Mistress Of The Evil Forest
Case 211: Villain.

''W-What?''

Perhaps because he didn't expect me to confront him, the student's steps tremble as he backs away. Makes me wonder what his thought process is. Either I have a coward's reputation in this timeline, or he just doesn't know how to deal with stronger enemies.

''You should have called reinforcements.'' I sigh, keeping the tension fresh. ''Now then.''

''H-Hic...!''

I point my sword straight at the guy, making sure the icy mana shrouds everything in the immediate vicinity. I'd knock him out on the spot and leave, but that will only happen if I am in the original timeline.

Grasping the initiative in this imaginary fight is crucial, and there's no use in being timid. If these people consider me a villain anyway, then I'd better act like one and get what I want. That decision vaguely formed in my head after Claire told me how the world had been twisted earlier, and now, it's practically concrete.

The student soon crumbles under the pressure. Dropping his weapon, his legs lose their strength, color drains from his face. 

So, my business here is almost done. Still, I have to act a bit like those villains, right? I've never been one, but... doesn't hurt to try.

''Human. You'd surely run to those weaklings after this.'' I whispered, my lips curling into—hopefully—an evil smile. ''Tell them this... 'Prepare yourselves.'''

Taking Claire's hand, I promptly teleport back to the base.

''W-What was that, Aurora?'' The heroine reacts almost instantly. ''You scared me for a moment...''

''Acting.'' I reply.

As we start to move across the endless hallways, folding space churns before us, I take some time explaining things to her. Claire, nodding like a baby chicken at my words, soon agrees with my approach as well.

''I see... ah, but they saw us together earlier! I'm going to be in trouble tomorrow...''

''...You know you don't need to go to school, right?''

''Huh?''

Perhaps because of her unshakable integrity, Claire doesn't know the words 'skipping school.' Realistically, she doesn't even need to participate in the curriculum with someone like Skylar nearby, but at the same time, I can somewhat understand the feeling of being shackled to study matters and whatnot.

''I-I guess you're right. Then, can I accompany you from now on...?''

''...?''

''You'd take me wherever you go, and I'll help you to the best of my ability! How's that sound?''

...And she's quite naive-looking. Like a deer.

When I used to look at illustrations of girls cheerfully tilting their heads, fists lightly clenched, and put in front of their chests, I felt they were nothing more than fantasy.

'It'll look really weird in real life...'

Something like that.

But it turns out that a girl like Claire can make it work—convincingly, even.

''...''

''Aurora?''

''Okay.''

Nonetheless, the reason I'm back here is not just to avoid confronting people but to check on everyone as well. I can't say I didn't have doubts, but Buezrith truly appeared and exercised its power at the designated time. I'm unsure if it's arrogance or simply ignorance. 

Still, the demon's power seemingly affected the whole continent.

And while I'm confident in the Backrooms' absolute defensive capabilities, it doesn't hurt to make sure everyone in here is safe.

Similar to where the grandmasters are staying, I also made a living quarter for the girls. Thankfully enough, this area isn't a mess when I arrive. So, one by one, I knock on each person's door.

Spending a few minutes with each girl to talk, I soon realize something's amiss.

''Uh... what did I do at that time...''

''...''

''...Did I really forget?''

Chloe, who's usually sharp and meticulous, now seems somewhat... lethargic? Not quite. She herself is aware of something, and it is the fact that her brain doesn't work as well as it did before.

''Buezrith's influence also reaches this place, I see.'' She narrows her eyes, almost painfully so. ''Be careful, Aurora. You should check on everyone else.''

''Understood.''

Of course, Like Chloe, the other girls all have something weird going on with them. Some are missing memories, some have false ones, and some unconsciously act differently than usual.

But only mild.

There hasn't been a serious case just yet... maybe the demon's power was mostly intercepted when it swept through here?

''T-That was strange... I wonder if I'm normal or not now...'' Claire mutters. ''R-Right, Aurora, what about...''

''I know.''

The grandmasters.

They're the biggest variables to this operation. Although I'd successfully thrown them into the Backrooms, if they ever get hypnotized, I'm sure they can all work together and cause magnificent problems for me.

And because they're powerful, I decide to observe them from afar instead of making direct contact.

One's sleeping... oh, two, actually. The other two are training together. So far... nothing seems particularly wrong? Maybe their minds are stronger.

''Phew...''

Everything is still in an acceptable range. I should probably get to work now—to uncover the demon's scheme and return the world to what it is.

In a corner of the Backrooms, I sit with Claire and the undead siblings. We're discussing the possible ways this 'dream' can end in our favor.

''I mean, it has to have some sort of loopholes, right?'' Ariel ponders. ''If it works well without any drawbacks, that's just divine power, and only gods can wield it.''

''What if that demon is a god?'' Skely interjects.

''That's absurd...''

Claire seems to be somewhat shy before the two, hugging her knees and staring ahead blankly, ''What do you think?'' I nudge her. The heroine pouts her mouth, then lets out some sort of noise incomprehensible to me.

''Muh... I was just thinking. Like, why would it want to banish me from the Duchy when it can just erase the Duchy altogether?''

At the comment, Skely can't help but jump in, ''The Apollo house is a prominent one. Maybe it doesn't have that much power, or... there's some restrictions we don't know about.''

Restrictions...

Let's think about it like this—what has changed after Buezrith executed the orders that altered Claire's life? The people have different attitudes now. Different memories, feelings among other things...

But what hasn't changed is... the people—their existence, to be exact.

''...Right.''

There are no missing people, even though the demon would benefit tremendously by erasing certain individuals. Similarly, it can control much more by putting in an 'extra' who wields social and financial power.

There are no cases like that—not that I really know, still.

Either way, it doesn't change the fact that Buezrith likely isn't capable of removing or adding people. Or objects, for that matter.

Adding... characters, changing—to a play. 

I think I'm starting to get the hang of it.