Chapter 14: What the Hell? Kaitō Kid’s Already Inside?

Brant just smiled at Charles's question without offering any explanation.

Swan Lake Castle held a total of 2,782 items in Charles's collection.

Each piece had a detailed record of when it was added and where it was placed within the castle.

While it wasn't as thoroughly documented as the British Museum's archives, the standards here were more than enough to qualify as a private museum.

And all of the items were regularly checked and maintained.

Everything in the estate was managed by Charles's personal butler, Stanley.

The luxury car pulled up in front of the main entrance. Stanley approached and opened the car door.

"Mr. Charles."

Brant stepped out and glanced up at the castle.

This wasn't his first visit—Charles had invited him here once a year ago.

Even though it was a private collection, every piece in Swan Lake Castle was top-tier.

"Stanley, have the items been inventoried?"

Charles had already asked Stanley earlier to conduct a full inspection of all the collectibles before he arrived.

Stanley nodded. "Yes, Mr. Charles. Everything is accounted for."

"I've also summoned additional security personnel per your instructions. They should arrive soon."

Charles gave a soft grunt of approval and led Brant into the castle.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang had parked his car 500 meters away at the intersection. From here, he could see the entire estate.

Just then, two black vans roared past. Zhang Yang spotted the words "Elite Security" on the side.

"Quite the force. Looks like this Charles really is something."

He chuckled lightly, clearly unfazed.

He opened the system shop and exchanged for a reconnaissance dove.

But this time, it wasn't for delivering messages—it was for surveillance and eavesdropping.

He strapped a miniature camera and a listening device around the dove's neck.

Of course, this required coordination with Kaitō Kid's signature monocle. Zhang Yang lowered the window and released the dove.

He slipped on the monocle and watched the live feed from the camera.

Those two black vans had indeed brought the elite security team Stanley had called in.

Dozens of guards quickly exited the vehicles, moving in tight formation before splitting into five groups and scattering throughout the castle grounds.

The dove circled once and perched on a window outside the main hall.

From here, Zhang Yang could clearly hear the conversation between Brant and Charles.

"Brant, since you've encountered Kaitō Kid before, I'll defer to you. From this moment forward, the castle is on full lockdown—no one gets in or out."

"Mr. Charles, that's definitely the right call. Kaitō Kid knows how to disguise himself. He turned into me and fooled Tyce and Carson—that's how he got away with my Night-Luminescent Pearl."

Brant had at least learned something from the last two disasters—he was taking precautions against Zhang Yang sneaking in using Advanced Disguise Technique.

"Disguises, huh... interesting," Charles murmured.

He was genuinely surprised. That kind of trickery only existed in movies, yet Kaitō Kid actually knew how to do it.

He was starting to get curious about how tonight would play out.

"In his calling card, he mentioned the moon. That means he'll strike tonight. All we have to do is wait."

Charles added calmly, saying nothing more.

The dove flapped away toward the second floor and landed on the windowsill.

But unfortunately, the second-floor windows were closed tight. It couldn't get in.

Zhang Yang had originally wanted to have it fly a loop inside, maybe even pinpoint where the Snake Head was stored.

Too bad—Swan Lake Castle was already in full lockdown. There was no getting inside.

Still, Zhang Yang snapped a still from the dove's feed and uploaded it to Kaitō Kid's account.

"A lovely view of Swan Lake Castle!"

The photo looked exactly like it had been taken from inside the castle—right by the window.

As soon as the post went live, the comment section exploded.

[What the hell? Kaitō Kid's already inside?]

[Oh my god! How did he get into Swan Lake Castle?]

[Damn! That was fast. Wasn't this place supposed to be some kind of fortress? Elite security and everything, and Kaitō Kid just strolled in during broad daylight?]

[God help Charles!]

[He really is a legendary thief. Slipped right in and even posted a picture to taunt them!]

Brant and Charles were sitting on the sofa chatting, naturally about collectibles.

But suddenly, Kelly and Carl rushed in in a panic.

Brant frowned and barked sternly, "What do you think you're doing?!"

"This is Mr. Charles's estate. Don't run around without permission!"

Kelly looked serious as he pulled out his phone and walked up to Brant.

"Kaitō Kid just posted a new update. The photo seems to be taken from the third window on the second floor!"

"Wh-What?!"

Brant froze, the hair on his arms standing up.

He had just told Charles Kaitō Kid would only appear at night, yet now he was already inside Swan Lake Castle—and on the second floor no less!

Charles immediately sat up from the couch. Kelly held out the photo for him to see.

"How did he get in?!"

Charles frowned deeply. He was just as clueless.

"Stanley!"

The butler immediately appeared in the hall at the sound of his name.

"Kaitō Kid is already inside the castle!"

"Start searching, now. And make sure no one damages any of my collectibles!"

Charles didn't want a full-blown fight breaking out inside the estate—his collection was too valuable for that.

Stanley froze for a second but quickly nodded. "Understood, Mr. Charles."

Brant turned to Kelly and Carl. "You go too. Just be careful not to damage anything that belongs to Mr. Charles."

Both men nodded and raced up the stairs.

Right behind them, Stanley led a squad of elite guards in hot pursuit.

Charles leaned back and chuckled.

"This Kaitō Kid is something else."

Right now, Charles wasn't even all that worried. With over 2,000 items in the castle, losing one or two wasn't a big deal.

In just five minutes, Zhang Yang's latest post had already racked up more than 30,000 comments.

[Is anyone near Swan Lake Castle? We need someone to livestream this!]

[Nope. All four roads around the castle are private property. No outsiders allowed.]

[Charles has elite security all over the place—how the hell did Kaitō Kid sneak in?!]

[There's no "how." If you knew how he did it, then you'd be Kaitō Kid.]

[Kaitō Kid is just so damn charming. I wish I could get a photo with him!]

The second floor of Swan Lake Castle was massive—like a maze.

The walls were lined with famous paintings. There were columns everywhere and countless display pieces set up along the hall.

Kelly and Carl didn't have time to admire anything. Based on the photo, they went straight to the third window.

Stanley led the elite security team up the second floor, quickly dividing them into three groups to sweep the area.

From the camera on the dove, Zhang Yang could see Kelly and Carl enter the room.

They exchanged glances and left, clearly disappointed.

They could tear the whole castle apart and still never find Zhang Yang.

The dove circled the castle. Every single window was shut. Zhang Yang decided to give up for now.

"Let them search all they want."

He could wait until nightfall to enter and look for the Snake Head then.

Stanley and his guards completed the second-floor sweep and, finding nothing, continued their search on the third floor.