"Lady Patchouli, you're back." Koakuma, who was diligently sorting books as usual, immediately approached Patchouli upon her return.
"Yes, Koakuma. How is Kars doing now?"
"Kars? He's currently attempting a new spell concept. I feel a bit embarrassed, actually, because he accepted a random suggestion I made, and now he's developing his magic in that direction. I never expected that result." Koakuma blushed slightly as she spoke. Patchouli was intrigued.
"What kind of suggestion?"
"I just told Kars that since he loves the sun so much, he should try conceptualizing his magic around that idea. But I'm not sure if it's a good path to take. What do you think, Lady Patchouli?" As the expert on Seven-Element magic, Koakuma valued Patchouli's opinion on the matter.
"That's perfectly fine. Magic utilization ultimately relies on the caster's imagination. How the power manifests is determined by the user's concept. What you suggested presents no major issue. The outcome will depend entirely on Kars himself." Hearing Patchouli's reassurance, Koakuma felt relieved. She had been worried her advice might delay Kars's progress or lead him astray. Now she was completely at ease.
"Since Kars has an idea, let's not disturb him. Besides, there are many other things we need to prepare for."
"Understood." Koakuma nodded and followed Patchouli.
"Reimu is so slow." Marisa Kirisame, who had arrived first at the Misty Lake, muttered about Reimu's lack of efficiency. Her gaze was then caught by the Scarlet Devil Mansion in the distance.
"Huh? When did a manor appear here?" Seeing the unfamiliar, extravagant mansion, Marisa wondered if it had always been there.
"Right? You think it's strange, too? The phantom mansion by the lake." Aya Shameimaru descended from the sky and landed next to Marisa.
"What are you doing here?"
"Wherever there's a big scoop, you'll find this reporter. And this is definitely a huge scoop! My presence here is perfectly natural." Marisa found Aya's answer logical.
"So you must know something about it, right?"
"Absolutely nothing. I haven't been able to get inside." Aya looked distressed. Watching a massive news story unfold right before her eyes yet being completely unable to interview or collect material was pure torture.
"No matter what I try, I can't get in. Either I can't fly close to the mansion, or, the one time I managed to sneak inside, I instantly reappeared back outside the gate. The only person I could interview was the gate guard, but she wouldn't talk. However, the one piece of material I did get is this." Aya handed Marisa the photos she had taken of Kars.
"What in the world is this guy doing?" Marisa couldn't understand why the man in the photo was standing atop the clock tower, facing the sun with his arms spread open.
"A guy who sunbathes and makes weird noises. I've tentatively identified him as a vampire from Europe. So, his behavior is definitely bizarre, right?" Marisa agreed with Aya. A vampire who hated sunlight sunbathing? Anyone would find that strange.
"I saw that the sun exposure clearly affected his body, but he seemed to find it enjoyable and even made sounds of pleasure. He might have a fetish. Too bad he wouldn't agree to an interview either."
"So, does that mean he is likely the mastermind behind this incident?" Marisa instinctively assumed the person in the photos was responsible for the Red Mist.
"I have no idea about that. But what kind of secret is hidden within a mansion that requires such extensive concealment? Is it some incredibly valuable treasure?"
"Treasure…" Hearing the word, Marisa's eyes lit up. Aside from incidents, collecting all sorts of interesting things was her greatest passion. Aya's suggestion immediately piqued her interest.
"For me, as long as I can write a good news story, that's all that matters."
"Then let's go take a look inside!" Marisa completely forgot about waiting for Reimu. Aya watched Marisa fly toward the Scarlet Devil Mansion, a look of successful planning on her face.
"Well, safe travels." Watching Marisa leave, Aya knew all she had to do was wait, and she would soon have the news story she wanted.
"Another visitor! Perfect! The great Cirno needs to warm up! I'll train before finding my rival for a proper fight! You shall be the great Cirno's training dummy!" Cirno spotted Marisa and immediately flew in front of her, ready to intercept.
"Cirno-chan! That's too dangerous!" The Great Fairy quickly pleaded, trying to stop Cirno. But before Cirno could do anything, Marisa didn't slow down, flying straight past her. The sudden rush of air sent Cirno spinning around, leaving her dizzy and swaying with spiraling eyes.
"Cirno-chan!"
Having easily bypassed the negligible resistance of Cirno, Marisa landed at the Scarlet Devil Mansion gate. It was empty; there was no gate guard to stop her as Aya had described.
"There's absolutely no one here." Although puzzled by the absence of a guard, Marisa didn't stop, continuing to fly into the mansion grounds.
"It seems you've sensed my power and are frightened! But running won't do you any good!" Cirno, having recovered, appeared again on Marisa's likely path, placing her hands on her hips with a smug look. But Marisa simply ignored her and flew past.
"That's really dangerous, Cirno-chan." The Great Fairy continued her tireless warnings to Cirno from the side.
Marisa easily entered the mansion through an open window. Cirno, who had been following, attempted to fly in as well, only to be struck directly in the head by the closing window, knocking her out of the air.
"That was surprisingly easy to get into. It wasn't like Aya described at all. Well, since I'm inside, if there's any treasure, I'll take it. If there are any yokai, I'll take them out."