Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 159: This blonde and that blonde.

''Ah... shit. I didn't think Ravenous Moon was going to move yesterday.''

''...''

''I didn't even remember a clown being there—no, there were definitely no clowns inside that stupid organization.''

''...''

''Hah... I guess it works in our favor. What do you think, Aurora?''

The morning following the banquet, Chole immediately summons me to Bianca's office for a discussion. As she is saying, the whole empire is in shambles right now—once again. The news is all filled with stories of a certain clown that has ravaged the imperial banquet.

All the news outlets are more or less forced to report on this incident since it is the most pressing matter right now. From a general rundown of the story, timelines, witness accounts, interviews with officials, to even speculations—they drown out all other news at the moment, which is a net positive for us.

Who cares about a noble lady's immature behavior when the imperial palace was attacked by a terrorist?

Now, I feel quite good about this endeavor. It proves to me that we can use our enemies' names to make things work in our favor, and although there will be some sort of pushback from Ravenous Moon, I am not worried about them a lot. Our forces have grown exponentially, after all.

What's even more exciting is Blob's sheer performance on its first mission. I honestly didn't expect it to be this competent when I first summoned it, really.

But of course, we still have a problem.

I am still not sure if I want to reveal my involvement in this operation to my allies. I feel like they will understand my cause, but I plan to do things like this frequently in the future, and if they found out much later that I've been deceiving them all along, it could lead to a loss of trust.

Should I believe in their ability to *not* screw things up and let the other side know about our plan?

No, in the first place, Efil can just confirm things with Ravenous Moon anyway. Besides, when I eventually fake a demon in the future, they will definitely know.

Let's trust our peers a bit. I just need to make sure they can't be targeted.

''That was me.''

''Huh?''

''...?''

As soon as I utter that, both Chloe and Bianca look at me with eyes of astonishment. After blinking a bit, they simultaneously utter—

'''' What? ''''

''...I said that was me,'' I reply, holding back a sigh. ''The clown is my doing.''

''No, what are you—okay, wait, that kind of makes sense... but why didn't you tell me first?''

Alright, this is the important moment. I shouldn't mess this up.

Turning to Chloe, I speak, ''I didn't know.''

''You didn't know?''

''I didn't know there was a festival, and I took too long to decide if I should do it or not.''

''No, but you still can—''

''I didn't know.''

''I understand, but—''

''I said I didn't know.''

''...''

''...''

For some moments, Chloe and I stare at one another. It seems as though tension is building in the air, but I know the way to resolve this.

''Mhmp?!''

Without warning, I hug Chloe's head toward me and plant a kiss on her lips. It's only a brief one, but I can still feel the lingering heat and softness on my own lips.

Immediately after that, blood rushes to the blonde's face as she tumbles around, muttering gibberish.

''So?'' I ask.

''W-What do you mean 'so?'?? Did you think you can get away by... um...''

''By?''

''G-Goddamn it! Tell me what you're going to do the next time, got it?''

''Okay.''

By her own standard, she talks like a tsundere—brows knitted, cheeks flushed, and mouth trembling. At that endearing appearance, I can't help but smile.

''...Are you guys in that sort of relationship?''

Oh, Bianca is here, too. I almost forgot her.

''No.'' I honestly reply.

''Not yet!'' Chloe follows.

''...''

I wonder if it's okay to display this kind of thing to Bianca.

Although the empire is indeed in chaos, when looking at the smaller pictures, things don't seem as too chaotic anymore.

I like how quiet the academy is when classes are in session.

There's a sort of coziness, a warm, pleasant feeling when walking through the different buildings and places that are devoid of people. Usually, I'd enjoy this walk alone, but then...

''...Claire?''

Somehow, there's a dejected girl sitting limply on the sidewalk's bench.

Unlike her usual appearance, she's staring straight into the ground, the Moon Devourer lying flatly on her lap. I can't see her eyes since her hair obstructs them, but I can tell she's not happy.

...Is it because of yesterday?

Okay, I might have overlooked this factor when brainstorming that idea. It's not that I didn't know she has self-esteem issues, but i didn't expect it to be this severe. I've never seen her this down before.

Since it's mostly my fault, let's try to make it right.

''Claire.''

''Hm? Oh, Aurora... hi.''

Without much of anything, I sit beside her. Claire's emerald eyes linger on me a bit; then she turns back to look at the ground.

''Are you okay?'' I ask.

''I'm good. Thanks.''

''How about...''

''Skylar is sleeping. She said she used quite a lot of power yesterday.''

Really? From what I've observed, Skylar didn't actually help much with the fight. Her power on Claire seemed flashy, but it wasn't too potent. Is there a chance she recognized the clown's origin?

That would make sense.

Either way, the fact that Claire needs help doesn't change.

''...?''

I don't know how to console people very well, but I think head pats are a good thing. Combing through her hair doesn't feel as good as ruffling a fluffy owl's feathers, and Claire flinches quite a bit, to be honest.

Still, there's something endearing about her flushed expression.

''...Are you trying to console me?''

''Yeah.''

''Is this how owls do it?''

''I'm closer to a human than to an owl, so I don't know.''

After confirming that I've indeed seized the heroine's attention, I take it a step further by pulling her into a hug. Surprisingly, the girl only lets out a squeal before falling right into my arms.

Now, her chin settles on my shoulder, and perhaps, for the first time, we tightly embrace.

''...''

''...''

''...You know, I've been thinking.''

''Yeah.''

''If Neveah truly gave me a mission by assigning to me light and the holy sword... then is it my fault that there's someone else on our side that does much better than me?''

''Why do you think so?''

''I-I don't know Silaerob. I look up to her, but I'm also jealous of her. Unlike me, who has the holy sword but is useless, she... she seems to have been born to stand above the others.''

''Maybe. You shouldn't put yourself down, however.''

''Is it because I'm also a human like her, and every human is created equal?''

Almost disapprovingly, Claire slightly backs away and narrows her eyes at me. I assume she doesn't like the pretentious, hypocritical philosophies.

''No.''

But I don't like them either.

''You are not going to improve by being down,'' I reply sternly. ''If you don't want to be left behind even more, I suggest looking into ways of practicing further.''

''...!''

For a while, the heroine remains stunned, her eyes round and static. Then, as if amused, she happily leans forward and hugs me again. 

''You're right, Aurora, you are.''

''That's good.''

''Yeah. Just... what I need right now.''