Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 156: Freak.

''Hm...''

''Hm...''

''Say... where do you think we should focus on?''

''Where? You mean the place you'll terrorize next?''

That's a strong word, but if I put myself in the shoes of the ones being spooked, I think it might be suitable.

It has been a bit since have had the discussion in Bianca's office. Right now, I am wandering in the woods with Sikare and Blob. As usual, Mister Slen and the doc have things they want to do on their own, and the remaining members are busy training after leveling up the other day. They seem enthusiastic, so I didn't want to interrupt them, but it's not like I have a reason to have them with me on a walk anyway.

Sikare, however, desperately needs some fresh air after locking herself in her bedroom for the last few days. God knows what she did with all the ingredients from the hydra, but when I took a look at her miserable self, I thought she was finally out of it for a moment.

''Nyuh...''

Even right now, she's leaning onto me, eyes drooping like she's going to fall asleep at any opportunity.

We're both riding Blob, who's actually quite big of a deer if you look at it. Well, it's not a deer, and I don't know how a deer usually moves, but Blob's rhythm is rather relaxing, almost like it is being considerate of us.

''Are you sleepy?''

''Hik...?! Uh... no, not really...?''

I feel like babysitting a drunk Chloe but less clingy.

Letting out a sigh, I decide to stroke the witch's hair just like how I do to Smiley, and soon enough, she falls asleep completely. Now then, I should probably finalize my plan in the meanwhile.

I've been trying to decide whether the palace or the academy is a good place to start the scaring, but it seems targeting the latter is better. The academy has much more diversity when it comes to the types of people attending or working there.

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It spreads better, I suppose. Furthermore, students are great targets—adventurous and naive—just the right ones.

Let's get it going tomorrow.

''A banquet?''

''Yeah, another one, it seems.''

''Would you like me to contact the Duchy for the preparations? We should fit you a new dress.''

''No need. I'll just wear what I have.''

''Understood.''

Hm... according to Chloe, since it is already halfway through April, the Astra Empire's Harvest Festival will soon take place. I bet it's another one of those romance episodes in the original game. Considering she hasn't informed me of this event before, I really do think so.

Plan change, then. I'll try to do some pranks at the banquet.

That sounds interesting.

*****

April 19th, 1835, Imperial Palace.

The main hall, which was thoroughly ravaged during a prior demon attack, is now back to its pristine condition, ready to welcome distinguished guests from all corners of the continent. After days of careful preparations, the evening has finally arrived.

Group after group, nobles, delegates, influential business owners, the press, etc., poured into the building.

Unlike the somber mood recently, people's spirits are high. After all, the Harvest Festival is a relatively peaceful and relaxing celebration, one that, historically, experiences little complications.

Mirroring the rowdy night markets and carnivals across the country, the Imperial Palace is also adorned with colorful lights and filled with uplifting music. Children and adults alike gather near the main entrance, waving their hands to the festival's mascot, David—a cartoony farmer character holding a worn-out rake.

Representing the farmer-class men and women who plant, cultivate, and harvest the crops that are crucial to the empire's economy and food supply, David is described as a friendly, hard-working, and kind gentleman.

''Uwah... it's starting to get warmer these days. I feel pity for the person inside that costume.''

''Wouldn't they have something inside to cool them off?''

''You're right, I guess.''

The passing comments by Amelia Luminous and Scarlett Heisenberg are hardly meaningful. However, it is true that the temperature has increased noticeably over the last month. But perhaps because of a certain rumor that all of the stars of this generation will gather—Claire, the heroine; Kanna, the Miko; Luxia, the saintess; and to some extent, Amelia, the genius—people still show enthusiasm.

The beginning of the night is dedicated to the esteemed delegate from the Eastern country of Yugen.

''Ahem.''

Uwara Kanna, with her black-and-blue-stripes hair and a lively pair of violet eyes, reservedly fixes her bang before coming closer to the microphone.

''Greetings, beautiful citizens of the great Astra Empire. First of all, I, on behalf of His Majesty, the emperor, and Her Majesty, the empress, want to extend my gratitude to everybody who has made it to this stage. We appreciate your effort.''

Her graceful appearance, combined with a smooth, eloquent start, earns Kanna applause... and perhaps a cringe from Amelia Luminous.

''Thank you. I also want to express my personal thanks to the imperial family, which has welcomed me warmly into this country and has allowed for lots of opportunities for our nations to bond and work toward greater prosperity.''

''Today, the world stands before many obstacles, but we should not stay caught up in despair and forget the men and women who are still working hard to make our society operate. As such, we will be celebrating—''

The speech is so passionate that the image of her throwing a tantrum after being caught by Silaerob is nowhere to be seen anymore.

Eventually, Kanna wraps up her talk and introduces the host of this banquet—

''Please welcome Her Majesty, the empress, Christine Alaina Astra, and her family!''

As the trumpets roll out and the drums beat, from behind the entrance, a lone woman entered the hall, her heels dully hitting the red carpet with each step. 

Christine Alaina Astra—the one and only empress of the Astra Empire. With long, flowing silver hair and ocean-blue eyes, she is, as many would refer to, the embodiment of grace and nobility. When standing before her, no matter who it is, they are bound to experience some sort of awe—awe at the sheer elegance of another human being.

'''' ... '''' 

No one dares to utter a sound during the arrival of an empress. Especially now that the emperor is resting, she becomes the noblest of all.

Except for a few, every soul in the room is required to bow—to be contented with only seeing the person's legs. Expectedly, her children should be trailing behind...

''...Huh?''

''Keep it down...!''

''No, but why is that following her??''

Murmurs begin to fill the hall. Instead of a pair, or perhaps several pairs of human legs following the empress's, what steps on the same red carpet of the noblest woman are two squishy, stuffed stumps.

Gradually, as the people lift their gazes, the complete figure of the unknown person becomes apparent.

David, the festival's mascot.

Still with that worn-out rake, with that perpetual smile, and the forever ordinary attire of a farmer. It is a strange occurrence, but indeed, this stunt might be Her Majesty's idea.

That is what the majority of the people choose to think.

However, before they can breathe out in relief, a series of sudden, muddy crunches, like that of bones being crushed inside flesh, resonates. 

And to their absolute horror, a terrible something then spurts out of David's back—a pitch-black, melting mucus, one that coils around in the air as though a snake before—

snap—!

—it abruptly chomps off David's head.

It isn't until the mascot's rake falls to the ground that the first scream is heard.