Hospitable House

Long, long ago, a count signed a contract with the devil, gaining all the world's riches and glory, and in exchange becoming a vampire who sustained eternal youth by drinking human blood. As the price, he could never leave his own domain. The count soon grew weary of the familiar flora and fauna, birds and beasts, fish and insects on his land. Even the blood offered by his trembling subjects became difficult to swallow down. He devised a solution: using soil from his domain, he crafted a perfect miniature castle model, then used magic to shrink himself down and live inside it. This way, as long as he carried his "castle" with him, he could venture anywhere beyond the walls he had long been confined to. Four hundred years later, he chanced upon a beautiful lady…

These Legendary tales are of course fabricated by later generations, but the castle at the root of this legend, the "Hospitable House," does exist. Records and legends about the "Hospitable House" date back centuries. Very few Anomalies can persist across such a long span of time without undergoing nullification. The origins of the "Hospitable House" can no longer be traced. It has continuously changed hands among collectors, and currently belongs to the collection of the antique shop "Eibon."

The Hospitable House appears to be a miniature castle model. Its interior is exquisitely decorated with complete sets of furniture. Setting aside its size, it is practically a fully livable castle. The appearance and decor of the Hospitable House change slightly with the times, making it impossible to deduce its era of origin from its architectural design or interior decoration style. Today's Hospitable House has complete water, electricity, and lighting facilities for "guests" who enter to use freely. How these facilities operate without any actual utility connections remains an unsolved mystery.

After opening the door to the Hospitable House, humans within a certain range (as well as certain Oddities) are recognized as "guests" by the Hospitable House. "Guests" are shrunk to a size matching the Hospitable House and can temporarily enter for a tour. During this process, the guests' personal items are also shrunk along with them and continue to function normally. The shrinking effect lasts for 7 minutes, after which "guests" are teleported outside the Hospitable House and restored to their original size. Opening the door again allows another tour, but each visit is limited to 7 minutes. This has caused no end of frustration for directors hoping to use the Hospitable House's interior for filming.

The shrinking limit does not apply to those the Hospitable House recognizes as "masters" or "enemies." These individuals do not automatically return to normal size after shrinking, and only the "master" knows how to restore them. The Hospitable House is as sturdy as a real castle, allowing this otherwise harmless Anomaly to protect its "master" or trap "enemies" when necessary. Once, a thief accidentally touched the door of the Hospitable House and remained shrunk for an entire night. Only after swearing to the Hospitable House's "master" that he would turn over a new leaf, he was restored to his original size.

The Hospitable House's long existence without nullification has piqued the curiosity of some scholars: what is its Nexus? One theory, drawing from the legend, suggests that the Hospitable House's Nexus is its "homeland," the place where it was first born. Though unverifiable, the Hospitable House's "homeland" is likely a settlement that still exists. Until that place is destroyed, the Hospitable House will continue to exist. This also explains why the Hospitable House's decor and facilities keep up with the times. The development of its homeland is reflected in the Hospitable House, and it delights in showing visitors the progress of its hometown.

This theory has not been confirmed, but in this writer's opinion, it is quite romantic. For an Anomaly with many legends that is safe and harmless, maintaining its mystique and leaving room for imagination may be the best outcome.

· Appears as an exquisite miniature castle model.

· After opening the door to the Hospitable House, humans within a certain range (as well as certain Oddities) are recognized as "guests" by the Hospitable House and shrunk to a size that allows them to tour the castle.

· The shrinking effect lasts for 7 minutes. Playing the pipe organ inside the Hospitable House can end the tour early and restore visitors to their original size.

· The 7-minute time limit does not apply to those the Hospitable House recognizes as "masters" or "enemies." Only the "master" of the Hospitable House knows how to restore them.

Harmless.

Given that the Hospitable House does not move on its own and poses no danger, it was decided after evaluation not to contain it. Currently part of the Eibon Antique Shop Collection.

No special containment measures required.