Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 167: Home sweet home.

They say nowhere is cozier than home.

I think I'm starting to see that now.

''Hey, you're back! We were so worried!''

As soon as I teleport back into the Backrooms, the energetic banshee immediately rushes over, together with Smiley, nearly knocking me over. Is this how it feels to be hugging a ghost? I sense the texture but no heat.

Either way, her expressions nowadays are all bright. It's great, honestly. Still, I do miss her naively innocent face back when she was still an ordinary banshee a bit.

''Aurora?''

Stroking Smiley's fur, I reply, ''It's nothing. I have good news, by the way.''

''That's great!''

Looking over Ariel's shoulder, I gradually meet eyes with other members of Zircon. Most of them extend a simple greeting, whether by nodding or smiling. A unifying emotion shown is perhaps relief.

It might be because I don't actually leave Zircon much in this body, so they're unfamiliar with my absence.

They were worried about me.

Isn't this how a family is?

I think so. I used to live with Chloe's family, but it was only the last two or three years of my time on Earth that I did so. I lived alone before that. Of course, Chloe's parents practically treated me like their daughter, but there was bound to be some... awkwardness, one might say.

But this 'family'... is somehow more natural than anything. I think I like it.

Since I had hunted for way longer than initially planned, I decided to just sleep like a normal owl, meaning no 'maid Aurora' shenanigans. There wasn't anything noteworthy going on anyway, so I might as well get some rest.

That was my thoughts before the next day's morning came, but...

''Y-You are Aurora, right...?''

One beautiful morning. Birds aren't singing, and flowers aren't really blooming. It's summer. They want the calm shade, too. 

Ah, maybe the sunflowers might beg to differ.

In any case, the sunflower-like heroine suddenly comes up to me and asks something stupid. Am I Aurora? Isn't that obvious? Is there something wrong with her?

''It's nothing like that...! Just... ugh...!''

When I stare at Claire as if telling her just that, she stomps the ground in frustration, turning her head this way and that way, seemingly lost. There might be something I need to know if she's acting like this, so I should at least confront her about it.

''Is there something wrong, Claire?''

''Um... t-this might be rude to ask, but have you ever been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder?''

''...What?''

Identity disorder? What is she on... oh. Have you been acting strange, Peln?

Not at all, master.

No, really. If she's suspecting me of having DID, then the version of me that Peln portrays must have been doing something weird. Are you really sure, Peln?

I am absolutely sure, master. Don't you trust me?

Hm... well, I don't have anything to gain by admitting this anyway, so let's deny it first.

''No. My mental is perfectly normal.''

''Really...? Okay, then, can you recall what drink I ordered yesterday?''

It's a cappuccino.

''A cappuccino?''

''Ah, that's... correct.''

What's this? Peln, did you go to a café with Claire?

Yes, I did, master. She suggested it first, and I saw no reason to refuse.

I mean... okay? I guess. It's a bit of a strange sequence of events, but that's about it. More importantly, the preparations for the raid on Khruse should be finished tonight, meaning we can go tomorrow. It's really the first time we'll be unleashing the full power of my horror team, so I'm excited.

''Ugh... Aurora, let's go to the carnival next!''

''? Okay.''

*****n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

''Ugh...''

It can't be like this—Claire believes.

Although summer nights in Astra are sufficiently cold to sleep in, something has been bogging the heroine's mind so much that she can't let her eyelids be closed.

It is the case of Aurora.

Whether she likes to admit it or not, the maid Aurora occupies a large portion of her daily thoughts alongside training and novels. Just like how an interesting piece of fiction has its mysteries, the owl maid also has hers.

Of course, a novel can be put on hold, but this is real life. Claire can't possibly resist something this intriguing.

Just what is going on with Aurora's random switches? Does she have two personalities? Is she feigning it? If so, why? Since when?

''Mhmm...!''

Punching at her near-tattered pillow, Claire lets out a few squeals. She feels like she is in a thriller story right now, investigating a mysterious maid with a mysterious personality disorder.

Yet, once again, this is reality. She isn't an intelligent detective, and the chances of some happy accidents that would lead her to the correct answer are practically non-existent. If she wants to solve something, she will need to gain as much help as she can.

So, the next day, right after finishing her usual routine, she fervently begins to search for the people around Aurora–nominally, those within Amelia Luminous's group.

''Your Highness!''

''Yes. How may I help you, Miss Claire?''

The first candidate is Nydia Alaina Astra, the one who seemingly understands Aurora the most after Amelia Luminous. Mustering up all of her courage, Claire directly speaks on the matter,

''Have you ever thought that Aurora might have two personalities?'' She asks, preparing to be looked at strangely. ''Like, she changes too suddenly at times.''

Contrary to her expectations, Nydia widens her eyes in shock, and her mouth hangs open for a bit. Then, she replies, ''...I actually have the same thinking.''

''I knew it! So it's not just me!''

Immediately, the two change from casual friends to comrades who share the same concerns. They soon pick a place and sit down for an extensive talk.

''I see... so she has been acting out of place lately.'' Nydia ponders. ''I always felt it, too, actually.''

''When did she become like this, though? Do you perhaps know...?''

''A bit after I met her, I think? Definitely somewhere last year.''

''That early?! How did I never notice...''

It is confusing in many ways. On the one hand, 'Aurora' has only recently acted strange enough for someone without a sixth sense like Claire to notice, but Nydia's testimonies say that things were already like this half a year ago.

''Maybe her illness has only gotten worse now? I—'' Claire jokingly muses... but instantly shuts up and apologizes the moment she sees the absolute coldness in the imperial princess's eyes.

For a bit, an uncomfortable silence flows between the two. Eventually, Nydia lets out a sigh, 

''Hah... well. I have spent long, long times with Aurora. If there's something consistent, it'll be that she will most definitely 'change' when night falls.''

''Then...?''

''We should find her at night... and find out. This time, for sure...''

After this conversation with Claire, Nydia realizes that she is still very much a coward. No matter how much prep talks and encouraging pushes others give her, she still loses to this girl, who acts within just a few moments of learning Aurora's troubles.

''Tch...''

Clutching her wings, the raven princess steels her resolve once more, and she will do it again—until it is ready.