As he was wrestling with this, Jiang Xia said, "Setting the rock on fire was part of the magic act—according to what the victim said before his death, after entering the rock, he planned to make the rock floating in midair burn up and turn to ash, then be reborn from the ashes.
"Of course, that was just what the magician told the audience. Put more plainly, Mr. Clown was planning to perform an unusual escape magic trick.
"Though we don't know exactly what method he intended to use, by all logic, he would first free himself from his restraints and escape the rock, then ignite the specially made 'stone.'
"Something clearly went fatally wrong during that process. Before he could escape, the stone had already caught fire, causing his escape to fail and costing him his life."
Inspector Megure only half understood. "So this was a magic accident?... That makes sense. Phosphorus is so flammable, yet the victim actually dared to use it as a prop. Sigh, he was so young. What a pity."
A staff member nearby could not help quietly cutting in, "But Mr. Sakonji rehearsed several times over the past few days. He escaped successfully every time, and the rock was never accidentally ignited. Why did something go wrong only this time?... I-I think someone must have harmed him!"—Rather than there being a problem with our venue's equipment and plan review!
"Nothing happened during several rehearsals, but something happened this time alone?" Inspector Megure was persuaded. He frowned in thought. "Now that you mention it, it is rather suspicious. But if there really was a murderer, how could they harm him? They couldn't exactly climb up into the air and light the rock in full view of everyone."
The staff member choked up. "Th-this..."
Jiang Xia