This area was a clearly sacred place.

It was secluded and peaceful enough to raise all of those flags in your mind.

You weren't surprised to see it protected by guards, even the Savant-made automaton wasn't much of a shock— though you and Herta were instantly fascinated by the machine. It was comparable, if not stronger, to your Armored Clankers. Already, ideas spiraled through your mind as you were inspired by such a piece of technology, even seeing all of the faults in this noticeably ancient technology.

The guards were wary at first, yet they allowed you and your wives to enter because of Ayane; she gave the excuse of everyone here wanting to pay their respects to the dead.

Though at this rate it was less of an excuse. The atmosphere here inspired a fragile reverence.

It was beautiful in a somber way. If you took the wake you were in yesterday, painted it with elegant tones, put it in a picture frame, and walked inside, it could describe this. White gladioli, red spider lilies, even a few lotus flowers. And, of course, white chrysanthemums.

"A place like this doesn't really fit the rest of the city." Mel observed. "Uh, not to say it should be demolished-!"

"No, that is a common reaction." Ayane sighed. "Unfortunately this area is nothing more than an imitation of what my people have in their homeland. Even the flowers are fake and artificial."

Despite her words Ayane seemed to be sentimental. When she revealed that she hadn't done so for more than a decade, you allowed her to excuse herself and pay her respects to the dead.

That left you and your three wives (and Yumi) to look around.

"Your intellect is truly amazing, Master." Ruby flattered you. "Had you brought either of those three meatheads, I imagine a fight would've started."

"They'd probably just of told us to get lost." Mel shrugged. "Though I bet Master would've been able to figure things out still."

"Thanks, you two," You smiled at her. "I'm glad to have both your trusts."

"Always, Master." Ruby grinned at you.

"Yep!" Mel beamed.

A few more moments passed, as all of you continued to look around and attempt to sense anything with magic. Herta was the one that was concentrating the most on figuring out what happened.

"I don't buy it." Yumi said.

"Don't buy what?" You asked.

"What Ayane said. This is a pretty legitimate haunt."

"She seemed to know about this place." Mel said. "I don't think she's lying about the fact it was all artificial."

"Yeah, well, I'm not really talking about the physical stuff being the best quality," Yumi said, "I mean, it's legitimate enough to convince the-"

"Ghosts around here." Herta muttered, finishing Yumi's sentence. "Most are the bad type."

You didn't feel the chill that spirits brought with their presence. And a quick look at Ruby and Mel proved that they were in the same boat as you.

"What type?" You whispered back.

"Normal ones that feel malicious, some Will-O-Wisps," Herta said. "Probably a Shade or two."