The grand mansion loomed closer as Mirage Carl and Reimu desded at the front gate. The air was thick with the scarlet mist, swirling ominously around the a, irht entrance.

  Standing guard was a woman dressed in a vibrant green and red uniform, her long, flowing hair tied baeatly. Her stance was firm, her eyes sharp as she noticed their approach.

  "Hold it right there!" she shouted, stepping forward with authority. "This is the Scarlet Devil Mansion. No trespassing allowed!"

  Mirage Carl nded clumsily, still not fully used to flying. He straightened himself and fshed his signature grin. "Ah, and who might you be?"

  The woman crossed her arms, her posture unwavering. "I am Hong Meiling, gatekeeper of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. If you wish to enter, you'll have to get past me."

  Mirage Carl admired her fidence. "Well, that's good to know." He gave a dramatic bow, his top hat nearly falling off. "I am Mirage Carl, a mere traveling magi. Quite the impressive gate yuarding."

  Meiling's eyes narrowed. "A magi? And what about you?" She looked at Reimu, who was already looking bored.

  Reimu waved dismissively. "Reimu Hakurei. I'm here to solve the i."

  Meiling's eyes widened. "The Hakurei Shrine Maiden!?" She took a step back but quickly regained her posure. "Then I 't let you pass. My duty is to protect this mansion from intruders!"

  She moved into a fighting stance, her muscles tensing with anticipation. The air around her seemed to shift, a faint aura of power emanating from her body.

  Mirage Carl was impressed. "Wow, she's serious. A martial artist guarding a vampire's mansion? You don't see that every day."

  Reimu sighed. "I don't have time for this." She flicked her gohei forward, the sacred stick glowing with spiritual energy.

  Before Mirage Carl could eve, Reimu was already moving. She dashed forward with lightning speed, delivering a single, powerful strike to Meiling's midse.

  Meiling's eyes widened in shock as the impact sent her flying backward, crashing into the gate with a loud thud. She slid down, her body limp as she fell unscious.

  Mirage Carl's jaw dropped. "W-What was that? You took her out i!"

  Reimu dusted off her sleeves nontly. "Gatekeepers around here are all talk. Let's go."

  She floated over the gate without a sed gnce, already heading towards the mansion's grarance.

  Mirage Carl looked at Meiling's unscious body and gave a sympathetic shrug. "Tough job, being a guard." He followed Reimu, still marveling at her overwhelming power.

  As they approached the ominous doors of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, a chill ran down Mirage Carl's spine. Whatever was behind those doors... it was sure to be even more dangerous.