Chapter 21: Begin the Dangerous Plan!

I got a few suspicions right before I began my operation.

That evening, I was having a nice dinner with Claude. The dishes were as usual; with mushroom stews, high quality spaghettis, and desserts like apple pies. Forks and spoons of different sizes were arranged neatly next to our plates.

Just when I was about to have my first sip of mushroom stew, Claude decided to use that moment to ask a question that almost made me drop my spoon.

“Edward, you’re not planning on sneaking out at night to stop the intruder, right?”

I turned my gaze toward him, his face was filled with concern. I know that Claude cares for me, but I refuse to step aside and let that intruder get their hands on something that has the power to grant any wish that the wielder wishes for.

I not a fan of lying to someone that I trust, but this is very serious business, someone, or something wants the Orb for their own benefits, and I don’t think those benefits are good ones…

“Well, I’m not that rebellious.” I lied, “And even if I were to get up, I would go to the dungeon’s door, and guard it with my life.” Claude’s eyes narrowed, as if he’s trying to detect any suspicious words in my sentence. “I appreciate your offer to help, brother.” He replied. “And you know that I wouldn’t want you to sacrifice your life just for a door.”

I managed to let out a sarcastic laugh, “Bro, I’m serious about this.” Claude added. “You will not get up in the middle of the night to help us.” My smile faded, I nodded. “Alright brother, I promise, that I won’t be a hero and will count everything on you guys.” “I hope that isn’t a false promise.” We went back into eating our meals after that short conversation.

Sorry Claude, but I have to do this.

I pretended to go to my bedroom when it is my bedtime. I closed the door, and sat on my bed for a few minutes, and watched the clock on my wall.

Tick, tick, tick.

I waited until it was time for me to start my operation to catch the intruder. Every time when I heard some footsteps outside my door, I pretended to cover my face with my pillow to make it look like I was asleep in case one of the servants or guards came to open my door.

I stared at my clock again, now, it read: 10:20. It is time to get up, quietly of course. I placed a huge pillow under the blankets to make it look like that I am still there, I tiptoed to get my stuff, I wore my top hat to let the intruder to take me more seriously (since I am in my pyjamas right now), I grabbed my staff, and walked slowly towards the door.

I opened a small gap and peeked out from it, I looked to the left and to the right, no one was there. I opened the door wider so that I can get out. I remembered where the dungeons are, I remembered that our father had told us that the dungeons are used to keep our secrets and everyone in this palace is forbidden to enter the dungeons, unless they were given permission.

The dungeons were located at the first floor of our palace, since the dungeons will lead us underground. I tried to find the staircase that leads to the first floor. Don’t worry, some minor staircases won’t hurt.  I still have to watch out for the guards and servants. This does sound stupid, that I am actually hiding from the people that are loyal to me.

I am now at the first floor. I bet that there will be lots of people down here to protect the dungeons, so I will have to be extra careful when wandering around here. I think the dungeons are located at the west side of the palace, and that’s where I’m heading to.

On multiple occasions, I almost got caught when I tripped over the floor tiles. I sprinted towards the dark corners when that got the guards attention. I peeked out to check to make sure that I am safe. I hope that no one will spot me when I am at the door, I am almost there.

Now, currently in front of my sight, stood a door with two guards in front of it. And that door, is the dungeons. I decided to hide behind a statue of a eagle at the corner, watching every move of the guards in the surrounding area. I will require a plan to distract those guards so that I can get to the dungeons, even though I am having lots of remorse over this plan, these guys are also trying to help to catch the culprit. But I don’t think that they understand on how high the stakes are right now.

Okay, I barely know these guys, what can get these fellows attention instead of me tripping over? Should I throw something at one of them? But if it is a snowball, they will know that I am here. And I don’t want to injure one of these guys. Wait, I can use something else, and I don’t have to throw it at the guards for their safety.

I tiptoed and hid in the bushes in the open space that leads to the door. I picked up a stone nearby, and waited for the right moment. The guards are still circling around the area, and I’m not sure how am I not caught yet…

Now, is the moment of faith.

I tossed the stone, and it flew towards another eagle statue, but it didn’t hit the target. The guards turned to the statue. “What was that?” One of them asked, “Something must had hit the statue!” Another replied. One by one, they rushed over to the statue, to check on any scratches on the statue. Now’s my chance to rush into the dungeons.

I sprinted, most of the guards are now occupied on the statue. I opened and closed the door, which made a creak that is drowned in the worrying chattering of the guards. “The statue is fine.” I heard a guard spoke just as I closed the door.

I am surrounded by darkness, I raised my staff, and whispered the third position, I had now created a torchlight to illuminate the dark. I tiptoed downstairs, I am sure that the guards had now went back to scout the place and guard the doors. The stairs kept going, to be point that it felt like going to the library by using the stairs. I resisted my urge to collapse and make a loud noise.

Once I had reached the bottom, my first obstacle was waiting for me.

I felt relieved after I had finished walking down the stairs, but a snowball flung right past me. I almost yelped out of shock, I turned to the direction where the snowball had come from. A mini-crossbow, filled with snowballs, fired again. But, the aim of the crossbow is really poor.

Someone must had fiddled around with their circuits.

This is what Kano had meant, the intruder had messed around with the traps, and they don’t work well now. That will give me an advantage, I sprinted past the crossbow, which is still firing in the same direction.

As I went deeper into the dungeons, with more obstacles and traps in the way, but they are all malfunctioning, making it easier to get through. The intruder must had done this, to be able to sneak in. I also had noticed that all of these traps and obstacles are not designed to kill, but to injure the intruder until the guards arrive.

So far, no sign of anyone here yet. Is the intruder not here? Or did they succeed in stealing the Orb of Wishes? I have to pray that the second one doesn’t happen.

Then, I found my first ‘perfect’ obstacle.

There was a slide with a length of at least twenty meters, leading downwards, and a statue with an unfriendly smile stood there, with its head staring right at me, its eyes following me wherever I moved. Finally, it turned its head to face the wall, “Green light…” It spoke. I stood there for a few seconds, thinking about what it meant. “Red light!” The statue turned its head to my direction, staring at me, then it turned to the wall again.

Wait, it wants me to slide down, its playing ‘Red Light, Green Light’ with me! Why, this sly little stone!