Reenacting the Unsolved Case: And Thus, Death Smirks

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"Excuse me. Mary Alzas has arrived."

Kaito used the door knocker at the mansion's entrance to announce Mary's arrival to those inside.

Nothing had been set to trap them between the gate, the garden, and the mansion. No statues came to life, no attacks were launched.

If anything was concerning, it was the garden's neglected state. Some flowers were withered, weeds grew wild in places, and the trees weren't properly trimmed.

Even if magical maintenance had become impossible due to lack of power, servants should have been managing the garden. Were there no servants at all in this mansion?

"...Looks like there's no response."

Even when Mary stood before the door alongside Kaito, it didn't automatically open.

"You may enter freely. There are no traps set."

"Everyone except you has already arrived."

"There's apparently only one servant in this mansion. We've had our servants helping clean the rooms where we'll be staying."

The responses came from inside the mansion—not from the mansion's master but from the three magicians, who, like Mary, were candidates based on their words.

"I see. Then I'll accept your invitation and enter."

At Mary's words, Kaito opened the door. His body remained unaffected–truly, no traps had been set.

"Lady Diana, Lord Alcaiz, Lady Kiss, I apologize for our late arrival."

Upon entering the mansion, they faced a grand staircase leading to the second floor. A large portrait hung at the landing.

An elderly magician—perhaps the mansion's master? If so, the inheritance rights story seemed less likely to be a lie.

"No need for concern. The appointed time hasn't arrived yet."

"Rest assured. The mansion's master hasn't appeared before us either."

"Why don't you join us in conversation while we wait? Servant, go help with the cleaning."

Large grandfather clocks stood on either side near the central staircase, with a four-seat table nearby.

The three magicians sat in chairs on the right side. Two women and one man.

One of the women issued orders to Kaito. Even if not from his own master Mary, he had to generally follow the commands of any magician. Of course, his master's orders took precedence.

"The slender woman who ordered you must be Kiss Love. The elderly man is Alcaiz Sword. The heavyset woman is Diana Marvel. They seem familiar with Mary, but have you met them before?"

Kaito nodded to the Shinigami's words. However, he knew only their appearances—their magical specialties remained unknown to him.

Kiss Love. A slender woman wearing a red mantle. Long black hair and red eyes. Around thirty years old.

Alcaiz Sword. An elderly man of about sixty with a beard. Unlike the red or black, his mantle matched his white hair. The magicians' clothing colors seemed to differ.

Diana Marvel. In contrast to Kiss, a plump woman. Like Alcaiz, her hair and mantle matched—both blue.

For now at least, the three showed no signs of hostility toward Mary, maintaining an amicable atmosphere.

"Understood. Should I first search for the mansion master's servant? Or should I head upstairs?"

Though Kaito didn't want to leave Mary, servants had no right to refuse. With other servants working, he couldn't risk lowering Mary's standing.