Case 156: Freak.

Case 156: Freak.

''Hm...''

''Hm...''

''Say... where do you think we should focus on?''

''Where? You mean the place you'll terrorize next?''

That's a strong word, but if I put myself in the shoes of the ones being spooked, I think it might be suitable.

It has been a bit since have had the discussion in Bianca's office. Right now, I am wandering in the woods with Sikare and Blob. As usual, Mister Slen and the doc have things they want to do on their own, and the remaining members are busy training after leveling up the other day. They seem enthusiastic, so I didn't want to interrupt them, but it's not like I have a reason to have them with me on a walk anyway.

Sikare, however, desperately needs some fresh air after locking herself in her bedroom for the last few days. God knows what she did with all the ingredients from the hydra, but when I took a look at her miserable self, I thought she was finally out of it for a moment.

''Nyuh...''

Even right now, she's leaning onto me, eyes drooping like she's going to fall asleep at any opportunity.

We're both riding Blob, who's actually quite big of a deer if you look at it. Well, it's not a deer, and I don't know how a deer usually moves, but Blob's rhythm is rather relaxing, almost like it is being considerate of us.

''Are you sleepy?''

''Hik...?! Uh... no, not really...?''

I feel like babysitting a drunk Chloe but less clingy.

Letting out a sigh, I decide to stroke the witch's hair just like how I do to Smiley, and soon enough, she falls asleep completely. Now then, I should probably finalize my plan in the meanwhile.

I've been trying to decide whether the palace or the academy is a good place to start the scaring, but it seems targeting the latter is better. The academy has much more diversity when it comes to the types of people attending or working there.

It spreads better, I suppose. Furthermore, students are great targets—adventurous and naive—just the right ones.

Let's get it going tomorrow.



''A banquet?''

''Yeah, another one, it seems.''

''Would you like me to contact the Duchy for the preparations? We should fit you a new dress.''

''No need. I'll just wear what I have.''

The speech is so passionate that the image of her throwing a tantrum after being caught by Silaerob is nowhere to be seen anymore.

Eventually, Kanna wraps up her talk and introduces the host of this banquet—

''Please welcome Her Majesty, the empress, Christine Alaina Astra, and her family!''

As the trumpets roll out and the drums beat, from behind the entrance, a lone woman entered the hall, her heels dully hitting the red carpet with each step.

Christine Alaina Astra—the one and only empress of the Astra Empire. With long, flowing silver hair and ocean-blue eyes, she is, as many would refer to, the embodiment of grace and nobility. When standing before her, no matter who it is, they are bound to experience some sort of awe—awe at the sheer elegance of another human being.

'''' ... ''''

No one dares to utter a sound during the arrival of an empress. Especially now that the emperor is resting, she becomes the noblest of all.

Except for a few, every soul in the room is required to bow—to be contented with only seeing the person's legs. Expectedly, her children should be trailing behind...

''...Huh?''

''Keep it down...!''

''No, but why is that following her??''

Murmurs begin to fill the hall. Instead of a pair, or perhaps several pairs of human legs following the empress's, what steps on the same red carpet of the noblest woman are two squishy, stuffed stumps.

Gradually, as the people lift their gazes, the complete figure of the unknown person becomes apparent.

David, the festival's mascot.

Still with that worn-out rake, with that perpetual smile, and the forever ordinary attire of a farmer. It is a strange occurrence, but indeed, this stunt might be Her Majesty's idea.

That is what the majority of the people choose to think.

However, before they can breathe out in relief, a series of sudden, muddy crunches, like that of bones being crushed inside flesh, resonates.

And to their absolute horror, a terrible something then spurts out of David's back—a pitch-black, melting mucus, one that coils around in the air as though a snake before—

snap—!

—it abruptly chomps off David's head.

It isn't until the mascot's rake falls to the ground that the first scream is heard.