Chapter 38: Dream Labyrinth
As Enber gripped the mast and gazed up at the blood-red moon, Xio quietly emerged from the cabin and joined him. Seeing the excited anticipation on his face, she asked curiously,
"Enber, what are you doing out here on the deck so late?"
Enber had already noticed her approach, so he wasn't surprised. He turned and asked in return, "And you? Why aren't you asleep?"
Xio hesitated, then sighed.
"It's a Blood Moon tonight, and I'm worried about Fors. She always hears strange whispers when the moon turns red. She tells me it's nothing, but I think she just doesn't want me to worry… I couldn't sleep, so when I noticed you weren't in your room, I came to check. I thought something might've happened."
Xio's friendship with Fors really is deep, Enber thought with admiration. He turned his gaze back to the crimson moon hanging in the night sky and finally answered,
"Something monumental, something that will impact the whole world, is happening tonight. I came out here to witness it—well, as much as I can from afar." Xio looked at him warily, sensing the weight in his tone.
"What kind of event? Do you think it's dangerous?" Enber's eyes stayed fixed on the blood-red moon as he said reverently,
"Tonight, in this dark world, a glimmer of light is born." Xio's expression fell, and she let out a sigh of resignation.
"Enber, you and Fors really are alike! You both enjoy toying with me…"
"I'm not making it up." Enber laughed, tension easing from his shoulders. Though he was telling the truth, he knew he was also teasing her. And with some surprise, he realized that the arrival of "that one" had lifted his spirits more than he'd expected.
Seeing his smile, Xio relaxed as well. She cared for him as a friend and was glad to see him genuinely happy. Once I finally clear Father's name, she thought, I'll be just as happy—no, happier than he is.
They stood there quietly for a while, each lost in thought as the night breeze whispered across the deck. Then, from the bow of the ship, a slightly teasing voice broke the silence:
"I don't mean to disturb your moonlit tryst, but the sea ahead is getting rough. This isn't a safe place to linger. Better head back to your cabins."
Turning, Enber saw Captain Alanson Edward of the Myriad City Brilliance approaching with a bottle in hand. His face was flushed, and he reeked of alcohol.
Neither Enber nor Xio paid much attention to his teasing. Enber chuckled and said, "Captain Edward, you're hardly in a position to lecture us on safety, given the state you're in."
"Hic… I'm one of those people who only get sharper with every drink!" Captain Edward retorted between hiccups. "No, really, you'd better trust someone blessed by the sea."
There was something meaningful in his words. Blessed by the sea? That's another term for a Wind-Blessed. Could the captain be a Beyonder? Is he subtly showing off, thinking I won't notice?
Out of habit, Enber began to analyze. By now, he had a firm grasp of the "rules" of a Student of Ratiocination: gather observable details, apply knowledge, and deduce the truth as accurately as possible.
Accuracy wasn't the point. The process itself was what mattered. Whether or not his reasoning was flawless, forming a coherent theory helped digest the potion. Students value reasoning. Detectives value results.
Since the captain's warning seemed sincere, Enber and Xio decided to heed his advice and head back to their cabin.
Just before entering the door, Enber turned and asked, "Captain Edward, did your family really live at 18 Dharavi Street, in Backlund's old Northwest District, over a hundred years ago?"
The captain blinked in surprise but nodded. "Yes, that's true."
"Do you have an ancestor named Frunziar Edward?"
Still tipsy, the captain thought seriously before replying, "Actually… yes. He went missing over 160 years ago. My direct ancestor was his brother. It's even recorded in our family journals."
"If you ever met him, what would you say?"
"Ah, I'd tell him, 'You're always welcome back home,'" Edward answered, puzzled.
"Noted." Enber didn't say the rest aloud but thought, If I ever get the chance, I'll pass along the message. If not, perhaps The Fool would be glad to deliver it.
Smiling faintly, he led a still-confused Xio back into the cabin.
"What a bizarre conversation. Maybe I've drunk too much…" Captain Edward muttered, baffled.
---
Back inside, Xio asked with genuine curiosity, "Who's Frunziar? I didn't understand anything you said out there."
"He's a man who left home 160 years ago and never returned," Enber answered simply, not going into detail.
Xio looked at him thoughtfully.
"Enber, you seem to know a little bit about everything. I'm starting to believe you really are blessed by 'Knowledge.'"
Actually, he mused, I'm aiming to become a follower of The Fool now.
---
June 30
The ship docked at Damir Port to replenish water and supplies, set to depart for Tiana the next morning. But that no longer concerned Enber and Xio: they had reached their destination.
After three days of sailing, it was finally time to touch the hard ground. With a whistle blast, the Myriad City Brilliance pulled into port.
The Fool must be leading that Watcher from the Hermit Order to the church right about now… Enber thought with a smirk as he glanced at his watch.
He quickly hired a local guide to take them to the only school in town.
Damir Island wasn't large. Its port town was the only populated area, with about 10,000 residents. Naturally, there was only one school.
The principal of that school was the one who had sent the commission to Detective Isengard. Soon, Enber and Xio were shown into his office.
The man before them was Mr. Gaston Villepin, late forties, with copper-framed glasses, neatly combed-back hair, and a meticulous appearance. He looked every bit the refined gentleman.
After they were seated, Mr. Villepin got straight to the point. "I received Isengard's telegram and know he sent you two in his place. Frankly, seeing how young you are, I'm somewhat disappointed. However, since Isengard vouched for you both, I'll give you a chance."
"I'll do my best to live up to my teacher's praise," Enber replied politely. Then he asked, "What do you need help with, exactly? It doesn't seem urgent."
"It's not urgent, but it is challenging. I'm offering 1,000 pounds for this commission, you know."
1,000 pounds? Enber thought, recalling how Klein had once paid Miss Sharron the same sum to deal with a master dollmaker, catch a cheater, attend a Beyonder gathering, and survive a Red Angel's evil spirit. Hopefully this won't be that extreme… or lethal.
Suppressing his doubts, he asked seriously, "Could you share the details of the commission? And the risks involved?"
"There's almost no danger," Mr. Villepin said, shaking his head. He then took out an unusual contract from his drawer.
The document was printed on orange-yellow paper, its borders lined with Sun-aligned symbols and mystical seals. Hermetic letters filled the interior with clauses, leaving only the signature line blank.
"This is a mystical item from the Sun pathway, corresponding to Sequence 6, Notary. You'll need to sign before I can tell you more. While I trust Isengard, you are not him."
Though blunt, his caution was understandable, so Enber and Xio weren't offended. They carefully reviewed the terms.
The contract was straightforward. If danger arose, they could withdraw. If the details proved overwhelming, they could cancel without consequence, though their pay would be reduced according to progress.
In return, they were to help Mr. Villepin reach the seventh level of the Labyrinth of Dreams.
"What exactly is this Labyrinth of Dreams?" Enber asked, frowning.
"I can't reveal everything just yet," Mr. Villepin replied. "But there is no mortal danger until the seventh level, though reaching it is exceptionally challenging."
"No danger but challenging… so the levels likely test wit or skills outside of combat? And no penalties?" Enber guessed aloud.
A flicker of approval crossed Mr. Villepin's eyes. He smiled faintly, as if realizing that Isengard hadn't exaggerated his student's gift for logical reasoning.
(End of Chapter)