Chapter 8

"Is there a ghost in the mansion in the forest?"

Tina, the daughter of the restaurant, regretted saying those words out loud.

She had vividly imagined herself being attacked by a ghost.

"Yes. Don't you know, Tina? Let's go and see... of course, without telling the adults."

"Um... but I have to help at home."

"Oh, are you scared?"

Adeline, the daughter of the hardware store, laughed at the confused Tina.

Tina didn't like Adeline. Adeline often invited Tina to play with her and other friends. Tina was shy and didn't have many friends, so these invitations should have been welcome.

At first, when she was invited, Tina liked Adeline. Adeline had a cute and charming face, spoke confidently and clearly, and was quick-witted. Her parents were well-off, and she always wore beautiful clothes. Among her peers, she was the most leader-like.

However, Adeline also had a bit of a bully's nature.

She teased children who were crying and played pranks on slow-moving adults without hesitation. When one of Adeline's followers was bullied by another group, she retaliated with all her might, but it was more out of anger at being disrespected than out of kindness.

Tina felt she couldn't keep up with Adeline's energy and gradually started making excuses to decline her invitations, saying she had to help at home or something.

"Help? Silly, Tina is still young, so it's fine not to worry about it. ...Hey, Mars! Is it okay if I borrow Tina?"

Still, Adeline insisted on inviting Tina. Her target wasn't Tina but Tina's older brother, Mars. Adeline often came to Tina's home, which was also a restaurant, just to see Mars's face.

"Hmm? Adeline, thanks for always playing with my sister."

Mars, who came out of the kitchen, smiled at Adeline.

Tina's brother Mars was only twelve, but he helped run the family restaurant with a serious demeanor.

His knife skills were impressive for a boy, and regular customers often teased him about being the future head chef, though they were half-joking and half-serious. However, Mars remained humble and earnest, and above all, he was a beautiful boy.

"But, but, I have to help..."

When Tina said this, Mars smiled and patted her head.

"Hmm? I can handle the prep work alone. Go and play."

Mars was earnest but still a child when it came to understanding the nuances of human relationships.

"But don't go too far."

"If we say we're going to the forest at the edge of town, he'll stop us," Tina thought.

But Adeline, sensing this, took the initiative.

"Don't worry, we won't go anywhere dangerous!"

Even though Adeline had a crush on Mars, she was a mischievous child by nature and wasn't one to obediently listen to her elders.

And so, once again, the children's adventure began.

◆

Shelland was a town that few travelers visited.

Merchants and nobles could come and go without much fuss, but it was difficult for children to leave the town on their own. It wasn't impossible, but their purpose would be strictly questioned. No one would willingly let a child go out just to play. If they said they were going to the forest, they would be locked up in the guardhouse and lectured.

So today, Adeline decided to use the secret passage. There was a hole in the eastern wall of the town, just big enough for a child to squeeze through, and there were no houses nearby, so the chances of being seen were low. Today, Adeline and her friends would sneak out of town and go play. Their destination this time was the forest next to the town, known as the Forest of Temptation.

"The mansion is straight ahead. Let's go!"

Adeline and her four friends stepped into the Forest of Temptation.

"Let's go back... We shouldn't go in without permission..."

"Really, Tina, you're such a scaredy-cat. It's fine. The monsters are docile."

There was a legend about the forest. Deep in the Forest of Temptation stood a haunted mansion. The mansion's gates were tightly shut, and a mysterious magic prevented anyone from climbing over the walls or digging under them. Those who tried to force their way in were mercilessly attacked by monsters. Treasure hunters who sneaked in to find treasure all met their end.

However, there was a time when these vicious monsters became docile.

When the master of the haunted mansion awoke.

The true identity of the mansion's master was unknown. Some said it was an evil witch who had rebelled against the magic kingdom. Others said it was the ghost of an ancient kingdom's mage. Still, others said it was the descendant of a sage from another world.

No one knew the truth, but the master possessed immense power. It was absolutely forbidden to defy them. Those who incurred the master's wrath met a terrible fate.

On the other hand, the master sometimes showed mercy and bestowed favors on the townspeople, but accepting them was a risky proposition. Those who were enchanted by the master became eternal followers. When the master fell into a long sleep, the followers mourned and prayed for the rest of their lives.

"Maybe the monsters just aren't around here right now..."

"Hehe, don't worry, Tina. Look."

Adeline pulled Tina's hand and marched into the forest.

Tina followed hesitantly but then noticed something.

"Hey... there are doves."

In front of Tina, doves were leisurely walking through the forest, bobbing their heads up and down.

Doves and magpies shouldn't be in such a forest. The monsters that roamed here could easily catch even swift birds. On the other hand, the presence of these timid, small creatures suggested that the area was relatively safe.

"That's what I've been saying. There's nothing to be afraid of."

"But then, maybe the ghosts are real..."

"I know who the ghost is."

"Really!?"

"The ghost came to my dad's store. I peeked, but it was just a normal woman. She wasn't scary at all."

"Wait, a ghost...?"

Tina asked, puzzled.

"Yes. She rode a monster back to the mansion, so she must be a ghost."

"Then, is it a living person...?"

"We'll find out! Come on!"

Adeline, standing tall, seemed impervious to any objections.

"What do we do?"

"We're going to the haunted mansion. There must be some secret there. There are rumors of treasure too."

"Secrets and treasure... what kind?"

"If we knew, it wouldn't be a secret. That's why we're going. You're just asking questions. You have to find out for yourself!"

Tina sighed, as if mocking her.

"But isn't that like spying or stealing...?"

"Oh, Tina, you're so picky! Are you coming or not!?"

"But..."

Tina didn't want to go.

She was afraid of playing in a forest they shouldn't enter, and she was afraid of upsetting Adeline.

Most of all, no one could be sure if it was really safe.

She had no idea which choice was the right one.

What should she do?

Just as Tina was on the verge of bursting into tears, a cold wind blew.

Her body temperature dropped, and Adeline and the others shivered slightly.

"It's a bit cold, isn't it?"

"Y-Yeah."

Something was off.

The doves that had been leisurely playing a moment ago were gone.

There were no bird or insect sounds.

The faint noises that had been heard earlier had stopped.

The sun, which had been shining brightly, was now hidden behind clouds.

Tina and the others began to sense a strange unease.

"Okay, let's go!"

Adeline, who was brave in such situations, was the type of child who could raise her voice when everyone else was scared.

This was the charisma that drew other children to her.

A child who could speak up in moments of fear was naturally admired.

"......aaaah......"

But it wasn't enough to overcome primal fear.

"What was that sound?"

"I don't know."

"It didn't sound like a woman..."

"I told you, I don't know!"

The mysterious sound from deep in the forest made the children panic.

The legend might be true after all.

This thought began to calm the hearts that had been caught up in reckless bravery.

"What's wrong! You're scared!"

"A-Adeline...!"

"What!?"

Adeline turned at the sound of Tina's voice.

The faces of the children were filled with fear.

Their eyes were fixed on something behind Adeline.

"Huh?"

Adeline turned around.

Fog was rising.

It had been sunny just a moment ago.

The fog gradually grew thicker.

Then she noticed.

A huge shadow was reflected in the fog.

"Who dares to disturb this forest!"

The huge shadow spoke.

"It... it's here!"