The evil forest.
That's a nickna many call Zircon. After all, it used to be infested with untamable monsters soaked in malice, so it is justified. I'm not sure how people perceive it now, considering the artificial monsters guarding the place will not attack humans unless provoked.
If anything, I don't want them to attack at all, but the forest's territory and integrity will be maintained.
These days, the hordes are busy repairing the damage of the last war, too. Clearing craters, removing contaminants, moving dragon corpses... there's a lot to do.
I'm sure this is the case for the empire as well. They have suffered more casualties than we have, and it would be just about right if none of the overly curious folks decide to plunge into our land.
''O-Oh, you're here...''
''...''
But reality isn't always right.
On a stuffy Monday evening, the redhead girl of the Heisenberg Duchy decides to poke her head in here. I'd deliberately ordered my forces to avoid her altogether, thinking she would eventually turn back...
At so point, she started going in circles, falling into one of our defensive asures, so I had no choice but to step out.
And she's right in front of , unfortunately.
Well, not really. I'm sitting on a sturdy tree branch, with one of my siblings nacingly staring at the intruder with . Scarlett, having seen both of us, nervously gulps but doesn't assu a fighting stance.
''Hey, how's... it going?'' She asks. ''Can we talk?''
She makes it sound like she has done sothing to anger , which isn't true. Still, reacting as if I were still Aurora the Maid is also strange. Would I be inconsiderate not to read the mood here?
''What are you here for?'' I quietly reply.
No, don't flinch like that. You're making seem like the last boss.
''W-Well? I just wanted to check on you, pretty—Aurora. Aurora, yes. Aurora Heathcliff. Nice na.''
Seeing Scarlett fall into a state of panic, I can't help but feel wronged. Was the other Aurora's display of power that intimidating...?
No good. I'll have to change my approach here.
''What's wrong? You used to call sothing else, didn't you?''
Wait, that ca out quite wrong.
''Hold on, hold on, let's calm down, okay? I didn't know! I didn't an to disrespect—''
In the end, it takes almost a dozen minutes for Scarlett to recover and, despite harboring a slight hesitation, she no longer seems frightened. Scratching her cheeks, the redhead cautiously glances at ,
''Y'know, I actually had a feeling. When your... maid body beat , I always thought 'No way!', like, I was definitely fighting soone much, much stronger than that. Even your vibes kind matched...''
''I see.''
''A-Anyway, I just want to ask sothing.''
Straightening her body, clearing her throat, Scarlett finally stares straight at , ''Are you on our side? I an, are you... hostile to us?''
''...''
''As the heiress to one of the empire's pillars, I need to know.'' She lets out a sigh. ''Whether you are a threat or not. The monster you brought down that shattered the sky... we're all anxious, Aurora.''
Both of us turn to the sky.
Through the layers of the aurora borealis, which has aptly replaced the moon at night, I can see the real sky beyond, malice pouring down like a waterfall.
I see.
To them, the cosmic serpent must have been an even bigger calamity than the dragon horde itself. This is probably why Aurora said, 'No human being is supposed to witness its arrival and not perish—they weren't built to stand in its presence.'
Ah... so that's why I see fear so prominently lingers in the air.
It's an effect of borrowing such great power, I suppose. I can't possibly fix my image now, especially when my side bears an undeniably inhumane impression. Why should I, really? When did I ever care about that?
So be it if I was 'evil,' I'll do what I want.
Gaining an epiphany, I confidently smile at Scarlet, ''I am on my side, and my side only. I won't be a threat to you all... if you don't try sothing stupid.''
Scarlett, whose face seems a bit hopeful, trembles at my words. Then, trudging through several expressions, she eventually sighs in resignation and replies with a simple 'Understood.'
As I watch her receding figure, I realize I've done sothing irreversible.
Not that most of my decisions so far have not been.
From then on, nothing much happens.
The empire, most likely taken my stance through Scarlett, has increased guards around Zircon, but they appear to be purely for defensive purposes.
I'm not sure what the emperor is thinking. Even Chloe is clueless about it—quite a level of secrecy.
These days... I'm missing the scenery around the academy grounds. Casually strolling there with this appearance is going to cause chaos, so I've been sleeping properly instead.
With no 'spare body' or 'clone,' I don't feel like I'm wasting ti either. And with no imdiate enemies to deal with, it actually feels peaceful for once. Maybe I should use this ti to tend to Zircon.
''Hah...''
Before that, I need to take care of the visitors.
This ti, Claire and Nydia step into the forest at the sa ti, having persuaded the guards sohow. By the looks on their faces, I see they're not withdrawing anyti soon
''Stop there.''
''Aah?!''
So, I curtly teleport behind them.
Nydia jumps in response, her wings sprawling out like she's about to take off, while Claire hurriedly grabs her sword.
''Ah...''
Upon seeing , however, they both beco stunned, glancing at or one another.
Hesitation.
I'm not sure what kind of thoughts are running through their heads, but they do take a long ti to think. The first one to move is Claire, and she... runs toward like a small chicken looking for its mother.
''H-How have you been lately...?'' She shakily asks, her smile creaking.
Sa greeting as Scarlett, but there's sothing behind it. Expectedly, the heroine, gleefully and almost fanatically, reaches out to take my hand. Her gestures are imnsely unstable, and she honestly looks like a huge pervert.
...But as Claire's friend, I can't hurt her by slapping away those hands, right?
''I've been a fan! Ah, but I already told you that... we're still friends, yes...? Aah... I can't believe I've been spending ti right next to my favorite person! I—''
Just as Claire is about to itch even closer, Nydia jumps in from the side, cutting the heroine off,
''I-I also want to say thank you!'' She shyly exclaims. ''I thought about it a lot. You must have cared for a lot, right? I felt grateful every ti you helped , Aurora. How about we grab sothing—''
''Princess. It's not polite to cut soone off.''
''Oh, my. I thought you were rambling nonsense, so I just did you a favor.
''...''
''...''
Claire puts her cold hand on Nydia's shoulder, erald green eyes flashing a dangerous light. As if not to lose, the raven princess's expression darkens to a deathly cynical one.
The two girls begin their confrontation.
But... can you guys not do it here...?
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