Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Chapter 104

Today again we were blessed with good weather for today, there's ideal weather for travel.
Ignore the difficult stuff for now ignore it, today what I'll be doing is enjoying myself.
The current moment right now won't come again.

「Des.h.i.+, what's that～?」
「That's a flower called a daisy.」

Probably.
I try stealthily asking Saira.
She just angles her head and no particular reply comes.
I don't know whether it's right or wrong.
Daisy.
If this were my original world, it'd be a popular white wildflower that could be seen anywhere.
Glancing at Rin-chan acting seemingly deeply interested in that wildflower blooming by the roadside, Kyuu is sniffing and smelling it.

「That is that is～?」

I nodded toward Rin-chan as she pointed at that nearby yellow wildflower.

「That is the king of wildflowers, the dandy lion. It'll bite if your hand gets near.」
「Fue!?」
「Kyu!?」

1 person and 1 animal frantically distance themselves.
Cuuute.

「Peaceful issn't it.」

Makina stretches her arms and yawns.
The route leading from the waterfall's cave to the royal capital is, truly peace itself.
That itself is how our journey east originally should have been issn't it.
After stroking the heads of Rin-chan as she hid at my feet and Kyuu, I pilfer a dandelion.
It's already finished blooming so, the flower is covered in fuzz.
Blowing on it lightly, the fluff rode the wind as such and rose all the way into the sky.

「Wa～! Amazing!」
「In that manner, flower-san's seeds fly into the distance you see.」
「And then and then!? What becomes of them?」
「The seasons rotate again and, those seeds bloom into new flower-sans.」
「That bite!?」
「Fufu, they go! Gaoー!」
「Kyahaa.」
「Kyui!」

Those 2 who seem to be fleeing enjoyably are chased around.

「Comforting nyaa.」
「It isーissn't it.」

With that feeling we fully enjoyed our journey along the way.
Those who are truly strong, relax when it's time to relax, they're that sort of being.
……I think that Till is too slovenly though.
While Rin-chan is getting a ride from Makina while she's tired out between breaks, we arrived smoothly at the royal capital that's also our objective to an extent at noon.
With our arrival by walking, there's a checkpoint established on the maintained public road that carriages and the like also traverse.
There's an observation platform built at that checkpoint's cabin's side, furthermore the s.p.a.ce is open so the eye catches what's going on here and there from that observation platform.
I suppose that there are probably lookouts stationed so as to surround the town.
There seem to be yet different difficulties than in Alseid kingdom with its castle walls or, Wilmington princ.i.p.ality as a natural stronghold or such that makes use of waterways.

――And so.

「……The eye can reach it even from far away but, seeing it from up close it's quite impressive in another way.」

the mountains spire up, such that they connect to the royal capital's back side.
It seems like bones would break while climbing those mountains doessn't it.
Because of the magnificence of the great mountains coated in snow, my sense of reverence can't be denied.
Nature, incredible.

「We'll rest leisurely at an inn today and, let's climb promptly tomorrow.」

Something is rus.h.i.+ng her isn't it, Makina.
U～n, the mountain is it.
If we rush would the probability of meeting with danger go down with just that?

「Oh?」

Clearing the checkpoint by paying its toll, after that there's a recognizable face waiting for us.
It's kurozuk.u.me's oniisan, Jin-san.

「Hang out with me, a little.」

I don't want to.

　◇■◇■◇

As.h.i.+taka kingdom's royal capital Sumeragi.
The structures that catch the eye are truly traditional.
Stone roofs on structures built of wood, the house doors are used as pulled doors.
I found a shop with a dango curtain hung at the entrance.
Rin-chan is constantly staring with seeming greed, from her seat of our box shaped stagecoach.
We gave Jin-san a ride on our stagecoach and, after that we were brought to the castle without making a detour.

「Will you not come to attack anymore?」
「I'll attack if it's on top of a bed.」

While being cautious I gave a question to Jin-san as he sat across from me and, he answered while drawing up one side of his mouth.

「……In front of a child.」

Isn't that frankness unexpected for that morose kurozuk.u.me's ani.
I can't say which is better though.

「If you intend to do something again, I'll just tie you up once again you know.」

Makina's breath became vehement as she sat beside me on the s.p.a.cious carriage.
However Makina, if he intended to do something to us I wouldn't forgive him with just binding him you know.
But how to say this, ever since I became like this, I've kind of looked at male people's trained up muscles and it's certain that they catch my interest with an incredible isn't it or enviable isn't it though.
Have I become strange?

「So, I wonder just why we were invited to the castle then?」
「It's the king's order, you'll understand if you go.」

King?

「Will we meet the king?」
「Aah.」

The king is it.
To be sure, I was told that the rebellion was for equality right.
Or rather if important people are called upon lightly it's bothersome isn't it.

「……On that note, I heard that it still hasn't been long since the rebellion ended but.」
「Aah. However regardless of whether it hasn't been long, it's certain that it did end.」
「Is it still busy in a variety of ways?」
「I suppose so.」

Like it's someone else's business, you.

「Are your circ.u.mstances okay?」
「I'm just prioritizing the orders from above.」
「Are you affiliated with an organization?」
「I can't take it easy, that's how it is.」
「Is it possibly, the royal guard?」
「It's not something so great.」

When I give a question an answer unexpectedly comes back I guess.
Everything's obfuscated though.

「Solt-san's well you know.」
「Oni-chan, well! Loves that which is des.h.i.+!」
「Hou?」

It's not Hou okay, don't be convinced.

「Nn? Rin-chan, do you not know about who this person is?」

On that note.

「Don't knowー」

Are they not siblings?
Is it a delicate problem?
Let's stop forcing our way in for now.
Furthermore I can see that his age is a little ways off when compared to kurozuk.u.me.
If Rin-chan was separated before she came to be aware of her environment that sort of thing might also be, possible?

――That Rin-chan, was suddenly grabbed by her neck like a cat and lifted up.

「Eh?」

I was so taken aback that, the moment where I couldn't move was vital.
The culprit is Jin-san――that isn't the case.

「――What are you doing?」

Even Jin-san is, asking that with a surprised appearance.

「……Makina?」

The one lifting Rin-chan from on top of my lap was, Makina who had been sitting next to me.

「――Troubling.」

A dark threatening voice came from Makina's throat, as if it wasn't that girl's belonging.

「Because, on guard, being trapped, was, bothersome.」
「What are you saying……?」

With her sudden change of atmosphere Makina's obsidian eyes are, split vertically like a reptile's.
Those eyes are, almost……a snake's!!

「Chii!!」

Jin-san moved.
The katana he pulled free from his hips――too short, is it a kodachi then?
He cut toward Makina with that.
Perhaps because of the difference in experience, his judgment was fast.
I――with an instant judgment, pulled away the kodachi using my lightning attack's magnetism.

「Are you an idiot!!」

Losing the chance to take Makina down, I was struck with that anger.

「Ku ku! Elf, well done, as a reward, I will, let you go.」

What is this presence……This is……

「Makina? Makina!! Please come to your senses!!」

I really can't think that she's in her right mind.

「Makina……?」

Rin-chan is also looking up, with seeming anxiety.
……You're not the sort of child who would do such a thing!

「――Please, release Rin-chan nya!!」

From the opposite side of us who were being faced with caution――Saira who had sat the furthest in, leaped at Makina.

「――Hindrance, die!」

Along with those words, an ice crystal manifested――!
Without a chant!
Blizzard!

「Aah!? UUu!」

The Blizzard stabbed into Saira's shoulder, as she leaped in.
――We couldn't keep up with the situation, is this my fault!!

「Makinaaaaaaa!!」
「Fun, I'm taking this and going.」

I'll listen to her circ.u.mstances, after I beat her down.
Just when I thought that, Makina started to vanish――along with Rin-chan.

「Des.h.i.+!」
「Rin-chan!!」

I reached my arm out but, I didn't make it in time――those 2 vanished, like mist.

　◇■◇■◇

「Does it hurt?」
「It's okay nya, thank you very much.」

Borrowing one room of the castle we were guided to, we had a futon layed out for Saira.
Fortunately there isn't a scar left on the shoulder that was recovered with heal.
Just, the pain should still remain.

「I couldn't save Rin-san, nya……」
「That was……my fault.」

The timing was probably, nowhere except when Jin-san first moved.

「……No, Alice-san was not mistaken at all nya. Don't suddenly cut down a comrade, that is Alice-san.」

It's something like I'm still naive but……Certainly, cutting Makina to death with that timing is impossible for me.
Even if I try thinking after that result came out, it really is impossible.
But with that it can't be such that it's fine to expose Rin-chan to danger……!
What sort of thing is this!
Why did it come to this!
Would it have been better to turn back as I had thought!?

「Please keep it together nya, Alice-san!!」

As I sat before Saira's pillow in seiza the fist I'd clenched, is softly grabbed.

「Rin-chan is still, okay! The time to fret here, doesn't exit nya!」
「Exactly……as you say.」

Whether regrets or self reproach, this isn't the time to be trapped in such a thing.
Rin-chan is alive, what meaning is there if I don't trust in that until the end!
Hypothesizing that, where and by what means did they arrive?
Now is the time to gather information even a moment faster.

――I shall be intruding.

It was at that moment that a voice called out from the hall, outside the room's sliding screen.
I give a reply and, a person suitable to be a maid pulled the sliding screen and, a male wearing a beautiful kimono and Jin-san came into the room from behind it.

「I have no excuse for this in a place of recuperation do I.」
「N, no, it's okay nya.」
「Aah, do not mind it. Could we do this while remaining laying down okay? With that method this side will also not worry.」

That man sat with his legs crossed, on the cus.h.i.+on that the maid presented while seeming to flow.
Jin-san went into seiza on the tatami as such and, sat as if standing by at that person's back.
Making a mysterious face toward me as I made a severe face, that man lowered his head slightly.

「I believe that I have no excuse for how you got caught up in a troublesome matter on this occasion. To start out with, I apologize for the accident that my country caused.」

――Accident?

「An accident, was it.」
「Umu. I have heard the situation from this Jin.」

Signaling the Jin-san standing by at his back with his eye, Jin-san lowered his head slightly.
Somehow, this person is a superior to Jin-san――apparently he's a high up person.
How to say this, he purposefully had his legs carry him all the way to this sort of place but, is it possible that this person――
Perhaps he realized the direction of my thoughts from my expression, the man scratched his head as if he was embarra.s.sed.

「This is inexcusable, I still haven't made a self introduction. I am As.h.i.+taka kingdom's king, I am called Enis.h.i.+. I suppose I'm still not used to my rank.」

Just as he said, he projected an unreserved atmosphere for acting as a leader.
To be sure he lost his oniisama because of the rebellion and, the days since he took over should still be few.

「Thank you for going out of your way. I am Alice. This one is, Saira. My apologies for doing this while she's laying down.」
「I said that I know the circ.u.mstances, do not mind it.」

As Saira started trying to somehow get up, Enis.h.i.+-san gently stopped her with his hand.
Certainly the other party is royalty but, we're here because he called us over.
As long as we don't lose our etiquette it's not necessary to be too mindful.
I also nodded so that Saira wouldn't get up.

「Then, this is sudden but since I a.s.sume the fact that you all are also in a hurry, let's go on to the main issue.」

That's welcome, I nod.

「You may have heard the rumors while coming here but, this year――to precise right now at this moment, this country is on the brink of disaster.」
「……Is this the matter of the mountain's anger?」
「Umu. To say that's the volcano's eruption or such, it isn't natural.」

I suppose that even a volcano's eruption is rather dangerous but, that would mean that……this isn't that sort of natural danger.

「On that mountain――Misogi mountain, a monster is sealed.」
「A monster is?」
「An ancient magic beast, it is by no means something that human hands are responsible for. Spanning countless generations that was, sealed in that manner for a time of 1000 years but, this was the duty of this country's kings for generations.」

Could that possibly, mean……

「Fu, Alice-dono. Looking at that face does that mean you have also heard of that? Of that method to seal monsters.」
「Is it truly, as the rumors say?」
「――Indeed.」

――It's such a thing.
To maintain the magic beast's seal, across 1000 years――they offered living sacrifices did they.
It's a conversation that makes me shudder but……is that currently a necessary conversation?

「Alice-dono, this isn't the sort of conversation where anyone would do for that which is called a living sacrifice.」
「What about, someone with high magic power for example? Does this imply I should be used as a sacrifice?」
「No, that's wrong.」

Wait?
A special person, necessary to the kingdom――Makina discussed this on that night!

「Miko!」
「Umu……Miko of the seal. That is the family that came to be necessary to the kingdom.」

But wait for me wait for me!
To be sure, that family is……

「――Right, it was destroyed.」

Libra……!
It's such a thing, I don't intend to say that it would've fine if the sacrifices continued.
Even so, most likely Libra layed her hands on that family because she was scheming of 『This』……!

「My country has already been forced into a corner. Perhaps we should cross blades with the magic beast with desperate resolve when the seal comes undone, is there no way to somehow remake the seal. Opinions are split on these problems on which the country's continued existence hangs, so it came to be such that the people were caught up in unnecessary suffering.」

――I came to a sudden, vivid understanding.
The country's royal guard, would it be more correct if I said s.h.i.+n.o.bi? The event where Jin-san who is a s.h.i.+n.o.bi attacked us.
Who was I protecting?
The event where a certain family was destroyed, because of Libra.
That Libra――kurozuk.u.me journeyed the world holding a strong resentment toward elves.
What kurozuk.u.me brought with him was a――young child.

「Rin-chan is, the miko of the seal!」

Enis.h.i.+-san nodded gloomily.

「I knew, the fact that Rin-dono is the family's final survivor. As such, I overlooked it when Solt took her with him and left the country. Even now, I think that, if we could survive by using such a young child as a living sacrifice then it would be better to fight.」
「Obviously!!」

No, it's something that a person responsible for a country is thinking of, choose the many and discard the few.
That might be the obvious calculation of loss and gain.
But, my personal feeling is that which says, as if I'd let Rin-chan die!

「Furthermore at the point when Rin-dono is used as a living sacrifice to stretch out our time, there won't be another living sacrifice anymore. In the future that would――achieve nothing but the act of stretching out despair for our children, grandchildren, our posterity.」

To choose the present or, to choose the future, internal discord of that opinion's divide was it.

「Impossible, is Makina the rebellion's side's……a person on the side that called for Rin-chan to be used as a living sacrifice!?」
「I do not know that……I also, have basically no idea, who that girl is.」

It can't be, Makina is……I can't feel that she came to approach us while thinking such a thing as using Rin-chan as a living sacrifice.
Even now when the result has come out, I can't think of it in that manner.
If that's what she was doing, there should've been many other opportunities.
If it's Makina's power then perhaps she could've stolen Rin-chan, by beating me down from the front.

「Just, the uncle who led the rebellion, s.h.i.+gen actually was not struck down. Someone that s.h.i.+gen has in his hands, is not something unthinkable.」
「That uncle ordered it and, Makina abducted Rin-chan, to use her as a living sacrifice?」

It might be consistent but, it doesn't fit together.
If you're together with Makina even for a little while, you'll understand that she isn't such a child.
Furthermore, that child of that time was……
Thinking back to those snake eyes, the muscles of my back froze.

「……In any case, I understand the conversation. Given this the probability that Rin-chan has been, brought to that mountain is high isn't it?」
「I can't think of anything but that.」
「I understand, having you teach me that alone is plenty. Thank you very much.」

When I began to stand up, Jin-san gave me a look with exasperated eyes.

「……I think this is impossible but, do you intend to climb Misogi mountain from this present when the sun has set? Do you want to die?」
「I can't say something leisurely, I will definitely save, Rin-chan.」

If I end up being too late I won't finish grieving even if I grieve.

「――I understand, I'll also go. It's the end if you become lost by going alone and die a pointless death.」
「……It would be a great help, if you'd show the way for me.」
「Fu, since if the person my otouto cares about is driven to her place of death, my dignity as a ani will have nothing to stand on I suppose.」
「……」

Let's just say that it's fine already.

「Saira, please stay here and take it easy, since I'll surely bring Rin-chan back with me.」
「……Hai, the position of always just waiting is painful but, since I believe in you!」

After kindly stroking Saira as tears of frustration float on the edges of her eyes, I stand up.

「To take Rin-dono back, it will become a fight if the opponent is someone in s.h.i.+gen's hand. Even if that isn't so, if the seal comes undone it'll be the beginning of h.e.l.l……even our side will prepare for battle, and move to evacuate our populace. I pray for fortune in battle.」
「Hai.」

Somehow it seems that while Saira was being given care here, a pursuit unit set out toward the mountain to take Rin-chan back.
This king Enis.h.i.+ also, is doing what he can in his position.
Even though it's a position where he might actually think that it would be better if Rin-chan was used as a living sacrifice……
If it'll leave the root of evil to the future, fight now, is it.
I feel that can't be said easily.

「……Do you get this, Alice-dono? If, if something like the seal coming undone happens at the summit, please escape without fighting. That isn't your opponent.」

Hearing this much, my personality isn't dry enough to leave it be.

「I'll be, as careful as I can.」

I'll be careful to, strike it down.
The 2nd disciple of Ice and Snow will, unravel the misdeeds of her ane-disciple and, this country's curse from ancient times.

「……It's even more fearsome, than what you imagine. That, ma.s.sive snake.」

Either way, I'll save Rin-chan.
That is all right now.

「Let's go.」
「Aah.」

Alongside Jin-san, I immediately jumped toward the mountain from the room's hallway――

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Next time 『The Prologue to Nightmare』