Minor Screening, Attempt 2. Day Two.

Erza, “....”

Hesychia's formal attitude towards them created a huge wall where no one can cross, she cooperates when needed but no one can breach her guard against them.

“No wait, before going...” The other woman didn't let them leave. Swallowing her own shyness, Icx determinedly looked at her fellow members.

Hesychia turned to her, “What is it?”

“It's wrong,” Icx said. “If it takes Miss Silas 15 hours to answer 16 questions, that means—hypothetically—another hour would be spent on the 17th question. And, another 15 hours to walk back towards the starting point from the 16th question, back to back.”

Hesychia facial muscle turned stiff upon hearing that.

“However, according to Miss Silas, it only took her a total of 15 hours, in complete distance from going back here to there. Isn’t it out of place?”

That was indeed the truth, going back felt the same with the distance yet the time wasn't matching. Hesychia always checked her communicator. She was sure that her calculation didn't falter while answering but she forgot to count the time she spent going back, as she assumed it would take the same time. If anything, it didn’t feel like she spent a whole 30 hours there.

Hesychia, “It was true when I said I walked for one hour except for the 1st and 16th question. Assuming that is only going into the labyrinth... maybe time stopped while I’m threading back?”

Erza commented, “If that's the case, Earth time won't be reliable anymore.”

“If the time for going back didn't exist,” Icx noted. “It applied to everyone present. The days changed when all three of us set foot on the starting point.”

“Earth time and Screening time distorted our perspective, I will not rely on the clock anymore.” The short-haired person beside Icx felt a sharp tingle, an idea coming to her mind. “Let's do the second attempt, I need to confirm something.”

The trio nodded at each other. Anyhow, there was nothing they could usefully add. Even without the latter saying the full context of what she's going to confirm, Erza bid the same greetings of good luck before separating ways.

Hesychia gave an okay sign and went inside her own assigned labyrinth, this time, she walked faster than usual. Reaching the first question, Hesychia looked at the room with the golden throne. Not letting the screening take the lead, she took a large step and pulled the question out of one of the books.

“Why did the two women come to Solomon's Court? Do not give the right answer!”

Hesychia crumpled the paper using one hand, “There's no such thing.”

“Ding, correct!” The seal on the door slowly dimmed out as it slowly opened with a click. Hesychia walked forward without much expression, the same pathway of golden walls entering her view.

The labyrinth of Solomon was likely to mislead the unwary traveler, as the maze of the Minotaur. Some mazes have this role astray; others have to function to keep them awhile there.

Hesychia's pace quickened. An extravagantly designed white door  soon appeared not that far.

At the second question, the walls remained gold however the white tiles were now covered with fluffy carpet. The table consisted of dim lampshade and a white quail. Loads of styrofoam resembling snow appeared on the ground. Upon checking the state of the room, Hesychia didn't waste anymore time and entered completely.

Amidst the “snow”, a small replica of a huge ship in the middle of the sea floated. The woman grabbed the ship and shook it, a small glass bottle slipped out. Sliding one of her fingers inside, Hesychia smoothly took the paper.

It was the same story about the explorer. Only the question was different this time, “A day later he killed himself. Why? Do not answer truthfully!”

The woman paused, should she just create an unconvincing answer then?

“He was tired.” Hesychia answered, “Maybe he didn’t like how his wife cooked the penguin.”

“Ding, correct!” The voice energetically cheered, even white confetti exploded in front of Hesychia. Before those suspicious looking papers touched her skin, she immediately jumped away and slammed the door shut behind her back.

As of now, two riddles were still in the same position. The only thing that changed was the conditions of clearing two separate questions. If the order would still be the same then...

Hesychia's steps slowly halted.

The next question would soon be about her family.

Third question came in as expected, the room looked like a simple study. A red wooden table rests at the side, electronic colored notes were pasted on the wall. One sticky note went to greet Hesychia, a question boldly written in bloody red font.

“Will you forgive yourself if your Father died without uttering your apology that you have been wanting to say?”

There was no condition on this question, she can freely lie or tell her true answer. Either way, the screening gave her a free choice.

How could this screening simply know her?

The strange voice that echoes throughout the world, how did they get this information?

How deep were they able to collect?

The whole world turned into ruins in a single day, even Hesychia herself wasn't even able to cope yet.

“I can't.” The woman said, short and precise.

“Ding!” The strange voice entered. Hesychia swiftly noticed that the mechanical voice didn't announce whether her answer was right or wrong, it only served a light click as the seal on the brown door shattered.

Earlier at the first attempt, Hesychia unhesitantly lied. Since at the third question the strange voice didn't give any conditions to clear the question, whatever the answer was acceptable.

Moving forward, she forced her expression to relax. The woman found herself analyzing the surroundings instead.

In Colloquial language, the term "labyrinth" is often employed synonymously with "maze," yet contemporary scholars delineate a clear differentiation: a maze denotes a convoluted puzzle characterized by branching pathways and decision points, whereas a labyrinth comprises a singular, unbranched pathway leading directly to its center. Consequently, a labyrinth offers an unequivocal route to and from its center, devoid of intentional complexity in navigation.

Historically, prehistoric labyrinths were purportedly utilized as means to ensnare malevolent spirits or to delineate prescribed paths for ceremonial dances. Throughout the Renaissance period, the labyrinth symbolized a rigorous spiritual journey toward the divine, featuring a distinctly marked central point (representing God) and a solitary entryway (symbolizing birth).

The Golden Maze of Solomon. What was this supposed to mean? Why was Solomon included?

Solomon was known for being a wise King; however, his greatest weakness was his attraction to women. He wished for the well-being of his kingdom, asking for wisdom and understanding instead of gold and wealth. However, he fell in love with too many women, having 700 wives and 300 concubines.

Hesychia mumbled, mindlessly reaching the 16th question. “...so many.”

The next room looked like her own bedroom, the question greeting her.

“⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛”

There was a replica of her bed, the corners turned into plain white. For the 16th question, Hesychia stared at the question and said her answer quietly.

“Ding!”

The huge golden door opened as the center of the labyrinth finally revealed itself in front of her. The center of the labyrinth wasn't any different from the others; the unique feature was that the room was circular. Walking to the center of the room, Hesychia found a scroll.

“Why did Solomon, despite being the wisest man, dishonored God?”

A vein on Hesychia’s forehead popped.

What the hell?