Scarlet District.
In the main courtyard, the umbrella girl sat by the well, staring silently at the water rippling inside and her reflection in it.
She had been like this for a long while.
In the past few days, she would come and wait by this well, hoping for the District Mistress’ return. Although she knew this was an extravagant hope, she did it nonetheless.
"Wu… Wu…."
In the chambers surrounding the courtyard, the wandering ghosts began wailing again. Only over a dozen red lanterns were left hanging in the manor, and most of them were lit with only a dim glow.
There were only few lanterns which remained brighter, but their masters had not yet returned from outside.
Now, the umbrella girl was all that was left of the entire Scarlet District. The rest of the beings there were not even able to communicate.
"Wuu wuu… Wuu wuu.."
The ghosts wailed incessantly.
Soon, however, faint footsteps approached amidst the wailing.
"Pa… pa… pa…"