The next day found Bell and Caster navigating the labyrinthine Daedalus Street, a residential area designed by the eccentric Daedalus himself. As they walked through the wide, complex streets, Bell couldn't help but think to himself about the eerie reputation of this place. It was rumored to be as perplexing as a dungeon, and once entered, one might struggle to find their way out – hence the moniker "the other dungeon."
Navigating the twists and turns of Daedalus Street, Bell muttered to himself, "It's like a maze down here. No wonder people get lost." The narrow alleys and haphazard architecture seemed to validate the street's mysterious reputation.
Bell's thoughts shifted to his goddess, Hestia, who had mentioned she wouldn't be home for a few days. With her absence, Bell and Caster decided to take it upon themselves to investigate the string of disappearances in this intricate neighborhood.
Caster, noticing Bell lost in thought, questioned, "Do you understand, Bell?"
Startled, Bell hurriedly responded, "Yes, I do."
Caster sighed, taking a puff of his cigar. "If you're going to be this distracted, how do you expect to grasp the intricacies of magic? Paying attention to the details is crucial."
Bell, eager for any information, asked Caster, "Did you find anything about the missing people?"
Caster shook his head, "Not really. They were adventurers, and the guild restricted my access to their information. Your advisor was particularly elusive."
He continued, "However, since you possess some magical abilities, I suggest we stop by a library or mage shop on our way back. Gathering knowledge on magic might help us understand the nature of these disappearances."
As they walked through the winding streets, Bell began to sense a peculiar feeling—someone watching him. It felt different, lacking the usual intensity. Silently, he conveyed this to Caster, a hint of caution in his eyes.
As Bell and Caster turned a corner, they stumbled upon a group of children playing in a small open space. Bell, seizing the opportunity, approached them and asked, "Have any of you noticed anyone missing around here?"
The children, their attention captured by the unexpected visitor, stared at Bell. A blonde-haired elf girl among them, with wide curious eyes, quickly asked, "Are you an adventurer?"
Bell, slightly startled by the immediate question, smiled and replied, "Yes, I am."
The children erupted with excitement, a domino effect of jumping and enthusiastic exclamations. They bombarded Bell with a barrage of questions:
"What's the Dungeon like?"
"Are you a girl?"
"How many monsters have you seen?"
"Have you killed a dragon?"
Bell, thrilled by the genuine curiosity, answered each question with a mixture of pride and amusement. However, when the elf girl asked if he was a girl, he chuckled and in a hurt tone asked, "No, I'm not. Do I really look like a Girl?"
The children, oblivious to any potential embarrassment, continued their lively interrogation, turning the encounter into an unexpected moment of joy in the midst of their investigation.
Caster, picking up on the investigation, asked Syr the same question Bell posed to the children. Syr, her gaze shifting towards Bell, acknowledged, "Yes, I'm aware that people have disappeared around here. Unfortunately, I don't know much about the residents in this area, aside from the children who live in the orphanage around the corner."
Bell, intrigued, inquired, "Orphans?"
Syr, with a sad smile, elaborated on the harsh reality, "Yes, most of these children are from the pleasure districts. They were abandoned by the people who should have cared for them."
Bell, realizing the sensitivity of the topic, felt a pang of guilt for asking. Quickly, he apologized, "I'm sorry for bringing up such a painful subject."
Syr, still wearing that sad smile, nodded appreciatively, understanding the genuine concern in Bell's apology.
Syr, with a thoughtful expression, continued, "I do know someone who might have information, but it might come at a cost."
Bell, without hesitation, declared, "I'll accept your request. If it helps find those who are missing, I'm willing to pay whatever cost."
Syr, appreciating Bell's determination, smiled and suggested, "Good. Come by the Hostess of Fertility tonight. I work there, and we can discuss things over something to eat or drink."
Bell and Caster both agreed to meet at the pub later that evening.
Before parting ways, Syr provided them with further guidance, "At the south end, there's an old man named Neil. He knows most folks around here. Seek him out, and he might be able to help you."
Bell, noticing Caster's quiet demeanor, turned to him and inquired, "Is everything alright?"
Caster, his hand resting on his stomach and wearing a troubled expression, revealed, "The lady just now, reminded me of someone else."
After about an hour of navigating the convoluted pathways of Daedalus Street, Bell and Caster reached what seemed to be the residence of the old man Neil. The house, standing proudly amidst the tangled maze of streets, appeared as a two-story structure. Its size was comparable to the broken-down church that served as the home for Hestia Familia.
The exterior of Neil's house bore the marks of age, weathering the passage of time in this mysterious neighborhood. The wooden structure had a rustic charm, with faded paint and slightly creaking shutters that hinted at the tales hidden within its walls.
The front door, sturdy and worn, beckoned them forward as if inviting them to uncover the secrets held within. A small, well-tended garden adorned the entrance, a modest burst of color amidst the surrounding labyrinth of Daedalus Street.
As they approached, the air carried a mixture of age and history, weaving a silent narrative of the inhabitants who had come and gone. The windows, though slightly dusty, hinted at a warmth that emanated from within, contrasting with the enigmatic exterior of Daedalus Street.
They knocked at the door for the first time, and there was no response. Undeterred, they tried again, a second round of knocks echoing through the quiet hallway. Still, no one came to answer the door.
As Bell knocked for the third time, a sudden boom echoed from inside. Startled, he didn't hesitate and broke through the front door, rushing down the hallway. His heightened senses detected coughing, urging him to reach the source.
Reaching the door at the end of the hallway, Bell opened it, finding himself in a cloud of smoke. With instinctive speed, he descended the stairs, navigating through the haze to find the source of distress.
Caster, following closely behind, waved his fan, releasing a wind spell that dispersed the smoke, revealing a hoary elder dressed in a classic black robe. The deep wrinkles at the edges of his eyes and mouth spoke of years gone by, and his dark red pupils appeared slightly turbid.
Bell, somewhat out of breath, managed to express their concern about the smoke. The elder, smiling appreciatively, spoke with a raspy yet warm voice, "Ah, thank you for your help. I was just experimenting with a few things down here. Come, come, let's talk upstairs where it's clearer."
With the chaos settled, they ascended the stairs, ready to delve into a conversation that might provide answers to the mysteries entwined within Daedalus Street.
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A.N : So took time for this Update but hope you enjoy
