"It's a magic stone," Decimus said with a notable spark of intrigue in his voice. Albert nodded enthusiastically, passing the stone to Decimus for a closer examination. As Decimus held the stone in his palm, its weight felt substantial, as if it harbored ancient secrets within its unassuming exterior.

"Yes, it is," Albert confirmed, his gaze fixed on Decimus, gauging his reaction. He then seated himself gracefully on the edge of couch, adopting a posture that exuded both confidence and poise. His fingers deftly picked up the fallen wine bottle, its glass showing a slight crack from the force of impact.

Similarly, he retrieved the discarded wine glass that had been flung aside during Decimus's earlier outburst.

With a pause that seemed to hang in the air, he proceeded to pour the precious elixir into the cracked wine glass, a delicate balancing act that mirrored the fragile equilibrium in the room.

And as the deep red liquid filled the flawed vessel, he continued his narrative.

"This stone is said to possess ancient powers," Albert elucidated, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of reverence and curiosity.

"Legends suggest it can unveil concealed pathways, allowing entry to the most elusive locations, such as the fabled Labyrinth itself."

Decimus considered the stone thoughtfully, intrigued by the potential it held. While he had heard stories of such mystical artifacts, he had always maintained a level of skepticism—until now.

The conviction in Albert's voice and the genuine enthusiasm of his companions seemed to lend credence to the stone's mystical properties.

"Where did you come across this?" Decimus inquired, his tone composed yet genuinely intrigued.

"In the forgotten catacombs of the ancient ruins," Albert responded, leaning in with an air of eagerness, his eyes dancing with the excitement of discovery. "It took us days of exploration and unyielding determination to unearth this relic, but the toil was well worth it."

Decimus took a moment to internalize the significance of the find. If the stone indeed held the powers Albert described, it could prove to be a valuable asset in their quest for the Labyrinth—a treasure beyond measure. The room itself seemed charged with a sense of wonder and boundless potential, the stone in Decimus's hand transforming into a conduit of fate. No longer just an ordinary object, it had become a key, capable of unlocking a realm of concealed marvels and enigmas.

"Yuh," Chrome hiccupped, punctuating the quiet with his slurred exclamation. Leaning forward, he fixed a slightly unsteady gaze on the stone still nestled in Decimus's large fingers, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"This is the signal stone we brought, isn't it, Brian?" Chrome's words were tinged with the effects of alcohol, his speech somewhat unsteady.

Brian and Albert exchanged bemused glances, their faces portraying an amalgamation of amusement and perplexity at Chrome's intoxicated rambling. Amidst this, Decimus, his outward demeanor unflinching, couldn't suppress a subtle quirk of his lips, a glint of humor sparkling briefly in his eyes at Chrome's drunken antics.

"That rascal demanded a hundred silvers for this little beauty, but I haggled it down to 80 silvers. Impressive, right? Heheheh," Chrome proclaimed, puffing his chest out theatrically, a heavy dose of exaggerated pride in his tone.

"YUH!" Chrome hiccupped again, the sound reverberating within the room.

As if the very sun had inched its way closer, Decimus's presence seemed to radiate an increased heat. Brian and Albert exchanged uneasy glances, their apprehension mirroring the mounting tension in the room.

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The creaked wine glass in the hand of Albert burst, fallen into pieces, a sharp and sudden crack cutting through the air.

Chrome's revelation had laid bare their deception, and an air of tension blanketed the room as they braced themselves for Decimus's inevitable reaction.

"You scoundrel!" Decimus's voice thundered once again, the anger in his tone almost tangible. He pressed the stone between his fingers, and with a mere squeeze, it crumbled, breaking apart like fragile glass.

His fist remained coiled, a testament to the tempest of emotions raging within him. Yet, before his fury could find its outlet, Brian stepped in, a desperate attempt to douse the mounting fire.

"Sire Decimus, it may not be the relic that Master Albert spoke of, but this stone is definitely going to lead us towards the labyrinth," Brian implored, hoping to divert Decimus's anger away from his fellow companion.

"Hah! You better explain yoursev before I beat the piece out of ya," Decimus growled, his patience hanging by a thread.

"As you know, the forest is filled with a large number of monsters. It causes people to get lost in its labyrinthine depths, making it nearly impossible to explore even with the use of advanced devices.

Once a person enters the forest, they are surrounded by towering trees, and the sky above is obscured by a thick fog, rendering flight and other navigation skills useless."

Decimus's stern expression conveyed his rapt attention, though skepticism still lingered. "Go on, but you better not be bullshittin this time."

Brian swallowed hard, steadying himself to convey the significance of the stone.

"So, once a person enters the forest, it's like being adrift in an ocean of magical energy. The overwhelming aura causes individuals to lose their sense of direction and any hope of finding their way back."

"However, this stone here," he pointed to the broken remains of the once seemingly insignificant trinket, "is a signal stone."

"Then?" Decimus locked his gaze upon Brian, his intense scrutiny demanding more answers.

Brian drew a deep breath, hoping his explanation would sway Decimus's judgment. "The stone could be infused with your sword ki. Not only that, in the sea of thousands of magical signals, it's impossible to find a particular frequency of magical energy. But what if the energy itself belongs to a different realm?"

"We can spread these stones throughout the forest, and you can use your exclusive, enormous sword ki, which only you possess in that magnitude, to create a unique signal."

"With multiple connections marking out distances from town or making a map, it won't be difficult," Decimus spoke, mulling over Brian's words.

"Yes, and one more thing—only you can fight the monsters even after using your sword ki to signal through this stone," Brian added, emphasizing Decimus's unparalleled strength and skill.

"Yeah, of course, I can," Decimus exclaimed, his face lighting up with the satisfaction of newfound understanding.

Brian's explanation had ignited Decimus's imagination, envisioning the potential of their plan. With this method, Decimus could explore the labyrinth before any other party that paid heed to the rumours.

The room swelled with renewed enthusiasm and shared purpose as the comrades delved into their strategy. Decimus's ire had melted away, replaced by a genuine sense of camaraderie with his fellow quest-seekers.

Albert observed with a relieved grin, his earlier deception now a stepping stone toward a promising solution. Chrome, still a tad tipsy, chimed in with a hiccup-laden approval, solidifying their collective decision.

"Hey, you," Decimus called out to Albert, using the term with a touch of irony, the edges of his command rough but not hostile. Instinctively, Albert sought refuge behind Chrome, using his friend as a shield against any potential outburst from Decimus.

"Yes, old geezer," Albert replied, the irony of his response dancing in the air, a subtle contrast to the seeming insolence he employed earlier.

"You take care of the café and ensure that Lily isn't troubled," Decimus commanded.

"As you wish, old fart," Albert retorted with an exaggerated bow, each word chosen to underline the paradox of respect and casual irreverence.

"We depart tomorrow morning," Decimus declared, shifting the conversation to the imminent journey. "Both of you best pack your belongings; we could be away for days or months."

"Are we going too?" Chrome interjected, his tipsiness coloring his speech and stance. "YUH!" he added, punctuating his words with a hiccup.

"Yes, both of you are goin." Decimus confirmed, his tone resolute.

"Huh!" A sudden wave of trepidation washed over Brian as he grasped the full weight of those words.

"Yay!" Chrome cheered with unbridled enthusiasm, blissfully unaware of the gravity of the situation.

In the nexus of their unfolding adventure, the room pulsed with divergent emotions. Brian's thoughts raced, the gravity of their imminent journey weighing heavily. In stark contrast, Chrome's inebriation cocooned him in blissful ignorance of the challenges that lay ahead.

Decimus's decision had set their course, intertwining their fates in a journey that promised both hardship and victory. As the sun climbed the sky on the morrow, they would embark into the unknown—a trio of adventurers, each carrying their unique quirks, strengths, and fears.