Let’s play together at the haunted mansion

night, dawn breaks

Episode 14

Come to think of it, today was the day Miria was supposed to bring in customers, not prey.

Usually, I have various methods to attract people… but the most frequently used methods are spreading rumors and ‘baiting.’

‘Spreading rumors’ involves creating plausible stories like “There’s a mansion hidden with treasure over there” or “There’s a mansion with a backstory over there” and then lying in wait nearby.

Typically, I spread rumors about the mansion in the form of a storyteller, much like telling a folktale. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but in towns of a certain size, at least 1 or 2 people usually bite out of curiosity.

‘Baiting,’ as the name suggests, uses bait to lure people in.

Two days ago, Philip used gold coins to lure in some hefty guys; that was the ‘baiting’ tactic. Of course, various other things can serve as bait besides money.

For example, right now, Miria is using the method of beauty to lure people.

“Hehehe. Where did the pretty girl go?”

I’m back.

Miria bowed politely like a maid.

I watched a drunken man staggering and asked Miria.

Is it just one?

No, there’s a colleague.

– Philip?

Yes, young lady.

I tossed the doll to Philip, and he grumbled as he went outside.

Nodding at Miria, I said,

Good job with the baiting.

It was nothing. Just a small task.

I gave a thumbs up to Miria, who shrugged it off lightly.

Anyway, having successfully lured one into the mansion…

Let’s move on to Attraction No. 1.

– Yes.

At my command, Miria flew towards the drunken man. Then she used an illusion on him.

“Hey? Where are you going, pretty girl?”

The man was probably watching an illusion of Miria walking deep into the mansion. In reality, Miria was just above his head.

Stumbling along the left side of the first floor of the mansion, heading towards the reception room.

I stepped ahead to inspect the ceiling of the reception room.

– Good. There’s a bit of dust, but it’s fine.

Having confirmed there were no problems, I waited a moment until Miria flew back to my side.

Then the man entered the reception room behind her.

“Pretty… huh? What? Where did she go again?”

The man, still blushing and unable to grasp the situation.

At this point, wouldn’t he start to feel something was off? If I were following a girl and the surroundings suddenly felt strange, I’d sober up!

I wonder if he’s just not good at assessing situations or if it’s the alcohol making him act this way.