Chapter 225: Alice Subjugation — Interlude (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 225: Alice Subjugation — Interlude (4)
The Imperial carriage crossed the land bridge, making its way toward the capital, Viyans.
Inside, Emperor Carlos looked haggard, as if the weight of his years had finally caught up to him all at once.
“My God…”
Regaining his composure, the Emperor rested his forehead against his hand. He had never expected Snow White to be involved with the Ice Sovereign.
Realistically speaking, Snow White was a shy girl with no real ambition and no outstanding qualities other than her beauty. He had assumed she might try to form a friendly rapport with the Priestess or the Saintess at the academy, but the thought that she could have recognized and befriended the Ice Sovereign on her own had never even crossed his mind.
And yet…
They were already close enough to embrace!
It was shocking. The image of his daughter, Snow White, clinging to the Ice Sovereign and weeping desperately in front of everyone was etched into his mind. Moreover, the Ice Sovereign hadn't seemed to mind the embrace at all.
Anyone could see that the two had already formed a significant bond—perhaps something even deeper. The mystery of how the Ice Sovereign came to possess the watch Snow White cherished was finally solved. They were that close.
Emperor Carlos squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his fists, his body trembling. He let out a silent, determined cry in his heart.
Well done, Snow White…!
Discussing state matters with the Ice Sovereign was one thing, but Snow White entering a romantic relationship with him was an entirely different level of benefit. The thought of his precious daughter leaving for another man’s arms pained him, but if that man was the Ice Sovereign, he would gladly welcome him as a son-in-law.
Age, appearance, status, and ability—the man was exceptional in every way. He was someone even the Empire couldn't touch, and he had a history of protecting Snow White from grave danger. It was an incredible boon to the nation.
Could this be the guidance of the Lord, Manhalla?
Emperor Carlos looked out the window. A clear, welcoming sky greeted him.
“Who else could be my son-in-law?”
“Hmm.”
Excellent.
Emperor Carlos couldn’t help but break into a grin. The escorts on horseback were startled by the eerie laughter suddenly echoing from inside the carriage.
*
I was on my way back from consoling Snow White. After repeatedly emphasizing that I wasn’t leaving, I finally managed to reassure her.
She seemed relieved, but then she looked around and turned a deep shade of crimson. She had been so swept up in her emotions that she only realized what she’d done after the fact. She must have been incredibly embarrassed.
Snow White kept apologizing to me, and I ended up having to explain our relationship to Emperor Carlos. With so many prying eyes, rumors about me and Snow White were bound to spread through the Imperial court. I could only hope that the Princes and Princesses vying for the throne wouldn't do anything reckless upon hearing the news.
Still, Snow White had somehow made up her mind about how to view me.
We’ll just go back to how things were.
That was a huge relief.
I headed to the Academy Detention Center, seeking out a four-person cell to speak with the four Paladins. The cell, like a typical prison, had one side lined with iron bars. However, since the focus here was on rehabilitation, the facilities inside were clean and well-maintained.
The four Paladins went on high alert the moment they heard my footsteps. This was our first meeting since the 「Alice Subjugation」.
“How have you all been?”
I greeted them calmly, pulling up a chair in front of the bars and sitting down. A tense atmosphere hung over the Paladins. Even though they were wearing cuffs that disrupted their mana flow, they could easily escape this center if they really wanted to.
The problem is that the one they have to get through is me.
Two Ice Knights in silver armor stood like statues behind me.
“There’s something I want to ask.”
The first to speak was the Spade Paladin, Zenon.
“Go ahead.”
“Why didn’t you kill me?”
“Because I didn’t want to.”
I wanted to avoid taking human lives as much as possible. Moreover, at the time, I still had unanswered questions about Alice, and I didn't want to commit needless slaughter while in such a restless state. I also figured Zenon would remain helpless until the end of the 「Alice Subjugation」 anyway.
Of course, if Zenon had actually harmed anyone from the start, I would have made him pay the price.
Zenon narrowed his eyes. “Then… why didn’t you use your full strength when fighting me?”
“Would you have even known how to fight me if you had felt the full extent of my mana?”
“…”
Zenon lowered his gaze. He seemed dissatisfied, but he couldn’t deny the fact that I was the Nameless Hero.
“You.”
Suddenly, the Heart Paladin, Shera Hectorica, looked up.
“What are you going to do with Queen Alice?”
“What do you mean?”
“You made her your minion!”
“And?”
“T-then that means you can do whatever you want with her! I know all about your reputation as a womanizer. If you so much as lay a finger on the Queen, you won’t get away with it! Surely… you haven’t already…?”
Shera’s face turned bright red as she raised her voice, likely imagining something inappropriate. Then, she bit her lip. She knew full well she couldn’t beat me, and that Alice now belonged completely to me.
“Your loyalty is admirable.”
I considered teasing her for a moment but decided against it. These were people who had been willing to sacrifice their lives for Alice. It wasn't something to joke about. It was better to give a serious answer.
“It’s alright.”
I adjusted my round glasses and spoke calmly.
“I will cherish and take care of Alice just as much as you all do. You don’t need to worry about the things you’re concerned about.”
“I-I don’t believe you.”
“Then don’t.”
I don’t care if you believe me or not. No matter what you say, Alice is mine now.
“Ugh…” Shera groaned.
I could only imagine how exhausting it must have been for Alice to manage these fools.
“Ah, by the way. Pierre, come here.”
“…?”
The Clover Paladin, Pierre Flanche, cautiously approached the bars at my command.
“Closer.”
I gestured with a smile, and Pierre brought his face near the iron.
Grab!
“Kugh!”
I swiftly reached through the bars and grabbed his nose, twisting it sharply. Pierre squeezed his eyes shut and let out a muffled scream, startling the other Paladins.
“Hold still. You need to learn some manners.”
“Ack…!”
This bastard—I had been waiting for this. I tormented Pierre’s nose for a good while before finally shoving him away. He fell backward, clutching his nose with his cuffed hands and groaning.
However, the other Paladins didn’t come to his defense; they merely watched him in silence. Considering Pierre’s behavior during the Grand Festival when he had suddenly lashed out at me, it was hard for anyone to feel sympathy for him.
“W-what are you doing?!”
“Do I need to spell it out? Do you want to come back here for another round?”
“No, I get it. It’s fine…”
Pierre meekly lowered his head. He used to be so eager to fight me, but it seemed he had lost that fire.
“…What are you going to do with us?” the Diamond Paladin, Alexa, asked dryly, ignoring Pierre.
“What do you want me to do?”
“I don’t care. Kill us, torture us, do whatever you want… I’m ready for it.”
“Don’t say such grim things. That won’t happen.”
Alexa looked doubtful. “Why?”
“Because you’re on my side now.”
The four Paladins stared at me intently, speechless.
I spoke calmly. “You belong to me. You need to act for my sake and be ready to risk your lives for my cause. Why would I mistreat you? It would only be a loss for me.”
Alexa looked sullen. “We follow Queen Alice, not you.”
“…Pierre, come here again.”
Pierre hesitated, knowing he was about to suffer for Alexa’s defiance.
“Not coming?”
Pierre reluctantly approached the bars.
“Aaaaaack!!”
I grabbed and twisted Pierre’s nose again before shoving him back. Pierre hit the ground once more, but the other Paladins didn’t seem particularly upset.
“Aren’t you guys going to stand up for me…?” Pierre whimpered.
His nose was bright red, but the other Paladins simply averted their gaze.
Zenon ignored Pierre and stepped closer to the bars, locking eyes with me. I understood what he was thinking and watched him silently. Eventually, Zenon knelt on one knee and bowed his head. The other Paladins looked on in surprise.
“That day, Queen Alice genuinely looked happy. It was all thanks to you. We were unable to bring back her smile.”
No one wanted to be a puppet. The Paladins had also been forced to act under the influence of the demons.
“If you are to be our new master, I have no complaints. For now, I simply wish to offer you my gratitude.”
“…I see.”
I looked at Zenon for a moment, then stood up from my chair.
“I’ll give you a choice.”
“…?”
The four Paladins looked at me with puzzled expressions. I spoke with a smile.
*
The next day, the damp dawn air filled my lungs. It was the time of day when the fewest people wandered the academy grounds.
We arrived at a forest near the campus. I was accompanied by Alice Carroll and the four Paladins.
They wanted to return to the Heart Kingdom in peace, so I had brought them here to fulfill that wish. This had already been cleared with Emperor Carlos and Headmistress Elena.
Up until now, Alice hadn't been able to return to Wonderland due to her contract with Mephisto. Even while imprisoned in the detention center, she hadn't gone back. She said it was partly because of my orders, and partly because she wanted to decide whether to return only after her situation was settled and she was at peace with her fate.
Alice had decided to continue her studies at the academy until graduation, so she promised to return soon. This was her own choice.
The Paladins, however, were different. They had enrolled at the academy despite being over the age limit, and they had no desire to continue their studies. They were leaving the academy for good.
Of course, if I gave the order, the Paladins would have to return and assist me at any time. They were all my subordinates now.
“Ohh.”
There was a small cave under a large tree, just big enough for an adult to enter comfortably. A gate shimmering with mana had formed there. Inside the gate was a mysterious passage where all sorts of furniture, instruments, and paintings floated in the air.
“You can return to Wonderland through here.”
Alice, who had created the gate, gave her usual gentle smile. It wasn't quite the same as the Floating Island’s ability to warp anywhere, but it was a similar feat nonetheless. Even though Alice had explained it to me before, seeing it with my own eyes was truly impressive.
“So… Mephisto gave you the coordinates of this world, and that’s how you were able to come here with this spell?”
Alice nodded at my summary. It seemed Mephisto had provided Alice with the “coordinates” of this world necessary for her magic. Thanks to that, Alice was able to travel between this world and Wonderland. If I used the gate Alice created, I could also visit Wonderland.
“It’s a shame that I can only transport up to five people at a time. That’s my limit.”
Even moving just one person is already incredible…
In any case, if Mephisto ever returned to the Heart Kingdom, I could go there to deal with him myself.
Soon, the Paladins in their gear and Alice in her academy uniform stood before the glowing gate, looking back at me.
Alexa had a dry expression.
Shera looked grateful, even if her pride was a bit wounded.
Pierre’s nose was still red.
Zenon wore a faint smile.
And Alice gave her signature kind smile.
One by one, they began to step into the gate.
“It’s… a bit embarrassing to say this, but thank you,” Alexa said as she vanished through the gate.
“This is a warning! If you ever think about laying a finger on the Queen, I won’t let you get away with it! Keep your word!” Shera shouted before following.
“Go easy on my nose next time… I mean, please…” Pierre muttered as he left.
“I’ll see you again,” Zenon said with a nod.
“…”
Alice started toward the gate but then turned back to look at me. I had been waving goodbye, but seeing Alice’s expression, I lowered my hand. She gazed at me intently.
“What is it?”
Without a word, Alice walked closer and stood directly in front of me.
“Fix your necktie, Baby.”
“My necktie?”
Suddenly?
I had hurriedly tied it this morning because classes were resuming today. As I reached up to fix it, Alice took over, adjusting it properly for me.
I watched her quietly. She smelled wonderful. It was the same Alice, still smiling sweetly.
“By the way, I forgot to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
Alice finished straightening my tie.
“Congratulations on winning our bet.”
Suddenly, she grabbed my tie and pulled herself up on her tiptoes.
“…?”
Something sweet and moist touched my lips. My eyes widened. I felt her warm breath against my skin. Alice was gazing at me lovingly from inches away.
She lowered herself, her face slightly flushed, and stepped back.
“I’ll be back soon. Take care until then, Baby.”
Alice smiled like a blooming flower, her bright smile lighting up her face. Then she turned and entered the gate.
Soon, the gate vanished, and only the sound of chirping insects filled the air.
“…”
I turned around and started walking back. By now, the morning sunlight was filtering through the leaves, illuminating the forest path.