A few days later.
The beastfolk city-state of Hekto City lay in the deepest part of the Land of Eternal Night. It was also known as Little Night City.
At the edge of this snowy plain, Little Night City stood peacefully amid the everlasting twilight, as if it were the end of the world.
Here, even at noon, daylight only appeared faintly, a brief interlude in the curtain of night.
The city-state stood closest to the entrance to the Demon Realm amid the vast snowy plains. Majestic mountains surrounded it like guardian deities, their ridges covered in thick snow and transformed into a host of gray giants.
Snow often fell over the city-state itself. It was blanketed in white and embraced by eternal winter.
At the heart of Little Night City stood a large plaza. Beside it towered a tall, tower-like building carefully constructed from dark stone bricks. Snow often slid from its conical roof like a silver-white cloak, while crystal wind chimes hung beneath the eaves and swayed in the breeze with a light, tinkling sound.
This was the most famous hotel in the city-state. Besides wealthy merchants willing to pay a high price to stay there, it was also used by the Great Lord to entertain distinguished guests.
A spacious executive suite occupied the top floor.
No matter how fierce the wind and snow were outside, the interior was always bathed in soft light.
From time to time, pages turned softly beside a round, tall wooden table, accompanied by faint rustling sounds.
"Today is the thirteenth day since you started your new job."
"News has arrived from the front line in the neighboring Bliss Kingdom, and you're frantic with worry."
"But you know that, apart from focusing on the work at hand, you have no other choice."
Suddenly,