The sound of shattering silver echoed through the upper corridors of Noctharis Castle.
Servants screamed.
Footsteps thundered across the stone halls.
Blue flames flickered violently as if the castle itself had felt the disturbance.
Within moments, guards rushed toward the corridor, their armor clattering in the silence of the night. From the upper balcony, Aurex Valdren's personal guard emerged, hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Junyu and Salim arrived at the scene just as more servants gathered around the fallen woman.
She lay motionless on the cold marble floor, her eyes pale and lifeless.
The tray beside her was shattered into dozens of silver fragments.
Rain beat against the distant windows.
No one spoke.
Then the masked host arrived, surrounded by attendants carrying black banners.
"Clear the corridor."
Servants hurried to obey. Ropes were stretched across the passage, and banners were raised.
AREA CLOSED — DO NOT ENTER
The blue flames cast the warning signs in an eerie glow.
Aurex's guard stepped forward.
"Is everything under control?"
The masked host nodded calmly.
"Yes. The situation is contained. We are identifying the victim."
His gaze shifted sharply toward Junyu and Salim.
"And why are the Dogs here again?"
Junyu remained silent.
The host walked closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Dogs always push their noses where they do not belong. Leave this area immediately."
Salim opened his mouth, then closed it again.
They had no authority here.
No status.
No defense.
Junyu gave one last look toward the dark corridor and turned away.
As they walked, something faintly blue rolled across the floor near the wall.
Junyu's eyes caught it instantly.
A small blue stone, glowing softly beneath the shadows.
Without a word, Salim bent down, slipped it into his sleeve, and the two disappeared into the corridor before anyone noticed.
THE HALLS OF NOCTHARIS
They returned near their chamber but stopped outside the door.
Junyu looked at the stone in Salim's hand.
"This is connected to the man we saw."
Salim nodded.
"If we go back now, they'll search us."
For a long moment they stood in silence.
Then Junyu smiled faintly.
"Let's explore."
The castle at night felt completely different.
The grand halls were empty, their marble floors reflecting the blue firelight like frozen water. Wind moaned through distant archways, and the sea roared far below the cliffs.
As they turned a corner, they encountered a thin minister carrying a lantern.
He raised an eyebrow.
"And what are you two doing wandering around at this hour?"
Junyu answered immediately.
"Exploring the castle. Helping keep watch."
The minister laughed.
"Ah, yes. That is exactly what dogs do. Excellent work."
He walked away before they could respond.
Junyu stared after him.
"Salim…"
"Yeah?"
"Are we actually dogs now?"
Salim burst out laughing.
"Don't start barking, captain."
Further ahead, a group of elegantly dressed young women appeared, their silk robes rustling softly against the marble floor.
Junyu glanced at them.
"Look."
Salim straightened his collar.
"Yes. Let us observe carefully."
One of the women approached Junyu until she was almost close enough to whisper in his ear.
She slipped a folded note into his hand.
"We'll have fun tonight," she said with a playful smile.
Before Junyu could answer, the women disappeared down the corridor like shadows.
Salim immediately rushed over.
"What does it say?"
Junyu unfolded the note.
"Meet us on the beach. And bring your handsome friend."
Salim blinked.
Then he blushed.
Junyu stared at him in disbelief.
"This is not happening. We're investigating a possible murder."
He sniffed the paper and frowned.
"And this thing smells suspicious."
Salim nodded seriously.
"You're right."
A pause.
"For future reference, though…"
Junyu sighed and shoved the note into his pocket.
The moon hung high above Noctharis Isle, silver light spilling across the ocean. Outside, the castle looked magnificent, its towers crowned with blue flames that burned against the storm-dark sky.
Inside those beautiful walls, however, two young Wanderers wandered through corridors filled with secrets.
Salim spoke quietly.
"Remember that haunted palace case from years ago?"
Junyu smiled despite himself.
"Yeah. Turned out there were no ghosts."
Salim laughed.
"The owner was paying actors to pretend to be ghosts. And somehow you got accused because you kept carrying all the clues in your pockets."
Junyu pointed at him.
"That was your fault."
Salim grinned.
"Maybe. But this castle feels the same."
Junyu's smile faded.
"The difference is that this time someone may actually be dead."
Their footsteps echoed as they moved deeper into the forbidden wing, searching for anything connected to the blue stone.
Behind a closed door somewhere in the darkness, a voice whispered:
"Begin the plan."
The blue flames outside the room flickered once.
Then went still.