Chapter 1026: The somewhat strange Bull Mansion

Watching Genta, who was drooling while lost in thought, Akaso Kaze turned his gaze toward the forest ahead.

According to Tokei, Isegawa Ganzo, known as the "Bull," had a rather poor relationship with his family.

Until the very last moment before his death, not a single family member came to visit; his end was truly pathetic and lamentable.

Perhaps that is why there is now this challenge left for his heirs.

As an outsider, it wasn't Akaso Kaze's place to judge; wealth is something you can't bring with you when you're born or when you die, and in the end, it's not as important as the people around you.

"Up ahead is the Angel Mansion."

The car passed through a tunnel, and soon a cluster of buildings appeared before everyone, scattered across the hillside, giving off a distinct Greek architectural feel.

Additionally, there were four towering pillars in different directions, each topped with an angel statue.

"The one at the very front is the Southern Angel, followed by the Western Angel, the Eastern Angel, and the Northern Angel."

Tokei parked the car at the bottom of the slope and explained to the group.

"They were given these names because they accurately point to the cardinal directions. Besides that, it is said that the face of each angel here bears a striking resemblance to the Master's wife, who passed away many years ago. The Master poured a great deal of effort into this, just to recreate his wife's visage."

Tokei started the car again to head toward the Angel Mansion, saying, "To the children who were still young at the time, they must have felt their father was very cold. That's why they all left here one after another once they reached adulthood, leaving only the Master behind in the end."

"Although the children would occasionally come back to see him, they usually left after a big argument. No one was ever able to truly understand the Master's feelings; it's truly very sad..."

"Hmm."

Akaso Kaze looked silently at the angel statues.

He could understand the feelings of this wealthy man.

Dying all alone is no better than a family where the children fight over the inheritance right in front of you.

"Please, this way."

Tokei parked the car and led the group on a tour.

"The building guarded by the Southern Angel is called the South Mansion, which is also where the Master passed away. The West Mansion, where the Western Angel is located, is mainly for handling work, while the North Mansion is where the servants and children lived..."

Ai followed beside Akaso Kaze and said, "Even though no one lives here, it's all kept very clean."

Tokei smiled and said, "When it comes to cleaning and tidying, we never slack off."

"But look over there," Ai said, looking toward the east, "why does the East Mansion look like a haunted house?"

"That," Tokei looked at Akaso Kaze, "the Master gave instructions before he passed away that no one is allowed to approach that place after he is gone."

"Why?"

"I'm not too sure myself. Let's go look at other places; the riddle for this time won't be announced until 9 o'clock tonight..."

"Uncle Tokei," Conan, who had been following behind with his hands in his pockets, suddenly asked, "Does the riddle you mentioned have any connection to time?"

Tokei paused, smiled faintly, and did not answer.

He turned and continued walking, saying, "Let me take you to see other places."

As time grew late and the sun set, the surrounding light gradually dimmed, and the searchlights at the base of the statues began to operate.

The atmosphere of the Angel Mansion gradually changed.

The angel statues, which had been very peaceful, now looked eerie and frightening from below, as if they had turned into witches.

"What's going on? This is so scary!" The children couldn't help but feel a bit afraid.

"This is one of the security systems the Master arranged while he was alive," Tokei explained. "It operates automatically once the sun goes down."

"Mr. Isegawa has passed away, do we still need to continue?"

"Yes, as long as the treasure remains in this Angel Mansion along with the riddle, not only the security, but I will also stay here."

Tokei was still wearing his sunglasses, looking strictly professional.

"Therefore, everyone must be extra careful when moving about. Among those who have come to challenge, there have been cases where people were seriously injured or even went missing. This Angel Mansion itself is a huge labyrinth..."

Akaso Kaze looked back at the lights sweeping back and forth in the four directions, his gaze landing on the fifth mansion in the center of the building complex: the Bull Mansion.

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The Bull Mansion is connected to the houses in the four directions.

There is also a long corridor leading to the North Mansion, looking just like a Greek temple.

Additionally, one can see bronze statues of bulls at every intersection, and there is even a Minotaur.

This Angel Mansion is quite strange; it's hard to imagine what would happen if only a child like Matsunaka Yuriko came here.

Akaso Kaze glanced at Tokei, who was leading the way, and continued to follow him into the Bull Mansion.

At the entrance, one could see a huge bronze bull statue in the center of the hall, which gave Ayumi and the others a start.

The owner of this place started out in stocks, so he was also known as the "Bull."

In the stock market, there are bull markets and bear markets, so it's not strange for someone in stocks to worship a bull.

"Lord Akaso," Tokei called out to Akaso Kaze, who was examining the bronze statue.

"It's about time. I'll take everyone to the rooms for rest first. After dinner, it will be about time to announce the riddle. Please head toward the North Mansion."

"Alright." Akaso Kaze withdrew his gaze, nodded, and followed along with Ai and the others as they left the Bull Mansion.