Vol 3 Chapter 38: Alice’s Decision. A Shadow Lurks

In one of the rooms of the lord’s manor, we stood before a sturdy, elegant door. Though not ostentatious, its design exuded an air of dignity.

At the front of our group, Fana-san gently knocked on the door as our representative, signaling to whoever was inside. A response came immediately.

“──Come in.”

“Excuse us.”

The six of us entered the lord’s office. It was spacious enough to accommodate us and the lord without feeling cramped.

In the center was a low table, surrounded on four sides by three-seater sofas. Along the walls, several bookshelves were neatly organized with historical tomes and territorial records.

At the far end of the room stood a wide desk and a chair that looked luxuriously comfortable. The lord, who had been seated there, rose to greet us and gestured for us to sit on the sofas.

The arrangement was as follows: the lord sat alone on the northern side. Fana-san and I took the southern side, with Lena and Nina on the east, and Alice and Kaguya on the west. The first to speak was Ruflas, the lord who had summoned us.

“First, allow me to express my gratitude once again. There’s no doubt it’s thanks to all of you that this town was saved.”

“P-please, raise your head. We only did what was right.”

“Is that so… Thank you. And I’m sorry.”

When I asked him to lift his bowed head, the lord expressed his gratitude and apologized. Whether it was for bowing or for something else, I couldn’t quite tell.

“I’ll get straight to the point. Let me explain the situation.”

The lord’s explanation was as follows:

Through Leia’s information, several humans collaborating with demons had been identified. They were currently gathering evidence to corner these individuals and planned to arrest them soon. Leia had been cooperative, and there were no issues with her treatment.

Most of this was already known to us.

“And now, to the main topic. The Queen—Her Majesty Queen Ramire—has been informed of the incident. She has issued a few responses—particularly concerning you, Alice.”

The lord’s words directed at Alice made her nod gravely. Her expression suggested she had already braced herself for this moment.

“First, your father’s honor will be restored.”

“My father’s… I see.”

Restoring tarnished honor and trust isn’t something that can be done overnight. Even so, if the nation’s leader had promised it, it was only a matter of time before her father’s name was cleared.

“And here’s the part that concerns you directly… Her Majesty has also expressed her intention to support the restoration of your fallen house.”

The room fell silent. Even Alice and Kaguya were momentarily stunned, unable to react to the unexpected words.

It was clear from their faces that countless emotions were clashing within them. Surprise, joy, and confusion were all there. It was natural to feel that way.

I—no, not just me. Lena, Nina, and Fana-san must have all realized that this moment had finally arrived.

Alice’s quest for revenge and her father’s honor were what had driven her this far. Once those goals were achieved, there would be no reason for her to continue as an adventurer. If her family’s status were reinstated, she could lead a safe, peaceful, and happy life without danger or sorrow.

“Of course, Alice, you’re still young. I understand it may be overwhelming to suddenly rebuild your house. Rest assured, I’ll support you fully in this endeavor. What do you think?”

The sincerity in the lord’s words caused Alice’s gaze to tremble like ripples on the surface of a pond. She turned her face toward Kaguya as if seeking reassurance, but Kaguya simply stared back, silent and expressionless.

Alice then shifted her gaze to Lena, Nina, and Fana-san in turn, but they, too, offered no answers.

Finally, her uncertain eyes landed on me. I, like the others, remained silent.

We weren’t ignoring her. Far from it—we had countless things we wanted to say. But we suppressed all those thoughts, conveying with our eyes instead: This is your decision to make.

Receiving everyone’s gazes, Alice nodded slightly, but firmly. Her determined expression made it clear that she understood our sentiments.

“…Lord Ruflas, may I speak with you?”

“Go ahead.”

Alice turned her resolute gaze to Ruflas and addressed him directly.

“I… I am the daughter of a mistress.”

It was a quiet confession, one that carried the weight of her past.

“My birth mother passed away soon after I was born. I was taken in by my father and his wife, raised without want, taught many things, and showered with love.”

Her words were deliberate and precise, like reading each letter from an open book aloud.

“Among the many lessons my father taught me, there was one especially important: ‘Never rest on your noble status—always serve others.’ …Unfortunately, my father’s final moments were far from rational, and I cannot say he lived by those words in the end.”

No one—not even Ruflas, who was being addressed directly—dared to interject. Her speech carried a gravity that made even the sound of breathing feel like an intrusion.

“And after losing my father and my home, I, too, failed to walk the right path. I set a trap for the members of White Lightning, schemed to forcibly steal their power, resorted to violence… and was easily defeated.”

High-handed though she may sometimes be, Alice is kind at heart. Even if she pretended not to care day to day, she must have always carried regret and remorse over attacking me and everyone else.

“And this body, guilty of such obvious crimes. Everyone forgave me when I could have been handed over to the military police or killed on the spot, and even went as far as to lend me their aid. That’s when I realized: serving others isn’t about status. It’s something anyone can do as long as they have the heart and belief to do so.”

Her voice rang out with a clear and unshakeable conviction. In that moment, there was nothing childish about her, and she shone brilliantly.

“Born the daughter of a mistress, and now a criminal. I have no desire to return to the nobility.”

“…I see.”

The lord gave a short reply to her firm declaration.

“But… it may be presumptuous of me, but could I ask for those who served my house and those harmed by my father’s madness to be provided as much aid as possible?”

“I understand… I can’t make guarantees, but I promise to do my utmost.”

She wished not for her own status but for the well-being of others. Perhaps it was her father’s words living on inside her that made her speak up in that way. The lord, too, gave a dignified nod befitting a noble.

Just as it seemed everything was settled—

“Hey, Alice. Are you really okay with this?”

The one who asked, as if confirming her resolve, was neither the maid who had always been at her side, nor Fana-san, the party’s linchpin, but Lena. Despite her relatively short time with Alice, she had doted on her like a younger sister, sometimes gently, sometimes strictly. Now, her face was clouded with concern.

Lena voiced what was on everyone’s mind because she cared about Alice’s happiness.

“Thank you, Lena. But this is fine. I’m Alice, summoner of White Lightning. That’s enough for me. Besides—”

Declaring this proudly, Alice puffed out her mature-for-her-age chest. Then, her expression changed from serious to just a bit mischievous…

“And I have a servitude contract with Shin♪. A noble under servitude is downright laughable.”

“Fufu, that is… certainly true.”

“Huh? W-wait, what!?”

Suddenly, Kaguya-san joined in, both of them directing their comments at me.

“Shin-kun…! You didn’t just enslave that succubus but also two of your comrades? Or… could it be… the other three as well…?”

“No, no! That’s not it! It’s just Alice and Kaguya! And there are deep reasons for it… In fact, we even said it wasn’t necessary, but Alice insisted… plus, I can undo it anytime—mmph!”

Soft press♡

Alice jumped in from the side, straddling my lap and hugging me face-to-face so that our chests were pressed together, cutting off my explanation.

Then, locking eyes with me, she pressed her own lips, soft as a blooming bud, gently against mine.

A tiny sound of moisture, a sweet and tender sensation squashed between us for just an instant before she pulled away. Gazing into my face, Alice narrowed her eyes and murmured:

“You’ll take responsibility for this♡, Master♡.”

With that childish, teasing smile and a tone suggesting no hint of genuine reverence…

“Aaaaah! Alice! That’s so unfair!”

Seeing them kiss right before her eyes, Lena let out a jealous cry, all earlier kindness forgotten.

“Fufu, you let your guard down♪.”

Watching this young lady act up in front of the lord himself, I couldn’t help thinking that she truly belonged here with us rather than with the nobility. A small laugh slipped out of me before I even realized it, and that laugh spread to everyone else, even Ruflas, filling the office with a pleasant sound.

With the discussion about Alice concluded, she got off my lap and returned to her seat, sitting primly. Seeing that, the lord cleared his throat as if to shift the atmosphere and spoke again.

“And finally, there’s a message from Her Majesty the Queen regarding all of you.”

“A message from Queen Ramire…? What could it be?”

“She wishes to convey her gratitude for your efforts. In addition to assisting with Alice’s family matters, she intends to grant White Lightning a reward. She has requested that you come to the capital, to the royal castle.”

A summons from the queen. There was no question we couldn’t refuse. For some reason, it stirred a new sense of foreboding in my heart.

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“Ahhn♡, Shin-samaaa… I can’t wait to see youuu…♡”

Here, in a dungeon built underground… In the deepest cell forged of mithril, Leia the succubus sat alone, moaning with longing for the one she adored, far beyond her reach.

Though she had been subdued by enchantment and servitude, she seemed content in her bored captivity, as though the anticipation itself was a source of pleasure.

“Leia? How long are you going to keep this up?”

“Ahhn…♡ …Oh, it’s you. Don’t interrupt me, will you?”

A voice echoed in the chamber, though none but Leia should have been there. Judging by her tone, she likely knew whoever it was.

“Isn’t it about time you’ve had enough fun? You could escape anytime. I could even help if you wanted.”

“Unnecessary. I’ll serve Shin-sama♡, behave myself, and earn my reward♡. Heehee… heehee…♡”

Leia refused the suggestion to escape outright, turning away and sinking once more into her fantasies, giggling “heehee” to herself.

“A succubus lost to her own charm… Honestly. But hey, is this Shin guy really worth it?”

“Yes! With his support magic, he’s strong enough to rival me♡. He’s kind, too♡. He’s a sweet little boob-loving guy you want to spoil, but when he gets serious, he’s all sharp and cool♡. Ahhn♡, Shin-samaaa…♡.”

With all the rose-tinted enthusiasm of a girl in love, the imprisoned succubus sang Shin’s praises.

“Wow… To think he could have this effect on you… Interesting. This Shin guy—I’m starting to get curious about him.”

“Hehe♡, remember it well. My master’s name is Shin the Magic Swordsman♡.”

“Ah, I’ll be sure to remember it. And… if you ever change your mind, feel free to come out anytime.”

“…Mind your own business. Heehee… Shin-samaaa…♡.”

“…I see. Well, see you around.”

The unseen figure spoke Shin’s name with curiosity as if committing it to memory. After a brief exchange, they disappeared without another sound.

“Shin the Magic Swordsman. Defeating Leia proves your strength. Will you become an obstacle to us… or something else? Fufu, let’s see what you’ve got♪.”

Somewhere far from the dungeon, those murmured words rippled through the air.