I am the Entertainment Tycoon-Chapter 917: "There is a Legend..."

"A mountain valley filled with hot springs," Theo explained, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet room as he described the scene captured in the painting they had discovered. It was a vivid depiction, almost like looking out of a window into another world.

"At first, we genuinely believed that was the entirety of the mystery," Ayia commented, her brow furrowed as she recalled their initial excitement. "We thought finding the painting itself was the answer. But then, Aurora, with her incredibly sharp eyes, noticed something rather peculiar, something that didn't quite fit the idyllic scene."

"Something peculiar?" Grandma Iko inquired, leaning forward slightly, her curiosity piqued. She had a knack for sensing when there was more to a story than met the eye.

Aurora nodded, her expression a mixture of fascination and lingering wonder. "Yes," she confirmed. "It was subtle, almost easily missed. Among the many trees painted in the valley, one in particular stood out. It had a remarkable resemblance to a lock, not a real, metallic lock, of course, but its branches and trunk were twisted and shaped in such a way that it strongly suggested the form of a keyhole or the tumblers of a lock. And when everyone else began to analyze it more carefully, that's when we discovered that this 'lock-tree,' as we started calling it, had extremely small inscriptions carved into its bark. They were so tiny, you could barely see them without getting very close."

"And that's when we brought out the magnifying glass," Shizuka chimed in, her voice filled with a sense of discovery. "With the added magnification, we could finally decipher what was inscribed on this peculiar lock-tree. Etched into its surface, so delicately that it was almost invisible to the naked eye, were a series of numbers: the digits 3, 5, and 8."

"It was then that we knew that we were still amidst the mystery." Ayia commented, "We started discussing what all we had found could mean when Kaori gave a brilliant idea."

"None of us had seen the landscape shown on the painting," Kaori commented, "But we still remembered the description Grandma Iko gave to the Valley of Serenity. It was then that we realized that the painting could point to the end of our trail."

Grandma Iko showed an even more interested expression as she listened to their story.

"Indeed," Grandma Iko replied, her fingers steepled. "A mountain valley with hot springs. And you believe this painting is a map?"

Ayia nodded vigorously. "We were stumped by the 'lock-tree' inscription, the numbers 3, 5, and 8. But then Kaori remembered your description of the Valley of Serenity. We realized the painting might show the very end of our trail, and the inscription was a clue to finding something there." The group then explained how, after leaving the abandoned cabin and carefully navigating their way back up the slope to rejoin the main trail, they eventually reached the Valley of Serenity. The vista that unfolded before them perfectly matched the landscape depicted in the ancient painting. A palpable sense of discovery settled over them as they surveyed the valley, certain that something significant was concealed within its tranquil expanse.

"After much discussion and searching," Theo continued, "we located a rock shaped precisely like a lock, matching the 'lock-tree' from the painting. Upon it, the numbers 3, 5, and 8 were clearly carved. Following the clue, we pressed these numbers in sequence." A collective exhale seemed to emanate from the group as they described the mechanism being triggered, revealing a hidden compartment beneath the lock-shaped rock. Inside, their efforts were rewarded with the discovery of a metallic box.

"And within that box," Kaori concluded, her voice hushed with the memory, "we found an ancient key. The intricate carvings on its surface were unlike anything we had ever seen, hinting at a purpose far beyond simple access. But there was something inscribed on this key that made us even more certain that this mystery involved the Flower Bunny Inn."

"What?" Grandma Iko asked.

"We found ancient Yamatese words inscribed on the key. After analyzing for a while, Shizuka was able to decipher it." Kaori replied.

"When moonlight crowns the blossoms' last breath,

The rabbit stirs where petals rest.

Seek the house of flower and hare,

Where shadowed doors unlock the air."

Grandma Iko didn't even have time to speak when Shizuka's voice rang as she recited the poem with an even voice.

It was at that moment that Grandma Iko showed the most drastic change of expression since the story began. So far, she had her suspicions, but as soon as she heard that poem, she knew this mystery definitely involved her inn!

She stayed silent for a good while as she revisited multiple memories.

Theo and the others gave her some space and time to digest their story. They knew how crazy and unbelievable their story was.

It was only a few minutes later that Grandma Iko asked, "Can I see the items that you found?"

"Of course, Grandma Iko!" Theo said as he picked up the things he had brought up when he came.

Theo already knew that he would eventually meet Grandma Iko, so he had brought the painting and the key with him when he came to the terrace.

"Here is the painting and the key." He said as he gave the two items to the old lady, "We also took multiple pictures of everything we found throughout our journey." He said as he asked his friends to show her the pictures.

Grandma Iko nodded as she accepted the ancient painting and the metallic key from Theo. Her aged hands, usually steady, trembled slightly as she took them. She laid the painting on the table, smoothing out its creases with practiced gentleness. Her eyes, sharp and intelligent despite her years, scanned the depiction of the valley, lingering on the peculiar tree with its lock-like formation. She ran a finger over the faded colors, her brow furrowed in concentration. Simultaneously, her other hand cradled the key, turning it over to examine the intricate carvings and the delicate script. She leaned closer, squinting to decipher the ancient Yamatese words, her lips moving silently as she traced the characters. In her mind, memories began to assemble, fragments of forgotten lore and whispers from her own family's history. She recalled stories passed down through generations, tales of hidden paths and forgotten guardians of the Heartwood Mountains.

As Grandma Iko studied the artifacts, a deeper understanding of their significance began to dawn upon her. She also analyzed the carving pictures they found, and she recognized the symbology of the bunny and the flower, motifs that were deeply intertwined with the origins of the Flower Bunny Inn itself. The lock-tree on the painting corresponded to a specific landmark described in an old family journal, a place rumored to hold a secret meant only for those who could decipher its riddles. The key, with its peculiar design and the inscribed poem, resonated with a forgotten lullaby her own grandmother used to sing, a melody that spoke of moonlit blossoms and hidden doors. She understood that the children had stumbled upon something far older and more significant than they realized, a legacy that had been waiting for rediscovery.

The weight of this revelation settled upon Grandma Iko. She looked at the expectant faces of Theo and his companions, seeing not just adventurous children, but individuals who had inadvertently become custodians of a profound secret. The journey they had undertaken, the risks they had faced, had led them to this moment, a crossroads where the past and the present converged. The poem, when recited, had unlocked a chamber of memories within her, solidifying the connection between their discoveries and the very foundation of her family's legacy. She knew, with a certainty that bypassed rational thought, that the time for hiding this legacy was over.

Grandma Iko's weathered hands stilled, her gaze drifting past Theo and the wide-eyed faces of the others, a complex tapestry of pride and concern warring in her expression. She took a slow, deliberate breath, the sound a gentle whisper in the quiet room, before letting it out in a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of years. "Honestly," she began, her voice a low murmur, "I'm still trying to decide if I should be singing your praises for the sheer ingenuity you displayed, or if I need to have a very stern talk about the reckless abandon with which you all charged into danger yesterday." A ghost of a smile touched her lips as she saw Theo and the others exchange nervous, yet undeniably pleased, glances, a ripple of muffled chuckles passing between them.

Then, Grandma Iko's expression shifted, the gentle amusement melting away to reveal a profound admiration. Her eyes, sharp and knowing, swept over each of them, lingering on their triumphant, albeit slightly disheveled, faces. "But make no mistake," she continued, her voice gaining a surprising strength, "I am, in all honesty, utterly and incredibly impressed with what you've managed to unravel." A collective swell of pride bloomed in their chests, a warmth spreading through them as they shared knowing smiles. They had, after all, faced down the shadows and pieced together fragments of a puzzle that had baffled many before them.

Ayia, her voice barely above a whisper, voiced the question that hung heavy in the air, the one they all desperately needed answered. "Grandma Iko," she started, her gaze fixed on the enigmatic elder, "What do you think about this mystery? What is it we've stumbled into?"

Grandma Iko's gaze softened as she met each of their expectant faces, the silence stretching, amplifying the anticipation. She opened her mouth, her calm voice weaving a spell in the charged atmosphere. "There is a legend..."