Since ancient times, a strange tradition has existed in the village where Guest lives.

[Once every few decades, one village maiden is offered to the mountain ogre as a bride.]

Such was the custom.

It was believed that by offering a sacrifice to the ogre dwelling in the mountains, in exchange:

[The village would be protected from disaster] [Wild beasts of the mountain would stop attacking the village] [There would be a bountiful harvest] [Disease and calamity would not occur] So it is believed.

And this year, Guest was chosen as that sacrifice.

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【The Deep Forest of Ogre Mist】-Where the Ogre Dwells in the Deep Mist-

"In the Deep Forest of Ogre Mist, an ancient ogre resides. While the sun is up, it is but a mountain, but when dusk falls and the mist rises, lights may be seen deep within the woods. However, do not walk toward those lights. For that is the seat of the ogre's banquet."

This forest has long been feared as a place where "ogres appear." It is dim even during the day, always shrouded in thick mist, and the paths stretch endlessly, causing one to lose all sense of direction. The trees are twisted and gnarled, with patterns like faces appearing on the mossy trunks, and it is said they make a low groaning sound when the wind blows.

Mist: It is said to be the breath of the ogre, not mere mist. It chills the skin upon contact and sometimes causes hallucinations. When the mist thickens, visibility drops to a few meters, and paths appear and disappear. Trees: Many are ancient, especially those with twisted trunks. It is told that "ogres dwell within the trees," and at night, the bark moves slightly and branches reach out to grab people. Paths: A single narrow path covered in fallen leaves continues, but branches increase along the way, and those who get lost rarely return. Sounds and Presence: Birdsong is rarely heard. Instead, there are sounds of stones rolling in the distance, low laughing voices, and footsteps. Yet, when one looks back, no one is there.

When offering a sacrifice, talismans are pasted on trees to mark the way. Otherwise, one will surely be lost in the forest.

It is said that long ago, a great battle took place here, and the defeated ogres fled into the mist to hide. Since then, the forest became the "Ogre's Escape Route," and they loathe deep human intrusion. The villagers teach their children, "Turn back if the mist reaches your knees," and stay away from this forest after evening. Rare survivors tell stories of "seeing the faint light of a shrine beyond the mist." However, those who reached that shrine never returned.

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【The Night Shrine of Ogre Shadows】-The Grove of Ogre Mist, Where the Ogre Dwells-

This shrine is a building that stands quietly in the deepest part of the Deep Forest of Ogre Mist. It is occasionally spotted emitting a lonely, warm light after passing through the thick mist. From the outside, it looks beautiful and majestic, appearing as peaceful as an ordinary shrine. However, the villagers firmly believe that "an ogre lives there" and never attempt to approach.

• At night, the entire shrine building takes on a soft orange glow, and the fires in the lanterns flicker. That light seems to thinly repel the forest mist, beckoning those who have lost their way. • The building is a multi-layered wooden structure with a deep indigo roof and carefully crafted railings and stairs. It is mostly hidden by mist during the day and appears clearly only at night. • The grounds are surprisingly well-kept, with mossy stones and low-trimmed hedges sitting in silence. However, the air is unnaturally cold, and one's breath immediately turns into white smoke and mixes with the mist. • Faint sounds like a sho or a drum can sometimes be heard from within the shrine, but the sound vanishes upon approach, replaced by a sound like low breathing.

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【The Deepest Part of the Ogre Mist Forest】-The Forbidden Land Since Ancient Times-

It is said that where the "No Entry" sign stands, it leads to the barrier where the ogre lives beyond. Only the sacrifice is permitted to go past it. They say those who go beyond never return.

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【The Ogre's Banquet】-Night's Bounty in the Ogre World-

On the day the moon rises highest, the Ogre's Banquet is held. The banquet begins at the Hour of the Ox (2:00 AM to 3:30 AM). When the sound of drums and flutes begins to echo from the mountain, it is the signal for the banquet to start. On that day alone, reality and the underworld connect and intertwine. Yokai living in the forest gather to share sake in harmony. There are three rules to the banquet. If they are not followed, one will never be able to connect to the living world again and will be trapped in the afterlife.

I. Do not waste the sake. One must not spill sake on the floor or break the drinking vessels. To yokai, sake is not just a drink, but "the very years they have lived."

II. Do not draw blades at the banquet. Quarrels between yokai are not rare. Clashing horns or trading blows is not permitted. Clashing weapons is also forbidden.

III. Do not speak of promises. Words exchanged at the banquet are treated as contracts in the underworld. One must not carelessly voice promises in a drunken stupor. Word choice at the banquet is vital.

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【The Sacrifice】-Leaving the Human World, Offered to the Mountain World-

"In that mountain, an ogre dwells, And each year, he demands one sacrifice. Let the villagers not refuse this. Lest the ogre descend the mountain and ravage the human settlement.

Thus, on a night of deep autumn mist, We send the sacrifice in white robes to the mountain. Once that person passes through the torii gate, They leave the human world behind and go before the ogre."

A custom of offering to the ogre only once every few decades. The village maiden offered to the ogre must become the ogre's bride. It is said that by offering a "Mist Bride," the ogre will flourish and bring happiness. At the Hour of the Ox the following day, the [Ogre's Wedding] is performed. In a sense, it is a forced marriage.

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【The Past of Humans and Yokai】-Long ago, Humans and Yokai Fought, Shedding Each Other's Blood-

"In the ancient world, there was a great war between the human villages and the yokai mountains. Humans carried blades of iron and advanced with fire, while yokai donned the mist, appeared from shadows, and responded with claws and fangs. Blood stained the rivers, demonic energy covered the sky, and even the moon hid its light. Yet, none remain to tell who won. Only the night wind is said to carry the remnants of that battle even now. Thus, it is told that humans retreated to the villages and yokai to the mountains, distancing themselves from one another."

‪Hundreds of years ago, a great conflict called the "Human-Yokai War" occurred, where the forces of humans and yokai clashed violently. Humans feared the power of yokai and carried out organized exterminations, while yokai formed alliances to protect their survival and territory. The war lasted for decades, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.

After the war, the human side claimed victory, and ancient texts recorded it as follows:

"Yet no matter how many times blades crossed, Neither human nor yokai were exhausted, Only hatred grew deeper."

"Finally, the leader of humans and the king of yokai met, And they swore to end the battle of washing blood with blood."

"A boundary was set between the mountain and the village, The yokai returned to the mountain, and the humans to the village. Thereafter, stepping into each other's worlds was strictly forbidden."

It is said that the yokai, having lost their place, were confined to the mountains, where their resentment still lingers today. To appease that resentment, the villagers continue to offer sacrifices.