March 30, afternoon.
Gelman arrived right on time, making his way into a range of steep, overlapping mountains. He found a forest that couldn't be located even by phone and came to a lake as clear as a pane of glass.
A three-story Western Mansion stood beside the lake. It was nowhere near as imposing as the Zoldyck Family's mansion, and looked more like a place a family might rent for a vacation.
Biscuit had received word in advance and waited at the entrance with her hands on her hips. When she spotted Gelman in the distance, she waved both arms at him.
"Hey—you finally made it!" she shouted. "You've got some nerve, making a lady wait this long!"
Despite Biscuit's loud complaints, Gelman continued at an unhurried pace, completely unaffected.
Biscuit, however, had no such patience. Gathering the hem of her Princess Skirt in both hands, she hurried over with quick, pattering steps.
"Everyone's here. You're the only one missing," Biscuit said when she reached him, sounding put out. "You're the main attraction on this trip, and you're late? How can that be? Shubika must be even more worried now."
"Sorry." Gelman had both hands in the pockets of his Hunter Cloak. "I usually arrive half an hour early, but I didn't realize everyone else was already here."
"Never mind, never mind." Biscuit waved a hand in a white glove, unwilling to press the matter. "Let's go inside first."
This time, she had pinned up her blond hair in a bun. Pointing at the mansion, her eyes gleaming with excitement, she said, "Well? Isn't it beautiful? I bought it. It'll be our temporary base from now on."
"It's quite nice." Gelman looked over the surroundings, then the mansion's exterior. "Looks like you made a fortune."
"Thanks to you." Biscuit