The samurai frowned when he heard Mei Terumi's answer.
He had received no such notice.
"Please wait a moment."
After gesturing for Mei Terumi to wait, he summoned another samurai.
After the two exchanged a few words, one of them ran deeper into the Lord's Manor.
"We need to confirm this before we can let you in."
"No problem."
Mei Terumi appeared exceedingly patient.
After quite some time, the samurai finally emerged from inside.
It seemed that, under the current circumstances, even meeting a daimyo required going through a lengthy process.
The samurai exchanged words again.
In the end, they nodded at Mei Terumi.
"You may enter."
Mei Terumi nodded in return, then followed the samurai inside.
They finally stopped before the gates of the inner courtyard.
The two groups completed their handover.
Click! Click! Click!
Two guards opened the heavy black gates. Once the doors wide enough for several people to enter abreast had been opened, the scene within was revealed.
It was a grand, spacious, luxurious courtyard.
"Lady Mei Terumi, please follow me."
A servant respectfully extended a hand and led Mei Terumi into the manor.
"Thank you for leading the way."
Mei Terumi politely nodded to them as well.
The two crossed through the gates.
Bang!
The gates slammed shut behind her. Mei Terumi followed the servant through a long, tranquil corridor.
Although the courtyard appeared empty, her extraordinary sense of smell still caught a faint fragrance drifting through the air.
It came from the heart of the Lord's Manor.
Who knew what strange spectacle awaited within?
No one noticed that as Mei Terumi continued deeper into the Lord's Manor, a white mist began to rise.
Perhaps someone did notice, but they did not think much of it.
After Mei Terumi passed through another gate and underwent