Thorin swiftly severed the core from the golem’s shattered remains. “Perhaps this will come in handy,” he remarked, holding the peculiar luminescent core aloft.

“Eww,” Lila remarked, her face a mix of disgust and fascination. Despite her reaction, they headed towards the chest, which had remained undisturbed amidst the chaotic battle. With cautious curiosity, they opened the chest, revealing a neatly rolled paper bound by a strand of rope.

In the dimly lit chamber of the dungeon, the trio gathered around the ancient parchment they found in the chest. Thorin carefully untied the rope, unfurling the paper to reveal intricate illustrations and archaic text inscribed in faded ink.

Lila’s eyes widened as she scanned the contents. Her parents had narrated numerous tales of the celestial castle from her childhood, spinning stories of grandeur and magical wonders that filled her imagination. However, as she skimmed through the script on the parchment, a crease formed on her brow, a perplexed expression settling upon her face.

“This isn’t how my parents described it,” Lila murmured, her voice laced with confusion. “The castle they talked about seemed different… more magnificent and filled with enchantment.”

Thorin, observing the text, nodded in agreement. “The castle depicted here seems less otherworldly and more… mundane than the legends suggest.”

Haruki furrowed his brow, studying the illustrations closely. “Could the stories have been exaggerated? Or is there something about this castle that’s hidden from these descriptions?”

Despite the disparity between the parchment’s contents and the tales passed down through generations, the trio found themselves drawn into a mystery that now shrouded the celestial castle—a mystery they were determined to unravel.

Thorin’s disappointment lingered in the silence that followed his revelation. His hope to find a revered artifact had fizzled out, leaving an air of frustration and disbelief.

“We’ve come all this way for a mere forgery?” Roderick exclaimed, incredulous.

“I’m sorry, Thorin,” Lila offered sympathetically. “But it’s not a total loss. We’ve learned something about the castle and its legends.”

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Haruki nodded in agreement. “Yeah, and who knows? Maybe the castle holds secrets beyond what’s written here.”

Thorin sighed, acknowledging the efforts and the journey they had undertaken. “True, but I still owe an explanation to the Guild.”

With a collective sigh, the team gathered their belongings and prepared to depart, their thoughts lingering on the enigmatic celestial castle and the truths yet to be unveiled.

Thorin sighed, “But you guys do have another quest to tackle, right?”

The mention of facing the spiders sent shivers down Lila’s spine. She hesitated, feeling her nerves taking hold once more. “W-w-we’re gonna face—those—sp—spiders again!?” she stammered, her voice trembling.

Thorin observed Lila’s unease and knelt down to her level. “Hey, it’s okay,” he said gently. “We’ll face those spiders together. You’re not alone.”

Haruki and Roderick nodded in agreement, offering her reassurance. Haruki placed a comforting hand on Lila’s shoulder. “You’ve shown incredible bravery before. We’ll get through this together, alright?”

Lila took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She glanced at the others, finding solace in their support. “O-okay,” she replied, a hint of determination in her voice.

Thorin smiled encouragingly. “Let’s rest up and prepare. We’ll be ready for those spiders this time.”

With renewed determination, they prepared themselves mentally and physically for the next challenge, their bond strengthening as they faced the looming trial ahead.

Thorin examined the piece of obsidian he’d taken from the fallen golem. “I’ll have to make the guild aware of this oversight, for not providing us with adequate information,” he mused, weighing the dark stone in his hand. “But this might cost us a bit,” he added, juggling the shard of obsidian thoughtfully.

Haruki nodded in agreement. “We need to ensure they know about this,” he said, acknowledging the potential risk posed by the incomplete information they’d been given.

Roderick furrowed his brow. “Hope they compensate for this mess,” he remarked, echoing the sentiments of his companions.

As they prepared to address the issue with the guild, the trio discussed the importance of fair compensation for the risks they’d faced, keeping in mind the potential costs that the guild’s oversight might entail.

“Hey, little girl!” the man called out.

“I’m not a ‘Little Girl!’” Lila snapped back angrily.

“Yes, yes, but don’t worry about those spiders. You have us; we’ll protect you as best as we can,” assured Thorin.

Haruki and Roderick joined in, echoing Thorin’s words of encouragement, reassuring Lila and offering their support for the upcoming challenge.