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Join the Server“The precepts of a Holy Knight, huh…” Jeanne Decker chuckled, a hint of self-mockery in her voice.
“Don’t worry, I’ve come to terms with it. I’ve already lost my status as a knight and been branded a witch, so why should I continue to adorn myself with such hypocritical righteousness?”
No sooner had she spoken than, as if to prove her point, she abruptly uncorked the bottle and took a deep swig.
The fiery taste of the liquor made her face scrunch up instantly. She coughed violently, then wiped her mouth.
Alice Liddell stared at Jeanne Decker in astonishment. After barely two hours apart, what could have possibly led to such a profound shift in her perspective?
She had a vague sense that something was amiss with the Jeanne Decker before her, yet she couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.
“Come on, you drink too!” Jeanne Decker suddenly thrust the bottle toward her.
“I just…” Alice Liddell began to demur.
“Drink! It’s not fair if I’m the only one! Don’t you want us to be completely honest with each other?” Jeanne Decker interrupted her, a touch of forcefulness in her tone.
Alice Liddell gazed at the bottle, hesitating.
She truly couldn’t hold her liquor, but if it meant Jeanne Decker would cast aside her prejudices and open up to her, then a little drink was certainly nothing.
Yes, as long as she could mend things with Jeanne Decker and return to how they once were, none of this mattered!
Jeanne Decker had already demonstrated through her actions that she would no longer adhere to the old rules. How could Alice Liddell falter now and undermine her resolve?
At the thought of this, the scales in her heart tipped towards acceptance.
With a determined resolve, she took the bottle.
The moment she grasped it, her witch’s ‘Potion Mastery’ ability gave her a premonition of the dizzying sensation the alcohol would bring.
‘Just a small sip, then…’ she thought, attempting to take a cautious taste.
But just then, Jeanne Decker suddenly grabbed her, pushing the bottle forcefully with her other hand. “Now isn’t the time to be so reserved, is it? You should at least drink as much as I do!”
“Mmph! !” Alice Liddell choked unexpectedly, a large gulp of liquor forced down her throat.
The alcohol was even stronger than she had imagined, burning her throat as if it were on fire.
As the bottle moved away from her lips, she covered her mouth and complained to Jeanne Decker, “What are you suddenly doing?!”
“Just a little payback for what you did to me in the past,” Jeanne Decker replied, showing no trace of guilt.
Indeed, after a certain part of her psyche had been lost, she found it difficult to experience such emotions.
‘This woman is still holding a grudge about that ‘fatal kiss’,’ Alice Liddell mused.
“Alright, sit down and listen to me.” Jeanne Decker pulled Alice Liddell down beside her.
Since there was only one chair in the room, Alice Liddell sat on the edge of the bed.
“What happened earlier, that was my fault,” Jeanne Decker said, bowing her head in apology. “You are my savior, yet I spoke so many presumptuous words. I was only thinking that I would surely repay you, but I never considered whether I could truly do what *you* desired. If I think about it carefully, all my actions were merely an attempt to diminish your great kindness to me, using my own set of moral standards. That is truly shameful… After some ‘guidance,’ I’ve finally understood.”
“Jeanne Decker…” Alice Liddell smiled with relief. This was exactly what she had yearned to hear.
“Moreover, after shedding those mental burdens, I realized how insignificant the things I was struggling with truly were. Compared to what you’ve done for me, I seemed to have made a mountain out of a molehill. I repeatedly asked myself, ‘Can I truly not accept it?’ If I were to put aside your feigned pity and compassion, could I truly become friends with you? I don’t know.” Alice Liddell shook her head with a wry smile.
“I just want to be friends with you,” Jeanne Decker said softly.
“I understand,” Alice Liddell replied.
“No, you don’t understand.” Jeanne Decker shook her head. “I’m not expressing a ‘hope,’ but stating a fact: I simply want to be friends with you. So, cast aside your pity, Alice Liddell. I don’t need your pity, nor your sympathy. I only wish we could return to the very beginning, like two ordinary friends. Is that truly unacceptable? Of course, to be honest, it’s still not that easy to accept entirely, but I think…” Jeanne Decker paused, as if Alice Liddell had made up her mind, “I should, to some extent, make a change.”
Alice Liddell looked at her friend and exhaled a long sigh of relief. “You… do you know I’ve been waiting for an answer like that from you? I’m not ashamed to admit, if you hadn’t changed your mind, I probably wouldn’t have slept well for days.”
As she spoke, she began to feel a slight dizziness. Chugging so much strong liquor on an empty stomach could easily go to one’s head.
“That exaggerated?” Jeanne Decker was quite surprised. “You’ve always been so good to me; was it all sincere?”
‘Does this witch truly like me?’ she thought to herself.
“Of course it was,” Alice Liddell answered without hesitation.
‘If I weren’t truly willing to go through fire and water for you, my dear friend, how could I have tirelessly protected you time and time again?’ Alice Liddell thought.
“But even so, what happened that day was still a bit much.” Jeanne Decker frowned slightly.
She was referring to Alice Liddell taking her to that inn. Having completely abandoned her sense of shame, she could finally discuss the matter openly.
However, what Alice Liddell understood was her own forceful kiss.
“I apologize for that; I did cross a line,” Alice Liddell said, lowering her head, a little embarrassed.
Her face felt hot from the rush of blood, and the effects of the alcohol became increasingly pronounced. The scene before her eyes began to waver.
The two of them had been considering completely different things the entire time, yet their conversation subtly managed to connect.
The topic paused there, but neither felt particularly awkward. The familiarity that had long been established in their subconscious allowed them to grow accustomed to each other’s silence.
Meanwhile, both were deliberating separately.
‘Can I tell her now? Is it the right time to reveal myself?’ Alice Liddell hesitated internally.
As she pondered, her head grew hazy from the alcohol, making her thoughts even slower.
Jeanne Decker, however, was considering whether to begin something else entirely.
“Sorry, Jeanne Decker, I really drank too much of that wine. Can I rest for a bit first?” Alice Liddell finally couldn’t hold on any longer, covering her forehead and shaking her head.
The alcohol had come on so quickly, it should also subside quickly, but at this moment, she truly felt dizzy and weak in the knees. Though she still retained her rationality, her mind lacked the capacity for much thought.
“Alright, perfect then!” Jeanne Decker made up her mind at that very moment.
She suddenly stood up and pushed Alice Liddell. Already weak and unsteady, Alice Liddell immediately tumbled onto the bed, her head thudding against the headboard as the room spun wildly.
“What are you suddenly doing?!” Alice Liddell struggled to lift her head, casting a displeased look at Jeanne Decker.
Her response was the sound of armor hitting the floor—Jeanne Decker had removed her gauntlets and then began to unfasten her armor.
It seemed Jeanne Decker was preparing to undress, which made Alice Liddell’s already sluggish mind go completely blank.
“What are you doing?!” Alice Liddell exclaimed in utter shock.
“What am I doing? Isn’t this what you desired? I made a very difficult decision… What’s with that expression? Are you unable to adapt without being in control?” Having completely abandoned self-discipline and shame, and freed from her mental restraints, Jeanne Decker observed the witch, who for the first time before her, appeared utterly flustered. For the first time, she tasted a hint of transgressive anticipation. “It seems my chance for an eye for an eye has arrived!”
You’ve got to see this next! The Magical Girl Has No Interest in Saving the World will keep you on the edge of your seat. Start reading today!
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