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Join the ServerQueen Isola’s words surprised everyone present.
Their reasons for astonishment, however, differed slightly.
“Queen Isola?” Alice murmured, having expected Queen Isola to interject and stop her.
“I understand your thoughts, just as I understand there are certain lines you cannot cross, even if I can refuse,” Queen Isola stated slowly.
“However,” she continued, her tone shifting, “let me be clear: I will not intervene in this matter. My position prevents me from taking such a risk, so do not attempt to plead with me.”
“I understand,” Alice affirmed with a nod. “I would never do something so brazen. I only ask one thing of you: could you divine my future concerning this matter?”
She was resolute in her decision to rescue Jeanne Decker by any means necessary.
Yet, her conviction hinged on the hope that she would survive the attempt. If Queen Isola’s divination foretold failure, Alice could at least seek an alternative path to avert that grim outcome.
Unbeknownst to her, Queen Isola had, in fact, already glimpsed a possible future.
Though that particular vision caused Queen Isola some unease, it at least hinted that both Alice Liddell and Jeanne Decker would emerge from this ordeal unharmed. Faced with a matter of life and death, she made her choice.
Queen Isola paused unnaturally before replying, “Yes, I can. If there’s a result, I will inform you.”
The Duchess Liddell observed Queen Isola with suspicion. She knew how deeply Queen Isola cared for Alice Liddell; even with understanding, such detached acceptance of Alice Liddell acting alone seemed uncharacteristic, unless…
Meanwhile, the Mad Hatter pondered the same question. Having been threatened twice by Queen Isola to ensure Alice Liddell’s safety, he, too, recognized the new tea party member’s standing in the Red Queen’s eyes. Given the Red Queen’s precognitive abilities, she should be able to foresee Alice Liddell’s future unless a Saint-level individual interfered.
Both underground intelligence operatives swiftly arrived at the correct conclusion:
‘Queen Isola had, in fact, already seen the relevant future.’
“Ah…” The Mad Hatter and the Duchess Liddell simultaneously grasped the realization.
“What’s wrong with you two?” Alice Liddell asked, looking bewilderedly between her two mentors.
“It seems you still have much to learn,” the Duchess Liddell remarked.
“Indeed, you need more practice,” the Mad Hatter added.
The cryptic reactions of her two mentors left Alice Liddell even more puzzled. Yet, suppressing a chuckle, she pondered their words and belatedly recognized a crucial detail:
Queen Isola, unlike the other two, did not seem to believe that rescuing Jeanne Decker was an absolute impossibility.
“Queen Isola, have you already…” she ventured tentatively.
Queen Isola did not answer directly. “This is your own destiny. I can only glimpse it, but how to achieve or avoid that destiny rests solely with you. Do not die—that is my only request.”
After a brief silence, Alice Liddell nodded. “I understand.”
If Queen Isola remained silent, it implied that the future she had seen held no critical clues.
“I wish you success,” Queen Isola said, then waved her hand, ending the divination.
“Just don’t let it interfere with the tasks we’ve assigned you!” the Duchess Liddell added just before the image vanished.
Alice Liddell slowly put away the magic mirror, realizing her state of mind had completely transformed.
Queen Isola’s words had imbued her with the conviction that a future where she successfully rescued Jeanne Decker genuinely existed.
Her worries and despair subsided, allowing her to think with greater clarity.
Indeed, a method for saving her friend must exist.
As the Mad Hatter had stated, pursuing judicial procedures was futile. The ecclesiastical court was inherently biased, and the political struggle that truly dictated the verdict had already been decided. Even if he could overturn the false testimony, Jeanne Decker would still be condemned.
Therefore, the only option was to disrupt the process and directly abduct her.
Abduct someone? She was merely a low-ranking ‘spellcaster’ and ‘sorcerer’; any mid-ranking expert could easily kill her. She needed the help of a powerful individual, and Queen Isola had already refused.
This left only one powerful individual she could rely on.
“Mad Hatter!” she said, looking at him with earnestness.
“Are you going to ask me?” the Mad Hatter raised an eyebrow. He had anticipated her intention early on. “While I deeply sympathize with the Saintess, the risks involved in this matter cannot be offset by mere compassion.”
“I know,” Alice Liddell paused. “I only want to ask: can I use that promise?”
“Oh? You mean, you want me to use the promise I made to save you, for your friend instead?” the Mad Hatter inquired with interest.
“Is that possible?” Alice Liddell asked again.
‘In terms of cost, this does not exceed my promise. Rescuing someone from the Inquisition’s pyre, whether it’s you or her, is essentially the same.’
“However, this deviates from the terms of our agreement,” the Mad Hatter analyzed seriously.
“So, are you refusing?” Alice Liddell’s tone remained calm. She was mentally prepared for either the Mad Hatter’s agreement or his refusal.
“No, I haven’t decided yet, my good student. You must think more deeply about everything. Although the cost is the same, the returns for these two matters are not identical,” the Mad Hatter said with a smile.
Alice Liddell considered his words intently and quickly grasped the Mad Hatter’s meaning.
She was a member of the tea party, a disciple guided by the Mad Hatter within the Abyssal Church. Simultaneously, she served as the link between the tea party and the Red Queen’s cooperation. She held value for the Mad Hatter, but Jeanne Decker might not possess that same value.
“If you’re concerned about that difference in value, I can find a way to make up for it with my own worth,” Alice Liddell stated earnestly.
“Learning how to bargain now? Truly my student!” The Mad Hatter burst into laughter. “Oh dear, now that you’ve put it that way, if I refuse you, you’d probably doubt the authenticity of my promise, wouldn’t you?”
Alice Liddell merely stared at the Mad Hatter, awaiting his decision.
“Rest assured, the promise remains valid. However, I must warn you: precisely because it is valid, once used, it’s truly gone! You are trading your own insurance for your friend’s life. The next time you find yourself in danger, you might regret this decision,” the Mad Hatter explained.
“At least for now, I am not facing a life-threatening situation. To be honest, if it truly came down to exchanging my life for hers, I’m not sure I could do it. But I know that if I couldn’t even part with a promise, I would immediately regret it if she died,” Alice Liddell replied seriously.
“Very serious indeed!” The Mad Hatter laughed approvingly. “Alright, then! I can use your promise for your friend, but you must complete another task for me.”
“What task?” Alice Liddell asked.
“Killing,” the Mad Hatter stated succinctly.
Alice Liddell pondered for a moment, then asked, “Is it… someone who deserves to die?”
“Yes, absolutely, unequivocally deserves to die,” the Mad Hatter grinned.
“Then that’s no problem,” Alice Liddell agreed readily.
“Excellent. Let’s set aside the task for now and discuss saving your friend. This won’t be simple; we’ll need a…”
The Mad Hatter smiled, raising a single finger.
Alice Liddell and the Mad Hatter exchanged glances, nodded, and then finished his sentence in unison:
“Plan.”
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, What Are You Looking At? That's My Wife! is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : What Are You Looking At? That's My Wife!
