Chapter 140 – From Cave, To Inn, and To This…
Chapter 140
From Cave, To Inn, and To This…
Date : Day 29 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren, Elise, Ina, and Jackey walked up the newly repaired stone path toward the front door of the manor.
Now that they stood closer, the scale of the house felt even more real. The manor loomed above them in a way that the distant view from the street had failed to convey. The oak front door towered before them, sturdy and imposing.
Hyoren took out the keys once more. His hand was steady this time. The brass keys felt warm from his pocket as he fitted it into the lock. The mechanism turned smoothly—no resistance, no sticking. Whatever repairs had been made to the manor, they had extended to even the smallest details.
Then he unlocked the door, pushed it open, and stepped inside first, with Elise, Ina, and Jackey following right behind him.
The moment they entered, the scent of fresh wood and polished stone greeted them immediately. Clean. Crisp. The smell of a completely new beginning. It spoke of renovation and renewal, of spaces that had been cleaned and prepared for their new occupants.
The interior of the manor felt vast compared to their old inn room. An empty canvas filled with possibilities. The ceiling stretched high above them, the wooden beams exposed and freshly treated, creating a sense of openness that seemed almost excessive after weeks of cramped quarters.
The main hall welcomed them with polished wooden walls and smooth stone flooring. The wood gleamed in the pale light—the surface reflecting silver Luna's illumination in warm tones that seemed to make the space feel more inviting despite its size.
To the left side was the kitchen connected directly to the dining room. To the right was the reception room alongside a guest room. At the far back stood the staircase leading toward the second floor, while beneath it was another door leading toward the main bathroom.
Slowly, the four of them wandered toward the reception room first.
The reception hall was grander than Hyoren expected. The room stretched out before them with dimensions that seemed almost excessive for their needs. Comfortable sofas surrounded a low table intended for entertaining guests. Tall windows overlooked the garden outside, allowing pale silver light to spill beautifully into the room. The illumination created patterns on the floor that shifted as clouds passed across Luna's face. A magnificent stone fireplace stood proudly against the wall, already prepared to be lit during winter nights.
There were tall shelves lining parts of the room. Preparation tables. Decorative spaces. The spaces between furniture seemed larger than they needed to be.
The room lacked personal touches. No books. No decorations. No signs of life yet. But all of that could come later. The room was not incomplete—it was simply waiting.
Hyoren looked around before smiling wryly.
"Do we really need a reception room this grand?"
Elise lightly touched his arm beside him.
"We never know. Better to have it than regret not having it later, right?"
Meanwhile, Ina approached the empty bookshelves near the wall. Her fingers brushed lightly against the wood.
"You like reading, right, Hyoren?"
Her cat ears twitched thoughtfully. She gestured toward the shelves.
"Why not turn this room partly into a library too? We could fill these with books."
Then she pointed toward the empty space near the window.
"And maybe add tables there for writing or studying."
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"So even if we rarely entertain guests, the room still won't feel useless."
Jackey nodded enthusiastically despite clearly having no idea what kind of room they were designing anymore.
"Yeah!"
His gaze wandered aimlessly around the reception hall. His eyes moved from the shelves to the fireplace to the windows without seeming to settle on anything in particular.
"Books are cool!"
Nobody believed he actually read books. The statement was so transparently supportive rather than informed that it almost circled back around to being endearing.
Hyoren almost chuckled seeing him.
Then he tapped his chin thoughtfully while looking around the room again. His gaze moved from the shelves to the window to the empty spaces that Ina had indicated.
"I guess you two are right..."
The more he imagined it, the more the room started taking shape inside his mind. Bookshelves. Maps. Research materials. A place to plan quests. Study magic. Write reports. A proper headquarters for the Freedom Party.
***
They wandered through the dining room next, its sheer size taking them by surprise. A heavy oak table decorated the center of the room, long enough to host a feast for more than ten people. The wood was dark and polished. Matching chairs lined both sides of the table, their high backs giving the arrangement a sense of formality that felt almost foreign after weeks of eating at Wanderer's Rest.
It was a clear statement about the kind of gatherings the original merchant owner must have envisioned—and perhaps the kind Freedom Party might one day have too.
Hyoren tilted his head.
"Isn't this table a bit overkill?"
Ina walked closer and brushed her fingers across the polished wood.
"Not really, Hyoren. This seats ten people. We already have four. The caretaker who'll arrive shortly makes six. More than half the seats are already occupied."
Elise nodded in agreement.
"And we never know if we'll get more party members in the future..."
Jackey ignored the conversation entirely and wandered around the room curiously, opening cabinets and peeking behind chairs like an excited child.
Then they stepped into the kitchen, and all four of them paused.
The transition from the dining room had been seamless—a simple doorway connecting the two spaces—but the difference in atmosphere was immediate. A wave of pure delight washed over them. It was a cook's dream.
A tall double-door refrigerator stood proudly in the corner. Beside it was a massive four-burner stove complete with an exhaust hood. There was even a large oven capable of baking entire loaves of bread—or pizzas big enough to feed the whole party.
Counters lined the walls alongside shelves filled with kitchen appliances and utensils. The organization was meticulous—pots and pans hanging from hooks, cutting boards stacked neatly, drawers labeled with their contents. Another tall freezer rested near the back, likely meant for frozen treats, ice, and preserved ingredients.
Then Hyoren noticed another door at the far end of the kitchen.
Runes glowed faintly across its surface. The symbols were etched into the surface with precision. A small metal plaque read, Food Storage.
Hyoren opened it carefully. The door swung outward smoothly, revealing a space that seemed larger than it should have been given the dimensions of the kitchen behind it. Inside were rows of shelves humming softly with magical energy. The air felt strangely still.
"We could store food here..."
Elise stepped closer, her emerald eyes glimmering with interest. The green of her irises seemed to brighten as she examined the runes.
"Yeah... this uses a similar principle to our Storage Bag."
She touched one of the runes lightly.
"But instead of spatial expansion, this focuses entirely on time dilation."
She looked toward Ina, who had already walked over beside her. The small Cat-clan beastkin was examining the runes with the same careful attention she had given the bookshelves earlier.
"How strong is it?"
Ina nodded.
"Yelan said the ratio is around thirty to one. One day inside equals thirty days outside. We could put hot soup inside... and take it out a month later while it's still steaming."
Jackey's eyes lit up instantly. He pumped his fist into the air. The motion was enthusiastic and completely unselfconscious.
"WOAH! Infinite snacks!"
He pointed dramatically toward the magical storage room. His finger traced a line from the door to the shelves inside as if he were already imagining them filled with provisions.
"We need to fill this thing immediately, Big Bro!"
Hyoren chuckled at Jackey's enthusiasm.
"Yeah... this is honestly incredible."
After that, they explored the servant quarters located behind the kitchen.
The area was modest compared to the rest of the manor—two smaller bedrooms connected to a compact common room—but still comfortable and well-maintained. The beds were simple but sturdy, the floors clean, the windows letting in enough light to make the spaces feel less cramped than their dimensions might suggest.
Ina peeked inside one of the rooms. Her head tilted as she took in the dimensions.
"This should be enough for the caretakers."
Elise nodded softly.
"It's good. They still have enough privacy even if they work here."
***
They continued exploring and eventually arrived at the main bathroom.
The moment Hyoren stepped inside, he almost stopped in place. The sight that greeted him was unexpected enough to make him pause mid-stride, his foot hovering above the floor for a fraction of a second before completing the step.
The entire room was built from polished black granite, the dark surface gleaming softly under the magic lamps. The air smelled faintly fresh, mixed with the scent of clean stone and flowing water.
But the centerpiece of the room was impossible to ignore.
A massive bathtub occupied the center, large enough to comfortably fit five or six people. The tub itself was carved from the same black granite as the walls, its surface smooth and dark with subtle veins of lighter stone running through it. Beside it stood a beautifully carved statue of a small woman with her hands outstretched gracefully toward the tub.
Elise stepped closer first.
Curious, she lightly touched the statue's hand. A soft hum echoed through the room. Then hot water immediately began gushing from hidden outlets beneath the tub.
Elise widened her eyes slightly.
"This is easy to use..."
Steam slowly rose as the bathtub began filling with perfectly heated water. The vapor curled upward in lazy spirals—creating patterns in the air that seemed almost decorative before dissipating into the general warmth of the room.
"Just one touch and it starts filling automatically."
Hyoren looked impressed. His gaze moved from the statue to the tub to the steam rising from the water.
"That's convenient..."
The area in front of the bathtub was separated into a washing section. Three shower heads and faucets were installed neatly along the wall, clearly designed so people could clean themselves before entering the tub.
For Hyoren, the sight felt strangely nostalgic. It reminded him of bathhouses back on Earth. The setup was different in its specifics, but the principle was the same. The memory surfaced unbidden—images of tiled floors and steam-filled rooms that seemed to belong to another life entirely.
Ina crouched slightly near the shower area, examining the runic engravings connected to the plumbing. Her small frame bent easily into the position—her cat ears tilting forward as she leaned closer to inspect the details of the magical circuitry. Her fingers traced the lines of the runes without touching them.
"The plumbing system and heating magic tools are properly installed."
Her cat ears twitched with approval.
"The Aethell flow is stable too. This should work without problems for years."
Meanwhile, Jackey had already walked toward the giant bathtub, staring at it with sparkling eyes. His enthusiasm was visible in every line of his body.
"Look at this thing! We could swim in there! WOOHOO!"
Ina instantly smacked his shoulder again.
"It's a bath, Jackey. Not a lake."
Jackey rubbed his shoulder dramatically before grinning anyway.
"But it's huge!"
Near the back of the bathroom was a separate changing area with benches, cabinets, and shelves for towels and clothes.
Elise slowly looked around the room again. Her emerald eyes moved from the bathtub to the shower area to the changing space.
"...This place really does feel like a proper home."
Hyoren nodded quietly.
They exited the bathroom afterward and noticed a small door tucked beneath the stairs.
The entrance was easy to miss. Hyoren opened it, revealing a set of stairs leading down into the basement below. The air that rose from below was cool and slightly damp.
The space was surprisingly clean and spacious. Stone walls. Wooden beams. Cool air. It was clearly designed as a storage room. The ceiling was high enough that even Jackey wouldn't need to duck, and the floor was smooth stone rather than packed earth.
Shelves lined the walls neatly, while a large wine rack occupied one entire side of the basement. The rack was empty now—its wooden compartments waiting to be filled with bottles that had not yet been acquired. But the potential was obvious.
Elise's emerald eyes immediately lit up. Despite being unable to hold her alcohol well, she still loved wine dearly.
"Time to stack wines here."
She already sounded excited just imagining it.
Hyoren immediately narrowed his eyes at her.
"But please don't drink too much, Elise."
Elise puffed her cheeks slightly and pouted.
"But..."
Hyoren crossed his arms firmly.
"No but."
Ina instantly covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. The attempt was only partially successful—a small sound escaped despite her best efforts, and her shoulders shook with suppressed amusement. Her cat ears twitched with the effort of maintaining her composure.
Meanwhile, Jackey burst out laughing openly.
"Hahaha! Elise got scolded already!"
Elise shot both of them an indignant look. Her emerald eyes narrowed in a way that suggested she was not at all pleased with their reaction to her predicament.
"I'm not that bad."
Hyoren looked at her silently.
Elise avoided his gaze.
"...Okay maybe a little."
That only made Ina and Jackey laugh harder. The sound of their amusement filled the basement—bouncing off the stone walls and wooden shelves in a way that made it seem even louder than it actually was.
The basement, which had been empty and quiet moments ago, was now filled with warm laughter instead.
***
Finally, they ascended the grand staircase to the second floor. The stairs themselves were wide and well-constructed.
A wide communal room greeted them at the landing. The space opened up before them with dimensions that seemed generous without being excessive. It was clearly designed as a gathering place for the household—a place to relax, discuss plans, or simply spend time together after long days.
The old dusty carpet from before had either been thoroughly cleaned or replaced entirely. Now it was thick and plush beneath their feet, comfortable enough to sit on directly. The fibers yielded under their weight with a softness that seemed almost luxurious after weeks of walking on wooden floorboards at the inn. The color was a deep burgundy.
Several long sofas surrounded the carpet as well for those who preferred sitting higher instead of on the floor. The furniture was well-crafted but not ostentatious. Their cushions looked thick and inviting.
Jackey immediately threw himself onto one of them.
"OHH... this is dangerous..."
He sank into the cushions dramatically.
"If I sit here after lunch, I'm definitely falling asleep."
Ina rolled her eyes while Elise giggled softly.
Five bedroom doors were scattered along the hallway connected to the communal room. They peeked into several of them, finding each room spacious and clean, all furnished with wardrobes, dressers, and even private bathrooms.
The rooms were smaller than the master bedroom but still comfortable. The beds were well-made, the windows clean, the floors swept and polished.
Then they arrived at the largest room positioned at the center of the floor. The master bedroom. The door itself was slightly larger than the others—a subtle indication of the room's importance within the house's design.
Hyoren pushed the door open slowly. The hinges moved without sound—well-oiled and maintained. Then all of them paused. The room was beautiful. The word seemed inadequate for what they were seeing, but it was the first one that came to mind.
Luna's silver light streamed through the large windows, illuminating furniture crafted from dark Ironbark Oak. The wood was deep and rich. The massive bed immediately dominated the room, its sturdy headboard reaching almost to the ceiling. The frame was solid and imposing. Matching wardrobes and dressers lined the walls, giving the room an aura of strength, elegance, and comfort at the same time.
An open side door revealed a private bathroom inside.
Simpler than the main one downstairs—just a shower, washbasin, mirror, and toilet. The space was functional rather than luxurious, but it was clean and well-maintained, with the same attention to detail that characterized the rest of the manor.
But it had no bathtub. If he wanted to soak properly, he would still need to use the large communal bath downstairs. But honestly, this was already more than enough.
Elise and Ina stepped further into the room, admiring the scenery before turning toward Hyoren. Their eyes moved across the furniture, the windows, the bed—taking in every detail.
"This will be your room, Hyoren."
Elise gestured toward the neighboring doors outside.
"Mine and Ina's rooms are adjacent to yours."
Then a teasing smile appeared on her lips.
"But if you want to sleep together with us... we'll probably just gather here instead. Fufu."
Ina hopped onto the bed first. Her small frame made the massive bed look even larger. The thing could easily fit four people comfortably. Maybe even five if nobody minded sleeping close together. The mattress barely dipped under her weight.
"Look how soft this bed is."
She bounced lightly against the mattress.
Elise walked over to test it as well, pressing her hand into the sheets with visible satisfaction. Her palm sank into the fabric with a softness that seemed to surprise her.
Meanwhile, Hyoren simply stood in the center of the room quietly, taking everything in.
The scale of the house. The warmth. The quality. The simple fact that this place belonged to them now. His eyes moved from the bed to the wardrobes to the windows—each detail registering with a weight that seemed disproportionate to its physical presence.
Not long ago he had been surviving alone in a cave in the middle of a forest. Then a single room at an inn. And now—this.
His gaze slowly drifted toward the oversized bed.
"The bed is too big..."
He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"It'll feel lonely sleeping here alone."
Elise exchanged a glance with Ina before both girls smiled.
"Fufu. Then you won't."
Ina slipped down from the bed and approached him.
"Me and Elise already decided."
Her tail swayed mischievously behind her.
"We'll take turns accompanying you."
Then her grin widened.
"But if you want both of us at the same time..."
She leaned slightly closer and whispered.
"Just say it."
Elise, still sitting on the bed, immediately burst into giggles.
Jackey, who had been inspecting the cabinets moments earlier, suddenly shouted from the corner of the room. It was clear that he had not been paying attention to the conversation until just now, when something had caught his interest.
"JUST GO WITH BOTH, BIG BRO!"
He raised his fist dramatically.
"BECOME A HAREM KING! HAHAHA!"
Hyoren immediately felt the urge to punch him. The crass, loud Cat-clan beastkin truly showed absolutely no restraint. It took everything Hyoren had not to drive his fist straight into Jackey's face.
He inhaled deeply, calming himself.
Then he turned back toward Ina and Elise.
"Ina, Elise... well..."
He coughed awkwardly, suddenly unable to look either of them directly in the eyes.
"Two at the same time would be a bit much."
But then he glanced at both of them again. His eyes moved from Ina's knowing smile to Elise's amused expression. And honestly—the image was dangerously tempting. The thought surfaced unbidden, bringing with it a flush of heat that he tried desperately not to show on his face.
"But… Maybe occasionally."
Ina and Elise looked at each other once more before giggling together again, their laughter filling the room warmly.