By the way, a birch tree always appears in front of a person who has been wandering in the forest for a long time. Furthermore, for some reason, the moonlight shines brightly at that time, so even the patterns of the birch tree are visible very well. People who see that white bark, which looks as if human eyeballs are stuck all over it, are naturally startled. Then they hurriedly try to avoid the birch tree and go somewhere else.
"Naturally, it would be scary if you see something like that at night."
However, the more they try to escape, the more they keep coming back in front of the birch tree. Moreover, from a certain moment, the eyeballs move as if those patterns are really eyes. While constantly following the movements of the person in front, bloodshot veins are visible...
"They said when they came to their senses, they were outside the forest." "That, is a relief."
Irenes answered while stammering. He couldn't understand even more why the residents of this territory went for a picnic to such a forest. If he had his way, he wished the story would please end here, but there was no way that would happen.
"And it's the story about the beckoning person. This doesn't really have much to be called a story."
Laceil, who had a face of contemplation for a moment, started speaking again. This was also an opponent that appeared to a person wandering in the forest for a long time at night. They wave their hand while wearing white clothes, but it's not certain whether it's a farewell or a gesture to come here. Anyway, if you look at that entity for a long time, you realize that it is floating in the air without legs. People who returned all said they didn't know why they were looking at it for so long.
"It's not as scary as you thought, right? Ah, over there is the side where the famous abandoned house is." "...."
Irenes barely swallowed a sigh inwardly. Since it was a disaster he brought upon himself, there was no one to blame. The only comfort was that the time spent with Laceil was increasing.
'Did it increase too much?'
But he didn't know that the walk started in the morning would end only after the sun set. Furthermore, throughout that time, he had to listen to the ghost stories Laceil explained... no, the guidance.
'Maybe she wanted to send me away quickly, but I stayed beside her without taking the hint?'
There were so many serious ghost stories that Irenes seriously worried about this. Although he learned that it was really a useless worry because of Laceil's last words.
"It was fun today. Because there aren't many people who listen to stories like this. Get home safely!" "Yes, you too."
Irenes ended up making a promise for the next outing just like that. Of course, it was a good thing, but...
"Because there were a lot of stories I couldn't tell you today!"
The problem was the fact that the next time would also be a (one-sided) horror experience with Laceil.
"...What do you think?"
Riel, who was listening to the explanation of what happened, looked at Irenes with a pathetic face.
"In the end, you didn't have a conversation but just came back after listening to stories, right?" "I conversed more than usual!" "You said you would really come back after confessing this time?" "...I intended to."
This time, there were more intense interruptions than usual. It seemed the ghosts near Laceil followed along to that territory as well. Or the ghosts in the territory also took an interest in Laceil.
'Will he be able to confess?'
Riel fell into contemplation while looking at Irenes, who became much more depressed than before. It seemed that her brother getting a fiancé would be a matter of a long time later.
[February 8th
The sounds from outside, which hadn't been heard recently, started to be heard again. I think the scent of the sachet becoming a little weaker might be the cause.]
[February 9th
I met the Head Maid again. The sachet I received anew this time has a stronger scent than the previous one. The window disappeared again.]
[February 10th
A territory resident came to find the Young Lady. They say the appearance of the forest is strange these days. Besides there being more people wandering in the forest than usual, they said there are even people who went completely missing.
The Young Lady seems to have a headache again. I should tell Luzea to prepare some tea good for headaches.]
[February 11th
I met the Head Maid again. It seemed she knew something about the forest. When I asked if she could give help, she said it would be okay if it were me. What does that mean?]
"You're saying you'll go alone?"
Yujire pressed her forehead firmly again due to the headache rushing in. Her capable escort knight often said crazy things in this way.
"To the forest? Knowing clearly what happened?" "Yes." "What if something happens?" "Wouldn't it be okay? As long as my sword isn't taken away..."
And she had a mindset that everything would work out somehow with Aura. Although it was roughly correct words, she couldn't help being anxious.
"I heard advice too, so it will be okay." "Who gave you advice?" "The Head Maid."
It was that Head Maid whom Yujire had never seen even once. Whenever this happened, the story that the mansion's servants died on the same day at the same time kept coming to mind.
"We can't just leave it as it is either." "Is there a reason you must go alone?" "The Young Lady won't be of help."
Laceil answered coldly.
"Because you can't use magic in the forest."
Certainly, compared to Laceil, Yujire's body was quite on the soft side. Since swordsmanship and horseback riding learned as refinement were the end of the exercise she had done so far. Although they were correct words, she didn't know she would say it openly to this extent. Essentially, wasn't it saying don't follow unnecessarily and become a burden?
"Wouldn't it be okay if you wait outside the forest?" "...At least go together with Luzea..."
Anyway, this was a problem that had to be solved, and since Laceil would solve it somehow, there was no reason to stop her. But she felt relieved only if she attached a minimum safety device. Fortunately, it seemed Laceil judged that Luzea wouldn't be a burden.
"Yes."
Because this time she nodded obediently instead of refuting. At times like this, it was really fortunate that Luzea also had skills enough to work as a knight.
"About when will you go?" "Yes? Right now."
Yujire decided not to bother stopping her. She didn't have the energy to argue about such things again. If by chance something happened, she could just blow away the entire area near the forest and find Laceil. It was that one couldn't use magic inside the forest, not that magic didn't work on the forest.
"Then I will be back!"
Laceil, who offered a short greeting, headed to the forest with Luzea immediately. Luzea, who was in the middle of a card game, got annoyed, but soon calmed down and followed behind Laceil.
"Ah, Knights!"
When they went in front of the forest, a familiar person was standing there. It was Rodi, the person who took charge of the territory guidance when they first came. Because he called anyone wearing a sword a knight blindly, he called everyone near Yujire a knight.
"It is this way. My friend hasn't returned for several days." "Friend?" "I mean Roni, Roni!" "Ah, that person..."
Roni was also one of the people Laceil knew well. Because she had many occasions to see his face thanks to him always going around with Rodi.
'Is there anything a bit peculiar?'
Laceil, who scanned the surroundings slightly, cast her gaze toward the forest. It was a dark forest as usual, and nothing noticeably strange was visible.
"How many people went missing there..."
In the meantime, Luzea was listening to stories about people missing in the forest. Originally, even if they wandered, they returned within a month, but they said about five people still haven't returned.
"Do you remember the appearance?" "Of course! So the hair color is."
Rodi's voice, which answered confidently, shook slightly.
"Uh, huh? Why is the memory..." "...."
Laceil, who tried to recall Roni's appearance, also fell into silence together. She couldn't remember the face she could recall clearly just a few days ago. If the problem worsened, she didn't know if the existence itself might disappear like this.
"...For now, we will be back." "Gasp, Lord! Excuse me!"
Rodi, who noticed Yujire's existence belatedly, flinched and avoided the spot. Yujire saw Laceil and Luzea off with a face that was still displeased with this current situation.
"Is it really okay?"
And Luzea was also just as displeased with this situation. Because she had never once thought she wanted to enter a forest where ghosts appear. She got a little more annoyed because Laceil, who actually dragged her here, looked nonchalant.
"Nothing much changed though?"
Laceil, who didn't know a thing about what the person next to her was thinking, moved her steps with long strides. Outwardly, it seemed nothing had changed from when she came last time. The dark green leaves and trees that far exceeded several times a person's height were also the same.
"Ah, is it over there?"
After walking for a long time, a cabin that looked strange to anyone appeared. No matter how one looked at it, it wasn't a building that should be in a forest like this. No, in the first place, there was no space in the forest originally for such a cabin to exist.
"Must be over there." "Yeah."
When they went near the cabin, loud chatting sounds were heard. Among them, several familiar voices were also mixed in.
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