The mansion in the Royal Capital, once owned by Shoko Sanada, contained nothing but Japanese landscape paintings that appeared to have been her own work.
"It appears there are only paintings of various towns inside these rooms as well," Celestine remarked.
"So it seems... By the way, are these worth anything?" Rest asked.
"They are skillfully done. There would surely be people interested in these depictions of unknown, fantastical places... I never imagined Her Majesty the Queen Dowager possessed such an artistic soul."
Celestine gazed wistfully at the landscape paintings, which were rendered with a delicate touch.
"To me, Her Majesty the Queen Dowager was an aloof and terrifying figure. I could never tell what she was thinking. Being under that constant, appraising gaze was truly unsettling..."
"I see..."
This was hard for Rest to reconcile with the Shoko Sanada he had met within the mental world, but apparently, that was how people had perceived the Queen Dowager. Having been consumed by resentment and bitterness for so long, she was likely a completely different person by then.
"What’s going to happen to this house? Does it become mine too?"
"No. This wasn't exactly part of Prince Rodel's inheritance, so it has nothing to do with you, Rest-san. Since there is no owner or heir, it will be claimed as state property."
"I see... If they ever decide to tear this place down, do you think I could buy the paintings?"
It felt wrong to let Shoko's legacy be heartlessly discarded. Even for Rest, whose own sense of homesickness was thin, losing these glimpses of Japan seemed like a waste.
"I understand. The final decision rests with the Royal Family, so I cannot make any promises, but I will see what I can do."
"Thank you. I appreciate it."
After finishing their sweep of the interior, Rest and Celestine prepared to leave. However, just as they were about to step through the front door, Celestine suddenly paused.
"Ah..."
"What’s wrong?"
"Wait, there is something strange about this wall..."
Celestine pointed to the wall beside the entrance.
At a glance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. However, upon closer inspection, Rest noticed a faint line tracing a section of the wall. A square outline, roughly the size of a palm, was carved into the old, yellowed wallpaper.
"There certainly seems to be something there. I don't feel any mana coming from it, though."
"We have things like this in the Duke's estate as well. Though ours are hidden much better, of course."
Celestine reached out and touched the carved square.
"It is a non-magical mechanism. A secret door that a mage would never notice."
She pressed the square, and a section of the wall swung open, much like a revolving door in a ninja house.
Had it been a magical trap, Rest would have sensed it immediately. Because he relied so heavily on mana, this sort of purely mechanical trick was a complete blind spot for him.
"Beyond the secret door... is a staircase. It leads to a basement."
He probed the area with his Life Search magic, but he didn't detect any suspicious presences. When Rest looked at Celestine, she gave him a small nod.
"If you are willing, Rest-san, I would like to investigate. Would that be alright?"
"Honestly, I’d be more bothered if you told me to go home now. Let’s head down."
Rest summoned a magical light and began to descend the dark staircase.