"Hello, Alice Kuonji."
The boy stood by the table, speaking with confidence.
Yaya stood poised behind him, every bit the picture of a proper Yamato Nadeshiko.
"Right after enrolling, you defeated Magnus in a direct confrontation."
His voice grew noticeably heavier when he spoke the name 'Magnus.'
"Then you resolved the 'Cannibal Candy' incident. The student body recognizes you as a Glove Bearer on par with the Thirteen, a strong candidate for the next Demon King."
The boy recited the information fluently.
"Registered code: 'Nursery Rhyme'."
He held forth effortlessly before Alice, yet the girl didn't grant him a single glance, idly toying with Kirakishou's hair instead.
Yaya stepped forward, displeasure on her face, ready to say something.
But her movement was quickly interrupted by Charlotte, who rose to her feet with a scowl, her blue eyes fixed on the unexpected boy.
"Can I help you?"
"One of the Thirteen, 'Tyrant Rex,' I see. So the rumors of your alliance with 'Nursery Rhyme' are true."
The boy remained unhurried. "My reason for coming is simple."
His gaze slowly returned to Alice.
"I want the Night Party qualification... and Magnus's data."
Cold.
In an instant, a chilling, palpable bloodlust spread through the cafeteria. The students nearby immediately vacated the room.
The killing intent seemed to coil around the boy's body like a visible mist, making his clenched fists tremble involuntarily.
The rapier pressed against his throat certainly didn't help the trembling.
"Even if you are the master of Irori's sister." Suigintou's black wings fluttered slightly behind her as she smiled haughtily.
The silver-haired doll floated in the air, akin to a queen surveying her domain.
"I cannot ignore such a provocation."
The boy's pupils contracted sharply. When did she—?
Yaya...? He tried to glance back at his doll. Logically, Yaya wouldn't stay quiet in a situation like this.
With great effort, he shifted his eyeballs. The restrained form of his doll came into view.
Brilliant white thorns bloomed, tightly binding Yaya's slender limbs.
It wasn't just the thorns that were blooming; a smile also blossomed on Kirakishou's face.
"Don't drain her completely."
Alice gently tapped Kirakishou's small head. The unique constitution of the Setsugetsuka dolls couldn't afford to have their magic power fully emptied.
Kirakishou nodded obediently, but the thorns didn't loosen; instead, they tightened another fraction.
A pained gasp escaped Yaya's lips.
"Yaya!" The boy wanted to turn and save his doll, but the rapier at his throat and the small dragon gathering light in its mouth beside him made movement impossible.
Just then, a voice from behind him came to his rescue.
"Yaya?! Lord Raishin?!"
Irori's shocked cry only further scrambled Raishin's thoughts.
That familiar voice!
"Irori... sister?" Yaya's voice confirmed the newcomer's identity.
"Lady Alice." Irori hurriedly walked to Alice's side, pointing at the black-haired doll. "This is my younger sister, and this young man is a collaborator with Shouko."
"I know."
Irori blinked in confusion, then seemed to understand something.
She set down the meal she was carrying, turned around, and an icy aura erupted from her.
It wasn't the effect of a Magic Circuit, but the chilling air of an elder sister's authority. It wasn't much, but it was enough.
"Yaya," she said reproachfully, "what exactly were you two doing just now?"
"Um..." Yaya averted her face, her expression somewhat unnatural.
Raishin watched the scene before him, his mind racing.
A few seconds later, he understood everything.
"My apologies, this was my mistake, I deserve to die ten thousand deaths." An awkward smile appeared on the boy's face. He opened his palms and slowly raised them in a gesture of peace.
"Might I... beg for a truce?"
--+--
"My deepest apologies for such rude behavior."
Raishin expertly executed a perfect ninety-degree bow. Yaya similarly lowered her head.
Irori, who had heard the whole story from Hinaichigo, stood behind them with her arms crossed, displeased. "You must at least maintain the most basic courtesy."
"I didn't know you were Shouko's collaborator before. When you're challenging someone, you have to show some spirit, right?" He maintained his bowing posture as he spoke, knowing full well who needed to grant forgiveness now.
Alice merely held her knife and fork, gently cutting the food on her plate.
"If I can obtain your forgiveness, I'll do anything," Raishin lifted his head, a determined look in his eyes. "Whether it's being a hired hand or a lackey, I'll do it."
"Someone without even a Night Party qualification shouldn't be spouting such nonsense," Charlotte interrupted him irritably.
"...I will get it."
"Ah, it's Frey."
Before he could finish, he was cut off by Hinaichigo's exclamation.
Looking over, a girl with off-white long hair was approaching, carrying a basket. She looked left and right, as if searching for something.
Spotting the cafeteria, Frey's eyes suddenly lit up. She walked quickly towards them, Rabbi close at her heels.
Under everyone's gaze, she stopped breathlessly in front of Alice.
"Are you still thinking about assassinating Alice?" Suigintou asked abruptly.
"Yes..." Frey, holding her chest, had just uttered the word before snapping back to reality.
"No... that's not it." She waved her hands frantically, placing the basket on the table with her other hand. "This is food I made... Please... have some."
Hinaichigo cheerfully scurried over, her eyes shining, eagerly reaching out a hand. It seemed she hadn't seen Frey's cooking before either.
"This isn't poisoned, is it?"
"No, it's sleeping pills," the girl replied proudly.
Hinaichigo, who had just taken a bite, froze instantly. She looked up incredulously, her emerald eyes welling with tears.
Irori hurried over to pat Hinaichigo's back.
"Really?" Alice asked back, disbelieving. It was only because it was the airheaded Frey that she'd let Hinaichigo try the food; from anyone else, it would never have made it to the table.
"Um... Because I couldn't find the sleeping pills, I used a lot of salt instead," Frey lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
Hinaichigo made a face and spat the sandwich out onto Irori's handkerchief.
So that's why she made that face—it was just too salty.
Alice comfortingly rubbed Hinaichigo's head. The little one was already scrambling everywhere looking for water.
"Ahahaha!" The ever-present Robin let out a merry laugh, his wings flapping pleasantly. "I'm going to tell Suiseiseki about this when we get back, ahahaha!"
"So Westerners are open to this degree," Raishin nodded as if pondering something significant. "They even announce their assassination attempts."
"Oh? And who might you be, fellow? I don't believe I've seen you before."
"Hello, Brother Bird! I'm the newly enrolled Akabane Raishin!"
"Good! Very spirited! You're a pretty sharp kid, aren't you?"
"Haha, you flatter me..."
Ignoring the exchange between the two idiots, Alice said helplessly, "You didn't believe me when I told you?"
Frey let out a muffled 'um' and turned her head away, muttering, "I can't beat Alice. Rabbi can't either."
Rabbi was wagging his tail beside the table, looking every bit the simple-minded dog.
The girl hung her head in guilt. "If I lose in the Night Party..."
Tap, tap, tap.
Footsteps echoed again in the now mostly empty cafeteria. A boy had stopped not far away.
A slender male student stood in the center of the room. He had short hair the same color as Frey's, and a strange automaton stood beside him.
He glanced at the glove on Frey's hand and spoke coldly.
"Are you still engaged in this foolishness?"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.