After a really eventful day, I got really exhausted the next day, so just as the sun was rising the day after that, I was walking down the road to visit Alice again.
Fate-san, who stayed at Duchess Albert's mansion, just said before the date changes, "I'm not giving up! From now on, I'm going to go in there and get close to Kai-chan, and in the end, you will end up supporting me!" before she left.
Seriously, that person isn't even shaken at all... I feel like if she were to redirect half of that enthusiasm to not work of hers towards her work, she would be able to finish her work with ease and have enough time to laze around.
And then, after Fate-san left, I asked Kuro for advice regarding Alice.
Thankfully, Kuro gladly promised to help me out and said she'd visit Alice's shop with me once the calculator matter was resolved and we could discuss it with her then.
So, I'm going to visit again to confirm Alice's plans, even though I just went there the day before yesterday.
Reaching the front of the shop, I slowly opened the door...
[...I can do it, I should be able to do it... Humans are beings that evolve... And this is the day where I learn the "magic to summon food out of nothing"—— Ouch!?]
[...What the heck are you doing...]
Looking at her raising her hands to the sky as if she's about to summon the spirit bomb, I slapped the cat stuffed costume that was muttering something unintelligible.
Why is this person acting so bizarre every time I visit the store!!!?
[No, you see, Kaito-san said not to gamble my previous sales until you come back...]
[Unnn, I did say that.]
[So, I properly haven't "used a single R" since the day before yesterday!]
[...No, go buy yourself some food...]
Apparently, because I told her not to waste her money, Alice has been waiting for me without spending a single coin at all.
And as result, of course, she was struck by hunger again... and was attempting to create food out of nothing.
Why is this person so stupid?
[...Haahhh… For the time being, shall we go get something to eat?]
[Eh? You're going to treat me!?]
[...Yeah.]
[That's great! Kaito-san, you're so dreamy! I'm falling for you!]
[....]
[Arehh? Arerehh? Why is it that you have a murderous look in your eyes...]
How should I say this… Fate-san was quite a no-good person, but Alice is a no-good person in a different vector.
It's not that she doesn't do her job. No, on the contrary, I think she's not just too keen on some things.
The number of clothes in the store has obviously increased compared to the last two times I was here.
I'm sure she knows that I like the clothes that she makes, and most of those clothes are of a chic hue that I prefer, so I feel that she's obviously targeting me.
However, this person has really good taste, so I kinda want to see those garments on display with intricate weave patterns that look different based from the angle of the light.
[Well, for now, let's get something to eat...]
[Ah, in that case, I guess it's a good time, so please come here, Kaito-san!]
[Unnn?]
[Hmmm, upsie daisy.]
When I called out to her to buy her a meal, Alice clapped her hands as if she thought of something good, and took a huge magic tool from her magic box.
That is the largest magic tool I've ever seen, looking like it's about two meters long.
[Arehh? Is this the first time Kaito-san has seen a "Teleportation Magic Tool"?]
[I've seen a small one before, but I've never seen one this big.]
[Fufufu, this is a pretty great one. Not only does It only need half an hour to reuse it, it can also be used to travel long distances.]
[Heehhhh...]
The Teleportation Magic Tool I saw in the store I went to with Kuro before was around the size of a soccer ball, and when Kuro saw it, she said that it was too small.
It seems that the better performing ones are around this size.
While I'm looking at the Teleportation Magic Tool with interest, Alice takes off her costume and before I knew it, she reaches out to me while touching the Teleportation Magic Tool.
[I'm going to touch you for a moment~~ We can't transfer at the same time if we're not in contact with each other.]
[Ahhh, so... In the end, where are we going?]
["Archlesia Empire's capital, Alexandria".]
(T/N: アルクレシア / Arukureshia)
[...Huh?]
[Let's go~~]
[Wait!? Stop!?]
Walking with Alice, the idiot who is holding her head down, while looking at the streets that gives the impression of being bustling, it looks more lively than than the royal capital, or perhaps, even the Symphonia Kingdom.
[...It hurts... Is there really a need to hit me, is there...]
[If you suddenly bring me to another country, of course I will hit you. I mean, what about the issues about borders?]
[Since Teleportation Magic exists, it's not as if there were any borders to begin with.]
[I see.]
Alice took me to visit the Archlesia Empire, which is one of the three major countries of the Human Realm, located north of Symphonia.
Compared to Symphonia Kingdom, which has lots of greeneries, the Archlesia Empire has lots of mines with veins of ores, and it seems that smithing technologies have been developed in this country.
It's true that many of the buildings are larger than those of the Symphonia Kingdom, as we can see that their construction technology is high, but at the same time, I also got the impression that they are somewhat brusque.
[That small-statured person I saw just now, is that a dwarf?]
[Yes, that's right. Just as there are many elves in the Symphonia Kingdom, there are many dwarves here in the Archlesia Empire. Incidentally, the "Hydra Kingdom" to the south has lots of mermaids because they're a country near the sea.]
[Heeehhhh~~ Different countries have different characteristics huh.]
[Yes, the countries are called the Symphonia of Food, Archlesia of Shelter, and Hydra of Clothing, and each of these countries have differences in the cultures they're developing.]
Alice lightly told me about the characteristics of each country as we walk.
I heard that Symphonia is rich in greenery and has a well-developed food culture, Archlesia is rich in mines and has developed blacksmithing and building techniques, and Hydra has a well-developed clothing culture.
As I was listening to her talk about the different countries, I saw a huge building in front of me.
[Ah, we're here!]
[Hey, Alice...]
[What is it?]
[If my eyes weren't seeing things, that building have "Monster Race" written on it...]
[Yeah, that's what it says.]
[...And what is this monster race?]
[It's where various trained monsters compete and where everyone bet money on who will win—– Ouch!?]
[Isn't this a gambling den!!!?]
As our conversation naturally flowed, this person is just about to move on to gambling again!
Or rather, didn't I say we'd go out to eat, so why the heck are you bringing me to a gambling den!?
[I- It's alright... There are various stalls in there.]
[...No, that's not the point. You've already wasted so much money there...]
[It's alright, I earned some "extra income" yesterday!]
No, that's not it.
Apparently, Alice took that comment I made on my way home the other day as a warning against gambling until my next visit, and now that I'm here, she's got the idea that the ban has been lifted.
I want to stop her but... I can't do it anymore. The atmosphere is completely filled with gamblers.
[...Alright. However, don't get too hot-headed and waste your money... Because if you went too far, I'll drag you out of there.]
[Roger that!]
I'm seriously doubting if this person understands... No, well, this might be a right opportunity in a way.
If I'm going to rehabilitate Alice, it would be good to know how much she's into gambling.
Besides, it's better to be in a situation where I can stop her nearby than have her go on a day when I'm not here and she ends up spending a lot of money.
After concluding that, Alice looked at me, who allowed me to enter the monster race track, and after a grin appeared on her lips, she spoke.
[...Now then, Kaito-san. While we're at it, why don't we play a game?]
[A game?]
[Yes, the both of us will bet the same amount, and see who can win more!]
[...Why would I...]
[I mean, we're in a gambling house! I also want Kaito-san to enjoy! If I win, you will treat me to a fancy dinner tonight!]
[And what if I win?]
[In that case, ummm... Then, I'll listen to "any one thing" Kaito-san says.]
[Fumu... Alright.]
It seems that she's very confident in her gambling skills, as Alice proposed a game with a relaxed expression on her face.
Well, I think people with experience in horse racing are stronger, and this kind of thing may depend largely on familiarity.
I've been planning to buy her a meal because I have some extra income... that share of the bet on the winner of the harvest festival, and since I was originally going to buy it for her, I guess it should be fine.
Dear Mom, Dad—— Alice brought me to Archlesia Empire with her. And I don't know how it happened, but Alice—– She challenged me to a game.