After a moment of consideration, Kiriel finally chose an outfit that satisfied her.
It was an all-black ensemble, the fabric fitting snugly against her body without being restrictive. Dark crimson lines traced along her curves with subtle elegance—never ostentatious, yet enough to draw the eye. Every detail had been carefully tailored, combining high aesthetic value with full freedom of movement.
An outfit nearly perfect—beautiful, neat, and without the slightest inconvenience.
When Kiriel stepped out, Lioren paused for a brief moment.
His gaze lingered on her longer than usual. It was not a stare, but a very short stillness—as if his mind needed an extra second to process the sight before him.
…Stunning.
Kiriel noticed. She gave a small turn, the hem of her outfit shifting gently with each step.
Kiriel:
"I'm quite pleased with it."
Lioren cleared his throat softly and quickly looked away.
Lioren:
"…It suits you."
---
The two left the shop as the light had begun to change. The sun was no longer high overhead; its rays slanted downward, casting a soft golden-orange hue across the street.
It was already afternoon.
The wind had grown cooler, carrying a faint chill that signaled the coming dusk.
Lioren looked up at the sky.
Lioren:
"It's getting late."
"We should head to the abandoned house."
Kiriel did not object. She simply gave a slight nod and walked beside him.
---
After quite a long walk, when the sky had completely sunk into darkness, the two stopped before a house standing apart from the residential area.
Lioren surveyed the abandoned house before them. It was a mansion.
Lioren:
"Overall…"
"The exterior is very clean."
"There's nothing that proves this is an abandoned house."
Kiriel glanced toward the garden in front. The fence was intact, the grass neatly trimmed, the bushes carefully maintained.
Kiriel:
"The garden as well."
"It's as if someone tends to it every day."
Lioren narrowed his eyes slightly.
Lioren:
"It doesn't look abandoned at all."
He stepped up to the door and knocked three times, the rhythm steady and firm.
No answer came.
Lioren stepped back slightly, lifting his foot, preparing to kick the door open.
But at that very moment—
Click.
The door opened on its own.
---
Inside was a space completely contrary to what one would imagine of an abandoned house.
The atmosphere was warm and luxurious. Lamps and candles were lit everywhere, their gentle light reflecting off the walls and ceiling. Beneath their feet stretched a red carpet from the entrance, leading straight to a room deeper inside.
Lioren stepped in, his eyes swiftly scanning the interior.
Lioren:
"How interesting."
Kiriel stood behind him, looking in the direction of the carpet.
Kiriel:
"It's inviting us."
Without another word, the two followed the red carpet. Each step echoed faintly, as if the house itself were listening.
The carpet led them to the living room.
And just as they stopped—
A purple flame suddenly appeared before them.
Lioren:
"…A purple flame?"
The fire flickered, then gradually shifted shape. It elongated, forming a human silhouette. Before them stood an entity dressed like a butler—proper and refined—yet its head burned with an ever-dancing violet flame.
Purple Flame:
"Greetings to the two distinguished guests who have come to this house."
The voice was calm and steady—neither malicious nor overly friendly.
Lioren:
"You knew we would come?"
The purple flame inclined its head slightly.
Purple Flame:
"No."
"I did not sense your arrival."
"Only when you approached the house…"
"…did I have time to lay out the red carpet to welcome you."
Lioren:
"Then what are you?"
Purple Flame:
"I am merely an ordinary spirit."
Kiriel let out a soft laugh.
Kiriel:
"No."
"You are not a simple spirit."
"You are a wraith."
"And a special kind at that."
The purple flame trembled faintly.
(This woman… has seen through me?)
Wraiths: spirits burdened with earthly desires. Upon death, they refuse to leave this world, creating their own source of energy. That energy is replenished whenever they fulfill their desires. The longer a wraith exists, the more its color and form change.
Lioren looked directly at the entity before him.
Lioren:
"So you're the type of wraith whose desire is to become a butler?"
The purple flame fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
Purple Flame:
"You are correct."
"When I was alive, I was the butler of a noble family."
"I loved that work."
Its voice slowed, as if tracing old memories.
Purple Flame:
"Until one day… a stranger entered the mansion."
"He held a knife to threaten me."
"He ordered me to gather all the servants and important figures into the living room."
"I agreed… because I did not want to die."
The flame flickered more violently.
Purple Flame:
"When everyone was present…"
"He brought in his accomplices."
"They oppressed and slaughtered."
"Killed the men… violated the women."
"Then seized power."
"After some time, I continued serving as butler."
"I felt no guilt."
"There was only one thing I felt…"
"…how deeply I loved that work."
"Then we were killed by soldiers."
"I could not accept that."
"And so I became a wraith."
"I devoured many other butlers' souls…"
"…and replaced them as butler."
"But I was still not satisfied."
Kiriel spoke softly.
Kiriel:
"Lioren."
He nodded.
Lioren:
"I understand now, purple flame."
"Are you the mastermind behind the massacres recorded in the history books?"
He stared straight ahead.
Lioren:
"The noble families…"
"Every twenty years they were attacked by bandits and overthrown."
"Then twenty years later, slaughtered again."
"That was you, wasn't it?"
Purple Flame:
"Yes."
"I did everything."
"Robbery. Slaughter."
"When I grew tired of the old master…"
"…I searched for a new one."
Lioren:
"If that's the case, why are you here?"
Purple Flame:
"I was sealed."
"Imprisoned within this house."
"I cannot leave."
Kiriel:
"Then how do you continue to exist?"
"Without a master, you cannot generate energy."
Purple Flame:
"That is correct."
"I thought I would perish."
"But a few people entered this house."
"I welcomed them… as I have welcomed you."
Lioren:
"Then why did they disappear?"
Purple Flame:
"When I had generated enough energy…"
"…I killed them."
"To welcome the next master."
Kiriel gave a slight nod, as if everything had become clear.
Kiriel:
"Where is the bathroom?"
Purple Flame:
"My lady, please follow me."
The purple flame turned its back. Kiriel followed without looking back.
Only Lioren remained in the living room.
He glanced around the house once more.
Lioren (softly):
"A wraith of this type…"
"For a certain period of time, it will not cause harm."
"If it has acknowledged someone as its master…"
"…then this house is its world."