Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

"So not only do I have to face the dangers of the ruins, but I also have to guard against attacks from other 'investigators'? The Dream Labyrinth Tower really does get harder with each level…"

While mulling over this, Ebner glanced again at Bellman Carnot and asked, "Do you have any more intelligence on the ruins?"

Carnot shook his head and replied, "That's all I know. Parliamentarian Ricciardo has already noted his 'observations' on that map… However, the Governor's Mansion likely holds more detailed information, given that the few adventurers who returned alive are currently under Governor Auston's house arrest."

Governor Auston… the brother of that unlucky admiral? In the original story, he seemed to be plotting something big, which eventually attracted the attention of that unnameable organization, forcing him to resign and return to Backlund… I wonder if his schemes started before or after this ruin exploration.

Well, that's not my concern… Hmm, there's still nearly a day and a half before tomorrow night, so I shouldn't waste it entirely. Since the Governor's Mansion might have valuable information, I should pay it a visit.

With his plan set, Ebner picked up the map and politely bid farewell to Bellman Carnot.

If this were the real world, Ebner would never act so rashly. He would've conducted multiple reconnaissance operations to ensure the admiral wasn't present before daring to enter the Governor's Mansion.

But since this was only a dream scenario and he could exit at any time, there was no need for such meticulous caution—he could afford to take some risks.

Carnot didn't try to stop him. After simply saying, "Be careful," he picked up a novel and began reading.

However, once Ebner's figure disappeared from the doorway, Carnot set down the book, sat quietly for a while, and, after ensuring Ebner had gone far, left the bell tower and made his way to a nearby stone bridge.

Stopping at the leftmost arch of the bridge, Carnot spoke in a low voice:

"Parliamentarian, the 'investigator' sent by the Church of Storms has already been here. I gave him the map."

"Good," a raspy voice replied from the shadowy depths of the bridge arch.

"Still, I feel there's something off about this 'investigator'… He doesn't seem like he's from the Storms…" Carnot began to say, but the raspy voice cut him off.

"We're merely cooperating with the Church of Storms. Their internal affairs are none of your concern."

"Understood, Parliamentarian," Carnot replied respectfully before returning to the bell tower.

After he left, the voice in the shadows murmured, half-confused, half-doubtful:

"Not quite right? Yes, I feel it too… but it's not just one person—it's the whole world that feels off… Yet, I can't pinpoint what's wrong. Am I on the verge of losing control? No, that doesn't seem right either…"

---

Meanwhile, after leaving the bell tower, Ebner found a casino. Using the "guidance" ability simulated through the Pure White Eye, he won some money from a few gamblers—it wasn't much, just enough to cover expenses. After all, he had gold pounds on him, but spending real money in a dream felt wasteful.

Since it was only a small sum of about ten pounds, it didn't attract the casino's attention. Soon, Ebner left with his "winnings" and headed into Oravi Island's port city, where he checked into a modest inn and rented a standard room.

He glanced at his pocket watch—it was only 3 p.m., with plenty of time until nightfall. Ebner decided to take a leisurely stroll around the port city in the guise of a traveler and locate the Governor's Mansion.

The city was predominantly inhabited by new immigrants from Ruen. Its culinary style was similar to the kingdom's eastern coast, with the addition of rare fresh fruits and a variety of seafood, giving it a unique charm.

Blessed with abundant natural resources and a strategic position on safe trade routes, the residents generally lived well. Even farmers on the outskirts could save some money from their orchards.

As he bit into a juicy, sweet fruit, Ebner glanced at the Governor's Mansion across the street, walking past its gates yet again.

However, this time, he didn't circle back. Instead, he had already transformed into a different persona, sipping a different fruit juice, and had strolled past the mansion seven or eight times. Any more, and he'd risk drawing suspicion.

During one of his "passes," he saw Admiral Amyrius Rieveldt, accompanied by his blonde secretary, board a carriage heavily guarded by the admiral's personal entourage.

Ebner didn't know the carriage's destination, but he guessed that Amyrius wouldn't be returning to the mansion tonight.

By now, dusk had begun to settle. Yet Ebner headed back to the inn instead of infiltrating the Governor's Mansion.

Though the dream scenario wasn't real and allowed for bold moves when necessary, it didn't mean he should act recklessly without preparation.

Returning to the inn, Ebner passed by the bar on the first floor. Hearing a commotion inside, he curiously peeked in, only to be taken aback.

A man dressed like "Doctor Strange" was boasting loudly, bragging about his "intimate" relationships with several female pirate generals.

Listening to this made Ebner want to cover his face. Even in disguise, this kind of reputation still follows me?

Just as he was contemplating leaving, an unexpected incident occurred. The man posing as "Doctor Strange" choked violently after drinking a pint of Southville beer. Within seconds, his face turned purple, and he collapsed unconscious on the ground.

The crowd fell silent, mouths agape. Then, chaos erupted with cries of shock and alarm. It wasn't until a respected elder stepped forward to examine the man that the commotion began to subside.

"He choked to death on his beer…" The elder sounded incredulous after his inspection. "Accidents happen, but this was so sudden…"

"So, 'Doctor Strange' just died like that?" a confused sailor muttered.

"What 'Doctor Strange'? That guy's from the suburbs—Kud, I think. He just used his looks to impersonate and fool people! Regulars here all know that," someone scoffed in response.

"I heard someone at Sweet Lemon Tavern also had an accident while pretending to be 'Doctor Strange' yesterday…"

"Could it be that the real 'Doctor Strange' dislikes people borrowing his name to scam others and cursed them?"

"That… might be possible… Though I think it's more likely the 'King of Immortality's work…"

"Shh! Do you have a death wish? That's not someone we can talk about!"

"Right! Right! You're absolutely correct. I nearly let my tongue slip."

---

Listening to the drunkards' wild speculations, Ebner activated the Pure White Eye and began "retracing" the events.

"So that's it… A 'Whisperer's Curse'? No wonder I didn't detect anything beforehand. The Whispering Empress must be enraged, cursing anyone daring to impersonate 'Doctor Strange' in an attempt to flush me out.

"Of course, the curse must have a limited range and duration. If she tried to maintain such power constantly, the official demigods would quickly track her down through the connections.

"The Dream Labyrinth Tower truly holds a high level of authority, capable of manifesting Sequence 3 abilities within its scenarios…

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Ebner deactivated the Pure White Eye and bowed his head for a moment of silence for the unfortunate man. His misfortune had served as a warning.

---

Meanwhile, Admiral Amyrius Rieveldt, en route to a villa near the naval base for an evening with his mistress Miss Cynthia, suddenly received an urgent communiqué, forcing him to temporarily return to the Governor's Mansion.

"Why do these unexpected issues keep cropping up lately?" Amyrius muttered, frowning.

---

Within a servant's quarters at the Governor's Mansion, a male servant was sound asleep. Suddenly, a shadowy figure materialized in the room.

"Even within a dreamscape, traversal is possible," Ebner murmured softly. Simulating "Psychology Invisibility," he swiftly navigated through doorways toward the rooms where the adventurers were confined.

But just as he was about to cross the main hall and infiltrate the mansion's other wing, the quiet Governor's Mansion was suddenly ablaze with light. Servants who had retired for the night began bustling about.

Admiral Amyrius Rieveldt had returned.

"Am I really this unlucky?"

Caught in the middle of the hall, Ebner found himself in a precarious situation, uncertain whether to advance or retreat.

(End of Chapter)