Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Chapter 88

A strong nighttime wind woke me up.
The sound of wind resounded within the room with shaking windows.
I seem to have woken up at a strange hour.
Though if I speak of the hour I don't know what hour it is.
I've grown used to a lifestyle without clocks but, there are times when I miss them.

「……Maybe I should, go wash my hands.」

It's cold and, the morning is still distant.
I want to avoid causing an unexpected incident by enduring strangely here.
……I want to avoid that.
Getting out of my bed the night's chill permeates my body.
Since it's a harsh season to wander about with only a negligee, I put on a cardigan.
Exiting to the hallway the magic crystal's light gives dim illumination.
Even at night the security maid-sans are working aren't they.
Night s.h.i.+ft, good work.
It's a good chance so maybe I should sleep after I at least give everyone doing their best a shout out.
Going around calling out to the maid-sans that I see around me while keeping it at a level that doesn't trouble them, I notice light leaking from the first floor's book room.
When I tried looking inside, the person that I expected to a degree was staring at a book.

「Saira.」
「A, Alice-san.」

Calling out to her as I approached, she raised her face from the book she was absorbed in while turning around.

「You're still studying this deep in the night?」
「Hai desu nya, since it seems like the image for oneesan's sword will firm with a bit more effort.」
「Is that so, thanks then.」

When saying either sorry or thanks, it's thanks isn't it.

「Since I'm also enjoying this, but I really want to see the real thing nya……」

Saira looked at the book, while moaning.
I circled around Saira's back and took a look at that.
It was a book with a picture of a katana on it.
I guess that for blacksmithing training knowledge and image are precious?

「The real thing huh, since oneechan's sword broke.」

That would mean, maybe there's nothing but seeing what comes of walking about the royal capital's weapon stores and searching them?

「Saira, want to see about searching the weapon stores?」
「Actually I've already finished searching through most of the royal capital's weapon stores……」

She's that commendably diligent Saira after alll.
Then what should I do?
If it's not in the royal capital then, Wilmington?
No, rather than that if it's the weapon called a katana then isn't it most likely to be in Sacrament?
The Raikiri that Leoneil held was also like that.
If I'm setting Wilmington aside, going to Sacrament seems difficult though.
U～n.
But before setting out to distant lands, it wouldn't be bad to try and look into connections in the royal capital besides the weapon shops would it.

「Saira, want to go out tomorrow? I don't know if it might possibly be an empty swing though.」
「Of course it's okay! In order to make something good, it's not necessary to be frugal with effort nya!」

Her eyes sparkled in such depths of night.

「Then please keep it in moderation and sleep okay?」
「It's alright!」

Though I feel that that reply is strange issn't it.
Smiling bitterly, I embraced Saira's body that was smaller statured and more delicate than my own from behind.

「Forcing yourself is forbidden you know.」
「A, Alice-sann」

It might have been from nervousness, Saira's ears perked up.
Those ears, are comforting arren't they.
Huh, saying that since Saira has cute animal ears……a tail is?
Though we've entered a hot spring together, I didn't look that far.
……No, didn't look, I didn't look.

「Ah, ano……Alice-san?」

Saira looked up to me as she was bewildered within my embrace.

「……Saira, you, do you not have something that you've been hiding from me?」
「Eh, eeh!?」

The Saira fl.u.s.teredly making a commotion is cute.
I swallowed my breath, and resolved myself.

「……Your b.u.t.t, for instance.」
「b.u.t.tt!?」

Saira's face turned pale, she fl.u.s.teredly held her hand against her b.u.t.t as if to hide it.
……What could I be saying, me?

「tsu……ah, unya……」

Saira becomes pale, then she becomes red, she seems like she's rather busy.
……Isn't this, s.e.xual hara.s.sment?

「Please forget that……」

I separated from Saira while reflecting on my actions.

「Ah, ano! I, don't dislike it so……」

When I thought that I would apologize I was preempted and, Saira raised her voice.
Looking down as much as she could, Saira is facing me with a questioning gaze.
That form with slightly colored cheeks, made my chest throb.

「That, so? Ano, un……Pay attention to your body okay?」
「Ha, hai desu nya.」

Since saying that is the best I can do, I finished at that place.
Leaving the book room, I returned to my room with a quick pace.
Ah～, that surprised me.
Saira you, really are a girl……
Her habits are kind of cute.
Entering the room and closing the door, I blow a sigh.

「……Ah?」

I didn't go to, wash my hands did I?

「……」

I'm sure it's fine.
Un, I believe it's fine.
It's grown troublesome at this point so I strongly nodded and, plunged into my bed.

The next day, I visited the slave company along with Saira.
Along the way the town's appearance entered my eye as it steadily proceeds with the preparations for the soon to be opened thanksgiving festival.
In contrast to the somehow agitated city, the company stands silently.
I was made to sit down and wait in the reception room and black tea was given out.
It's the third time.
I suppose at this point there's no poison.
Thinking that when I tried to take the cup into my hand, I was softly stopped by Saira as she sat next to me.
I tilted my head and, Saira stared at the cup's contents.

「……It's okay nya.」
「Impressive……」

Does she have a judgment skill?
Does she know even this sort of thing?
Receiving authorization from Saira, I once again set out to partake in the black tea.
It's probably a high cla.s.s good I suppose, I don't sense the cheapness of items with a scent and flavour that's different from the item I got from Kran at some point.
Enjoying that with the two of us for a while, a familiar prime aged man with an eyepatch came out.

「If it isn't ojousama, beautiful as always. It's an honor to meet you again.」
「Beltran-sama, it's been a while. It seems you're quite a good speaker as always.」

It's the same man as always isn't it.
We finished our greetings while smiling together and the eyepatch lowered his hips onto the sofa facing me.

「For whatever reason the surrounding countries have been making a ruckus lately, it seems like this state of affairs won't calm down. It would surely be best if ojousama took care.」
「I am sorry for your consideration. I will act with adequate due consideration.」

I've been getting caught up in battles here and there or rather, I've been sticking my neck into them though haven't I.

「However because of those sorts of circ.u.mstances is it not a business opportunity? Beltran-sama.」
「Fufu.」

Without denial or confirmation, eyepatch took the black tea left in front of me into his hand and brought it to his mouth.

「Then, what sort of business brought you here on this occasion?」

After eyepatch turned his eye toward Saira as she sat next to me, he gave me a question.
Just now did this man, estimate a purchase price?

「It's regrettable but, I believe it is not like what Beltran-sama is thinking.」
「Oya, that is regrettable. I had thought I'd be able to carry out a very good transaction though.」

Saira's value isn't just what's apparent to the eye.
As if I'd let her go.

「I was thinking doesn't Beltran-sama, put his hand into a wide range of businesses but.」
「Hou? Is this a conversation about something outside the slave trade? I suppose I certainly have spread my hand a little.」
「In these times, I was thinking aren't you also well informed about the flow of weapons.」
「Fumu, arms are precious. I possess combat slaves, and those for use in personal protection. So I do stock up via my personal route.」

He really is quite the reliable seeming oji-sama isn't he.

「Then, is there not a weapon of this type in your possession?」

Prompting Saira, she opened the book she brought on the table.
Eyepatch looked at that book's ill.u.s.tration and nodded.

「A katana I suppose.」

As expected he called it a katana then.

「Today's business is this. Even though we searched the royal capital we couldn't find it but, I thought that if it's Beltran-sama then maybe.」
「Fumu, katanas are a valuable item that aren't produced anywhere outside of a section of Sacrament's territory. Ojousama's eyes are discerning as always.」

I'm worried whether I won't be thought of as something like a neerdowell.
But in the end given that it's something born from practicing blacksmithing, why is it only in Sacrament then?

「Because katana creation requires a special skill you see.」

Eyepatch politely gave me an explanation when he read my question.
He looked at Saira and nodded at her appearance as she hung her head.
It seems that somehow Saira didn't know that until recently.
Up until now practicing countless times was like blacksmithing training but, she was told that all of that was a mistake.
The reason is that is it.

「This might be rude but ojousama, might the person you brought with you be a blacksmith?」
「It is as you say.」

I thought about it for a moment but, there's no particular need to hide it.

「As expected of ojousama, that you would welcome in an exclusive smith.」

And furthermore this child will leave her name in history you know.

「This is late but, she is called Saira. She is acting as my smith for me.」
「Pu, please treat me well……desu!」

When Saira righted her posture and gave her greeting, eyepatch grinned widely.

「This side as well, fufu, those around ojousama are really gorgeous so it makes me envious.」

Expressing a business smile well, he's a shrewd man.
With your business you also, seem to be surrounded by tons of cute girls though right.
However since a special skill is required to make a katana, the sort of thing where katanas are the local specialty of one region in Sacrament is……

「Beltran-sama, is it not possible to obtain the skill to produce katanas anywhere but in Sacrament?」
「It is just as you said, ojousama. In this case it's not so simple that you can look at a real katana and immediately make one.」

I see theen.

「But, is it okay for you even if you teach me that sort of information so simply?」
「Fu, we're not in an unfamiliar relations.h.i.+p or such are we?」

Saira misunderstood something and her face turned pure red as she compared me and eyepatch.
Wait wait Saira, do you see me loving this aged oji-sama?
To begin with the main premise is rejected.

「As you enjoy nonsense, surely it would be fine even if I displayed my irritation wouldn't it?」
「When a person reaches an age like my own, they unintentionally begin wanting to try and mess around when they see sweet females like ojousama. Please forgive me.」
「Let's get to something like the information fee, Beltran-sama.」
「Oya, it seems like I've reached too high. I have to admit defeat then.」

Without any timidity, eyepatch showed a grandiose head shake.
Maa, it's somehow enjoyable talking with this oji-sama so I'll forgive him.
There's no time in which we've embraced though.
Obviously.

「As an apology I'll offer a single ordinary katana.」
「Maa, that's rather daring of you isn't it?」
「Fu, since I don't want to be disliked by ojousama you see.」

Even if for example it can't be created soon, having the real item to reference isn't a bad thing.

「But receiving beneficial information for free and, beyond that being offered a katana sort of doesn't sit well with me so.」

It can't be helped so I'll push the conversation forward.
Eyepatch nodded satisfied with the flow of preestablished harmony.

「In that case, if ojousama's smith seems to be capable of producing a katana, we would very much like if you would lend her to us.」

Fumu.
That is, not a bad proposition.

「Of course, you intend to offer one katana which will also serve as a gift but, it isn't what's called that is it?」
「That is so. It helps that ojousama is sensible. As you said, this is a business matter. It is a matter like we wish for the katanas made by that smith to be sold in ma.s.s.」

I have no objection to Saira's creations becoming products.
With that stated, securing a market is difficult.
If this eyepatch will take the responsibility for that then without any complicated effort, it would be the fulfillment of our wishes to us.

「Let's accept. We can leave the details for, another day.」

I'd like to consult Ilya regarding the closing aspects after all.

「Thank you very much.」

After that there was a customary chat period, we left the company a little later.

When we received the katana and returned home, Saira secluded herself in her laboratory that also served as her personal room.
And so I in early celebration, took one additional good I'd received and visited ane's room.
The ticking notes from the seconds hand are nostalgic.
A pocket watch garnished with excellent precise gold craftsmans.h.i.+p.
Before now, Kran had said, that the church managed the time.
In short that means that clocks also have to exist.
Of course, they're a valuable item though.

「Oneechan, can I have a little time?」

I knocked on the door and there was a reply so, I intruded inside.
s.h.i.+on-san was sitting at her desk and handling some sort of paperwork.
Probably, a report for the guild I suppose.

「What is it, Alice?」
「I, I didn't particularly get this for oneechan so, etto……? I, I'd like if you didn't misunderstand though!」
「It doesn't suit you so, stop it.」
「Hai.」

Ane blew out a sigh, as if she was exasperated.
Just imitating it is no good I suppose, is there something to it?
On that note how can I make oneechan turn dere?

「So, what is it?」
「Actually I've gotten my hands on a rare good.」

Approaching s.h.i.+on-san, I showed her that pocket watch.

「This is?」
「A clock, or that sort of thing. It's an item that will tell the precise time throughout the day.」

Just, I don't know if this is absolutely necessary in this world.
It's convenient but, working when the sun rises and returning home when the sun sinks, since that sort of slow life isn't something to throw away.

「Hee? Time, is it.」

The general idea is there isn't it.

「Eto, if it's okay I want oneechan to take this.」

I showed her one additional silver pocket watch that I had in my hand.

「A, a matching pair.」

I was lost in who I should give this to but, maybe it really should be s.h.i.+on-san, that's what floated into my head!

「For me……?」
「Ha, hai.」

s.h.i.+on-san accepted the gold pocket watch from my hand.
Displaying my affection to s.h.i.+on-san anew is honestly embarra.s.sing.
I always don't display it except in moderation you see!
……In moderation right?

「――s.h.i.+」

s.h.i.+on-san held it against her b.r.e.a.s.t.s as if it seemed valuable.
It's somehow embarra.s.sing.

「I'll take this, Alice. Thank you.」
「Wa waa.」

Ane ruffled my hair and my head was stroked by her, my face loosened.
Since just that is fully satisfying, we're ane and imouto arren't we.
Yos.h.!.+

「Oneechan……let's sleep together today!」
「That's fine.」
「It's fine!?」
「Because, why is that surprising?」

No no, this is the pattern that always happens!

「You're not going to sleep?」
「But I'll sleep.」

I nodded strongly.
I suppose we're sleeping together even if it's just in the real meaning of the term so, I'll sleep.
The road is long but, a journey of a thousand ri starts from the first step.
Just from clinging to s.h.i.+on-san I, become funya so it can't be helped……
My heart became fully satisfied.

「Really, oneechan is a sinful woman.」
「I don't want to be told that by you though……」

And so on that night the sisters with no outsiders present caused, lively chat to blossom atop the bed.