Mistress Of The Evil Forest

C-A 10: Spook the world.

Statistically speaking, the most dangerous job on the planet is being the president of the United States of America. 

The free world is vast, with all sorts of people aligning with different political ideologies. It is perhaps granted that someone will disagree with one's doings and that someone will be crazy enough to target one's life for it.

At this point in time, I do wonder—do all presidents feel like I do right now?

Every time I roam around, it is as though the whole world's attention is on me. With covert gazes, they stare, and with hushed voices, they gossip. And most of all, this fermenting sense of dread that seems so close to death itself looms over my being.

The target on the back of my head is already beautifully drawn.

It would be a lie if I said I never regretted my decision to take the spotlight. It was certainly impulsive, but then again, I resolved myself at that point, and even now, I'm fine.

''Are you sure it'll be fine?''

''Yeah.''

So, facing Aurora's concern, I readily reassure her.

We are now sitting side by side in Bianca's office, each holding a small stack of documents relating to the affairs of the Cecil Duchy. It's a camouflage of sorts, one intended to be used to fool the demon eye in case it is activated.

What was it... the whole premise of us being with Bianca in the first place is that I am learning to manage a territory from her, and Aurora is aiding me?

Yeah, sounds about right.

Of course, since we're learning from her, she is seated across the table right now, browsing her documents for real.

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This person—Bianca Cecil—is a pretty diligent lady, too. She works all the time and keeps her composure on pretty much every occasion. It's fortunate that she is the one with the ability to help us and not someone like that shield loli. I don't like nosy people too much.

There's an initial concern about her being the demon itself, but she's not in the pool of the possible targets for Efil in the first place. Besides, imitating Bianca, a grandmaster, isn't an easy task, and she isn't even the most influential person anyway. What nails this down the most is the fact that Efil likes to work its way through several layers of connections—that's just its tendency, meaning the only occasions it would show up before the player are when it is supposed to.

What a headache that thing is.

''Hah...''

''How are you so sure?''

''Hm?''

''How are you so sure Efil's call wouldn't work?''

It's quite rare to hear Aurora pressing on with questions like this. Usually, she'd accept my words right away and with little curiosity. I guess... I can be happy? Happy that she cares about me so much.

Chuckling, I give her a confident smile,

''It's sort of a troll by the developers,'' I explain. ''There are activities where the player can register names other than 'Claire,' and if they enter their gamer tag for those cases, it will be game over. I saw so many YouTubers lost due to this and couldn't rage at all, uttering something like, 'So that's why they asked for a username when there's zero mentions of it anywhere...?!'''

Hearing all of that, Bianca shoots us a slightly confused gaze, but she soon shakes it off. It must have sounded strange from her perspective... but there's always Aurora, who listens to whatever I say, however ridiculous it might be. 

''That's clever. I like that they break the fourth wall with it.'' She replies, her calm, slightly squinted eyes squarely on me.

My heart skips a beat.

This. This is how you conquer girls unconsciously. Isn't it illegal to be this cool? I thought we were living in a reality where such coolness couldn't exist naturally.

Mustering the rest of my sanity, I try to respond,

''Yeah, but this is assuming the player allows their reputation to plummet without trying a solution. Ah, didn't you say you have something for that?''

''I do.''

Then, Aurora goes on to elaborate on her plan, which is basically a spook for the whole nation... times ten, I suppose. That's one good way to steal headlines, actually. In the game, there is even an option to create love scandals akin to soap operas to catch the public's attention, too.

But...

''Can't it put all the blame on you, then?'' I ask. ''It might backfire.''

''That's true. But it doesn't matter.'' She snorts, '''Silaerob' is created to shoulder everything I do in the first place. It is true I would have a harder time moving if the general public doesn't love me, but it's not like they can do anything meaningful against me.''

''That's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried the imperial family, once corrupted, might try something radical. Grandmasters would not go to that side, but the Emperor would at some point. You'll have to face a lot of resistance and meaningless aggression.''

''So?''

''What do you mean 'so?'? I'm worried about you. That's why I decided to step up in the first place.''

''...''

Aurora blankly stares forward for a few seconds, then shakes her head, ''No.'' She says, ''Just as you worry about me, I worry about you, and if the imperial family decides to go against Zircon, then so be it.''

''What—''

''The nation will fall as it is.''

'''' ...!! ''''

Hearing that absurd answer, I nearly spit out my tea onto Bianca, who's equally dumbfounded at Aurora's nonchalant words. Both of us stare intensely at the owl maid—now acting even more nobly and arrogantly than she usually does.

It's her usual attitude, and damn it, it suits her so much that I can't complain.

What's with the raised chin, the legs crossed, and the gaze that looks down on all beings? What's with those irresistibly juicy-looking thighs?

''A-Ahem.''

Let's calm down—

''You're more important to me than the nation.''

''Ugh...!''

G-Goddamn it!

This is cheating!

How could any girl resist her if she constantly spews out stuff like this?!

After quivering in my seat for a considerable amount of time, I finally regain my sanity by gulping down the whole drink. At this point, Bianca's eyes are still widened, her figure seeming frozen—perhaps too shocked at what Aurora just said.

No, probably not the flirt line, but the one before that.

''Hah...''

No, seriously, I wish she could do that only to me. I don't want more rivals.

Nevertheless, it is decided that Aurora will execute her little operation, and it makes me worried. Looking back at the prank she played on Claudia and the protagonist's group, I just wish not too many people would get traumas from this.