Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Chapter 84

「Surely such a result can't be!?」

With Eclair's energetic cries it's our standard daily life.
various reactions bubbled up from everyone, because of the results decided by a strict lottery.
The location is the mountain s.h.i.+on-san finished checking earlier.
After we gathered in the relevant location so that we can start the base taking game there, we pulled lots that were prepared there.
The results are――

I and Till.
Ilya and s.h.i.+on-san.
Kran and Saira.
…………Eclair and, Aim.

「It's over.」
「That's my line you know!」

The team that had already started quarreling, Eclair, Aim.
It's fine to interpret that they have pretty much no chance at winning I suppose.
As there's the matter of bringing out more than each individual's power, that which is called affinity has great importance.

「I, I'm…… with princess-sama……」

On the other hand, Saira's trembling enough that I know the number written into the lot she's holding even from the corner of my eye.
U～n.
This is a little, how to say it……I miight understand her situation.

「Maa, it is the guidance of the G.o.ddess is it not. I request that you do well, Saira.」
「Ha, haii! To the extent of my ability, I will do my best!」

She's become like a cat with bristling hair.
Saira, you okay?
a.n.a.lyzing this group's fighting strength is difficult isn't it.
For Kran I obviously can't take her lightly.
Normally speaking she'd be a top candidate for the victory.
But for a game where cooperation controls victory and defeat, with Saira engulfed in pressure there's an unknown variable in her capability.
Fumu……

「Let's do our best, oneesama.」
「I suppose so, I do feel like winning after all.」

Certainly.
The team smiling brightly together, Ilya, oneechan.
There's no opening there.
They're also not quarreling over anything.
In addition, with her command ability that is second to Kran's it'd be fine to say Ilya leaps out to the top.
After Kran there's Ilya, from there there's an unsurpa.s.sable wall, and then there's the rest.
Mostly likely it's that sort of sense.
Who's the top candidate for victory?

「This is indeed the play favored by humans. I am not enamored towards crowds.」

And so there's my teacher.
Kua, and she's making an unmotivated yawn.
Rather, it's impressive that this person came this far with us I suppose.
However……

「Even though making an enemy of her seems endlessly troublesome, even if she's an ally what's with her still being troublesome……?」

Is this some sort of test that I've been given……?
The result is a different arrangement that I wouldn't have thought of.
Frankly I'm being positive.
I suppose I'd gain the advantage whoever I'm paired with.
Even if you say that I'm being conceited that's fine.
Suppose it were I and Ilya.
A flawless, victory would be a.s.sured.
Do it with I and Kran.
Definite victory.
I and oneechan.
With the power of our bond we wouldn't lose to anyone.
I and Eclair.
I feel like we can display power that we normally couldn't…… with something like that, I'd try and tell everyone my pride in my lover.
I and Aim.
Aim has her habits but her ability is outstanding, and if it were me she'd follow.

――And then, I and Till.

「This is just about right, you should move while carrying me the entire time.」
「……Why?」

Are you a youkai.

「I will sleep, and you can partic.i.p.ate.」
「I might be running around, and jumping you know……?」
「No problem.」

I have something of a huge problem you know!!

「Wai, wait! Please don't suddenly get on my back when I haven't said yes or no!」
「Do what you please afterwards……kua.」

In the afterwards that you speak of I'll be hearing your sleeping breath from right next to my ears though!?
Speaking from my endurance, this is hars.h.!.+

「……It's over.」
「Nn, as expected of master. We think alike don't we.」
「Will you please be quiet okay!」

When Aim expressed her agreement, Eclair became indignant.
There's too much chaos given that we haven't started yet……

In this game it's not particularly the case that the teams actually undertake battle action.
It's not such a play that reeks with blood.
Chess or perhaps shogi or such, it's like that sort of game.
King, queen, p.a.w.n.
Every member of the team acts while adapting to those three troop types.
King: me.
Queen: Till.
p.a.w.n: maid-sans 5 people.
That is our team.

「And, this is good.」

We diligently worked at our advance preparations in each of the various teams with acts to prepare for the start.
Everyone tied a red ribbon on their arm and we made that our team's symbol.
The queen has an additional silver ribbon tied making it 2 colors.
The king has above that a gold ribbon tied making it 3 colors.
The marker colors for the king and queen are the same for each team.
A sort of consideration so that they can be understood at a glance.

「Alice ojousama, for what reason does Tillbell-sama not fall from your back?」

As implied from the maid-san's curious seeming gaze, I've removed my hands from her while Till is riding on my back.
And so there's the ribbon tied on Till's arm.

「It's magic. She's stuck on with magnetism.」

Hee, and the maid-san's eye opened widely.
If this is also called practice then it's practice.
It's rather hard to keep continuously using magic though isn't it.
Don't leak out drool okay, Till……
Setting that aside.

「Before the starting signal occurs, shall we confirm the rules?」

At my words, the maid-sans nodded strongly.

「The king defeats the opposing queen but, loses to p.a.w.ns.」

They aren't unbeatable.

「While the queen defeats the opposing p.a.w.ns she loses to the king.」

It's not particularly the case that we're going to brawl, it's just touching or the like though.

「So, p.a.w.ns lose to the queen but, they defeat the king.」

That sort of three way deadlock.
By the way in the case where the troop types are the same, it's a draw.
There's no defeat and, there also isn't a taking of prisoners.

「So, when you touch you can imprison the enemy in your encampment. But if the other side touches them they're released.」

There's what's called a circular circ.u.mference drawn around the base's flag though.
Of course if allies from the same team do a touch, it's that sort of thing.
Even if other teams touch it's no good.
Since there are 4 teams this time after all.

「If the king is defeated or, the flag is taken it's a loss.」

At that point recovery becomes impossible.
In that case the opponent who defeated them, can take and restrain each and every one of that team's surviving members and even prisoners captured by other teams.
In that way the team that has the most prisoners at the conclusion is the one named the victor.
Rather than calling it a base taking game it feels more like a prisoner taking game.
The fundamental rules are in that area.
The base's flag must be protected so, there must regularly be someone left to protect it.
But if only p.a.w.ns are left to defend it, it would be unsightly if an opposing queen attacked.
The teams are all carrying magic stones such that it's possible to communicate for each situation so, as expected command ability is necessary.
Adaptively, moving whatever comrade would provide good odds maybe.
With the confirmation of the basics finished, I looked over the nodding maid-sans.

「……I don't like losing this. Even though it's play I want to win, please lend me your hand okay, everyone!」
『Affirmative, Alice-ojousama!』

Morale is high!
Please watch, Kran, Ilya!
I'll give you a shocking surprise!

「Munya……」
「HyaAa! Don't leak drool Till!」

The queen can't be used though, what would be the best action……?

Signaling whistling arrows were shot up by the separate teams' maid-sans accompanying as referees.
It's the start of the game.
Then, what to do?
Should I stay and move all the maids?
If the enemy p.a.w.ns come attacking, if it's just me they'll do me in, it might be called fortunate or whatever but, since Till is on my back, well.
I suppose I should use that.

「……For now let's confirm the opponent's location, set out to search for their base in two person pairs? One person stay here and guard the base with me.」
『Affirmative!』

Alongside a nice feeling reply, leaving one person behind the maid-sans flew out in two man cells.
With this my base defense is an iron wall.
Since the three troop types are gathered, as long as nothing of a proportionate level happens the flag will not be taken.
If I said the reverse, it would become something like in the case where we seriously attack the opposition's position, having the maid-sans begin the fight on their own is also no good, though wouldn't it.
For now I'll watch the situation.
With this field which has both open gra.s.sland areas and dense overgrown wooded areas there's no lack of freedom with which to hide a body, and even the base won't be discovered simply.
Moving blindly is dangerous.

――But, what if that could precisely rather than blindly grasp the enemy's movements from the start?

「In that case……inflict a preemptive attack when the opponent has let down her guard?」

I became worried and looked over the surroundings with deep caution.
In an instant, a flash s.h.i.+ned within the forest――!

「Uwuu!」

Instantly turning my body, I dodged that blazing crimson arrow.
Arrow of flame!
This is……!?

「Why are you using your real power! Eclair! Aim!!」

If that hit it would cause injury wouldn't it!?
Even though action that would cause the opponent harm is prohibited to begin with!
At my scream, Eclair, expressing a fearless smile and, the expressionless Aim revealed their forms.

「Don't shout Alice. It's often said isn't it? ――The winner becomes the army of the rightful rulers!」

She suddenly turned impudent!
I thought they were the most unimpressive team but, in a certain sense they were the most troublesome team!
Looking at their arm ribbons, the king is Eclair, the queen is Aim then.
It's good that I left a maid-san behind!

「I leave Eclair to you!」
「Affirmative!」

The maid-san quickly set out to touch Eclair.
Of course even Eclair wouldn't do something like use magic here so, she began chasing her as if this were game of oni gokko.

「On that note, Aim, please help!」

Certainly.

「Nn, role allocation. Keep pulling her like that.」
「Isn't that role allocation strange!?」

……Certainly.
Even though we're defending over here with king and queen, what is the opposing queen going to do on her own?

「Master pardon me okay.」
「Eh? Ah, aah? The arrow from before?」

Even though Aim's still expressionless she showed an apologetic nod.

――While saying that, she readied her bow again.

「Kora kora kora koraaa!」

While apologizing, she's not repenting in the least!

「Don't hold back during a compet.i.tion.」
「Even though you didn't have such a disposition!?」

Did something change Aim!?
Had Eclair said that it wouldn't be an unsettling line though……
At that time, the mutual kings heard a voice from the specialized magic stones they both carried.

『How do you do, Alice.』
「Kran!?」

A transmission came in from Kran with her somehow loaded smiling voice.

『I have been wondering. About what sort of thing it is that there is no prize for this opportune event.』
「……Ha?」

Prize……?
I focused directly at Aim as she made a pensive expression while seeming like she was doing so purposefully.
……She averted her eyes.

『It is for that reason, that I have offered a prize from my pocket money proportionate to each members' rank. Please do you best.』

The communication was unilaterally cut off with a hidden laugh.
Tha, Thaat……!!

「Scheming princeeeeeeeess!!」

You splendidly set Aim on fire didn't you!

「For that reason, master. Can I have you resign?」
「Before that please protect the rules okay!?」

Stop delivering threats while pulling your bow okay!?

「It's okay, with master's magic power something like this sort of weak fire isn't anything impressive.」
「Who's magic did you call weak!?」

Eclair shouted while being chased after by the maid-san like always.
However, Eclair is a child who wants to compare herself fair and square issn't she.
The very first arrow was a diversion I suppose and, I suppose Aim asked her to put magic power in it. The maid-san doesn't have magic so perhaps she intends to have a pure compet.i.tion, she won't use her specialty of fire magic.
……If they continue an endurance contest like that, it seems like she's going to lose to my maid-san though.

「It's okay, master. Since it won't hurt.」
「That's definitely a lie!」

If you don't want a painful experience then obediently open the path and hand over the flag?
Against Aim's slow advance, I'm slowly falling back.
Wind blowing through the open gra.s.sland belt.
The leaves carried by that.
Those staged our duel like it was a movie.

「……I will, not lose!」

The chance for a turnaround is……nowhere but here!
As a divine revelation suddenly came to me, I quickly turned around!

「!?」

Aim stopped the bow that she had just prepared to shoot.

「Fu, Fufufu! Saa, if you have something to shoot, please try and shoot!」
「……As expected of master, you take clever action.」

Sweat flowed from Aim's cheeks.
Against me as I showed my back, Aim's movement stopped.
On that back of mine there's a peaceful and happy seeming sleeping fierce beast.

「Do you have the courage to awaken a sleeping lion, Aim!?」

I don't.
Something like the sort of savage valour to attack Till while she's sleeping!
As if the air I breathed cut my throat, a stinging sense of nervousness.
Our conflict of decision and feint continued to unfold, and so――――

「Kua, my stomach's emptied. I'm going to go eat a little bread or something so, it'd be good if you could wait for a little bit, Alice.」

I thought the fierce beast might have moved while rubbing her eyelids and, a moment later she faced toward the mansion and ran off through the sky.

「……」
「……」

Issssnnnn't she too free!!?

「……Can I take a time?」
「To show your back to your enemy, you're full of openings aren't you master.」

Aim released her arrow while accepting no questions.
That's how it goes doesn't it!?

「――tsu!? You, idiot snipeeerr!!」

Eclair, who had been being chased after canceled out the arrow by instantly slamming Fire into it.
And continuing in that manner, she used flame to fly into the sky and, she stood in front of me blocking the way as if to become a s.h.i.+eld.

「Just now you, intended to hit didn't you!?」
「If I didn't intend to hit, it wouldn't serve as a check against master.」
「That's why that's!」
「Do you intend to betray me?」
「It's because you do such things, I have no choice but to do this right!」

From the quiver hanging from her hips, live ammunition――That is to say, Aim supplied herself with a real arrow.

「……Do it?」

Eclair responded to Aim's provocative voice, with a fearless smile

「I've felt like, I'd eventually have to settle things with you.」

Eclair began chanting.
She set crimson flame all across the sky.

……Yare yare.

I hid behind such an Eclair's back and fished through my hip pouch.
Finding my target item, I faced Aim and threw it at her.
With that Aim drops her bow and catches it.

「……Master?」
「Do you surrender?」
「I give up.」
「What is with yoouuuuu!?」

I smile bitterly while listening to Eclair scream.
The gold coin I gave the church earlier isn't something they'd use at the drop of a hat right?
I don't know whether there's something going on then.
Please use this to feed the children something tasty or the like for them, Aim.
I gave her a smile and, as Aim seemed uncomfortable, she averted her eyes again.

「Eclair's also captured～」
「A, Alice……」

I'm fully embracing Eclair from her back.
Since we're both kings this isn't relevant to the outcome.
Eclair, smells good……

「Wai……Stop that Alice, idiott.」

Holding her in my embrace with my face buried in the nape of Eclair's neck, Eclair writhed while seeming embarra.s.sed.

――And so.

「It's a touch.」
「Ah……」

The maid-san touched Eclair.
Excuse me okaay, Eclair?
The world of competion is strict.

「Fufun, it's our win.」
「Tha, that's cheap, Alice!」

You're too bright Eclair.
I love that Eclair though!
Anyway, it's something like the real thing from here.
For the slightly indignant Eclair.

「――Can I stay over tonight?」
「～～tsu.」

I tried softly whispering into her ear.
With me like that Eclair appeared indignant like always.

「Idiot! Alice you, idiiot!!」

And, I was called idiot idiot.

By the way, I called back the maid-sans that I sent out to scout for the moment to begin a strategy meeting and, Till came back with an inflated stomach and a satisfied look.

「For an after meal excercise, perhaps I should play around just a little, kufu.」

And as she was expressing a wicked smile, I felt that there might be a chance for me to win as well.