I am the Entertainment Tycoon-Chapter 920: The Last Puzzle Before Vanishing
"On the last year before Woodwright departed from our village," Grandma Iko's voice, rich with the weight of memory, continued her captivating tale. "Ancestor Rai, our wise elder who lived through those times, shared a few stories. At the time, these stories were shrouded in a kind of mystery, and none of us truly grasped their full meaning."
She paused, letting the anticipation build. "Rai recounted that Woodwright harbored a deep affection for the Heartwood Mountains. He was, in fact, an exceptionally keen hiker, someone who found solace and purpose in traversing their rugged trails. Rai explained that Woodwright would often embark on extended hiking expeditions deep into the mountains, disappearing for days at a time, only to return with a renewed spirit."
"Furthermore," Grandma Iko added, her eyes distant as she recalled another detail, "after discovering Woodwright's talent for painting, Rai understood that his passion extended beyond just hiking. Woodwright was driven by a desire to explore uncharted landscapes, to capture their raw beauty and unique essence on his canvases. And it was through observing Woodwright's years of dedicated exploration within these very mountains, Rai came to a profound realization: he believed his mentor knew the Heartwood Mountains far more intimately than any of us locals, who had lived here our entire lives."
"However," Grandma Iko emphasized, leaning forward slightly, "there was one specific location within those vast mountains that held a special place in Woodwright's heart. He even commented with Rai about it. It was the Valley of Serenity."
The old lady's words resonated with the gathered listeners, igniting a fresh wave of excitement. Their anticipation was palpable; they were on the cusp of uncovering the legend behind the lost items they had recently discovered, items that now seemed intrinsically linked to Woodwright's enigmatic journeys.
"Ancestor Rai even accompanied his mentor, the renowned Woodwright, on a restorative hike to the Valley of Serenity. This breathtaking locale, known for its profound tranquility and pristine beauty, left an indelible mark on Rai. He, too, found himself captivated by its serene atmosphere, a place that resonated deeply with his spirit."
"But it was around one year before Rai actually saw this painting for the first time," Grandma Iko explained, her weathered fingers gently tracing the aged canvas. "Woodwright had already beautifully captured the essence of the Valley of Serenity in a previous work. And Woodwright was not a man to repeat himself; he believed in creating unique, singular pieces. So, as soon as Rai noticed the discrepancy – the fact that his mentor had depicted the same hallowed valley twice, which was highly unusual for him – he became intensely curious. However, in his deep respect for Woodwright, Rai chose not to comment or question him directly about it. He valued his mentor's wisdom and wouldn't presume to challenge his decisions on a whim. It was only after observing the finished painting, and, like you all, noticing that peculiar, distinctive lock-tree that seemed out of place, that Rai finally felt compelled to ask Woodwright about the significance of it."
"Woodwright's exact words, spoken with a knowing smile, were: 'After such a long and arduous journey, my boy, it is finally time to complete this puzzle. Don't you worry, Rai-chan, perhaps someday in the future, your children will understand its true meaning.'" Grandma Iko's voice, usually so soft and reassuring, delivered these words like a profound revelation, a bomb of mystery and foresight.
Theo and the others present felt an almost electric jolt run through them. It was as if Woodwright, through his words spoken decades ago, was directly addressing *them*, the current generation, hinting that they, or perhaps their own future children, were meant to be the ones to finally unravel the enigma.
Woodwright, a master craftsman and the original builder of the inn, had demonstrably shown his trust in Rai by formally placing the inn's deed in Rai's name. This action wasn't merely a transfer of ownership; it was a profound statement of faith. It was safe to presume, therefore, that Woodwright knew his disciple, Rai, would not only manage the establishment but would also honor its legacy and care for it with the same dedication Woodwright himself had poured into its creation. This act suggested a deep bond and a shared vision for the inn's future.
Grandma Iko, her voice thick with emotion, relayed a pivotal moment in their family history. "Those words," she began, her gaze distant as if reliving the past, "were so impactful, so deeply etched into ancestor Rai's soul, that he made sure every son of his remembered them. He held onto them with the fervent hope that someday, one of his descendants would finally grasp their true meaning, unlock their hidden wisdom." She spoke with a profound sense of wonder and a hint of awe, clearly moved by the revelation.
It was almost unbelievable to her, after the passage of so many years, that she, Grandma Iko, was the one to finally understand the cryptic words that her revered ancestor had so desperately yearned to decipher. It implied a legacy of contemplation, a generational quest for understanding that had finally culminated in her own insight.
Grandma Iko continued, painting a vivid picture of that significant evening. "That night," she recounted, "after those profound words were spoken, mentor and apprentice shared a deep and perhaps revelatory drink. They drank until the dawn broke, only waking the next day, signifying a night filled with significant conversation and shared experience. Ancestor Rai, even in his haze, seemed to recall that Woodwright had been subtly arranging something, making preparations." It wasn't until years later, after Woodwright had long since departed, that Rai, reflecting on those memories, finally understood the true gravity of that night. He realized, with a dawning sense of clarity, that it was precisely on that evening, under the cloak of their shared revelry and seemingly casual preparations, that his mentor, Woodwright, had made the profound decision to leave the Heartwood Mountains and had begun the intricate process of orchestrating his departure. This revelation would have carried immense weight for Rai, marking not just the end of an era but a testament to the unspoken plans and deep foresight of his mentor.
"A few months after the significant events of that particular night, Woodwright, a master craftsman renowned for his skill with both wood and metal, began working on a new metal piece. Grandma Iko's voice, gentle yet firm, filled the space as she continued her story. 'This,' she explained, holding up the very key Theo and the others had discovered, 'was the *last* metal piece that this esteemed mentor and his devoted apprentice, ancestor Rai, worked on together to produce. It was a key.' Her fingers traced the intricate patterns on the metal as she spoke, a tangible link to the past.
Grandma Iko elaborated, her eyes distant with memory, "This key, for ancestor Rai, became something profoundly and indelibly memorable. And the reason for that is simple: it represented the very last collaborative creation he shared with his mentor. Rai, even after all these years, could distinctly recall his mentor's instructions. Woodwright had emphasized the need to produce a piece that wasn't just functional, but enduring – something that could bravely withstand the harshest weather conditions and the relentless passage of a vast expanse of time. It was a testament to their dedication that they poured weeks of their lives into crafting what, on the surface, appeared to be just a simple key."
She paused, letting the weight of that dedication settle. 'But here's the intriguing part,' Grandma Iko continued, her voice dropping slightly. "When they finally completed the key, there was no inscription, no mark of its creation upon its surface. Ancestor Rai recounted to us that after the key was finished, Woodwright took it, and *then* inscribed something upon it. However, due to the circumstances of its creation or perhaps its immediate aftermath, Rai himself wasn't able to see what his mentor had added. The most poignant detail is that after that moment, Rai never laid eyes on the key again."
"However," Grandma Iko shifted her posture, leaning forward slightly, "in the week immediately preceding Woodwright's departure, he had a series of significant conversations with ancestor Rai. And my ancestor, Rai, possessed a remarkable memory; he remembered each one of these exchanges with vivid clarity. It was during one of these poignant, final discussions that Woodwright uttered words that truly left a deep and lasting impression on Rai, words that would resonate with him for the rest of his days.'"
Flashback:
Flower Bunny Inn, 1903.
"Rai, my boy, what do you think of puzzles?" The question was posed by Woodwright, his voice warm and seasoned, hinting at a shared passion for intricate challenges that transcended the ordinary. He wasn't just asking about simple logic games; he was probing Rai's fundamental approach to understanding the world.
"Mentor, you know I'm not that bright," Rai replied, a touch of self-deprecating humility in his tone, "but I enjoy solving the little puzzles the metalwork gives to me." This statement reveals Rai's practical nature. He's not one for abstract riddles, but he finds satisfaction in the tangible problems that arise from his craft – the way metal bends, the precision needed for joints, the balance of a well-made tool.
"HAHAHAHA." Woodwright's laughter boomed, a hearty sound filled with genuine amusement and affection. He clearly found Rai's earnestness endearing. It wasn't mocking laughter, but rather the joy of a mentor seeing a spark of genuine engagement in his student, a connection that went beyond mere instruction.
"Rai, what if I tell you I hid something in this very inn when I built it?" Woodwright leaned in, his tone shifting to one of playful mystery, the twinkle in his eye betraying his excitement.
"Really, mentor? What did you hide?" Rai's voice, suddenly alight with anticipation, betrayed his immediate fascination. The prospect of a hidden secret, especially one left by his respected mentor within the very walls they occupied, ignited his imagination.
"Well, that's a secret," He smiled, the words a gentle tease. This answer maintained the enigma, ensuring the mystery would linger. "Maybe someday you or your kids will find out. When you near the end after coming from the Valley of Serenity, remember this:" His gaze became distant for a moment, as if recalling a specific memory or envisioning a future event.
He then recited the cryptic clue, his voice taking on a slightly more formal cadence, as if uttering a profound prophecy:
"To see through and know where to find,
The inn of old keeps what fate designed,
Seek the flowered hare where secrets bind."
