"Apply pressure slowly~"
In a dimly lit room within Kirakishou's little amusement park hideaway, two figures sat before a table, their silhouettes overlapping.
A girl with pale yellow long hair was nestled against the black-haired maiden, their hands placed one over the other.
"Yes, right there."
Alice was guiding Kirakishou's small, pale hand, clasping a knife, slowly working on a smooth, white form.
Alice believed that having the child participate in her own creation would be beneficial for her future education.
And so, she was now trying to involve Kirakishou in the process of crafting her own body.
"Curve it a bit here, use a little more force."
Kirakishou's expression was tense, her hand holding the knife even trembling slightly.
"Very good, excellent."
"Mhmm."
Kirakishou let out a long breath, a smile unconsciously tugging at her lips.
She was one step closer to having a body.
Seeing the task was complete, Alice took the small knife from her hand. She placed the knife into a bag nearby and slowly stood up.
Sitting in Alice's lap, Kirakishou lifted her little face and asked, "Are we leaving now?"
"Yes, we should be able to finish your right hand today."
"Yay!"
Alice picked up the component Kirakishou had just worked on, carefully placed it in the bag, and walked towards the door.
Outside, a short-haired figure was already waiting.
Seeing Alice emerge, Souseiseki immediately stepped forward, took the bag from Alice's hand, and slung it over her own back.
For the past half-month, Souseiseki had been accompanying Alice.
At first, Suigintou and Shinku would come along too.
But as these visits became more frequent, their attendance dropped off, until now they simply chose to stay in.
Truth be told, they had initially come to help Alice with odd jobs, but after realizing they were practically useless, they settled quite comfortably into lazing about at home.
What about Alice's safety, you ask?
Was there anyone around here who could actually threaten Alice?
Suigintou and Shinku had given Souseiseki some idea of Alice's combat prowess.
But she still insisted, 'A master certainly needs an attendant,' and continued to follow Alice.
Alice didn't mind having a doll accompany her.
Suiseiseki would sometimes tag along too, whenever she felt like going to play with 'Komurasaki.'
Although their meeting times weren't fixed, they usually had Kirakishou send a message ahead of time before heading over.
Like suddenly writing a few words on a mirror, or something similar.
The first time it happened, it seemed to have scared Komurasaki quite a bit; she started yelling about mirror monsters and nearly dragged Shouko away.
It was only due to Irori's frantic efforts to stop and comfort her that she finally calmed down.
And for the rest of that day, she just stared at Alice with teary, accusing eyes.
Lately, Alice noticed that the time of their meetings was becoming more and more consistent.
Before, sometimes she'd go and it would be night, but now, no matter when Alice traveled, the meetings occurred during the day.
'Are they on their way to Britain?' she wondered.
Recalling that their recent meetings had all been on a ship, Alice gently pinched Kirakishou's little cheek, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Britain, connected to Machinart... they must be heading for the Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart.
The time for her own enrollment was approaching too. It seemed interesting things were on the horizon.
A sense of anticipation warmed Alice's mood, and her steps lightened.
Faint footsteps echoed through the amusement park, heading towards the boundless darkness beyond.
--+--
Shouko was troubled.
She, the modern era's most powerful doll maker, was troubled by a doll.
Staring at the completely unresponsive mercury before her, she frowned deeply.
It was so strange. She understood selecting materials, choosing magecraft, engraving circuits—all separately. But why was it that when combined, she couldn't comprehend it at all?
Just how did Alice manage to engrave Magic Circuits onto mercury, a liquid metal at room temperature?
Shouko sighed in frustration, her body slumping slowly onto the table.
'Forget it,' she thought. 'If I can't figure it out, I won't force it. No need to trouble myself over it.'
Judging by the timing of their messages, Alice should be arriving soon.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, ripples suddenly appeared on the surface of the mirror opposite her, and a black-haired maiden stepped out.
"You're here~" Seeing her, Shouko waved lazily.
Alice nodded quietly and sat down opposite Shouko.
Noticing the mercury on the table, she raised an eyebrow.
"Still no progress?"
"Nope." Shouko took out her pipe and gave it a light tap. "Not a single reaction."
'So it's still impossible,' Alice thought. 'The people here still can't create Mystic Codes.'
Alice gave a slight nod and asked softly, "Any news on the gravity Magic Circuit asked you to look out for?"
"No." Shouko's lips touched the pipe as she shook her head.
After seeing that doll last time, Alice had asked Shouko to keep an eye out for any Magic Circuits related to gravity.
"The Great Karyuusai can't find this type of Magic Circuit?"
"Gravity-related Magic Circuits aren't exactly common, you know," Shouko said helplessly through a haze of smoke.
'Half a month has passed, and there's not a single lead?'
Alice felt a twinge of displeasure. Volumen Hydrargyrum had been lying idle on the table for another half-month, with no progress at all.
It couldn't be helped. She'd have to ask about that doll she'd seen before.
Since it wasn't unusual for doll makers to create dolls for others, Alice hadn't previously inquired about that specific doll.
She only needed a similar Magic Circuit; there was no need to interact with others.
'Since one existed before, can't you put in more effort and find another?'
Suppressing a sigh, Alice asked quietly, "You've made a doll with a gravity-based Magic Circuit before, haven't you?"
Shouko's hand, holding the pipe, froze mid-air.
Ignoring Shouko's reaction, Alice continued, offering a brief description of the doll she had seen before.
As Alice spoke, Shouko's expression began to shift uncomfortably.
"Help me get in touch with the owner," Alice requested.
But Shouko didn't respond. She just sat there, stunned.
A few seconds later, as if realizing her own odd state, she patted her cheeks lightly.
Even after adjusting herself, her eyes were still slightly wide, filled with disbelief. "How... how do you know that Oborofuji's Magic Circuit is related to gravity?"
"I saw it before. Why? What's wrong?"
"No..." Shouko managed that single word with difficulty before falling silent again.
This reaction from Shouko... it was off.
Alice narrowed her eyes slightly. "Is there a problem with that doll called Oborofuji?"
Smoke curled before Shouko's eyes. After a moment of silence, she let out a soft sigh. "I am Shouko, after all. Haven't you looked into any information about me out there?"
She leaned back lazily. "I once made a doll for the Japanese military. Its name was Oborofuji."
"Judging by your reaction... were you forced to make it?"
At these words, Shouko's figure stiffened slightly, her fingers unconsciously tapping the stem of her pipe. "...Something like that."
Hearing this, Alice's lips curled upwards involuntarily.
'I see.'
Originally, she had just wanted to freely trade with the owner of the gravity Magic Circuit.
But now, knowing it was made for the Japanese military, a doll forced upon its maker...
Alice had initially been worried about how to proceed if the other party was unwilling to trade. But now, she could set her mind at ease.
It seemed she could even skip the step of trading altogether.
Alice gently raised her hand, elegantly covering her mouth.
Her slender, jade-like fingers perfectly concealed the rising curve of her lips.
--+--
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.