Alice had settled my wardrobe choice in the blink of an eye, so I found myself waiting for Lilia-san in a lounge area, following the staff's suggestion to enjoy some tea.
Since this boutique primarily served the nobility, it seemed common for customers to take a long time selecting their clothes. The open space was furnished with several tables and chairs. It felt a bit like a high-end car dealership—not that I had ever actually bought a car, so I was basing that purely on my imagination.
A moment after I settled into a plush chair, a different clerk than the one who had helped us earlier brought over a cup of black tea.
"Here you go, Miyama-sama."
"Ah, thank you ver—"
I reached for the tea, but as I looked up at the woman’s face, I couldn’t help but freeze in surprise. It wasn't because she had used my name; since she was undoubtedly one of Alice’s subordinates, it stood to reason she would know who I was.
What startled me was the woman herself.
She had deep, dark blue hair with long bangs swept to the side, completely veiling her left eye. In the eye that remained visible, there was an unnervingly heavy shadow—dark circles so deep they looked bruised.
Her facial features were actually quite refined, but those hollow shadows under her eyes combined with her grey irises and pale skin made her look incredibly sickly.
Yet, that wasn't the only reason for my surprise. Her appearance was one thing, but beyond that...
"...Um, by any chance... are you the 'Fake Phantasm King'?"
"...You caught me. Although I am far from reaching the level of Shaltier-sama, I was confident in my disguises... and yet..."
"Ah, so that face right now is also part of it..."
"No, this is my 'true face.'"
"Oh... I see."
Indeed, this female clerk was the Fake Phantasm King who had appeared before me twice as Alice’s double. I never expected to cross paths with her again in a place like this.
Actually, was it even okay for her to be here? She was clearly Shaltier's confidant—an executive-class subordinate, surely.
As if reading the doubt on my face, she offered a thin, elegant smile.
"The subordinates stationed at this shop are of somewhat low rank. I judged them unworthy of the honor of serving tea to Miyama-sama, so I came personally."
"I-I see... Well, thank you for the trouble. Er..."
"I am Shaltier-sama’s Adjutant. My name is Pandora. It is a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance."
"R-Right. I’m Kaito Miyama... Er, Pandora-san? Are you... feeling okay? You don't look well."
"Ah, you mean this?"
If she was the Adjutant, she was likely at the very top of Alice’s hierarchy.
I understood that, but she still looked so terribly unhealthy that my eyes kept drifting back to those deep shadows on her face.
"I am of the Hell Nightmare race. This complexion and these shadows are natural traits I’ve had since birth, so please, do not let it trouble you."
"I-I see... My apologies."
"Not at all. I am profoundly honored that you would spare even a moment of concern for me."
"E-Err..."
So it wasn't that she was sick; she just naturally looked that way.
But still, Pandora-san... wasn't her attitude a bit too humble?
"We of the Phantasm King’s Corps serve you, the master of Shaltier-sama, with absolute submission. Naturally, should Miyama-sama command it, I am prepared to carry out any task at the cost of my life. If you require anything at all, please do not hesitate to order me."
"...Y-Yes. I appreciate the hard work."
She spoke with a voice filled with unwavering resolve and a faint smile on her lips, but her appearance made the whole thing feel a bit eerie.
It was a different brand of fear than what I felt around Eden-san; this was more of a visceral, horror-movie-style dread.
And did she say the entire Phantasm King’s Corps was in absolute submission? Did that mean if I shouted "Assemble" like Alice did, a literal mountain of people in black robes would just appear out of nowhere? That was a terrifying thought.
While I was lost in my worries, Alice suddenly materialized in the seat across from me, sipping her own tea.
"Well, I'm sticking to you like glue, so there's no need to worry about a thing... but for what it's worth, Pandora-san over here is known as the 'Count-class closest to Duke-class.' She’s reasonably handy to have around."
"I-I see... Well, er..."
"For the record, 'assassination' is her greatest specialty."
"I don't have any need for that, okay?!"
No matter how confidently she vouched for her subordinate's killing skills, I had no plans to assassinate anyone, now or ever. Please, if you're going to sell me on her merits, pick something else.
"...I can subject a target to an 'Eternal Nightmare' and shatter their mind."
"...Could we try for something a little less life-threatening?"
"...'While my size is average, I have beautiful breasts.'"
"Is that information really necessary right now?!"
"If Miyama-sama desires it, I can also handle your 'night care.'"
Wait just a second, Pandora-san? Could you please not say things like that to a virgin? Even if I have no intention of taking you up on it, it makes me weirdly self-conscious!
I mean, she really was a beauty in her own way. Once I got used to the pale skin and the dark circles, she had a certain mysterious, bewitching charm.
No, no, what was I thinking? I was overreacting to a single comment...
"Pandora..."
"Yes!"
"It sounds like you're in need of some re-education... Come here."
"Huh? No, wait, I haven't finished—"
"Come!"
"Y-Yes! As you command!"
As I sat there flustered by Pandora-san's offer, Alice spoke up with a decidedly grumpy tone.
"A-Alice?"
"Sorry about that, Kaito-san... This girl’s loyalty is a little 'broken.'"
"What do you mean?"
"...Pandora-san, what is Kaito-san to you?"
"Yes! He is the master of Shaltier-sama, and the one to whom I shall 'consecrate my body and soul, and love for all eternity!'"
"...Excuse me?"
She just said something absolutely outrageous. What was wrong with this woman? Was she the same type of person as Eden-san?
"...Well, I did order her to obey Kaito-san... so I guess she just took her fanatical loyalty toward me and applied it directly to you. Anyway, I'm taking her for re-education."
"U-Uh-huh."
Letting out a rare, weary sigh, Alice dragged Pandora-san away.
...Seriously, though... why was it that every powerful figure in this world had such an overwhelming personality?
"...Good luck, Re-education Split Body Alice-chan No. 12... Kaito-san’s chastity is in your hands now."
"You're ruining the moment... And don't just hand it over without asking me!"
Dear Mother, Father—While waiting for Lilia-san at the clothing shop, I had yet another new encounter. Pandora-san, formerly the Fake Phantasm King. Her appearance was certainly striking, but her personality was just as intense. To be honest—I was utterly exhausted.