Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 168: The case of a doppelganger.

Doppelgangers are creatures of mimicry in that they exist to imitate others.

But what happens when a doppelganger stops imitating? Would it gain a human-like consciousness? Would it become a person of its own? Or would it cease to exist, for their purposes of living are no longer?

Chloe has been pondering these questions for the past few months.

After almost a year living in Amelia Luminous's body, she has long realized that this world isn't a simple copy of the original game, [Astra Magical Academy]. If anything, the game might have been made according to this world.

Moreover, the game itself isn't exactly an entertaining game. The combat and the RPG elements are standard at best, and the story is overly redundant and random most of the time. The only reason Chloe played the title so much is because of the beautiful illustrations it offers.

Still, despite all of the confusing twists and turns, it remains that most things in this reality are identical to those in the game.

Most.

For one, her and Aurora's presence is definitely an anomaly. It is easy to lose awareness when one becomes the center of a situation, yet Chloe has not at all forgotten it—about Peln, the doppelganger.

In the dark of the night, the blond beauty settles on her bed under a dim light. Her eyes carefully scan each word of the book pages, noting information in her head.

It is a book on monster ecology—demons edition.

Doppelgangers are believed to be closer in origin to demons than to other monsters. History has recorded that these magical dolls possess unparalleled camouflage and mimicry, so hardly anyone can notice them blending in.

Hardly.

Doppelgangers have been discovered to be lifeless, meaning they have no purposes other than serving their master's will. This is true both in [Astra Magical Academy] and in reality.

If so, the fact of the matter is that whatever is serving Chloe's best friend is not at all a doppelganger.

''...''

But what is it? Is it dangerous? What are its goals?

Chloe has spent more time with Peln than Aurora has, yet she still doesn't know the answer to these questions. All she gets from the creature is a terrible, terrible sense of alienation—a primal fear of something far more ominous than she can handle.

And, oddly enough, an ounce of familiarity.

Peln has been able to fool most people—all but her—meaning that it must be extremely knowledgeable about Aurora herself. Perhaps the sole cause of its recent scrutinization is its own actions. It simply stops imitating Aurora—that's all.

A fear is potent enough when something pretends to be someone so perfectly it becomes that person at will, but an even greater fear is when that 'something' appears to be toying with everybody in plain sight.

knock—! knock—!

''...!''

''Excuse me.''

Chloe's shoulder shake for a moment.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

She still can't detect Peln's presence until its voice sounds. Despite being aware of more things than she needs to, only it is omitted. Swallowing a dry gulp, she curtly signals 'Aurora' to enter the room.

With the same look, the same gaze, and the same gait, 'Aurora' slowly removes her cumbersome maid attire and tucks herself into her bed.

''Are you done with the cleaning?'' Chloe quietly asks.

''Yes.''

''I see.''

''...''

''...''

''Good night, my lady.''

''Okay.''

This is what their interactions have been like when they need to act. Before Efil, there were simply no words exchanged between them. Beyond that, only the same chill remains.

After putting the thick book on the nightstand, the blond beauty gradually turns off the light and lays flat on the bed.

Despite spending nights full of anxiety, Chloe still finds having a bed for 'Aurora' in her room essential. She can monitor that existence this way, after all.

''...''

Although she doesn't think she can stop the creature once it goes on berserk anyway.

'If only I'm strong enough...'

Tonight, too, Chloe spends a good while nudging herself to sleep amidst the luring darkness.

—

''Shh... be quiet. I'll try to pick the lock.''

''...Just go in normally, Claire. The door is not locked, and they will know regardless.''

''Right.''

Suddenly, movements are heard behind the door. The two visitors don't bother hiding their traces in the slightest, and before long, one of them confidently knocks on the door.

''Lady Luminous. May we intrude on you?'' An elegant, clear voice rings.

''Nydia...?''

Confused, Chloe pokes her legs out of the quilt, finding the pair of slippers. Yet, before she can properly put them on, the dim lamp light once again returns by the hands... no, the feathers of an owl girl.

Is it ironic that the fake Aurora can move her wings with more dexterity than the real Aurora?

''I'll greet the guests.''

''...Sure.''

Nevertheless, the room soon receives two unexpected guests, both in their pajamas. One seems cautious, while the other is utterly anxious. The four settle at the table, illuminated by the lamp on the nightstand, for the moon has been blocked by the closed curtains.

''What makes you two want to see me this late?'' Chloe puzzledly asks.

The clock ticks toward twelve.

For Chloe, this situation's strangeness, combined with her natural sleepiness, makes for an almost dream-like experience—almost like floating. However, the moment Nydia utters her words, she snaps back to sobriety.

''We're here for Aurora, actually.''

''...What do you mean?''

Tension rises. The heroine, who has lost momentum considerably after seeing 'Aurora' in person, appears timid, but the raven princess seems to have steeled her resolve firmly. Staring straight at it, she speaks,

''I've meant to ask this question for a long, long time, but... who exactly are you?''

''...!''

Ironically, Chloe is the only one with a stunned expression. Her neck creaks like a robot, turning her head toward the white-haired woman.

'''' ... ''''

While Nydia's expression holds an ounce of fright, 'Aurora' remains calm—too calm, even. Even if she is soaked in this stressful silence, her grace proves its integrity.

Grace?

But who is she for the word 'grace' to appear?

The three can almost feel some sort of dread climbing up their backs. Fortunately or unfortunately, 'Aurora' appears to ponder for a minute before... smiling—a gentle, all-knowing smile.

''Who exactly am I, you ask?'' 

Her words are as light as feathers, as soft as silk, yet the majesty behind them seems endless.

...That might be an exaggeration, but the essence stays the same.

''See, I might want to let you two know, but...'' The woman continues, making a 'shush' sign. ''Not now.''

''What are you—''

snap—!

With a snap of her finger, the lusters in both Nydia and Claire's eyes fade away. Almost like two marionettes, they clumsily rise to their feet and exit the room one by one.

And that leaves... a terrified but rightfully agitated Chloe.

''Now then, shall we have a heart-to-heart talk after such a long time, my dear Chloe?''

*****