Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Dream's Labyrinth (2)
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Dream's Labyrinth.
I recalled the explanation from my junior who had chosen the elf race.
"It's a system that records major information on fellow elves. If used well..."
...What had he said after that?
Back then, since I hadn't chosen the elf race, I'd let it go in one ear and out the other. If I'd known this would happen, I would've asked more questions...
At least I had a rough idea, so that was fortunate.
In short, the Dream's Labyrinth was a repository of elves' memories. A memory storage centered around the queen. It was a kind of safety measure prepared for crises or disasters that might befall the elf race.
It stored the knowledge, skills, and experiences each individual had acquired, to be used at the right moments in emergencies—a unique tradition and culture of the elves.
It was a method that would be hard to attempt without the strong collectivism and racial loyalty of the elves.
'Humans, ruled by betrayal and individualism, would never even try it.'
Anyway, as far as I knew, the Dream's Labyrinth was a 'mental' space accessible only to elves with special qualifications, like the queen or elders...
And they were asking me to enter such a place?
At that moment, my vision flashed.
[Quest generated: Explore the Dream's Labyrinth]
A quest at this timing?!
"...A more detailed explanation would be helpful."
I'd planned to refuse outright! This was absurd! Gritting my teeth, I turned back to Paton and asked.
"For starters, it's questionable whether I can even enter the Dream's Labyrinth..."
"You can enter it. The Dream's Labyrinth is connected to the Guardian Tree. If the Guardian Tree reacted so strongly to you, you should naturally be able to enter the Dream's Labyrinth too!"
Paton looked excited.
"...Fine, let's say that's true. Why do I have to go there?"
Paton hesitated for a moment, as if hiding some enormous secret.
In the end, his wife spoke up instead.
"Because it's the only way to meet Her Majesty the Queen."
Her Majesty the Queen?
The elf queen Diantha, you mean?
The queen was the absolute ruler overseeing the Dream's Labyrinth. So why were they talking like she was trapped inside it?
"Dear, stopping there..."
"If we're not honest, there's no point."
Paton's wife spoke in a cold tone and continued her explanation.
"We already know you're a mercenary who's made quite a name for yourself on the continent. We've heard how you purified the cursed land, repelled demons, and recently even conquered a deep-sea dungeon."
"Well, that's true, but..."
"We had no intention of entrusting this to an outsider. Darion was convinced you were a descendant of the ancient elves, but we thought differently. That changed when we heard you'd made the Guardian Tree's flowers bloom."
"..."
"Even if you're not a descendant of the ancient elves, the Guardian Tree's reaction is proof enough. You have the right to set foot in the Dream's Labyrinth."
Mrs. Silvanus's attitude was utterly resolute. She truly believed I could enter the Dream's Labyrinth.
'The quest itself is to explore the Dream's Labyrinth, so of course I can enter...'
Why did it feel so off?
The very fact that I, with no connection to elves, could enter the Dream's Labyrinth felt deeply unsettling.
"..."
Did she read my expression?
Suddenly, Darion spoke in a desperate voice.
"Please, Theodore. It's been a full year since we last saw Her Majesty. This is no ordinary matter."
"Darion!"
"Don't stop me, Mother. Theodore might be the only key to awakening Her Majesty."
"..."
"Even if Her Majesty is asleep, we can meet her in the Dream's Labyrinth. Theodore, you might be able to do it."
Darion gripped my hand tightly. I'd thought he was just some arrogant prick, but this earnest face...
"Darion."
I gripped his hand in return. It was a quest I had to do anyway—might as well play the gracious part. It could help down the line.
"...I can't promise any results. But I promise I'll do my best."
"Theodore!"
Overjoyed, Darion pulled me into a hug. I patted his back and turned to Mrs. Silvanus.
"We'll handle this as an unofficial commission, but we need a contract."
"...Of course."
We discussed the contract and other matters over the meal.
The Silvanus family promised me an enormous reward. Just the advance was 50 gold. Considering I'd have to wander the continent for the quest, it was a valuable sum—especially with more mouths to feed now.
If I succeeded, I'd rake in a fortune. Even if I failed, I'd pocket the 50-gold advance, so no loss either way.
Back at the inn, I checked the old book. New information had appeared where the quest had generated.
[Quest: Explore the Dream's Labyrinth]
[Meet Elf Queen Diantha in the Dream's Labyrinth.]
[Dream's Labyrinth: Repository of elves' memories. Enterable through the act of dreaming. Overseen entirely by the elves' queen, branching down to elf elders and noble houses on larger scales, and all elves on smaller scales. With proper qualifications, one can access others' knowledge and memories.]
[Warning: The Dream's Labyrinth is protected by powerful elven magic barriers to prevent unauthorized intrusion.]
[New totem craftable: Guardian Tree Flower Bracelet (one-time use)]
Guardian Tree Flower Bracelet. I secretly pulled out a few Guardian Tree flowers I'd pocketed away from elven eyes.
"Required materials: Guardian Tree flowers, moonflower stems... Too simple."
I shouldn't expect amazing effects. It's one-time use, after all. I finely chopped and wove the moonflower stems into threads, then carefully strung the Guardian Tree flowers onto them. It was tricky work, requiring delicate movements to avoid damaging the flowers.
[Totem: Guardian Tree Flower Bracelet completed.]
[Butterflies prepare to greet you.]
"Whew... Finally done."
I equipped the Guardian Tree Flower Bracelet and checked my status, but nothing had changed much. It wasn't just jewelry—what was its exact effect? 'Butterflies prepare to greet you.' Too vague.
'I'll find out once I enter the Dream's Labyrinth.'
Yeah, I'll figure it out step by step. No need to rush. A lot has happened.
"Ayla."
At my call, Ayla, curled up asleep on the bed, perked up her head. Her silver tail swished. I tidied up, went to the bed, and lay against Ayla's body. So soft and plush. This should help me sleep well.
Beside the bed was a 'potted plant' from the Silvanus estate. A pot with a Guardian Tree branch planted in it. Apparently, only the elder council and special elf noble houses possessed these 'pots,' and using one allowed entry to the Dream's Labyrinth.
"Ayla, wake me in the morning. If I don't wake up, get El or Lloyd."
-Woof!
I blew out the candle on the bedside table. Darkness fell. Moonlight poured beautifully through the window. Lulled by Ayla's steady heartbeat, I drifted off to sleep.
* * *
-Shaaaa...
Tickled by a gentle breeze from somewhere, I slowly opened my eyes.
"Where...?"
The surroundings were filled with light. So bright it took time for my eyes to adjust. Once they did, the landscape came into view.
Dream's Labyrinth.
Unlike its name, it resembled a massive palace. It felt familiar—it looked just like the palace in Lyset where the queen resided.
I slowly approached the grand palace. Butterflies made of congealed light fluttered around it. Soon, I realized they formed the barrier inside the Dream's Labyrinth. When I reached out to open the palace doors, all the butterflies stopped flapping and fixed their gaze on me.
'Chilling...'
Then one butterfly fluttered over and landed on the back of my hand as I pushed the door. It examined me curiously.
'...The totem!'
The butterfly was interested in the totem [Guardian Tree Flower Bracelet] on my wrist. Its wings fluttered faster. Tense, I watched it—then other butterflies began flying in one by one. Soon, I was surrounded by a massive cluster of light.
'Dazzling...'
How long would they keep coming? Were they all going to swarm me? As the intense light threatened to blind me, I squeezed my eyes shut. Then a strange sound rang out.
-Whiiiii...
Like a whistle or a flute. I cautiously opened my eyes. There...
"It's open...?"
The massive doors stood wide, welcoming me.
The butterflies that had swarmed the [Guardian Tree Flower Bracelet] had scattered, now freely flying around me. Ah, I passed? Cautiously, I stepped inside the palace.
-Kuuung!!!
In that instant, the doors slammed shut at a speed worlds apart from when they'd opened, plunging the surroundings into darkness.
-Pat.
-Paat.
-Shaaaa...
Fortunately, the darkness didn't last. The butterflies following me began emitting light.
Relying on that glow, I pressed forward. Though the butterflies illuminated the area, not everything was visible. I carefully scanned my surroundings.
'A hallway.'
Like in Darion's mansion, elf portraits hung at regular intervals along the long corridor.
'They're watching me.'
I realized it while walking the hall. The elves in the portraits rolled their eyes, tracking my every move.
As if they knew I wasn't an elf.
"...Creepy."
It suited the name Ghost House better than Dream's Labyrinth. Suppressing my fear, I moved ahead.