Published: January 13, 2026
I was looking forward to the barbecue contest, but honestly, what I was really excited about was spending a night in a building with traditional Japanese architecture.
Although I couldn’t perfectly replicate the tatami mats, I think the view from the main keep and turrets—like those seen in period dramas—turned out pretty good. Above all, I was quite satisfied with the reproduction of the long wooden corridors often featured in dramatic scenes, and the series of Japanese-style rooms separated by fusuma sliding doors.
Right away, I walked around, opening several of the fusuma doors of the makeshift Japanese rooms created for the soldiers’ rest. I opened the fusuma with both hands and moved into the next room. Crossing the room to the fusuma straight ahead, I opened those as well. Repeating this a few times, I eventually arrived at the long corridor surrounding the entire floor.
“Wow, this feels great!”
It’s frustrating that the only person who truly understands the quality of this replica is me, someone who knows the original scenery. I want to say that this is an incredible Japanese castle—grand yet combining functional beauty with aesthetic elegance. This is what a famous Japanese castle is all about.
“...This castle is really mysterious,”
“I’ve never seen such a castle before. It’s unique and full of things I’ve never seen. Yet everything feels very harmonious and beautiful,”
Til looked intrigued, and Arte seemed moved as they toured the castle’s interior. Kamushin examined the steepness of the stairs on each floor with surprise.
Indeed, perhaps it wasn't necessary to replicate even the angle of the stairs so precisely.
While checking the state of each floor, Pinin and the others cautiously climbed the stairs, looking as careful as spies infiltrating enemy territory. Pinin, leading the way, spotted me and raised his head in relief.
“Oh, my lord Van! I thought the castle was built in just a few hours, but to think it would be like this…”
“Hmm... At first, I thought it was made by just sticking wooden planks together…”
The nobles looked around curiously, touching the fusuma and other parts with interest. Apparently, because the building was completed so quickly, they had thought it was just a facade, a mere mock-up. Well, if the Yelinetta Kingdom army came, creating a bluff fortress to stall the enemy could be a valid strategy. It made sense.
“...I-Is it alright for us to stay in this castle as well?”
Pinin asked with a tone as if seeking favor. His upward glance was a bit creepy, but since he was speaking so humbly, I felt inclined to respond kindly.
I smiled and nodded at the noblemen.
“Of course! Since this is a rare opportunity, I thought I’d make a castle that’s strong defensively with various innovations. Please stay and let me know your impressions!”
At my answer, the nobles smiled.
“Oh! That’s very kind of you!”
“Indeed, it’s a very interesting design!”
“Could you tell us what kind of defenses you have planned?”
The nobles seemed pleased, and judging by their reaction, they understood the aesthetic beauty of Japanese castles. For some reason, I felt oddly happy and decided to explain the important details thoroughly. People who like Japanese castles must be good people.
“This castle specializes in defense. We plan to install the latest ballistae on all the tall turrets, and on the castle walls, just like around this castle’s perimeter, we’ll add walls on the rooftops. Those walls will have evenly spaced holes so that mechanical bows and flaming bottles can be dropped down onto attackers below. Also, even if someone infiltrates inside the castle, the narrow, steep stairs make it so those inside can simply thrust spears downward from the upper floors, preventing easy ascent. Furthermore, we are considering placing improved catapults that can affect a wide area toward the roads of the Yelinetta Kingdom. With all this, we can defend even against large dragons, so if the Yelinetta Kingdom army attacks again, we will surely be able to repel them!”