"Hahaha."
Watching the amusing scene unfold, Alice couldn't help but cover her lips with her hand, letting out a soft chuckle.
Her laughter, brimming with genuine amusement, seemed to hang in the air around Charlotte. "It's the Lawrence Talent Foundation."
"Sigmund, you're only getting beans tonight." Having said that, Charlotte completely ignored the dragon's crestfallen look and turned back to Alice. "Ranking so low is to make it easier to group together, isn't it?"
Alice nodded, the smile at the corner of her mouth not fading in the slightest.
"After all, if other teams formed before we did, things would get quite complicated."
"You..." Catching a particular keyword, Charlotte suddenly looked up, her blue eyes fixed intently on Alice. "Alice... Bernstein-san. It seems you're a part of this team as well."
Why wasn't she calling her Alice? She'd started to...
Alice tilted her head in confusion, but the sight of Alice Kuonji sitting quietly beside her provided the answer the very next moment.
"Ah, there are two Alices here. That is rather inconvenient," she said, tapping her lip and tilting her head in a rather adorable manner.
Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, she raised a single finger. "You could use a respectful tone for me, and an even more respectful tone for Alice. How about that?"
"No way," Charlotte replied, her face completely deadpan. "If anything, I'd use a nasty tone for you."
"How cruel, Charlotte-san."
"You..."
Tap tap tap.
The sound of knuckles rapping sharply on the table made both of them stop immediately.
Alice cleared her throat, adopting a rare, serious expression.
"Back to the main topic. The reason I'm sharing this information..."
As she spoke, her usual playful demeanor returned, "...is because a shortcut to my goal has appeared, and I'd like to get on good terms in advance."
"Goal?"
"The Divine Machine."
Charlotte's expression immediately shifted to one of astonishment. "That thing...?"
The Divine Machine. Of course Charlotte knew what it was, but her own ambitions weren't nearly that lofty.
Her goal was simply to become the Wiseman and restore her family's honor. And, if possible... to maintain a good relationship with the Kuonji family.
Yes, after all, she and Alice Kuonji were friends.
Charlotte gave a slight, internal nod before continuing. "Even if this joint team is still some distance away from challenging my rank of No.6, thank you for the information, Bernstein-san."
I'll need to research tactics for fighting multiple opponents later, she thought.
She slowly lifted her head, offering a perfect, polished smile intended to convey goodwill towards Alice. And then, she saw Alice and Alice Kuonji whispering to each other, paying absolutely no attention to her.
A tiny twitch developed at the corner of Charlotte's eye. "Are you even listening to me, Bernstein-san?!" she growled in a low voice.
Alice looked up blankly, meeting Charlotte's eyes, which were now blazing with anger.
Busted.
She slowly raised a fist to her mouth and gave two light coughs. "Of course I was listening."
"Liar."
"..."
Alice looked genuinely troubled, hugging her chest slightly. What kind of lie can I use to smooth this over now?
"Just tell her directly," Alice Kuonji said softly. "She's one of us."
Alice's eyes widened slightly. It seems Miss Charlotte's importance level needs an update.
She concealed her swirling thoughts and spoke up, ensuring everyone present could hear. "The Lawrence Talent Foundation is backed by Germany. Their main goal is to deploy their latest technology in the Night Party."
She shrugged. "In other words, it's an experiment."
Charlotte shot a dissatisfied look at Alice but analyzed, "I see. Actual combat is the most effective means of intelligence gathering. By participating in real fights, they can understand their opponents' capabilities and weaknesses."
Mimicking Alice's earlier gesture, she also raised a finger. "That's one of the reasons for their low ranking, isn't it?"
"Correct."
"So, what are your conditions?"
Charlotte kept her finger raised, her gaze locked intently on Alice across from her.
Since this was a proposed collaboration, the other side was sure to have their own demands.
"Didn't I already say?" Alice pointed a thumb towards the Alice sitting beside her. "The Divine Machine."
"Why are you so sure the Divine Machine is related to Alice Kuonji?"
"Partly prophecy, and partly because Alice Kuonji is so powerful. She beat the top-ranked Magnus to a pulp. Becoming the Wiseman would be a piece of cake for her."
She spread her arms slightly, as if singing Alice Kuonji's praises.
"Even without the Divine Machine, befriending a future Wiseman isn't a bad thing. Besides..."
"Besides, she knows we have no interest in those who are planning to form teams themselves," Alice Kuonji said, slowly standing up. A shop attendant walked over and placed a package into Trimmau's hands; it was the lunch they were taking back for Shinku and the others.
She looked at Alice, who was shyly covering half her face, and spoke in her usual flat tone.
"By sharing information, she gets closer to us, and might even manage to preserve her own standing in the process."
Alice Kuonji picked up Kirakishou, who was still sitting in her seat, and prepared to leave. "Speaking of which, wasn't there a 'Holy Child' mentioned before the prophecy? Why not seek him out?"
Alice waved a hand dismissively. "His identity isn't truly confirmed yet. Magnus is one possibility, though."
She rose from her seat, a proud, high-wattage smile spreading across her lips. "Compared to some vague 'Holy Child,' a confirmed 'Witch' is a much better prospect."
With that, she gave a slight bow to Alice Kuonji. "May we all attain what we desire in the future."
Just as she was about to leave, a confused voice piped up from behind her.
"Um... what prophecy?" Charlotte remained seated, her head tilted in bewilderment.
"...The Belew family doesn't know about the prophecy?"
Charlotte's utterly pure, clueless gaze made Alice press a hand to her own forehead.
--+--
After Alice had finished giving Charlotte a brief explanation, Alice Kuonji was now walking down the street with a pouting, unhappy Charlotte.
"So what if I didn't know? Father usually never tells me these things anyway."
Charlotte stomped heavily with every step, nearly shaking Sigmund right off her shoulder.
"He didn't even teach me the Belew family's Demon Sword Combat style."
Her father, Edgar Belew, was famously averse to war. Throughout his hundreds of practical engagements, including duels, he had never killed a single person, nor destroyed a single automaton.
"Charlotte."
Alice Kuonji's voice pulled Charlotte back from her fuming reverie. Her steps immediately softened, and she looked back at Alice Kuonji.
"Keep an eye out around the academy for any dolls that resemble Suigintou and the others."
Charlotte blinked, then suddenly pointed behind Alice Kuonji. "You mean like that one?"
Alice Kuonji turned to look. In her field of vision appeared a doll with short, golden, curly hair, dressed in a sweet, pink-themed Lolita dress.
"Is that... Hinaichigo?"
Suigintou's surprised voice whispered by Alice Kuonji's ear.
In the distance, Hinaichigo seemed to sense something too. She whipped her head around, her gaze landing directly on Suigintou.
And then, she turned and bolted.
"Hey!!!"
--+--
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.