A huge laurel tree stood quietly beneath the moonlight, its lush branches and leaves swaying in the breeze.
The corridors on either side were lined with black wrought-iron railings, winding back toward the various rooms farther inside.
"Wow..."
No one knew who had gasped first.
Then, as though a switch had been flipped-
"Th-this is way too beautiful!"
Kikakujō Mary covered her mouth, her eyes looking as though two sparkling stars had truly nestled inside them.
Yet.
She was not the only one.
The other girls behind her also seemed to have been immobilized by a spell, frozen in the entryway, unable to take another step.
After all.
Just look at their current state.
Though they were in good spirits, their outfits-
Were covered in dirt carrying the Dungeon's distinctive bloody smell, with dried blood still clinging to some spots.
Then there was the honey-colored hardwood floor.
Even Fierce Man lost its nerve at that moment.
It lifted one enormous bear paw and held it in midair, seemingly torn over whether stepping down would leave a black paw print on that beautiful wood. In the end, it could only withdraw its paw forlornly, whimpering in its throat.
"..."
Looking at the girls huddled together in the doorway, their eyes brimming with longing even as they scarcely dared to breathe.
Haimo shook his head in amusement.
"Come in."
Haimo stepped onto the floor first, producing a crisp tap.
"This floor is made of specially treated ironwood. It's much sturdier than you imagine."
"It's not that delicate."
"If it couldn't even bear this little weight, it wouldn't deserve to be laid in a neighborhood like this."
"Besides, this is home."
"There aren't so many rules at home."
"If it's even afraid of its owners, how could anyone live here in the future?"