Published: January 13, 2026
In the end, the Yangming Gate I had gone through so much trouble to build was going to be handed over to His Majesty, so I decided to create my own lodging once again.
“Now that I think about it, most of the nobles around me have a noble title higher than mine. There’s still a chance it might be taken away again, so this time, I’ll make something inconspicuous.”
With that resolve, I thought of the least noticeable building possible.
That is, a basement. If I’m careful about the entrance, it should be inconspicuous enough for no one to notice.
“If possible, I want a spacious area like the underground shopping streets often found near stations. To keep things easy to navigate, maybe the corridors should be straight lines only. Or would it be better to make it like a maze to deter intruders?”
After making the stairs down to the basement, I murmured to myself like that. Then Kamushin, Til, and Arte, who were lined up behind me, glanced at each other.
“...As someone who protects Lord Van, I’m grateful for a design that’s easy to defend,” Kamushin said.
“Well... I think I’d get lost myself in a maze,” Til added.
“How about a simple maze? Like if you always choose the right path, it’s correct, so you wouldn’t get lost,” Arte offered.
Each of them gave their opinions.
“Oh, that’s good. As expected of Arte.”
I praised Arte, the originator of this compromise-like perfect idea, and announced its adoption. Arte blushed slightly, a shy smile on her face, and I smiled back while quickly sketching a map on the ground.
I made a path that splits into three directions right after descending to the basement, and from each of those, two more branching paths.
“I heard somewhere that people tend to choose left paths easily. So let’s make it so that the correct path is always to the right. Ideally, if someone picks the wrong path, they’d all be gathered in the same room and unable to escape...”
While sketching the paths on the ground, I pondered how to design this. Kamushin and the others also showed signs of thinking along with me.
Then Til raised her hand and spoke up. Apparently, she had an idea.
“How about making it so that if you’re not on the correct path, you end up going round and round? That way, intruders might give up and leave.”
It was a cute suggestion, so I lightly laughed and nodded.
“That’s right. Then, let’s make it so that every time someone passes a fork, a sound is triggered. If we build an unopenable door for when things get tough, the defense will be solid.”
“Huh? You mean a device that makes a sound...?”
“Like something using a string and a wooden block?”
Til and Kamushin asked their questions. It seems Kamushin was imagining a security device from old samurai residences. I wanted to say, how do you even know about that?
More importantly, does such a thing even exist in this world?
Curious, I explained the answer.
“Let’s adopt Kamushin’s idea. We can string a cord beneath the wooden block, route it behind the wall, and connect it to a room deeper inside. I’ve never done it before, so I don’t know, but let’s experiment a bit for the future.”
Upon hearing this, Kamushin nodded happily. Til and Arte still seemed unable to imagine it fully, but at least they agreed for now.
Making something new is fun.
I racked my brain for ways to create an intruder detection mechanism.
At night, the thin iron plates installed on the ceiling of the room touched each other with a clear sound. Apparently, the security device was already working.
“Th-That’s an amazing sound...”
Half asleep, Arte rubbed her eyes and muttered while walking over. I laughed at her appearance and stretched lightly as I nodded, still sitting on the sofa I had just made.
“Yes. I designed it with cymbals in mind, so it’s louder than I expected.”
“Cymbals?”
“It’s a musical instrument that makes a loud sound.”
When Arte tilted her head, I explained briefly, and she nodded seriously, understanding.
As I stood from the sofa, Kamushin appeared from the entrance direction. Perhaps due to his serious personality, he was wearing light armor and carrying a weapon.