Chapter 420 - 420: Where we are heading next

Htilorez is preparing something. If I didn't know any better, it honestly look like some sort of science experiments that we performed during our school. With those test tubes in line, she first started by taking a strand of hair from the Fake Rafiah before asking for Elise and the girls to search for any strand of Rafiah's hairs. I wanted to say it's impossible but

"This is her hair" [Elise]

"One question, how do you..." [Ash]

"Not answering" [Elise]

She instantly shut my question down. I guess it will remain a mystery for me. Maybe because they're close that she could identify that strand of hair she take from Rafiah's room. Or maybe that room is only used by Rafiah? Maybe but I do know other will occasionally sleep there with her as well. Maybe it's because her keen sense of smell coming from the yellowish brown fox beastman tribe.

~Glare~

Somehow, I get the feeling I hit the mark. Maybe it's obvious I was thinking about it and she somehow knew I was getting the answer right. Anyway, apart from growing as a splendid older sister, she's getting scarier as well. I guess I can't tease her like I used to. Well, actually I can, and I'm sure it will be more fun to do so now compared to her younger self

"Positive!" [Htilorez]

"No way! You... What did you do to Sis Rafiah!" [Zerolith]

I thought that the test tube will explode or something when the strand of hair from Rafiah and the doppelganger Rafiah mixed together, but rather, it simply vanish into the air. The medium inside the test tube is acidic, but not a strong acid. Even if the acid is on a low spectrum of pH, it will still release some sort of bubble and strange smell when you burn a hair, but this doesn't look like the case

(What more, Zerolith and Rafiah, is he finally able to completely accept Rafiah?) [Ash]

If that's the case, then Claude's advice that one time was accurate. Time surely heal a wounded heart. He's acting unbefitting of a priest, almost like his former rash self as a child coming back to the surface when it comes to her favourite older sister

"Zerolith, I'm sorry, but can I move to the next one" [Htilorez]

"Ri...Right. Sorry about the sudden outburst" [Zerolith]

"Zerolith, we are all worried, but we shouldn't disturb Htilorez doing her work" [Elise]

"I know. I'm sorry" [Zerolith]

Still, I thought that Htilorez can actually detect a doppelganger rather naturally without any of this test. I guess she just wanted to prove to us in a scientific manner? Anyway, she wanted to pluck a strand of hair from Fake Seraph, but

"Ouch!" [Fake Seraph]

(That look really hurt. Even I grimace from it) [Yefefiah]

"That hurt!" [Fake Druser]

"Here you go" [Ash]

"Thank you" [Htilorez]

Gosh, she really looks like a female version of Zerolith from up close. As I handed over the feather that I pluck from fake Seraph and a strand of hair from Fake Druser, she quickly prepare the material.

According to Diana, Ram is the one getting a pluck of feather from the real Seraph, from Alice's parents inn where he is currently staying, and as for the real Druser, it's Bladel the one that help getting the material.

"Positive. So those three are indeed a Doppelganger... but not just your average Doppelganger" [Htilorez]

"And why was that?" [Ash]

"Could it be... I see. I did remember you telling me about the fate of doppelganger. They are rather a paranoia type of people. Should they met someone that they are based on, they will either protect the person or simply kill them as to end any of their suffering" [Aries]

"Ohh. That make sense. Considering that they're "replacing" those three, they aren't worried about what will happen to the real one" [Ash]

Doppelganger will die if the one they're based on die. So they will protect those who they are based on if they wanted to live long. Should they suffer from terminal illness, the Doppelganger wouldn't die no matter what, and as such, will usually search for those who they are based on, and straight away kill them just to end their own suffering. It's a cruel fate if you ask. Considering how they were created in the first place, there's no escaping this fate for them

"Then where is my husband currently is!?" [Demon Queen]

"Goddess. I fail to protect my king! I'm sorry everyone. I'm sorry Mrs Aries for smearing the position you created as the Paladin of Demon Kingdom" [Female paladin]

Those two are stressed out to the max, but

"For starters, calm down. We should investigate when and where they come in contact with these three" [Aries]

"I can just interrogate them now itself" [Alaric]

"I can join in as well... But I won't since I can guess who's the one kidnapping them and how to find them" [Ash]

'Are you serious!" [Demon Queen]

"I am. Sachmis, it's all depends on you now" [Ash]

"Me!? Whatever the reason is, I'm in. As a noble of the Beastman Kingdom, I can't let the Demon Kingdom whom we are so close with plunge into chaos should anything happen to their king" [Sachmis]

She really is the perfect picture of a knightly female noble. I can really see Qis taking some form of mentorship from her just to improve herself

"Where are we heading next?" [Khamishah]

"Good question, for now, let us use the Achalasia model inside The Higher Education to pinpoint them" [Diana]

"Diana, can you take it from here. I'll tell you whom I think responsible and why" [Ash]

"Aren't you following them?" [Charlotte]

"I want to, but I need to take care of Serpie as well" [Ash]

""Then we will stay as well"" [Lara, Nara]

"Thank... And one last thing. Alaric, I got a bad feeling about CALYPSO not being here, can you make them vomit out what they did to her" [Ash]

""WHAT DID YOU SAY!!"" [Filvisar, Titania]

Those two, upon hearing Calypso is involved, release a cold bloodl.u.s.t stare onto the three Doppelganger. Looks like they will be involved in interrogating as well