Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Chapter 161

Uncertain and disgusted gazes pierce me as I walk following behind the village chief.
The back of my neck has an uneasy itch……

「So, it's because the people of the village are also aware of who you are. The baptism from before was due to those impurities.」
「Ah～～」

I'm convinced.
But, if I think carefully, my lineage begins with myself so rather than just my parents, I don't even have ancestors.
Given that, rather than such like impurities, it wouldn't be wrong to say I myself am the progenitor.
By the way, I have two beloved daughters as my descendants.

「Do not mind it. There is no need to be deeply involved with this village. For either of us.」
「It's okay, I'm fine. I'd just like to have a little rest, since our objective is deeper in. Besides which, I'm used to people's malice.」
「Is that so. I suppose it is natural with what you've gone through.」

I was speaking of my previous world though.
Otto, I elegantly evade a small rock thrown by a village child.
A tongue came out going beh～ so, I also went and replied by sticking my tongue out and doing my own beh～

「Fu
「No, this isn't something to laugh about though, this is bullying though.」
「Isn't it just a child's mischief, do not pay it any mind.」
「By child……」

I also thought it was a child at first but, looking closely, it feels like the person from before was rather large.

「Certainly that person's current year is 38 but, that's still a small child you know.」
「……I'm 17 years old but, that's?」
「Fumu, a small child.」

From when to when is one a small child.
Since it's not like it's fine whatever happens if you say it's a small child is it?

「O-kasama!」
「Oh? Silvi-chan!」

It's good that you're well!
My beloved daughter came flying out from the house at the large tree that the village chief has been guiding me toward.

「It's great that you're well!」

Just after I went all out to display my delight at our reunion by spreading both my arms, my daughter came to an abrupt stop and gave a formal bow.

「……」

What are my spread arms here for.
This isn't right, is it?
Silvi-chan maintains a surprising degree of decorum, so I think she's a reserved child.
She's a very capable child.
But even for such a child, I feel it's fine for her emotions burst forth from time to time, specifically, right now!

「……Then I'll give you a hug!」
「Hyauu!? O, O-kasama……」

I go all out and tiiiiigghtly embrace my mature daughter.

「Fumu, is she your child? No, perhaps you're the child?」

I elegantly ignore the village chief-san's snide remark.
I released Silvi-chan around when I'd fully enjoyed her warmth.
I've bewildered my beloved daughter but, her slightly steamy cheeks are adorable.
And so somehow, it seems everyone has gathered safely.

「This is a good opportunity, I have something to talk about after this. You should all come with me. That place is also your lodgings.」

◇■◇■◇

We were guided to a wood built mansion that's too splendid to be allocated to a guest.
Among the surprising things, there were even two maid-sans there.
Somehow it seems they're twins, with blond hair and blue eyes, their inhuman atmosphere suits them well.

「Everyone, welcome, you b.i.t.c.hes.」
「Please come this way, you mongrels.」

There's a limit to superficial courtesy.
No, rather, there wasn't even a fragment of courtesy.

「……Ano.
「Fumu, maa, do not mind it. This is ordinary for Mio and Rena.」

It'd be better if they restarted once more from elementary school.
Show manners to your employers.

「Etto, we'll be in your care……」

I try showing etiquette for now and, the two expressionless maids went and stared blankly at me.

「Fumu」
「Hou

……E～tto, I feel something's off about this staring at my face to the extent of opening a hole.

「Are you master-dono's disciple, b.i.t.c.h.」
「Are you the present strongest, s.l.u.t.」
「As if it's such an important issue!?」

Ma, maa, I'm originally male so, am I little more so than a normal female?
Well, I don't know the feelings of a normal female though.

「It's true that Alice has not just with Krancesca, on top of including Eclair in her member roll, she's active enough that given the chance she'll even make a move on Ilya, don't I know that well.」
「Was there a need to purposefully reveal all of that right here? Oneechan……」

Like this I really do seem like a no good person though……?
Huh? Is that the truth?
That's not the point――!

「Master-dono?」

My heart was gouged by abuse but, I heard something that concerned me.

「That is of course Tillbell-sama, you tofu face.」
「That is of course history's strongest, you small fry strongest.」

Being the strongest even as a small fry is……?

「Ma, maa let it be. Speaking of that, this is Till's mansion then.」

I try looking up and, it was a building that makes one feel a sense of history within the sunlight filtering through the woods.
Large trees of the sort that approach an elf's long lifespan surround the house.

「Ah, then you were Till's helpers then weren't you! Fufu, that Till really was a handful wasn't she?」

The twins averted their faces at my question, as my sudden sense of familiarity bubbled up.

「Che」
「Chi」
「Ano……I also get as depressed as anyone else.」
「It's a joke」
「It's humour」

Since those who brush it off as a joke after saying everything as they please are bullies right?
It's not a joke to the person it's said to so please keep that in mind!
We went into the house, as the I who had been hurt to a normal extent was being yosh yoshed by oneechan.
This goes without saying but, Ilya's eyes housed killing intent as they looked upon the twins.

◇■◇■◇

We're discussing what comes after this around a large one plank table.
This table seems extremely expensive if judged by the standards of my world doesn't it……

「Now then, even here in this elf village we have a general grasp of the situation. In a sense it's even as the legends state.」

Hei～
The village chief-san started talking around when I'd recovered from the damage to my heart.
Even so, the Ilya standing in wait behind me is glaring at the maid-sans.

「The revival of the beast of 666 and, the true awakening that accompanies that.」
「True awakening?」

I know the tale of the beast though.

「The story that hints at the end of the world really does have a continuation then……」

The one known as the saintess, Sitra, let out a grave voice.

「I suppose there's no mistake in the beast of 666 being a threat but, since Alice and Ilya easily beat it up didn't they.」

It's just as oneechan said but, we ended up scorching a section of the forest like that……

「That may be so. For us, this would be something we could triumph over even if at great loss if it was at the level of the beast. However, it would not go as such with that which is truly awakening as our opponent.」
「……」

Marisan is lost in thought as her hand touches to her lips.
It's somehow amorous.

「Lecher.」
「Studhorse b.i.t.c.h.」
「――」

An aura of negativity is emanating from Ilya.

「Excuse me.」
「Verbal slip.」

As could be expected, even those twins shut their mouths with the dark aura Ilya released.
Un, a chill is running up the back of my neck……

「That which is truly awakening……that is according to what we've been told, G.o.d isn't it?」

Silvi-chan gave her answer as if she already knew.

「Umu. Since we elves and the dragons beyond are something like the guards for the gate between the world of G.o.ds and the world of men after all.」

I see, world of G.o.ds and world of men is it.
Elves and dragons are beings rarely seen in the world of men aren't they.
The people here are the residents of the divide, is it something like that?

「By the way, I understand that there's no way we can let the beast of 666 run loose but, is it no good if G.o.d-sama is revived?」

That is the fundamental question.

「I don't know the specific details, but……it's that in what's said in legend, the event of G.o.d's awakening means it has had enough of the world. Watching a dream as it sleeps, it awakens to destroy it when that dream doesn't interest it……there is a tale of that sort. For us, oral tradition has a lot of credibility.」
「Muu……what a bother.」

G.o.d-sama is it.
Is the one who called me also that person?
But, u～n……rather selfish isn't it.

「But I don't know what to think about suddenly being belligerent so, I want to try talking it out though.」
「I approve of that opinion, Alice-dono.

Marisan's approval is more than heartening.

「It's questionable if something like victory is possible for one at the level of a human, starting a fight with a G.o.dlike being.」
「That's so isn't it.」

The attribute values have too many unknown variables.
Nn?
On that note, that unneeded person gave birth to an unneeded G.o.d slayer like being.

「Alice's clone from before who showed an intent to oppose G.o.d……Ionsan, was it? We have to stop that girl if she tries to start a fight don't we?」

Sitra's fears are justified, I was also thinking just that.
For example, she could bring wrath down upon us and cause the world's collapse, I also feel a slight sense of responsibility as her original.

「If Iona shows herself, would it be fine to rely on Sitra's ability?」

That skill is convenient.
If we estimate Iona's abilities to be generally equal to my own, Sitra's skill should give her trouble.

「That is of course, Alice-sama. I am here for that reason.」
「Fufu, then I'll ask it of you okay.」

Since even if this child had no right to choose, her feelings of wanting to protect someone are still genuine aren't they.

「Umu, even if our course in how to handle G.o.d is fine with that, if we proceed as such it will probably be harsh at the critical moment.」
「In the sense of being insufficiently prepared?」
「If I were to state it frankly.」

Since we don't even know anything about our opponent do we.

「This air headed――tsu.
「……」

A drop of sweat ran down the cheeks of the twin maid who was about to say something.
On that note, one part of her blond hair is gently falling.
As if someone had thrown a knife.
Someone?
I wouldn't know.

「It's possible to recover it with heal anyway so, even if I aimed a little deeper……excuse me, I was talking to myself.」

Waa.

「Yare yare, are you done yet? We must have the one who has received the blessing of the strongest polish her power within the cave of trials. Did you know that all up until the 6th generation emerged from elves?」
「No, I'm learning that for the first time.」

My succession didn't have a moment for delay so, I haven't heard anything you know.

「Is that so, it is a lineage of elves from the first generation. That blessing is as a key to open the cave of trials. As a result, the cave interior is unknown to any beyond those 6 people.」
「Heei……?」

This, has strongly catches my attention.
But I'm grateful for it at a time like this.

「Whether it's simply a place to learn how to use your power, or if there's some sort of deep truth……it'd be best for you to try and confirm it with your own eyes.」
「Is the cave near here?」
「Since this village receives energy from the groundwater coming from that cave you see.」

On that note, since there's always a ruin near town isn't there.
They share water or such, the blessings that people make use of to live by don't they.

「I understand, then I'll, try going there.」
「I suppose so, I have no objection.」

Along with my oneechan who was the first to follow for me, everyone nodded.
And then, when I thought the conversation was wrapping up, a great explosive sound reverberated through the village.

「Wha, what is this!?」
「Mu. This smell…… Mio, Rena!」
「Acknowledged.」
「Roger.」

The twin maids leapt out of the mansion the moment the village chief spoke.

「Enemy? Beast?」
「Don't know, but. There's a bit of a problem.」

Looking at the sky as seen from the village chief's window, within that darkened scene, a face scowled from yet sootier smoke.

「Is a fire spreading――」

◇■◇■◇

Following the two maids, we also went about to check within the village.
We still haven't seen a fire but, if a conflagration or such started within such a forest……

「――Let's split into two groups! I, Ilya and Silvi-chan are group A. Oneechan, Marisan and Sitra are group B. Head to your respective sides of town, go 1 rotation clockwise and, let's return to here.」
「That is appropriate, Alice-dono.」

I wonder if I've become a little more accustomed to the role of a commander.

「Alright, let's hurry!」

Without waiting to hear everyone's responses, we split into two groups and run out.
When we left the center of town and approached the forest, we could hear the sounds of a swordfight.

「O-kasama! That's!」

I confirmed the twin maids, beyond Silvi-chan's pointed finger.
Those girls were, what is that?
A person? A soldier?
They were fighting something enveloped in a dark haze, with its entire body is covered in armour.
Dread runs down my spine.
This isn't……the sort of enemy that words can get through to!

「――You two, take your distance!!」

The twins react quickly to my voice.
They take distance from the enemy with a flying leap like an acrobat's.

「――Lightning!」

My lightning flashes through the enemy.
It's a direct hit but……

「Ojousama, behind me.」

Ilya readied her spear, in front of the black armour that still hadn't fallen.

「Ilya, I will support you.」

Silvi-chan also draws her magic sword and, stands beside her.

「Silvis-sama as well, do be careful.」
「Eei.

Ilya as vanguard, Silvi-chan as midguard, I as rearguard.
Un, we're fighting with good balance.
The twin maid-sans have also fallen back to my side.

「Danger」
「Formidable」

They gave a straightforward warning.
As expected these people aren't such bad people are they.

「Roger that, without negligence, without hesitation, and without mercy, let's show we can deal with the enemy.」

That's something I've learned in this world.

「Come lightning spirit, become a blade――Light・Enchant!」

I grant lightning to Ilya's weapon.
From my impression of the armour, would lightning pa.s.s through with ease? I have a gloomy feeling though.

「――I'm going. Lance・Charge.」

Together with my nod, Ilya uses her lance skill and charges.
With her lance in both hands, it was an excellent rus.h.i.+ng thrust that used Ilya's field.
Though simple, its breaking power can't be mocked.
The black armour readied its s.h.i.+eld rather quickly for its appearance and, brought Ilya's charge to a stop.

――Gagin!!

The great metallic sound reverberated through the forest.
The one staggering forward is――Ilya!
The black armour, swung its long sword down on Ilya after readying itself behind her.

「Blizzard!」

But, Silvi-chan won't allow that.
The sword strikes ice and is thrown back.
This time, in the gap when the black armour loses its posture, Silvi-chan thrusts her rapier in.

――Kakakan!

「Ku, tough! There's no opening!」

The weapon has poor affinity does it.

「――Haaa!!!」

And so, the I that had approached into very close range while hidden by the pair's attacks managed to deliver a lightning palm to the black armour's torso.
It's grandly blown away and, crashes into a large tree.

「If it were a regular human, I feel that that's not damage it could stand up from but……」
「Please take care, ojousama.

Ilya readied herself at my side once again.
Silvi-chan also readied herself without letting her guard down.
The black armour, stood up as if nothing had happened.

「Maa, that's what it comes to doesn't it……」

Now then, what should we try doing――