The group began to scavenge through Froenborg to find Professor Sycamore but, alas, luck was not on their side yet.

"I wonder if he really is here." Erin murmured.

"Maybe it won't be easy. Maybe we need to put some thinking into this." Katie suggested. Erin rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, right." She scoffed sarcastically. Just as Katie was going to snap back with some sarcasm, ranting caught their attention.

"Argh! Rats! Why does everything here have to be frozen solid?" A small yet chubby man cried out in aggravation. The taller, skinnier one replied dryly.

"We're in Froenborg, what did you expect?"

"Yeah, but come on! A huge wall made of ICE! It's not natural, I tell you! I should've been able to chip it at least, but... ow!" The small one shook his hand, clearly in pain.

"Well, if fire didn't have any effect on it, I'd hardly expect brute force to." The tall one straightened up. "Anyways, whatever happens, we're not leaving here until we've captured the target, so we'd better suck it up. Get your skates on, Bishop. Let's see if we can find another way in."

"I'm on it!"

Then, they waltzed off.

"Do you suppose those were..." The professor trailed off.

"The suspicious blokes Prima told us about?" Erin piped up.

"They must be!" Luke exclaimed. Layton tapped his chin.

"Hmm, seems this trip won't go as smoothly as I hoped."

"Were they... talking about Professor Sycamore?" Katie wondered worriedly.

"Maybe." Emmy hummed.

"Living mummy or not, I'm afraid Professor Sycamore has uncovered something extremely dangerous." Layton concluded.

"Is that your intuition talking again, Professor?" Luke smiled.

"Maybe." Layton smiled back. "In any case, we should try to locate Professor Sycamore as soon as possible."

"A disaster, that's what it is..." A local man mumbled quietly.

"Is something wrong, sir? Do you need any help?" Emmy asked him. He looked at them, startled.

"Stone the crows! Y-yer from the city, aren't ye?" He said.

"Er, well, it depends on what sorry you mean, I suppose. We're from London." Emmy answered, perplexed.

"Aha! I knew you was city folks! What are ye up to here, then? Not looking to ''modernise' us, I hope?" The man quivered. "Though, I s'pose I can't turn ye away. What kind of host would that make me? So, I be Harald. And, er... welcome!"

"Well, Harald, I'm Layton. Professor Hershel Layton from Gressenheller University."

"Layton, ye say? So yer him? Yer hat is taller than I expected."

"I'm sorry?" Layton tilted his head, folding his arms across his chest.

"Well, what do you know? Looks like your archaeological breakthroughs are famous around the world." Emmy chuckled.

"What? No, what does I care for arky-ology? Never been on a boat in my entire life." Harold shrugged. "Matter of fact, it was another city professor who mentioned you. Singapore, his name was."

"You must mean professor Sycamore. Singapore is a place." Katie giggled. Erin looked at her.

"How do you know of that place? I haven't even heard of it." She asked.

"My half sister's Singaporean." Katie replied.

"Would you happen to know where professor Sycamore is right now?" Layton questioned Harald.

"Well, truthfully, ever since he set off to explore the cave up north of here, I haven't seen him." Harald said.

"Cave?" Katie muttered. Her and Erin looked at each other before nodding. Quickly and quietly, they slipped away unnoticed to head north. As they walked along, Erin spoke up.

"Now can I say it?"

"Say what?" Katie raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Come on. We both know Descole will appear sooner or later. Might as well plan how you're gonna confess." Erin grinned, making Katie blush.

"W-well, what about you? If I confess to Descole, you confess to Luke!"

"... On second thought, never mind." Erin said quickly. Katie laughed but then they both stopped, eyes wide.

"Oh God." Katie muttered, staring at the ice wall formed at the entrance of the cave.

"Well, what now?" Erin pondered.

()

Sorry for the long wait ^^' I hope you guys can forgive me. I found this chapter in my notes and was like 'OH GOD I FORGOT TO UPDATE THIS!'