Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Vol 2 Chapter 69

Princ.i.p.ality Capital Myleus

Wilmington Princ.i.p.ality, Princ.i.p.ality Capital Myleus.
Before we return to the royal capital, in accordance with the promise made with Saira we went to visit Kran’s country’s capital.
It’s not a rushed journey.
At times when wings can be stretched, it’s good to stretch them.

「Till, please teach me. Are elves and demons in a conflict?」

Partway on the route to the princ.i.p.ality’s capital, from the carriage’s coachman’s seat, as Till held the reins and I sat beside her, I hit her with my question.
At my question Till, sent me one look like it was troublesome and then looked back forward.

「Something like that isn’t the case. If that was the case, I would have disposed of that demon girl.」

Though she says that sort of thing, the truth should be that Till wouldn’t do something like that.

「With that being the case, the reason why I and Eclair would oppose eachother, is something personal?」

No matter what I did, I couldn’t get Leymia’s words out of my head.
They’re like a curse.

「Don’t dance to the opponents words too much. Most of the things people worry about don’t happen.」
「That’s certainly true. But, when there’s a possibility, I don’t like becoming agitated when it happens afterwards.」

Putting consideration in as possible for the imaginable possibilities, I want to prepare for the time that might be.
Fighting Eclair…… Something like trying to kill eachother, so that we can avoid such a worst case future.

「Kufu, what an endearing person. You’re reckless with your own affairs, but you become cautious when they involve the people around you.」
「Eh? I, always act with prudence don’t I?」
「……Occasionally, I come to pity that dragon girl.」

Though certainly, I also get the sense that I could be said to always bother Ilya or rather, I keep causing grave concerns for her……

「……Kohon. Then, do you know anything about Leymia?」
「Don’t know I suppose.」
「Black flame…… That’s not the Demonic Flame then?」
「Fumu, then I’d like to hear this but, why are you still alive, Alice?」
「Eh? That’s look, it’s because I was somehow strong.」

Please don’t make me say it, it’s embarra.s.sing.
While I had that sort of mannerism, os.h.i.+shou-sama looked at me with eyes containing cold cutting to their inner depths.

「You, without having completed your second job change, think that you took the Demonic Flame’s back? How auspicious.」

As I thought!

「Maa, I don’t know what has you so worried but, there isn’t much need to fear Demonic Flame.」
「If, Till says so then.」

In short, that Leymia is not Demonic Flame then.
Since she was plenty strong, we can’t neglect our security though.
But taking it from the conversation when she left, there’s an atmosphere like she’ll watch quietly for a while.
In terms of priority ranking the issue is, the mystery of why Eclair would part with me.

――Job change is it.

Checking my level, the status had already become that of magician LV15 (Job Change Available).
This is also the result of combat experience and, Till’s daily special training I suppose.
Thinking that just a bit ago s.h.i.+on-san changed jobs, it’s a surprising evolution speed.

「Alice. You

, have you decided what to do for your job change?」
「No, I still haven’t thought about it.」
「I see, I don’t want to force it but, I feel that if it’s my disciple I’d like it if she aimed for the top.」
「Hai, of course!」

That was for myself, just what I wished for.

「Kufu, then it’d be good to become a wizard.」

I noticed that it felt like, Till’s voice rang out while seeming slightly happy.

「Wizard is it?」

I understand, seems like a specialist.

「Umu, you should perform a job change during your stay at the princ.i.p.ality’s capital.」
「That’s right isn’t it, I’ll do as such.」

At present, to seek 『Strength』 is an indispensable matter.
Without strength……I can’t protect anything.

「Maybe, I should give you a slight parting gift.」

Saying that, while holding the reins with one hand Till, she brought one hand to her lips――――She bit her index finger causing it ooze blood.

「Till! That looks painful! Aa, an injury on Till’s pearl like hand!」
「Eei, irritating! Don’t make a ruckus and treat me like a child!」

Quickly using heal, as I became desperate I was scolded like I was being troublesome.
And so, that finger dripping blood――was directed toward me.

「――You should drink.」
「……Eh?」

This, blood?

「Eh? Your finger, should I put it in my mouth?」
「……Anything’s fine so, shouldn’t you act already.」
「Ha, hai……」

This, Till’s pearly hand, in my mouth?
Softly, I supported the hand that Till directed at me with both my hands.

「Umm…… I, don’t have the habits of a small child so!」
「Noisy! Do you want to be frozen!」

Along with her anger, since magical cold air started drifting out I won’t say any more unnecessary things.

「Then――nn」

Like a small bird’s peck, I lightly licked the blood from Till’s finger.

「Mu……u」

Somehow, a ticklish seeming voice came out of Till, and she turned her face away.
Moving my tongue back and forth, I licked up the dripping blood.

「……It’s fine already! How long are you going to keep licking me!」

My mood turned uncivilized so, I was scolded while sucking blood in a trance.
Till forcefully pulled her hand back, the act was brought to a close.

「……If it’s put simply, this is a blood pact. Alongside the kotodama pact, with this you have officially become my disciple, Alice.」*
「Ha, hai……」

Somehow, my head became faint……

「I will teach everything about myself, it would also be what could be called the proof of the preparation such that you will be made to inherit everything.」
「Ano, I……」

Resetting my expression, I looked straight toward Till.

「――Am not, a lolicon so!」
「Noisy! Listen, idiot disciple!!」

「Pretty～! Amazing isn’t it, des.h.i.+!」
「Really is isn’t it.」

Rin-chan was sitting on my lap in high spirits.
Concluding a journey of a few days, we finally arrived at the princ.i.p.ality’s capital.
The princ.i.p.ality’s capital’s scenery seen from the window within the carriage was a spectacle.
It seems this Myleus is, called the capital of water.
To the extent that it looks like the city was built directly on top of a large lake.
The reflection of the sun’s dazzling light was blinding.
There were waterways set up here and there within the city, the use of small boats and the like in the place of carriages was also common.
Visible from far away a castle was built directly in the center of the lake, almost like the famous monastery in my original world.
A version that hadn’t been modified to be reachable by land.

「Nn? That is?」

Gazing out the window as such, a knight affiliated person riding a white horse leisurely came up parallel to us.
Coming rather close to our window, that face was clearly recognizable.
a woman with an extremely lovable exterior.
Her expression was a gentle smile, her hairstyle……Is that called a loose side tail?
Her hair, collected at one point, flowed forward down her shoulder.
That hair’s color is, somehow reminiscent of Kran, a pink color.
The impression is more faint than Kran, a light pink color.
In any case, in its entirety the impression is exactly that of a kind seeming mature woman.

「Holy knight Marianna Houston. She is Krancesca-sama’s older cousin, ojousama.」
「Hee! Kran’s!?」

As Ilya sat next to me, she gave me tactful advice.
However she’s a beautiful person isn’t she～.

「As usual you’re knowledgeable aren’t you, Ilya.」
「She was famous to begin with after all. As of now Krancesca-sama is well known among the people but, before then it was Marianna-sama who was better known throughout the world.」
「Is that how it is?」
「Hai. As Wilmington’s prodigious knight, knowledge of her has pa.s.sed through every country.」

Fu～n?
I look out the window again.
With a soft expression, Marianna-san waved her hand kindly.
Being invited, I wave back.
Copying my gesture, Rin-chan also strongly waved back.
The holy knight-sama, smiled even more gently.

「Even though she seems like such a nice person, isn’t she terrifyingly strong? She is human isn’t she?」

Given that she’s Kran’s cousin.

「Hai.」

Fu～n?
Human’s strongest cla.s.s perhaps?
Between oneechan or this other which is stronger?

「Fufu, oneesama?」
「Ma, cute imouto isn’t she.」

Ah, bad.
They saw through my hidden meaning.
Of course, within me it’s oneechan!
Though s.h.i.+on-san’s reply didn’t seem like it had any enthusiasm, let’s stop burdening her with strange pressure.
……More importantly.

「……Eclair?」
「Funn」

Ah, thatー.
Sitting in the carriage diagonally above me, Eclair-san wouldn’t meet my eye.
Fa, far isn’t sheー.
Somehow the distance is farー, in various ways.
Certainly she wasn’t treated properly at the travel lodge, by me……

「Master should set that aside, forcefully seeking attention is also of no use. That sort of thing, I’m used to it.」

Aim-san, you’re definitely comparing her to the children from the church aren’t you?

「Saira, are des.h.i.+ and Ekurea, fighting?」

From the top of my lap she asked Saira who was sitting directly in front of her, with her ears fallen as if she was troubled Saira looked over us.

「Eh, eeto…… what could this be nya?」

This isn’t a fight～, Rin-chan.
Sorry for troubling you, Saira.

「? Ekurea, together with Rin, even though you love des.h.i.+, this is strange!」
「Wai, ah, I love Alice!? That shouldn’t be the case! Listen Alice! Because that’s absolutely, wrong you know!!」
「Ha, hai.」

At Rin-chan’s innocent impression, Eclair replied while turning pure red.

I breathed out sadly……

「To the Fairy of Silver Lightning that protected our revered princess-denka, salute!!」

At Marianna-san’s word, knights left and right each arranged systematically into one line faced me and saluted.
It’s a stunning scene.
It seemed that they had grasped our coming to the princ.i.p.ality’s capital ahead of time, upon arrival we continued to the castle as such.
And so now, with the masterless throne left open, on the splendid palace floor covered by red carpet I received a salute from the knights.
……What sort of thing is this.

「Once again, I will introduce myself. I am Marianna Houston. I have been conferred the position of shogun from princess-denka, right now I run this country as her proxy.」
「Sho, shogun-sama……」

Holy knights are incredible……

「――Like that. Ara ara, I may have acted a little too ostentatiously. Before someone who seems so cute, was that not boorish.」

At that moment, the strict air was dispersed, and she showed her gentle face.
It was the atmosphere from when she rode parallel with us on her horse.

「Please feel free to call me Maria, Alice-dono.」
「Ah, ano it would be fine if you also dropped my honorific……」
「Maa maa, you mustn’t mind that.」

Pon, and with her hands put together in front of her breast her bearing softened.

「Alice-dono is, Kran’s precious person after all. That is already, well?」
「We’re, we’re just friends so!」
「Ufufu.」
「Ah, ahaha.」

This person is scary!
Although her smile couldn’t be any gentler, she’s super scary!
She’s definitely Kran’s relative!

「Please feel free to rest in the palace today. We’ve prepared enough rooms for everyone-sama so.」
「Is that okay?」
「Of course.」

With that said, I’ll indulge in those words.
Recently, I’ve stopped showing restraint haven’t Iー.
Is my j.a.panese spirit being taken away?

「Ah, and if it’s okay――」

Asked by Maria-san, I went with Saira to the n.o.ble’s gravesite.
It was at a strict, tranquil cemetery.
Though it’s obvious, entry is forbidden to the general public.
They were lenient with us because of my relations.h.i.+p with Kran.
And so it seemed that at some point, Saira bent her knee, and prayed in front of a magnificent grave.
I watched that patiently from behind.

――You are not in the wrong.

Such would not give her peace of mind, so I didn’t burden her with irresponsible words.
There’s no way except for her to reach the end, within her own heart.
……That anguish, was to the extent that I wanted to take it in her place.
Though that may also be callous and irresponsible.

「Alice-san, I am sorry.」
「Eh……?」

At some point, her prayer ended and Saira stood and looked at me.
Her face was very apologetic and troubled.

「I, have recently been selfish. For Alice-san, to show such a face for me……」
「Such a thing isn’t the case!」

If Saira is selfish, that would mean that no matter who was pointed to they’d be selfish wouldn’t it.
With the culture of the nation called Wilmington, Saira didn’t hide her ears.
Those ears tenderly sprung up.

「This country has…… very kind air. Tranquil and, lively and, powerful.」
「Un……」
「Surely, Marianna-sama is running it well then.」

While speaking, Saira gripped and held the hem of her clothes.

「Surely…… her mother-sama used to, run it, very adeptly, didn’t she?」
「Un……un!」

Saira was, while desperately making a smile――――crying.

「Alice, san…… I, sleeping here, is that wrong?」
「……They definitely, wouldn’t forgive it. Mother-san and, Kran as well.」
「I am, not strong, like Alice-san…… it’s hard, it’s hard, it’s like my heart is being pushed until it breaks!」
「Even so――Kran, didn’t swing her sword down. That feeling, please receive it, Saira.」
「U, UUUuu!」

Coming close, I embrace Saira.

「If it’s hard, please say so without hiding it with a smile. Since although I can’t do anything, I can nestle in close for you.」
「Alice, san.」
「Don’t worry too much, don’t bear with too much. Please let me suffer with you, Saira.」

Saira sobbed within my arms.
Aah, within my embrace, this child with such a small body smiled.
I feel that, everyone is, truly strong.

「……I want us to, always be together nya.」
「Un, of course.」
「……That aspect of yours, is irresponsible nya, Alice-san.」
「Eeh?」

Raising her face within my arms, squinting her swelling pure red eyes, Saira smiled.
……Being able to see her slightly lively form, I feel like surely mother-san is also pleased, Saira.
Looking up to the sky, it’s about where the fast tempered first star begins to s.h.i.+ne brightly.