As Heimdall pulled out a brass key from his pocket, inserted it into the lock, and turned it lightly,
"Click."
A crisp metallic sound rang out.
The heavy black iron gate swung open.
"Come in."
"This is our home now."
Heimdall stepped aside, making a welcoming gesture.
...
In an instant,
the crowd, who had been slightly dizzy from the alcohol, stopped breathing for a moment when they saw what was behind the gate Heimdall opened, and they filed in one by one.
Passing through the black iron gate,
entering the meticulously landscaped front yard,
Heimdall stood before the heavy double wooden doors and pushed them open.
"Creak—"
The doors swung inward.
The next second,
a faint scent of plants mixed with a warm atmosphere enveloped them.
Everyone's breath seemed to stop for a moment.
Before their eyes,
was an astonishingly spacious hall.
Underfoot was a polished hardwood floor, gleaming with a warm honey color.
Above, several antique brass chandeliers cast a soft glow, illuminating every corner.
Most eye-catching was straight ahead,
where there was no wall,
or rather, the designer had boldly done away with traditional load-bearing walls, opting instead for a transparent floor-to-ceiling structure.
The view passed unobstructed through the hall, directly into the central courtyard beyond.
There.
A giant laurel tree stood quietly under the moonlight, its lush branches swaying in the breeze.
Corridors on both sides, decorated with black wrought iron railings, curved and extended backward, connecting to various rooms deeper within.
"Wow..."
It was unclear who let out the first exclamation of amazement.
Immediately after, it was as if a switch had been flipped.
"This... this is just too beautiful?!"
Kikakujuo Mary covered her mouth, her eyes seemingly holding two sparkling stars within them.
However.
It wasn't just her.
The other girls behind her also seemed frozen in place at the entrance, unable to take another step forward.
After all.
Just look at their current state.
Although their spirits were high, their attire—
covered with the distinctive, foul-smelling dust of the Dungeon, with some places even stained with dried blood.
Now, look at this honey-colored hardwood floor.
Even the Fierce Person hesitated now.
It lifted its massive bear paw, hovering in mid-air, seemingly agonizing over whether stepping down would leave a black 'plum blossom' print on the beautiful wood. In the end, it could only withdraw its paw pitifully, letting out a whining sound from its throat.
"..."
Watching this group of girls huddled at the door, their eyes filled with longing yet not daring to breathe loudly,
Heimdall shook his head with an amused smile.
"Come on in."
Heimdall stepped onto the floor first, producing a crisp 'tap' sound.
"This floor is made of specially treated ironwood, much sturdier than you imagine."
"It's not that delicate."
"If it couldn't even bear this much weight, it wouldn't deserve to be laid in a place like this."
"Besides, this is home."
"At home, there aren't so many rules."
"If even the owners are afraid, how could anyone live here in the future?"
Heimdall turned around and beckoned to everyone with a smile.
Hearing these words from their own Patron Deity,
it was like a reassurance pill.
The girls' tense shoulders finally relaxed a little.
However.
The moment they stepped into the hall,
"Huh?"
Inaba Tsukiyo seemed to sense something through the soles of her shoes.
"Lord Heimdall..."
Inaba Tsukiyo lowered her head slightly, her voice carrying a hint of surprise.
"Below..."
"there seems to be a heat source?"
"A very stable warmth is continuously seeping up from beneath the floor."
As soon as these words were spoken,
the others were also taken aback.
Reminded by Inaba Tsukiyo, the girls realized.
Although it was a late autumn night, and the evening wind outside carried a bone-chilling cold,
here,
even with the main door wide open, it was as warm as spring.
Even stepping on the wooden floor didn't feel the slightest chill; instead, a comfortable, cozy warmth surged up from the soles of their feet.
"It really does feel like it..."
"So warm."
Rin crouched down, pressing her palm against the floor, also looking intrigued.
"Tsukiyo's perception is as sharp as ever."
-------------------------------
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