Dream Labyrinth

As Ebner 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, "Ebner, what are you doing out here on the deck so late?"

Ebner had already noticed her approach, so he wasn't surprised. He turned and asked her 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 hears strange whispers whenever there's a Blood Moon. She always tells me it's nothing, but I think she just doesn't want me to worry… I couldn't sleep, so I checked on you when I noticed you weren't in your room. I thought something might've happened."

Xio's friendship with Fors really is deep, Ebner thought to himself with admiration. He turned his gaze back to the crimson moon hanging high in the night sky and answered her question. "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 gravity in his voice. "What kind of event? Do you think it's dangerous?"

Looking up at the blood-red sky, Ebner said in a reverent tone, "Tonight, in this dark world, a glimmer of light is born."

Xio's expression fell as she let out a sigh of resignation. "Ebner, I think you and Fors must be close friends! You both enjoy toying with me…"

"I'm not making it up," Ebner laughed, relieved of some tension as he spoke. Though he was telling the truth, he knew he was also teasing Xio a bit, and he realized with some surprise that the arrival of that one had lifted his spirits more than he'd expected.

Seeing his smile, Xio felt relieved, too. She cared for him as a friend and was happy to see him genuinely smiling. Once she finally cleared her father's name, she thought, she would be just as happy—no, happier than he was.

They stood there quietly for a while, each lost in thought, with the night breeze blowing softly. The deck was silent until a slightly teasing voice came from the bow of the ship:

"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, Ebner saw Captain Alanson Edward of the Myriad City Brilliance approaching with a bottle in hand. He was flushed, reeking of alcohol.

Neither Ebner nor Xio paid much attention to his teasing, and Ebner chuckled in response, saying, "Captain Edward, you're hardly in a position to talk about safety, given the state you're in."

"Hic… I'm one of those people who only get sharper with every drink!" Captain Edward replied, hiccupping. "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. Perhaps the captain is a Beyonder? Could he be subtly showing off, thinking I wouldn't pick up on it?

Out of habit, Ebner began to analyze. By now, he'd developed a solid understanding of the "rules" of a Student of Ratiocination: to gather observable details and apply reasoning based on his knowledge to deduce, as accurately as possible, the truth behind events or people. Whether he was fully accurate or not mattered less—Students of Ratiocination valued the reasoning process above all. As long as he formed a reasonable theory, his potion would begin digesting, even if he missed a few details.

Students valued the process, while detectives required results.

Since the captain meant well, Ebner and Xio decided to heed his advice and return to their cabins. Just before they entered the door, Ebner 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?"

Captain Edward seemed taken aback, but he nodded. "Yes, that's true."

"Do you have an ancestor named Frunziar Edward?"

Still tipsy, the captain gave the question serious thought before answering, "Actually… yes. He went missing over 160 years ago. My direct ancestor was his brother. It's even recorded in the family journals."

"If you ever meet him, what would you say?" Ebner asked.

"Ah, I'd tell him, 'You're always welcome back home,'" Edward replied, a bit puzzled.

"Noted." Ebner didn't say the rest aloud but thought to himself, If I have the chance to see him, I'll pass along the message. If not, The Fool might be happy to deliver it. Smiling, he led the still-confused Xio back into the cabin.

"What a bizarre conversation. Maybe I've drunk too much…" Captain Edward muttered to himself, bewildered.

Back inside the first-class cabin, 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 hasn't returned since…" Ebner offered, not going into too much detail.

Xio looked at him thoughtfully. "Ebner, you seem to know a little bit about everything. I'm starting to believe you really are blessed by 'Knowledge.'"

Actually, he mused to himself, I'm aiming to become a follower of The Fool now.

July 30

With a whistle blast, the Myriad City Brilliance pulled into Damir Port.

The ship would stop here to replenish water and supplies, continuing its journey to Tiana Port the next morning. But that no longer concerned Ebner and Xio; they had reached their destination.

After three days of sailing, it was now June 30.

The Fool must be leading that watcher from the Hermit Order to the church right about now… Ebner thought with a smirk as he glanced at his watch. He hired a local guide to take them to the only school in the port town.

Damir Island wasn't large. Port Town was the only populated area, with about 10,000 residents, so there was only one school on the island.

The principal of this school was the one who had sent the commission to Detective Isengard.

Ebner and Xio soon met the principal, Mr. Gaston Villepin. He was in his late forties, with thick 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, Isengard vouched for you both, and out of respect for him, I'll give you a chance."

"I'll do my best to live up to my teacher's praise," Ebner replied politely, before asking, "What is it you need help with, exactly? It doesn't seem like an urgent matter."

"It's not urgent, but it is challenging! I'm offering 1,000 pounds for this commission, you know!" Mr. Villepin answered.

1,000 pounds? Ebner thought, recalling how Klein had paid Miss Sharron the same sum in the original story to dispose of a master dollmaker, catch a cheater, attend a Beyonder gathering, and escape a Red Angel's evil spirit. Hopefully, my assignment won't be that extreme… or lethal.

Suppressing his misgivings, Ebner asked seriously, "Could you share the specifics of the commission? And what's the risk involved?"

"There's almost no danger," Mr. Villepin replied, shaking his head. He then took out an unusual-looking contract from his drawer.

The contract was printed on orange-yellow paper with a rectangular box of Sun-aligned symbols and mystical seals drawn around the edges, inside which Hermetic symbols spelled out the details, 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 this before I can share the details of the commission. While I trust Isengard, you are not him," Mr. Villepin explained.

Though blunt, his caution was understandable, so Ebner and Xio weren't offended. They carefully reviewed the contract's terms.

The document was fairly simple, outlining the rights and obligations of each party. If danger arose, the contracted party could withdraw, and if the details proved overwhelming, they could cancel the contract without consequence, though payment would be reduced based on the project's progress.

In return, they would have to assist Mr. Villepin in reaching the seventh level of the Labyrinth of Dreams.

"What exactly is this Labyrinth of Dreams?" Ebner asked, frowning.

"I can't reveal all the details just yet," Mr. Villepin replied, "but there is no mortal danger until the seventh level, though it's exceptionally challenging to navigate."

"No danger but challenging… so the levels likely require wit or skills outside of combat? And no penalties?" Ebner guessed aloud.

Mr. Villepin's eyes showed a flicker of approval, and he smiled faintly, as if realizing Isengard hadn't overstated his student's knack for logical reasoning.