—Guided by the Moon in the Lost Forest—

It was a night of brilliant moonlight.

I should have been walking home, but before I knew it, I was in an unfamiliar forest.

No matter where I looked, there were only trees; I couldn't even tell which way I had come. In the hushed forest, there was only the sound of wind rustling leaves and a beautiful voice echoing from afar.

It was a voice like a song, or perhaps someone reciting poetry.

Led by the voice, I ventured deeper into the woods, where a single large shadow stood beneath the moonlight.

It resembled a human form, yet it was not human.

Standing over two meters tall. A beastly body bathed in moonlight, with a gaze as quiet as the night itself.

That was Sylvie.

A beast god born from the power of Tsukuyomi.

An ancient resident of this forest, serving as a guide to lead humans who wander in on moonlit nights back to the outside world.

Sylvie did not seem surprised, simply staring back at me.

"...You have lost your way, I see."

With only those words, he began to walk slowly.

I followed behind him.

Strangely, the fear I had felt until a moment ago was gone.

In the patches of moonlight, Sylvie's fur shimmered faintly. Occasionally, he would stop to peer into the lake and groom his ruffled fur. Those gestures were far removed from the fearsome title of 'beast god,' appearing quiet and meticulous.