Chapter 73: The Tea Party’s Grand Ambition

Three days later, in the slums of Gray River District.

Alice Liddell and Queen Isola, both disguised, arrived at the rendezvous point. Today was the appointed day for Queen Isola to attend the ‘Tea Party’.

After knocking on the door of a humble dwelling with a specific rhythm, a crack appeared.

Through the narrow opening, the face of March Hare emerged.

Her gaze, sharp as a blade, meticulously scrutinized the two women. Satisfied, March Hare opened the door wide, allowing them to enter the house.

After closing the door, March Hare uttered a polite greeting in a detached tone. “Welcome, Queen of Starry Night. My apologies for the humble meeting place.”

She then added, “The Mad Hatter asked me to relay that message.”

“It matters not. It is a fitting place for a deposed monarch such as myself to conduct business, would you not agree?” Queen Isola replied with composure.

“You, come with me. The Dormouse is waiting downstairs.” March Hare then gestured towards Alice Liddell. “Your Majesty, please rest here for a while.”

“Is Queen Isola not allowed to attend the Tea Party?” Alice Liddell asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

The so-called Tea Party was, in truth, a dream realm conjured by the Dormouse’s unique ability. Without the Dormouse’s guidance, ordinary people found it impossible to enter.

March Hare’s expression remained impassive. “Do not worry. Given Her Majesty’s divine rank, wielding a witch’s ‘Dreamweaver’ ability, she should easily be able to invade your dream and join the Tea Party once you fall asleep—provided she knows your location.”

“You are quite knowledgeable about a witch’s abilities. Could it be…” Queen Isola scrutinized March Hare. “Were you formerly with the Church?”

Among the three factions capable of cultivating ‘Assassin’ Blessed Ones, only the Church’s Holy Assassins would possess such specialized knowledge of witch abilities.

“A former Holy Assassin. I have personally eliminated many witches,” March Hare replied, her tone as light as a breeze.

“So, the other ‘Bishop’ is also an apostate, like yourself?” Queen Isola pressed, seizing the opportunity.

Based on Queen Isola and Duchess Liddell’s deductions, the Dormouse’s dream-weaving ability was likely the ‘Dream Traveler’ ability, unique to the ‘Bishop’ rank. This ability bore a striking resemblance to a witch’s ‘Dreamweaver’ skill, both allowing the invasion of another’s consciousness to create dreamscapes, though with subtle differences in their ultimate effects.

Only one faction held a firm grasp on the ‘Bishop’ rank: the Church of World Salvation. This suggested that March Hare and the Dormouse were likely once pivotal figures within the Church.

“Let us discuss these matters at the Tea Party,” March Hare said, sidestepping the question for now. She motioned for Alice Liddell to follow her into the cellar.

Queen Isola settled onto the only table in the room, waiting patiently.

****

Soon after, Alice Liddell was led by March Hare to another office where the Dormouse was hidden, just as before. Under the Dormouse’s guidance, she entered the dream realm.

For Alice Liddell, it was merely a blink of an eye. ‘He’ found himself seated at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party once more, in the guise of Levi.

“Welcome, Levi,” the Mad Hatter greeted with a cheerful chuckle, doffing his hat. “And welcome to you, esteemed Queen!”

Beside Levi’s empty seat, space suddenly tore open. Queen Isola’s figure passed through the rift, ‘intruding’ upon the Tea Party, much like she had forcefully entered Alice Liddell’s ascension illusion in the past.

Queen Isola settled firmly into her seat, her gaze like a burning torch, fixed directly on the Mad Hatter’s eyes. Alice Liddell suddenly perceived an unprecedented aura of majesty emanating from her.

Levi distinctly felt March Hare, seated next to the Mad Hatter, grow tense. Even the drowsy Dormouse struggled to pry open his eyelids, staring intently at Queen Isola, who had intruded into his dream.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mad Hatter,” she began calmly, offering a polite greeting.

“This is truly remarkable, such presence at such a young age.” The Mad Hatter cackled, completely unfazed by Queen Isola’s imposing aura. “However, we are not enemies. How about we relax a little? Have some tea first.”

As he spoke, he raised his cup. Queen Isola casually picked up a teacup, and a teapot floated autonomously, pouring her black tea.

“I shall dispense with the pleasantries. You must have heard our ideals from our excellent new member. What are your thoughts?” After drinking his tea, the Mad Hatter immediately cut to the chase.

“To be frank, I greatly admire your enlightened ideals. There are few in this world capable of setting aside ethnic and national divides to establish such a charter,” Queen Isola replied coolly. “I am inclined to support your cause, sir, but before that, could you tell me the true extent of your organization and what accomplishments you have achieved?”

“Your Majesty worries that I might merely be a charlatan making empty promises?” The Mad Hatter grinned.

“When seeking partners, one must naturally investigate them,” Queen Isola stated. “You have only presented a noble ideal, but we remain completely unaware of what you have actually done, or what activities you are currently dedicated to.”

“Very well, I shall reveal a portion,” the Mad Hatter conceded. “The ‘Tea Party’ headquarters are here in Maplewood City, with branches in the Imperial Capital and on the northern border. We have one hundred and twenty-seven registered members, and we have established organizations under the guise of mutual aid societies in three regions, with approximately two thousand deployable personnel in total.”

“Forgive my disrespect, but against the Empire, that scale is a bit… Of course, I am in no position to criticize now,” Queen Isola remarked.

“It is a bit meager, but small efforts accumulate. If I were to boast of a hundred thousand soldiers, you certainly wouldn’t believe me,” the Mad Hatter chuckled. “Moreover, we have a rather formidable ally. Has Your Majesty heard of the barbarian ‘Iron Warlord’?”

“‘Iron Warlord’ Hans? It would be strange if I hadn’t. Didn’t he disappear twelve years ago when his tribe was annihilated?” Queen Isola frowned.

“He has been wandering beyond the Northern Frontier. Through a series of fortunate coincidences, I formed a bond with him. I promised to support his uprising in the Dragonspine Kingdom beyond the Northern Frontier, and he, in turn, promised that once his rebellion succeeded, his tribe would join the international alliance led by the Tea Party,” the Mad Hatter explained. “A year ago, the Black Mountain Uprising in the Dragonspine Kingdom beyond the Northern Frontier was something we secretly supported him in.”

“I heard about that uprising as well. Was it not suppressed?”

“Indeed, but that was merely the beginning of a series of uprisings now plaguing the Dragonspine Kingdom, was it not? The Dragonspine Kingdom, which currently enslaves the majority of barbarian tribes, was originally established by the Empire, fostering the Dragonspine tribe as a tool to contain other barbarian tribes. The system of slavery enforced by the Dragonspine Kingdom is intolerable to the ideals of the Tea Party. Assisting enslaved peoples in rebellion, overthrowing the Empire’s tools of subjugation, and making the Empire once again feel the threat from the north—this is one of the causes we are currently dedicated to,” the Mad Hatter calmly stated.

“What evidence can you provide to prove your involvement in the barbarian uprisings?” Queen Isola inquired.

“I can tell you in advance that within three months, a major uprising is expected in the western part of the Dragonspine Kingdom. I cannot reveal too many specifics,” the Mad Hatter replied. “By then, you will understand… No, knowing this, you need only perform a divination to ascertain the truth of my words.”

“Very well, I can provisionally accept your words as truth. I imagine you wouldn’t be foolish enough to deceive a Great Witch of divine rank,” Queen Isola calmly responded. “If you can support the legendary ‘Iron Warlord,’ can I then assume you also have the capability to support me?”