Mistress Of The Evil Forest

L-N 3: That person’s identity.

[A-Ah. Dear citizens of Astra! Are you having fun tonight?!]

'''' OOOHH!! ''''

As soon as the MC speaks up, the tightly packed stadium explodes into a loud cheer. Immersed in the festival atmosphere, everybody seems to be having the time of their lives.

[Then, without making everybody wait for long, we will now begin the Miss Astra contest!]

Another cheer erupts, drowning out even their noisy inner thoughts that keep gnawing at my brain. Before long, a sigh escapes my mouth. I do not have the energy or excitement to shout. It's a gloomy day for Luxia Neveah today.

And to think that I can still make jokes. Laughable. 

''...''

''Whoa... So many people...''

Right then, Claire turns around to see the sea of people behind us. Fortunately, we are getting the very front seats, thanks to Ame. I wouldn't want to sit in the middle.

''Did you hear? Even Fier's princess is here to compete!''

''Really? Didn't she quit after last year's loss?''

''No, no, she was clearly so bitter about it!''

''Who do you think will win this year?''

''It might be the Beatrice. She looks really good this time around.''

''Hm...''

As I begin to feel the gossipy vibe around the area, someone sits down beside me with an audible 'thud!'

''Hmph, of course, Aurora will win.'' The blonde beauty says confidently, having her maid nodding along for extra credibility. ''Don't you think so, saintess?''

''Hmm... Maybe?'' I reply lightly.

''It's definitely, not 'maybe.'''

''Yes, yes.''

Soon, the contest finally begins. The MC lightly introduces the competition. Each candidate will talk a bit about themselves and demonstrate a talent. Then, the MC gets right into the first candidate.

[For number one, we have Mili from the sandstorm town of Rik!]

The audience utters many exclamations as a petite girl with dust-colored cat ears and tail shyly walks onto the stage. As soon as she holds the mic up, she begins to stutter.

''A-Ah, um... I-I'm Minyi—ah!''

'''' OOOOOHHH!! ''''

The audience bursts into a rage as Mili beautifully bites her tongue, producing a genuine and captivating clumsy moment. Mili is obviously nearly crying already, yet the love for her seems to have only grown.

Poor soul.

''I-I-I will sing now!''

Skipping the self-introduction, Mili jumps right into singing. Unexpectedly, she sings really well.

''And this is only the first one...'' Nydia contemplates with a serious face.

''No, no, they're doing this to capture the attention first, Nydia.'' Ame intervenes, also with a serious face.

''Right, right, Aurora will definitely win!'' Claire encourages.

These Aurora fangirls...

As the competition goes on, however, it is clear that the participants do not play around. Each person is picturesquely charming, attaining the audience and the judges' points left and right.

For a total of forty candidates, there have been three who got a near-perfect score of forty—ten for each judge. The leading participant is Scarlett Heisenberg, who displays a phenomenal sword dance with her gender-transcending beauty.

She is tied with Sierra Alaina Astra, who also decides to dance, but hers is a traditional dance of the empire. Her demeanor is infinitely serene, and her sparkling silvery white eyes captivate everyone present.

''Who would have thought that Her Highness could be this charming...?!''

''Lady Heisenberg was also incredibly good!''

If I participated, I would also be at the top for sure. Heh...

[And now! For the last candidate!]

At this point, the people in the stadium are more or less expecting a showdown between Scarlett and Sierra, yet they still hold their breath for the last candidate.

[Number forty! Aurora!!]

In an instant, the whole stadium falls into silence as a lone maid leisurely steps onto the stage. Miss Maid calmly darts her eyes around the arena, asserting her presence just by lightly dangling her long white hair and unfolding her silky smooth wings.

Soon, she reaches the center of the stage, basking in the spotlight. Every time she tilts her head just a little, her slight orange eyeliners and her full, vibrant lips gleam gently.

Her charm is well-known within the academy. Even I know of her fanclubs. Miss Maid has a perfect, voluptuous body, a godly face, and a pair of alluring wings. Even without her personality, Miss Maid is already incredible.

Right then, she slowly raises her mic.

''Aurora, 22.'' She begins, her voice calm. ''Currently, I am a maid.''

[U-Um, can you show us one of your talents...?]

''I—''

''PLEASE SHOW US YOUR PANTY!!''

Right when Miss Maid is about to talk again, a wild maniac actually shouts out her degenerate desire, causing the academy's favorite maid's face to crumble.

—————————!!!

As Miss Maid's disgusted face is projected onto the screens, the audience erupts in an unimaginably intense cheer—so intense that I am sure lots of people will have to visit the doctor for ear damage later this night.

In an instant, all four judges give Miss Maid the maximum score, ultimately settling this match once and for all.

At this, the protagonist's face turns even sourer, and the audience's volume explodes even more.

Ah, Miss Maid... I'm happy for you, but please save my ears...

Afterward, Miss Maid comes back from the stage with a huge medal and a small lipstick, wearing a dead face.

''Aurora! You're amazing!'' Ame excitedly hugs her maid. ''Right?! Right?!''

''...''

Gazing at Ame's face as she turns to me, I once again fall into deep contemplation. I can't read her thoughts, no matter what. She, and Aurora.

Amelia Luminous. Aurora. Silaerob.

Three people whose inner thoughts I can't read, and one of them is my father's killer. Even now, I don't know if Silaerob and Aurora, or Amelia are the same person.

Silaerob's domain is West Zicorn, and the area borders the academy. It is trivially easy for someone like Silaerob to infiltrate the territory. It's either of those two. Both of them are probably in the same boat as well...

Hah... What am I doing?

Deep in my mind, an answer has already been established. It's Aurora. Her demeanor matches Silaerob's, her strength has been shown to be abnormally more potent than what her status says, and most of all, I have met Amelia's parents before. They didn't have a secret plan to hide a monster like Silaerob, and Amelia herself couldn't have been doing it alone, either.

So why am I hesitating?

Right. I still don't know what to do. With Aurora, with my father, or with myself.

Knowing what my father has done, knowing what Aurora was trying to achieve, knowing what the objectively right answer is... What should I do?

Right then, a memory suddenly flashes inside my head.

A small Luxia watching her father's speech from afar. His appearance is infinitely virtuous, and each word he says carries a piece of his kind soul in it.

''For I have taken the crown of this country of god—''

He will remain forever righteous.

''For I am Mother Goddess's messenger—''

He will never lose his faith.

''For I have absolute faith in humanity—''

He will never...

''...''

...Father taught me a lot of things while I was growing up. Be kind to others, be strict to yourself, and always take responsibility for the things that you have done.

Let's accept it.

Father has sinned, so badly that his punishment was having his life taken away. That's what I know so far. What I should do now is thoroughly investigate this case, come to a definitive conclusion, form an opinion, and act upon it.

Wake up, Detective Luxia! Isn't it time for an exciting case of attempted genocide?!

''Pfft- Nyahahahahah...!''

''??''

As everyone's attention is on me, I shoot my gaze solely toward Aurora.

Wait for me, Silaerob. I shall decide what to do with you later.

With that, I turn away.