Chapter 28
“That was a relief. I was genuinely worried.”
Still, he believes that hostilities should come to an end and that they should give up those territories. However, he feels that outside parties should avoid excessive interference in the affairs of others.
He was not one of those legendary Travelers with extraordinary powers, capable of bending the very fabric of reality to their will. No, he was simply an ordinary human, a man who could sense the flow of mana around him.
“I’m glad to be of help, young master.”
Alistair replied eagerly as he poured another glass of water for him.
“Still, if the prince doesn’t plan to send me into battle, what was his original intention for me that required my study of magic?”
He wasn’t sure if Alistair would answer, but he asked the question anyway. Alistair paused for a moment, then let out a deep sigh before finally agreeing to speak.
“In a particular area, the mana remains unresponsive to any attempts at control. Despite our numerous efforts, our commands only seemed to provoke further agitation among the mana. Given that this site was previously inhabited by a Traveler, we speculated that you might possess the ability to influence it, however, it appears that fortune is not in our favor.”
The mana in this area is notably dense, surpassing even that of the One Exit Room. As a result, only individuals with exceptional mastery and comprehension of mana, or those who possess an innate affinity for it, such as Cielo, are capable of exerting influence over the peculiar mana present in this location.
It is unclear how they will react to Cielo’s presence. They might either greet him warmly enough to permit his entry or feel unsettled by the arrival of another Traveler, which could result in a hostile response.
“Therefore, that is the explanation.”
Alistair wrapped up his explanation.
So, it seems to be the situation.
It must resemble an underground tomb or something akin to it, and it certainly sounds exciting. It’s unfortunate that he can’t use magic and will miss out on the experience.
Cielo rested his chin on his hand.
“If I were to acquire the ability to use magic, would you take me to that place?”
“I regret to inform you that such a decision rests with His Imperial Highness and not with me, young master.”
“Well, I suppose there’s nothing that can be done about it.”
Cielo let out a sigh and accepted his defeat. There was little he could do in this situation, and given the prince’s character, it was doubtful that his appeals would have any impact.
“On the subject of His Imperial Highness, he is expected to return next week. There are pressing matters that require his immediate attention, necessitating his presence.”
“Hmm.”
It must be quite difficult to be a prince. Konstantinos spent only a few days at home each month, perpetually busy with his responsibilities. Even during his short visits to the palace, his own home, he was often stuck in his office, buried in paperwork.
“You must find it tedious to engage in servant duties.”
Alistair commented on his position as an assistant gardener, observing that the prince’s delay has been quite lengthy.
“Not really. It’s not as unpleasant as I expected.”
His earlier urge to leave has greatly lessened after discovering that the West is caught up in war. For the time being, tending to the garden seems like the more peaceful choice.
Alistair glanced at the clock on the wall, which led Cielo to look at it as well.
“It’s already this late?”
Cielo was astonished to realize how much time had passed.
“You should head back, young master. It’s getting late.”
“You’re right.”
It’s almost 2 a.m. and he needs to wake up early tomorrow since his breakfast has been rescheduled for 5 o’clock.
Before he left, Cielo asked about Dr. Happy and Newcastle, as he hadn’t received any updates about them since departing from the West Wing.
Alistair informs him that Dr. Happy is still in the West Wing, working on a personal research project, while Newcastle has been called back to a place that Alistair prefers to keep private. The seriousness of the situation is clear, as evidenced by the grave look on Alistair’s face when he mentioned Newcastle’s current situation. It appears that Newcastle has encountered a certain predicament.
Cielo is concerned for the person involved, but considering the man’s significant strength and his role as one of Konstantinos’ aides, Cielo is quite sure that he will be able to handle the situation effectively.
Nevertheless, he slept much better that night.
The next day, Alistair remained true to his promise by expelling the prince’s cousin from the palace. Consequently, Cielo’s admiration for him grew even stronger.
***
At the moment, Cielo was heading toward the shed, pretending to be blind by tapping his cane on the ground. He had noticed that the shovel had been forgotten and offered to go get it. In reality, this responsibility was part of his role as an assistant, but Fisher, a kind-hearted elderly man, always tries to lighten his load out of sympathy for the difficulties brought on by his “blindness.”
As he quietly retrieved the shovel from the shed, his attention was drawn to the entrance of the maze, located just a few kilometers away.
This maze was a familiar sight from his window in the West Wing, even though it was actually situated in the East. When he first woke up and saw this landscape, he felt a strong urge to explore the maze.
Even after taking on the role of assistant gardener, he remained with Fisher most of the time, who constantly warned him against entering due to the maze’s vastness. As a result, during his two weeks of working at the palace, he had not yet dared to step inside. Although he was free at night, Cielo was wise enough to avoid such a large area when darkness fell.
Fisher revealed that this maze was recently built, only a year ago, and that it was commissioned by Konstantinos at the request of someone. The prince took it upon himself to design the structure, which appears to be exceptionally well-crafted and poses a considerable challenge.
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The urge to enter immediately, while Fisher was away, was nearly irresistible. Cielo felt an undeniable pull towards the maze as if it were inviting him to uncover its concealed secrets. The thrill of the unknown coursed through him, igniting a sense of adventure that he found hard to contain.
Unbeknownst to him, he had already crossed the threshold into the maze.
“Wow.”
The walls are formidable, rising at least two stories high. The greenery is lush and vibrant, with vines twisting and curling around the stone, creating a tapestry of nature and architecture.
What kind of plant can reach such heights? It seems quite peculiar.
Cielo casts one last glance back at the entrance, lost in thought. Initially, he had planned to explore only the area around the entrance, but his curiosity was becoming too compelling to resist.
Newcastle warned him that excessive curiosity could lead to danger, however, he chose to ignore the advice of the person who had disappeared without a trace for the past two weeks and pressed on.
His determination was not only fueled by his confidence in navigating the maze but also by the reassurance of having a tracking device, which eased his anxiety about getting lost.
“I’m sure Alistair will find me.”
With this confidence, he delved deeper into the maze.
Although he doesn’t express regret, two hours of wandering through the maze have left him quite exhausted. Additionally, he foolishly forgot to bring any supplies, leading to a growing sense of hunger and thirst.
“I can’t believe I’ve put myself in this situation.”
Newcastle’s warning turned out to be true. Curiosity can indeed be deadly.
He stops for a moment, his cane has proven to be quite useful, providing support whenever he feels the urge to crouch. Cielo leans on it, allowing himself a brief respite as he takes in the sights around him.
The maze itself was nothing particularly extraordinary. Cielo had expected to encounter creatures or perhaps some enchanted carnivorous plants, given the fantasy setting, but found none. It looked like an ordinary maze, reminiscent of those from his previous world.
’This site would provide an ideal hiding spot during times of conflict.’
Its complexity means that, with adequate memorization of the path, escaping from pursuers would be relatively easy. Cielo figured that he should escape here when the day of battle reached the Imperial Grounds.
“Anyway, it’s getting hot.”
He believes that the maze is filled with barriers because of the dense mana in the area. However, after spending time gardening earlier, he had wrapped himself in several layers of clothing. Cielo considered whether it would be wise to take off his disguise, but given what happened in the library, he decided against it.
Despite his hunger, Cielo continued on his journey. He hoped to find something edible on the other side of the maze, maybe a fruit tree or something similar. While he didn’t have high expectations, the thought helped lift his spirits.
As he pressed on, he tried to recall the layout of the maze from the few glimpses he had caught earlier. The paths twisted and turned, some leading to dead ends while others opened up to small clearings. He had committed all the information to memory, which made navigation easy.
He paused again, glancing up at the sky where the sun hung low, casting long shadows across the maze. The golden light filtered through the leaves, creating a dappled pattern on the ground. It was beautiful in its own way, and for a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to appreciate the tranquility of the scene.
‘…Fisher must be very worried.’
A wave of guilt washed over him for leaving the elderly man behind. Cielo could only hope that he hadn’t caused too much trouble and that Fisher would go straight to Alistair upon realizing he hadn’t returned for several hours.
After walking for another hour, he finally arrived at the center.
“Um?”
At the center of the maze was a completely different place, seemingly separate from the maze itself. The spacious area boasted a garden, a small lake, and a beautiful gazebo.
The bright colors of the flowers danced gently in the soft breeze, while the soothing sound of water lapping at the lakeshore created a tranquil atmosphere that felt almost surreal.
The garden exhibited a notable concentration of mana, though higher levels in specific areas were quite common. Newcastle explained that mana usually gathers in places rich in nature and devoid of pollution.
‘Why would this be placed in the middle of a maze?’
Cielo wondered in confusion, finding the situation nonsensical.
The contrast between the chaotic twists and turns of the maze and the peaceful charm of this hidden retreat was striking. It seemed as if he had stumbled upon a secret world. Why had they chosen to conceal such beauty in a place that seemed designed to confuse and disorient?
Next to the maze was a large garden. While there was no lake in sight, he had heard from the servants that a sizable lake was situated just a few kilometers from the Haunted Palace.
‘Could this be the hidden spot meant for the person who commissioned this maze from the prince?’
Fisher did say that Konstantinos commissioned this place at the request of someone else. However, Fisher did not make it clear that exploring this place was forbidden for anyone, thus it can be inferred that he did not trespass on anyone’s private property, right?
“… .”
At this point, there was little point in dwelling on the situation since he had already been to this place. Therefore, he decided to look into it further.
Everything seems to be in order. At first, Cielo thought this place might hide a secret entrance, but he found none. It is simply a standard area meant for relaxation.
“Well, I guess it’s time for me to go.”
Even though the setting is perfect for relaxing, he’s starting to feel quite hungry. He should wrap up his tasks here and then return to the main palace.
In the Head Butler’s office, Fisher had just left, having reported that his young assistant had taken an interest in the maze, which led to a brief period of wandering and ultimately getting lost.
Worried, he quickly sought out the Head Butler, the one in charge of the maze. The Head Butler assured the war veteran that he would find his assistant and suggested that Fisher take a moment to relax.
Upon Fisher’s departure, Alistair, still in his disguise, stared pensively at his desk.
“… .”
His dear Traveler had finally taken the initiative to explore on his own, despite being warned against it. The young man knew he had a tracker on him, which is why he entered without worrying about getting lost.
“…How adorable.”
Alistair suppressed a laugh behind his hand, a dark chuckle slipping out. This situation filled him with a sense of pride.
“I ought to allow him some space for the moment.”
Cielo has been under significant stress lately due to a specific person, this might help him unwind.
“Huh.”
At the end of the maze, there was another garden next to the palace, even larger and more varied in its floral displays than just red roses, with the only nearby structure being a greenhouse. The afternoon sunlight bathes the garden in a heavenly radiance.
‘It’s large…’
The sheer size of the area made it resemble a park, and he might have mistaken it for one if it weren’t for the abundance of flowers all around him.
Despite being a gigantic garden capable of entertaining at least a thousand people at once, Cielo noticed a striking lack of people. This absence made him wonder whether this space still belonged to Konstantinos, given its direct link to the maze without any gates, or if it was only open at certain times and on specific days.
Cielo stepped out of the maze and took in his surroundings. In the distance, he could see several palaces, reminiscent of a wealthy neighborhood.
‘I knew the Imperial Grounds were extensive, but experiencing their magnificence in person was truly astonishing.’
Although he longed to explore the garden more, he understood the importance of heading back, as he had probably been gone for at least five hours. The constant growling of his stomach reminded him of this urgency.
Just as he was about to depart, something caught his eye.
Inside the greenhouse, he noticed someone who looked like Konstantinos, accompanied by two others with elaborate garments and several servants.
‘Oh dear…’
Konstantinos had prohibited him from leaving the palace, yet here he is, outside. If the prince were to spot him, he would be in deep trouble.
‘…I really should be going…’
And so he did.
He left his spot and approached the greenhouse to look inside carefully.
The greenhouse was vast and carefully maintained, with the plants inside looking vibrant and lush. It provided a perfect backdrop for savoring a cup of tea.