Conan: Above all force, there is truth!

Upon hearing Mr. Matsudaira's question, the maid at the east entrance spoke first: "Because this mansion is divided into two different parts, east and west. Any guest that the master has arranged to stay in the east wing must enter through the east entrance."

She immediately shut her mouth at this point.

The next moment, the maid at the west gate spoke up: "Any guest arranged by the master to stay in the west wing must enter through the west entrance."

Then, the two maids simultaneously concluded, "This has always been the practice in this mansion."

This move clearly took away some of everyone's brain cells.

Even Ai Haibara, who usually has a cold expression, showed a curious look.

Just as everyone was about to enter the mansion as the two maids had instructed, the two maids spoke again.

"If we don't follow the established practices, disaster will surely follow."

Upon hearing this, Matsudaira no Kami, who already believed in divination, was immediately horrified: "What!? Will we encounter disaster afterward?"

Even Xiaolan seemed a little shaken.

Upon seeing the surprised and suspicious expressions on everyone's faces, the two maids immediately revealed a strange smile.

Then, the two said in unison, "Because this is... the mansion where the Cursed Mask resides!"

Upon hearing the name again, Conan immediately became alert.

The threatening letter from earlier was signed... it seems to be from the Messenger of the Cursed Mask...

Longye, who was standing to the side, also looked thoughtful.

"How did Ms. Su Fang Hongzi manage to recruit and train such two eccentric maid sisters?"

"Why don't we go and learn from her?"

……

Soon after, following the maids' instructions, the group split into two groups and entered the mansion.

After entering through the west gate, the various masks hanging in frames on the wall immediately caught the attention of Longye and his companions.

Looking at so many different kinds of masks, Tatsuno suddenly remembered a game he had played before – "Majora's Mask".

In the game, each mask corresponds to a special ability.

But what they have in common is that each mask gives off a sense of oppression and eeriness.

It feels very similar to being in this "masked" house.

Just then, the maid spoke up at the opportune moment, saying, "Ms. Su Fang has always had a passion for collecting masks. This way, please!"

Longye and the others followed the maid up the stairs.

Before long, a large, silver-white door appeared before everyone's eyes.

The maid spread her palm and pointed to the door: "I will go downstairs now to get your luggage. Please wait in the masquerade hall for now."

Uncle Mori walked in front, pushed open the silver door, and stepped into the masquerade hall.

At that moment, the door opposite was also opened.

Matsudaira and his group, who had just parted ways, also entered the hall.

Matsudaira Mamoru, who had also pushed open the door, exclaimed with delight upon seeing Kogoro Mouri and the others opposite him, "Isn't this Mr. Mouri! It seems that this so-called masquerade hall is a passageway between the east and west wing rooms!"

After understanding the basic structure of the mansion, everyone looked at the display stands on both sides of the hall.

Inside the booth, there were many masks with different appearances.

Ancient masks, modern masks, butterfly masks, sacrificial masks…

Seeing so many different kinds of masks for the first time, everyone admired them carefully.

Longye looked for a long time but couldn't find a mask that was better looking than the "Black Cat Mask".

At that moment, Conan, who was standing nearby, saw a remote control on one of the display stands.

He immediately picked it up and curiously pressed the button on it.

The moment he pressed the button, the red curtains on both sides of the masquerade hall suddenly unfolded.

Behind the curtain appeared two wooden display stands as tall as walls.

There were many identical, cold white masks displayed on it.

The mask features a pair of hollowed-out, curved eyes and a smiling mouth.

Both the curve of his eyes and the curve of his lips looked extremely strange.

The combination of the two makes it appear even more sinister.

In addition to the sheer number of masks…

For a moment, everyone in the room showed an uneasy expression.

"What...what is this...?"

Why are there so many identical masks?

Are these masks watching us?!

"..."

Suddenly, the crowd became agitated.

At that moment, a voice interrupted everyone.

"These are all masks of Shaubull."

As everyone looked toward the source of the cheers, a graceful woman with short, gray-white hair appeared before them.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Uncle Mori immediately greeted her, "You must be Ms. Su Fang Hongzi! Thank you for your invitation!"

Upon hearing this, Su Fanghong smiled and looked at everyone, replying, "It is truly an honor to have you all grace us with your presence!"

After saying that, she walked up to Uncle Mori and asked, "What do you think? Is my prized collection alright?"

Upon hearing this question, Uncle Mori rubbed his head and said, "Well, how should I put it..."

Seeing Uncle Mori's flustered expression, Tatsuno gave a polite smile: "Your collection is quite impressive~ Masks are symbols of people's inner world. They are found all over the world, throughout history."

These masks, with their unique external designs, reflect rich cultural connotations. Your inner world must be just as colorful and diverse as these masks!

Upon hearing Long Ye's words, Su Fang Hongzi covered her mouth and chuckled a few times: "Young man, thank you so much for your praise!"

Upon hearing Longye's words, Xiaolan looked at him gratefully with a smile.

Ai Haibara, standing to the side, lowered her head, her expression somber: "Are masks symbols of the inner world? Then what kind of mask would suit someone like me...?"

Chapter 108 Who has a collecting obsession?

A moment later, the fortune teller, Ms. Nagayoshi Haruka, approached Ms. Su Fang Hongzi.

With a troubled expression, she asked, "The mask you mentioned earlier, is it these masks displayed on the wall?"

"That's right, these masks are the 200 masks that the legendary Spanish sculptor 'Shuble Condé' completed shortly before his death."

Upon seeing that Ms. Su Hong had confirmed the origin of the mask, Nagara Haruka's expression became slightly solemn.

"People also call them the Cursed Masks."

"The Cursed Mask?!"

Upon hearing this name again, Uncle Mori immediately looked at Ms. Suhou Akako: "Why are these masks called cursed masks?"

Seeing Kogoro Mouri's surprised look, Su Fang Hongzi smiled slightly and explained, "Because Sherble Condéres was a sculptor full of tragedy."

Despite his extraordinary talent, he fell into a trap set by his jealous elder brother. His status, fame, and wealth were all robbed of everything.

"From then on, Shabbur was completely disillusioned with humanity. As if possessed by something, he kept carving these masks."

"He ended his life right after he finished carving the 200th mask."

"The masks scattered around his body were splattered with blood. The scene looked as if the masks were sucking his blood!"

At this point, Nagara Haruka added, "Shortly after his death, his reputation was restored. These masks were scattered among different people."

"Most unexpectedly, most of these people who wore masks ended up dying tragically..."

After a pause, Nagara Haruka recounted the tragic fates of several people who had once possessed these masks.

Someone only received one of the masks, but the very next day after receiving it, he died after falling off his horse.

After hearing this, everyone got goosebumps all over.

Matsudaira-no-kami, sweating profusely, exclaimed, "Just one of these masks can bring misfortune to its owner. You actually collected all 200 masks?! Are you sure you're not worried?!"

Not only Matsudaira Mamoru, but everyone else shared the same thought.

Even a single mask can bring misfortune to others, yet you've collected them all?

Even a collector's obsession shouldn't be done like this!

Ryuno glanced at Conan and Uncle Mori beside him and shook his head repeatedly.

Normally, it would be one thing for you to stack buffs like this.

You actually invited these two Grim Reapers to your home...

Don't you want to die fast enough?

Who will die if you don’t die?

Seeing the worry and fear on everyone's faces, Ms. Su Fanghongzi laughed heartily.

"Don't worry, I already had a powerful medium seal the curse on the mask."

As soon as she finished speaking, Uncle Mori said, "Even so, in the real world, human evil thoughts are probably more terrifying than curses."

Under Ms. Su Fang's questioning gaze, Uncle Maoli took out the letter from his pocket.

It was the letter they found on the tree trunk.

Upon seeing the letter, photographer Masaki Katagiri immediately approached: "Mr. Mori, I also received a similar letter three days ago!"

Before Kogoro Mouri could even express his surprise, Matsudaira Mamoru and Nagara Haruka also confirmed that they had received such letters.

Upon hearing this, Kogoro Mouri's expression immediately changed.

Conan also paced around the hall with his hands in his pockets.