After Lao De proved his power twice the independent warriors didn’t dare to speak up again. No matter how much they cursed inwardly, they had to give up their storage bags.

Finally, all of them were gathered on the table. Tepo focused on the small hill full of valuables.

This is not a bad idea by Lao Ru. The storage bags act as a pledge. Most warriors won’t have any ideas of running away as long as the leaders hold all their valuables. Now they will work obediently.

Others came to the same conclusion as Phirr spoke up impatiently:

“Finally. If you lot would know your place, we might’ve already left the palace safely. Now, what are you still waiting for?

Go and find some clues! Everything which might point towards the Ahiluscendum is important!”

With gritted teeth and furrowed brows, the independent warriors left one by one. Not because they listened to the captain’s words but because they couldn’t stand those disparaging gazes anymore.

Tepo also didn’t stay any longer. The young man exchanged a short gaze with Lao Ru before leaving the room. He was quickly followed by the soldiers and leaders.

The palace was enormous. Even with their about fifty men it would take some time to do a detailed search.

Everyone separated as they choose rooms to search. Since Tepo was among the weakest warriors he went back to the first floor, entering a door no one had taken before him.

From the corner of his eye, he even saw the two pirates. Louin’s hate filled gaze bore into Tepo’s as he was brought away by his father.

The young warrior didn’t care for his enemies. They had already paid the price. If they still tried to make life difficult for him, even Tepo’s patience would run out.

Right now, solving the dungeon should be my priority. I don’t know how much I can trust Lao Ru. But at least I don’t have to contemplate every action now. I might have a chance of getting my hands on the Ahiluscendum.

I don’t know what spell it holds, but someone already risked their life to get his hands on the material. It should be a good boost for my strength. Only then can I get access to more information and search for outsiders. I can never forget this goal!

Setting his thoughts straight, Tepo opened the wooden door before him. He stepped into a short hallway. Compared to the other parts of the palace he had seen so far; this one could almost be considered poor.

The floor was made of a rough stone, the walls didn’t have much decoration. Only the artful windows stood out as the light shining through highlighted the dust disturbed by the opened door.

Tepo fell into old habits. He scanned the hallway with an experienced gaze. The former investigator stepped forward, opening the first door to his right.

A dark room could be seen. Tepo’s eyes roamed the tidy, comfortable, but old looking bed. A tiny nightstand and an empty closet complemented the unused bedroom.

The investigator searched for details but there wasn’t much to find. The closet sounded wooden as he knocked against it and the floor was tidy. Obviously, these were servant quarters which hadn’t been in use for a while.

Without any results Tepo left the room and entered the next. Immediately his brows rose in surprise.

Despite the room size not differing much from the first, it was obviously of higher quality. The bed was softer and the closet bigger. A small bathtub was even placed in a corner.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Tepo’s interest was naturally aroused. He began to scour the room.

A variety of dresses entered the young man’s eyes as he opened the closet. Many of them were rather simple, good for working around the house.

But two were more colorful. Those fine works felt good in Tepo’s hand. Obviously, this wasn’t something a servant should own.

Suddenly Tepo was interrupted. His core moved slightly, startling the warrior.

He held still for a moment before speaking in a commanding voice:

“Come out!”

Nothing happened at first. But Tepo was sure about his guess. The Core of Time was never wrong so far.

The young man turned around slowly. He grew tense. His eyes were stern, staring at the wall opposite him.

A second later something changed. A shudder ran down Tepo’s back as a greyish figure came out of the wall. It had a humanoid shape without any defining features. Its body was illusionary, drifting faintly.

Suddenly a slit opened on its head where its mouth should be. A hollow, whispering voice barely reached Tepo’s ears:

“How did you find me?”

The warrior was ready to attack any second now as he spoke dangerously:

“Why should I tell you?!”

“Because I want to know.”

“Then I have to disappoint you.”

“Oh.”, spoke the figure without a change in emotion. “But master said we’re allies.”

Tepo’s furrowed his brows. Maybe…

“Is your master one of the four leaders?”

“I don’t know. Master is master.”

Great…

“Why did your master say we are allies?”

“Master said everyone with this symbol is our alley.”

With those words the ghost-like figure rose their hand. The fingerless limb suddenly changed, depicting the Web’s symbol.

Tepo relaxed visibly.

“So your master is Lao Ru?”

“Yes!”

“Ok. That’s good. Why did your master send you here?”

“Master ordered to keep you safe.”

Tepo nodded his head, but he didn’t blindly trust this ghost. Although it appeared somewhat stupid this might be deliberately controlled by Lao Ru. Who knows how much weight the Web really holds.

The figure seemed not to notice Tepo’s concerns. It continued in its creepy voice:

“Master also ordered me to help you search. See.”

Suddenly the figure moved. It floated through the air, directly entering the bed.

Tepo was weirded out by this sight. In his old life ghosts only appeared in some stories. But compared to outsiders they weren’t even scary enough to scare kids.

But watching this ghost-like being’s capabilities, the young warrior had to admit that they were somewhat eerie.

A moment later the figure appeared again. It stood before Tepo, reaching out its hand. A silver ring drifted within its transparent body.

Tepo blinked once before opening his palm. The ring suddenly dropped out of the figure’s hand as Tepo grabbed it.

“Thanks… I guess.”

With no way to show its emotions, Tepo didn’t know if the figure was happy for being complimented.

Avoiding dealing with the ghost Tepo intensely studied the ring in his hand. But unfortunately, the warrior had no experience with jewelry. He couldn’t tell if the ring in his hand was valuable or not.

Tepo smiled wryly, put the ring in his pocket and raised his head again. He felt awkward as he asked:

“So… are there more like you?”

“Like me?”

“Yes. Like, beings listening to your master?”

“Oh. Of course.”, answered the ghost freely. “Master summons us whenever he needs us.”

So that’s the case. I wonder if the armies know about this. If not, Lao Ru might’ve a massive advantage.

After getting this information, Tepo didn’t know how to continue interacting with the ghost. Luckily his inner clock was accurate as always. It reminded him that an hour was already up.

“Ok then. Thanks for your help. We need to gather, so you better hide again.”

“Alright.”

Ending the conversation, Tepo left the empty room. He went upstairs, back towards the dining room. The warrior arrived perfectly after one hour as many others were still missing.

Gradually the room filled again.

Lao De and Muran eyed each other ferociously. No one dared to speak up, fearing to wrongfully catch their anger. Who knew how much they provoked each other while alone in a room.

But Lao Ru trusted his brother. Although he was a hothead, he knew to keep the big picture in mind. Neither them nor the army captains wanted a serious fight to break out.

Thus, the calmer brother ignored the tension in the room as he addressed everyone:

“Ok. Let’s hear it. What did you find?”

The independent warriors were still disgruntled, but the soldiers orderly spoke up after a sign from their captains.

Most of the warriors in silvern and white armors didn’t find any substantial clues but the words of one man had everyone listen closely:

“I think I found something of interest. In one of the studies, I found a letter. It was a notice about a delayed shipment. The materials mentioned all sounded rare. At least I never heard about them.”

Muran’s eyes lit up as her subordinate spoke. She quickly praised him:

“Well done! Give me the letter. I will reward you after we leave the dungeon.”

Everyone could see as the soldier smiled brightly, listening to the first half of his boss’s words. But his smile fell quickly as he fidgeted awkwardly:

“I … ehm. So, captain. I forgot to bring the letter. I was still looking for other documents when time was up.”