The Front Gate (before battle)
Tsk… this is uncomfortable.
Oi, is it normal for these clothes to squeeze harder with every step I take?
That is what it means to maintain an air of dignity~ Once you get used to that feeling, you'll feel like you're missing something whenever you're dressed casually!
So this must be the front… gate to your former place of abode, Heathcliff.
The massive gate alone feels downright intimidating.
<That's one big front door.>
It is known that, in certain regions of the City, the size of the front gate is an indicator of one's social standing. The magnitude of this front gate indicates that... the owner of this home is very affluent.
Heathcliff, you picked on Hong Lu for being a rich kid when you were raised at some huge mansion yourself?
Heh heh, I don't mind it at all~
... I'm feeling a bit betrayed, actually.
Sir Heathcliff, thou appeareth quite different today...
... Keep your stupid comments to yourselves.
Some were teasing him, and some were genuinely surprised, but... it didn't matter to Heathcliff. Every word he spat out was dripping with venomous spite.
I wasn't even remotely close to being rich.
I was never once 'rich' in this manor. I wasn't even allowed to be content. Not even for a moment.
And this manor. This manor never accepted me, not even for a -
…!
W-what the hell...
A lightning strike. It seems to have struck an area near the forest.
<That was so loud...>
It's okay. I-I heard that it's extremely rare for lightning to actually hit people.
... A momentary musing reveals that a strike of levin brings about a sensation that is not unlike the joy of fireworks.
It fills the dark and cold void of the night sky with its incandescent brilliance, even for a brief moment, before fading away into oblivion.
… Right. And in exchange, it loses everything it has, burning and leaving nothing but ash behind.
What joy is there to be found?
I could hear some forest critters fleeing, spooked by the thunderstrike.
Ooh! Behold, a tiny squirrel over yonder!
Woah… such nature so close to home? I didn't know you used to live at such an eco-friendly place. I suppose I wouldn't have to go through the trouble of building a private zoo if I lived at a place like this!
To have a garden or a forest so near their home… Even if we were to ignore everything else, that alone indicates that its owner is someone of unimaginable affluence.
Hmm~ Right! I remember that Sinclair's home was in the middle of a forest, too.
Squirrels, sure. There were other animals roaming about, too.
Sometimes, when I was so miserable that I could hardly bear to even be in that manor... I'd go to the forest and not return for a long, long time.
Ooh, then this tiny forest friend, little Sir Squirrel, must have been quite the jolly companion for thee!
LITTLE SIR SQUIRRELLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!
The little squirrel that may once have been Heathcliff's tiny forest friend…
… was immediately scorched down to a pile of ash the moment it crossed over into the manor's front gate.
That was… a weird lightning strike. Did it just curve midair?
The chance of such an occurrence is extraordinarily low.
Um… it might just be that I'm overreacting, but it looked as though that lightning was curving itself to strike exactly where that squirrel was standing.
Woah… Heathcliff, I had no idea you grew up at such a dangerous place. I'm impressed you even survived…
… No. Blimey… I've not seen anything like it.
<Right, Heathcliff. Ready to knock on the front gate?>
The front gate…
He stared blankly at the front gate of the manor.
I've... not knocked on this gate in good many years.
I once had to wait out here for hours because they all refused to let me in. Everyone... except Catherine. She snuck out of the manor to open it for me.
Walking through the heavy rain.
Well, then... I'm sure it won't be different this time.
So if I knock... Catherine will come out to let me in?
<…….>
... Hup.
Heathcliff takes a deep breath before knocking on the front door.
…….
Huh, nothing. That's not what I meant when I said it won't be different this time…
Oh, we can try climbing over the fence. I think we can clear that height as long as we're okay with breaking our ankles…
No.
Heathcliff was a whole bundle of anxiety before he knocked on the front gate, but…
… perhaps this perceived slight reverted Heathcliff into his usual, angry self.
I was invited to this manor! This invitation would be meaningless if I were to leap over the fence.
CATHERINE! I'M BACK!
They've ignored you once. Continuing to shout won't -
CATHERINE!
Despite his efforts, not even a soul stirred beyond the front gate. None of us really believed that anyone would come out to greet him.
But…
CATH -
The front gate began to creak open as though someone was answering his pleas.
… The makeover was worth it, hmm?