The sun cast its rays down from the sky, bathing the dense jungle in light.
Streaks of gold filtered through the leaves, and a gentle breeze rustled the branches, carrying soft whispers through the air.
Amidst the towering trees, a girl with black hair was walking.
Her steps were steady, completely unbothered by the slightly rugged terrain around her.
A blue robin chirped, fluttering its wings as it circled around her.
Behind Alice, a small silver-haired doll floated steadily in the air, carrying a storage case as she followed along.
Alice had been in high spirits ever since returning from Shouko's place yesterday.
Suigintou was curious—what had happened?
She secretly asked Souseiseki and learned that Alice had found out about a doll named Oborofuji.
A doll could make Alice this excited? She wasn't even this happy when they woke her up.
So, today, Suigintou kept her attention fixed on Alice.
Sure enough, Alice had Kirakishou send a message to Shouko today, saying she wouldn't be going.
'Caught you,' Suigintou thought.
She grinned gleefully and stealthily trailed after Alice.
And then...
She was immediately spotted by Alice.
Looking at Suigintou, who was now avoiding her gaze, Alice raised an eyebrow slightly.
'What is Suigintou up to...? Never mind, I could use an extra pair of hands anyway.'
She placed the storage case she was holding into Suigintou's hands. "Since you insisted on following, you can make yourself useful."
Back to the present, the silver-haired little doll floated in the air, clutching the storage case with a sulky expression.
The case in her hands was primarily red, adorned with intricate golden patterns that made it look exceptionally refined.
Alice continued on her way, her steps light and cheerful.
The day after learning about that automaton, Oborofuji, Alice had immediately come to scout the location for the sake of future convenience.
After all, she couldn't afford to damage Oborofuji's Magic Circuits, and she had to prevent her from escaping.
Capturing someone alive was always more troublesome than killing them.
But ever since their last encounter, Oborofuji had never shown herself again.
Still, Alice was convinced the rehearsals wouldn't be a one-time thing.
She'd run into her eventually. And even if she didn't, she could always show up on the day of their meeting.
There was no escape.
Alice lifted her heel and hopped lightly over a thick tree root underfoot.
She came to a stop behind a small slope and peeked forward cautiously.
The large crater she'd seen last time came into view.
After scanning the surroundings to ensure no one was nearby, she waved at Suigintou, signaling her to put the storage case down.
It seemed the time for the meeting was approaching—the perimeter of this small island had been tightly secured.
Even on the island itself, patrols could be seen from time to time.
She needed to be careful. Scaring the prey away would be far from ideal.
Alice took the storage case, found a relatively clean tree root, and set it down.
Click.
A crisp unlocking sound echoed as the lid of the case was gently lifted.
Suigintou curiously leaned her little head over to look.
Inside the case, twenty-four round chocolates were neatly arranged, each adorned with varying amounts of star-shaped decorations on top.
Chocolates?
Before Suigintou could ponder further, the chocolates suddenly began to shift and morph.
Flutter—
With the sound of beating wings, the chocolates transformed into birds and took flight into the sky.
In the blink of an eye, their figures vanished from sight.
"All done."
Alice's voice snapped Suigintou out of her astonishment.
"Hold this."
Suigintou tilted her head in confusion as Alice handed her a camera.
It was a modified version Alice had worked on, with improved clarity and a wider field of view.
"The rest is your job now."
"Yes, Sir!" Robin curved his wing in a salute and flew up into the sky.
Suigintou, though reluctant, flapped her wings and followed after Robin.
Their task was to map the surrounding area and observe the environment.
Alice stood by the edge of the crater, her eyelids gently closed as she focused on controlling her bird familiars.
'Oborofuji... I look forward to your arrival.'
--+--
Some time later, the sound of fluttering wings reached Alice's ears.
Robin and Suigintou had returned.
"So tired," Suigintou complained, handing the camera back to Alice.
Robin, meanwhile, had already collapsed on top of Alice's head, panting heavily.
To avoid alerting anyone, their movements had been swift and cautious.
"Good work."
Alice gently patted Suigintou's cheek and took the camera.
She began reviewing the results of their efforts as she made her way back the way she came.
"The security is pretty tight around here," Suigintou remarked offhandedly, carrying the storage case. "There are already soldiers camping at the foot of the mountain."
"Which country's?"
"The same kind we saw at Shouko's last time."
"Understood."
Alice nodded.
"And ships," Robin, still looking half-dead on her head, added without lifting his head.
"Ships? Warships?"
"Yeah, steel warships."
Hearing this, a slight smile tugged at the corner of Alice's lips.
'This might be a bit more fun than I thought.'
"Let's head back for now. Suigintou's allowance is doubled."
The discontent on Suigintou's face instantly transformed into delight.
She happily fluttered her wings, flying alongside Alice.
"What about me? What about me?" Robin protested, waving his wings indignantly.
Alice shot him a cold glance. "Souseiseki told me last time that you didn't stop Suiseiseki when she was pulling her pranks."
She slowly came to a stop in front of a water pond and unceremoniously plucked Robin from her head, holding him before her eyes. "It was quite noisy that day."
Under Alice's icy stare, Robin's body gradually stiffened.
"I was wondering if you'd come and apologize on your own."
With that, Alice stepped into the pond, Robin still in her grasp, and in the next moment, they appeared within the N-Field.
Dangling from Alice's fingers, Robin swayed with her movements, lost in thought.
'So I could've just apologized on my own?'
That day, he... well, he just went off to eat instead.
Robin's eyes slowly widened.
'Damn my past self.'
--+--
"Kirakishou, keep an eye on this area. Notify me immediately if there's any movement."
"Okay~" Kirakishou replied with an obedient expression.
Seeing this, Alice patted Kirakishou's little head. "I've got your allowance noted down too."
"Yay!"
The figures of one tall and two small made their way home.
A while later, back in that dimly lit amusement park.
Just as Alice was about to step through the mirror and return to the mansion, Suigintou, who had been silent the entire way, suddenly spoke.
"Alice, what are you planning to do?"
"Some kind souls are coming to deliver a gift. I'm just preparing to receive it," Alice replied without turning around.
She had expected Suigintou to ask.
"..."
Suigintou didn't respond, merely staring at Alice with a look of disbelief.
Alice had brought out something new again.
Those chocolates that could turn into birds.
Suigintou could sense that Alice was going to employ new methods, that she would reveal a new side of herself.
She also felt that if she missed out this time, she might not get another chance to see that side of Alice again.
So, she wanted to go along. She wanted to see a different Alice.
She wanted... to understand Alice.
Suigintou stood on the open ground beneath the Ferris wheel, gazing intently at Alice.
"Alice, can I come with you?"
Alice's movement to step through the mirror gradually halted.
She turned to look at Suigintou. "This is a very simple matter. You don't need to come."
Killing, looting, and returning home—very straightforward.
"No, I want to come."
Suigintou lifted her face, responding stubbornly.
Their eyes met, and the atmosphere grew still.
Kirakishou watched the scene unfold in confusion.
Hearing Suigintou's words, Alice frowned slightly.
She wasn't particularly keen on letting the dolls witness bloody affairs.
But...
Looking at Suigintou before her, she pondered for a moment before speaking softly. "I'll tell you this now—people will die this time."
Suigintou immediately showed a stunned expression. She knew what that meant.
People die if they are killed.
She wasn't an ordinary doll. She understood the passing of life, and the weight of... killing.
Suigintou pressed her lips together and looked firmly at Alice. "I want to come."
"Fine."
Alice slowly crouched down in front of Suigintou, meeting the little doll's gaze.
Black eyes met red. A faint, almost bewitching smile suddenly bloomed on the girl's face as she gently cupped Suigintou's cheek.
"Then I'll let you see my true methods."
"Don't be scared now."
"My doll."
--+--
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.