Mistress Of The Evil Forest-Case 196: Timeline adjustment.

''Phew...''

Efil doesn't have much fighting capability.

At best, it can defend itself against some near-master-level opponent and maybe escape, but against me... that's not going to happen. It's quite fortunate that I won't have to deal with its annoying ability anymore. Historically, this demon has been far more lethal than most. Elusive.

The only reason it hasn't slipped away or retaliated is... well, because of that Aurora.

'This is my last gift for you.'

She'd handily bound such a demon here. That person's power is beyond my comprehension... and I won't get help from her anymore.

Not because of some arbitrary reason, though. She told me herself that her power is already depleted. Calling forth that serpent was the last of her energy reserve, it seems. It goes to show just how costly time travel is... and how overwhelmingly strong she was.

Nonetheless, from this point onward, I am on my own.

''...''

Looking at the puddle of pus and flesh matter trapped under the ice below, I can't help but let out a sigh. In the piercing silence, even such a soft sound is almost loud.

Gradually, however, the people begin to clutch their heads in pain, some collapsing on the spot. Groans fill the hall, and unconscious bodies drop onto the floor one by one.

Good... at least the timeline is adjusting well.

To have Efil infiltrate right within the heart of humanity—that, without an ounce of suspicion—the other side had to use another demon's power—Buezrith. More than mind control, its ability is more akin to altering reality itself, with the penalty being a colossal energy cost.

Like a god playing with their creations, a writer messing with their characters—such is the description for this being in the original game.

In reality, the empress of this nation has long passed away. Some twenty years ago, to be exact. That incident also involved Claire and Neveah, but... well, we'll get to that once the hunt for Buezrith is commenced.

For now, since some sort of incongruity has crawled out of reality's rift, the people are slowly regaining their true memories, and headaches are just a common symptom of it.

Glancing around, I see many familiar faces, but most have fainted.

The more resilient ones are holding on, and they seem to have a lot to ask. Aside from people already associated with Zircon... hmm... how should I explain to them later?

Should I just leave it all to Chloe...?

As if she has read my thoughts, Chloe shoots me an annoyed look, to which I simply shrug. But Scarlet, who's bearing a painful expression, looks quite shaken at the sight, and so is Nydia, her wings trembling. Most dramatically, however... Claire appears almost shell-shocked.

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She fumbles on the spot, repeatedly looks away from me and peeks back, her breaths uneven, her face a pure mess.

''Silaerob...?''

...This is just embarrassing.

I'd love to leave right after finishing Efil so that they can at least form their thoughts and questions properly, but there is a reason I linger in this painful atmosphere.

''Hah... hah...''

The hall's main entrance bursts open, from which a haggard man emerges. Clutching his head as any other, the emperor frantically scans around the space, eventually spotting the rotting corpse in front of me.

His eyes briefly widen, but they soon narrow as he storms past me.

There, Kaiser stands still, tensing his body.

''...Tell me what happened.'' He mutters. ''Which one is the real memory?''

''...''

Seemingly indifferent to the surroundings, the emperor turns to me with a complicated gaze.

''You know the answer.'' I calmly reply. ''Emperor, you take the charge from here.''

''No! Don't mess with me!''

Gritting his teeth, Kaiser almost lunges at me... but of course, it is futile. I quickly grab his hand, overpowering him right on the spot.

''There's no way... no way this is real...!''

''...''

Although I understand it is painful for him, who loves his wife dearly, there's nothing I can do about it. It's not like I can travel back in time and save the empress, right?

My job here will be over once I calm this man down and have him take over Efil's original speech. Only the emperor can address the situation, now with even more complications, adequately. It'll be quite gloomy if all that gets out is the sight of a frenzied banquet and a crumbling leader.

Thankfully, after staring into my eyes for a bit, Kaiser finally snaps out of it and, while biting his lips, quietly ascends the podium.

Before raising his voice, the man glances at me one last time, ''...Thank you, Silaerob.''

''It's Aurora. Aurora Heathcliff.''

''I'll remember your name.''

Of course, you will. I intend to operate freely across this continent from now on, and the more fame I get, the easier my job will be. It's honestly relieving now that my only shackle is gone.

...Wait, why didn't my other self get rid of Efil beforehand? It would have been much better for me.

Knowing her, I have a feeling she'll say something along the lines of 'It's only a few months of undercover. That's nothing.' I can't really fault her on that either.

Ignoring everything else, I swiftly leave the hall.

From now on, I'll just have to wait for the convergence. Aside from Buezrith and a few other high-caliber demons, there aren't many enemies left anyway.

Practicing and cultivating my territory in the meantime seems like a nice idea. I haven't had much time to care for the forest before this, so a change of pace is not too bad.

...And I can also get used to being system-less, too.

''Hah...''

I feel like I have lost a part of myself.

After that prep talk the other day, Aurora abruptly snapped my system off, her reason being 'You'll have to get used to it.' She is an existence outside the system, which means stability issues might arise if I am still assigned the game interface when we merge. That is a risk for the system itself, not us, by the way.

It is somewhat unsettling not to have the functions visualized, but I can control them just fine. It's my... our power, after all. Still, it's a friend I'm willing to lose, considering Aurora's promise to let me summon horror unlimitedly after the convergence.

Besides, I can still view other entities' status panels, thanks to a certain someone granting me full inspection permission. Having an admin by my side is overpowered.

''...What are you guys doing?''

But just as I feel somewhat grateful toward the Aurora-Neveah duo, I run into them doing... something explicit in Chloe's room. The two, without a shred of cloth on their bodies, tussle one another on the bed, their position more than compromising.

More puzzlingly, upon seeing me, neither of them panics.

''Oh, it's you.'' Aurora seductively smiles, reaching out her pale, slender hand. ''Want to join?''

No, are you really me...? Isn't this a different person with my face?

''Wow... that disgusted expression is so refreshing,'' Neveah remarks as she stares at me, her hand still squeezing Aurora's soft flesh.

These shameless hags...

Shaking my head, I gloomily retreat to the Backrooms. For the next few days, I endlessly swing my sword, trying to erase that scene from my memory.

''Hm?'' freewebnøvel.coɱ

Until I feel a familiar presence setting foot into Zircon.