The city lies silent beneath the heavy cloak of dusk, as if it has fallen into a deep slumber.
Only the sound of footsteps from afar echoes through the night as two figures enter the city, breaking the deathly stillness.
A gray-clad figure walks alongside a young girl, their silhouettes outlined by the pale light of a waning moon as they step into the city. But the girl seems unable to bear such silence.
Huh, there's no fog right now, so why isn't there a single person on the streets?
Don't tell me the Mist that was here was so thick that everyone in the city went mad and attacked each other, and now we're left with a ghost town...
The girl paints an increasingly vivid picture of her wild fantasy, her expression growing more serious.
What do you mean? That was obviously evidence-based deduction!
But come to think of it, this is the first time our detective agency has taken on such a weird case.
A cross-county investigation with an unspecified target and a client that didn't show up in person... We have to double our fee when we close this case!
She pulls out a telegram and examines it over and over.
Requesting "Gray Raven" Detective Agency to investigate a local case involving "Bloodthirsty Siren".
Location: Sheriff's residence.
Please come at once at your earliest convenience. Or inconvenience.
—Sheriff Veronica
Enclosed with the telegram is a crude hand-drawn map marking the exact location of the sheriff's estate.
I can't make heads or tails of this cryptic nonsense... What's a "Bloodthirsty Siren"? And this client is way too blunt.
The way I see it... the commission letter itself is a mystery case!
It's certainly quite intriguing...
You walk side by side, making your way toward the destination marked on the map.
In the distance, the figure of a woman staggers into view.
The woman moves with wobbly steps toward a tall building on the street corner.
In a city that has fallen into slumber, this building alone blazes with light, standing out starkly against the darkness.
Though the doors and windows are tightly shut, faint sounds of prayer can be heard from within.
The brass plate by the entrance reads "House of Peace", glowing dimly under the gaslight.
The visitor knocks on the heavy door, and it swings open moments later with a resounding boom, revealing a man who seems to be in a managerial position.
What brings you here?
I've come... to seek... the Siren's... protection...
The man who answered the door nods, stepping aside to let her enter before shutting the door behind her.
The conversation is barely audible in the distance, but Eileena's sharp ears have picked up on crucial information.
That woman just mentioned a "siren"... Could she be talking about the "Bloodthirsty Siren" from our case?
Having worked together long enough, you two share an unspoken understanding, and Eileena smiles knowingly.
Got it. Time for us to assume new identities, great detective—wait, no. Let me think of what we should be instead.
I'll be a travel writer, and you'll be...
Perfect. This should do the trick.
All right, time to investigate—I mean, time for this travel writer to gather material on the legend of the "Bloodthirsty Siren"! Let's go!
Eileena pulls a thick notebook from her bag and clutches it to her chest with exaggerated earnestness, every inch the dedicated author.
"House of Peace"... What a strange name. Is it some kind of sanatorium? Or maybe a place of worship?
Either way, they shouldn't turn away a travel writer and her mentor doing research, right, [player name]?
You answer Eileena's question with a look, though something about this unusual building puts you on edge.
After several knocks, the heavy door cracks open slightly.
A man who appears to be some kind of manager emerges, his eyes scrutinizing the two visitors with cautious wariness.
Behind him, numerous figures can be seen in the spacious hall of the House of Peace despite the dim lighting.
They sit quietly in their seats, all facing a small podium at the center of the room.
But the expressions on their faces appear more indifferent than tranquil.
Sitting in silence, they show not even the slightest interest in the arrival of strangers.
It seems your arrival has interrupted some kind of clandestine gathering.
And you are...?
That's right! My mentor and I have been traveling to gather material for my detective novel. I want to research everything: ghost stories, murder cases, you name it!
I heard there's been a case involving a "Bloodthirsty Siren" here. I'm very interested!
If you don't mind, can you tell me more about it?
Eileena seamlessly picks up where you left off, quickly slipping into her role as the travel writer's student.
But a barely perceptible flash of menace crosses the man's eyes, as if he distrusts the two strangers standing before him.
I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. It's nothing more than some boring ghost stories.
Ever since the Mist arrived, everyone in the city has been living in fear of perishing in it, never to see another dawn again.
This is simply a sanctuary for the troubled souls. I'm Roko, the one who organizes things here.
Panic gripped the city when the Mist descended, so we gather here, praying for the day it will finally lift.
All I can do is offer these lost souls what little peace I can provide.
But...
Before she can concoct another lie, the dazed woman from before suddenly drifts up behind Roko like a specter.
The "Bloodthirsty Siren"... she... walks in the Mist...
We... are waiting... for the Siren... to arrive...
...!!!
You step forward protectively, placing yourself between Eileena and the woman.
But the woman pays no heed to your warning, continuing her deranged chants.
We... are waiting... for the Siren... to arrive...
Offer... blood... to the Siren...
Strange sounds begin to emerge from her body.
Several fat rats scurry out from her coat, fleeing quickly and vanishing into the darkness.
...
It's nothing. Go back and continue praying.
Roko's words seem to carry an eerie power like some dark incantation. The terror fades from the woman's eyes, and she returns to her original vacant state.
She returns to her spot, acting as if nothing had happened.
If it's okay, can I speak with her?
I'm afraid that won't work.
But she clearly just said...
And what's with those rats?
We have our way of doing things.
Travelers, either join us in prayer, or stop disturbing the peace of these souls.
The doors of the House of Peace must now be closed to you.
Before you can glean any further information from the disturbed woman's strange words, Roko shuts the door.
Eileena stares helplessly at the heavy door that has slammed shut before you.
This place feels like some kind of gathering spot for mad townsfolk whose minds have been addled by the Mist...
And that strange woman just now... Why was she carrying rats around? Who keeps rats as pets?
This whole thing just keeps getting more complicated.
Eileena rattles off several troubling questions in quick succession, clearly disturbed by what she has witnessed, yet powerless to do anything about it.
It looks like we travel writers didn't get much useful material for our story here, "mentor."
Let's go find our client instead.
She lets out an exaggerated sigh and snaps her notebook shut, trying to ease the sting of the failed plan with your little charade.
After Eileena and you leave, the door of the House of Peace swings open once more.
Roko silently watches your departure with a knowing smile across his face, as if everything has gone exactly according to plan.
It seems everything he displayed moments ago was nothing but an elaborate act.
So these are your "allies"...
Heh, don't think you can change anything about this, my dearest... Sheriff.
