always traveling all over the world. It's such a hassle for me to send him all these letters from detective fans!"

Conan muttered a complaint instinctively, but his gaze was immediately drawn to what was in front of Professor Agasa. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Professor, what are you doing? Are you making me another new gadget?"

"I'm sorry, this time I'm not making new props for you. I'm researching a new insect toy."

Dr. Agasa stroked his beard and pointed to the mantis toy on the table, saying, "Humans invented airplanes by studying the flight of birds, but no one has yet figured out the mechanical theory behind the flapping of insect wings."

If my Mantis No. 1 toy is successful, it will definitely be loved by children all over the world, and then I can become a billionaire, hahaha..."

(￣ ー￣)

Upon hearing this, Conan immediately lost interest.

Professor Agasa's desire to become a billionaire was something Conan heard him say countless times when he was very young, but unfortunately, it has never come true.

"what?"

Conan, casually flipping through the letters, suddenly discovered one addressed to him and curiously opened it to read it.

The envelope contained a message requesting that Shinichi Kudo attend a private afternoon tea party on April 29th. The sender's name was Teiji Moriya.

After reading the letter, Conan asked with some doubt, "Doctor, do you know who Moriya Teiji is?"

In Conan's memory, he seemed to have never met Moriya Teiji before, and had no recollection of the name at all.

"You mean Moriya Teiji? Of course I know him!"

Without turning his head, Dr. Agasa said, "Teiji Moriya is one of the top architects in the country, and he is also a professor in the Department of Architecture at Tokyo University."

"That's strange. Why would such a famous architect invite me?"

"Since you're an architect, you could also be considered an artist, as you need to constantly be exposed to new stimuli."

Professor Agasa thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps they want to find some creative inspiration from you, the famous high school detective?"

Is that really the case?

Conan didn't believe Professor Agasa's words, but he didn't dwell on it too much.

In any case, given Conan's current state, it's impossible for him to go to the appointment as Shinichi Kudo.

Conan pondered for a moment and decided to use Shinichi Kudo's identity to make a phone call later, asking Ran Mouri to attend the afternoon tea party in his place, so that he could take the opportunity to go along.

……

Tuesday, April 29th, sunny.

"Wow~"

Looking at the English-style castle not far away, Ran Mouri couldn't help but exclaim, "No wonder it's where architects live, it's really amazing!"

“This is indeed traditional 17th-century British architecture, from the orthodox Stuart dynasty era!” Kogoro Mori exclaimed.

!!!∑(?Д?ノ)ノ

Conan and Ran Mouri looked on incredulously upon hearing this.

After a brief moment of shock, Ran Mouri couldn't help but ask curiously, "Dad, when did you become so knowledgeable about architecture?"

"People used to call your dad a walking library. Did you really think I, the famous detective, was just a pushover?"

Seeing the surprised expressions on Ran and Conan's faces, Kogoro Mouri wore a smug look, but inwardly he thought to himself, "Nonsense! This is a historic meeting between a famous detective and a famous architect. If I were completely ignorant about architecture, wouldn't that be incredibly embarrassing? I've been cramming on a lot of architecture books these past few days. Do you think I've been reading them for nothing?"

"Really! Dad, you're really something!"

“Take a closer look at the left and right sides. The garden and lawn design here is symmetrical, which is what is called a symmetrical design.”

Facing Ran Mouri's admiring gaze, Kogoro Mouri became even more smug, pointing to the surrounding gardens and saying, "As far as I know, Professor Teiji Moriya spent his entire high school years in England. That's why his architectural style leans towards the English style. And this kind of symmetrical design is a typical English design."

"It's true! Everything here, from the gardens to the castle buildings, is symmetrical and exactly the same."

Seeing Kogoro Mouri's smug expression, Conan thought to himself, "How much architectural knowledge has Uncle Mouri been cramming on these past few days? It must have been really tough on him."

"Xiaolan, you're here too!"

A cheerful voice suddenly rang out, and Sonoko, wearing a light yellow dress, walked towards Ran Mouri and the others, holding Suzuki Seimei's little hand.

"Sonoko, Seimei, what brings you here too?"

"Well, there's no other way. Professor Teiji Moriya also collaborates with our Suzuki Group. He designed many of the buildings under our Suzuki Group's umbrella, so after receiving his invitation, I had no choice but to bring Seimei along."

To be honest, Sonoko wasn't really that interested in the afternoon tea party hosted by Teiji Moriya.

After all, Moriya Teiji isn't handsome, and his afternoon tea party isn't as lively as a party hosted by young people.

Normally, these boring afternoon tea parties are usually handled by Ayako Suzuki.

However, Ayako Suzuki and Yuzo Tomizawa have reached the point of discussing marriage. Once she actually marries Yuzo Tomizawa, she will no longer be able to attend various banquets as the heiress of the Suzuki Group as before.

If there are any more banquet invitations in the future, regardless of whether Sonoko Suzuki wants to attend or not, as the second young lady of the Suzuki Group, she must take the invitation.

That's why Ayako Suzuki specifically asked her to bring Seimei Suzuki to today's afternoon tea party.

“Miss Sonoko, Master Seimei, it is a pleasure to have you attend my afternoon tea party. It is truly an honor to have you here.”

Moriya Teiji, sporting a fringe beard, immediately went forward to warmly welcome Suzuki Seimei and Sonoko upon learning of their arrival.

Chapter 102 Art is an Explosion

"Professor Moriya, you are too kind."

Faced with Teiji Moriya's enthusiastic smile, Sonoko felt embarrassed to complain that the afternoon tea party was boring, and responded gracefully.

After greeting Sonoko and Suzuki Seimei, Moriya Teiji turned to Ran Mouri and the others, asking with some curiosity, "Miss Sonoko, are these your friends?"

"Hello, I'm Ran Mouri, this is my father Kogoro Mouri, and this is Conan."

Before Sonoko could answer, Ran Mouri quickly explained, "Sonoko and I are good friends, but we didn't come together today. We're here on behalf of Shinichi Kudo."

"Representing Shinichi Kudo?"

Upon hearing this, Moriya Teiji's expression changed slightly.

Ran Mouri bowed slightly and said, "I'm really sorry, but Shinichi Kudo simply didn't have time to come, so he asked us to come on his behalf."

"I see. Since Mr. Kudo is unable to come, then there's nothing we can do. You are very welcome to join us for today's afternoon tea."

Although Moriya Teiji was somewhat disappointed, he did not show it on the surface and welcomed everyone into the castle with a smile.

While everyone's attention was drawn to Moriya Teiji, Suzuki Seimei secretly nudged him.

"Ding! Congratulations on successfully signing in to Moriya Teiji. Reward: 10 kilograms of [Plastic Bomb]. You can claim it at any time."

Item Name: Plastic Bomb

Type: Consumables

Quality: Normal

Effect: It looks like clay and can be molded into various shapes. Its explosive power is no less than that of TNT.

Note: Explosions are art!

(○o○)

After checking the attributes of the newly obtained sign-in reward item, Suzuki Seimei's eyes widened suddenly, revealing a somewhat shocked expression.

Plastic explosives, also known as C4 plastic explosives, are mainly composed of polyisobutylene and are made by mixing gunpowder with plastic. They are extremely powerful.

A plastic bomb measuring three cubic centimeters can blow a small car to pieces.

On average, one kilogram of plastic explosives can destroy a five-story apartment building.

Although Teiji Moriya is a professor in the Department of Architecture at Toto University, Seimei Suzuki still felt a little strange about getting such a prop from him.

Could it be that Moriya Teiji is not only proficient in architectural design, but also in skills such as building demolition?

As an architect, it's probably quite normal for me, Teiji Moriya, to carry several kilograms of explosives with me, right?

Um... I feel like the art style is a bit off.

Led by Teiji Moriya, Seimei Suzuki and his companions walked through the castle corridors and arrived at the castle's back garden.

By this time, the back garden had already gathered many guests, and those invited by Teiji Moriya were all social celebrities.

Here you can see many celebrities who have appeared on television, including musicians, beautiful models, and successful entrepreneurs.

Teiji Moriya smiled and said, "Miss Sonoko, please don't be shy, just enjoy your leisurely afternoon here."

Wow~ these snacks look so delicious~

Seeing the exquisite pastries on the table not far away, Ran Mouri's eyes lit up. She took Suzuki Seimei and Conan's hands and walked over, giving each of them a pastry to taste.

Mmm~ This cookie is so delicious~

Suzuki Seimei nodded slightly and said, "I think this chocolate cake is also quite good. It's soft, sweet, and not too sweet. It's no worse than the chocolate cake made by Sister Yuhua."

Seeing this, Moriya Teiji smiled and said, "It's great that you like to eat. All my efforts last night were worthwhile."

"Professor Moriya, did you make all these desserts yourself?" Ran Mouri asked in surprise.

"Of course, a formal afternoon tea party should naturally be attended with homemade desserts."

Moriya Teiji shook his head halfway through his sentence and said self-deprecatingly, "Actually, the afternoon tea snacks should be prepared by the hostess, but unfortunately I'm still single, so I have to prepare them myself~"

"I didn't expect the professor to be so skilled. I thought these pastries were made by a pastry chef."

"That's right! We're really lucky to have such a delicious meal today!"

"Speaking of which, it's precisely because the professor has such skillful hands that he's able to design those beautiful buildings!"

Upon hearing this, the other guests present also gathered around and showered the guests with praise.

"You are all too kind."

Faced with everyone's praise, Moriya Teiji modestly waved his hand, then pulled out a stack of sticky notes from his pocket and said, "Oh, by the way, I also prepared a little riddle game today. Whoever can guess the answer first can be invited to visit my private exhibition room~"

After speaking, Teiji Moriya handed out a note to each of the guests present.

On the sticky note were the names of three people, their dates of birth, and their hobbies.

"The answer to this puzzle is closely related to these three people. Only when the three of them work together can the real answer be found."