The season was still autumn.
It was around the time when the leaves of early green were just starting to take on color, and fallen leaves were beginning to drop.
I climbed for a considerable while along the quiet path.
There was no leisure to view the seemingly beautiful sights or landscapes.
All that could be heard was the shallow brushing of breaths.
Clearly more than ten in number, the personnel were gathered and ascending the path.
Even the complaints of hardship that had been heard until yesterday were no longer audible.
The destination was right in front of their noses, and now there wasn’t even the energy to cry out complaints.
It had been that much of a forced march, days that would make the personnel utterly sick of it.
“Ah, the destination is visible ahead.”
At someone’s uttered words, people’s breaths quickened.
As the place they had longed for so much came into view, vitality sprouted in their weary emotions.
After that, they climbed the stairs for a short while more. Finally reaching the large door at the very end, as soon as the people arrived, the door opened as if it had been waiting.
Thanks to those who were already guarding in front of the door.
Creaaak-!
As the door opened, a person came into view.
It was a middle-aged man with a kind impression, who, upon seeing the…