Asking for Trouble

"A scientist?"

"That's right. I'm Professor Agasa, a scientist with a bit of a reputation these days." Professor Agasa stroked his beard.

"Then your mind must be sharper than that of us ordinary people." The middle-aged man rested his chin on his hand, apparently plotting something.

"Then it's settled. Please, come inside! By the way, would you like to stay here for the night?"

At once, Professor Agasa's face broke into a delighted smile.

"Unsolicited kindness usually hides some ulterior motive," Chen said quietly. ...

Judging by the man's demeanor, he clearly had some other purpose. Still, having somewhere to stay for the night wasn't bad.

"We'd be most grateful," Professor Agasa said happily.

"But sir, is it really all right not to discuss this with the madam first?" the guard asked.

"Just tell her they're my friends. Given Mother-in-law's condition, that'll be enough."

"Honestly..." The guard helplessly watched the middle-aged man walk away.

"Uncle, could you put me down first?" Genta, who was being carried, said.

After putting him down, the guard opened the door for Chen and the others, allowing them inside. The group began looking around the castle.

"Wow, there's a big horse too." Ayumi pointed at a white stone horse statue in the distance.

"There really is! There's a black one over here too." Genta ran over to the black horse.

"Why do the stone statues only go up to their necks?" Mitsuhiko asked curiously.

"These horses are called knights. They're pieces in chess," Ai Haibara explained.

"Wow, Ai, you know so much," Ayumi couldn't help saying.

"They're not just chess pieces. Look at the lawn below—it's been laid out like a chessboard." Conan walked over with his hands in his pockets.

"Does someone here like chess?" Professor Agasa asked the guard.

"I don't know. I