The scents of green tea and black tea intertwined upon the table.
Alice and Shouko sat facing each other on the sofa, with Trimmau and Irori standing silently behind their respective masters.
Catching the familiar fragrance of green tea, Shinku's gaze slowly drifted toward Suigintou beside her.
Noticing Shinku's stare, Suigintou raised a brow slightly and flashed a challenging smirk.
Tch.
Turning toward Suigintou, Shinku mouthed soundlessly, 'Don't sleep too heavily tonight.'
Suigintou slowly turned away, already resolved to lock her door and windows tight once night fell.
After receiving Alice's permission, Suiseiseki took Hinaichigo and Komurasaki out to play in the garden.
Souseiseki had pulled Kirakishou aside to discuss dinner plans—one of the most important matters in the mansion.
"It's been a long time."
Shouko leaned back into the sofa, the comfortable sensation making her narrow her eyes slightly.
"A student from the Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart…" She glanced over at Suigintou and Shinku, who were already bickering, and smiled wryly. "I should have guessed."
After all, anything related to the Divine Machine would inevitably lead to this city of machines.
"So…" Alice's gaze settled on Shouko. "Instead of hiding from the military, you came to me. What is it you want?"
"Naturally, it's about the Divine Machine. I plan to return to the military soon—now isn't the time to break ties." As she spoke, Shouko's eyes shifted toward Suigintou and the others, and she gently drew out her pipe.
"These children may have the potential to become 'divine,' but not yet. They're still missing a certain step."
She held the pipe in her hand, her fingers tapping lightly against it—tap, tap, tap.
"Perhaps it's the position of the Heavenly Throne from the prophecy," she murmured softly. "Or perhaps the sacrifice that comes after."
"Either way, the Divine Machine may very well be the final destination of their fate."
"So then…" Shouko suddenly straightened up and looked directly at Alice. "You, the Witch of Fairy Tales, who already keeps one Divine Machine by your side…"
A meaningful smile played on her lips. "Might you be interested in another?"
So she'd figured out her identity and sought her out?
Alice tilted her head noncommittally, her fingers tracing the handle of her cup.
"Was the commotion that night really so noticeable?"
Shouko let out a soft chuckle. "I'd wager most of the city lost sleep that night."
Alice lowered her gaze, staring into the tea in her cup.
"Tell me about this other one."
Shouko nodded with a smile, gesturing slightly with her hand. Irori stepped forward from behind her.
"Banned Dolls can generate a faint amount of magical energy, thanks to the human materials inside them—that is, a soul."
She affectionately stroked Irori's form. "The children I create… they evolve."
At that, Alice looked up and studied Irori carefully. "You want them to ascend and become Divine Machines?"
"To be precise, I want a human soul to be born within them."
"The Setsugetsuka dolls take the lives of their users, making it their own, storing it within themselves to evolve."
"Once they've accumulated the equivalent of one human life, perhaps they can generate a life or self—a soul—just like us."
Absorbing life, huh… Alice's gaze drifted toward Suigintou.
In the original tale, the mediums of the Rozen Maiden probably had no magical energy; what they provided was something more like life force.
"As vessels, can they withstand a human soul?"
Alice's attention returned to Irori.
"A normal automaton couldn't." Shouko produced a magic stone—a simple Magic Circuit.
She clenched it in her hand, and when she opened her palm again, a sphere of light hovered there.
"This is a special 'False Heart' crafted by the previous Karyuusai."
Shouko gazed at the sphere with a hint of nostalgia.
"A Eve's Heart is a circuit engraved with 'Life' inside, which creates life when magic is poured in. This heart is the opposite—it uses magic to manifest a 'Life' circuit."
"It doesn't need a physical vessel, so it can withstand enormous amounts of magical energy. The drawback is that it requires a constant supply of magic to sustain it."
Like holding tea without a cup.
A glimmer of interest appeared on Alice's face.
She glanced at Irori and asked softly, "Your Setsugetsuka should consist of three dolls, right? Where is the other one?"
"I gave it to a certain young one earlier." The sphere of light faded, and Shouko picked up her pipe again.
"And now you come to me?"
"One shouldn't put all their eggs in one basket."
Shouko gently held the pipe, laying it across her palm.
"It seems they only need to absorb life force. Why come to me?"
"…"
Shouko blinked, then turned her face slightly away.
"Because you can't be drained to death?"
Alice regarded Shouko's feigned-innocent expression calmly, then lifted her teacup. The tea had cooled slightly.
"I never took the Karyuusai for a philanthropist. That other doll who isn't here—you gave her to someone else who also can't be drained to death, didn't you?"
"Ahem…"
Shouko coughed lightly, uncomfortable. This was the first time anyone had called her a good person.
"That's part of it. Besides, with you involved, the process should speed up." She leaned against the armrest, propping her chin in her hand as she watched Alice. "So? Do you want it?"
"A treasure delivered right to my doorstep—I've no reason to refuse."
Alice set down her cup. The dim, fading light of the sunset fell across her face.
"But once it's in my hands, don't expect to take it back."
Shouko glanced around at the dolls playing happily, a slight smile touching her lips.
Suiseiseki was cheerfully leading Hinaichigo and Komurasaki on a run past the French windows. Suigintou and Shinku had moved to the sunroom, bickering in hushed tones. Kirakishou and Souseiseki were quietly deciding which takeout to order for dinner.
The soft, lively chatter of the dolls echoed through the mansion, creating an atmosphere of harmony and warmth.
"Seems you've got quite the comfortable setup here." A light laugh escaped Shouko as she quietly held her unlit pipe. "Feels like a good place to be."
The sun set, and darkness settled over the mansion.
Click.
Trimmau turned on the electric light. Irori bowed gracefully. "I look forward to your guidance, Lady Alice."
Alice gave a quiet nod, saying nothing, yet the movement of her lifting the teacup seemed just a little lighter.
Trimmau, however, narrowed her eyes as she observed the new arrival.
She could tell—this new doll was also skilled in household chores.
Souseiseki waved the takeout menu they'd chosen toward Irori.
"Is there anything you'd like for dinner?"
"I have no particular aversions." Irori placed her hands gently in front of her, posture poised and proper. "If there's anything everyone would like, I can prepare it."
She can cook too?!
Trimmau's eyes widened. As the sole maid of the household, she felt a distinct sense of threat.
"It's too late for that. We'll order in."
The lady of the house had made the final decision.
Shouko put away her pipe and relaxed comfortably into the sofa. "Where will I be staying tonight?"
"…You intend to stay?" Alice rose to her feet, sweeping a glance over Shouko.
"So cold? You'd kick me out right after getting what you wanted?" Shouko widened her eyes in mock hurt. "With Irori gone, I'd be frightened all alone."
"I'd rather not have unwelcome guests showing up at my home."
The estate was already surrounded by spies. Even if they couldn't see inside, there were always reckless souls trying to sneak in.
She planned to have several of the dolls return here in the evenings.
Suiseiseki led Komurasaki and Hinaichigo back into the room, all of them in high spirits.
"Rent a place next door." Alice pointed toward the street on the other side. "I'll be home during this period. During class hours, Souseiseki and Suiseiseki will often be here. If you need anything, ask them."
Then she turned to Souseiseki and Suiseiseki. "Can you come back here in the evenings to help look after the mansion?"
"Hehe, leave it to me!" Suiseiseki puffed out her chest proudly.
"Please rest assured, Master." Souseiseki gave a slight bow.
Hinaichigo happily snatched up the paper, pointing excitedly at the omelet rice pictured on it.
"Little Hina wants to eat this!"
"Very well, we'll order that."
Alice picked up the takeout menu and cast a brief glance at the impeccably poised Irori.
So they need to absorb the life force of a witch who can't easily die… Well, if they can drain me, they're welcome to try.
The witch quickly finalized the dinner order and handed the menu back without another word.
--+--
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.