Reenacting the Unsolved Case: And Thus, Death Smirks

"If you're going to move around, let me help a bit. I'll make the mansion's floor plan visible to you. Mind you, it's a map created from the dead's memories. Areas Mary and the others haven't checked are missing, so be careful. Close one eye, and you'll be able to see the map with the other. Time won't stop though, so stay alert. Since we're conversing now, feel free to try it–I'll keep your eyes mobile."

Kaito mentally expressed his gratitude and checked if he could see the map.

The first image showed the first floor's layout. The dining room, kitchen, bathroom, servants' quarters, empty rooms–all the places Mary and the others had confirmed were displayed.

"Blink to change floors. Looks like they've confirmed from the second floor down to the first basement level."

When Kaito closed and reopened his eyes, the map changed to the second floor. Mary's room location was marked there.

His arrival likely wouldn't change room assignments. The servants' quarters on the first floor would presumably house all servants, including Kaito. They might add another room to accommodate the increased numbers.

"That won't be necessary. With everyone's help, preparations are complete. Welcome, Lady Mary. I apologize for not greeting you earlier."

As Kaito was checking the second-floor map, time resumed, perhaps because his conversation with the Shinigami had ended.

Four servants descended from the second floor. The one bowing to Mary and the others must be the mansion master's servant.

The other three immediately moved to their masters' sides–Diana and the others. Each wore a tailcoat matching their master's mantle color.

Kaito wore the same. When accompanying a magician, servants needed to maintain presentable appearances to avoid public ridicule.

Diana and Kiss's servants were boys. Alcaiz's and the mansion master's servants were girls–all around Kaito's age.

"No... please don't worry about it."

Kaito bowed in response to Mary's words.

"Thank you. Now, let me show everyone to their rooms."

The mansion master's servant, wearing a gray tailcoat, moved to guide Mary and the others upstairs.

"Wait a moment. While I'd like to rest after our long journey, since we're all here, I'd prefer to meet this mansion's master first."

"Kiss is right. Recovery magic itself is nearly mythical. I want to see it, and we should confirm such a magician actually exists."

Kiss and Diana chose to meet the mansion's master before resting.

"Gold Goal. Using the name of a historically renowned magician–we can't help but suspect it's an alias."

Alcaiz revealed the mansion master's name. Though the invitation letters were signed "Gold Goal," it seemed no one believed it was really him.

"Gold Goal's name has come up... He did exist. According to your world, he's famous for creating gold through magic. I can read this from his memory book. He's completely unrelated to this incident, but..."

The Shinigami seemed to have checked the bookshelves upon hearing the mansion master's name. His existence as a memory book meant he was already deceased. Moreover, he apparently had no connection to the incident. Yet the Shinigami's final words carried some implication.

"Well... you clearly already knew he was an impostor. I needn't have mentioned it."

Kaito had once checked the contents of Mary's invitation letter. He'd researched Gold Goal and knew he had died some time ago, confirming this was an impostor. However, he'd never seen the real Gold Goal's face in photos or paintings.

"Given that his portrait is displayed, perhaps this person is his disciple. Maybe someone who respected him. If this recovery magic is real, it would be an achievement equal to his."

Mary suggested the portrait on the second-floor landing wasn't of the mansion's master but of Gold Goal himself. If they were displaying his picture, it was natural for them to assume some connection.

However, unlike Diana and the others, Mary's eyes showed pure curiosity rather than suspicion.