Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria

Alright, so I’ve become able to select a skill again.
Out the skills I was originally able to acquire two remain.

・Double Cast
・Latent Ability

U～～n.
Which is the correct selection this time?
Though latent ability is a mystery, somehow or other I’ve become able to make something like a conjecture.
Maria-san’s skill 『Prodigy』.
I feel that that should be against the rules but, is it not most likely something within that strain?
But at the moment, selecting double cast which I know will definitely make me strong should be safe.
And caster glove has its limitations.

Skill
・Chant Shortening (Special)
・Double Cast

And a such, I selected double cast.
Un, I feel that the breadth of my fighting form has expanded, with this skill.
My LV has also returned to 1 again so, there’s only concentrating on heading toward the third job change that probably exists then.
I also remember new magic as well so.
From the relationship between age and level, the time to temper yourself is when you’re young so tempering in one go has good efficiency.
This aspect, is strangely real isn’t itー.
On top of that, if you deepen your experience like Till then you’ll become unbeatable and, for that sort of reason then!

「Inquiry finished! Alright～, what to do.」

Laying on the bed in the palace room that I borrowed, I stretched my body.
At morning light having done my cla.s.s up, while relaxing I considered the matter of what to do from here.
Certainly lingering indefinitely would cause too much bother, wouldn’t it be brazen.
As such, today I’ll take it easy for the day, tomorrow I’ll return to the royal capital.
The princ.i.p.ality is, frankly, an extremely good environment to Saira so, it could also be good enough to live here though.

「U～n, it might really also be good to do that then.」

Whatever I say, since it is Kran’s country.
But since that Kran is focused on the royal capital right now soo.
Though that’s possible because, Maria-san is here I suppose.

「……About Kran, that she hid that she had such an oneesan.」

Did she say she was a cousin?
More importantly, according to Ilya isn’t she a famous person so those who don’t know about her are rare though……
……Ma, looking at that prodigious behavior wouldn’t she be?

「Even if I stay here, I’d want to go back to be together with Kran wouldn’t I.」

That’s right isn’t it, for that reason as well, I should return to the royal capital where that child is doing her best right now.

――Some suspicious smell came up so, I wanted to

greet Maria-san and so I visited her office.

「Bandit suppression, that sort of pretext is it.」

Partway through greeting Maria-san, a knight came flying into her office, and reported that it was an emergency.

「Haa, approaching the border there are at least about five thousand troops that have been deployed.」

As Maria-san sat at the desk and listened to the unmoving straight standing knight’s report, she nodded as if she was agitated.

「I understand. Then this side will also deploy eight thousand troops along the national border. Furthermore, you should strengthen the security on the major routes between towns. I will report this to the princess-denka.」
「Acknowledged!」

After going out of his way to salute me as I had moved to the room’s edge, the knight left the office.

「Ano? Is it okay that I also heard that……?」
「Don’t mind it. Alice-dono is an important person to the princ.i.p.ality. Ufufu, since it would be fine to call you the future. There’s no reason to hide it.」
「Is, is that how it is?」

Though I note that the princ.i.p.ality’s future is Kran and not me, what meaning is that……
As Maria-san expressed a gentle smile, she took out a magic stone from her desk.
Compared to the magic stones like the ones sold on the market, it was an extremely high purity item for use in long distance communication.
It took a moment to activate.

「Princess-denka, this is Maria.」
『Ee, what would this be?』

It was Kran’s voice!

「Sacrament has initiated a forcing move. Mostly like it won’t become an engagement but, the situation has fluidity.」
『Then, I will entrust the command to you.」
「Understood. You will take care that your highness does not move then? So that the kingdom does not move in like they own what is ours and take it.」
『I understand. As always Maria does nag……』
「Ufufu, because I think of princess-denka, I always act with the heart of an oni.」
『You are definitely enjoying this……』

This is a family like conversation isn’t it.
And, while opening my eyes widely, I met with Maria-san’s eye.

「By the way, Kran?」
『Wha, what is it? Being spoken to like that by Maria, it must not be anything proper.』
「――When will, you be blessed with a royal child?」
『…………That conversation should, still be too early.』
「Certainly it may be that your body has not finished its preparation then? But it’s also troublesome if you take this too lightly.」
『Your a.s.sistance is not needed in this matter.』

……Somehow, this seems like this isn’t a conversation where it’s fine to listen from the side.
I became fidgety.

「There is the issue of the

the princ.i.p.ality’s peace but, since I do desire Kran to become happy. Furthermore I also want to adopt one of your royal children.」
『Maria……excuse me, I am aware that I have taken too much of your time. We really should prepare an opportunity shouldn’t we?』

Kran released a slightly depressed voice.
Maria smiled at this.

「No no, since I am currently, feeling pleased to be of support to princess-denka. But, this is not acceptable is it, Kran?」
『Re, regarding which matter?』
「Ufufu, you’re so far apart so, things may not progress as you expect them to you know?」
『Ha? That is why, what could it be that you are saying?』

There, Maria-san smiled lightly.
Aah, this person is that.
What Ilya is to me, completely.
There’s no difference in their master servant relationship but, how to say this, that……knave.
Even though she’s like extraordinarily talented isn’t she……

「――Nee, Alice-dono?」
「Iya, maa…… hai?」

Having been called out, I somehow replied with a question mark.

『…………You are, there?』
「U, un……It’s been a while, Kran.」

Getting to hear Kran’s voice again, I became slightly nervous.
Alongside the situation of talking by magic stone.

『…………』
「Kran?」
『I see……this is a good opportunity to fill in a moat before it becomes a problem.』

Kran murmured with a small voice.

『Maria』
「Ha, princess-denka.」
『Bring Alice with you and grant her permanent residency. After that I entrust the command to you.』
「Ufufu, that is acknowledged. As expected after setting out on a journey, the growth is enough to fail to recognize a person. You hold your head proudly, Kran.」
『……Please stop treating me like a child, Maria.』
「That was rude of me. Then, I will report regularly on every transition, my cute princess-denka.」
『Seriously……you scheme well, that is.』
「Ufufu, correspondence finished.」

Saying that, Maria-san offered the magic stone over to me.
With that said then……just what were you people trying to do?
Like it was nothing in particular, I took that.
……?
Huh?

「――Kran? Are you, still there?」

I tried talking into the magic stone.

『Alice, please immediately leave the office. Please move to a place where there are no people around. Now, hurry!』
「Ha, hai!」

I frantically gave a bow to Maria-san and, waved my hand with a calm face.
Having quickly returned to my room, for once in a while with Kran, I amused myself with an incoherent conversation.

And so at their seats for dinner, I explained the circ.u.mstances to everyone.

「Though with that being the case, given that I’m now in a situation where it would be good if I didn’t move, is it okay if everyone stays

everyone stays here for a while?」

While traveling, I don’t know what will happen after all.
More importantly the princ.i.p.ality’s capital should be much safer.

「To me, my proper place is at ojousama’s side.」
「For me as well, that’s how it is isn’t it.」
「I also, of course nya.」

And so my original group consented.
Though Till’s yawning, because that person is fine wherever she is, it doesn’t matter does it.

「Rin also, if deshi’s here, I’m here～!」
「Thank you, Rin-chan.」

Hai ha～i, and at Rin-chan raising her hand, I heedlessly grinned.

「Nn, it’s no problem. Rana is at the church after all.」

While Aim silently ate on her own as always, I got her nod.
With that said, this child really eats doesn’t sheーinadvertently.
Are dwarfs, like that?
Though small, just where does it go?

「Eclair?」

I looked at Eclair as she remained alone, looking down while lost in thought.

「Sacrament? ……What, that……what are, they thinking.」

Eclair had, at some point taken on a grim teary expression and murmured.
What was it that happened?

「Alice, who is the commander!?」

With an energy like she was snarling, she asked that.
I was slightly taken aback by that.

「Eh? It’s Maria-san?」
「Not that! The other one’s, Sacrament’s!」
「That much is……」
「……Impossible, Leoneil?」

Seeming irritated, Eclair looked down again.
A moment after I noticed that, without settling down she suddenly stood back up.

「……I’m going to go suppress bandits along the border, for a little while.」

Without waiting for a word or a denial, she set out to leave the dining room.
She’s certainly fl.u.s.tered.

「Please wait, at this sort of time!?」
「If they’re giving some inexplicable accusation, then it’ll be fine if that source is struck to pieces won’t it!」
「In that case, I’ll also go! Tomorrow, can we go together? Because I’m asking, please don’t separate from me, Eclair……」
「A, Alice? You, why are you so……」

Without understanding the circ.u.mstances Eclair, made a confused face.
I suppose that’s obvious.
But, I was anxious and anxious and I couldn’t bear it.
Might not destiny be trying to forcefully pull me and Eclair away from eachother, an event so convenient made me want to feel suspicious.

「……I understand then. Certainly, if it’s the pair of you and Eclair, you’ll annihilate something like bandits in a mere instant for us.」
「Of course that’s so! Therefore, let’s rest leisurely today and restore our energy?」
「I suppose then……」

Nodding, Eclair sat down again at the table.
I was relieved.
But, without solving the fundamental problem, I’ll grow mentally fatigued.
Worry that something 『might』 happen shaves awayhappen shaves away at the nerves, it’s not good.
I think that’s just as Till said.

「――Oi, crimson girl.」
「Eh? Wha, what is it?」

Though Eclair also seemed surprised, probably everyone was surprised.
Since Till fundamentally, doesn’t generally involve herself with anybody.
Though I……often speak with her don’t I?
The part where she didn’t say anything regarding demons, Till’s consideration appears and vanishes doesn’t it.

「Is your shishou well?」
「Su, suddenly what is this? It’s decided that she’s healthy isn’t it.」
「I think I don’t like that, to disregard an undeveloped disciple in that case. For me, if I look away just what sort of idiotic mess would result, doesn’t it thus make you uneasy?」
「You’re unconcernedly, spreading the flames over here!?」

Why with this flow am I the one being insulted!?

「Ice and Snow……」

Eclair tried to say something, then seemed to reconsider and fell into silence.

「Eclair is……」
「Aren’t you misunderstanding something? I really don’t particularly intend to do something like lay blame somewhere. On that matter, if the Demonic Flame is here, it’s clear that she must be infatuated with your talent.」

As expected from Till’s point of view, Eclair’s talent is impressive isn’t it?
That’s certainly Eclair!

「I wouldn’t expect to hear out all of the circ.u.mstances. But, depending on the situation if you don’t have someone to learn under, it would not be an issue for me to become your provisional teacher.」
「!? Ice and Snow?」

As Eclair raised a surprised face, I was also surprised!

「Amazing, Eclair! For that human distrusting Till to say so much that’s!」
「Alice, come to my room after this.」
「……Hai.」

Is this fine?
The mouth is the source of disaster, everyone should take care okay?
Turning to look behind me, I faced a fed up face.
Somehow it seems that it didn’t need to be said to begin with.
Sniffle……

「――Although this is quite the opportunity, I will refrain. Within this world Eclair only has one teacher.」
「I see, regrettable. Then, that is fine like that. From here forward as well, it would be good to heighten yourself alongside this incompetent disciple.」

Like she had finished her business, I think Till yawned or such and she left the room.
While seeing her off, Eclair gripped the necklace that she wore without ever removing from her body.

「Eclair, at such an opportunity……」
「My apologies, Alice……」
「――Even though I thought that finally, I would be able to brag about being an ane-disciple!!」
「Do you want to be sent flying, you!!?」

――After that, I thought I was great to follow my word and show my face in Till’s room.