Chapter 87: - The Battle for Isaac (5)

༺ The Battle for Isaac (5) ༻

The Student Council President, Alice Carroll. Nicknamed, ‘Heart Queen Alice.’

In Wonderland, she decapitated the Queen of Hearts and managed to seize all her power and military assets.

Like several of the characters in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, Alice was inspired by the well-known fairy tale, ‘Alice in Wonderland.’

Alice was the Shadow of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, as well as the final boss of the 「Alice Subjugation」 act.

She was a character that drew immediate interest and joy from all users, while also being the very reason why I must hide my identity.

Alice was a strong advocate of evil. Therefore, Ian Fairytale, the holder of the light attribute that poses the greatest threat to the Evil God, would be nothing but an eyesore to her.

However, she couldn’t easily touch Ian because he was part of the Fairytale Household. This was because of [Fairy’s Protection] that all Fairytale household members have.

On the other hand, I was merely a humble commoner. I was an underdog who couldn’t offer much more than feeble resistance against the behemoth with a level in the 170s that was Alice.

‘I can’t believe it turned out like this.’

Honestly, I expected the situation to result like this ever since it started growing out of control.

Especially since Dorothy was involved, it wasn’t strange at all for a powerful existence such as Alice to appear.

“What’s up, Alice?”

“I’m here to clean up this mess.”

Dorothy asked with a bitter smile as Alice answered nonchalantly.

Alice approached me and Dorothy, staring at me with her cherry-blossom-colored eyes.

While pretending to be slightly nervous, I tried to be as natural as possible when we made eye contact. Honestly though, I didn’t even need to pretend. I was actually very tense.

For reference, Alice doesn’t have a power like Dorothy’s [All In the World]. Even if she stared at me with the intention to pierce through my head, she wouldn’t be able to see anything suspicious about me.

Anyway... I can’t believe that a female student who looks so cute and kind can kill me whenever she desires.

‘Please let this situation go by without a hitch...’

I begged desperately in my mind.

After a while, Alice nodded nonchalantly.

“I understand now.”

Huh? What are you understanding?

“Understand what?”

Dorothy asked for me as if she read my thoughts.

“I understand why you guys are fawning over this guy. He’s kinda cute.”

“Nihihihi, truly... Your habit of talking recklessly remains the same.”

Dorothy sneaked between me and Alice while smirking.

I agreed that Isaac looked decently attractive. Of course, there were a lot of better-looking guys, but Isaac’s looks were not something to be completely unacknowledged.

Furthermore, during the Trial of Frost, I discovered through the Cheshire that I was Alice’s cup of tea. It was only natural that she looked upon my appearance favorably.

“Enough of that for now.”

Alice glanced at Dorothy for a moment, then shifted her foot and looked down at Luce and Kaya, who were seen below the railing.

“All right, since everyone’s here, I’ll get straight to the point.”

Alice straightened her back and put her hands behind her hips with a peculiarly kind smile on her face.

Compared to her seductive voice, her smile was very warm.

“By the authority of the Student Council President. Dorothy Heartnova, Luce Eltania, Kaya Astrea, and one other. All of you, please accompany me to our student council.”

Alice gave orders in a friendly tone, mixing both honorifics and informal language.

“Let’s end this fuss here.”

The order of the Student Council President put an end to the midnight commotion.

* * *

Blue bobbed hair curled like waves. A petite build. She was Ciel Carnedas, the Class A third seat.

To her, Isaac was an unknown powerhouse.

She didn’t know whether he was a monster wearing human skin or a next-generation Archwizard brimming with tremendous talent.

However, since it seemed obvious that he was protecting the academy, Ciel wanted to be on his good side.

That was the only way she could safely graduate from Märchen Academy. The last thing she needed was for the academy to be destroyed by something akin to a natural disaster.

Alice took a sip of her tea and answered in a friendly tone.

Besides this, they also talked about the rest of the case regarding Isaac, Luce, and Kaya. The Student Council released them immediately after checking the facts. This was because there was no reason to hold them captive.

“Well then, I’ll be leaving now.”

“You did great. Even with an event happening, you worked diligently.”

After seeing Alice’s smile, Erin’s heart melted. Even in the middle of the night, Alice was as radiant as a goddess.

She was admired by all the students. Her voice was elegant, her smile as warm as the sun. Her beauty was out of this world and to top it all off, even her personality was excellent. She was utterly perfect. Even the way she handled her work was flawless, making her almost inhuman despite being the definition of human perfection.

Every time Erin saw Alice, she could not help but worship her.

“It’s nothing. The president has also worked hard. I’ll be taking my leave now, have a wonderful night”

Erin smiled brightly while blushing and bowed to Alice before leaving the student council room.

Silence now filled the room.

Guooo——.

Shortly thereafter, there was a flicker of ashen-colored mana, and a purple cat appeared on the reception table.

[Not a very fun ending, was it?]

It was a fat cat with a fedora, the Phantom Cat Cheshire. He laid sideways on the table, vigorously scratching his behind.

“What was?”

Alice asked without taking her eyes off the papers in front of her.

[You know, about Dorothy. Don’t you think she only followed us peacefully just because she was worried that other people would get harmed? That was lame. Wasn’t it, Alice?]

“If Dorothy truly resists, no one can stop her. We should be grateful.”

Alice held up a teacup containing steaming black tea without giving the Phantom Cat a single glance.

For a while, the Phantom Cat stared at Alice and brought up another topic.

[...Alice. What do you think of the kid named Isaac?]

Alice’s hands stopped for a very brief moment as she sipped her tea.

[He was the one that the great Dorothy opened up to. Isn’t that interesting? Also, that boy called out ‘Ice Element’.]

“...You’re suspecting him aren’t you?”

[Alice, I feel like everything is going according to the plans of the ‘disruptor’. You should suspect everything, even if it seems like nothing. Don’t you think so?]

“Because of the report about an informant, the academy’s staff is wary. It’s best to not act rashly when even the Imperial Knights obtained such information.”

Alice replied nonchalantly.

“And... I don’t think that the disruptor, who seems threatening even if I were to summon every Paladin I had, would be such a weak man who is guarded and swayed by others.”

According to a testimony given by Professor Fernando Frost in the first semester, the Black Monster was an archwizard who could use nine-star spells.

So even if Alice summoned all the powerful Trump Paladins under her command, it remained to be seen whether she would be able to beat a monster of such caliber.

On the other hand, how about Isaac, the silver-blue-haired man she saw in the clock tower?

Beaten by Razel, protected by Dorothy, and swayed by women... He was too weak for Alice to think her enemy, the overwhelmingly powerful Black Monster, would be related to him in any way.

“In the first place, it’s wrong to use mere relationships as a way to determine his identity. He looks like he’s fun to play with anyway. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dorothy went into heat for him for that reason. There’s nothing strange about it.”

Alice continued with a calm expression and drank her tea again. Alice’s voice had her unique kindness, maturity, and calmness, but the content was far from it.

The Phantom Cat raised himself as if he had heard something funny. The corners of his mouth slanted into a unique grotesque grin.

[Now that you mention it. Alice, don’t you want to try being in love?]

The Phantom Cat lived for entertainment.

In fact, he followed Alice’s ambitions to end the world simply because it seemed fun.

If he was able to see his master, who seemed sweet, but was pitch black on the inside, in a relationship, it would be the best entertainment for the Phantom Cat.

[As long as Dorothy is enjoying her youth, Alice shouldn’t be left behind right?]

The Phantom Cat taunted Alice, desiring an entertaining reaction.

“...You’re saying some funny things.”

However, Alice answered without even taking her eyes off the papers as if it wasn’t even worth thinking about.

Instead, she sipped some steaming black tea again.

[You’re so lame...]

With a look of boredom, the Phantom Cat drooped on the table, dejected by Alice’s reaction.