Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 129: Amelia Luminous.

At the statement coming from 'Chloe,' both of us are utterly stunned for a while.

In the meantime, 'Chloe' can still be seen with an annoyingly smug face. It is as if she is bragging with her eyes. At some point along the way, something suddenly clicks within me.

Chloe being in the body of Amelia Luminous.

Rumors about the Miko being 'aggressive.'

''...Are you Amelia Luminous?'' I blurt out.

''Who else? Now, would you kindly give back my body, little bastards? Just so you know, I have a way to prove that I am indeed the real Amelia Luminous.''

''Why didn't you do that for the past six or seven months, then?'' Chloe asks.

''I didn't feel like it. Yugen was pretty fun, you know? Rather, who the hell are you guys? Some kind of cultists? Whatever it is, if you know your place, you will kneel before this noble lady right now.''

'''' ... '''' 

As Chloe and I stare at each other, a silent agreement is promptly settled.

''What are you waiting for? This noble lady's legs are going to—''

Before Amelia can finish her sentence, I grab her face and teleport both of us to the entrance of the Backrooms in Skely's cave. Open the door, push her in, and then teleport back to Chloe.

''I'll leave it to you and Peln.''

''Alright. I'll make sure nothing happens.''

In short, Peln will morph into Amelia, or rather, the original Chloe, and attend the class. In this case, Chloe will brief Peln on how Miko usually acts. Meanwhile, I will be taking care of Amelia inside the Backrooms.

After returning to my main body, I put on my mask and exit my room. Immediately upon arriving near the entrance, a rather comical scene greets me.

''Eek! Skeleton?! Release me! I-I'll exorcise you!''

''Oh, Aurora. You're here.''

Flailing in the air is a half-crying, half-angry Amelia, who is apparently caught by Skely. When Ariel, who happens to be nearby with her brother, inquires about this... thing, I reluctantly gloss over it for the moment.

"Thanks for capturing her. I'll take a bit to take care of her, so gather everyone else in the meantime."

So, I bring Amelia to a private room and tie her up with some ice chains.

''W-Who are you?! Why are you doing th—mhmp!''

For my ears' protection, I also gag her up. It doesn't make me feel bad since she looks exactly the same as Chloe, not that I'm implying something here. 

First of all, a general checkup.

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Name: Uwara Kanna         

Race: Human                    Title: Miko

Level: 42

HP: 99/99                    MP: 130/130

STR: 4.7                     INT: 6.5

AGI: 4.9                   STA: 4.8

Skill: [Divine Sight Lv.9], [Area Heal Lv.8], 
[Inspect Lv.7], [Purification Lv.6],
[Barrier Lv.6], [Language Lv.3],
[Status Condition Nullification Lv.3].

State: Normal.

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Okay, so she isn't really 'Chloe,' but her body is undoubtedly that of Chloe. As far as I know, my good friend didn't appear in the game. If she had, she would have bragged about it.

What is going on?

No, either way, it is fortunate that we have found the root of the deviation. It's Amelia herself.

Now, is this good or bad?

I can't decide just yet, but the fact that Amelia can prove to everyone that she is the real deal and the current Amelia is a fake makes her a highly dangerous individual to be left alone.

The decision comes in a flash.

I'll have to seal her mouth.

''You.''

''...!''

So, unleashing my [Domination], I take a step closer to Amelia, who is kneeling on the ground. Her violet eyes shake violently, and before I know it, she has somehow hurt her wrists by trying to yank her body back.

It's... uncomfortable when she is in Chloe's body, but regardless of that, isn't her mind too fragile?

She even has [Status Condition Nullification].

''Hah... either way, accept this if you don't want to end up dead.''

[Follower request sent]

After tumbling around a bit, Amelia brings her bloody, shaky hand that I have just released into the air.

[Kanna has become your follower]

I'm quite relieved that it doesn't drag out for too long. I hate to see 'Chloe' get hurt.

Nevertheless, now that I have her under my control, I cast a simple [Heal] on her and remove her bindings. As soon as her mouth is free, Amelia speaks up with a terrified expression.

''Y-You... you contain such a horrifying thing...!''

''Contain?''

I heard she can see through many things that normal people cannot. Is she referring to something inside my body?

Shaking off those thoughts, I immediately order Amelia not to speak about anything related to her real identity or Chloe's current situation.

Next, I begin the lengthy process of explaining our goals and origins. Since she has become our ally and since we need her help anyway, this is only appropriate.

''Hah? What kind of nonsense are you spewing? Another world? Game? Are you perhaps... one of those people?''

''...''

However, when she replies with such a genuinely baffled face, I can't help but feel the urge to pinch her nose real hard.

''Ack?!''

So, I do just that.

Patience, Aurora, patience.

''So... the Miko is actually the missing Amelia Luminous of the empire?''

''Believe it or not.''

''...''

For some reason, I sense Kyomu's mood plummeting. It makes sense since the Miko, a supposed treasure of the country, had turned out to be another person entirely.

And, she looks like a chihuahua.

I am not going to lie, but the latter might be more disappointing than the former.

''Still, is this really what Chloe originally looked like? She's so cute!''

Receiving Ariel's honest compliment, Amelia actually has the gall to be shy.

''Heheh... there was someone with proper eyes, after all.''

No, she is not complimenting you... okay, is this how the real Amelia is supposed to be? No wonder she gets herself involved with the cult. In any case, now that her body is clearly here, I suppose Chloe will want to reclaim it one way or another.

''How about it, 049? Would you want to start a study on souls?''

''It is an interesting topic to explore indeed. Such a concept was rarely relevant when I was active. Perhaps... I could advance my medical knowledge even further with it.''

''So you'll do it. Alright.''

I suppose we can have him experimenting with Peln first. I believe he won't mess her up if I carefully put restrictions... maybe.

''Either way, Amelia.''

''H-Huh?''

''It will soon be the end of the first period, so I will have you back at the academy. Remember my orders, and if you dare to do anything suspicious...''

''Okay, okay! I know! I'll play along, alright?!''

''Also, help me with some other things. There is this one girl in class C, her name is Claire—''

And so, the unexpected appearance of the Miko has been resolved... I think.

I'm just glad I can see Chloe's face again. It's... nostalgic.