Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 182: Birth of an urban legend.

''And then... the monster took his skin and became the person himself!''

''Really?''

''Yes! It's so scary...!''

These days, I've been enjoying myself a bit.

Hearing the murmurs and whispers of the increasingly uneasy folks, I can't help but feel proud of what Zircon is capable of. Once again, the infiltration is going smoothly, and we're penetrating the capital itself.

Well, I suppose this continent is already in an unstable state, but it's still the empire.

That might sound like I'm doing something bad, which obviously isn't true. Nonetheless, if they knew that we were releasing a swarm of golems into the capital to scare everyone, my reputation would be in ruins.

''What? Don't you find the Skin Rippers scary?''

While I'm deep in thought, the curious heroine pokes at me, seeming almost disappointed. Did she expect me to be frightened?

In any case, they seem to call the monsters 'Skin Rippers,' which is self-explanatory enough. 

''Just imagine a friendly neighbor coming up to your door, asking to stay in for the night because their own was in the process of renovating... then you notice their smiles were stiff and mechanical! You notice they stared at the pets creepily, and strange, fleshy noises could be heard from their room at night...!''

''Mhm.''

''It's a new urban legend!''

Yes, I know it is a good concept, Claire. I'm the one who came up with it, after all. If I hadn't been the mastermind, it would have been a really interesting time. Why, it's fresh, no?

In any case, I need to stay calm and prepare for the demons' next descent. They haven't been around lately, and neither has the cult.

But... why does Claire look so enthusiastic? For a moment, I can almost read the words 'Explore with me!' on her face. Don't tell me... she's intrigued because she read some novels that have similar concepts?

''...Do you want to explore the city?''

''Of course!''

''...''

A walk or two wouldn't hurt, I suppose.

Since Claire is so eager, I figure we will start right away as it is still early afternoon, yet someone stops us right outside of the academy's gate.

''M-May I accompany you...?!''

Nervously lifting her glasses, Becky shoots a glance at me, looking restless as if she wants to tell me something. Of course, Claire doesn't know who she is, and technically, the maid Aurora doesn't, either.

Now, I'm quite confident the undercover grandmaster has noticed my disguise, but she, too, is a sensible person. She wouldn't approach me this hastily if there's nothing going on.

Should I tell her to meet my main body and let Peln handle this side?

No, but my instinct is telling me otherwise.

''Sure.''

So, I ultimately end up with Becky and Claire on either side. Thankfully, she already has a story prepared, so I don't need to come up with anything this time around.

''Heh... so you're also a myth enthusiast?''

''Also?''

''A-Ah! It's nothing!''

Perhaps it is my imagination, but it seems Claire has even more qualifications as a love interest than some of the love interests themselves. In the first place, aren't love interests supposed to be sweet and charming? Why are all of them here crazy...

In any case, as we step into the nearest district, a clear sense of unease permeates the air. It's a bit suffocating here for some reason.

When there's something wrong with the way people act, even if they try to be discreet about it, one is bound to detect it. We are just wired to be perceptive like that.

I also believe that precisely because of this, horror tales of something mimicking humans are always unsettling.

''So, what are we doing down here?'' I ask amidst the eerily somber mood of the street. ''Where did you hear these stories in the first place?''

''Err...''

Of course, my questions are directed at Claire, and it seems she hasn't really prepared the answer this time. Instead, Becky is the one who actively nominates herself.

''Follow me.'' She says, pulling Claire and me along.

We soon arrive at an obscure alleyway. In the dark, we can observe a slice of the district's busy highway, but Becky signals us toward a certain fish store across the street.

More specifically, she points at an elderly woman who is carefully choosing her product along the long stall.

''See that person? I'm investigating her at the moment.'' Becky whispers, even though there's enough noise to drown out our talks anyway.

''What's special about her...?'' Claire puzzledly asks. ''Even if everybody is suspicious nowadays, you can't just—''

''She's an immigrant.''

''Huh?''

Lifting her glasses once again, Becky continues with a serious face, ''I actually work for a government task force regarding the city's security. This data will be announced sooner or later, but almost all the contacts with 'Skin Rippers' happen around the new immigrants.''

''R-Really?!''

I watch in silence as the two solemnly exchange silly words, acting as though they are on-duty detectives. Needless to say, even I am puzzled. Becky has already been notified of this 'invasion' long before this. Dealing with her robots is a pain, after all.

So, seeing her acting like she doesn't know anything confuses me a bit.

''Miss maid, look.''

Fine, fine. No need to tug my dress like that...

''...''

Indeed, I can feel something from that elderly woman, be it quite faintly. She—no, it is a golem made by Sikare, the Witch of Calamity. This type is actually very adaptable for infiltration, but other than that, I can't see anything different...

''Hm?''

...is what I want to say, but a sudden irk snaps my attention back.

That red earring... what is it? No, it's not on the golem, but the shop owner. Wait, now that I look at everything more closely, aren't there a lot of people wearing accessories in the same vein?

So this is the true cause of my irritation since earlier.

Glancing at Becky, whose narrowed eyes are hidden behind the glasses, I finally understand what she's trying to do.

For now, I probably need to collect a sample of that suspicious gemstone and have Sikare or the doc look at it. At this point, even the power I share with Peln's body is quite substantial, so I immediately initiate my mana.

Crawling through the streams of this putrid energy, I extend my mana wide... yet the origin of these things is nowhere to be found. They can't be fully distributed that quickly, so the only possibility left is that they come from outside the city.

That makes sense, considering even Becky hasn't noticed it until now.

Dangerous.

Fortunately, nothing seems to be happening just yet, but it's risky to leave it alone. I need to consult Chloe as quickly as possible.

''You guys keep a tab on her. I have an errand to do.''

So, I turn around and head back to the academy, not before leaving behind a message for Becky. I'll have her input tonight as well.