The Secret Behind the Door

That Henrik always knows how to rile people up...

I just hope he won't be too harsh on Psyche.

As for whether this is my last night in that house, I need to talk to Outsider.

You two are gonna have that secret little talk without me, huh? That Outsider is such a pest.

Hmph, like I care! Off you go, I'm gonna go chill out at The Asphodel.

♪ "Nightingale, broken wings, you can weep you can sleep..."

♪ "Nightingale, rise above, you will free you will see..."

Little nightingale, look, your magician has returned.

Outsider! You're home so late today. Where have you been adventuring?

Was it in the dense woods where snow wolves prowl, or the swamp witch's tower?

I didn't go anywhere. Today is Miss Fina's birthday, so I stayed in Icelake.

You always say so, yet new scars keep appearing on your arms. *coughs*

But this time it's true. Look, I went out today to get this for you.

Is this... a cake? But there aren't any cake shops in the neighbourhood.

I have my ways. You know, I am a magician of extraordinary wisdom. Moreover, I have something else to show you.

Close your eyes, and count down from five to one.

...

...Stars. Twinkling, shining stars.

You read the story I wrote, didn't you?

"The nightingale yearned for the sky, but it was ever so dark. 'If only I could see the stars once,' she wished silently, 'even but for a fleeting moment.'"

Nights in Icelake are always so misty, so you... conjured up a starry sky.

...

Thank you, Outsider. You are the greatest magician.

Ahem, seems your "castle" has a visitor. I'll go have a look.

Hey, you're here. Come on in.

Who is this lady...?

Um... a new friend of mine, sort of.

Pleased to meet you. I'm Fina, Outsider's sister... *cough*

...Don't listen to that little button mushroom, she's so full of it.

Terrifying relative...? I don't quite follow... I'm Fina, Outsider's sister. *cough*

Are you alright? I'll get you some warm water.

It's okay, I'm fine. Just happy to have a friend of Outsider's over. Would you like to join our tea party? We'll have sweet cake.

A tea party...?

Ahem, it's just water... Don't get hung up on the details. Just play along.

...

What's wrong, miss?

Nothing. It's just that, the cake is quite sweet, which reminds me of... my family. She used to season food with lots of sugar.

The island we grew up on had plenty of fish and salt, but sugar was a rarity. So, when we were little, we never really got to have any.

She's only a few years older than me, but from a young age, she began working as a helper for the neighbouring fisherman.

One time, that fisherman somehow got his hands on some imperial supplies, including two jars of sugar, and she traded half a month's wages for one small jar.

It was the first time she got hold of any sugar, and she didn't know how to use it. Simply knowing that it was something valuable and delicious, she poured it all into the fish stew.

By the time we grew up and started earning more, sugar wasn't such a luxury anymore. But whenever she cooked, she'd still add a lot of sugar out of habit.

Goodness, that sounds horrible... I can almost smell that fishy, sickly-sweet odour. She owes you an apology, or at the very least, she owes the sugar and the fish an apology.

No, Outsider, you're missing the point of the story.

I believe that lady who always used a lot of sugar was also a great magician. So in Vita's eyes, everything related to her was wonderful, even the unbearably sweet meals.

Okay, whatever Fina says. So where is that girl now? Perhaps you can bring her some cake, let her know what normal sweets taste like.

We got separated and lost each other yesterday... or maybe longer ago. I'm not sure.

...

Then you must find her...! Because family's like flowers and trees, snow and wind, they should be together no matter what. You have to find her.

Yes, I will. I WILL find her.

So, Outsider, I need money, for accommodation, information gathering, and some extra set aside in case I need to set off right away to find my family.

...Time for bed, Fina. I have other matters to discuss with Vita, Phoxhunter stuff.

Okay, goodnight then. Goodnight to you both.

Rest early when you're done.

Time to get down to business, I mean, about what happened at the pit today.

Sorry that I took your Crystallo, I had to do that so we could talk in private here.

Nah, she's fine. That little button mushroom's full of hot air, but she understands what's important. It's that girl in green I have reservations about.

If you're talking about the girl in green, yes.

I've seen her going in and out of Hypnos' House. I don't know if she's just a regular lodger or some kind of assistant to Henrik Ethelred.

I'll cut to the chase: I don't trust Henrik Ethelred, I suspect he's up to something shady.

Something shady... like what?

Do you know anything about the Crystallo of Stella, the stuff he's after? They're beautiful rocks that were popular for their looks, but that's not the whole story. In some countries, they're used for... medicinal purposes.

There was once a serious case of medical negligence involving Crystallo of Stella in Flagson Province, throwing half the city into chaos. That's when they slapped a ban on Crystallo trading.

That's not the half of it. How many folks on the streets of Icelake can truly claim clean hands? What really gets me are the rumours about the Hypnos' House.

People in the neighbourhood say that Henrik and his lodgers are a weird bunch. They keep to themselves, and though they call it an inn, Henrik's the one picking who stays.

Some have peeked inside, the lodgers there are all young people under twenty. Stranger still, you see them go in but never out. No one knows where those young lodgers end up.

Yes, I've heard some "haunted house" rumours as well, makes you wonder... But speaking of which...

How did you get onto this?

There's this Phoxhunter boy I used to work with, named Hunt. He went missing a month ago, last seen by that scrap-picker girl, right outside the Hypnos' House.

Couple of days ago, I went over there and ended up in a blazing row with Henrik. Even with a dagger to his throat, he kept quiet about Hunt.

He just stood there, sneering, "You know quite well what would happen to a Charon harming a Sola. I know you have a sister. Better stay out of it for her sake."

D**n it! I really want to throw him into the Lamenting Lake. Anyway, I must find out what happened to Hunt, and what Henrik is really up to.

...It's not just for Hunt. I do this mostly for Fina. I don't want to see anyone I care about living in fear anymore.

In that case, I'm worried about someone too... I mean Psyche, the girl in green you mentioned.

Good, we have a common cause then.

I was gonna get the Crystallo from the pit, then use it as an excuse to apologise to Henrik and take a look inside the inn.

I thought no one would take the job, so I went off to sort out a cake first, didn't expect you newbies to throw a curveball. How about we strike a deal?

I can get you something that you really need...

An "identity" a pass that allows you to move freely in Hyperborea, except for the inner city behind the watchtowers, which is reserved for the high and mighty.

Many are willing to offer you money, but few would risk their lives to get you this.

Just a guess. So, you really don't have a travel permit, huh? Lucky you ran into me. Without one, you'd be in a world of trouble in Hyperborea, unless you choose to hide in a shadowy corner all day.

(...He's fishing for information.)

How can you get one? Are you buddies with the guards in Icelake?

Can't say I am, but we Phoxhunters have our ways.

There are things in this city that money can't buy, especially those that could land you in hot water. What you need is the "invisible thread" of connections between people.

(Without a travel permit, it's indeed difficult to get around in Hyperborea.)

So, what's the catch? Give you the Crystallo?

No, you can have it, and you can trade it with Henrik for silver coins if you want. All I need from you is: find a way to get in there and investigate the Hypnos' House.

You're not one of the locals, so he might not be on his guard as much. You have a bigger chance to actually find something.

Trade a little snooping for a travel permit? I think I can handle that.

It sounds easy, but you should be careful. Meet me here at 12:00 tomorrow with anything you've found.

If anything happens that messes things up, or if people start asking questions... you know what's at stake.

Better go get some rest. I'll be here at 12:00 tomorrow waiting for you.

Berry... so much has happened today.

Can you see the moon from where you are, the very same moon that I'm looking at?

Tomorrow, we shall still be brave and live on.

(...It's dawn. Time to head to the Hypnos' House.)

It's me, Vita.

What are you doing here? Didn't I ask you to leave in the morning?

I've got what you were looking for, the Crystallo of Stella.

No one asked for you to come here. Go to The Asphodel and give it to Camilla Scarlet.

I'm not from here, I'm not familiar with Icelake's ways. Where I come from, a deal means cash in one hand, goods in the other.

If you're not interested, Mr Henrik, I might just go looking for another buyer.

Come on in.

Got the Crystallo with you?

I'll need to check it in my office.

You stay here. No snooping around, understood?

Would really make you look good.

Psyche!

Vita? What are you doing here? Does Mr Henrik know about this...? Ah, please come with me.

Could you wait here for a moment, Elisa? I'll be right back.

...

Mr Henrik doesn't allow outsiders to come in, and you two got off on the wrong foot back then. If he sees you...

You're here for the lodging stuff, aren't you? Don't worry, just hide here for a bit. I'll talk to Mr Henrik again. He'll surely let you stay for a few more days.

Ah, really? That's great! But that man is so... domineering. How did you make that happen?

Really? I wouldn't have pegged Mr Outsider as someone so sensitive.

He's... a bit different than his brash exterior suggests. Anyway...

Really? Does he need any medicine? I've got some. Can you bring it to him?

That's alright! He's got his own supply at home. Anyway...

Yes. Everyone's recovering from some conditions here... me included.

Are you doing okay? You didn't tell me you were sick...

...

It's just a minor ailment. I was even strong enough to explore the pit with you, remember? Don't worry about me.

Mm, I'm glad you're okay.

(...So, all the lodgers at the Hypnos' House suffer from some kind of illness.)

I've got off on the wrong foot with Mr Henrik, so I'm looking to make amends with him. If there's a chance, I'd like to visit him in the future.

Really? Mr Henrik is almost always at home! You're welcome to visit anytime if he says it's okay!

If you'd be willing to come here and share stories about your hometown, the South, the ocean... All those places we've never been... everyone here would be thrilled!

(Henrik is almost always here... which means this place is under his watch most of the time.)

Mr Henrik seemed quite upset last night. He didn't give you a hard time, did he?

No, I'm fine. Mr Henrik is just a bit... inarticulate. After all, he spends most of his time alone in his office doing research, hardly ever talks to anyone...

Good to hear that. Speaking of which, do you know what kind of research he's doing in there?

...

I... I don't know... sorry.

That's alright, I was just curious.

(...Psyche is withholding something, must be on Henrik's demand. Better not push her.)

Mr Henrik should be out any minute now. I better go downstairs.

You're leaving already...?

Here, take these cakes with you, they'll keep you going when you're hungry. Oh, just a moment!

And take this, too.

Mum always said that carrying a flower brings good luck.

(...Time to collect some intel downstairs.)

(...Even though there are many of her age here, Psyche still seems a bit lonely. Maybe I should try to make some time for her before leaving Icelake.)

...

...Don't touch that door.

The office... is off-limits. No one but Mr Henrik Ethelred is allowed inside.

No need for... unnecessary curiosity.

There's nothing interesting there... only misfortune.

Cleaning, dusting... Every day, every shelf, every door... Everything gets wiped down.

You don't get it. It's a "habit"... Filling life with regular tasks, that's what "habit" is.

Like how I clean here daily, or how Psyche waters her flowers twice a day. Habit fills the void inside.

He seems quite disciplined, probably a good role model for me.

Mr Henrik? He does have some habits. Let me see...

When peeling apples, the peel mustn't break; the number of steps from the bathroom to the office has to be even; every month, he goes out precisely at 8 PM on the 20th, then returns to double-check the door lock three times.

...These habits are quite personal though, I doubt they'd offer much for you to learn from...

(...So, Henrik regularly gets out of the house at 8 PM on the 20th every month.)

If it's okay with Mr Henrik, could you come visit me again?

No, it's still not clean enough... Needs another wipe...

...Why? Not only did you leave me, but even the pocket watch you gave me has stopped...

...It's alright... We'll meet again very soon... Hunt...

...!!

...Who are you...? I haven't seen you before. Are you from the outside? Were you eavesdropping?

No... no, I wasn't talking to you!!

I don't know... I don't know anything...

...Please, stay away from me!! Or I'll scream...!

(...Outsider was right. Hunt, the missing Phoxhunter, used to live here. But the lodgers here are tight-lipped about his whereabouts.)

Stay away from me... I don't know anything!!

Phoxhunter.

I've checked it. The Crystallo is authentic, and its purity matches the small sample I had before. Good job.

Here you go. Three thousand silver coins, and this signed receipt. Bring it to Ms Camilla, and she'll give you the guarantee of a thousand silver coins.

And this... necklace. It's worth far more than a thousand silver coins. You're free to sell it or pawn it.

Okay, the deal is done then. And about that house, let me stay a few more days, okay?

...

I can see this necklace means a lot to you, so I'd rather not take it. Besides, your place is roomy and has a great view, so I'd like to stay a bit longer.

...

I rarely say this, but... thank you.

(Though I couldn't get into the office, I've managed to gather some useful intel. Time to see Outsider.)

How did the investigation go?

Couldn't get to the bottom of his story, but I did make some discoveries:

So, it's actually a sanatorium? What's there to hide about that... I mean it's true that Charons lead hard lives, but seeking medical help isn't forbidden.

...Right. I also learned that someone there knew your missing friend, Hunt. Was he ill?

Hunt was quite healthy before he disappeared... So, what illnesses do those lodgers have?

No idea. They refused to talk. Or more likely, Henrik forbids them to.

Is Henrik targeting the sick? ...Tsk, that's even more disturbing. I'm gonna have to add extra locks and remind Fina to lock the door all the time. Anyway, what exactly happened to Hunt...

That's Henrik's office. The lodgers say it's off-limits, nobody but Henrik himself can get in. The door is securely locked, and watched... Plus, Henrik himself is in there, I didn't want to be hasty.

Smart decision. If Henrik lost it, who knows what might happen.

But the locked door isn't the only entrance to that room. When I left, I scoped out the house... It appears the room connects to the chimney on the roof.

That's impressive! I'm glad I found you to team up with. So, we just need to find a time when Henrik isn't around...

I chatted with the lodgers there and dug out some intel: Henrik has a peculiar routine, he always leaves the house at 8 PM on the 20th of every month.

Great! That's our window of opportunity to investigate him. We need to figure out how to secretly follow him... or sneak into the Hypnos' House...

...So, here's our plan: On the 20th of this month, while Henrik is out, we'll try and get into the locked office through the chimney. That room is exclusive to Henrik, so we won't be noticed.

You're quite sharp, Vita. I'm even considering a long-term partnership with you. Oh, I've been meaning to ask, since you took down that monster in the pit, you must be pretty skilled in physical combat, right?

I wasn't particularly strong, but I've been stepping up my game lately.

Alright. Over the next few days, lemme teach you some fighting skills, it's always good to be prepared.

We'll start tomorrow then.

And hey, next time you run into Camilla, let her know we've teamed up for now. It'll make our partnership seem legit.

(It's still early. Maybe I can go to The Asphodel and see if there's any new commissions to take on.)

(Also, Psyche seems a bit lonely. Maybe I should try to make some time for her before leaving Icelake.)

It sounds like a steam whistle. Is there a train passing by?

...

That's nice. Do the passengers have lights on? Are the windows looking pretty and warm, like tiny flames in a fireplace?

...Oh, I see.

Psyche... when did your eyesight start to fade?

When was it...

I don't really know. I thought it'd be the same as before, just blurry for a while, and then it'd go away. But now it just...

Let's not talk about that. There's a place I'd like to visit; could you come with me?

It's by the Lamenting Lake, near an old tree stump. My dad once took me there when I was little.

...It's been so long.

Here we are.

There should be a small box buried near the roots. Vita, could you help me find it?

Could you open it?

This is a...

It's called a "camera," an amazing treasure.

Dad gave it to me when I was four. That year, he had managed to grow beautiful Lamenting Lake Bellflowers. A wealthy man from the inner city loved the flowers and gave this camera to Dad, which he then gave to me as a birthday gift.

But I cherished it too much to actually play with it. I thought, if I buried this precious treasure in the ground, it would sprout many more cameras by harvest time. Then our family would become rich, and my parents wouldn't have to work so hard.

So I came here alone and "sowed" it. I was quite silly back then.

When Mum and Dad found out about this later, they didn't get mad at me. Instead, they said, "Let's dig it up on your coming of age, as a gift to your future self."

Vita, thank you for keeping me company these past days, but I don't have anything valuable to give you. Please take this camera as a gift from me.

I no longer need it because of my eyes, but your journey is still long.

Please see the world for me with your eyes.

...

Since we're already here, how about a little stroll around the lake?

When I was little, Dad would sometimes bring me here for walks.

Despite the occasional hide-and-seek with the Filthoids, I always looked forward to coming here.

Because I loved the floating ice and mountains here, and more so, I loved watching the trains roar by.

You like trains?

Yeah. I'm fascinated by their destination... the "South."

I've read that it's nothing like Icelake.

The sun's warmer there, and you get to see seasons change.

When spring comes, the ice and snow melt away, and there are flowers everywhere, even in the wilds.

I always dreamed that if I could catch a train, I could actually get there.

But Dad told me, it was not a dream we could afford.

Because... you're Charons?

Yes. And also because Mum and Dad are just ordinary gardeners. We were poor and didn't have the means to board that train.

So, the day you showed up at the door of the Hypnos' House, I was thrilled... I'd never met anyone outside Icelake.

I've always secretly wondered what your homeland is like. Have you seen the ocean with your own eyes? Is it as large as a hundred lakes put together?

If only I could also see it for myself...

...Look at me, almost eighteen and still daydreaming like a child.

Listen, Psyche. It can be more than just a dream.

Besides Berry, you were the first one to be so kind to me. I've always wanted to do something for you.

There's no one else here, so tell me, have you been under threat? You can trust me. No matter how scary the enemy may be, I'll protect you.

I'm a stranger here, I can take you away, just like the day we went to the pit together.

Once I find Berry, we can go to my hometown in the South, build little houses by the sea, and grow flowers around our homes. When spring comes and the flowers bloom, your eyes will heal.

Every day, the sun will shine so brightly that you might even find yourself missing Icelake's snow... Oh, it might be a slight damper on your dream, but are you scared of bugs? The ones in the South are bigger and noisier.

Thank you. I'm not under threat, it's just that...

I just can't leave Icelake, no matter what.

Psyche.

...!

Henrik...!

It's not safe outside the city. You've been out too long.

Sorry! I'll head back now.

Psyche, keep in mind what I said. If you decide to trust me...

Meet me by the ticket booth south of the Hypnos' House at 2 AM.

...Goodbye, Vita.

...

(Though I couldn't get into the office, I've managed to gather some useful intel. Time to see Outsider.)

...You may leave now.

Mr Henrik doesn't allow outsiders to come in, and you two got off on the wrong foot back then. If he sees you...

You're here for the lodging stuff, aren't you? Don't worry, just hide here for a bit. I'll talk to Mr Henrik again. He'll surely let you stay for a few more days.

Ah, really? That's great! But that man is so... domineering. How did you make that happen?

Really? I wouldn't have pegged Mr Outsider as someone so sensitive.

He's... a bit different than his brash exterior suggests. Anyway...

Really? Does he need any medicine? I've got some. Can you bring it to him?

That's alright! He's got his own supply at home. Anyway...

Yes. Everyone's recovering from some conditions here... me included.

Are you doing okay? You didn't tell me you were sick...

...

It's just a minor ailment. I was even strong enough to explore the pit with you, remember? Don't worry about me.

Mm, I'm glad you're okay.

(...So, all the lodgers at the Hypnos' House suffer from some kind of illness.)

I've got off on the wrong foot with Mr Henrik, so I'm looking to make amends with him. If there's a chance, I'd like to visit him in the future.

Really? Mr Henrik is almost always at home! You're welcome to visit anytime if he says it's okay!

If you'd be willing to come here and share stories about your hometown, the South, the ocean... All those places we've never been... everyone here would be thrilled!

(Henrik is almost always here... which means this place is under his watch most of the time.)

Mr Henrik seemed quite upset last night. He didn't give you a hard time, did he?

No, I'm fine. Mr Henrik is just a bit... inarticulate. After all, he spends most of his time alone in his office doing research, hardly ever talks to anyone...

Good to hear that. Speaking of which, do you know what kind of research he's doing in there?

...

I... I don't know... sorry.

That's alright, I was just curious.

(...Psyche is withholding something, must be on Henrik's demand. Better not push her.)

Mr Henrik should be out any minute now. I better go downstairs.

You're leaving already...?

Here, take these cakes with you, they'll keep you going when you're hungry. Oh, just a moment!

And take this, too.

Mum always said that carrying a flower brings good luck.

(...Time to collect some intel downstairs.)

(...Even though there are many of her age here, Psyche still seems a bit lonely. Maybe I should try to make some time for her before leaving Icelake.)