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caffedrine · 2 months ago

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Translation: Clover no Kuni no Alice - Guardian Game - Chapter 2: Distance from an Adult

Summary as copied from Wonderful Wonder World wiki: Alice Liddell was dragged into a dangerous world by a man with rabbit ears. She wished to remain in the Country of Hearts with the Guardian of Time Julius Monrey in the Clocktower. But one day, she wakes up to find herself in the Tower of Clover! Nightmare - the head of the Tower and Gray his subordinate show lost Alice the way. Alice who is bewildered by the sudden "Move" is offered a kind helping hand by Gray.

Author: Nana Fumidzuki

ISBN: 978-4758040785

By the time Alice arrived at Clover Tower, two time periods had passed since she parted ways with Ace. From evening to noon, and then back to evening again. In this world, the flow of time is not regular. The duration of each time period is not constant either. Moreover, if one possesses special tools, they can even manipulate time.

Having become completely accustomed to such a world, Alice was not surprised at all to see the suddenly changed evening sky. She simply thought to herself that the time period had changed as she followed the path back home.

When it changed from day to evening, it had happened quite abruptly, so it hadn’t been that long, but because Alice had ventured out during an unstable period, it seemed that both Nightmare and Gray had been worried.

“I'm home.”

“Welcome back, Alice.”

“Was there any change?”

Before heading back to her room, Alice stopped by Nightmare's office, where both of them looked at her with relieved expressions.

“It was just like Gray said. There were no particular changes at the Castle of Hearts or the Mad Hatter’s Mansion. I also went to the forest that appeared after the amusement park disappeared, and I saw familiar faces there too—Boris and a mouse boy named Pierce were around. Although, Gowland was gone.”

“I see. It’s good that your friends who remained are all right.” Gray sighed and smiled faintly. “You’ve been out for a long time, so why not take a rest? I’ll have some coffee prepared for you.”

At the mention of coffee, Alice paused for just a moment. In the past, she often brewed coffee for her roommate, Julius, at the clock tower.

Among those she met in the Country of Hearts, many preferred tea. Blood Dupre and Vivaldi could almost be called tea enthusiasts. She had not heard of any of the others being particularly picky about drinks. Among Alice’s acquaintances, Julius was one of the few coffee lovers.

“Do both of you like coffee?”

“Ah, yes.” For some reason, Nightmare appeared unusually proud. “After all, coffee is the drink of adults.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t be drinking coffee? You're a patient, after all.”

“I am healthy.”

“...I think people who are about to faint or cough up blood shouldn’t say that.”

It seemed that Nightmare liked coffee and tobacco not for any benefits but rather for their appeal. In the meantime, Gray called over a male subordinate and ordered the coffee. Before long, a tray with a pot and cups was delivered to the office.

“Lord Nightmare, I’ll carry that over for you now.”

“No, you are a guest. I can’t have you helping... and you must be tired, too.” Gray hesitated, but Alice stepped forward and took the tray away.

“You’ve both been working until now, right? It’s only fair.” Alice quickly poured coffee into the cups from the unused table in the corner, along with the cake that had been brought, and carried it to the table.

“You're quite efficient, Alice.” Gray nodded slightly while watching Alice as she worked swiftly.

Nightmare immediately moved from his desk to the soft sofa and settled in. He seemed happy to be able to take a break from work, sporting a wide smile.

“Let’s all have some coffee together.”

“To be honest, I had it brought over for us to drink while we worked... but yes, since Alice is back, let’s take a break.” With that, Gray sat down on the sofa. Perhaps she had interrupted them.

Upon closer inspection, although Nightmare was in his perpetual sick mode, Gray, who seemed to have a robust physique, also didn’t look so good. He was probably overwhelmed by heavy workload.

(But if that's the case, they should take a break.)

She still knew very little about Clover Tower, but she could see that within such a large tower, there were many employees busily working. As the master of this tower and the lord of the Country of Clover, Nightmare himself, along with Gray supporting him, must have been working intensely.

Both Nightmare, who seemed to be enjoying his break, and Gray, who looked like he was eager to finish up to a good stopping point, seemed to relax on the sofa.

She took a sip of the still-hot coffee. It wasn’t exceptionally delicious, but as a coffee to enjoy on a break at a workplace, it was sufficient.

(Julius would probably give it a score of 2 points.)

While at the clock tower, Julius would always grade the coffee Alice brewed, and as a result, she had developed a knack for making it.

The accompanying cake had a delicious nutty flavor. It was probably obtained from a pastry shop in town.

After watching Alice drink her coffee, Gray suddenly remembered and asked, “Alice, I went ahead and made coffee without asking your preference, but is that all right?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. I used to drink tea more often, but at the clock tower, I only had coffee. I’ve even gotten good at making it.”

“Oh, right. I’ve heard that the clockmaker is particular about coffee.” Nightmare nodded.

“Do you two always stick to coffee?”

“Of course. A proper man should drink coffee after all.”

“Is that why Gray prefers it?”

“No... I drink it to wake up and concentrate on my work, so I prefer something bitter with a clear taste.” It seemed that this master and servant liked coffee for contrasting reasons.

“Hey, if both of you like coffee, would you let me make some for you? It's kind of awkward being treated like a guest without doing anything while I’m here.”

“There’s no need to think that way, Alice. You can consider this tower your home and do whatever you want. If you’re a guest, you don’t have to work, and you won’t be forced to take medicine or dragged to a hospital. Isn't that good?”

“Then shouldn’t you actively put that into practice?”

“Absolutely not!”

While she had often thought of him as a good-for-nothing even in dreams, the reality of Nightmare could only be described as childish. He had surpassed the immaturity threshold and was at a level where he could be considered outright childish.

“Now, whether or not you want a life like Lord Nightmare's is something to consider. You are Lord Nightmare's friend. You don’t have to think about having to work. You’ve just been uprooted from your old place due to the move, so it’s better to prioritize relaxing and calming your mind.”

“I actually enjoy working. So, when I’m not doing anything, I feel uncomfortable... that’s why I want you to let me help with something.”

“I see. That’s a quality that Lord Nightmare should ideally emulate.”

It seemed that Nightmare frequently slacked off at work, which Alice had thought during our first meeting as well. With his being a confirmed invalid, Gray must bear a significant burden.

“Lord Nightmare, would it be alright to assign her some work?”

“Ah, of course. If work is enjoyable, then you should do it.” The master of Clover Tower smiled graciously, as if he could read Alice’s mind. At such times, his childish demeanor completely disappeared.

Gray, hearing Nightmare's words, nodded lightly. “If that’s the case, I’ll create a task you can do next. We’re short-handed, so it would be quite helpful. Thank you.”

A smile appeared on Gray’s face as well. Alice felt her heart skip a beat at his charming expression.

“Right now, we’re busier than usual due to a meeting that takes place right after the move. Representatives from rival territories are gathering here to discuss matters. It’s going to be quite a large event. So, there are many smaller tasks involved. I think I’ll be asking you for various things.” He had a serious expression with rigid facial features, but his smile gave a softer impression.

“What’s the meeting about?”

“Simply put, it’s as the name suggests... it’s similar to the ball at the Castle of Hearts. There’s a rule that meetings must be held regularly after a relocation.”

“Oh, I see.”

Previously, Vivaldi had hosted a ball at Heart Castle. Representatives from other factions were gathered there as well. Although meetings and balls involve very different activities, it seems that hosting them is a requirement of the game’s rules.

“For now, you don’t need to think about the meetings, so just take a break... since you seem a bit down after coming back, it’s best to rest and recover.”

“Eh?”

Surprised, I looked at Gray, who returned my gaze with an expression that seemed somewhat troubled. I couldn’t bear the look of someone who appeared like a helpless child, so I quietly averted my eyes.

“If anything happens, feel free to talk to me or Lord Nightmare anytime. No matter how trivial it might be. If you’re a friend of Lord Nightmare’s, then you’re a friend of mine too.”

“...Thank you. Well then, I’ll head back to my room.”

Alice placed her empty coffee cup back on the tray and left the office.

As she walked down the corridor, Alice couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

(To be seen like that by someone I barely know—how embarrassing.)

It was true that Alice was hardly in a calm state. Since hearing that voice calling from the forest, she couldn't shake off her anxious feelings.

(Ace said that voice can only be heard by those who are lost.)

Then how, exactly, was Alice lost?

Coming from the Country of Hearts to the Country of Clover. The sudden disappearance of her peaceful life at the clock tower. Or perhaps, the fact that she could no longer see Julius, who had felt like family. The determination to live in this world without returning to her original world had become tenuous after the ‘disappearance of the Country of Hearts.’ Everything was tangled together, and she couldn’t find an answer to what she was thinking or what she wanted to do.

(I don’t know…)

For a while, she just wanted to stop thinking about anything.

As she mechanically moved her legs, she found herself standing in front of the door to her room before she knew it.

“Open the door.”

Remembering the areas filled with doors and stairs inside the tower, and the doors in the forest, Alice felt an eerie unease at the thought of turning the knob, making her legs momentarily freeze.

(But this door is not ‘calling’ me.)

With determination, Alice turned the doorknob. Naturally, she was able to enter the room assigned to her, without being transported to some unfamiliar place.

Alice changed her clothes and quickly lay down on the bed.

Since coming to The Country of Clover, she hadn't slept even once. Shocked by the drastic upheaval of her familiar circumstances, she’d been wandering around, and ultimately felt unsettled by the bizarre forest where the doors were in abundance.

It was about time to rest; she was reaching her limit.

She darkened the room and gently closed her eyelids, soon drifting off to sleep.

Julius was quietly assembling clock parts and working. He was the type to concentrate deeply, so if left unattended, he would keep working endlessly.

“Hey, shouldn’t you take a break soon?” Alice brought over the coffee she’d brewed in the corner of the room to Julius as usual.

“Got it.”

With a smile that seemed unimaginable from their first meeting, Julius accepted the mug and began to drink the coffee.

“What’s the score for this coffee?”

“Well... let’s see... this time…”

Alice suddenly jolted awake.

“...Ah...”

The scene that had been part of her daily life until recently, something so utterly ordinary, had now become something she could only see in a dream, and she was more shocked than she had expected.

Her daily life had suddenly changed dramatically. That was a given, perhaps.

When she had originally moved from her world to the Country of Hearts, her memories of the previous world had inexplicably become vague and there were parts she couldn’t recall, so she hadn’t felt this level of discomfort. However, remembering everything clearly this time, it seemed she couldn’t easily compartmentalize it like before.

The sudden disappearance of normalcy was indeed disorienting. Moreover, for the other inhabitants, ‘moving’ was a common occurrence, and Alice's own turmoil made things all the more complicated.

She found herself thinking: If I open that door, will I be able to return to the clock tower?

If she returned to the clock tower, would she be able to stop worrying about such a peculiar move? Would her mundane daily life return, allowing her to avoid the thought of someone disappearing?

Now in the Country of Clover, there were many acquaintances. Even spending time with Julius in a place where most of her acquaintances were gone would surely feel lonely.

Before that, she didn’t want to go beyond that eerie door that seemed to speak to her.

(What’s the place I truly want to go to, anyway?)

Thinking seriously about what she desired felt like it might corner her into a tight spot.

It was challenging enough just to adjust to the new environment. She should avoid adding unnecessary pressure.

Alice got off the bed and changed her clothes.

(I’ll go out to town for a change of pace.)

Alice was getting stuck in her thoughts because she was overthinking everything. In times like this, it would be better to take a solitary stroll and feel the wind.

She tidied herself up and stepped out of her room.

Just as Alice was about to exit the tower, she heard light footsteps approaching from behind.

“Where are you in such a hurry to go? Is something wrong?” It was Gray who had chased after her.

Seeing his worried expression made her feel a bit muddled. “Is it any of your business? Do I have to inform you of my destination before I can leave?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to restrict your actions. I was just worried,” he replied.

“...I-I see.” After speaking out loud, Alice snapped back to her senses.

She had blurted out something quite rude to someone older than her, and to a person affiliated with the place she was staying.

Despite this, Gray did not show any sign of displeasure at Alice's rude attitude.

(Why... isn't he angry?)

Alice stared fixedly at Gray.

If she behaved like this in her original world, her reputation as a polite woman would vanish in an instant, and although it wouldn’t be openly spoken about, she would undoubtedly be labeled as a brazen rude person or an eccentric.

If she were to do the same with most people in this world, it would likely lead to a dramatic gunfight.

(Seriously, Gray... is so normal. No, he’s too normal. There’s no way a person like him exists in this country.)

Since arriving in the Country of Hearts, Alice had never come across a normal person, so she couldn't help but feel suspicious of Gray’s normalcy. With a personality that could only be seen as eccentric by others, her suspicious hobbies, and strange behavior, there had to be some odd part about him.

Alice continued to observe him intently. Gray noticed her gaze and looked down at her with a questioning expression, however, Alice remained focused on watching Gray.

He tried not to mind being scrutinized by her for a while, but eventually, he asked with a hint of concern, “Did I do something wrong? Or is there something about me that you don’t like?”

“No, it’s nothing,” she replied.

In fact, he was the type of person who would be perfectly normal even in her original world due to lacking any of those flaws, but it was difficult for her to believe that such a normal person existed in this world.

“If you’re trying to communicate something without saying it, I’m not Nightmare, so I can’t read your mind. I won’t get angry, so if there’s something, just tell me.”

His response was full of compassion and was reasonable given the situation. Gray didn’t show any signs of annoyance toward Alice’s rude attitude. Yet, despite that—or perhaps because of it—she felt an odd irritation.

(What am I irritated about?)

Even as she was confused by her own actions, she still didn’t understand what was causing her irritation.

Alice let out a sigh in realization of her poor attitude and bowed her head to Gray. “I’m sorry. I... had a lot going on with the move and everything... I'm just feeling a bit confused.”

Half of it was an excuse. She didn’t have the psychological capacity to discuss her current irritation with Gray directly.

“I see. That makes sense...” However, it seemed Gray accepted her words. He nodded quietly and offered a sympathetic smile. That only added to her frustration, something she disliked feeling.

“It’s understandable to be confused. You’re an outsider and you’re not used to this world... You came here because of the clockmaker, right? Do you wish to go back to your original world?”

Alice shook her head. “I don’t want to go back. I don’t know how to anymore. And if I went back, I wouldn’t be able to see Julius again.”

Once, Alice had had a way to return. She believed she could go back once the small bottle was filled, but in the end, she chose not to go back. Although the small bottle remained with her, it felt like it no longer functioned as a means to return.

Since she chose not to return, she had to take responsibility for it.

Yet, she felt an overwhelming urge to lash out at someone for the absurdity of her peaceful daily life suddenly disappearing. If she did the same thing to Julius, he would have undoubtedly bluntly declared, “You’re so gloomy!”

In fact, she would probably feel more at ease if he had said it outright, but Gray was too gentlemanly and tried to respect her feelings, which felt burdensome.

(Since she’s a friend of my superior, I can’t just leave her alone.) The reason Gray doesn’t express his anger is that Alice is a guest.

Thinking this made her feel inexplicably sad. To mask it, she forced a bright smile.

“Gray, don’t worry too much. I overstepped by saying something unpleasant... I’m sorry for lashing out like that just now.”

“It was my thoughtless... no, my insensitive words that caused this. I shouldn’t have brought up the clockmaker. The clockmaker is... important to you, right? That was insensitive of me.”

Gray murmured in a low voice.

“You don’t need to change the subject forcefully. There are only limited topics we have in common,” Alice replied.

Gray managed a wry smile. “True. If we are talking about common ground, it would be about this world, the move, Lord Nightmare, and work... Ah, right.”

“What is it?”

Gray pulled out a notepad from his pocket and handed it to Alice. “I’ve adjusted your work schedule. You’re set to start three time periods from now. Come to Lord Nightmare’s office later. It’s not possible to revise the entire shift schedule right away, so I only wrote down your part.”

“Oh... Thank you.” Despite Alice having been so childish and lashing out, Gray had adjusted things so she could start working soon. This only made her feel more apologetic.

“Is there anything you need to prepare or get ready for?”

“No, not really. At first, you’ll be assigned to varied tasks in different departments to help you ease into work. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, just let me know.”

When Alice nodded with a smile, Gray also smiled with relief. “From now on, I’m your direct superior, so if any issues arise, no matter how trivial, feel free to tell me. Also...”

“What?”

Suddenly, Gray’s expression turned troubled, causing Alice’s stomach to twist painfully. She guessed he might scold her for her previous attitude, which would interfere with work. Anticipating this, she naturally straightened her posture.

“Um... are you perhaps talking about me?” She might be about to be reprimanded. Given Alice’s previous behavior, it was only reasonable.

However, Gray’s expression was not particularly stern. “No, I’m talking about Lord Nightmare. If you happen to see him somewhere when he’s not on break according to the shift schedule, please let me know. He tends to mysteriously disappear and slack off when he realizes it.”

“Got it. I’ll keep an eye out.” Alice nodded, somewhat relieved.

“Well then, I’m going out for a walk. See you later.”

“Ah, be careful.” After seeing Gray off, Alice began to walk toward town. After wandering around the neighborhood for a while, Alice returned to the tower.

(I used to think that Nightmare, slacking off, was just a hopeless man—even when he was in the Country of Hearts—but now that I've come here, he really has taken on a childish impression.)

“What did you say? How rude!” Just before turning the corner in the hallway, she heard a voice from quite close by.

“Eek!?!?!” She instinctively jumped back, and as she turned the corner, Nightmare appeared.

“You're slacking off again, aren’t you?”

“To say I’m slacking off is a terrible rumor! I-I’m going to the hospital now!” The lord of Clover Tower puffed out his chest proudly, but his gaze was subtly evasive.

Alice shot him a cold glance. “Is that a lie? There’s no way you’d willingly go to the hospital. You shouldn’t trouble someone who’s so serious and kind. Don’t you have any sense of guilt?”

“Alice, you’re overestimating him. He’s a bad guy.”

“What are you talking about? Criticizing someone who works hard, while being someone who slacks off is worse!”

With that said, Nightmare repeated in a low voice, “He’s a bad guy,” feeling somewhat dispirited. It made her a little curious about what he meant by that, and she couldn’t quite visualize what he was referring to as a “bad guy.”

“You should sneak back to the office before you get caught. I’m going back to my room, but make sure you work properly.”

“You’re being deceived... You’re being deceived...”

As Nightmare muttered that while trudging away in the opposite direction from the office, Alice felt a twinge of concern but prioritized getting herself in good condition before taking on her first work assignment. She headed back to her room.

Three time periods later, Alice went to the office as instructed and received a work briefing from Gray before diving into her tasks. Thanks to her experience working at a publishing company in her original world, she was able to handle everything well, which gave her a sense of relief.

“After this, the work will be after Lord Nightmare returns. Let’s take a break now.”

“Sure.”

As she stood up to make some coffee, Gray came over to Alice’s side. “Did you encounter any problems while working?”

“No... nothing in particular, but...” There was one thing concerning her, although it wasn’t a work-related issue.

“Gray, you smoke a lot during breaks, right? Isn’t it unhealthy to keep smoking that much?” As she spoke, she noticed Gray lighting another cigarette.

Seeing Alice’s gaze fixed on the cigarette, he sighed apologetically. “Ah, I’m trying not to smoke too much. But there’s too much work piled up before Lord Nightmare returns, and the more I work, the more I smoke.”

“Is it really that good? Smoking?”

“It’s a bit of a comfort. When I smoke, I feel dazed and forget the stress of work... It’s not that I truly forget, but... even though I know it’s just a comfort, I can’t quit.”

“...I want to try smoking too.”

“What?”

Alice spoke with no particular reason behind her words. She was curious about the temporary escape it could bring and wanted to express some whimsy. Yet, for some reason, Gray looked at her in shock.

“I want to try smoking. I don’t particularly want to forget anything, but I’d like to feel like I’ve forgotten, even if just for a moment...”

“No. You shouldn’t smoke.”

“Why? You smoke, don’t you? Plus, it lets you feel like you can forget, right?”

“It doesn’t really make you forget. It’s not as great as you think it is. You should stop.”

“But...”

Seeing Gray in distress only made her want to tease him further, and she restrained herself from continuing down that path.

“At least, I won’t smoke in front of you. But if I still want to smoke, it wouldn’t be convincing if I, a smoker, tried to stop you. So I won’t smoke, Alice. It’s not a good thing.”

Without realizing how Alice felt, Gray firmly asserted that and crushed the freshly lit cigarette in the ashtray. Startled, Alice shook her head.

“That’s a lie. I didn’t really intend to smoke. I don’t like cigarettes. I just wanted to surprise you by teasing you a little... I’m sorry.”

She was aware it was just a childish whim. For some reason, there was an atmosphere that made her want to tease Gray and act a bit spoiled. However, it was only natural that she would get scolded for doing so.

Preparing for Gray’s reprimand, Alice slightly braced herself. However, instead of getting angry, Gray let out a sigh and smiled. “I’m glad... it was a lie. Please don’t smoke.”

His gentle smile only made Alice feel more self-loathing. She found her own childishness in having expressed such a trivial whim regrettable. “I’m sorry. I’ll do my best at work from now on. I’ll try not to be a burden to you.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard. If you overdo it from the start, it’ll just be harder later. Work is almost done for now. You should take it easy and rest.”

“Thank you.” Bowing her head slightly, Alice exited the office.

(He truly is a good person... Gray.)

She no longer intended to lash out in strange ways. It was embarrassing to have such an attitude toward someone so kind. She wouldn’t be able to continue being that kind to someone who acted childishly and threw tantrums.

The next time she took a shift, she would work to be of help to Gray in return for his kindness.

Since this break wouldn’t be very long, she had no room to go out somewhere. She would rest well and learn quickly about her new tasks.

With a smile, Alice returned to her room to take a break.

◇◇◇

Her older sister, Lorina, was sitting on the sofa.

Lorina was gently looking down at her younger sister, who was comfortably resting her head on her lap while stroking their pet cat, Dinah.

(I've talked to my sister like this many times…)

The trivial things that happened at school. The snacks she had eaten that day. The way the tea was brewed. The progress of her studies. Alice had talked to her sister about almost everything.

Even when she was secretly planning to leave home, her sister’s smile never changed.

“You will grow up one day. When you become an adult... just forget about me.” As always, her sister’s gentle voice.

“Why would you say something like that?”

“I misspoke. I meant to say, ‘Don’t forget me.’” Lorina was smiling generously.

It was unclear whether this was just a dream or something that truly happened in the past. However, those words and her sister’s smile were profoundly sad.

◇◇◇

After opening her eyelids, Alice lay still for a while without moving.

(A dream about my sister...)

Even when she was asleep, she couldn’t distinguish if it was just a dream or if she was recalling reality, and lying here staring up at the ceiling didn’t change that.

Her memories of the original world were fragmented, so it wasn’t strange that even fragmented memories of the past felt so unreal.

She would never see her beloved sister again.

(Do I have no ties to my family?)

After her family, the only person who had lived with her like family was Julius Monray, the master of the clock tower. Due to her abrupt move, she also found herself separated from Julius. She felt like her understanding of what she sought from family and how she was protected was gradually fading away.

As she pondered for a while, she remembered that she had work to do soon.

“Oh no. I need to hurry!” Alice hurriedly began to get ready.

After starting work, Alice’s life gradually became more vibrant.

She was slowly getting used to Clover Tower, her job, and even to Gray, whom she had initially taken her frustrations out on.

Preparing for the meeting was exhausting, and she had been incredibly busy, but she was starting to get accustomed to it. Working felt much more comfortable than just being a guest, and it was more relaxing. When it came to work, Gray and her coworkers supported her, and Alice took the initiative to learn new tasks.

During this time...

“Hey, Alice, there’s something I’d like to talk about, if that’s okay?” Gray approached her after he saw that work had ended.

“What is it? Is it about a shift change?”

“No, it’s not that kind of conversation. Shall we move somewhere else to talk?” It seemed to be something that couldn’t be discussed in front of others.

(Could it be that I made a mistake without realizing it, and now I'm going to be scolded?)

Although Gray interacted with his subordinates in a calm manner, he was the type to be strict when necessary. If his subordinates made serious mistakes or behaved unacceptably, he would change the setting for a serious conversation like this.

Standing tall, Alice followed Gray.

They entered one of the conference rooms that was not in use, and Gray closed the door. As Alice braced herself, thinking this would be a lecture, his opening words were unexpectedly gentle.

“Alice, do you have any work-related worries? Or are you feeling unwell or something like that?” He asked with a concerned expression.

“Not really, but why do you ask?”

“There are times when you come to work looking pale. I thought you might not be feeling well, so I’ve been keeping an eye on you. But you seem to perk up as you work, so I was wondering what’s going on.”

“Ah…” Now that he mentioned it, there was a thought in the back of her mind. Recently, she hadn’t been sleeping well.

After hearing the voice from the door in the forest, she kept dreaming about people she could no longer meet, like Julius and Lorina. The depressing feelings that accompanied each dream might indicate that there was some concern within her.

Seeing Alice’s expression change, Gray seemed to deepen his conviction. He strengthened his tone and continued. “If there’s something troubling you about work, then it’s my fault for not noticing. Plus, you’re not just a guest; you’re our friend as well. If you’re going through something difficult, just know you can always talk to me... so please, don’t hold back.”

Hearing him say this made her feel more regret about how small her worries were. However, it wouldn’t be right to keep Gray worried over something so trivial. “It’s not that I’m really troubled, but…” After a moment of hesitation, Alice decided to talk about her dreams.

Gray listened quietly without interrupting her, but after she finished, he let out a small sigh. “I see... dreams of those you can’t meet anymore, huh…?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trouble you with such a silly matter.”

“No, it’s an important thing.” Gray turned a serious expression toward Alice.

“It’s my opinion, but I think you heard the door’s voice and felt uneasy about where your ‘most wanted place’ was. That’s why you’re subconsciously searching for the ‘person you want to meet the most’ and having those dreams.”

“Perhaps... that could be it.”

“Maybe you want to go back to the clockmaker? You might have thought that you could return, which is why you keep dreaming about it. However, what’s worse is that you’re exhausted from having those frequent dreams, more than dwelling on that.”

“True.”

If this continued and she remained in such a state of poor sleep, it would likely affect her while she was awake as well.

“Alice, you might be more attached to the clock tower than you realize.”

“Well... I mean, I do feel some attachment, but... I don’t quite understand it. Maybe I’m okay, or maybe it’s just too shocking for me to react.”

“Too shocking, huh? The clockmaker is a lucky person.” Gray had a somewhat gloomy expression as if he was deep in thought, but eventually, he raised his face. “I can’t send you back, but... is there anything else I can do for you?”

“You don’t need to worry so much.”

“You’re a good kid. I can’t just leave you to suffer alone.”

It felt strange that Gray was being so considerate toward Alice. For some reason, the concern made both happiness and melancholy swell up within her at the same time.

Regardless of Alice’s feelings, Gray continued to speak to her with genuine care. “Next time our days off coincide, how about I take you somewhere?”

“Eh?”

“Since you’ve worked so hard shortly after coming here, I thought it would be a good way to show my gratitude and provide a little diversion.”

“But... is that really okay? You probably wouldn’t want to see the faces of subordinates who don’t even get a day off, right?”

“Not at all. Of course, if it tires you out to go out, we can discuss it.”

“I do enjoy going out. In the past, I would go for walks or shopping whenever I had a day off. I also read a lot in my room, though.”

“If you like books, you should take advantage of the library. As a tower employee, you’re allowed to borrow any books except those that can’t be taken out. There are also bookstores in town, so I’d be happy to show you around if you’d like.”

Remembering the library she had visited to search for materials, she recalled that it had plenty of books and a well-stocked collection. Being able to borrow books would certainly make her feel much more at ease.

(Now that I think about it, I haven’t read a single book since coming to The Country of Clover.) She had thought she was living her usual life, but it turned out that wasn’t the case.

“Right. It wouldn’t be bad to go out with someone once in a while.”

Alice understood very well that for an adult man, looking after a much younger girl was just a troublesome chore. Still, it was undeniably pleasant to be able to go out with a gentleman like Gray.

“Well then, let’s go out together on the next day off. I’ll come pick you up.”

“Got it.” Alice gave Gray a light nod and exited the room. As she walked down the hallway, Alice realized something.

(Now that I think about it, Gray hasn’t been smoking lately.)

From the lingering scent, it was clear he hadn’t quit, but for some reason, she hadn’t seen him smoke recently.

(He said he was trying to cut back... but maybe...)

Being unable to enjoy even a comforting cigarette and having to take care of her during his days off was a bit too much for Gray.

Alice let out a deep sigh at her own burdensome nature.

(But, this... feels like a date.)

Thinking that made her spirits lift somewhat.

She felt happy that Gray was looking out for her and that she could go out with him. Even considering her burden, it still felt like a nice change.

It was the first time since coming to this country that she realized she had made a fun promise with someone.

#gray ringmarc #alice liddell #heart no kuni no alice #alice in the country of hearts #clover no kuni no alice #alice in the country of clover #light novel #guardian game

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caffedrine · 2 months ago

Text

Translation: Clover no Kuni no Alice - Guardian Game - Chapter 1: The Tower that Disappeared, The Tower that Appeared

Author: Nana Fumidzuki

ISBN: 978-4758040785

After opening the door, Alice Liddel froze for a moment.

(What on earth is this place?)

She had thought that the Land of Hearts itself might be like a dream, but meeting this silver-haired young man felt like being in a 'dream within a dream'.

In Alice's mind, the Nightmare was simply a character within her dreams.

Yet here he was, seated in a room filled with proper furnishings, not in some ambiguous, strange space where he always seemed to be, whether above or below. Since he was here, it must be a dream, but for some reason, it felt very real. His outfit was also quite formal and not dream-like at all. Seeing him dressed like this made everything feel even more bizarre. The only things that hadn’t changed were his appearance and his pale complexion. The Nightmare looked at Alice with the eye not covered by his eyepatch. "It's been a while. You don't seem to be doing well as usual."

"You look… as unwell as ever."

Watching the Nightmare, who was not floating in mid-air but comfortably seated on a sofa, puffing on a pipe, left her utterly speechless. Seeing his pale face with a pipe made her too astounded to say more. "My poor health is standard for me. Don’t worry about it."

That wasn’t what she wanted to discuss, she wanted to ask what was going on with the strange door that seemed to call out to her as if he was standing in front of her like a normal person. And more than that... what had happened to the clock tower where she had originally been? Where had her roomate, Julius Monray, the master of the clock tower, vanished to? She was left in total confusion.

She couldn't help but worry about how the somewhat eccentric guardian of time was doing. Yet it was frustrating that neither the Nightmare nor the man standing beside him seemed to notice Alice's bewilderment.

(Is this really… not a dream?)

With the Nightmare, a dream demon, right in front of her, it was hard to think this was reality. She was pretty sure it wasn’t a dream, but observing their nonchalant attitudes toward this bizarre situation made her start to doubt.

(But this person seems normal, at least. Setting aside the strange Nightmare…) She shifted her gaze to the man.

Alice noticed that this man, standing next to the Nightmare, was also wearing a suit, but it was more practical in design. However, knives were strapped all over his clothing, giving him a rather intimidating impression. He, too, was smoking. While the Nightmare was smoking a cigar, this man held rolled tobacco, not a pipe.

The man directed a sharp gaze at Alice. For no particular reason, she felt oddly tense under his scrutiny. Moreover, it felt off that the Nightmare was with such a capable-looking man.

As if reading her thoughts, the Nightmare pouted irritably. "There’s nothing strange about it. I am capable."

"I've never seen you display any capability, though."

"I have displayed it!"

"And if you were truly capable, wouldn’t you have a different attitude seeing me standing here at a loss in this situation?"

Initially, she hadn’t thought that far since she was still half-asleep, but if this was real, the Nightmare, who had summoned her here, had a responsibility to explain the circumstances.

"By the way, this isn’t… a dream, is it?"

"Ah, yes. This is reality. You can see that, can’t you?"

"I never thought you actually existed in reality." Even in her dreams, Alice was astonished by the Nightmare's complete lack of realistic abilities and immaturity, but now that she was face-to-face with the real thing, the shock was significant in many ways.

"Am I really that forgettable…? What a misfortune..."

"There’s no way you could be forgettable. If anything, you’re too memorable."

"So, in other words, I’m an unforgettable man to you." Alice let out a deep sigh. How could one misinterpret things so badly to come to such a conclusion? There was no way she could forget such an oddball.

However, even though he should have been able to read Alice's thoughts, the eyepatch-wearing Nightmare nodded knowingly and chuckled.

"Ha, I am, indeed, an impossible man. Right, Gray?"

There was no doubt he was misunderstanding the nuances of Alice's thoughts.

Just as she was about to retort, the man, who was called Gray, spoke up. "Nightmare, you are certainly an impossible man."

Unlike Alice, Gray seemed to completely understand her words. Nightmare, clearly in a foul mood, glared at Gray.

"Don’t agree like that! I meant I’m a cool man who attracts women!" It was almost child-like for him to become upset over someone agreeing with him.

"I understand, but you’re really not cool at all. That’s a problem in itself. Besides, it’s great that you showed up, but you won’t do any work and avoid going to the doctor..."

"I didn’t just show up; you dragged me out."

"Who was it? Who told on me! Cough... cough That I skipped another doctor appointment?"

"You shouldn’t do things that lead to someone needing to tell on you in the first place. It’s ridiculous to run away from the doctor when you’re this unwell."

Nightmare and Gray began to argue, leaving Alice to the side.

It felt almost like a mother scolding a toddler.

(Shouldn't introductions usually come first in situations like this? You called me here, so isn’t this a bit much? How long are they going to ignore me? Why do these people just continue their conversation without caring about anyone else?) As she mentally voiced her complaints toward Nightmare who had pulled her here, he flinched slightly.

"Wha… What is it?” It seemed he was frightened by the ominous atmosphere of Alice’s thoughts.

"What do you mean, 'what is it'? It’s an introduction." At this rate, she would have to pose all sorts of questions in front of Gray, who was meeting her for the first time, and depending on the situation, she might have to question or complain to Nightmare. She wanted to avoid that if possible.

From his attitude, it seemed Gray held a significant position supporting Nightmare's work and had considerable influence. It wouldn’t be wise to ignore someone like him.

"Alice, haven’t you become even stronger than before?"

"You should get a bit stronger too. You look worse than before; you’re pale and sickly. Just introduce me already."

"Ah, this is Gray Ringmark, the lizard."

After a brief silence, Gray finally spoke. "Um, nice to meet you." The lizard tattoo on his neck seemed inappropriate for such a competent and earnest man, but Alice chose not to mention it and lightly bowed instead.

Although he was a bit gruff, he did not seem rude, and his raspy baritone was pleasant to listen to.

"I’m Gray Ringmark. Nice to meet you."

"Sounds like you could provide quality leather. Mr. Lizard."

The term "Ringmark" refers to a large lizard that produces the highest quality leather, characterized by its 'ring marks'.

Gray frowned slightly. "Just call me Gray."

"Alright."

Seeing the Nightmare trying to suppress laughter beside her, it seemed many enjoyed teasing him. He must have experienced being called "Mr. Lizard" in a negative way before.

In this land, those with various powers and authority, often referred to as "role holders," tended to tease those who were weak. However, there was no need to do that when she wanted to keep the conversation as friendly as possible.

"I’m Alice Liddel. Nice to meet you, Gray.”

"Ah, nice to meet you.” While he didn’t have a smile, he was certainly gentlemanly.

"By the way, I’d like to ask… where am I right now? Where is the clock tower?" The interior of this room was based on a gentle green color, unusually soothing for the Land of Hearts. It was decorated with furnishings themed around clover leaves and the club from playing cards, creating a comfortable impression. Alice had never seen a place with such an interior since arriving in the Country of Hearts

Additionally, she was confident she had never encountered the eerie stairs with the talking door that she had seen upon opening the door to the clock tower. Nightmare lowered his eyes apologetically and tightened his expression.

"The clock tower has moved."

"What...?"

"It moved... What about Julius?"

The Julius Monray that Alice knew was not the type of person to move out without leaving his roomate behind.

Gray spoke in a quiet voice. "The clockmaker has moved, and the clock tower along with him. This is the place where the clock tower was. It no longer exists."

Alice couldn’t even produce a voice from her throat; only breath escaped her. "What do you mean...? Did Julius leave me behind and go somewhere?"

"That’s not it. The clock tower has vanished entirely." She didn't understand what he was saying at all.

"Did some land development take place while I was asleep?"

Nightmare and Gray exchanged glances, as if deciding who would speak to Alice.

It was Gray who opened his mouth. "It wasn't that land development was progressing, but the terrain has changed. The clock tower was included in that change."

"The terrain... has changed?"

"Yes, since it moved. The terrain wouldn’t change if it hadn’t moved."

She couldn’t wrap her head around it. When she thought of moving, she imagined packing up and greeting the neighbors, tasks like that. She couldn’t connect the words she was hearing, which seemed to evoke thoughts of geological upheaval. But the idea of moving so drastically didn’t make sense.

(Could it be that Julius got involved in some kind of incident, and the Nightmare is hiding it from me...?)

Alice was worried that she might be panicking, perhaps trying to cover it up. As she looked at the two of them with that thought in mind, the Nightmare sighed.

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"How could I possibly believe you?"

"Then let me show you."

With a snap of his fingers, a holographic image resembling a map appeared. Unlike a printed map, it seemed to have a realistic color palette, and if she looked closely, she could almost see the trees swaying in the wind.

"Huh?"

In the Country of Hearts, aside from the clock tower where Alice had been staying, there were three other factions.

The Mafia, run by Blood Dupre, the Boss of the Hatter Family; the Castle of Hearts, ruled by the Queen of Hearts, Vivaldi; and the amusement park, owned by the Marry Gowland. In addition, there was also the clock tower, which was maintained by Julius Monray, who was supposed to remain neutral.

That was how it was supposed to be.

She recognized familiar places such as the Castle of Hearts and the Hatter Mansion. However, as she tried to trace the locations where her other friends lived with her eyes, she felt something off.

The scenery around the clock tower and the appearance of the tower itself were different. Just as Gray said, it was clear that a different building stood in the place where the clock tower used to be. Moreover, the area where the vibrant amusement park used to be had turned into a large forest.

Upon closer inspection, the scenery around the Hatter's Mansion and the Castle of Hearts was also subtly different. "Why... is the scenery changing!?!?"

"When you move, the scenery changes. It’s only natural when you move."

Certainly, this world was a strange place where day and night transformed chaotically. However, it was the first time she had heard that entire places could switch like this.

"The tower moved somewhere?"

"No, we didn't move. It’s the land that has moved." There was no point in pondering too much. Everything was different from the common sense of Alice's world.

She didn’t understand how the system worked, but it seemed that since the 'land moved,' her residence in the clock tower and her cohabitant had completely vanished. That much was certain. "To them, we moved. To us, they moved. Just like a clock, the land changes too."

"In the world I lived in, even if the clock moved, the land never changed or rotated."

"It sounds like you were in a peaceful world. But here, the land changes as well." The more she heard, the more incomprehensible it became.

"The fact that the clock tower has moved somewhere means... my home has disappeared, right? What am I supposed to do now? I can’t deal with this anymore. This has to be some sort of sick joke, right?" The pitying gazes from the two only intensified her frustration.

“I’ve had enough of the land changing and moving... I don’t want to hear any more. Isn’t there a way to return to the clock tower?”

The two remained silent for a while. Eventually, the Nightmare spoke.

"For now, you don’t need to worry about where you’ll stay. There are plenty of rooms, so don’t hold back. Feel free to stay as long as you’d like, just like in the clock tower."

"But..."

"This is the place where the clock tower used to be. If another move happens, it might return to a clock tower again."

"Maybe" was far too unreliable. Feeling frustrated, she fell silent, unable to find appropriate words.

"Gray, please prepare a vacant room for her. Alice is tired."

"Yes, Nightmare..."

"Alice, I’ll guide you."

"...Alright."

As she tried to shake her head with a forced smile, she felt her balance waver. Gray’s arm supported Alice’s unsteady body without difficulty.

"You shouldn’t push yourself. Let me help."

"I'm fine."

"Alice, if there’s anything we can do for you, just let us know."

"...Thank you." Nodding slightly at the Nightmare’s kind offer, Alice began to walk with Gray.

Gray walked slowly, protecting Alice as they moved.

Feeling her thoughts quickly heating up in silence, Alice forced herself to speak.

"Hey, Gray?"

"What is it?"

"...Are you the Nightmare’s... subordinate? He doesn’t seem like the kind of important person who would have subordinates."

"Nightmare Gottschalk is the master of Clover Tower and the lord of the Country of Clover. You could say he is an important person, and I am his subordinate. You seem to be a friend of Nightmare, but please don’t speak ill of him too much."

"What!? "

Nightmare Gottschalk—such a heavy name.

Master of Clover Tower.

Lord of the Country of Clover.

He is a person who commands this capable-looking man.

None of these fit her image of the Nightmare at all. "I’ve only known the Nightmare in my dreams, so I couldn’t imagine that he has a physical form and lives a normal life."

"I’m not sure if it’s normal for someone as sickly as him to be running away from work, though." Gray smiled slightly. He usually had a cold demeanor, but when he smiled, he appeared more gentle than she had expected.

"By the way, you said this is Clover Country, right?"

"Yes."

"How is Clover Country different from Heart Country? Parts of the land have moved to Clover Country..."

"The land didn’t move into the vessel called Clover Country. It’s determined what kind of country it becomes based on the combination of places it moved from."

"Like combinations of playing cards?"

"Yes, that might be a good comparison."

Until they arrived at the room, Gray succinctly explained enough for Alice to understand that there wouldn’t be any problems as long as she stayed in the tower. He informed her that the land was unstable after the "move," so she should be careful while walking outside, as well as details regarding meals and other matters at Clover Tower—plenty of information.

"Thank you, Gray."

"No... it's nothing..."

Gray briefly looked away as if troubled, but then continued walking away.

After watching him walk down the hallway for a few seconds, Alice entered the room assigned to her and closed the door.

Looking down from the window, she could see the Hatter's Mansion and Heart Castle. From this perspective, although there was a difference in height, the locations weren’t that different compared to looking down from the top of the clock tower.

(When looking just at the buildings, everything seems the same as before...)

Looking at the scenery made Alice remember the time she was taken by Peter White and brought to the Land of Hearts.

While waiting for her sister, Lorina, to get cards for a game in their garden, Peter suddenly appeared and took her to the Country of Hearts. To make matters worse, he forced her to drink something resembling medicine through a kiss, compelling her to participate in a 'game'. She had received almost no explanation about what kind of game it was.

The only thing she understood was that she could return if she filled the small bottle she had drunk from. With that knowledge alone, Alice was left behind in the clock tower.

It was Julius, the master of the clock tower, who helped her, grumbling all the while. Although he was taciturn and somewhat eccentric, he still awkwardly cared for Alice, which gave her the determination to live in the Country of Hearts.

While living in the clock tower, she became acquainted with people from other factions and made a few friends. (But...)

The view she saw from above, which was different from the image shown to her by the Nightmare, reminded her of the scenery she would see when looking down from the roof of the clock tower. However, even though the same buildings were there, it still felt different. There was an unsettling feeling.

She remembered that although the Hatter Mansion and Castle of Hearts still existed in the Country of Hearts, the amusement park had vanished. (I wonder how everyone else is doing?)

There might be some acquaintances who had disappeared just like Julius. It was highly likely that those living in the amusement park, like the Marry Gowland and Boris, had also vanished.

Having just been shown to her room, she couldn’t help but feel concerned. Alice stepped out of her room, walked quickly down the hallway, and descended the stairs.

"Oh!"

She spotted Gray walking further down the stairs, and a small voice escaped her. Gray turned around and stopped, and Alice hurried over to Gray's side.

"Is something wrong?"

"I'm worried about how everyone else is doing, so I thought I’d go check."

"I don’t think anything too serious has happened, but... since the land is still unstable, it's better to be cautious."

"I will be."

"Honestly, you should wait until things settle down a bit, but if you're concerned, I can't stop you. Go on."

"Thank you." Alice gave a light nod and then walked past Gray, picking up her pace.

"Wow, this feels strange." Walking through it, the sense of discomfort was even more pronounced than when she looked down from the window.

Amid the familiar scenery, she could see unfamiliar buildings and streets, and as she walked, paths she had walked many times before abruptly ended and connected to different roads.

Because it was mixed with sights she knew too well, she felt even more confused. Alice struggled to navigate the path and finally reached one of her intended destinations, the Hatter's Mansion.

The reason she initially headed to the Hatter Mansion wasn’t particularly significant. The paths near Clover Tower were unlike those of the old clock tower, and she had little confidence in walking toward an unknown direction without recognizable landmarks. So, she simply chose to go to the one that was easier to reach from a distance: either the Hatter Mansion or the Castle of Hearts.

"...Somehow, the scenery near the gate feels a bit different too." Looking around, the surroundings seemed strange, with parts that were the same mixed with those that weren’t.

"Wow! It’s my big sister! Did you come to see us?"

"Welcome, big sister! Did you come to play with us? We’re so happy, brother!" Familiar voices of the twin boys sounded, and they came running with large axes in hand, smiling as they hugged Alice while still holding the axes. The gatekeepers of the Hatter's Mansion, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, would hug and cling to Alice every time their eyes met.

"Whoa, stop...! Get away a little! You're going to kill me!" An axe swayed dangerously close to Alice's face and head. Every time they expressed their affection, it felt like her life was on the line.

However, suddenly Dee and Dum's bodies were pulled away from Alice. To be precise, it should be said they were yanked off.

"Hey, you little brats. Stop bothering her! Get away already!"

"Elliot!?"

Just after a thud echoed from the twins' heads, Alice found herself free.

The one who freed Alice was a tall young man with rabbit ears, Elliot March. His fierce expression and robust build suited him as the second-in-command of the Hatter Family Mafia. However, when you looked at the ears that expressed his emotions so straightforwardly and bounced about, he somehow appeared oddly cute.

"Geez! What are you doing, Chicky Rabbit!?"

"To use violence against innocent children is the lowest! You violent rabbit!"

"I’m not a rabbit!"

In contrast to the way they had been sweetly clinging to Alice, they started throwing insults at Elliot. This was how it always was. Although Alice felt a sense of relief at their typical antics, the very normalcy of it left her feeling somewhat let down.

(I can't think that "the move" was just a fantasy of mine...)

There had been times when she wanted to doubt her sanity after coming to the Country of Hearts, but this was the first time she questioned her sense of geography. Yet seeing everyone so unfazed by this "move," she felt as though she must be the one in the wrong.

Alice let out a small sigh.

"Miss, I was surprised to see you still here. I thought you had moved along with the clock tower." Suddenly, a lazy voice called out from beside where the twins and Elliot were causing a ruckus.

"Since when have you been there?"

"I've been here since you arrived. I was going to say hello, but my gatekeepers began to tumble over each other, so I decided to observe for a while."

"...You should have helped. I thought I was going to lose my head."

Standing there was Blood Dupre, the boss of the Hatter Family.

As his nickname suggested, he was a man wearing an incredibly conspicuous hat, and from his lethargic demeanor, one could hardly imagine he was the head of the Mafia. His enthusiasm was rarely directed toward anything other than tea, and even as Alice was in mortal danger, embraced by the axe-wielding twins, he remained unconcerned and composed. This was, of course, not due to any disregard for Alice; it was simply his lazy personality.

Since his trusted aide, Elliot, handled nearly everything, there was no need for Blood to step in.

When Alice looked at his well-groomed features, she furrowed her brow slightly.

While Blood himself bore no fault, his face bore an uncanny resemblance to that of her first love, whom she had parted ways with before arriving in this world, and every time she saw it, complex feelings would arise. She didn’t want to place expectations on her friend's appearance, but she couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling.

"More importantly, since you didn’t move along with the clock tower, I assume you have nowhere to stay now?"

"I’m currently staying at Clover Tower." She didn't express the conflicting emotions that brought her there.

"Ah, I see. Being alone in an unfamiliar place must be lonely."

"Even though it’s a strange place, Nightmare is there too, so I'm not lonely." Alice smiled.

"And the lizard who acts as a caretaker seems like a decent person. He’s the first genuinely normal person I’ve met in this world." While Julius, the master of the clock tower, and Merry-Go-Round, the owner of the amusement park, were somewhat normal in this world, Julius was eccentric, and Merry-Go-Round had a catastrophic sense of music, placing them on the level of oddballs in Alice's previous world.

However, Gray seemed like someone who would be perfectly normal even in her old world.

"Are you talking about Gray Ringmark? The lizard who respects his boss immensely?" Elliot asked with an oddly serious expression.

"...I don’t think Gray respects Nightmare that much... Do you know him?"

"I know very well. I’m definitely better than him!" Was he talking about fighting skills or popularity?

As Alice pondered, Blood spoke up with an exasperated tone.

"Miss, that’s nothing you need to concern yourself with—it's a boring and trivial matter. Please just leave it alone." She recognized this expression; it was the same one he wore when Elliot was showering him with praise. She didn’t understand why he made that face, but it seemed best to change the subject. "By the way, what brings you here, miss? You came all this way despite the terrain still being unstable. Something must be going on."

"What do you mean... I’m worried about you all! The clock tower and amusement park disappeared, Clover Tower appeared in place of the clock tower, and the terrain changed drastically. I thought something must have happened to you... But I'm glad if you're all okay."

She couldn't bear to have her sense of normalcy shattered any further. Perhaps it would be best to retreat at this point.

"I'll check out other places too. Something might be happening elsewhere."

"Be careful out there since it's still unstable." Elliot smiled brightly.

"Thank you. I will be careful." Alice nodded and smiled back.

"Sister, there are mice in the forest, but they’re dirty, so don’t get too close!"

"Mice are stupid and easy to bully. We often take our anger out on them for fun."

"R-Right... You shouldn’t use animals as toys." The thought of a forest filled with mice sent a chill down her spine, but she couldn't ignore her curiosity about what had happened to her friends from the amusement park, so she had to go.

"Alice, if you ever grow tired of life in Clover Tower, feel free to come here anytime."

"Thank you. But I’ll try to manage as best as I can."

For now, she had almost no knowledge of what Clover Tower was like, but since Nightmare would be there, she wanted to stay in a place that would remind her of the clock tower. Alice waved goodbye to the four who were seeing her off and then set off toward the Castle of Hearts.

The Castle of Hearts had also changed slightly, with the garden looking different. Alice could see Queen Vivaldi of the Heart Castle outside in the garden with several maids, some of whom seemed familiar.

"Vival..."

Just as Alice was about to call out, she suddenly heard a voice from her blind spot.

"Alice! I was worried you had vanished along with the clock tower, but it seems you were just bounced out!" Startled, Alice turned around to see a white-haired young man with rabbit ears running toward her.

This was not Elliot, whom she had just seen at the Hatter’s Mansion, but Peter White, the white rabbit chancellor. With glasses that gave him an intellectual appearance, he embraced Alice with an exaggerated pose that seemed out of character for him.

Reactively, Alice punched Peter and pulled herself away from him.

However, Peter was not the type of rabbit to be discouraged by such a minor setback. "I’m so lucky! The fact that you were bounced out and remained here... It’s so moving! I’m so happy I might just lose it! I love you! I want to make you as happy as I am... Imagining you happy because of me makes me too happy to handle!”

"Feel free to pass out right there." When conversing with Peter, Alice could hardly expect to communicate effectively. It seemed that due to his excessive attachment to Alice, he interpreted her words entirely according to his own convenience.

"Anyway, why are you surprised that I'm still here?" As she maintained distance from Peter, Alice changed the subject.

"That’s because..."

"Ahahahaha!" From a different direction, she heard a bright laugh that contrasted with Peter’s continued attempts to cling to her. "Haha! You’re being delightfully annoying, Peter! Alice is getting overwhelmed!"

Alice wasn't surprised at all.

The elusive and whimsical knight Ace could appear from anywhere at any time. He was often seen around Heart Castle, so she was somewhat accustomed to both Peter and Ace. Ace, known as the strongest knight of the Heart Castle, spoke with his refreshingly bright smile directed at Alice.

"If you don’t like it, you need to act, not just talk. Animals often won’t understand words."

If it were anyone else, the words might have sounded a bit different, but when Ace said it, it always had a slightly ominous feel.

(Wow, he has his hand on his sword.)

If Peter kept clinging to her like this, it would seem like Ace was ready to cut him down.

"...Right. I’ll be more careful next time." Although Ace was difficult to read emotionally, she could tell that he was particularly irritable today, suggesting that stirring him up any further could lead to trouble. "Anyway, you were surprised that I’m still here. Why exactly?"

"I thought you had moved with the clock tower. Normally, those affiliated with a place move along with it. Since you were close to the clockmaker and so familiar with the tower, it was surprising that you remained while that rabbit was so happy."

It seemed Vivaldi had come over after hearing the commotion between the two. Dressed in a gorgeous gown befitting her resplendent beauty, she showed a radiant smile.

"Vivaldi!"

"To hug such a cute child is truly out of place. I could very well chop off your head." Though she frowned and glared at Peter, she eventually let out a sigh.

The cruel and beautiful queen executed those who irritated her without hesitation, yet even in this world where life was cheap, it was difficult to kill the powerful figures known as "role holders." It seemed she decided that executing someone for a change of pace was not feasible.

"Right now you're in Clover Tower, which appeared instead of the clock tower, correct? I always wished for you to stay at the Castle of Hearts. Alice, why don’t you take this opportunity to move to the Castle of Hearts? With such a unreliable man as that master, everything must feel precarious."

"Well... it's true that Nightmare is unreliable and sickly, but he's a good person, and besides, his subordinate Gray seems capable, so it’ll be fine."

"How dull. But if anything happens, just come here anytime."

"Thank you."

The people of this country, despite Alice being an "outsider," all seemed to have a fondness for her. She had been taught that "outsiders" were perceived that way, but after spending some time in the Land of Hearts, it seemed that even once she became a resident of this country, the affection everyone directed toward her remained unchanged.

"Well then, I’ll be going soon. I was worried that something terrible had happened to everyone due to the 'move,' but it seems fine."

"Ah, Alice... you were worried about me, weren’t you?"

"Nobody is worried about you. You were worried about me instead."

"Ahahaha, I wish that were true."

Feeling reassured that there was still no change in their attitudes, Alice took her leave.

Next, she thought she would head into the forest she had never set foot in before.

As Alice was walking, she heard Ace's voice from behind her.

"Huh?" When Alice stopped, Ace was quickly upon her. Even after running, he showed no signs of being out of breath.

"Hey, Alice! What a coincidence to meet you here!"

"Coincidence... are you perhaps following me?"

"No, not at all. I heard you talking about the dagger-wielding lizard a bit ago, and it made me nostalgic, so I was going to visit Clover Tower. I thought I’d ask you to join me for some training."

"If you’re headed to Clover Tower, it's best to take the path by the castle, or... oh, wait... that won't work, will it?"

"Oh, I thought this path would be fine... That’s strange." Ace was notoriously bad with directions. He could easily get lost even going to easily recognizable places, and Alice had come to understand this from her past interactions with him.

"I’m going into the forest now... It’s my first time going there, and if you’d like, want to come with me? We can return to Clover Tower afterward."

It made complete sense that Gray practiced martial arts since he was always equipped with a dagger, but Ace's talk of "training" felt somewhat ominous. She deliberately shifted the subject. In a country where people tended not to listen to others, changing topics was an important conversational skill.

"Ahahaha, that sounds good too. The forest sounds fun, so maybe I’ll join you."

"Have you ever been to the forest? I want to know what it’s like."

"Well, it’s a pleasant and fun place. There are lots of animals too."

If the time of day didn’t change, she would be able to stroll through the forest under the blue sky. It was sad that the amusement park had vanished, but perhaps she could enjoy a pleasant walk before returning. With those thoughts in mind, Alice walked toward the forest. When Alice arrived in the forest, she saw a figure on a sunlit path.

A delicate-looking boy dressed in a green coat that blended in with the trees was running toward her. However, something seemed off.

"Nyan, nyan, I'm scared of the kitty!" He was almost in tears, fleeing from something.

"Huh...?" As she tried to see what was happening behind the boy, Ace quickly approached without hesitation.

(Does he intend to help?)

For just a moment, she thought that, but Ace's reaction was unexpected.

"Why, if it isn’t the Mouse!"

"Yikes, knight!" The boy, called the Mouse, seemed so shocked that he leaped backward, right where he had been trying to escape. Though they were acquainted, it seemed they didn’t have a very peaceful relationship. "Why… why is this happening? This is the worst! There’s a kitty coming, and now there’s a knight... I’m scared, I’m scared!" The boy seemed to be in a panic, running around, but this time he got caught not only by Ace but also by someone who had come up from behind him.

"Nya-hahaha! Gotcha, Pierce!"

The 'kitty' that had arrived was someone Alice recognized.

Dressed in flashy pink fur, it was Boris Airay. He was the Cheshire Cat who had been staying with Marry Gowland, the owner of the amusement park. When she had visited before, they had built a somewhat friendly relationship, often showing her gun collections and letting her ride on rides he had modified on a whim.

For some reason, Boris was brandishing a knife and fork, looking extremely delighted.

The boy’s frightened eyes were clearly focused on that pair of utensils. He might genuinely think he was going to be eaten.

"Help! I hate kitties! I really hate them!"

"I understand, so just stay back."

"Y-Yeah..." Despite looking older than Alice, he seemed rather unreliable.

Protecting the tearful boy behind her, Alice turned to face Boris.

"Boris... didn’t you move in with Marry Gowland?"

"Alice, weren’t you supposed to move in with the clockmaker? It seems you were bounced back too."

"...Then that means... are you also bounced back, Boris?"

"Yeah." Boris smiled as he put the knife and fork into his pocket. "I’m just a freeloader and an outcast, so I was bounced back."

"I see..." She had thought she was managing well with Julius in the clock tower until now. Yet the fact that she had been ‘bounced back’ was still sad. No matter the reason, being left behind must be quite lonely.

Seeing Alice’s downcast expression, Boris smiled encouragingly. "But you’ll definitely get used to Clover Country. If you ever feel lonely, you can always come play with me. You can even live with me."

"Huh?"

"The forest is cozy. There are plenty of interesting places, and you can chase around mice for fun."

"No way! I’m scared of kitties!"

"Boris, stop it. This kid is terrified. Ace, don’t scare him suddenly like you did earlier."

"But it’s fun, you know. Cats are supposed to chase mice."

"I didn’t mean to scare him, though." Neither of them seemed to have any consideration for the 'Mouse' boy.

"Huh? I don’t even know this kid’s name yet..." When Alice turned around, the boy gave her an innocent smile. Upon closer inspection, she noticed his round ears and the drooping tail behind him.

"My name is Pierce. I’m Pierce Villiers, the sleeping mouse!"

"Nice to meet you. I’m Alice Liddel. Now that I think about it, I feel like when I visited the Hatter’s Mansion, Dee and Dum were talking about mice..."

"Yeah, the twins!! They're coming here!! No way! Not again... Ugh, everyone is bullying me…! " Pierce ran away, still half-crying.

"Sounds like he’s really been oppressed. Poor thing."

"Even if you say he’s poor... that kid is in the Mafia. He’s a member of the Hatter Family."

"...Huh?" Could someone so tearful and bullied really survive in the Mafia? It was hard to believe.

However, Ace smiled and confirmed Boris's statement. "What the cat said is true. Mouse is a member of the Hatter Family. He’s a well-known entity even among external organizations."

Though she had no idea what kind of work he did, it seemed Pierce had a background that couldn't be judged by his unreliable behavior. Alice sighed deeply.

"Alice, I’m going to chase after him again, so see you later." Boris began to sprint after the silhouette of Pierce that was still visible in the distance. He quickly pulled out his knife and fork as he ran.

"The forest... is quite a hectic place, isn’t it?"

"Ahahaha, wasn’t it fun? Now, shall we head to Clover Tower?"

"Right."

Judging that it would be quicker to go through the forest path from this position, they entered the woods. After a while, Alice stopped in her tracks.

"What’s wrong?"

"I can... hear a voice."

It wasn’t the voices of Boris or Pierce echoing around. There were voices calling from all directions.

"Open the door."

"Give it a try."

"You can go to another place."

"Come on, turn the knob..."

Doors were plastered against the trees and also resting on the stumps everywhere.

Just like the distorted staircase she had seen when exiting the room in the clock tower, doors were attached to the trees.

"Ace, can’t you hear... the voices?"

"Do you also... hear it?" Ace didn’t seem disturbed by the voices he heard. Even though he could hear them, it felt like he accepted this eerie calling as something perfectly normal.

"This door can take you to the place you want to go. It’s a door that will lead you to the place you desire the most. The voices can only be heard by those who are lost."

"Lost...?"

It was only natural to feel lost.

Having abruptly 'moved' from a place she thought she was familiar with in the Land of Hearts to Clover Country, it would be unnatural not to feel confused.

However, when Alice heard Ace's words, she felt a shiver of something akin to dread. Opening the door might lead to something unpleasant. The very notion of her "most desired" place could result in something dire depending on what it entailed.

"Alice, where do you want to go?"

"Ace..."

The directionally challenged knight laughed and began to walk away.

He should have been taking her to Clover Tower as promised, but Alice's legs wouldn’t move.

Gradually, Ace's figure grew more distant from Alice.

By the time she could no longer see him, the sky had turned to twilight.

Even though she thought that time had changed, Alice stood there for a long while, continuing to listen to the door's calling voice.

#clover no kuni no Alice #Alice in the Country of Clover #Light Novel #Guardian Game #Alice Liddel #Gray Ringmarc #Alice in the Country of Hearts

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