Invisible Threads, Needle's Trails

After a time skip, the relentless events we had faced left me utterly exhausted. The perilous journey to that enigmatic place and the encounters with numerous mysterious figures had taken their toll on me. As I lay on the luxurious, fluffy bed in the palace, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this brief respite. The uncertainty of what lay ahead weighed heavily on my mind, yet the comfort of the bed offered some solace.

Ever since our arrival, Arin had disappeared without a word, leaving no trace of his whereabouts. Piro was also nowhere to be found, and the others were all occupied with their own recovery efforts. In the midst of it all, Princess Vespa insisted that I take some time to rest in this guest room. I accepted her offer, knowing that I needed to recuperate after the injuries I sustained.

As I lay there, my mind wandered to the mysterious masked people who had attacked us. Arin seemed to recognize the one who assaulted him, but the identities and motives of the masked assailants remained a mystery. The thought of them haunted me, making it difficult to find peace even in this opulent setting.

In the midst of my contemplations, a soft, radiant light shone on my hand, and before me appeared Sylpha. Her ethereal presence always brought a sense of calm.

"Master, take a moment to compose yourself," she said gently, her voice echoing soothingly in my mind. "I can hear your thoughts."

"Apologies," I replied, appreciating her ability to understand me on a deeper level. "I'm just trying to make sense of everything. Do you have any insights into those masked people or the sister they mentioned?"

Sylpha considered my question for a moment before responding, "I'm afraid I don't have any direct knowledge of them. My existence is bound to yours, and I can only sense and know what you experience firsthand. But rest assured, we will uncover the truth together."

Her reassuring words eased some of my worries, knowing that I wouldn't be facing these challenges alone. I nodded in gratitude, acknowledging the bond we shared.

"I trust your instincts and guidance, Sylpha," I said, feeling a newfound determination. "Together, we will find the answers we seek."

Sylpha's radiant form glowed a bit brighter, as if expressing her commitment to our shared cause. "Indeed, Master. We will navigate these mysteries and emerge stronger."

With Sylpha by my side, I felt more confident about facing whatever lay ahead. The secrets and enigmas surrounding those masked people and the sister they sought were still shrouded in darkness, but I knew that with patience and perseverance, we would eventually illuminate the truth.

As I closed my eyes, I let the fatigue wash over me, embracing the much-needed rest. My thoughts drifted towards one more person, whom I could count on from now on—Arin. Despite being just a young sage, he had shown remarkable courage and resourcefulness. I considered him more than just a friend; he had become a trusted ally in this treacherous journey. I hoped that his ingenuity would lead us to a way to recover King Harlan from his ailment.

Amidst these thoughts, I couldn't help but wish that Piro was here with us. I had wanted to ask her about the masked people and their connections to this world. She had an extensive knowledge of this realm, and her insights might have shed light on the enigma we were facing. But for now, I could only contemplate and wonder.

"Sylpha, do you think what I am thinking?" I murmured, knowing that she could perceive my thoughts.

"It's possible, Master," she replied, her voice a comforting presence in my mind.

Just then, a soft knock echoed through the room. Sylpha transformed back into her dagger form and dissipated, concealing her true nature. I opened the door to find Vice Captain Foria standing there.

"Everyone has been called to the palace court. Arin has returned with something, and you are asked to join as well," Foria informed me.

I nodded in acknowledgment and followed her lead. Along the way, my mind continued to dwell on what Arin had mentioned about the mystery person leaving something behind. How did Arin know this person, and what exactly had been left behind? The questions swirled in my mind, adding to the complexity of our already puzzling situation.

Attempting to clear my thoughts, I reminded myself that I might be overthinking things. It was best to see what Arin had discovered before jumping to conclusions. With a renewed focus, I made my way to the palace court.

As I arrived at the gathering, I noticed the familiar faces, all curious and eager to hear what Arin had to share. Arin stood there with a determined expression, holding something in his hands.

"Arin, what have you found?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.

Just as I had curiosity to know what Arin was up to, everyone in the court except the Queen, Princess, and the knight were getting impatient as time passed with Arin standing quietly.

Then, he began with saying, "As everyone of you know, I am Arin Drance. A young sage, who has enormous ability to overcome anything. But I am disappointed to say, I cannot heal King Harlan."

His words echoed through the court, and I, standing close by him, began to wonder what he meant. Even the Queen and Princess showed concern and shock.

Yet, he spoke again, "I may not be able to heal, but I might help find the real mastermind."

Later, Arin revealed what he held in his hand—a needle. He said, "In my clan of Drance, we have a unique kind of technique to trace our family and relatives in case of emergencies, using these needles."

"Why is he wasting our time with these parlor tricks? We need a solution for King Harlan's condition, not some parlor trick!" Sir Reald exclaimed, his face reddening with anger.

Another courtier, Sir Goir, who was often more level-headed, tried to calm the situation. "Wait, let's hear him out. Arin may have something important to share," she said, trying to temper the growing tension in the room. Even Sir Sera agreed with Sir Goir.

But Lord Reynald was not easily swayed. "Important? Hmph! I highly doubt that," he scoffed, crossing his arms and glancing around at the other courtiers who seemed torn between curiosity and annoyance.

Princess Vespa, maintaining her composure as always, intervened, "Sir Reald, please give Arin a chance. We must explore all avenues to save my father, no matter how unusual they may seem."

While the courtiers reluctantly quieted down, the frustration and impatience in the room were still palpable. All eyes remained fixed on Arin as he continued with his spell, focusing his energy on the flying needle.

As the needle soared through the air, the tension in the room grew, and the courtiers leaned in with anticipation. The sudden scream that followed, sounding as though the needle had pierced someone, sent a shiver down everyone's spine.