Frey gave a subdued wave and left the dining hall with heavy steps.
"You know of the 'Shiramiko'? In this country, they seem to be called 'Promised Children'," Shouko said softly, watching her retreating figure. "Children born with abundant magical energy. How wonderful it would be if we could mass-produce them."
I see. Human experimentation.
Alice glanced towards where Frey had exited. "Artificial Promised Children?"
"Correct. They're merely lab animals for Divine Works's experiments," Shouko stated flatly. "They likely spent considerable resources to achieve it, and you can tell the success rate is low."
Alice nodded silently. Otherwise, only Frey and Loki would be present on campus.
"The change in their skin tone is probably a side effect—physical strain leading to pigment collapse."
In other words, both have white hair and red eyes.
An image of Frey and Loki, sharing those identical features, surfaced in Alice's mind.
Click.
The dining hall door opened gently as Frey returned.
Facing everyone's gazes, she hunched her shoulders slightly and moved slowly, cautiously towards Hinaichigo. Her footsteps were soft and careful.
Rabbi trailed slowly behind her, head hung low, aware it had done wrong.
Frey stopped beside Hinaichigo, who looked up with wide, confused eyes at her friend.
"Frey?"
A small box was placed before Hinaichigo. A sweet scent began to spread—it was a strawberry cake.
At the same time, the girl's choked apology spilled out.
"I'm sorry... for hurting you. It's because I'm too weak... I'm sorry... truly sorry."
Tears plip-plopped onto the floor as the usually blank-faced Frey finally let her emotions flow.
Hinaichigo stared at the vulnerable girl before her, then gently picked up the strawberry cake.
"Little Hina wasn't bitten by Rabbi either."
She smiled innocently, comforting her friend, her eyes reflecting the crying girl's face.
"Little Hina forgives you."
Frey continued to sob. "Not just Rabbi... but also that sandwich..."
Frey's words instantly brought back the memory of that unbearably salty, dehydrating sandwich to Hinaichigo.
Hinaichigo blinked. The phantom taste of salt returned to her tongue, and her previously smiling face went still.
Her initially gentle grip on the cake now seemed more entitled. Hinaichigo muttered under her breath, "That did hurt Little Hina."
Robin, likely recalling Hinaichigo's earlier reaction, couldn't help but chuckle.
The laughter broke the tense atmosphere.
Seeing Hinaichigo accept the gift, Frey slowly dried her tears. She looked at Hinaichigo and asked cautiously, "Then... can we still be friends?"
"Of course!"
Hinaichigo's immediate reply brought a smile back to Frey's face. She turned and walked slowly towards Alice.
Frey stood before Alice, hands clasped behind her back.
It seemed she had gifts for them too.
Alice watched her movements with mild interest.
Then, Frey produced more strawberry cakes.
"..."
This child... is she apologizing to everyone with strawberry cakes?
Meeting Frey's hopeful gaze, Alice quietly accepted the cake.
Frey seemed to have prepared one for everyone. Cakes were placed before each person, even Shouko and Komurasaki who had just arrived.
After distributing the gifts, Frey left again, her steps noticeably lighter this time.
"A pitiable yet lovely child," Shouko remarked, looking at the cake in her hand and letting out a soft laugh.
Alice nodded silently, handing her own cake to Hinaichigo. The small doll, now holding two cakes, beamed even brighter.
"Indeed."
Another voice sounded from the dining hall entrance.
Another guest?
The uninvited visitors were surprisingly numerous today.
Alice slowly looked up. A girl with silver curly hair entered her field of vision.
Alice cheerfully walked into the dining hall.
"What is it?" Alice asked flatly.
Alice usually didn't approach Alice. After all, she was still cooperating with the German side; frequent visits elsewhere would raise suspicion.
Alice walked forward with a smile, found a seat, and handed a document to Alice.
It was information on Divine Works.
How did she know?
Alice looked at the documents in her hand, blinking in confusion.
"Loki, one of the Thirteen, is about to meet the current highest-odds duo on the Night Party roster, 'The Tyrannical Nursery Rhyme'," Alice said, wagging her finger. "The moment Loki got close, news spread all over the campus."
"...Did Kimberley come up with that name?"
"Not this time." Alice shrugged, placing another document in front of Alice. "Because it's obvious to anyone that you're cooperating, so..."
She gestured with her chin towards the lecture hall—where students had classes and various organizations were based.
"Many other Night Party participants are starting to form teams too. The German side's progress is also accelerating."
Alice nodded in understanding.
Charlotte was even staying at her house during breaks. Their cooperation being discovered was inevitable.
"These Germans' rankings are too low. They've been rather flustered ever since seeing that giant." Alice wore a mocking smile. "They're terrified of going home without collecting any data."
Their Magic Circuits were all the same type—'Fragarach'—capable of controlling vectors on a molecular level.
Put simply, they were completely defenseless against something with the sheer mass of the Giant of the Bridge.
Makes you think that some old man next door wouldn't have this problem.
"I probably shouldn't come again for a while. I've been visiting a bit too frequently lately, and it's starting to look suspicious."
Having said that, Alice began reaching into her dress pocket again.
More?
Alice set down the documents, curious to see how much more she would pull out.
Next, a medical certificate was placed before Alice.
The diagnosis was precisely the 'headaches and discomfort when standing on the Night Party stage.'
"Even with this, I'll still need to take the stage twice. Once to discover the ailment, and another to confirm the diagnosis."
After all, how would you know you had this illness without actually setting foot on the stage?
Alice pointed at the certificate. "It's a world-class competition, after all. Got to follow procedure."
"Understood."
But I still need to go twice... Alice's gaze slowly shifted to Charlotte.
Charlotte nodded in understanding. Her time to perform had come.
"With the Night Party starting soon, more eyes are watching. If you plan to trouble Divine Works, it's best not to do it these next few days." After delivering everything, Alice slowly stood. "Farewell."
Her footsteps retreated from the dining hall, still light and cheerful as ever.
After Alice left, Hinaichigo looked at Alice with expectant eyes.
"Don't worry." Alice picked up the Divine Works documents. Causing trouble for Divine Works was a necessity.
After all, one good turn deserves another.
--+--
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.