Chapter 54 - The Girl Wants to Be M*rdered

<Chapter 54> Hide and Seek * * * "Sia, big sister!!" ".........." At the sound, I instinctively turned around. Even though I hadn't seen the figure yet, the very first syllable calling my name echoed down to my eardrums, I instantly knew who owned that voice. However, knowing it didn’t stop me from turning back. The person I knew had no reason to be here, in this place. This was not a matter that could simply be brushed aside with a casual "Oh, I see." Why. How come. Those two questions incessantly chased each other's tails, forming a chain that refused to break. "Hehe, sister!!" "...Alice...?" Turning to look back, there stood a child in a jet-black robe with impressively ornate red flower patterns. My ominous premonition, strangely enough, had never been wrong. With those few words, I could accept reality. A small child. The robe, clearly designed with someone's taste in mind, seemed comically oversized for the child wearing it. I had to lower my sight to even catch a glimpse of her adorable mouth, the hat over her head leaving her face nearly covered. The sleeves, though folded several times, dangled precariously, threatening to slip past her arms, while the hem of the garment trailed along the ground, raising concern it might get dirty. The child looked like she'd secretly borrowed an adult's clothes, yet it suited her delightfully, the charm she naturally possessed rendering her appearance endearing. Still, despite such a sight, my feelings were more of confusion than of joy. "Uh... Ugh, it's uncomfortable." Swish, swish. Perhaps because the hat obstructed her view, she stumbled here and there as she tried to walk straight toward where I stood. The scene naturally brought a smile to the people's faces. She tried lifting the hat to see in front, but her attempt was thwarted by the oversized sleeves slipping down, leaving her in a state of helplessness. In a word, flustered. Among those who couldn't help but focus intently on her clumsy actions were a handful of people with nothing better to do, myself included—regrettably so. ...Regrettably. Bump! "Ouch-!?" """...!!!!""" A nail-biting scene. Somewhere between hoping she wouldn’t hit something and wishing she would, captivated the attention of the crowd almost immediately. Everyone held their breath watching her move around. In a way, a miracle born from the childish wishes of the grown-ups was realized as she clumsily bumped her head against a nearby streetlamp. Heads bowed to contain the spontaneous laughter that erupted around me. The great unity of mankind. If such a concept imagined only in dreams were to materialize, wouldn’t it be at this very moment? Still, I cautiously question whether universal peace achieved in such a manner holds any genuine meaning. "......" I couldn't quite discern if the expression on my face was a smile or something else entirely. ...Alice, what brought you here... "......" "Hehe....!" With a high-pitched giggle, Alice stood crookedly, looking rather dissatisfied at the lamp post she’d collided with, embodying a mixture of annoyance and amusement. The words I couldn’t bring myself to say dissolved into a long sigh, dissipating into the air. ** Alice. That child had appeared here, in the very heart of the capital of the Arcadia Empire, at the Academy. For some, it could be a shocking event. For others, it might have been an expected reality. However, the fact of her presence alone wasn't the real issue. The Museion, a royal scholarly institute. The Academy, an educational establishment for nurturing 'promising' talents from other nations. While this place embodies both aspects simultaneously, it may appear extremely closed-off and tightly guarded, in truth, it's not. Contrary to expectations, it is surprisingly open, allowing citizens from the imperial capital to enter freely. As if going for a walk in an open park. Perhaps the comparison to a stroll is an exaggeration. Regardless, these reasons tie back to the raison d'être of the Academy. Though the Academy subtly encourages students to adopt pro-Empire ideologies and policies or serves as a detention center making it harder for other nations to rashly attack the Empire, these roles are secondary. The true essence of the Academy lies in its use as 'external propaganda' to enhance national prestige. Vassal states willingly offer up their important figures to the Empire. By neither oppressing them nor infringing on their rights, the Empire projects a favorable image not only to neighboring countries but also to its citizens. Thus, the Museion has another nickname, 'The Showcase.' It is akin to a museum that serves to display the submission of subordinate states to the Empire and its stability. Therefore, access to the Academy is free for both outsiders and insiders. What if a suspicious person with unclear identity enters and causes trouble? That question may arise, but such individuals wouldn't even set foot in the capital of the Empire, let alone leave footprints near it in the first place. In addition to the foreign nobles attending the Academy, there are their guards, the patrols regularly scouring the grounds, and the vigilant staff stationed in various places with polite postures. To cause trouble avoiding all their watchful eyes is nearly impossible. Thus, the mere fact of Alice being here isn't an issue. Indeed. The fact that she 'came' here, in and of itself. "—Who is that child?" "A lost kid...maybe?" "......!!" Gradually, and continuously, people passing by began to stop of their own accord, casting curious glances at Alice as she stood conspicuously. Ladies-in-waiting. Bodyguards. Or nobles from other nations. People capable of carrying whispers over thousands of miles with just a single mouth. All of them focused on Alice. Perhaps it was the endearing nature of her actions, the absence of a visible guardian nearby, or maybe her beauty, briefly glimpsed beneath the shifting hat, that held them captive. The reasons varied, but what was more critical was that—many people were starting to take notice of Alice. Indeed. Alice’s existence might soon be revealed— —To her. "...Damn it." People gathered more and more. The buzzing sound of chatter gradually grew louder. Initially, only a few spectators were present, but within several minutes, their numbers swelled to over a dozen. Unfortunately, this path was the only way to reach the dorms, meaning, as time passed, people would only continue to gather, making it harder to disperse through the crowd. What should I do? What do I need to do right now? It felt like the moment before an exam ended, staring at a new page filled with unanswered questions. I squeezed my mind to think of the best solution under these circumstances. And one idea came to mind— —Yes, I'll have to kidnap her. With my plan set, I didn't hesitate to run straight toward Alice. "...Honestly, this is driving me crazy." "Sia, big sister~" Perhaps oblivious to the unfolding situation, Alice's steps were leisurely as she spotted me. Of course, Alice wouldn't know what the problem was. She'd only come to see her sister attending school, after all. The problem was with me. This was the product of our selfishness—decisions unasked of Alice, without considering her feelings. Like a stifling hot night and an abrupt downpour from the sky. Within that, Saeli and I had decided on our future path. Living happily together, the three of us, leaving behind the sorrows of the past. Hiding Alice’s miserable past and ties from her, keeping them at bay. I knew it was wrong, but it was the best we could come up with. There was no sign of Saeli nearby. The absence of Saeli, who usually stayed by Alice's side, indicated she entrusted Alice to me. For her to leave Alice without a word meant something serious had happened. If this were the case, she should have at least spoken to me about it. Though, to be fair, Saeli likely had no idea that 'Remi Akaia' was here at the Academy where I attended. Had she known, with her naturally cautious nature, she would never have left Alice here believing I was trustworthy. Thud. "—Whoops!?" "...We'll talk later—!!" In my hands, the feather-light weight of the child settled comfortably. I continued my sprint toward Alice and without slowing, swooped her up, lifting her onto my opposite shoulder that wasn't holding a sword. Alice let out a curious yelp, possibly out of surprise from my abrupt actions or sheer confusion at the situation, but I didn’t have the luxury to entertain her whimsy. Truly apologetic as it was. We needed to vacate this area immediately. "Hehehe—!! This is fun~!!" "Take that, take that—!!" Like a student hastily snatching a cat from the roadside to return swiftly to their home, I grabbed Alice, the metaphorical cat, and hurried back to my dorm room. The calm and ordinary life we had known had begun to tilt once more. ** * * *