"Suiseiseki!" Souseiseki urgently called out to stop her sister.
"Why can't I say it? It's not like she ever told us we couldn't reveal her identity, right?" Suiseiseki frowned, crossing her arms discontentedly.
"Our magical energy is usually only enough for daily activities."
"If we had to fight..."
She shrank her neck, cautiously glancing at Suigintou.
Then she suddenly remembered that Suigintou was currently in a suppressed state, so she puffed out her chest again.
Souseiseki hung her head low, poking at the food on her plate.
"Heh heh heh, I see."
Suigintou propped her cheek on her hand, suddenly letting out a sinister chuckle. "It seems I can take two Rosa Mystica without lifting a finger..."
Before she could finish, her head was gently tapped by Alice.
Rubbing her head, she looked at Alice with clear dissatisfaction. "I told you, I won't give up the Alice Game."
"And I said, suit yourself." Alice methodically cut the beef on her plate. "But you cannot harm your sisters."
"...Hmph."
Suigintou sulkily went back to eating her lunch.
Suiseiseki, however, looked at Alice with admiration.
During this time, Alice had told them that the Alice Game could be played in a different way.
She had even managed to convince the stubborn Suigintou.
Alice was just so cool!
Swallowing a piece of beef, Alice lifted her eyes to the twin sisters. "Souseiseki, Suiseiseki, if you need magical energy, you can come to me."
"Really?!" Suiseiseki's lips curled up in delight.
"..." Souseiseki's mouth opened slightly, then closed again.
She loved the life here, but she still had a debt of gratitude to repay.
To repay the one who woke her from her slumber.
"If there's something you need to do, you can finish it first and then come."
Souseiseki instantly looked up at Alice.
The black-haired girl spoke with a faint smile. "You're welcome here anytime."
Souseiseki nodded her head vigorously.
"Thank you."
Creeeak—
The spoon in Suigintou's hand gradually bent.
She gritted her teeth, her eyes wide with disbelief.
She had already planned it all out; if she could just secretly take Souseiseki and Suiseiseki's Rosa Mystica, even Alice wouldn't be able to do anything about it afterward.
But now, if they got access to Alice's magical energy, any move they made would likely create a significant disturbance, making it easy for Kirakishou to notice and tattle.
Thinking this, she viciously bit down on the meat in her mouth.
Shinku also narrowed her eyes.
Was Alice trying to collect the Rozen Maidens?
Why?
The delicious lunch passed in this strange atmosphere.
--+--
"Alice, what did you need me for?"
Charlotte, hands on her knees and panting, stood before Alice.
Sigmund rested peacefully on top of her head.
That morning, Alice had unusually reached out to her first, and Charlotte had rushed over right after her classes ended.
After Charlotte had caught her breath a little, Alice took out a necklace and handed it to her.
It was a very simple necklace, consisting only of a black elastic cord and a silver sphere.
Charlotte looked at the necklace in her hand, her expression a bit odd.
It's... a little ugly. But since it's a gift from Alice, I guess I have to...
She undid the clasp and slowly moved to put it around her neck.
"Than..."
Before she could finish the word "Thanks," Alice's voice sounded again. "That's for Sigmund."
The girl's movements froze instantly. Sigmund, on her head, also raised his dragon head in puzzlement.
"It's... not for me." Charlotte's head drooped in dejection.
Her murmur was accurately caught by Alice.
Alice chuckled inwardly, then produced another necklace.
This necklace was different from the previous one.
The silver chain made it look quite exquisite. A large purple gemstone at the center was very eye-catching, and the smaller gems set around it added to its overall luxuriousness.
"This one is yours."
Charlotte's expression instantly brightened into a beaming smile.
--+--
"Sigmund!"
The giant dragon once again appeared within the amusement park.
A circle of various dolls surrounded him.
Hearing the news that Alice was conducting a test, the dolls had all come over.
Robin, who had spread the news, was hiding on top of Shinku's hat, seeking protection.
Well, this works too, I suppose.
Alice shook her head helplessly and spoke softly.
"Begin."
Charlotte took a light breath, spread her fingers, and magical energy surged.
The dragon's aura gradually intensified.
Feeling the magical energy within his body, Sigmund gently redirected the energy that automatically flowed to his Magic Circuits, channeling it instead toward the necklace at his neck.
Sensing the gathering magical energy, the silvery-white sphere at the center of the necklace immediately emitted a light, and countless streams of mercury flowed out from it.
The mercury coursed over Sigmund's entire body.
Within seconds, Sigmund had completely transformed into a metallic dragon.
Charlotte looked at Sigmund with shining eyes, her small hand unconsciously touching the necklace around her own neck.
Could she transform too?
It wasn't just Charlotte who was amazed; the surrounding dolls also gasped in surprise.
During the previous battle with Suigintou, the problem of Sigmund's lackluster defense had been made clear to them.
So, Alice had made this necklace for Sigmund.
Similarly, Charlotte's necklace possessed the same function.
"Give it a try." Alice pointed at the necklace. "It's not just armor."
Sigmund slowly channeled more magical energy, and the mercury gradually formed a massive spike on his claw.
The light in Charlotte's eyes grew even brighter.
"With practice, the speed will increase. Suigintou, come test it."
Suigintou reluctantly stepped forward.
Spreading her wings, she drew her rapier and slammed it hard against Sigmund's body.
The mercury armor on Sigmund immediately rippled with countless waves, easily absorbing Suigintou's blow.
She narrowed her eyes instantly.
While that strike hadn't been her heaviest, she had still put some force into it.
To think it could withstand a blow from her, empowered by Alice's magical energy?
Souseiseki also frowned slightly.
That casual strike from Suigintou was more powerful than any from their past battles.
Is this the power of a Medium?
She shot a discreet glance at Alice.
Suigintou raised her long sword again, preparing for another strike.
"That's enough." Alice's voice stopped her.
Charlotte, who had been standing to the side, also stepped forward, stroking the mercury armor.
The weakness exposed in the previous battle was one of Charlotte's greatest fears.
On the stage of the Night Party, everyone would fight with all their might to become the Wiseman.
And the 'Magic Sword' was one of the greatest threats on that stage.
If struck directly, anyone would be annihilated on the spot.
The strategy against Sigmund was to prevent him from being able to attack, to render him immobile directly.
The best method was to destroy Sigmund's heart outright.
For the sake of victory, an opponent would certainly do such a thing.
Charlotte was terrified that something might happen to Sigmund during a fight.
She didn't even dare to imagine a future without Sigmund, without her family.
And while Alice's gift couldn't completely solve the problem, it certainly increased the possibility of a future where Sigmund remained unbroken.
"Wahh~ Thank you." Tears welling in her eyes, Charlotte spread her arms and wrapped them around Alice's slender waist.
Alice pushed at Charlotte's head with a hint of distaste.
"No need for thanks."
Just work hard for me in the future.
--+--
Several days had passed since Charlotte returned.
During these days, Alice continued to alternate between working on Kirakishou and resting.
Too slow.
Looking at the half-finished abdomen, Alice frowned with dissatisfaction.
She put down the materials in her hand and prepared to go downstairs for a cup of black tea and a break.
But as soon as she entered the lounge, Souseiseki approached her, holding a cup of tea.
"Our Master would like to meet with you. Would that be acceptable?"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.