Welcome to the Ghost Story Cabin

Huh, this tent showed up in the woods out of nowhere. I wonder what it's doing here.

Oh, there's a sign. Let's see...

"Beat the Heat in the Scary Story Shack Free Admission　　　　　　　Open to All"

Interesting. Let's see what this is all about.

Hmm. It's certainly very dark in here...

Oh, they must be about to start. How exciting.

This is the tale of Earless Houichi...

Once upon a time, there was a biwa monk named Houichi who lived in a temple.

Though Houichi was blind, he was also incredibly skilled at telling the Tale of the Heike, accompanied by his own biwa music.

(Nodding along)

...And so, having lost both of his ears, he was known as Earless Houichi for the rest of his days. The end.

Now I see. I don't know what that had to do with "beating the heat," but it certainly was a fascinating story.

I still can't believe that samurai ghost took just Houichi's ears back with him... But I suppose these kinds of scary stories aren't entirely supposed to make sense.

Still, this was as an important reminder of how those who guide the dead should take their duties seriously.

...Huh?

Next, we have the tale...

...of the terrible Snow Woman.

Once upon a time, there were two woodcutters: an old man named Mosaku, and a young one named Minokichi.

One day, the two woodcutters found themselves caught in a sudden and terrible blizzard, and decided to spend the night in a small wooden shed...

Next, we have "A Serpent's Lust" from the Tales of Moonlight and Rain...

So I just have to perform my own story from Doujouji? Understood.

But you know, my real life was a tragic love story, not a scary one.

What's that? The picture scroll is definitely scary? No, I'm quite sure it's a tale of pure love.

...?

Now, we shall hear some stories from the West.

We'll begin with the terrible, tragic tale of Frankenstein...

I'mmm aaa mooonsteeerrr. Grrr.

...?

Next, we have the chilling tale of Salome and the severed head...

John the Baptist? You mean I can have his head again? Oh, how wonderful.

...!?

That's all for tonight...

Hmm... I still have a lot of questions, but at least those stories were entertaining!

Although now my body's all stiff from listening so intently for so long.

My neck and shoulders are cracking with every movement I make...

Oh no...! That's terrible!

Lethargy... Dehydration... Blood clots... Those are all signs of deep vein thrombosis! I-I have to do something before she dies!

!?

Change of plans. Instead of the usual curtain call...

...we will be closing our show in musical style, complete with audience participation.

Please feel free to sing, dance, and move your body together with the rest of the cast.

Naturally, since I also barely moved a muscle apart from my vocal cords, I'll be taking part as well...

...for I have absolutely no desire to die!

A-audience participation!? Nobody said anything about audience participation!

Phew. I'm still not entirely sure what that was all about, but it was invigorating.

Now then...

...Did you enjoy the show?

I figured it was you.

And yes, I definitely did.

Still, I do have just one little question. Why are you doing this?

I heard I could "beat the heat."

But acting made me all hot and tired...

At least the Snow Woman set was nice and cool... I could stay there forever...

Teeheehee, Scheherazade asked me to help. We have a lot in common, since we both had to deal with cruel kings.

So if she needs me to perform my dance of the seven veils, I'm happy to do it.

Besides, I might be able to get another John the Baptist head out of this, and I want it so badly!

I was rehearsing for the day when Master comes to watch me perform.

Dark lights... Scary stories... The two of us on the edge of our seats leaning closer together... Eeek!

(I'm not sure how you'll be able to do that while you're up on stage performing...)

By the way, what am I doing here? I thought I was in a different building not too long ago.

Did my sheer longing for Master create some kind of illusion?

Hmm. I have no idea!

Um, thank you, but I wasn't asking about the actors' reasons. I was asking about Scheherazade's.

What made you want to tell scary stories in a place like this so much that you even asked those girls to perform them for added authenticity?

If you're doing it for free, it can't be because the Queen of Sheba talked you into it.

Well... Um...

To be perfectly honest...this Singularity scares me.

...

The stench of death lingers everywhere in this world of horror and fear.

And if the rumors are to be believed, even Servants can well and truly die here...

However, the horror films that are so closely tied to this Singularity are themselves a form of storytelling.

So I decided to focus on that aspect, and try fighting back.

Fighting back?

Yes. Fighting back.

For as they say, the best way to fight fire is with fire.

Hmm... Okay, I think I understand.

Basically...you're using your stories as a form of escapism, right?

(Gulp)

N-no, not at all. I simply thought that if I spent my time telling scary stories to everyone else here...

...then I would no longer have time to be scared of this Singularity.

Hmmm.

(I'm not sure that's actually any different from plain old escapism...)

(But on the other hand, it WAS a great attraction, and it should be a great diversion for everyone else, too...)

(Hmmmmmm.)

...All right, I understand.

If this is what you feel is best for you, I have no complaints.

Besides, I really did enjoy listening to your stories.

Th-thank you...

However, I do think this little shack still has plenty of room for improvement!

For example, we would have to pull out all the stops if we were to ask Pharaoh Ozymandias to attend, but there just aren't enough stops to pull out!

It is possible your stories alone would be enough to satisfy him, but that is not a risk I'm willing to take!

When it comes to hospitality, you know you've done it right when you're worried you may have done too much!

I-I see...

So on that note, I'm going to go shopping.

When I come back, I'll have enough supplies to make this shack into something really special.

As luck would have it, there happens to be an enormous wholesale retailer in this Singularity. Odd, since you wouldn't expect something like that up in the mountains.

I, um... Are you sure?

Of course. I know you're busy with the story side of things, so I'll handle the shopping myself.

Don't worry. I'll have medjed there to help me.

Well... If you insist. Thank you.

That being said...

Do be careful, Nitocris. I have a very bad feeling about this.

Something tells me there's not a single place in this entire Singularity that is truly free of the looming specter of death.