Chapter 12
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 12: Going to Steal Something
[S#.61 Bloodstained Street (Night)]
Lumps of meat draped in school uniforms are scattered enough to be kicked by feet. Trump cards, a crown, wet red, and torn corpses. In the center of such a background, Alice is slumped down.
A murmuring girl. A shackle is tied to her ankle. The chain is connected to something in front of her eyes.
-Kieeeeeeeek!!!
A bizarre cry is heard. The girl’s complexion dyes white.
A shadow casts over the girl. The girl does not resist as if resigned. She stares at the player beyond the angle.
Close-up on the trembling blue eyes. Shadows swarm in the pupils.
Kwajik. The girl dies unable to continue her words. Her upper body is torn, and the body with only the lower half remaining sprawls out. Afterwards, the academy collapses. The screen zooms out, and blurred subtitles are transmitted.
[Save, me.]
Nightmare. The video ends.
“S-Sorry for p-peeking...!”
The girl handing over apologies repeatedly while slumped on the floor. Her unique black hair and blue eyes combination were impressive. A girl I encountered several times in original illustrations, related character PVs, cutscenes, etc. The supporting character I cherished the most.
‘Alice.’
It was a welcome face, but there was no time to express that feeling. Because suddenly the girl in front of my eyes started sobbing. Sniffle, the sound of eating her snot.
“Ugh, uuuuh... I’m sorry. I, didn't do it on purpose...”
Eyes welling up with moisture. This appearance was exactly as she was in the original work. A girl who gets scared and shrinks back on her own even though this side didn't say anything. Loner Alice.
“Please forgive me...”
“......”
Strange. Even though I popped out from behind, doesn't she seem scared more than necessary? I knew Alice was originally a crybaby, but... Was it to this extent? Enough to have a mental breakdown just by bumping into a person? It was when such perplexity and question occurred together.
“I, I don't want to suffer something like running full speed around the playground for 5 hours while doing a handstand...”
“Eh?”
“Sniff... If you shout Three Two One Go Shoot while spinning a head spin, e-even weird games of colliding with each other...”
“What.”
“I don't want to go around doing forward rolls when moving all day either...”
“......”
Truly bizarre sentences. My spine feels cold.
‘This...’
Reverse full speed running game. Top Blade game. Sonic game.
‘......It’s me?’
Just in time, games I enjoyed excitedly with classmates until yesterday. Although practically I only took on the referee role... Standing blankly for a moment, the bat on my chest wiggles.
“No...”
“......”
I had nothing to say. Alice showed no signs of calming down easily. I couldn't approach rashly, and was only scratching my head. The Princess stuck her head out peek, seemingly interested.
‘What are you talking about?’
‘Ah, that is probably thanks to her ability.’
Alice’s ability. Nightmare. One of the hundreds of types within it. Alien One Dream (Same Dream Different Form).
‘Although within a limited range, she can see the world through the vision of a target she desires.’
Original work, Third Destruction Route. When the ending twisted this way, I don't know how many sacrifices there were. Rampaging Alice. The Seed of Disaster that eventually bloomed. The girl knew the location and situation of everyone in the surrounding area thoroughly. Thus, in the work, hiding or running away was impossible. Because everyone was murdered at ridiculous speed. A high-difficulty stage counted even in the original work.
‘Right now she looks so frail like that though...’
I fall into thought alone. Perhaps because she was the disaster responsible for the most cruel episode in the original work.
‘That’s not quite right. The duration is short, and applicable targets are limited too. To share vision, she must harbor goodwill toward the target, and the target must also harbor goodwill toward her. Also, there is a condition that there must have been physical contact at least once in reality.’
Of course, even these restrictions are mercilessly gone after awakening as [The Queen]. Power that can threaten the peace of the continent beyond the academy. The potential Alice harbored was such a thing.
‘It’s probably Professor Javert.’
‘Yes, the two have a connection. Javert is the Dean’s adopted daughter, and Alice is a student who was scouted by the Dean in the past. As such, they must have encountered each other many times.’
‘Because I know how to read people’s minds a little.’
‘No.’
Bat wiggling at my short joke. She hits my chest discontentedly, but still glances at the sprawled Alice.
‘It seems you feel it. Is it because you are a pureblood?’
‘I recommend not attempting it. If you read it rashly, aftereffects may remain.’
Is it an instinctive domain? Carmilla seemed to be wary of Alice. Since she is a pureblood vampire, she must perceive more information than me. I calm the Princess gently.
‘Well... there is no reason to be hostile at all.’
Having said that, I take a step toward Alice. I reach out my hand for her to grab and stand up. I make my voice as gentle as possible.
“First, shall we calm down? I understand you are very surprised though.”
“......Eheh?”
Did she not imagine a particularly kind reaction? As a hand is reached out, the girl blinks blankly. What does she really see me as? It’s natural to help if a person has fallen. Since even such grumbling can be a stimulus, I swallow it back.
“I apologize for appearing suddenly. I committed a rudeness. I think my actions went ahead just thinking someone was watching.”
“Ah, yes...?”
“Are there any injured places?”
“Yes, yes... T-Thank you.”
As I strike first with an apology, a question mark floats above the girl’s head. Alice hesitates, and eventually receives my help and raises her body. Tears stopped, but her eyes were still red. I rummage through my robe, and soon hold something out as if performing magic.
“Ta-da. Please wipe your tears with this.”
“......Handkerchief and, b-balloon flower?”
“The flower is a gift.”
“Ah, that... I will receive it gratefully.”
Alice receiving two things even with a trembling voice. I raised my two hands to appeal my harmlessness.
“Please do not be too wary. I have 1% intention to harm you.”
“S-Sorry... I was so surprised momentarily, t-that...”
“It is fine. I am very favorable toward Miss Alice.”
“Yes? How do you know my name...”
“First, may I ask why you were in such a place?”
“Ah, that is...”
Fortunately. I made a minor slip of the tongue, but it passed with the momentum of conversation. Alice answers with a trembling throat while hesitating.
“T-That is... I lost something, and was looking for it... just in time I saw someone passing by, so u-unconsciously...”
“You hid behind a tree?”
“Yes...”
She’s totally scared. Alice constantly glancing at my reaction as if dealing with people is awkward. Truly, should I say. It was an appearance stimulating protective instincts.
“S-Sorry... I am, a little afraid of people...”
“I see.”
“So I’ve been missing academy for a few days too...”
The point when Alice becomes corrupted is immediately after becoming a 3rd year. As the status window showed, a grace period of 2 years exists. To prevent the encroachment of nightmare, first what I need to prepare is...
‘First I need to gain goodwill.’
Because I can only access her nightmare if I break down Alice’s wariness. An indispensable element to prevent the manifestation of the nightmare [Wonderland]. However the problem is...
‘If she is terrified like this, there’s nothing about buying goodwill or not...’
How should I buy her favor? While agonizing for a moment.
‘Ah.’
That’s it. Thinking of something, I immediately take out a crystal ball from my bosom. Portable crystal ball provided to students while staying at the academy.
“By any chance, may I ask what the lost item is?”
“Ah, that is... it is a necklace...”
“I see.”
Tick tick—.
Clicking the small screen a few times. After selecting a few people, I send a short message.
“Do not worry, Miss Alice.”
“Yes...?”
“This Viktor and friends will help you.”
Now. Bread Shuttles Assembly.
A short while later. Alice’s necklace was safely found among the bushes.
“Found it.”
“Ah...!”
As I held out the necklace, the girl’s complexion brightened. The anxious blue pupils sparkle for the first time. Alice approaching with a happy expression.
“T-Thank you...!”
“Don't mention it.”
Necklace found in mere 30 minutes. It was thanks to seven people helping the search besides me and Alice. Through the bushes, shuttles sitting with tired eyes are seen.
“B-By the way... I never told you the appearance of the necklace or anything, h-how did you find it?”
“Well.”
Necklace with a blue crystal embedded. I turned the answer vaguely. Because I saw it several times while playing the original work. Item that becomes the core of the episode later.
“It is a secret.”
I glossed over it quite suspiciously, but Alice didn't seem to mind much. Just rejoicing in the feeling of retrieving a precious item.
“How can I repay this...”
“It is fine. I just helped on my own accord.”
“S-Still...”
“You said we are in the same class. Since our connection reached like this, how can I not help.”
Alice continuously looking at my reaction. She bowed her head repeatedly.
“Still, somehow I must repay...”
“Then how about this. Getting along close from now on?”
“Yes...?”
“Since the semester started not long ago. Just in time, I also didn't have a classmate I got along with well, so I was in need of someone to spend the semester with.”
“G-Getting along close... Is that really enough?”
“Yes. Or does Miss Alice not like me?”
“N-No...! I, I didn't mean that...”
“It is a joke.”
Words exchanged lightly. Compared to the first time, the atmosphere had loosened a lot. Afterwards, Alice left only after conveying thanks several more times.
“Thank you again!”
“See you tomorrow. Miss Alice.”
“Ah... T-Thank you to others too!”
Bow, bow—.
Alice greeting even toward the tired shuttles. She didn't have to go that far, as expected she was a thoughtful child. I stared at the receding back figure with a pleased smile.
“Hmm...”
Still, isn't this decent for a first meeting? Although she seemed still wary, I wanted to think this was solid progress.
“Niiice. Let’s all get off work.”
I spoke toward the tired shuttles. It was a very rewarding day.
That night. I secretly sneaked out of the dormitory.
Carmilla mumbling with disheveled eyes. She rubs her cheek in a daze in the school uniform pocket. I take steps lightly so she can sleep comfortably.
“It is the Freshmen Welcome Exam in two days, isn't it?”
“Before the academy schedule starts in earnest, there is something I want to obtain.”
“A special item.”
Something I always stocked up on entering the early game whenever I ran a playthrough.
“That is in the academy underground dungeon.”
“Yes, a place managed by the academy.”
Carmilla tilting her head as if questionable at my answer.
“Of course not.”
It was as she said. For a student to enter a dungeon alone, numerous procedures were needed. Responsible professor’s permission, minimum 2nd year or above, grade rank 50 or above. Moreover, there is only one passage leading to the dungeon. Even that cannot be entered without a dedicated key. They blocked it thoroughly so unauthorized students cannot enter.
“There is a method.”
Come on. I pierced this place with a bare body hundreds of times.
“Princess.”
I smiled freshly beyond the mask.
“Do you perhaps know about wall clipping?”
Once again. It was time for Bug Play.