Catherine de Medici and Thomas Hobbes suddenly found themselves on the outskirts of Lilac Town, standing on a quiet cobblestone street far from the bustling town center. Catherine's eyes scanned the surroundings with sharp attention, taking in every detail of this strange yet vivid environment. Not a soul was nearby—only a row of stone-and-wood buildings, ancient yet well-preserved, as if they were untouched relics from a medieval age.

Then, a familiar voice echoed in their minds: Navigator, calm yet slightly strained, "Do you see the flying castle?"

Catherine glanced up, searching the sky for any sign of a floating fortress. But there was nothing above them—only a clear, open sky. Thomas followed her gaze, his expression skeptical. After a moment, Catherine looked back down.

"There's nothing there," she replied firmly, her tone edged with disappointment. She disliked uncertainty, and the absence of this castle only deepened her frustration.

Navigator, who was listening to their report, clarified, "As expected, this world isn't directly connected to Astral Point's flying castle. It seems we can't detect any other flying castles from this land."

Thomas nodded at the explanation, accepting it with his usual calm. He was a thinker, one who believed in adapting to whatever circumstances he faced. He studied the surrounding buildings intently, as if searching for clues hidden within the ancient walls.

"Fascinating," he murmured, stepping closer to one of the stone walls nearby. His hand brushed over its cold, solid surface—far too tangible to be mere game material. In the distance, faint sounds of activity began to drift toward them, likely from the town center. "Everything here feels... real. Far more than just a game."

Catherine moved closer, her keen gaze sweeping over the cobblestone streets and the buildings lined up along them. "This isn't some simple imitation," she said. "There's a depth here—something alive. It's as if we've truly stepped back in time."

For a moment, Catherine observed the distant townsfolk going about their business, the murmur of their activities carrying on without a hint of suspicion. Nothing seemed out of place; everyone appeared to be absorbed in their daily lives. Yet there was a slight unease she couldn't shake. Always cautious and calculating, she disliked entering new situations without sufficient information.

"So, what's our next move, Navigator?" Thomas asked, breaking the silence while continuing his watchful gaze.

Navigator's voice returned, calm and calculating. "Your first task is to blend in and gather information about Lilac. Somewhere in this town, there are likely rumors about the dungeon—or at least someone who claims to have seen it."

Catherine sighed, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Blending in, huh," she murmured dryly. "I hope it doesn't mean making small talk with farmers and merchants who know nothing useful."

Thomas chuckled softly. "Maybe, Catherine, they know more than they seem. They live here, after all. Often, the best information comes from those we least expect."

Catherine nodded, though with some reluctance. She wasn't entirely convinced by Thomas's view, but she couldn't deny he had a point. If this world was indeed alive, then its inhabitants might possess a deeper understanding of hidden truths.

"Where should we start?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the road leading toward the town center.

Navigator answered, "It's wise to begin with common gathering places—a tavern or a marketplace—where people talk about all sorts of things, even strange rumors."

Thomas agreed with a nod. "If there's anything important about this hidden dungeon, the townsfolk have probably already spread word of it."

With steady yet calculated steps, Thomas and Catherine began their walk toward the town center. Thomas moved purposefully, his gaze sharp, ready to analyze anything that might serve as a clue. Catherine, though somewhat reluctant, maintained a polite yet distant demeanor, her gaze sweeping over each person they passed with careful appraisal.

Now and then, Thomas caught snippets of nearby conversations, and he was taken aback. The people here were speaking English, his native language. Ever the skeptic, Thomas saw this as something worth investigating.

He glanced at Catherine. "The people here are speaking English," he murmured, keeping his tone flat, his eyes still scanning their surroundings.

Catherine, who had also been listening to the townsfolk, furrowed her brow. "No, they're speaking French," she replied, her expression curious. "That's the language I hear from them."

Thomas turned to her, a bit puzzled. He was a man who preferred thought over talk, but this peculiarity had his attention. "French? Funny—I thought you were speaking English to me."

Catherine paused, then let out a short, calculating laugh. "And I thought you were speaking French."

Navigator's voice suddenly rang in their minds, explaining with calm surprise, "This seems to be a feature of the Astral Point system. It's likely designed so that all units can communicate seamlessly in the language they understand best."

Catherine was silent for a moment, processing this. "So you're speaking English," she said to Thomas, now curious in a way that was unusual for her. "And Navigator here… speaks another language entirely."

Thomas nodded. "Indonesian, to be precise," Navigator replied from within their minds.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Catherine drew a slow breath, trying to absorb the implications. "So, we've never actually spoken the same language—and yet we've understood each other perfectly."

Thomas nodded thoughtfully, a trace of amazement in his usually practical demeanor. Though a realist, he couldn't help but marvel at the technology—or magic—that allowed for instant translation like this. To him, it was more than convenience; it was a powerful tool that could enhance communication among strangers in a foreign world.

As they continued walking, Catherine's eyes fell on a sign above a storefront. The letters were strange, forming no words she could recognize. She frowned, annoyed by the fact that, for the first time, she couldn't understand something written before her.

"Navigator," she called out, still looking at the sign. "This writing… I can't read it."

Navigator responded in her mind, "Catherine, try focusing your gaze on the text. The system may recognize and translate it for you."

With a hint of hesitation, Catherine followed his instruction, narrowing her gaze and concentrating on the words. Soon, a translucent screen appeared before her, displaying a readable translation: "Perfume Shop."

Standing beside her, Thomas did the same, seeing the same translated text appear. "So we can understand spoken language, but written text doesn't automatically translate for us," he noted. This small detail intrigued him, hinting that not everything would be handed to them effortlessly.

"This adds another layer to our adaptation here," Catherine said with a serious tone. She disliked the idea of needing extra effort to translate something. In a complex world like this, minor limitations could add to the challenges in understanding the larger picture.

Navigator added, "It appears Astral Point's system only automates verbal communication. For written text, you'll need to do it manually. Think of it as an added test."

Thomas considered this calmly. "Perhaps it's for the best. Getting accustomed to this system might give us better control as we adapt. And some things might be better left untranslated."

Catherine gave a slight smile, realizing he had a point. If everything were translated effortlessly, they might grow too comfortable and lose touch with the reality of this world. This wasn't merely a game, and Catherine sensed that each small challenge could be intended to make them grasp the deeper dynamics at play.

"Alright," Catherine said at last, turning her gaze away from the sign. "Now we need information. Perhaps someone at the market or one of the vendors could offer clues about the dungeon we're looking for."

Thomas nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting toward the marketplace visible not far off. "Then we just need to find someone friendly enough to talk."

Catherine and Thomas moved toward the bustling marketplace, taking in the lively sounds of vendors hawking their wares and children laughing as they played nearby. The noise and energy felt so vivid that it was almost surreal. Thomas focused on the activity around them, studying the rhythm of life in this town, when suddenly, a deep voice called out from behind.

"Hey, you two! Wait a minute!" A man in full armor, holding a spear, approached them, suspicion in his eyes as he looked them up and down. In their unfamiliar clothing, Catherine and Thomas stood out in the crowd.

Thomas felt a bit tense; he preferred to keep a low profile to avoid attention. But before he could speak, Catherine stepped forward with a soft expression that seemed carefully prepared.

"Oh, I apologize," Catherine said gently, her hand resting lightly on her chest. "We're just travelers from a very distant land, eager to learn about the culture here and… experience everyday life in this beautiful town."

The guard looked surprised, even slightly flustered by Catherine's delicate and seemingly innocent demeanor. His grip on his spear relaxed slightly, his face softening, though he still eyed them cautiously.

"From a distant land, huh?" he muttered, trying to mask his unease. "We don't often see visitors dressed like you. May I ask your identities and your purpose here?"

Catherine tilted her head and smiled. "We're cultural researchers from across the sea, here to understand local life," she replied innocently. "I'm sorry if we appear suspicious."

Thomas watched, impressed at how quickly Catherine could shift her demeanor. She looked like a harmless, even fragile, woman—a far cry from the cunning and shrewd strategist he knew. Her approach was both logical and safe, and Thomas could see how it softened the guard's initial wariness.

The guard nodded uncertainly, still a bit skeptical but seemingly unwilling to question Catherine further. "Alright… Still, we keep a close watch on this town, especially with unexpected visitors. I hope you understand."

"Oh, of course! I admire your dedication to keeping the town safe," Catherine replied with a warm smile that seemed to charm the guard further. "By the way, would it be possible to meet your leader? I'd love to discuss our cultural research with them to gain permission for a deeper study of your town's life. I've heard your leader is very wise."

The guard's face flushed slightly at Catherine's compliment about his leader. "Our commander, Carlos, oversees the guard," he replied hesitantly. "But… the main headquarters is off-limits to those without official business…"

"Oh, I understand," Catherine said with an understanding tone. "But this is an important matter, sir. I need Commander Carlos's permission to conduct our research freely. I'm sure he has deep knowledge of your town's culture and traditions." Catherine's gaze held a pleading look, as if hoping for his kindness.

The guard seemed at a loss, clearly unsure how to respond. Catherine's approach had left him second-guessing the rules he usually enforced. After a few moments of hesitation, he nodded slowly. "Alright… I can relay your request to the commander. But I can't guarantee he'll agree to meet you."

"Oh, that's more than enough," Catherine replied, her smile full of gratitude. "Thank you so much. You're very kind, sir." She added the compliment with a sincere gaze, making the guard look slightly embarrassed.

Thomas, who had stayed silent, observed all of this with a mixture of admiration and skepticism. He knew Catherine was manipulative and clever, but he hadn't expected her to adapt this quickly to an unfamiliar situation. He was curious, watching her skillfully weave emotions and words together, so different from his own straightforward approach.

As the guard walked off, looking somewhat unsettled, Thomas leaned toward Catherine and whispered, "Impressive. You were… very convincing."

Catherine gave him a slight smile, her eyes calculating. "Oh, Thomas, you didn't think we could enter this world without playing the part, did you?" she replied coolly. "Every place has its rules, and every person… has a weakness."

Thomas nodded, impressed. Catherine was right; understanding social dynamics, especially in a place like this, was crucial. If they could meet with Carlos, the commander of the guard, it could open doors for valuable information or even special permission to explore the town.

As they made their way toward the busier part of town, Thomas couldn't shake the questions forming in his mind. Catherine, with her cunning and controlled demeanor, was proving to be an invaluable ally, though he knew she rarely acted without a strong personal motive. In his experience, every move Catherine made had a deeper purpose—perhaps even one he didn't fully grasp yet.

Meanwhile, Catherine had only one thought: if this commander had true authority, he could be the key to unlocking more access for them—including the information they needed to find the hidden dungeon in this town.

***