The black castle stood deep within Deathwood Forest. The clouds overhead were heavier and darker than elsewhere, keeping this place in an almost perpetual night.
Throughout Deathwood Forest, the area surrounding the castle was forbidden ground that no undead dared set foot in. The aura of this place's owner left them unwilling to show even the slightest offense.
Only a few faint lights shone from the castle.
Yet within the utter darkness, those dim lights lent it an added air of eerie strangeness.
Like bait, luring the ignorant into the hunting range of a colossal beast.
Ripples like waves suddenly appeared in the space before the castle, and a figure wrapped from head to toe in a black robe appeared out of thin air.
The gates stood silently. Their pitch-black metal seemed capable of swallowing even light, while twisted thorns and bones intertwined across their surface.
"Living beings, halt. This is... Master."
The black iron gates awoke from their slumber. Just as they were about to utter their prescribed lines, they sensed a familiar aura, and both their voice and body began to tremble.
"Open the gate."
"Yes."
The gates slowly opened amid a creak that set one's teeth on edge.
The blood-devouring flowers planted in the castle grounds also lowered their blossoms one after another, expressing their submission to the castle's owner.
When Elizabeth arrived before the castle, the long-sealed solid wooden doors slowly opened.
"Duchess."
The ghostly young girl, her body semi-transparent, bowed slightly to welcome the owner of this place.
"Mm."
Elizabeth nodded, her steps never slowing.
The castle's interior was dim and silent. Ethereal singing and music drifted from an immensely distant place, carrying an eerie, chilling presence.
Silvery-white suits of armor stood quietly along both sides of the corridor, and dark brown stains even marked