The 26th day of the Water month. The day after I returned from the
Demon Realm, I ended up heading to Alice's miscellaneous store with
the souvenirs I had bought.
I figured I'd be spending some money again for them anyway, so I
bought lots of wyvern meat instead of scones.
Part of me thinks that it was a bit naive of me, but as expected, I
somehow still couldn't just push away her request.
I couldn't help but chuckle as I pictured Alice's eyes sparkling at the
sight of my souvenirs and her tiny body eating them with an
unimaginable gusto.
I've been visiting so often lately that the street I'm walking down on
became completely familiar to me but… the road ahead was shrouded
in a deep fog.
…No, wait. Isn't it weird? It's 10 o'clock right now, it's not the kind of
time when the morning fog would appear, and to begin with, that fog is
too thick.
Symphonia's royal capital is prone to having fog… isn't something I
would say. I've been living here for two months, and I've never seen a
fog like this appear before.
The strange scene gives me an eerie feeling and makes me stop in my
tracks.
Even though it's just before noon, silence dominates the surroundings,
fuelling the anxiety in my mind.
And then, just as I'm wary of my surroundings, something like a
glowing ring appears around my body… but immediately afterwards, it
shatters with a sound like broken glass.
[Arya? Not just Illusion Magic, even Restraint Magic doesn't work either
huh… That's amazing, Kaito-san.]
[…Alice?]
[Yes~~ It's Alice-chan. Welcome back, Kaito-san. I missed you.]
With her familiar voice resounding from behind the fog, Alice appears
from behind the fog.
She wasn't dressed in the work clothes I'm familiar with though, but
was wearing a black cloak to hide her body, which was somehow
different from the atmosphere she usually had.
[…Why are you here?]
[I just came out to see if I could meet Kaito-san, and what do you know,
I was spot on. Well~~ It feels like it's fate, didn't it?]
[...…]
I wonder why… Alice's tone is the same as usual, but it somehow
sounds cold… and feels terribly eerie.
[Now then, now then, before Kaito-san's strong bodyguard arrives, let's
get the conversation over with… Kaito-san, do you mind if I abduct you
for a while?]
[…Huh? W- What the heck are you…]
[Actually, I can't make a living just by selling all sorts of goods, so I also
have a side job. How should I call this, I guess you could call it the store
in the back? Or something like that. And just the other day, I received a
very tasty commission… it was to kidnap you.]
[Wha!?]
Immediately after she said that, Alice appeared in front of me before I
knew it, holding a knife right beside my neck.
The perfect distance between touching or not touching my neck, and
the dull sheen emitted by the knife, makes me feel a suffocating
nervousness.
[So, Kaito-san… for the sake of my spending money, please get
kidnapped by me. Let's go elope in the name of love, that kind of stuff…
eh, arya?]
[...…!?]
[…You even had defensive magic that automatically activates against
malicious attacks?]
[Eh?]
When I look at my body in response to those words, before Alice's
knife… a thin black film-like substance appeared around my body
before I knew it.
Come to think of it, I think Lilia-san said that Kuro's necklace had
defensive magic casted on it.
[Gah!?]
The magic that automatically defends against malicious attacks, I was a
little relieved the moment I learned it exists, but I felt a strong impact to
the back of my neck, and regardless of my intentions, my body lost its
strength.
[Well, in that case, I won't use magic, I just have to make my ill intent
disappear and make you faint~~]
[…A… lice.]
[Good night, Kaito-san. Don't worry, I'll gently carry you there.]
The voice I heard at that moment my consciousness was about to
disappear was so disproportionate to the situation… sounding so kind
and gentle.
Easily carrying the unconscious Kaito under her arm, Alice jumps up
from one roof of a building to another.
[Now then, if the situation goes on like this and I just bring him there,
then it would be complete the commission… However, I guess things
won't go well that easily huh~~]
The moment Alice muttered that, a flash of light pierces through the
thick fog.
After dodging that beam of light by moving her face slightly to the side,
Alice lets out a sigh.
As if to affirm her words that it wouldn't be easy… a strong wind blows
around her, blowing away the fog covering her vision.
And when the fog cleared, there were six shadows around the roof
where Alice stood.
[…That was faster than I thought. I see, a magic tool sends an
emergency signal huh…]
[Let go of master, you rude bast*rd!]
[Whoa there!? Scary…]
Standing a few meters away from Alice was Lilia, Lunamaria, Sieg,
Anima, Eta and Theta… The six people who rushed to the scene stared
at Alice with their sharp gazes after Sieg activated a magic tool that sent
an emergency signal right after she lost Kaito within the fog.
However, even though she says she's scared, Alice doesn't seem to be
particularly shaken at all.
[Why are you… Aren't you Kaito-san's friend?]
[He's my friend. I like Kaito-san, I really like him… but, liking him is one
thing, and my job is another.]
Seeing Alice, who didn't lose her aloofness in response to the words she
quietly said, Lilia looked irritated.
[…You're pretty carefree huh? Did you really think you can just get away
with this?]
[I wonder~~?]
Lunamaria gave her words of warning… As the six of them are currently
surrounding Alice and have the advantage of numbers.
However, as long as Alice has Kaito in her arm… A powerful attack will
hurt Kaito, so they can't carelessly attack him.
And ironically, Eta, who is good at pinpointing attacks, but had her
weapon damaged in her previous fight with Sieg, couldn't fully show
her power with the spear she brought out of Lilia's mansion, and was
easily evaded by Alice just now as well.
In the silence that seemed to prick the skin, within the six people facing
against one that seemed to have stopped in that place… the one who
broke the silence was Alice.
[…20 white gold coins.]
[…Eh?]
[…18, 25, 43…]
[What the heck are you…]
Alice, who goes to say that to Lilia and the others while pointing at
them one after another, Lilia asked with a dubious expression on her
face.
[Well~ I actually have this habit of putting a price on people. This time, I
judged them only on your combat prowess alone, but you all are big
deals~~ So, it's pretty rare for me to use white gold coins as the unit to
judge a person.]
[…That doesn't sound pleasant at all.]
Hearing Alice, who still speaks in her usual tone that sounds like she
would eat a person, Sieg gives her an unimaginably cold stare, which is
unimaginable given how she normally acts.
Despite being exposed to their sharp gazes, Alice continues to speak
without seeming to be shaken.
[…There are two requirements I have when I take a job. One is that I'm
in a good mood. The second is that I am offered a reward that exceeds
the value I have placed on the target.]
[…And what do you mean by that?]
[Well~~. What I mean~~ is that it's not worth it for me to fight with you
all based on the fee I receive for this commission.]
[Does that mean you surrender?]
[…No. It's just a shame that everyone… mine and all of your interests
don't coincide at all… is what I mean by those words!]
[ [ [ [ [ [ ! ? ] ] ] ] ] ]
Immediately after saying that, Alice let go of the hand that was holding
Kaito.
The place where Alice is standing is the roof of a two-story house, and if
the unconscious Kaito will be dropped to the ground, he will not be left
unscathed.
That's why the six of them lost their focus on her at that moment. They
turned their gaze to the falling Kaito and removed Alice from their
sight.
Immediately afterwards, Alice's figure disappeared and the six of them
were flung away.
However, the six of them are also capable beings, as they succeeded in
defending against Alice's attack in an instant.
Thereupon, Alice jumps down faster than Kaito's falling body, catching
his body with a smile.
[Well~~ How terrific. For you to react even to that… However, I
succeeded in pulling my distance from you huh.]
[!? This is bad! She plans to run away!!!]
Lunamaria, who was the first to notice Alice's intentions, shouted, and
the six of them immediately regained their stances, running after
Alice… But in the next moment, Alice disappears again, and appears
further away from the six of them.
[…It's impossible for any of you. You all who couldn't follow my
movements earlier can't catch up to me.]
[Wha!?]
[Didn't I tell you? Our interests don't coincide at all… I know all of you
will do everything in your power to defeat me and take back Kaito but…
I wouldn't gain anything from fighting strong opponents like you all. So,
I'm going to run away.]
[Wai—– What!?]
Indifferently saying that, Alice smiles in front of Eta, who tried to chase
after her, but shortly afterwards, Alice's figure distorted and 10 Alices
appeared.
[Illusion Magic!?]
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ Well then, I'll see you later~~ ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The clones created by her Illusion Magic spoke at the same time and
escaped at high speed in different directions.
However, Lilia-san and the others wouldn't just let Alice escape.
As they are still experienced warriors, all of them only exchanged
glances before they immediately split up to pursue Alice.
The fast Lilia, Sieg, Lunamaria and Eta chased two of each, while the
slightly slower Anima and Theta chased one Alice each.
To rescue Kaito at all costs…
And after the six of them began tracking in their respective directions…
An alleyway a few distance away from them distorts and the "real" Alice
appears.
[…They're all too honest. Well, deception is my domain after all.]
Muttering to herself, Alice disappeared like smoke again.
When I opened my eyes to the faint light I felt, I found myself in a
completely unfamiliar place.
The stone room looked like a prison, and there were about 10 robed
people in the room.
I honestly think the situation isn't good but… it seems like my body is
strapped to a chair and I can't move.
[Oya? Kaito-san, you're awake?]
[…Alice… This place is?]
[This is my client's hideout.]
Alice, who appeared from behind a black-robed figure, spoke to me in
her usual tone, without any hints of anxiousness at all.
Speaking of which, she did say she would abduct me… That means that
the situation has turned for the worst huh…
[Nice to meet you, Miyama Kaito-san… I'd certainly like to get to know
you better.]
[…Then, you could have just at least shown your face…]
[I wish I could, but I've got my own issues to deal with… and I can't
afford to show my face too much.]
One of the people in robes… a man by the sound of his voice, spoke to
me, but I'm not so carefree that I would be friends with someone in this
situation.
However, the one at an overwhelming disadvantage in terms of the
situation is me… I can't say anything strange and provoke them.
[Now then… Let's get right to the point. I'm sure you've already guessed
it, but we will —– [ Ahh~~ Can I have a moment? ] ——- What is it?]
The man who was about to announce his purpose by speaking like he's
some kind of important person is interrupted by Alice.
This person really can't read the mood at all…
[As soon as I bring Kaito-san here, my work is done, right? Then, could
you quickly give me my pay already?]
[…Yeah, you're right. Here, the thirty white gold coins I promised you.]
[Yes, yes… let me see here… Yes, it certainly is as you said.]
Apparently, the reward that Alice gets for abducting me is 30 white gold
coins.
That would be around 300 million yen… I'm not sure if it's high or low,
but that seems to be my price for Alice's eyes.
I'm not sure if she saw through my complicated feelings, but she turned
to me and lightly waved her hand.
[Kaito-san, you're barking up the wrong tree here. Don't direct your
grudge at me. This is just my job. Besides, you and I are just friends…
It's not like we're family or lovers, that is only the extent of our
relationship.]
[…Yeah, you're right…]
[Well then, I'll be going home~~]
After saying those dry words, Alice turns her back to me and walks
towards the only door in the room.
…It feels really painful. However, it certainly won't help if I complain to
Alice.
I scolded Alice for lots of things, and I even hit her… I thought she's an
amiable friend… someone I can be comfortable with, someone I could
trust, but I guess all of that is just my impression.
For Alice, I'm just a friend who always nags at her…
[…Alice.]
[What is it?]
[…Don't quickly waste all your money this time.]
[…I'll think about it.]
Saying that, Alice closed the door.
It hurts… but, I can't just keep thinking about it. Putting aside Alice, I
need to think about the situation right now.
[Now then, let's return back to the topic… Ahh, it's no use if you're
expecting anyone would help you. This room is made of a special kind
of ore that keeps magic power from leaking out. Besides, this place is
far away from the city… There's no one here to help you.]
[...]
I wonder what's going to happen? Are they going to torture me?
Pain is kinda… something I don't want.
Despair similar to resignation crawls into my mind, and my body begins
to slightly tremble.
Imagining what was about to happen, I almost involuntarily closed my
eyes… but the door of the room is destroyed with a loud crash.
[Wha!?]
The man and those in robes also looked astonished and turned towards
the door, and as I turned my gaze in that direction… From behind the
dust cloud, a person I never expected appeared.
[And that's why… I'm here to help you! Kaito-san!]
[…Huh?]
Making a pose, along with what it sounds like background entrance
music, Alice, who was supposed to have walked out the door earlier,
appeared again.
For some reason though, she was saying stuff like she's here to save me
or something…
[W- Wha… What do you think you're doing!?]
[Well~~ You see, I got some extra money today~~, so I was thinking
about going out for dinner with my Kaito-san, who is usually helping
me. However, what is this!? Kaito-san was abducted by bad people!?
That's why I came in a mad dash to save Kaito-san!]
[…What?]
[Now, brace yourself, kidnappers! I'm going to make you regret
kidnapping Kaito-san!!!]
No, you're the one who basically did the abducting here…
Dear Mom, Dad——- Misfortune comes in times we never expect, and
today, I've been abducted. It was supposed to be a critical moment, and
even though I don't know what they want… Even though I really don't
know what these people want… My thoughts and the kidnappers'
thoughts are united in one thing——- What the heck is this person
talking about?