Alice stood before the two rampaging monsters, Phoenix and Tiamat, with a bright smile on her face. Her voice, when she spoke, was so gentle it was practically bone-chilling.
"……Phoenix?"
"S-S-S-S-So sorry! I-I just got a little too excited and carried away. I’m really sorry, just anything but that..."
The moment Alice called her name, Phoenix began to rattle and shake, stammering out her apology in a trembling voice.
Seeing Phoenix, a legendary masochist, so genuinely terrified was a bizarre sight. Then again, I supposed Alice was perfectly capable of delivering a punishment that offered absolutely no satisfaction to her particular fetishes.
"……Tiamat?"
"I lacked self-control. It was shameful. My impulses simply got ahead of me…… I am fine now. In fact, the blood has drained so completely from my face that I am miserably calm."
Tiamat had also turned pale the second Alice addressed her. The sheer depth of the fear she felt was unmistakable.
To be honest, I thought it was truly impressive that Alice could strike such terror into those two. After nodding at their excuses with a smile, Alice spoke quietly.
"……I see, I see. Everyone makes mistakes, don't they? That can't be helped. The problem is what you do after you’ve made a mistake…… So, what are the two of you, in your wisdom, going to do to avoid being punished by me?"
"I’ll go home! Immediately and without delay!"
"I will return home and enter self-imposed isolation. For several days, at the very least……"
Apparently, Alice's punishments were so horrific that both of them declared they would leave on the spot.
I had harbored a vague suspicion about this for a while.
The Ten Demons were a group of intense personalities, including dangerous individuals like Phoenix and Tiamat. The only reason such an eccentric bunch functioned as the executives of the Phantasm King Faction—the camp with the largest number of subordinates in the world—was likely because Alice, their King, held their leashes with an iron grip.
"Is that so, is that so…… Well then, while I’m still smiling…… hurry up and go home."
"「Thank you for your hard work!!」"
The moment Alice gave the word, Phoenix and Tiamat bolted with a speed that perfectly embodied the phrase "fleeing like startled rabbits."
Honestly, that was a huge help. If I had been alone, I would have been more or less fine, but with everyone else here, those two were far too dangerous to have around.
Just as Sky had feared, Aoi and Hina might have been psychologically scarred by the encounter. That was likely why Alice had moved so quickly this time.
"……My apologies for the trouble my perverts caused. Well, they should stay quiet for a few days now…… though it’s a real headache that they’ll be right back to their usual selves once that time passes."
"Ah, yeah. Thanks for the help."
Wearing an exasperated expression, Alice vanished once more. The matter was resolved for the time being, but……
"Sky-san, we’re drawing quite a bit of attention. Should we move on?"
"You’re right. Let’s head to the next location."
Even though the immediate threat was gone, we had attracted a considerable amount of notice, and I felt awkward staying there. We could always come back later; for now, it was best to keep moving.
Sky understood my concerns and immediately agreed, leading us toward our next destination.
As we walked away from the Main Stage Plaza, I asked Sky where we were going next.
"I thought we might visit the Chapel. It’s a very popular spot during the White God Festival, and the lottery odds to get in were astronomical. I’ve already made arrangements for all of you to enter, however."
"I see, a place to offer prayers to Shallow Vernal-sama…… I certainly want to do that, but Sky-dono, I don't know much about the correct etiquette for prayer……"
"Please don't worry. It isn't anything particularly difficult. I can guide you if necessary."
I had heard beforehand that the Chapel would be popular. Since it offered a rare opportunity to offer prayers in the God Realm—close to Shiro-san’s sanctuary—applications had apparently flooded in from devout believers.
Anima was the one whose spirits visibly lifted at the mention of the Chapel. As it turned out, her faith in Shiro-san was quite profound.
She made a trip to a temple in the Human Realm once a month. Though she claimed not to know the proper etiquette well, she was probably the most well-versed among us.
For Anima, Shiro-san was the being who had allowed her to be reborn, so her devotion made perfect sense. Although she hadn't let it show on the surface, she had apparently been quite nervous during our previous trip to the beach as well.
……Come to think of it, besides me, had anyone in our group even seen Shiro-san up close other than Sieg-san and Lilia-san?
Because I met her so often, I tended to lose perspective, but for an ordinary person, the chance to meet the Top of the World—Shallow Vernal—was a miracle that might not happen even once in a lifetime.
Extra: Alice-chan's Negotiation for Each Material
【In Megiddo’s Case】
"Megiddo-san, give me a horn."
"Hah? Do whatever you want. Just buy me some good booze next time."
"Yes, yes, understood."
【In Lilliwood’s Case】
"A Flower of the World Tree?"
"Of course, I’m not asking for it for free. Is there anything you want, Lilliwood-san? I can prepare it for you."
"No, I do not require items, but…… let’s see. Could you perhaps help balance my World Tree…… my Main Body? I have done so to some extent myself, but……"
"Understood. No pruning then; I’ll just adjust the leaves and the overall balance."
【In Isis’s Case】
"……Is it…… okay…… if I put…… Magic Power…… into this?"
"Yes, please. Also, if there's anything you'd like in return……"
"……Mm…… I understand…… and…… I don't…… need anything in return…… You've helped me so much…… with Iris…… and Polaris…… This is…… my way of saying thanks."
【In Ein’s Case】
"Ein-san, give me some Magic Power Threads."
"You can make them yourself, can you not?"
"I can, but if I’m looking for the very best, it’s only right to ask Ein-san, the supreme maid."
"I see. Indeed, if one seeks the pinnacle of quality, asking a maid is the best course of action. Very well. How much do you require?"
"……(She’s a pushover)…… Ahem. Well, the amount I need is……"
【In Kuromueina’s Case】
"Kuro-san, I’d like you to share some of your Magic Power. You know, that mist-like state."
"I don't mind, but…… what are you using it for?"
"I’m thinking of making some equipment. By the way, here is your reward."
"What’s this?"
"These are several Otherworld Seasonings that haven't reached this world yet; I reproduced them myself."
"Y-You mean! With these, the further possibilities of Baby Castella will……"
"Yeah. By the way, I’ve chosen ones that specifically taste good with Baby Castella…… but don't go mixing them together, okay? It’ll taste awful."
"Eh? N-No, but to pursue the possibilities of Baby Castella, I need to try various—"
"I’m telling you, it’ll taste bad! And the one who has to suffer the consequences of that Demonic Fusion is Kaito-san. If you’re going to use them, use them one at a time."
"……Ugh, okay."