Volume 4 Chapter 111: The Agreement

An endless plain stretched before me, with six lights lined up in a row—the members of the Sextet. Alice stood with her hand on her chin, inspecting them intently.

Her expression was dead serious, making it clear she wasn’t planning to cut any corners.

One of the lights, a strawberry blonde, flickered erratically, almost as if expressing disdain for Alice. Yet, she didn’t seem to notice. Her unwavering focus made interrupting her nearly impossible. After thoroughly scrutinizing the group, Alice let out a single breath and turned toward me, who had been quietly observing from behind.

“So, you’ve got the details on what these glow bugs look like, right?”

Glow bugs…?

Bugs…? Really?

Does Alice even understand the concept of being polite?

“Yeah, I do…”

Even someone as mild-mannered as me felt a twinge of irritation hearing her refer to them like that. But since she had leverage over me, I couldn’t say anything. Not that saying something would make her change her attitude anyway. I just nodded to answer her question.

Hearing my response, Alice grinned in satisfaction and turned back to the members of the Sextet.

“Kuhihi! Good, good. Rejoice, you lot! The amazing Alice-chan is going to make your bodies for you. Now, get down on your knees, cry with gratitude, and worship me like a god! Come on, hurry up! Hurry uuuup!”

Alice crossed her arms, glaring down at them with an air of supreme arrogance. Naturally, no one moved. Not a single light even flickered. Eventually, the strawberry blonde light mimicked a scoffing breath—or at least it looked that way—and floated over to me, blatantly ignoring Alice. Its dexterity, even in this incorporeal state, was remarkable. Their emotions were incredibly vivid despite being nothing more than lights.

One by one, the rest followed the strawberry blonde, gathering around me and completely ignoring Alice. She should have been their beacon of hope, but they clearly despised her. Well, in this case, it was obvious Alice was at fault.

Even The Guardian and The Transformer treated her with indifference. Her attitude really left something to be desired.

Still, even if I wasn’t at fault, I couldn’t help but glance nervously at Alice, who now stood alone. If she snapped, it’d be the end of everything.

“……”

“U-um, Alice-san… uh… well…”

“Sighhhhhh.”

Her massive sigh made me flinch. Slowly, she turned to face me, and—she was smiling?

“Ohhh, everyone~! If you act like that, even Alice-chan will get angry~! Hmph, hmph!”

She puffed out her cheeks and waggled her finger in a ridiculously exaggerated, cutesy manner.

“……”

Everyone froze.

Even The Chariot, who was further back than me, physically recoiled.

“Sighhhhh.”

“Eep!”

After holding her bizarre pose for a moment, Alice straightened, her expression turning icy. Narrowing her eyes, she let out another dramatic sigh. I couldn’t help but squeak in fear. A pale purple light fled into the distance, as if running for its life.

Alice stood upright again and motioned to me with her thumb, gesturing as if slitting her throat, before signaling for me to follow her.

“Oi, Noil, get over here.”

“Y-yes.”

Did she just imply she’s going to kill me?

No… Probably not.

It’s likely about that matter.

Clenching my churning stomach, I followed Alice as she walked ahead.

“Wait here,” I told the others when they started to follow. They obediently stayed back.

The strawberry blonde light tried to sneak after me, but the others forcibly held it back.

Now alone, I trudged behind Alice, my unease growing with each step. Still, I was prepared. I had already come up with a solid plan.

I’ll show her my resolve.

Clenching my fists, I channeled mana throughout my body.

After walking for a while, we were far enough that the Sextet was no longer in sight. Alice finally stopped, clearly wanting privacy.

That suited me just fine.

As she turned to face me, her lips curled into a wicked grin. But before she could act—

I moved.

Without hesitation, faster than Alice could react, I enhanced my body with mana and—

Her face briefly flashed with surprise, and I knew I had struck true.

“I’ll be your servant! Just don’t spill the secret!”

――――〈Kiss the Ground Bow〉.

Unleashing my ultimate move, I dropped into a flawless, groveling bow before Alice.

It was the most magnificent, pride-shattering bow of my life. A performance so perfect it might have even earned artistic merit.

If this didn’t work, nothing would. I’d have no way to stop Alice.

But it would work.

I was certain.

Because, despite having the chance to reveal everything, Alice hadn’t done so. She could have unleashed chaos just for fun, but she didn’t. Instead, she clearly intended to use this secret as leverage.

That meant there was hope.

Moreover, the fact that she targeted me first instead of Mina clearly meant I was her objective. If Alice were to threaten both of us, it would increase the risk of the truth being exposed. If Mina and I suddenly began obeying Alice at the same time, it would be obvious to everyone that we were being blackmailed. If that happened, Alice’s leverage would lose all its power.

She would want to avoid that, of course. Therefore, she would either target one of us or stagger the timing of her threats. Trying to control both of us simultaneously would only lead to failure—a classic case of “chasing two hares and catching neither.”

Additionally, I could easily guess what Alice wanted from me. Considering her behavior toward me until now—and yesterday’s toilet paper theft incident—there was only one possible conclusion.

In short: a servant.

That’s why I decided to offer her what she wanted before she even had the chance to demand it. By doing so, I could ensure her satisfaction—or rather, this was the only plan I could come up with.

“Please! I beg you!”

All I could do was plead with her not to expose the truth, promising to do whatever she asked.

All I could do was press my head against the ground and beg desperately. Life is cruel.

“Sighhhhhh.”

Her third deep, discontented sigh made me flinch, my forehead still planted on the ground. Sweat poured from my body.

Did I… mess up somewhere?

This act of throwing away my dignity as a human being might have been wrong, but it was the best option I had.

My head was starting to spin.

“That’s not it, is it?”

“Huh…?”

Her voice prompted me to cautiously raise my head.

Alice was smiling—a smile so pleasant it was terrifying.

“It’s not ‘I’ll become your servant,’ is it? That’s not it… That’s not it at all.”

Alice crossed her arms and slowly shook her head.

“When I came here, I said I wouldn’t do anything… didn’t I? But if you say it like that, it’s like you’re implying cute, adorable Alice-chan is blackmailing you. Isn’t that right?”

As she spoke, she lightly lifted one leg, and her tall, lace-up boots slipped off on their own.

Wait… Are all her clothes enchanted tools…?

A chill ran down my spine.

“That wouldn’t be right… not right at all, would it?

We have to keep our promises, don’t we?”

Promises? You mean the one you broke by sneaking in with enchanted items?

“That’s why I’m not doing anything. Not a thing. I’m not blackmailing you or anything like that, okay? If you… happen to want to do something of your own free will, well, that’s entirely up to you, isn’t it?”

“Y-yes.”

Her long socks slipped off on their own as well, exposing her bare feet. She extended one pale foot toward me.

“Since I’m not forcing you to do anything, it’s weird to say, ‘I’ll become your servant,’ isn’t it? Alice-chan isn’t making you do anything, after all.”

“Y-yes.”

“Ohhh, my legs are so tired!”

“Y-yes.”

I knelt and held up her raised foot with both hands. Seeing this, Alice’s cheeks flushed slightly, and a satisfied smirk appeared on her face.

“Sorry about this. Not that I asked for it or anything, though.”

“Y-yes.”

“So, tell me, didn’t you have something you wanted to say to Alice-chan? Hmm?”

“Y-yes.”

“I’m listening. Go on, say it.”

Honestly, I’m glad I didn’t have any pride to begin with.

In other words, this is what Alice wanted me to say.

This time, I finally gave her the words she desired.

“Please, I beg you. Make me your servant, Alice-sama.”

The moment those words left my mouth, Alice’s grin widened.

“Well, if you’re begging me, I guess I’ve got no choice! Fine, if you really want to be my servant, I suppose I’ll let you. After all, this is entirely your decision, isn’t it?”

“Y-yes.”

At this point, I didn’t care anymore. As long as she kept quiet, I was fine with anything. I had already resigned myself to this fate. There was no difference between being at the mercy of this insane person now or later.

But why? Why did I feel like crying a little? Is it because I’m a guy? Haha.

“Oi, you useless servant.”

“Y-yes.”

“Cute little Alice-chan didn’t tell you to do anything like that, though.”

“……”

“Do you know why I went barefoot?”

Alice asked in a sweet, sing-song voice, holding her clasped hands near her mouth in an overly cutesy manner.

I glanced at her, giving her a weak, lifeless smile, before lowering my head and pressing a kiss to her foot.

I could hear the sound of my soul dying.

“Kuhihi! Kuhihihihihihihi! Kuhyahhahahahahahaha!”

Her high-pitched laughter echoed through the surroundings.

◇

“Seeeervaaant booooy!”

“Y-yes.”

Alice-sama, perched on my back as I crouched on all fours, swung her legs playfully, her voice brimming with cheerfulness. Then, she spread her arms wide, like an innocent child.

“Alice-chan is in suuuuuch a good mood right now!”

“Truly a matter of great joy.”

“How about you, servant boy?”

“To be graced by Alice-sama as her chair, I am overwhelmed with joy.”

“Is that so? But you know, I’d prefer if you called me A-LI-CE-chan~.”

“As Alice-chan commands.”

“Well done!”

Alice-chan rubbed my head with exaggerated vigor.

Nothingness—my heart had become complete nothingness.

After thoroughly patting my head, Alice-chan seemed satisfied. She crossed one leg over the other with a flourish, resting her elbow on her knee.

“Well, I can’t make you my servant publicly just yet.”

“Why not?”

“Huh? Are you stupid? If your attitude changes too suddenly after yesterday, people will get suspicious.”

“As expected of Alice-chan, you are truly wise and perceptive.”

“You still look like a complete idiot to me.”

“Haha.”

Yeah, I knew that already. Both things.

“So, for now, you’re my provisional servant. Servant-certified, so to speak. When the timing is right, I’ll make it official.”

“I am deeply honored.”

Servant-certified, huh? Didn’t know that was a thing. Wow, I just got smarter. I want to die.

But speaking of promises…

“Um, Alice-chan…”

“Huh? What now?”

There was one thing I needed her to promise me.

“Please don’t involve Mina.”

I didn’t mind. I had no pride to lose.

But Mina couldn’t be hurt any further. If Alice were to blackmail her or do anything to her, that was the one thing I wouldn’t forgive.

“…Do you even understand your position—”

“I do. That’s why I’m asking.”

At the same time, I didn’t want to seriously antagonize Alice. So, all I could do was plead with her. Trust her and plead.

“I’ll take everything on myself. I’ll do anything. So—please.”

“Sighhhhh.”

Her fourth, massive sigh escaped her lips. Yet, for some reason, this one wasn’t frightening.

“You’re such a pain, servant. Relax, I’ve got no interest in the ‘Black Cat.’”

“…Thank you.”

“You mean, ‘thank you very much,’ don’t you?”

“O-of course. Thank you very much.”

She slapped my back, and I hurried to correct myself. Despite being Alice-chan, the slap hurt quite a bit—probably because all her clothing was enchanted gear. Feeling the stinging pain on my back, I let out a relieved sigh and decided to ask something that had been bothering me.

“Um…”

“Still got something to say?”

“By the way, Alice-chan, how did you even know about last night?”

“Oh…”

Alice-chan gave a wicked grin, then reached into her chest, pulling something out between her fingers. It might be rude to think this, but how did she even fit something in there… Never mind.

What she revealed was a tiny, really tiny version of Alice-chan, wearing an outfit that looked like a skintight bodysuit.

“This here is Azure Doll Mini-Mini Cute Alice-chan.”

“Y-yes.”

“This little guy doesn’t move on its own, but it’s a fantastic piece of gear that lets me remotely transmit video and audio.”

Alice-chan explained with a proud expression.

“Yesterday, I was seriously pissed off, so I sent this guy to sneak into the Spirit Wind party house to dig up dirt on the ‘Spirit King.’”

That’s a crime.

“Well, the spirits are always on guard, so I couldn’t get inside, as usual…”

You’ve done this multiple times? Get caught already.

“But then you showed up.”

“……”

Ah… So it’s all my fault.

While I was busy acting like an idiot trying to reassure the spirits I wasn’t a threat, she must’ve slipped in with me. I want to punch past-me.

That gaze I felt when I entered the house… It was this, wasn’t it? Great.

“Oh, by the way, this thing can also record everything—”

“Please delete it, I’m begging you.”