Chapter 10: Chapter 10, Side Story: The Castle’s Seven Mysteries

Translator: Barnnn

“Takada-san, have you heard about the ‘Seven Mysteries of the Royal Castle’ that’s been circulating lately?”

“Yeah, I might’ve heard something about that.”

“I got a little curious and jotted down some notes. Makes me wonder if this world has ghost stories and courage tests just like ours, you know?”

Izumi’s grin widened as she pulled out a slip of paper.

It contained a neatly written list, each entry detailing strange and eerie phenomena occurring in the castle.

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Ghost Story: The Lich of the Servants’ Quarters

Phenomenon:

Signs of use were found on the bed in an unoccupied room, and various objects inside appeared to have been moved.

Even if the room was locked and spotless during the day, by the next morning, it looked as though someone had stayed there.

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“Oh, a ‘Lich’ is a wizard who turns into an undead monster, by the way,” Izumi added offhandedly.

“Yeah, I know that… but, uh, isn’t this just describing us?”

“Wait, what?”

“Remember when we first got here? We stayed in the servants’ quarters for a few days. Someone must’ve noticed the signs we left behind.”

“Ah…! M-Moving on!”

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Ghost Story: The Fireball in the Archives

Phenomenon:

A soft glow was occasionally glimpsed through the windows of the archive room, though the room remained locked and undisturbed.

Guards were repeatedly dispatched to investigate, but they found no trace of intruders, nor anything that could be a source of the mysterious light.

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“That’s pretty creepy, don’t you think?” Izumi mused, a note of sympathy in her voice. “Poor guards, having to check out an empty room again and again…”

Takada coughed awkwardly. “Uh… about that. That was me.”

“What?”

“I snuck into the archives a few times at night to check some things. The reason the guards couldn’t find the light’s source is probably because of your Concealment skill, Ichikawa-kun.”

“Oh…” Izumi stammered, caught off guard. “Right! Ahem. Let’s move on…”

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Ghost Story: The Demon of the Training Grounds

Phenomenon:

On a clear, cloudless day, sudden whirlwinds appeared out of nowhere on the training grounds, powerful enough to shatter windows.

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“Uh, now that I think about it… This one might be… me,” Izumi admitted reluctantly.

“Wha–?”

“You see, I’ve been practicing my Fleet Foot skill in the training grounds. Thought it’d be a good place to do it.”

Takada’s eyes widened. “And you were going fast enough to break windows? Seriously?”

“Well, yes… If I move too quickly, I generate shockwaves. It’s… dangerous.”

“You’d better be careful with it, then.”

“I know. I’ll watch it next time.”

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Ghost Story: The Watchman of the Treasury

Phenomenon:

A shadowy figure, barely more than a faint outline, has been spotted appearing at random in the treasury.

This figure points out errors in documents and financial discrepancies, only to vanish before anyone can get a proper look at him.

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“That’s obviously me,” Takada said.

Izumi sighed. “Yes, seems like people are starting to take notice. You should be more careful next time.”

“Will do.”

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Ghost Story: The Goblin of the Utility Room

Phenomenon:

Late at night, a small, Goblin-like creature has been seen darting through the utility room, scattering dust and shrieking in a high-pitched voice.

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Izumi had barely finished reading when Takada burst into a fit of giggles.

“…Am I really THAT small?”

“Hehehe…”

Izumi huffed. “TO BE FAIR, the utility room was absolutely filthy! I almost lost my mind in there! But seriously… a Goblin? Really?”

“Hahaha…”

With a resigned sigh, Izumi muttered, “Yeah, well, I’m never going near that room again.”

“HAHAHAHAHAHA!”

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Ghost Story: The Professor of the Library

Phenomenon:

Books in the library seem to flip through their pages on their own, with no wind or apparent cause.

Even when the books are returned to their proper places on the shelves, they mysteriously reappear on reading stands.

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Takada raised his hand. “That’s me.”

“Yep.”

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Ghost Story: The Witch of the Treasure Vault

Phenomenon:

From deep within the treasure vault, the sound of coins being counted echoes faintly.

But with each repeated counting, the total number of coins inexplicably changes. After the counting ceases, a piercing shriek fills the air.

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“This one is actually terrifying, don’t you think?” Izumi asked, turning to Takada. “When did you sneak into the treasure vault, anyway? The security there must’ve been tight!”

Takada blinked, shaking his head in genuine confusion. “Wait, what? I’ve never been inside the treasure vault. You sure it wasn’t you, Ichikawa-kun?”

“Me? I mean, I was curious, sure. But the doors were massive, and they’ve always got guards stationed outside. I could never figure out a way to slip in.”

“So… this one’s… real?”

“Uhh… maybe?”

“Look, let’s just… move on to the last one.”

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Ghost Story: The Lady in the Royal Chambers

Phenomenon:

Every night, the distinct tearing of embroidery thread echoes from just beyond the walls of the Second Princess’s bedchamber.

However, her room occupies a corner of the castle — in that place where the sound echoes, there should be nothing at all.

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“…Okay, I have to ask,” Izumi interrupted, “Why would anyone even recognize the sound of embroidery thread being torn?”

“I think you’re focusing on the wrong issue here.”

“Well, that’s the part I want to focus on,” she insisted.

“You’re the one who went and gathered all these stories in the first place, so why–” Takada began, but then he stopped abruptly. “Wait. Hold on a second.”

“What is it?”

“Ichikawa-kun, how many stories did you collect for this list?”

“Uh… seven? What else would it be? I mean, it’s the castle’s ‘Seven Mysteries,’ right?”

“Try counting them again.”

“Okay, fine… One, two, three, four…” Izumi’s voice faltered as realization dawned. “…Huh?”

Takada’s lips quirked into a tense smile. “There’s one extra, isn’t there?”

Izumi’s face paled, her expression twisted into a mix of panic and disbelief. “Y-YAAAHHH!”

Thanks to Izumi’s sudden sense of dread and her undeniable conviction that something was amiss, their departure from the castle was bumped up by a few days.