As dinner time neared, the detectives scattered throughout the recreation room began to stir with excitement.
The mysterious host who had summoned them to this villa was finally about to appear.
Led by the maid, the group made their way toward the dining room. All except for Ran, who exhaled a heavy sigh.
"If you sigh too much, you'll get wrinkles."
"That's an exaggeration, Yoshiki-nii."
"Ah, but that's the expression."
"Even if it's just a silly laugh, it's far prettier than a sigh."Hayashi smiled gently at her.
Ran blushed, her steps faltering just slightly.
"Oh? So you think I'm lying?"
"Of course not, Yoshiki-kun."
"Then please smile a little more. It'll make everyone feel better."
Before Ran could respond, they reached the grand dining room doors.
The maid stepped forward and pushed them open—
—and the entire group froze.
At the head of the long banquet table sat a figure cloaked in purple, unmoving, shrouded in theatrical shadow.
"What's with this cosplay?"
Harufumi Mogi blinked, torn between laughter and disbelief."You've been watching too much TV, haven't you?"
"Seven of the greatest detectives have gathered here. I sincerely welcome you to the Twilight Annex. Please, take your seats. Your name cards are at your places."
A low, distorted voice echoed from beneath the cloak.
Everyone slowly filed in and took their seats.
Shukuzen Ogami, the gourmet detective, whispered something to the maid as he entered.
"Bring the dishes one by one... in the exact order I specified."
At the head of the table, the voice continued:
"You're probably wondering why I invited you all here. My goal is simple: I want you to uncover the treasure hidden somewhere in this villa. It took me years to acquire this place. I'll find that treasure—even if it costs me my life."
A massive explosion thundered outside, shaking the walls.
"That... that was an explosion!"Amuro Tōru's face went pale.
"There's no need to be alarmed. I merely wanted to... block your escape routes."The cloaked figure's voice remained eerily calm."The suspension bridge you crossed earlier? It's fallen into the ravine. There's no phone service here—no base stations, no landlines. You're trapped. Until you help me find the treasure."
Ran instinctively pulled out her phone.
Just then, Mōgi, unaware that his beloved Alfa Romeo had just exploded, stormed forward and ripped off the cloak—
Only to reveal a dummy with a speaker embedded in its chest.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I chose this villa for our little game...""Take a close look at the dinnerware. Each piece bears the family crest of the late Karasuma Renya—the mysterious magnate who disappeared half a century ago."
Hayashi Yoshiki had already noticed it.
The emblem of a wide-mouthed crow, eerie and chilling, was carved not just into the plates—but into the woodwork, walls, and chandeliers.
"My goal is to force you great minds to relive the madness that occurred here 40 years ago. I want to see detectives kill each other... all for treasure."
"To aid your search, here's a clue:
'Two travelers looked up at the sky at night, and the devil descended on the castle.The king fled with treasure; the princess wept into the Holy Grail, begging for mercy.The soldier perished, ending his life by the sword.And the earth turned crimson.'"
The metaphor was obvious—this was a reenactment of the original massacre.
But no one was buying into it. They exchanged glances—skeptical.
"AAGGHH!"Shukuzen Ogami clutched his throat, face turning blue. He collapsed, twitching—dead.
Poison.Specifically, cyanide.
Everyone immediately scrambled to check their teacups and utensils.
"Ran, give me your hand."
"Huh? Okay..."She extended her hand, puzzled.
Hayashi gently took a handkerchief and carefully wiped her fingers.
"Mr. Ogami had a habit of biting his nails. He didn't touch food or drink, yet he collapsed. The poison must have been on his hands."
He turned to the others.
"Everyone, wash your hands. Now."
Meanwhile, the dummy at the table sat silent—the tape had finished.
"Let's check if the cars outside were really blown up."Harufumi Mogi stood abruptly.
"Good idea. Maybe one or two survived."Ikumi Soda agreed.
But when they reached the yard, flames danced in the rain.
All the cars were ablaze.
Even Hayashi's Mercedes-Benz.
"Mr. Mōgi, your woman exploded."Hayashi remarked, smiling faintly.
"Noooo! My Alfa Romeo!"
"That's cruel, Boss..."Amuro sighed.
"Hey, my car's toast too. Misery loves company."
"You don't seem upset at all."
"It was just a tool. Consider it... the price of admission."
Suddenly, Hayashi turned to Amuro with a smile.
"Call the police, Mr. Amuro."
"With what? We have no service here, remember?"
Furuyo Senma, standing nearby, tilted her head.
But Amuro smirked and pulled out a satellite phone.
"I always come prepared. Boss reminded me to pack this."
"That's amazing! We can call the police!"Kogorō Mōri's face lit up.
"But I thought you'd wait until the case was solved first..."
"You make it sound like a mystery novel—waiting until the end to call the police."
"Although... now that you mention it..."Hayashi looked up."I've already solved the culprit's code."
Everyone turned, eyes wide.
Seven detectives, the legacy of Karasuma Renya, and a riddle meant to drive men mad—
And Hayashi had solved it before the game even began.