I am the Entertainment Tycoon-Chapter 936: Pyramidal Floor

After passing through the basement and two floors of the Flower Bunny Inn, we finally arrived on the last floor of the inn. Which was also known as the second floor or the terrace of the inn. And the group in charge of searching for clues on this floor was composed of Shizuka, June, and Kumiko. But they also had the prestigious help from Grandma Iko, the innkeeper. Although this old lady was advanced in years, she had a youthful and yearning spirit to solve this mystery. After all, this was a mystery that her ancestor Rai would die to solve. So, for the honor of her family, the Hana Family, she had to participate in solving this mystery.

That's why three girls and an old lady were seen arriving on the second floor of the inn together.

Grandma Iko, who serves as the innkeeper, had already given them a thorough explanation of the floor layout on their journey there. Consequently, by the time they arrived, the group already possessed a preliminary understanding of the situation on this particular floor.

The elderly innkeeper had elaborated on how Woodwright, the master craftsman responsible for constructing this inn over a century ago, had only completed a portion of this floor. She further explained that her ancestor, Rai, had learned from Woodwright himself that this floor was largely an experimental undertaking. This experimental nature was the primary reason why the majority of the employee rooms were strategically located on this level. Moreover, there were even some unoccupied areas that Rai, the individual who inherited the inn from Woodwright, had hypothesized were intentionally constructed by Woodwright in anticipation of potential future needs for the inn.

As previously established, the primary staircase was strategically positioned at the incenter point of the original building's triangular layout. Upon reaching the second floor, this staircase would open onto a magnificent circular platform, situated at the inn's highest elevation. Ancestor Rai had recounted numerous anecdotes about Woodwright spending his time observing the celestial bodies from this very platform. For this reason, the platform has been affectionately known as "The Observatory" since its inception, a tradition that has faithfully persisted right up to the present day.

It could also be said that the second floor of the inn had several distinct levels, conceptually resembling a stepped pyramid. And it was with this very idea of a pyramid, a structure built with a clear hierarchy of ascending or descending tiers, that Woodwright, the inn's visionary architect, conceived and constructed this floor. Thus, the Observatory, a place of elevated observation and perhaps contemplation, represented the apex, the very top of this architectural pyramid. The other areas of the second floor, consequently, were designed as descending steps or platforms that led down from this highest point. This unique pyramidal construction is precisely why this floor felt so complex, with its varying heights and interconnected spaces, and also why it appeared somewhat empty in certain sections, an intentional emptiness that served to emphasize the grandeur of its design. As Shizuka and the two girls absorbed this description, they marveled, commenting that Woodwright truly possessed a grand and ambitious vision when he undertook the construction of this floor. Their observation was particularly poignant because it would undoubtedly have been an immensely challenging undertaking to create such a complex, multi-leveled pyramidal shape within the confines of an inn during those historical times, requiring significant engineering skill and foresight.

Just as the first floor was characterized by open-air gardens, situated on the ground floor, that created three distinct "holes" or voids in its layout, the second floor also had similar absences in its structure. These three openings on the second floor directly corresponded to the three open-air gardens situated on the ground floor below, allowing light and air to penetrate deep into the inn. However, thanks to Woodwright's ingenious pyramidal floor design, which masterfully utilized the vertical space and created staggered levels, the second floor managed to offer significantly more usable space and a greater sense of expansiveness than the first floor, despite these same open areas.

Moving to a specific area, on the southwest portion of the second floor, Grandma Iko explained that this was the designated location where the prominent Hana Family had established their private quarters. This extensive section occupied a substantial portion of the floor, accounting for at least a quarter of the entire available space. This was entirely understandable, given the Hana Family's long and distinguished history, stretching back over a century. Through their successful stewardship and astute management, they had become exceptionally wealthy inn owners. Consequently, they possessed both the considerable financial resources and the desire for seclusion and tranquility to claim and dedicate this enormous area of the inn exclusively for their own use and comfort.

Meanwhile, the remaining sections of the second floor, specifically the southeast and the north wings, were thoughtfully divided to accommodate both the staff and the guests. This division ensured efficient operation of the inn and comfortable living for its employees, while also providing well-appointed areas for visitors. As a practical example, the very location where Theo and the others enjoyed their Friday late lunch meal was situated on a beautifully renovated section of the terrace found within the southeast wing, a testament to the inn's commitment to providing pleasant and well-maintained spaces for its patrons.

In summation, after considering all these details – the unique pyramidal structure, the integration of garden voids, the exclusive family quarters, and the division of staff and guest areas – it becomes abundantly clear that this second floor was a masterpiece of design, exhibiting a remarkable and multifaceted complexity that spoke volumes about Woodwright's innovative spirit and the enduring legacy of the Hana Family.

Shizuka, June, Kumiko, and Grandma Iko reached the Observatory, the inn's highest vantage point. Their mission was clear: to scour this elevated location, believing it held a significant likelihood of Woodwright having concealed a clue there, perhaps taking advantage of the sweeping views or the relative seclusion. They scanned their surroundings with keen, observant eyes, a palpable sense of anticipation in the air.

"Let's search through these guardrails!" June declared, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm as she strode purposefully towards the wooden barriers. She was clearly eager to begin the physical search, her energy a stark contrast to the quiet intensity of the others.

The guardrails themselves were a remarkable sight. Fashioned entirely from wood, they appeared to be a testament to Woodwright's exceptional skill as a woodcarver. The craftsmanship was evident in every detail; intricate and stunning carvings adorned their surfaces, depicting a variety of motifs and scenes. While the years had undoubtedly weathered some of their original splendor, leaving them with a slightly aged patina, their inherent beauty remained undeniable. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Despite June's initial optimism and the group's diligent efforts, their extensive search of the guardrails yielded no tangible results. They meticulously examined every inch, running their hands over the carved surfaces, peering into every nook and cranny, but found nothing that seemed out of place or significant enough to be a hidden clue. The beautiful woodwork, while a marvel to behold, offered no answers to their pressing questions.

"Did you guys find anything?" June asked.

"Nothing." Shizuka shook her head, "There aren't any flowers or bunny carvings, but the majority of the carvings seemed more connected with constellations and stars."

"Yeah, I mainly saw constellations and star-related carvings." Kumiko chimed in.

"I already knew that girls, but I was hoping that there might be something hidden." Grandma Iko said with a disappointed expression.

"No worries, girls!" Kumiko said, " We only searched this place. There are still plenty of other spaces to search!"

The others nodded and soon headed to other sections of the terrace.

Would they be able to find anything?