Chapter 292 - I'll Go Face Alice

There's the saying of strike while the iron is hot and there's no time like the present… The sooner they acted, the better, so I had quickly come to the Upper levels of the God Realm. The purpose, of course, is to hear what Fate-san can tell me about Alice… However, the world doesn't always work our way, as when I inquired around Fate-san's temple, she was unfortunately not home. I can't imagine any place where Fate-san would go, and if she ran away again to skip work, it would be difficult to find her. I've been trying to contact her by hummingbird, but it seems that Fatesan has set up a special ward as a countermeasure against Chronoissan, and no hummingbirds were able to be sent to her, so no matter how many times I make one fly, they would always come back. So, I went to visit the next person who might know where to find Fatesan… to Chronois-san's temple… but when I went there, I heard some really surprising words. [Ahh, If it's the God of Fate you're looking for, "she finished her work" and went out to the Human Realm.] [I see, is that so… Eh? She finished… her work?] Somehow, I think I just heard Chronois-san say words that don't suit Fate-san at all. No, I may have just heard it wrong. She's saying that Fate-san had finished her work… I'm sorry, but I can't believe that. [It's no wonder that you're surprised. I was also quite skeptical about it but… she certainly got all of it done.] […W- What the heck is going?] [I don't know. She said she was going to do something in the Human Realm, but her voice was so low that I couldn't hear the details.] Chronois-san tells the surprised me that she was also surprised too, and that she doesn't know where Fate-san went. I'm stumped… I wonder where Fate-san really went? A place she went after she finished her work? I can't even imagine such a place. […Did you need something from God of Fate?] [Eh? Ah, yes… Actually…] In response to Chronois-san's question, I had some thoughts about it, so I explained the reason why I was looking for Fate-san. […Fumu, I see.] [Yes. So, Chronois-san, do you happen to know what's going on with Alice?] After listening to the story, Chronois-san crossed her arms and looked at me with a troubled expression on her face. I asked Chronois-san if she had any ideas about Alice's condition. […Why are you asking me that?] [Errr… Chronois-san, when you warned me about the Phantasmal King before… You said that Alice was boisterous and irritating, right? Doesn't that mean you've talked with Alice enough to feel irritated with her?] […Fumu. You can certainly read it that way… However, I probably won't be able to give you the answer you're hoping for. If you're fine with it though, I can tell you a few things.] [Please.] When I asked Chronois-san, thinking that she was fairly close to Alice, she nodded once, looking impressed, and said that she would explain a bit about her relationship with Alice. […Though I say that, there isn't that much that I could tell you. However, the Phantasmal King frequently visits me.] [...…] [She was on her way to meet the God of Fate, looking like she was about to talk with her for some reason… It doesn't seem like she came for any important reason, she apparently just wants to have some idle chatter… Well, she ended up talking about all sorts of things.] Hmmm. What does that mean? The way Chronois-san spoke, it doesn't seem like she's on good terms with Alice, but it seems like Alice is coming to see Chronois-san. As far as I know, there doesn't seem to be any particular similarities between them… Then, why is Alice… [I was also curious about the reason, so I asked her why. "Why are you frequently coming to talk to me?" or so I said.] […And?] ["The way she talks sounds like you" was the only thing she said, and she didn't speak anything regarding this matter again. Thus, I don't know who exactly I resemble. My bad, I don't think I can be of much help.] [No, thank you. It was very helpful. I'll also be asking other people.] There are some things I was wondering about, but it certainly as Chronois-san said, I don't think it's going to help solve the current situation. Let's go look elsewhere. Well, there are still people like her family members, the Six Kings, and Ein-san, so if I talk to them as well, I should be able to get some information… […Hey, Miyama?] [Yes, what is it?] […Isn't this quite "unlike" you?] […Eh?] Since I couldn't find Fate-san, I was thinking of other ways, Chronoissan's quiet voice… tells me that it isn't like me. Chronois-san's red and blue eyes were quietly reflecting my face, and as I felt a little pressured by the atmosphere, Chronois-san quietly continued. [Gathering information from the people around, removing obstacles in the way for your objective… I think that's not like how you usually do.] [...…] [You've always been simpleminded, straightforward and earnest when you're facing something… Isn't that your virtue? If you try to do anything you aren't accustomed to, you'll only end up making a mistake.] […Chronois-san.] When she meant was that what I was doing now isn't like usual huh? The words Chronois-san said echoes in my mind in such a gentle, yet sharp way. [I can understand if you're frightened. You're feeling comfortable with your current relationship with her, so you don't want to take any drastic action, thinking that a mistake may lead to a change in your relationship, right? However, your troubles are meaningless.] [...] [You've already decided to step into the depths of her heart… In that case, no matter what you do, the end will always be the same. Whether you confront her directly or ask others about some things, it will be the same… I don't need to tell you any more than this, right?] […Yes.] Chronois-san's words were spot on. If I want to know Alice, what should I do…? Isn't it obvious that I should just ask Alice herself? I'm not sure if Alice will honestly respond. However, even if I gather information like this, I won't be able to get progress with anything until I finally confront Alice. Maybe it isn't a good thing for me to step into other people's matters too much. I could also wait until Alice talks to me about it… However, nothing changes in the world if I just wait. If I don't take action, there are also things I won't be able to find out without stepping in. As for the secrets Alice holds… I think it would be better if I move myself. If that's the case, then it is as Chronois-san said… It certainly may not be like me. Even if I don't want our relationship to crumble, it won't start until I strike first. Right from the start, the place I should have been heading to wasn't the God Realm, but to Alice's side. […That's a good look you have there. Meager it may be, I'll root for your success too.] [Yes! Thank you!] With reassuring words of support from Chronois-san, I made up my mind. I've decided, I will get the secrets Alice was holding from the person herself… Dear Mom, Dad——- To be honest, I'm not very clever, nor do I know the smartest ways of doing things. Then, it's simple. I will do the rest just like before, but above all, it will be like me—— That's why I'll go face Alice. The sun is beginning to set and the interior of the grocery store is dimly lit. As Alice was lying face down on the counter with a gloomy expression on her face, she hears the sound of the door that was supposed to be locked opening. [Yaahhoooo~~ Shall-tan!] […Fate-san?] Alice slightly looks up to look at the voice she heard, but when she realizes that it's Fate who has come to visit her, she places her face back on her arms on the counter again. While looking at Alice, Fate slowly approached the counter. […I'm sorry. I'm not really in the mood for tea today…] [Ahh, unnn. That's no problem~~ I'm not really here to have tea with you…] […Eh? Arehh? Fate-san, why did you just place that "ward"…Or rather, why are your eyes golden…] [Well, for the time being… Yoishoohhh!!!] [Gafuuhh!?] Reacting to Fate, who suddenly put a ward in the store with a loose tone of voice, Alice slowly looked up… and saw Fate's golden eyes. Those eyes that only change colors when she gets serious. Just as she was about to ask about it, with Fate's shout, a fist was slammed into Alice's face. After receiving the blow from Fate, the Supreme God, Alice was sent bouncing off like a pinball and slammed on the wall of the store. Originally, there would have been a hole in the wall, but the area was already reinforced with a solid ward. […Wh… t… What are you doing all of a sudden!?] [Hmmm. Well, you see, that's the thing. That… I knew that something had happened to some extent, but geez, you're seriously worried about the stupidest things… Are you a freaking virgin!?] […I'm a virgin!!! I'm a lovely maiden who even makes all flowers blush…] [Heh.] [Not only did you hit me just after we met, you're even scornfully laughing at me!?] As if Alice's protests don't concern her at all, as Fate, while cracking her fists a few times, she slowly pulled back her legs and took a stance. [Well, moving your body around should cool your head a bit… That's why, quickly get ready. Shall-tan.] [P- Please wait for a moment! Why in the world should I…] [Shaddaaaaappp!!! I will accept no questions or complaints! If you have something to say, speak with your fists!!!] [Which tyrant are you!? Wait, kuh… Why in the world is this…] [Heave-ho~~!] [Gfuooohhh!? Y- You're even using kicks!?] XXXXXXX-Shikishojutsu T/N: Takamachi-style Negotiation Technique. It's a 5-step negotiation process that is easy to remember if you're a Japanese, as the five steps just start with "Sa-Shi-Su-Se-So". Those won't be shown in the translations though. 1. Shoot first. (Preemptive Attack) 2. Shoot more. (Saturation Attack) 3. Shoot, without stopping. (Continuous Attack) 4. Shoot their backs. (Rear Attack) 5. And lastly, listen to what they're saying. (Ceasefire Negotiations)