"I only have a general idea of the direction. We'll have to keep going and see."
They didn't take the corridor below. After Aiko took on the role of guide, she more or less continued along the route Fu Qian chose, carefully assessing the various side passages as they went.
"Understood. This place is simply enormous. What do you think we're dealing with here, Your Excellency? A nightmare? An illusion?"
Fu Qian seemed to agree with Aiko's explanation. He nodded as he looked around, making no attempt to hide his confusion.
"And what state would Ermu Mansion Palace be in back in the real world?"
"That is an interesting question, but unfortunately, so far there's very little we can use as a reference."
Without making a sound, Aiko slipped through the narrow gap in the door ahead. She didn't even look back as she spoke softly.
The two of them were gradually making their way downward, and they had clearly reached a place she had never visited before.
After entering unfamiliar territory, Aiko, who was leading the way, had clearly transformed her flesh-and-blood body into some special state.
She moved in complete silence, and even a light step carried her a considerable distance.
From Fu Qian's perspective, she seemed more like a ghost haunting the gloomy courtyard.
"But one thing is certain: if this really is a nightmare, then the force that constructed it must be of an exceptionally high level."
Beyond the door lay an even more desolate inner corridor, luxurious and ornate, but dimly lit.
Relying on his exceptional control over his body, Fu Qian slipped through the gap as well, without stirring a speck of dust.
When he caught up with Aiko, who was standing in front, she was silently gazing into the depths of the building.