Supporting her shoulder, he placed a cushion behind her back.
"Thank you. In my ten years here, I am particularly touched to witness for the first time the soul of a gentleman dwelling in the Black Prince."
"Hmph, this is just basic respect for the rare occasion when you use your real body to speak."
Alec maintained his poker face and immediately left the bedside.
A man who could never go all the way. Though he was not a good man, he could never make himself completely impassionate. Even though he came up with all sorts of schemes, he could never be merciless to the very end. Always seeking victory and more competitive than anyone, nevertheless he never gave up on dependents even if they hindered him.
On the other hand, Princess Alice was a deceiver.
For a human, she was the Miko-Hime who possessed the highest levels of spirit power.
Not only were her psychic sensing and telekinesis exceptional, she also possessed the disposition for spirit vision and prophesy. She could even converse with gods on occasion, but this ability eroded her body, making her extremely frail. A brief trip completely exhausts her, and would throw her bodily condition off balance.
Thus in order to make public appearances, Alice always used doppelgängers created from ectoplasm.
By controlling the doppelgänger, she could interact with the surroundings like a normal healthy person. Usually, ectoplasm cannot make contact with ordinary matter, but by combining it with telekinesis, Alice could maintain the illusion of moving like a real person. But no matter how amazing the deception, she could not pretend to eat or drink.
Very few outsiders knew this secret, probably the only ones were her rival Alec and Paolo Blandelli from the Copper Black Cross who became her ally in the conflict twelve years ago.
--A half-assed villain, and the woman who habitually deceived others with her appearance.
Impossible to describe, perhaps they were a pair very well suited to each other. Alice smiled wryly.
"What's so funny? Still, I already knew a long time ago, you're a very strange one in your personality and the way you think..."
"You're the one with a problem, what weird judgmental eyes... Let's cut the chitchat and get to the topic, Alexandre, what is your purpose in coming here today?"
Since her body could not sustain a dialogue for long, Alice went straight to the point.
"Having left Britanny, the divine ancestor's departure has been confirmed."
Knowing Alice's condition, Alec immediately brought up the heart of the matter. Having fought against each other many times, through strategy, negotiations and even allying on occasion. Compared to subordinates who were not in the know, they understood each other much better.
"Guinevere? What is the reason for her departure?"
"Who knows. But it looks like she recently came into contact with the China's Freakishly Strong Girl. Or perhaps, she had caught the eye of that Advocate of Ultimate Brute Force, and they are planning something together."
"Guinevere has approached Cult Leader Luo Hao..."
First of all, Alice recalled the woman described by the ungentlemanly character.
Possessing the full set of the five Confucian virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, knowledge and integrity, she was a great figure who carried herself with royal splendor. However, she believed her valor to be the greatest in the world, and compared to the lives of five billion humans, she placed greater value on the Earth. Simply put, she had delusions on the level of middle school students.
A monster who always brought trouble to her surroundings despite the best of intentions, one like no other.
As for Guinevere, she was the descendant of a snake deity, a witch transcending human knowledge, and a common enemy of both the Witenagemot and the association led by Alec, Royal Arsenal.
"No disaster would be too great for them to bring forth. Those two are definitely the worst combination."
"Yes, one of them is a monster whose reputation alone is enough to bring the world to ruin. For the poisonous snake to deliberately approach her... I can very well imagine the result."
"Yes, Alexandre, why have you informed me of such news?"
Why did you tell me? Though Alice already knew what Alec was thinking, she customarily asked him in joking tones.
The Black Prince laughed 'hoho' and eliminated the need to answer. The two knew exactly what each other was thinking.
A missing divine ancestor and the demonic cult leader who was the most vicious Campione. The one most suited to tracking those two would be you. The one who could freely make use of the informant network of the Witenagemot, and the one possessing the best spirit vision and psychic sensing, Princess Alice.
"This time, our interests should be aligned."
"Yes, even if we were to share information, it should not produce a troublesome outcome."
Appearing simultaneously on their faces was a smile that could not be described as benevolent.
If the Campione conspiring with the divine ancestor witch was to go out of control, it would be an emergency that the Witenagemot could not ignore, and must prevent at all cost.
The Witenagemot which was essentially just a think tank, did not possess the power to stop them.
Should they invite other Campiones for assistance? Amongst the devil kings living in Europe, there were Marquis Voban and the King of Swords, Salvatore Doni. But the two were rather unpredictable and equivalent to ticking time bombs.
Under the current conditions, Alice picked the third option.
As long as their interests were aligned, Black Prince Alec was definitely the most trustworthy devil king.
"Then I have finished what I came to say, pardon my intrusion."
"Forgive me for not seeing you off personally, Black Prince."
Having confirmed each other's intentions, there was no further need for discussion. Alec transformed into sparks and entered the world of god speed once again.
After the Black Prince vanished, Alice sighed deeply, greatly exhausted by the ordeal of speaking with her real body.
Part 3
One of the most popular uses of a cellphone for high school students, was sending text messages to communicate with friends.
But amongst the people close to Godou, none of them made effective use of this function.
Take Erica Blandelli for example, who preferred to chat directly over the phone rather than texting. On the other hand, Liliana Kranjcar loved to write letters. The day she arrived in Japan, she proposed to Godou "from now on I can send you regular reports by letter three... no, six times daily... may I...?" But Godou cautiously refused.
As for Mariya Yuri, she probably didn't even know how to send a text.
When she first began to use a cellphone, Godou had taught her briefly how to use it, but so far, he had never received a single text message under her name. If that's the case, what was going on with this current text message?
Titled 'Can we meet tomorrow?' The sender was 'Mariya Yuri.'
It was already late autumn in the earlier half of October, on a Saturday night.
Resting at home, Godou received the following text message on his cellphone.
'If you are free, could you meet me tomorrow? If possible, let us meet at the school gates at noon tomorrow, please.'
That was the content of the text message. Godou pondered in puzzlement.
Why would Yuri send a text like this to me? Wanting to ask her directly, Godou dialed her number.
No answer... With no other choice, he replied to her by text messaging.
After a few tens of minutes, he received a brief reply saying 'Thanks. See you tomorrow.'
"That fellow Mariya, what could she be thinking?"
Completely without a clue. Come to think of it, meeting a girl on Sunday was basically like a date -- no, no, just as this thought entered his mind, Godou shook his head intensely to dispel the notion.
The next day on Sunday, Godou left his house at eleven in the mornin
g.
It only took fifteen minutes to reach Jounan Academy on foot. The reason why Godou set off early was because he had nothing to do and wanted to take a stroll nearby before heading over to the meeting place.
However, this decision brought unexpected encounters.
"Ah, it's Godou, you're just leaving?"
Just as he stepped into Hongou Street, he was surprised to hear his name being called.
The forceful yet beautifully comforting voice belonged to Erica Blandelli. Turning his gaze towards the direction of the voice, Godou found Erica riding a red-framed bicycle.
"What happened to you...? To have gotten up this early!?"
For Godou, the current time was not early at all, but it was different for Erica.
On weekends, she never got up from bed until noon had passed. That was her habit. But the one standing before Godou right now, was the girl from Milan.
"There's some anti-noise construction going on next to the apartment, and it was too loud to sleep, so I decided to go out."
Godou nodded at Erica's explanation. If one had to disrupt the habits of the [Diavolo Rosso], extreme measures were the only way.
"However, thanks to that, I was able to meet Godou here. Based on this outcome, it's not bad at all, if you are free... No, even if you're not you have to accompany me, for that is the required duty of Erica Blandelli's partner."
Erica suddenly made her declaration.
Today she was wearing a red sweater with black jeans, a very casual outfit. In spite of that, she still gave off the airs of a sporty high class lady, which was on the level of cheating. When Erica wore jeans, it made her legs look very long and slender. This one aspect alone made her stood out from most Japanese women.
"Don't say something difficult like that. Just as you observed, I am in the middle of going out."
He was just going to praise her for the rare achievement of getting up early... But true to form, she brought out her troublemaking skills, so of course Godou could not let her have her way so easily.
Just as he was searching for an excuse to placate her.
"Good morning, Kusanagi Godou, it is too fortunate to find you here... Perfect, if not for the regrettable extra person here. Good morning, Erica."
Another voice was heard.
The first half of the greeting was spoken with the awe-inspiring expression of a female knight, but the latter half had tones like meeting an annoying old friend. The owner of the voice was Liliana Kranjcar.
Her long silver hair tied in a ponytail, it was the girl who resembled a fairy.
"Actually I made too much cake yesterday, and was going to bring some to your house."
Liliana showed the basket to Godou. Today she was wearing a black long-sleeved t-shirt with a blue jacket, as well as a miniskirt and over-knee socks.
As a side note, Erica's choice of red and black, as well as Liliana's combination of blue and black, were the representative colors of the respective magic associations they belonged to.
"To go so far as a cake, you take things too seriously... Lily, I give up on you."
Erica stole a glance at the basket carried by the blue and black female knight.
Compared to the time when she suddenly intruded into the Kusanagi home to cook for him, Liliana was much calmer and in control nowadays, and would never do anything so sudden and awkward.
However, she continued to regularly present Godou with the fruits of her labor and well wishes, just like today.
"Making a pound cake on a weekend afternoon is nothing... Erica, are you thinking of stealing and eating it right now!?"
"It doesn't have to be right now, but today's weather is great, so it would be nice to have a picnic in the park with this."
While Liliana guarded the basket in her hand, the girl known as the devil laughed.
"If you're going to offer me the food, I shall allow you to share it in our company."
"Why do you have to act like you are in a superior position? Have a little pertinence."
"Ah, I'm not saying you are getting in our way, it's because I approve of Lily's cooking skills that I made a concession, oh? Unless you don't want to come with us? A picnic with Godou?"
"Uh... That..."
The red knight's speech left the blue knight at a loss for words.
As Godou watched this frequently repeated scene unfold, he interrupted to refuse them.
"Ah, I'm sorry, I was on my way out."
From the red and blue knights came an intense gaze.
"The cake you brought, I will eat it later... W-What's with you two, why are you staring at me so strangely?"
The red knight looked as if she had found something interesting, while the blue knight seemed deep in thought. Their gazes made Godou frantic.
"Hmph hmph... Trying to put me and Lily aside, Godou, where do you think you're going?"
Erica smiled with a seductive expression. This was the witch's expression that took joy in the misfortunes of others.
"Your reason for going out, must be related to a female friend, right? Am I correct?"
Upon Liliana's fairy-like features, there was a sudden expression of darkness. It was a complicated expression encompassing doubt, worry and unease. Come to think of it, she had been wearing such an expression quite often lately.
"To have the gall to plan a date on a weekend, I am truly surprised. If only you were this capable with respect to me."
"To be meticulously prepared only in these situations... You really are something."
Reproached by the girls, this was merely blind baseless speculation.
That's what it should have been, but unfortunately they guessed correctly this time.
Godou was about to curse his pitiful luck when he suddenly had an idea. Wait a minute, I already agreed with Yuri beforehand, what is there to hide? Just come clean with it openly.
"You two, stop speculating rubbish over there. Yes, you are correct that I am meeting a girl, but that's nothing out of the ordinary. You two should behave, and stop talking like I'm some sort of playboy."
Puffing his chest out and holding his head high, Godou reminded himself honesty was the most important thing.
"I am meeting Yuri later, see, there's nothing strange."
"Yes yes, not strange at all. So let me ask you, the one who asked to meet up, was it you or Yuri?"
Allowing Godou to begin explaining, Erica then posed a question.
Her eyes were laughing, it was the same kind of joyful smile like a predator chasing its prey.
"Hmph, clearly it's Yuri. But that girl will definitely not take initiative on her own like that... There must be someone secretly advising her."
Godou was rendered speechless instantly. To be described that way. Though he wanted to defend his honor, he felt like he would be digging his own grave. So Godou quickly said:
"S-So, I already agreed with her on the time, I have to go now."
"Sounds very interesting, then I will come as well. It should be fine, right? Me, Lily and Yuri are all the same, we are all your close friends."
Erica spoke as if playing a joke on Godou, while Liliana looked as if she had thought of something.
"...Then I will accompany as your knight. This is to verify there is nothing indecent going on between you and Mariya Yuri. Is that fine?"
She took the opportunity to follow as well, Godou felt it was unbelievable and sighed.
When Liliana first came to Japan, she often acted out of control. It has already been a month since, and Godou just realized that she had improved a lot.
Many problematic actions have been reduced substantially. Even from an objective point of view, one would conclude she had become more composed.
On the other hand, she seemed to have become unexpectedly quiet, always calmly and silently thinking about something.
It gave the impression that she was gathering all sorts of information and performing some kind of analysis.
Anyway there was no time to ponder all thi
s, as Erica and Liliana chose to act in unison, so Godou walked with them to Jounan Academy. Somehow he felt like he was being cornered into a dead end, and it felt rather surreal.
Walking roughly fifteen minutes on Hongou Street, they reached the front gates of Private Jounan Academy.
Godou stole a glance and surveyed the surroundings but did not find Yuri. There were still five minutes until the appointed time of noon. For someone strictly disciplined like Yuri, she should have arrived early.
"Onii-sama, greetings for the first time, I have waited so long to meet you."
Someone started a conversation, but Godou did not hear Yuri's familiar voice.
Looking to his side, he found a proper-looking young girl standing there, dressed in a yellow top with a checkered skirt, her black hair cut slightly above shoulder length.
Godou searched his memories, could he have seen this girl before?
And what did she say just now? Onii-sama?
Immediately, he thought to himself -- which parent's illegitimate child could it be? The girl before him was around twelve or so. In his memory, he had never witnessed his mother being pregnant for the past twelve or thirteen years. Even though she was described as having a natural vocation of being a devil, she could not possibly have concealed pregnancy and birth.
Then it must be the father? That middle-aged delinquent!
Ignoring Godou who was stuck in doubt and agitation, the silver-haired knight asked the girl:
"To my knowledge Kusanagi Godou has only one sister, Shizuka. When you called him 'Onii-sama' just now, was it just a greeting for an older male? Or perhaps, you are an illegitimate child of the Kusanagi family?"
"Ah, neither, sorry, I said something misleading."
Liliana's direct interrogation made the young girl bow her head.
Then who was this girl? At that moment, Erica nodded her head.
"Ah, I see, it turns out to be something like that. So that's what I found so similar."
"You already figured it out? Ah, you must be Erica-san, right? The one who defeated Ena-neesama and reputed to be a powerful and intelligent beauty, you really are as they say!"
The unidentified girl was praising the [Diavolo Rosso].
From her gaze she was really praising sincerely. Her facial expressions and actions were very cute, and there was a very pure innocence completely devoid of shameless pandering.
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