Beyond the Stone Gate

"As expected of a famous detective. I thought we'd hidden it well..." Fanny reined in her enthusiasm and chimed in with an air of reserve.

Abner felt no pride at the two ladies' praise. After all, he hadn't deduced it at all.

Come to think of it, ever since I became a Detective, I've been cheating at every deduction with Soothsayer, Rewind, Mind Reading, eavesdropping, and the like...

But my Potion digestion hasn't been slow... Could gaining knowledge and information by any means necessary be one of the Keeper of Knowledge's principles?

As his thoughts raced, Abner let their remarks pass and asked with a smile:

"Do you still want to explore the room beyond the Stone Gate?"

Miss Fanny hesitated. Having come this far, she naturally didn't want to give up, but the danger that might lie beyond the gate made her wary. Unable to decide, she instinctively looked at Emma beside her.

Miss Emma thought for a moment and reached up out of habit to smooth her long hair. Her hand found nothing. Only then did she remember that she'd pinned it up before entering the ruins...

Under the puzzled gazes of her friend and the Hero Detective, she awkwardly pretended to straighten the lace collar of her shirt, then cleared her throat and asked Abner:

"Detective Braine, as a Mystery Pryer, I don't want to abandon the exploration of a mysterious ruin... But Fanny and I can't protect ourselves. Could we ask you to protect us while we finish exploring?"

Afraid Abner might think her presumptuous and greedy, she hurriedly added, "Of course, everything we find will belong to you. Without your protection, Fanny and I would probably have been killed by those monsters... I only want to solve the mystery of this place. And afterward, I'll