Alice was stepping lightly toward the restaurant exit.
The faint upturn of her lips seemed to show she was quite pleased with the conversation.
It was enough to keep the exchange brief—surely the other party understood as well.
At the very least, Alice's movements on campus would be smoother from now on, like having that dorm room all to herself.
Just as she was about to step out of the restaurant, Edward's voice called from behind.
"Miss Alice."
The sound of her footsteps halted. When the young lady turned around, he said softly,
"That type of small doll around you… It seems there's someone else at this school with something similar."
Alice paused for a moment. He'd guessed it?
Although she hadn't intended to hide the fact that she was collecting the Rozen Maidens, she hadn't expected to be found out so soon after arriving.
It looked like she'd probably been watched even while off campus.
"Noted." After her quiet reply, Alice turned and pushed open the restaurant door.
Behind her, Edward gave a friendly wave, kindly as a grandfather seeing off a child.
As the restaurant door swung open, a number of students began heading in their direction.
They chatted and joked among themselves, seemingly completely unaware of anything unusual here.
Among them was a woman moving hurriedly through the crowd, searching for something.
After Alice left, Cedric emerged from a private room and slowly walked up behind Edward.
The magical energy surrounding her gradually faded, revealing a girl with silver curls in its place.
Her arms hung somewhat limply at her sides, as if she hadn't yet recovered from the earlier topic.
"…Just because of that prophecy, you sought her out yourself?"
The girl lifted her head, staring intently at Edward's back.
"What if she isn't the Witch of Fairy Tales from the prophecy?"
Edward slowly turned. The smile had already vanished from his face.
His expression was blank as he looked at the girl before him. Instead of answering, he asked in return,
"Are you aware of those small dolls around her?"
"Of course."
Alice nodded, her tone matter-of-fact.
"I know the main players from that skirmish well enough."
She waved a hand, and behind her, Shin passed her a stack of reports.
"The silver-haired doll has black wings, can fly, and is extremely fast."
"The short-haired doll with heterochromatic eyes can't fly, but her speed is nearly on par with the silver-haired one." Alice shrugged and went on, "What's certain is that neither of them uses Magic Circuits."
She handed the reports to Edward. "The only one using magic circuits is the doll with pale golden hair and a white rose in her left eye socket."
"She can summon thorns, and judging from the reactions of Magnus's dolls afterward, she can absorb magical energy."
"The long-haired heterochromatic doll and the golden-haired one didn't even make a move."
Edward didn't take the reports, simply turning away again.
"Those two heterochromatic dolls were spotted not long ago at Karyuusai's place."
His tone was flat, without inflection.
"…The Karyuusai in Japan?"
Alice handed the reports back to Shin, sounding surprised.
As the foremost doll maker of the current era, Karyuusai had no shortage of spies watching her.
Though none could get too close, bits of information still leaked out now and then.
As for Alice, she hadn't made any effort to conceal the existence of the Rozen Maidens.
"Yet in the blink of an eye, they showed up in England, even going out now and then to buy takeout. Judging by the amount of food, the number of people in that mansion is gradually increasing."
A strange light flickered in Edward's eyes.
"So you think she's collecting those dolls?"
Alice set her hands on her hips as if something had just dawned on her.
Edward nodded silently, his tone still even. "They also first appeared half a year ago."
Not a trace of emotion showed in his eyes, yet an aura of authority emanated from him in that moment.
His commanding voice echoed in Alice's ears: "Do not act on your own—not here, and not over in Germany either."
Alice twisted a lock of hair in front of her chest, lowering her head.
After a few seconds of silence, she lifted her gaze to meet Edward's. "I understand."
After that, the restaurant fell silent. Only the two of them remained, standing face to face.
The atmosphere between them began to turn awkward.
"..."
Just as Edward made to leave, a clamor of footsteps arose outside the restaurant.
Through the window, they could see many students gathered at the entrance, watching something with curious eyes.
The next moment, the reason became clear.
"Finally found you, you wretched old man!"
An angry voice rang out at the restaurant entrance.
Edward's secretary, Avril, stood holding a saber, glaring furiously at the two ahead.
The students outside were held back at the door by this woman.
"Ah, Avril, have you eaten yet?"
Instantly, Edward's smile returned as he waved amiably at Avril.
"Of course not! I've been looking for you this whole time!"
Rage bloomed across Avril's face. With a sharp shing, she drew her saber.
A flash of the blade, and a few strands of the headmaster's beard were sliced clean off, floating in the air.
"Hey now, careful, or I'll sue you for attempted murder."
"Sue me after you give me back my lunch and afternoon tea!"
Amid their bickering, the students finally noticed the headmaster at the front.
Many gasped in surprise—catching a glimpse of the strongest magus of the 19th century was no everyday occurrence.
"Is that the headmaster? He's actually here!"
A few students also noticed Alice behind Edward.
"Isn't that the 'Elf Speeder' from Night Party rank No. 87—Alice Bernstein?"
"She's standing with the headmaster…"
"Are they discussing something?"
"Does that mean another student besides Magnus is being given special treatment?"
"Speaking of which, do you remember that freshman who defeated Magnus?"
"What about her?"
"I think her name is Alice too."
Waving warmly to the students, Edward led Avril toward another door of the restaurant.
Behind him, Alice wordlessly slipped away in the opposite direction.
Without a single exchange, they parted ways in perfect, silent coordination.
--+--
In another dining hall.
"Alice! Alice!"
Surrounded by Kirakishou and Suigintou, Charlotte was picking out dishes.
When she spotted Alice, she quickly raised a hand to signal their location.
Back at the dorm, Shinku and the others were waiting for the meal to arrive.
Watching Alice approach, Suigintou huffed and folded her arms across her chest, while Kirakishou also wore a distinctly displeased expression.
"Why didn't you take me along?"
"How could you leave me behind, Master?"
Alice took a seat across from Charlotte. "I brought other dolls. If a fight broke out, I couldn't have protected you."
Her blunt reply made Suigintou puff out her cheeks.
After learning what food was needed, Trimmau quietly headed toward the serving area and got in line.
--+--
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.