The corridor gradually widened, opening into a space resembling a hall ahead.
Two life-sized stone puppet statues stood to either side, their faces blurred and their poses rigid, as though silently confronting each other.
At the very center stood another statue, its arms wrapped around its knees, imprisoned within an exquisite wrought-iron cage with its head bowed.
Firefly stopped curiously, her gaze sweeping over the statues. "Did the Oak Mansion always have decorations like these?"
Gofemwood halted as well. Looking at the statues, his gaze seemed to pierce through them and glimpse the distant past.
He explained, "After settling into the sweet dream, he never turned away anyone who sincerely wished to pursue dreams, even if they were cunning villains."
"Walking the path of [Harmony], he firmly believed that even villains could be moved by Xipe's benevolence."
"Love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly."
Firefly's gaze fell upon the imprisoned puppet in the center. Its curled-up posture conveyed a wordless oppression.
She commented, "It seemed he didn't get what he wanted?"
"Indeed." Gofemwood explained, his voice carrying the faintest trace of a sigh:
"The villains never repented. They even colluded with one another, seeking to establish a Family."
"How arrogant they were. To that end, they actually asked a messenger to cross the vast cosmos and request permission from the [Main Family]."
"In the end, they could only bring humiliation upon themselves."
Before arriving in Penacony, Firefly had gathered some historical information as well.
She asked tentatively, "And then the riot happened?"
Gofemwood continued, his gaze still fixed on the statues:
"Fortunately, he and the Oak Family had long become one in body and heart. He narrowly survived—but could never again leave the sweet dream."
"Not long after, the mansion was arranged like this."
"Did he intend it to warn