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! Kaio-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, Kaitosan!]
[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".]
[…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.