As Decimus departed, Lilian approached the slumbering Susan. Her lips twitched into a half-smile at the unintelligible murmurings that escaped Susan's lips, her dreaming mind conjuring scenarios that Lilian could only guess at.

She wondered about the strange visions that danced behind those closed eyelids, a mix of intrigue and concern knitting her brows. Susan's deep sleep left her oblivious to Lilian's presence.

Meanwhile, Decimus ventured deeper into the café's heart, navigating its narrow corridors with ease, his well-built frame moving with familiarity through the labyrinthine paths. The twists and turns, doors leading to various rooms, were like old friends to him.

Amidst these passages, one door stood out. Laughter and animated chatter filtered through its closed surface, drawing Decimus's attention. His footsteps led him closer, his senses tingling with a sense of recognition. With a touch of realization, he gently turned the doorknob and peered into the room.

Inside, Albert, one of Decimus' employees, was a picture of elegance in his black and white waiter's uniform. His blonde hair was neatly coifed, and a bow tie added a touch of sophistication. Yet, beneath this composed exterior, a flicker of unease colored his actions, hinting at concealed secrets.

Decimus's attention shifted in the same direction as Albert's gaze, and the reason for his employee's distraction became clear. Albert's hands were intertwined with another's – a figure by the name of Chrome, who held the room's attention captive. With his unruly shock of fiery red hair, Chrome emanated an irresistible aura of audacious adventure.

Despite his youth, his demeanor hinted at a familiarity with life's more shadowy aspects. A subtle sway in his posture betrayed his intoxication, evidence of his full immersion in the night's pleasures.

But it wasn't just Chrome who captured Decimus' attention. His eyes swept over the table like a hawk spotting its prey, taking in the opulent display of extravagance.

An aged wine bottle, its seal broken, exuded an aura of costly indulgence. A solitary glass rested on the table, a mute invitation. Beside it, another glass held a generous pour of the crimson elixir, a visual testament to excess.

Decimus's muscles tightened, his demeanor shifting into high alert as he focused on the scene before him. Albert, seated with an air of oblivious luxury, was completely unaware of Decimus's presence.

In a surge of determination, Decimus lunged forward, his footsteps reverberating like a gathering storm. With the precision of a predator, he closed the distance between them and gripped Albert's head in his massive palm, lifting him effortlessly from his seat.

His voice trembling with anger, Decimus bellowed, "You piece of shit! Have you no boundaries? Women were not enough for ya, and now yer seeking men as your prey?"

Albert's face paled, fear evident in his eyes. "Wait, wait, please!" he pleaded, his voice quivering.

However, Decimus's anger had surged beyond containment. In a swift and unhesitating motion, he channeled his fury, smashing Albert's head onto the table's surface. The collision resonated like thunder, and the table succumbed to the force, shattering into fragments.

Albert emitted a pained groan, his body splayed across the room's creaking wooden floor. Amidst the dim illumination, eerie shadows danced, encapsulating an atmosphere laden with tension and apprehension.

"Master Albert, where are you? Someone, turn the lights on; it's so dark," Chrome slurred, his speech slanting with intoxication. Oblivious to the commotion unfolding before him, he fumbled to make sense of his surroundings.

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"Shh, Chrome, it's Sire Decimus. He's here," Brian urged, his brown hair slightly tousled from the revelry. The flush of alcohol colored his cheeks, but his eyes remained alert, wary of the sudden change in the room's mood.

Decimus's presence loomed like a thundercloud, casting a shadow over the once-vibrant gathering. The air crackled with tension, the silence heavy with apprehension. Albert's pain-filled groans echoed like haunting whispers, a chilling counterpoint to the revelry that had filled the room moments ago.

"Where is he, Sire Decimus?" Chrome slurred, his words betraying the effects of intoxication, oblivious to Brian's earlier warning. "I love Sire Decimus!" His declaration hung in the air like a defiant proclamation, leaving those around him momentarily startled.

Decimus's face tensed, the flicker of discomfort mingling with the fire of anger in his eyes. His patience was teetering on the edge, and he instinctively clenched his hands, as if to subdue the urge to strike the insolent brat before him.

But, in a sudden and unforeseen twist, Chrome's drunken utterances took an unexpectedly emotional turn. "He saved me and my sister during the Monster Stampede," Chrome continued, his slurred speech now tinged with an unanticipated reverence. Strangely, those words seemed to possess an almost magical effect, momentarily arresting Decimus's rising anger.

In that evanescent instant, Decimus's rigid posture seemed to soften, and a fleeting vulnerability softened the edges of his usually stern visage. The floodgates of memory creaked open, releasing recollections of a time when he wasn't the indomitable Sire Decimus, but rather a man driven by empathy, ready to brave any peril to shield those in need.

The room held its collective breath, as if frozen in time, witnessing the powerful figure's transformation from rage to something softer.

Amidst this charged atmosphere, time seemed to stretch, as though the fate of these characters teetered on a delicate balance. The room itself appeared to observe silently, marking a pivotal moment that would intertwine their lives in ways they couldn't anticipate.

"Now that we've found a way to the labyrinth, I could help Sire Decimus... I'd be willing," Chrome's words stumbled out, his speech slurred by intoxication, yet laced with genuine sentiment. The remaining patrons, though struggling to follow Chrome's emotionally charged speech, listened attentively, sensing the authenticity beneath his drunken state.

"This could really make a difference for Sire Decimus... oh, if only I could be as strong as him," Chrome continued his monologue, his thoughts a candid revelation of his innermost desires.

As Chrome's voice grew more vulnerable, a wistful sigh escaped his lips. "If only I could be strong like him... then maybe Victoria would consider marrying me."

Brian's jaw dropped in sheer astonishment at this unexpected admission. "Hey, wait, that's my cousin," he interjected, his mind racing to comprehend the profound implications of Chrome's candid statement.

The gravity of Chrome's revelations washing over the gathered souls. The once-rowdy atmosphere now hummed with shared empathy and understanding, an unspoken recognition of human frailty.

"That's what I was saying, you old geezer," Albert complained, his voice laced with pain as he slowly and shakily made his way to stand again. The room was brightly lit, and the weariness etched on Albert's face was evident to all.

Decimus remained stoic, seemingly unfazed by Albert's harsh temperament. "What are you saying?" he asked, his curiosity piqued by the mention of something interesting.

Albert took a moment to collect himself, dusting off the dirt from his uniform. His hand moved through his curling hair, trying to compose himself despite the lingering pain. With a nod toward two figures beside him, he introduced them.

"This guy here is Chrome, and this sir here is Brian. These gentlemen are your diehard fans. The moment they found out about this trick to reach the Labyrinth, they rushed to find you. So, I offered them your expensive wine."

Chrome, still somewhat inebriated, beamed with enthusiasm, while Brian stood beside him, his expression a mix of admiration and pride. They had braved the odds and sought out the revered Sire Decimus, eager to share their discovery.

Decimus's face softened as he looked at Chrome and Brian. A flicker of amusement sparkled in his eyes, mingled with a newfound appreciation for their determination. Despite their contrasting personalities, they had come together with a shared goal—to seek him out and offer their prized discovery.

Decimus, once seen as an unyielding figure, revealed a rare smile—a gesture that caught both Chrome and Brian off guard. In that fleeting instance, they glimpsed a more human side of the enigmatic Sire.

"Look at this," Albert said with eager excitement, extending his hand to showcase the small stone he held. It didn't possess the glittering allure of a precious gem, nor did it boast any mysterious patterns. Instead, it was a simple dark red stone with a plain appearance.

"That's..." Decimus's face showed a hint of surprise, though he quickly masked it behind a composed demeanor. "It's a magic stone," Decimus declared with a touch of intrigue evident in his voice.