Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 174: The crown princess and the misunderstanding.

''Tell me more about the God Dragon, Chloe.''

''Hm? Sure. Come here.''

After kicking Sierra out of the room, I decide to use the time to familiarize myself with future enemies. With Efil constantly monitoring us, there aren't many opportunities for me to talk to Chloe freely.

So, I also sit on the edge of the bed, but... Chloe's smiling eyes tell me that I'm missing something. As I tilt my head, she begins to pat the space right beside her,

''...''

Ah, so it's like that.

Considering that Chloe hasn't been able to act comfortably these days, my will to not spoil her disappears entirely. Still, the moment I itch just a bit close to her, she abruptly springs at me, wrapping her entire body around mine like a Koala.

''Ah! Not fair! I want to cuddle, too!''

Before I can even react, another weight, another warmth is felt on my back. A few locks of pink hair fall onto my shoulders, brushing against my cheeks.

''This is so cumbersome...''

Despite my complaint, neither of them moves. At this point, it might be better just to give up.

So, that's what I do, and although she's grumbling at Luxia, Chloe still gives me the information I need.

''I said this before, but the God Dragon Yggdrasil is one of the final bosses in the game. While we, as a regular player, only know that they are immensely strong thanks to [Deception], if you happen to come across certain threads on the game's forum, you can gain access to Yggdrasil's full status screen.''

''How come?''

''Datamining, of course. Nothing gets past the nerdy programmers.''

Almost proudly, Chloe looks up at me. At this kind of distance, I can really feel the vibrancy of her expression... as well as her apparent enthusiasm for me carved in those azure eyes.

It isn't as if I haven't seen that look before. Just... I am used to seeing a pair of violet eyes, not azure ones.

Nonetheless, she continues, ''According to many charts, Yggdrasil is at level 87, and their skills are so extensive and broken that it's almost ridiculous to think about.''

''87...''

That's indeed absurdly high. Not even a single person has reached level 80 yet, let alone a sub-ninety. If so, we would need to plan the fight carefully...

''Wait. Now that I think about it,'' I shot Chloe an uncertain gaze. ''Is it a demon or not?''

''You're fast to notice. Unfortunately... it's not. Yggdrasil is just a really, really old dragon.''

''...So that's why you said it was hard to beat.''

Knowing the original game, there must be some sort of mechanism for the player to utilize so that they can get past this enemy. Upon inquiring, though, Chloe simply shakes her head, smiling awkwardly.

''It'll be fine, I'm sure. Let's just... focus on Efil for now.'' She says.

''But isn't that kind of risky?'' Luxia intervenes. ''Wouldn't it be better to prepare something, at least?''

''What do you know about the game, huh? Be nice and be quiet.''

''Ah! She's treating me like a dog! Help me, boss!''

''I'd rather have a dog here.''

''Grr...''

''Stop touching my wings.''

...They're bickering again. Why do I have to deal with this...

Right when I am about to kick both of these fools out of the room, a few hesitant knocks sound beyond the entrance. Now that I have found an excuse, I quickly shake off the two and open the door.

''You're back?''

''...I am.''

Sierra, with an utterly flabbergasted face, greets me. 'Flabbergasted' might be too strong of a word, but she seems amazed, at least.

''How was it?'' I ask, leaning against the frame.

''...''

''Did you find anything you like?''

''It was...''

''Hm?''

''It was amazing!''

Suddenly, the crown princess lunges toward me, clasping both of my hands. Under the flickering light of the Backrooms' hallway, her eyes sparkle as though the night sky's stars I see in the sky.

Taken aback, I try to take a step in reserve, but her grip is so firm that I probably need to use mana to even move.

''How come there was this wonderful structure that I never knew about?! Tell me, where are we now? Some sort of cave underneath Zircon? Silarob really did put a lot of effort into this...!''

No, it was just the system.

''What are these strange creatures roaming around these hallways? How come they don't have a status screen? Cultivating such an enormous force ought to take a long time!''

No, really. It was just the system.

In any case, this is the first time I've seen Sierra being this expressive. Although the way her mouth is constantly itching on smiling uncontrollably—to the point of trembling—worries me a bit, she doesn't seem put off.

''...''

It's a different kind of madness, I suppose. If I have to worry about Luxia stirring up chaos constantly, then I'll have to sleep with one eye open when it comes to Sierra. She looks like someone who would do unspeakable things to me when I'm asleep.

Still, we need her power right now.

But how do I tell her...

''Ah! Aurora~!''

At that moment, a kind voice calls me from afar. Coming toward us from the end of the hallway is Ariel, the banshee who used to be a saintess.

''Ariel.''

''Greetings, Your Holiness.''

Surprisingly, Sierra shows proper respect toward my friend as she bows politely, which is something I don't see often. Yet, it doesn't look as though Ariel likes that very much.

''Agh... I told you not to call me that!''

''What's the matter, Ariel?''@@novelbin@@

''Oh, I was worried for this fellow since she appeared so innocent. It's a relief that she is all fine!''

Like the kind saintess that she is, Ariel naturally extends her goodwill toward just about anybody. Sometimes, that can be a good thing, I suppose.

''What can happen when I'm here?'' I let out a sigh.

''You're right, actually. No one has the power over this place other than you, after all.''

''Of course.''

''Anyway, I want to ask about this—''

Before Ariel can even finish her sentence, the crown princess once again itches toward me, ''Are you the manager of this place?!''

''...You could say that,'' I reply. ''More importantly, do you want to join us or not? If you want to, I can briefly go over our objectives—''

''I will.''

''You will?''

''Is that such a surprise? I like this place a thousand times more than being in the palace all day with those cunning old men.''

That's a bit unexpected. I thought she might like playing mind games, but I guess not. The more unexpected thing, though, is that she still doesn't seem to know who I am.

I mean, I am concealing my mana, but... well, it doesn't matter either way. Besides... this is a good time to test her compliance.

''Sierra Alaina Astra. I will give you a quest before we officially accept you.'' I say, making myself proper on the spot.

Despite the road ahead seeming complicated, Sierra poses a relaxed smile, ''Come.''

''Enthusiasm is welcome. For this assignment, gather for us several groups of elite soldiers. And before you ask, yes, we do need them for something urgent.''

''...That's a hard one. Sure. I can do it.''

Yeah, you are the crown princess—

''Even if I'm not the crown princess anymore, I will make it just for you to see.''

''...Excuse me? Not the crown princess anymore...?''