Chapter 54: The Tea Party’s Aftermath

Upon her return to the mansion, Alice recounted her extraordinary experience at the tea party to the Duchess and Queen Isola.

“Indeed, it largely aligns with our expectations,” the Duchess affirmed, her gaze fixed on Alice’s eyes. “Except, of course, for your decision to join that organization on your own accord.”

“I don’t see any harm in it,” Isola interjected from within the magic mirror. “This way, it will be easier to gain a deeper understanding of the organization’s operations, allowing us to assess its potential for collaboration.”

“Oh, I wasn’t chastising Alice, Your Majesty; there’s no need to rush to her defense,” the Duchess said, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

“I was merely stating my opinion,” Isola replied, a slight frown creasing her brow.

“Very well, very well,” the Duchess chuckled, then turned back to Alice, her expression growing slightly more serious. “You are simply in our employ, so I can’t really object to you joining any organization you wish, as long as it doesn’t conflict with our stance. However, I still hope you’ll exercise more caution in the future. Even if the Mad Hatter is your benefactor—and, to some extent, indirectly ours too—you should still remain vigilant.”

“I simply believe that even if they wished to harm me, they wouldn’t gain any significant advantage,” Alice responded.

“Have you truly not recognized your own worth?” the Duchess asked, shaking her head with a hint of exasperation. “Ostensibly, you are a duchess, but secretly, you are a crucial component of our restoration plan. For instance, what if someone were to manipulate you using an enchantment-like ability, then follow the trail to capture me? Or, if you were kidnapped and used as leverage in negotiations, could we truly abandon you?”

Alice paused, momentarily stunned. She had indeed not considered such far-reaching implications.

“While I might consider sacrificing you for the sake of our interests, Her Majesty would certainly not give you up so easily,” the Duchess stated earnestly.

Isola, observing from the mirror, simply gazed at the Duchess without a word.

“Oh my, Your Majesty, you’re not denying it?” the Duchess feigned surprise, glancing at the mirror.

Isola remained silent, realizing that engaging in such banter would only lead to her losing.

“I was thoughtless. I apologize,” Alice murmured, lowering her head.

“Fortunately, you haven’t revealed too much about us. As an envoy for initial negotiations, you’ve proven barely adequate,” the Duchess said, shedding her serious demeanor. She nodded at Alice, then turned to Isola. “Your Majesty, what are your thoughts on this ‘Tea Party’ organization?”

“What are yours?” Isola countered, throwing the question back.

“The man named Mad Hatter claims to be a high-ranking priest of the Abyss Cult and has experienced a failed ascent to the divine rank. This likely means he is a Fourth-Sequence powerhouse. As for the two accompanying him, judging by the skirmish with Alice, the woman is clearly an ‘Assassin,’ at least a Sixth-Sequence ‘Faceless One.’ The man, capable of influencing minds with ‘Dream Weaver’-like abilities, is probably a ‘Bishop,’ and a mid-Sequence one at that,” the Duchess analyzed. “If the core members possess such caliber, this ‘Tea Party’ must command enough resources to incite a revolution in a small country. In the Empire, however, they would likely be suppressed the moment they showed their hand.”

“In other words, they have value as collaborators, but they also require partners,” Isola quickly grasped the crux of the matter.

“However, this organization appears to have its own agenda,” the Duchess reminded her.

“Their conditions, simply put, demand that I continue to assist them in resisting the Empire in the future, rather than merely protecting myself after the restoration,” Isola explained.

“Those terms are far more complex than they sound,” the Duchess sighed deeply. “Once you successfully advance, we can secretly reclaim the throne. Then, systematically rebuild our strength, and securing the independence of the Starry Night Kingdom wouldn’t be difficult. As long as the Empire eventually finds Starry Night a tough nut to crack, we could protect ourselves even if our power doesn’t match theirs. But if we agree to their terms, the Empire will view us as a perpetual threat, and their campaigns against us will be endless. That Mad Hatter will undoubtedly demand a contract to bind you.”

“But what good is temporary self-preservation in the grand scheme?” Isola mused. “I believe the man made a valid point: without a continuous mechanism to balance power, exploitation and oppression in this world will never be eradicated. Perhaps we truly should take a longer view.”

“You mean to say?”

“I think we can consider speaking with that man,” Isola stated.

“But it would be more appropriate when you are in peak condition, wouldn’t it?” the Duchess advised. “The man himself admitted he has ways to exploit loopholes in the ‘contracts’ he devises. Without high-level foresight and divination abilities, we could be at a disadvantage.”

“I only need another half-month; the holy stigmata on my body will soon lose its power,” Isola nodded, then looked at Alice. “For now, tell them that in a little while, I hope to have the honor of speaking with them.”

“Understood,” Alice nodded.

****

As she left, the March Hare provided her with an address for contact and message delivery.

“Achieving the advancement conditions is an unexpected bonus. It seems I’ll need to prepare new potion ingredients for you,” the Duchess said, looking at Alice. “Speaking of which, have you experienced any particular sensations since entering the ‘Abyss’ pathway?”

“Not really,” Alice replied. “Just like when I became a ‘Witch,’ I haven’t yet found an opportunity to actively trigger the ‘Heretic’ ability.”

The Mad Hatter hadn’t told her how to use the devil’s currency; it was the March Hare who eventually instructed her to simply consume the harvested souls.

Alice followed the instruction, though she tasted nothing. The soul dissolved instantly upon entering her mouth, vanishing without a trace. The March Hare assured her that the soul had been absorbed and that she had successfully entered the “Abyss” pathway.

Alice herself, however, felt no tangible change.

“Don’t worry, you’ll soon have the chance to try it out,” the Duchess smiled.

“I must harvest a soul within a month. Our plan won’t encounter any problems, will it?” Alice confirmed with the Duchess.

“Haven’t your divinations already yielded results? Have a little faith in yourself, and a little faith in me. I’ll ensure that Miss Dumpty is neatly delivered to your plate,” the Duchess said, patting Alice’s shoulder with a grin.

“What should I do at today’s ball?” Alice inquired.

The Duchess leaned closer, smiling, and whispered her next arrangements into Alice’s ear.

“I understand,” Alice’s lips curved into a faint smile as she listened.

Today would mark the official beginning of her revenge.