Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 64: The holy country of Neveah – Prelude.

''...''

''...''

''Scarlett.''

''Hm?''

''What is love?''

''The hell are you talking about...??''

Sitting on a bench with the resident stalker, Scarlett, while watching people run around to prepare for the school trip, I casually ask her a question that has been boggling me for a while.

Ever since I discovered that I do not have one but two different fan clubs, I have questioned the emotion called 'love' itself. How did those people come to love me in the first place? I've never talked with any of them before...

This is getting confusing.

''Are you struggling to find love or something?'' Scarlett raises her eyebrow. ''With your face, men and women alike should have flooded to you, though.''

''...I'm not sure.'' I reply.

''Quite a troubling girl you are.''

''Let's change the question like this.'' I look straight into Scarlett's eyes. ''Do you love me?''

''...What kind of question is that?''

''I'll take that as a no. So then, why do you follow me in the first place?''

Scarlett seriously ponders for a moment.

''That... Well... I guess, in a sense, I am in love with your strength?''

''There are plenty of people stronger than me.''

''I know. Just, how do I say this...'' Scarlett frowns lightly. ''I like the way you wield your powers, yes. There's a certain beauty to it, I feel.''

''I see...''

''...''

''...''

''So... What is love again?''

''No idea.''

With that, we fall into total silence. At this moment, I decide to just put it away for now. Love or not, I need to finish this game first.

So, I take a deep breath and straighten myself, focusing my thoughts on relevant matters.

Tomorrow will finally be the day of the trip.

Rightfully, the students' mood is now the highest, as they get to travel to another country entirely. Although there are people who couldn't trust the church after the incident in West Zircon, the majority don't seem to care. While the Astra branch of the church is undoubtedly powerful, it doesn't hold a candle against the main force situated in its home territory; hence, people still largely trust Neveah.

Now, the preparation for this trip is done by both the academy and the church itself. Five buses, each capable of moving forty people, and six SUVs are already prepared. This seemingly overkill number of vehicles is because, in addition to the students and the professors, holy knights and imperial knights will be on board as well, not to mention servants like me. Also, because this is a long trip, nobles of nobles like Chloe or the crown princess have their own SUV for privacy. 

According to the official notice, it will take roughly four days for us to get there, so stopping for food and other needs is essential. In this regard, I heard the academy has planned dozens of places for everyone. It's like a real school trip.

While immersing myself in my thoughts like that, Scarlett suddenly speaks up.

''I think love is...''

...Are we still discussing this...? Still, I'm curious.

''Is?''

''When you feel attracted to something, isn't it?''

''Hm... Is that how it works?''

''Yeah... No, wait. By that logic, am I in love with you because I find your face attractive? Or am I just in love with your face alone...?''

''...This is getting nowhere.''

''Hah...''

Hearing two idiots talk about love is painful, especially since one of them is me.

The night before the trip.

Walking along the snowstorm, I silently admire the moon hanging tall in the sky. Ever since I made Nova my subordinate, this snowstorm hasn't seemed to affect me one bit. It is quite surreal to see the snow surrounding me just... Stops being snow. It feels as though I am being blasted with a bunch of flour.

Nevertheless, after double-checking everything on Chloe's side, I made it back to this main body and once again informed my followers about the plan, and now, I am at North Zircon.

I just teleported here, in fact. As for my purpose, it is to find 049.

Immediately after I permitted him, he went out to hunt alone and has been like that for the past few days. Nova didn't bother to clear up her territory like I did, so there were still stray monsters scattered everywhere.

''...''

Soon, I can see faint blood trails on the snowy ground. Making my way along those, I eventually stumble upon a man in black crouching under a tree, surrounded by corpses of what seem to be mutated lions—used to be. They are quite severely disfigured.

I'm fine with this because I have a strong tolerance toward gore, but if Chloe were to see this... Well.

''049.'' I call.

The man subsequently turns around, medical knives in his blood-drenched hands.

''Oh, isn't this Miss Aurora!'' He says. ''How are you doing today?''

''I'm good. How about you?''

''As you can see, fantastic.''

''Mhm.''

I still can't believe I'm having a normal conversation with one of the SCPs...

''Anyway, I am here to do a quick checkup on you.'' I continue. ''Do you have confidence in executing the tasks I mentioned before?''

''Of course! How could I dismiss such an amazing opportunity to gain so many valuable test subjects?''

''Good.''

And his status screen...

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: 049         

Race: SCP-049                    Title: --

Level: 29

HP: 92/92                    MP: 103/112

STR: 4.0                     INT: 7.8

AGI: 4.2.                   STA: 3.8

Skill: [Death Touch Lv.6], [Cure Lv.5],
[Tool Storage Lv.4], [Language Lv.4],
[Inspect Lv.3], [Status Condition Nullification Lv.2],
[Barrier Lv.2].

State: Normal.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

So far, so good.

With him, we should be able to kill that man.

''Have a good time, 049.'' I smile lightly, pulling up my hood. ''I will be going now.''

''Alright, Miss Aurora.''

Turning away, I decide to walk back tonight leisurely.

Soon, the world will be shaken. After all... One of the most important figures will be assassinated by none other than us.

A sunny morning at the academy.

People, students, professors, knights, and priests alike are rushing in and out of buildings. Everyone is trying to settle down in their designated car. The scene is quite chaotic, even with proper directions.

Meanwhile, Chloe, Nydia, and I are sitting in the Luminous Duchy's private SUV, peacefully enjoying the top-quality snacks that the duchy has prepared.

As soon as Chloe allows us maids to eat the snacks, Nydia goes into full-on aggressive mode.

"Aurora, try this." The raven girl holds out a spoon of the sponge cake in front of my mouth, smiling softly, like one of those childhood friends in the games I saw Chloe play.

Having no reason to refuse, I obediently open my mouth, and the spoon goes in smoothly.

Oh, wait, didn't Nydia eat with this spoon as well...?

When that thought pops up, I feel like the piece of cake in my mouth gets a bit... Sweeter.

Nydia pulls out the spoon and continues eating with that same spoon casually, even humming something while bobbing her head. Seeing this, Chloe is quite obviously baffled.

''Nydia... You are quite brazen, aren't you?'' Chloe smiles chillingly, veins popping on her forehead.

In response to that, Nydia covers her mouth and widens her eyes. ''Oh, did I do something offensive...?''

For a moment, there seem to be sparks between them. Eventually, Chloe clicks her tongue.

''I guess this is fair...'' She mutters.

Then, utilizing her advantage as my best friend, Chloe wraps her arm around my waist and brings a piece of puff cream in front of my mouth.

''Say 'ah~'.''

I immediately munch off half of the puff cream. These are delicious.

Meanwhile, Chloe casually tosses the remaining half into her mouth, chewing with a smug face. Predictably, Nydia gets upset this time.

''Here, Aurora, try this too.''

A macaron... Don't mind if I do.

''Tch. Aurora, you said you like butter cookies, right?''

Absolutely. Don't mind if I do.

Just like that, the two continue to feed me one after the other, blissfully ignorant of the fact that I'm purposefully letting this situation go on so I can focus on reading the novel I'm into right now.

The strategy of only eating half of what is given so they can eat the remaining half is working wonderfully. And... Well, having two beauties feed me is nothing short of amazing, I'll admit.

Is this love?