Mistress Of The Evil Forest

June 15th, 1835.

Cafeteria, Astra Academy.

''...Hey, doesn't it feel a bit odd?''

''What is?''

''Just... everything.''

In a breezy corner of the cafeteria building, a group of girls ponders. It is still prime summer, meaning the weather is quite hot, and the academy grounds are absent of many students.

Yet, that is perhaps only true to the schoolers' mindset. Only the enthusiastic folks remain and take advantage of the excellent facilities here to improve, while the rest will succumb to the days off's allure.

''Hmm...''

The words 'day off' don't exist in Claire's dictionary. She had always been a hard worker, and now that she even has a goal to achieve—catching up with her role model—nothing can get in her way of training.

Thanks to this display of spirit, a circle of sorts has formed around her at some point.

Scarlett Heisenberg and Amelia Luminous—the only two who can match Claire's own training pace.

Luxia Neveah and the newcomer, Kanna, the Miko—the reluctant ones that don't want to be left behind.

Of course, a certain raven princess would normally be present, but for the moment, these five often hang out and practice together. No one really knows when this friendship started, but they would very much intend to spend time like this in the foreseeable future.

If nothing happens, that is.

''I mean, her instincts are quite accurate sometimes, right? Maybe something is about to happen.''

At Scarlett's nonchalant words, the remaining members find themselves in agreement. In fact, some of them even realize it without the heroine's premonition.

One such person—Amelia—chuckles and takes a jab at her opponent, ''Why bother with that? Don't we have the revered Miko, who possesses the divine eye here?''

''Such divination should only be performed at critical times, not anywhen and anywhere.'' Kanna snaps back.

Although both of them know well enough that it is pointless, they still like to bicker from time to time. Otherwise, there is no way else to mitigate the immense uncanny valley sensation arising when looking at their own faces. At least now they make different expressions.

''Ahahah... well.''

Seeing what she has seen, Claire can only smile wryly at the interaction. Sometimes, she also feels crushed by stress. Her fate as humanity's savior, her destination as the world's heroine... it is perhaps too heavy.

Thankfully, that pressure is already relieved significantly with the presence of Skylar, her guardian, and Silaerob. She likes to think of it that way.

''Ah, how is Aurora doing these days?''

For some reason, thinking about Silaerob reminds Claire of the owl maid, so she uses that to change the topic right away. It is also true that Amelia's maid hasn't been as active for a while.

Scarlett also chimes in, seemingly interested.

''Uh... why are we suddenly talking about her now?'' Amelia raises her brows. ''She's my maid.''

''That's why we're asking you.'' The lady of Heisenberg shrugs. ''She's also our friend, yeah?''

''...Fine. Aurora... is taking some time off for now.''

Both Luxia and Kanna are briefed on this, but in anticipation of the next events, the maid Aurora will be freed of her duty so she can move around more easily.

Explaining it to the other two might take some time, but Amelia has already prepared the answers.

'You owe me this one, Aurora.'

Meanwhile, in another corner of Astra.

''...''

Silently observing the passersby from a dark alleyway, the very same maid Aurora makes an unknown expression. Indeed, it is possible to describe it with words, yet the result might not be so satisfactory.

Nonetheless, the amount of redness around the city has risen just over the last few days. Red, not from blood, but from the jewelry people wear. Red earrings, red bracelets, red brooches.

''Did you confirm their origin?'' The maid softly asks, her gaze idling.

''For the third time, I did.''

On the opposite side of the narrow pathway, another figure lurks. She leans lightly against the old, mossy wall, not minding her brown hair dirty. In the first place, it isn't her real hair color anyway.

Hearing no further response, the woman turns back to the maid.

''Are you that worried?'' She tilts her head. ''Don't you believe in yourself?''

''...I just wanted to make sure.''  The maid sighs.

''Well, I guess you did bet everything on this. Still, from what I've seen, everything is going as we planned.''

Yes, it should be that way.

This time, surely.

''...It's strangely calm.''

Inside the Backrooms, a small circle of people and anomalous creatures is gathered. It is supposed to be a meeting of sorts, so at the owner of Zircon's words, some express their opinions,

''The potion is definitely working. I've observed it myself.'' The prideful Sikare defends her alchemy.

''No, I'm not saying that it doesn't.''

Of course, Sikare only intends to glaze her product, nothing more, nothing less. Besides, perhaps everybody present can guess as to why Astra has been so calm lately.

''It's the red gemstones.'' Skely sighs. ''Likely, those are the things absorbing the 'fear' emotion from people. The distributors even advertised them as having a 'calming effect.' Not so sneaky, if you ask me.''

''How cunning,'' Kyomu remarks. ''Be it the cult or the demons themselves, they indeed have prepared an impressive counterplay against our plan.''

The more this topic continues, the more Aurora's face sours. This involves the potential deaths of people she cherishes, so it is perhaps sensible. Of course, it isn't as though she has no backup options. Worse, she can reactivate the sleeping colossal inside the Backrooms, one she stole from the cult itself, and give people a big scare again.

She'd considered using it as a health and mana battery before, but it didn't seem too efficient.

''...For now, let's try something immediate.'' Aurora sighs. ''Sikare, do the dolls we have released have any sort of combat capabilities?''

Facing the question, the Witch of Calamity shrugs, ''They're slightly stronger and faster than most people, but that's about it.'' 

''Good enough. Have them steal all the gemstones available. We can't let it invade the capital further.''

With that, another movement has started, adding to the list of many overlapping trajectories. The days go by as usual, unfolding carefully—too carefully as if frightened by an impending threat.

And that 'impending threat' soon begins to show itself.

June 23rd, 1835.

On a seemingly ordinary night, people start to notice something strange about the sky.

''Hic...! Am I seeing things...? That one looks so biiig~!''

''Man, you're wasted. Stop drinking and—huh?''

One by one, the citizens of Astra flock out onto the streets, some on their balconies, and even their rooftops. The scene turns rowdy quickly, with frantic murmurs brewing across.

Soon enough, authorities are alerted, yet even they can do little to help. Even they can only stare helplessly at the enlarging moon hanging crookedly in the sky.

...But the moon being large doesn't warrant such panic.

The moon is morphing.

At the top of it, a small yet vividly visible cut settles itself, revealing but a glimpse of the crimson guts underneath.

''...Report it straight to the emperor.''

''Ah...''

''Quickly!''

''Y-Yes, deputy chief!''