The Iron-Wood Manor had visibly changed since the last time she saw it.
And right now to Roxy, gasping for breath as she broke through the final line of trees, it was the most beautiful castle she had ever seen.
Better than the Pearl Wing. Better than the Coral Palace. It was home.
[WELCOME HOME, HOST!!]
The system cheered at her, as if it was not her fault she was gone for so long in the first place.
[Why are you blaming me? You were the one who followed a stranger to a cliff!"
Yea yea, I don't want to hear it.
"Last one there eats raw boar!" Axel shouted, sprinting past her with a burst of wolf-speed.
"No fair!" Roxy laughed, clutching a stitch in her side. "You have four legs!"
She stumbled into the clearing, her bare feet hitting the packed dirt of the yard. She was a mess, her hair wild and her face streaked with dirt, the Imperial Silk dress torn at the hem.
But she was smiling so hard her cheeks hurt.
The front door of the Manor creaked open.
