The twenty-ninth day of the Month of Wood. I was used to visiting the general store, yet today, the door felt strangely heavy.
With my date with Kuro scheduled for tomorrow, I had come to the shop exactly as Alice had instructed... but what on earth was about to begin?
Alice had said it was a critical conversation. The expression she wore when she told me that had been nothing but serious. For Alice—who usually started joking the moment she showed a serious side—to remain so tense until the moment she left meant that whatever she had to say was of genuine importance.
Feeling an indescribable anxiety, I felt a cold sweat run down my back as I slowly pushed the door open.
Alice was sitting quietly at the counter. The usual boisterousness of the shop was gone, replaced by an eerie silence.
"...Alice."
I called her name, my voice trembling slightly. There was no answer.
"...Alice?"
"...Munya..."
"..."
That jerk. Why was she drifting off to Dreamland after summoning me here? My previous tension evaporated, replaced by the feeling that I had been cheated.
Still, what was I supposed to do? She looked so comfortable that I felt a bit guilty waking her—
"...Umyu... Kaito-san... that’s lewd—fugya!?"
"Wake up already!"
I felt like my honor was being defiled inside her dream, so I delivered a swift chop to her head. Alice let out a cry and clutched her skull, glaring up at me.
"That hurts, Kaito-san! Please wake me up more gently! There are plenty of better ways, like a morning kiss!"
"...Want me to go for round two?"
"Ah, no, I’m kidding! I’m sorry! I’m awake!"
The gravity of the situation seemed to drain away instantly. I sighed as Alice stood up. For better or worse, she always managed to subvert my expectations.
Seeing my exasperated expression, Alice gave a wry smile as she stepped away from the counter and walked slowly toward me. The atmosphere around her shifted again, losing its loose demeanor. It became sharp, almost pricking my skin, yet it carried a strange warmth.
"...Kaito-san. Let me confirm one thing."
"...Y-Yeah."
"Tomorrow... do you intend to tell Kuro-san how you feel?"
My heart leaped. She asked the question in such a gentle, calm voice, yet it felt as if she were peering directly into the depths of my soul. I found myself at a loss for words.
After returning from my visit with Isis-san, I had thought seriously about my future. I had reached my own answer regarding what I would do after the Hero Festival ended... and I had made a resolution.
Kuro was the person I had spoken with most since arriving in this world. Before I knew it, she had come to occupy the most vital part of my heart. She was the benefactor who had pulled me out of the shell I had retreated into and validated my contradictory feelings.
She was the most dazzling treasure I had found in this world. I had resolved to tell Kuro exactly how I felt about her, and I had summoned every ounce of my courage to invite her on this date.
Yes, just as Alice suspected... I intended to confess to Kuro tomorrow.
As I reconfirmed my resolve, a sense of calm washed over me. I looked Alice straight in the eye and nodded.
"...Yeah. I don't know what the result will be, but I'm going to tell her."
"...I see."
Alice nodded with a small smile. Then, her expression turned solemn as she looked up.
"...I’m glad the preparations didn't go to waste."
"...Preparations?"
"Yes. For now, let’s move. Everyone is waiting."
"Everyone?"
Before I could ask who she meant, Alice reached out and touched my arm. The scenery blurred into static, and the sudden brush of a breeze against my cheeks told me we were no longer indoors.
When my vision cleared, I realized where we were. We were standing atop Magnawell-san’s massive head.
And that wasn't all. Waiting for us were three other figures—Isis-san, Liliwood-san, and Megiddo-san.
This meant that every member of the Six Kings except for Kuro was gathered in one place. Just what was happening?
"...Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting. It’s proceeding as planned."
"I see. This is considerably earlier than we predicted... What of Ein-san?" Liliwood-san asked.
"She declined. She said that if there was even a remote possibility of harm reaching Kuro-san, she couldn't take part."
"...I see... I... will respect... Kaito's will," Isis-san added softly.
I could sense the tension in their voices. Liliwood-san had mentioned their predictions; did that mean they had been waiting for this moment?
"It’s fine, ain't it? Dragging things out is boring! Better to just go for broke!" Megiddo-san barked.
"No, 'going broke' would be quite literal for us. That is no laughing matter, Megiddo," Magnawell-san replied, his voice booming with exasperation.
As I stood there confused, Alice turned back to face me.
"Kaito-san, I know this is sudden, but there is a story I absolutely must tell you before tomorrow arrives."
"A story you want to tell me?"
"Yes. Do you remember what I said before? That when you overcame the trials... I would show you the depths you must challenge?"
I decided to ignore the fact that it had actually been the Fake Phantasm King who said that. Was this about Kuro’s identity?
Alice kept her eyes fixed on mine as she continued.
"First... Kaito-san... I will tell you a secret known only to a select few in this world."
"...A secret?"
"Yes. Have you heard that we, the Six Kings, get along quite well?"
"Eh? A-Ah, yeah..."
I had heard it from Lilia-san, and I had seen it with my own eyes. They addressed each other casually, appearing more like a group of close friends than rival monarchs.
"There is a reason for that. Even though our races are different, we are family."
"What?"
I stared at her in shock. Family? All of the Six Kings? Their appearances were clearly different, yet Alice didn't look like she was joking. Isis-san and the others nodded silently, confirming her words.
The phrase "family despite different races" sounded familiar. I had heard it during the barbecue. That meant...
"Yes, it’s exactly as you suspect. Me, Isis-san, Liliwood-san, Megiddo-san, Magnawell-san... and even Ein-san, though she isn’t here... we are all Kuro-san’s former fledglings."
My breath hitched.
"Ein-san and I were the first. And twenty thousand years ago, we were the ones who marched upon the God Realm alongside Kuro-san."
I was utterly speechless. Every member of the Six Kings had been a fledgling raised by Kuro. They were the very members who had fought in the ancient war Chronoa-san had described.
Dear Mother, Father—at the place Alice led me, the Six Kings had gathered. The facts they spoke were more than enough to stun me. The Six Kings—every one of them had been Kuro’s fledgling.