City Adventure

From Akira's Perspective

In the local history section of the library, the founding and growth of this town were laid out. It started as a rural village formed around the beautiful lake waters, and as neighboring nations rose and fell, it became a crucial transit hub for traders, growing into the city it is today. It seemed like a fairly typical history of any town, with nothing particularly interesting at first glance.

However, one book caught my eye, titled "The Phantom Castle of Erack." What was this about? The book described how, in an era called ancient times, this area flourished as a royal town with a castle. But no traces of that castle exist today, neither in the town nor in the mountains; it's considered a phantom.

There was a page with a crease, perhaps frequently read by someone. On that page was a four-line poem, written in what seemed like Old Language:

"On mōnlihtre nihte, se mære's glǣm scīneþ clǣne, An ceaster biþ gesewen, and dyrne gatu ætywan. Se wind bisgungum ealdum wordum, wæteres song, Wyrd sefaþ twīned, leoht paþas ǣr dyrne lange."

This was something!

"Elise! Is there any traditional music known in this town?" I asked.

"I'm not sure; I became Elise only recently. But there's a book on folk songs," she responded.

"Erack Folk Songs," described melodies written in ancient language, supposedly magical but with unclear effects.

"Could it be!" I exclaimed.

We headed to Lake Erack and talked to a fisherman setting his nets.

"On full moon nights, I've seen a mysterious light over the lake. In the center of that light, there’s a silhouette of a large building that isn't usually visible," he told us.

"Thank you!"

There were two days left until the full moon. If our information was correct, casting a spell on that lake during the full moon might reveal the castle.

That's where Ms. Krice was likely hiding.

I started recruiting helpers, using all my connections to write magical letters and arrange transportation.

Having done all that, it was time for Elise and me to enjoy our time together.

"Akira, you're such a flirt," she said coyly, her eyes gleaming.

Initially, she had been the more composed during our first time. Now, it was my turn to show the calm confidence of a man.

"Really... you're utterly smitten with me. Adorable," she said, her face expressing satisfaction.

As such, the two days were quickly passing.

However, on the morning of the full moon, Elise went out to buy some drinks and didn't return. Could something have happened?