Chapter 74: A Daring Alliance

“Well, whether or not we can provide support depends entirely on you, Your Majesty. Our power cannot directly help you restore your kingdom; we can only offer assistance in appropriate areas, or connect you with other factions that support us, based on your own restoration plan. Of course, all of this is predicated on your agreement to join the Tea Party Alliance and support our cause.” The Mad Hatter responded with an unhurried calm.

“By your meaning…” Queen Isola’s brow furrowed slightly, “I must first inform you of my restoration plan?”

“Whether you trust us is your decision. You must understand, trusting you also carries risks for us,” the Mad Hatter replied with an air of indifference.

“That is certainly true,” Queen Isola conceded.

“Then, what is your decision?” The Mad Hatter smiled. “I believe you must have already divined our intentions, whether they bring good or ill fortune. You must have reached a conclusion long ago.”

Queen Isola nodded. “I did foresee that you would be valuable to me. In a sense, you, sir, have indirectly done me a favor. Very well, I can agree to your terms and first inform you of our plans. But if even a single word of our plan is leaked from your side…”

“There’s no need to elaborate on such threats. If anything goes wrong, you are perfectly capable of twisting all three of our heads off. After all, the three of us combined might not even be your match, and we certainly cannot escape your divinations,” the Mad Hatter said with a hearty laugh. “Rather, we are the ones who should be worried about whether you might betray us.”

“That may not be so. Those who constantly appear weak are often the most vigilant. While you, sir, may not have reached the divine rank yet, I hear your Path possesses a special ability to forcibly enhance your strength through sacrifice. A Rank Four individual like yourself, fighting with your life on the line, would likely pose a risk even to me.” Queen Isola spoke calmly.

“You certainly know how to flatter me, even though I do indeed wear a tall hat.” The Mad Hatter took off his top hat and began to toy with it. “Then, Your Majesty, please tell me your plan for restoring your kingdom. I shall see where we might be able to assist.”

Levi looked back and forth between Queen Isola and the Mad Hatter.

Both Queen Isola and the Mad Hatter seemed different from their usual selves during this conversation. Queen Isola exuded an even greater majesty than usual, and the Mad Hatter was no longer whimsical, each of his words orderly and coherent.

At this moment, they were speaking as leaders, representing their respective factions.

Queen Isola nodded and broadly outlined her plan to steal a Holy Relic from the Church, though she did not specifically mention that the entrance to the Holy Land where the relic was hidden was in the Cathedral Academy, nor did she reveal that Alice Liddell was their intended spy for the academy.

“I see, you intend to find the Church’s sealed location where the Holy Relics are hidden…” The Mad Hatter nodded thoughtfully, then grinned. “That’s quite a daring plan. In that case, we can indeed be of help.”

“Because of them two?” Queen Isola glanced between Dormouse and March Hare.

“Precisely. As you likely already know, they are both former members of the Church,” the Mad Hatter explained. “March Hare was once a squad leader for the Cathedral Assassins, and Dormouse was formerly the Archbishop in charge of the Grand Diocese of Warhammer Province. Both were ostracized or persecuted during internal power struggles within the Church, leading them to betray it. March Hare was captured alive and persuaded by me during an assassination attempt. As for Dormouse… he failed to advance due to a rival’s conspiracy, became half-crippled, and was abandoned by the Church, allowing me to seize the opportunity to recruit him. They were both key personnel within the Church and can provide you with a wealth of useful information.”

Levi’s heart stirred upon hearing this; it was indeed valuable assistance. Leaving aside March Hare, the ‘Assassin,’ if Dormouse was once an Archbishop, then he most likely studied at the Cathedral Academy in the capital!

“Hey, Dormouse, you must know something, right?” The Mad Hatter forcefully patted the drowsy Dormouse.

Dormouse didn’t seem to awaken from the action, merely speaking in a muddled voice, “Only high-ranking members of the Inquisitor know about the sealed locations. Have you found them?”

“According to reliable intel, there should be an entrance in the Grand Cathedral of the Cathedral Academy in the capital,” Queen Isola replied.

“Ah, I know that place,” Dormouse nodded sleepily. “It’s where the academy conducts promotion ceremonies for students, but I never knew there was a sealed location there.”

The moment he finished speaking, the scenery around the Tea Party shifted, transforming into a grand cathedral with a colossal altar and a stained-glass dome—this was Dormouse projecting his memory.

“There are most likely secret passages here,” March Hare interjected. “I know several types of hidden passage layouts the Church uses.”

“That sounds quite reliable,” Queen Isola assessed. “So, if I agree to have the Starlight Kingdom join your Tea Party Alliance in the future, you will help me?”

“Hmm… May I add one more condition?” the Mad Hatter mused.

“Raising the price at the last minute is rather unscrupulous,” Queen Isola remarked.

“My condition will also benefit you, Your Majesty.” The Mad Hatter raised a finger. “I propose that when we steal the Holy Relic from the Church, we join forces and pull off a grand heist together, then split the spoils equally. How does that sound?”

“So, you intend to jointly raid the Church’s sealed location?” Queen Isola nodded. “Do you, sir, also hope to obtain a Holy Relic from the Church that can help you break through your bottleneck?”

“Indeed,” the Mad Hatter admitted frankly. “I was once a mere step away from becoming an ‘Apostle’ of the ‘Abyss,’ Rank Three, but the Church interfered. Not only was my Holy Relic stolen, but I also contracted madness due to the failed advancement. Only by successfully advancing can I escape this condition. However, even without a Holy Relic of the ‘Abyss,’ it doesn’t matter. As you surely know, Your Majesty, Holy Relics themselves possess immense power.”

“But what if they are difficult to divide?”

“We’ll try our best to divide them equally. If not, you take the larger share. Would that be acceptable?” The Mad Hatter proactively took a step back. “After all, your side initiated the plan.”

“Acceptable,” Queen Isola agreed readily.

“Excellent, then the terms of the contract are settled!” The Mad Hatter snapped his fingers with a smile.

A devil’s contract, forged by his power, shimmered into existence amidst flames, floating before Queen Isola.

Queen Isola carefully reviewed it, then spoke, “I wish to add a second contract, prohibiting you from making any interpretations or supplements beyond the literal meaning of the first contract.”

“How cautious you are, even though your foresight should have told you this contract is harmless to you. I never trick my favored business partners,” the Mad Hatter chuckled bitterly but still added the second contract as Queen Isola requested. “Rest assured, contracts possess absolute binding power even over ‘devils.’ That is the foundation for a contract’s validity.”

After repeatedly confirming the terms, Queen Isola responded, “Very well, I agree.”

“Two contracts exchanged for the Queen of Witches as our ally—what a profitable deal,” the Mad Hatter declared with a booming laugh, replacing his hat and retracting the activated contracts.

“Then, I shall explain the possible secret passages in the Grand Cathedral,” March Hare said, rising. She walked around the Grand Cathedral scene created by Dormouse, pointing out approximately six potential locations for hidden mechanisms.

“It sounds like we’ll have to try each one to find out,” Queen Isola mused.

“That will have to be left to your spy. Neither Dormouse nor I can directly operate in the Imperial City, let alone enter that academy,” March Hare deliberately glanced at Levi.

“Once the operation is confirmed, we will meet to discuss the details. The sealed location won’t be unguarded. During your reconnaissance, I and other members of our branch in the Imperial City can also provide some appropriate support,” the Mad Hatter said, his gaze also falling upon Levi.

Clearly, though Queen Isola had not mentioned it, the three individuals present who were adept at clandestine operations immediately deduced that Levi, or rather Alice Liddell, was the spy the Queen sent to the Cathedral Academy.

“You?” Levi looked at the Mad Hatter, stunned.

“I forgot to mention,” the Mad Hatter grinned, “I happen to be active in the Imperial City myself these days.”

“Operating personally in the Church’s headquarters? Not even I would dare to do that,” Queen Isola said.

“Yes, I’m incredibly brave… Haha, just kidding. It’s actually because there are matters I must attend to,” the Mad Hatter responded with a smile, then suddenly remembered something. “Speaking of which, I have something I’d like to discuss with Brother Levi, concerning internal Tea Party matters.”

“Do you need me to step out?” Queen Isola understood the Mad Hatter’s implication.

The Mad Hatter merely smiled. “After all, he is now considered one of our members.”

“Very well, our discussion is largely concluded anyway. I shall wait outside,” Queen Isola agreed, but then suddenly changed her tone. “However, let me make one thing clear: although he has now joined you, to us, he remains a crucial collaborator and our liaison with the Tea Party. If you deceive or betray him in any way, do not blame me when I come seeking accountability.”

“Oh, I see,” the Mad Hatter revealed a subtle smile.

“Queen Isola?” Levi looked at Queen Isola with some surprise, not expecting her to suddenly warn the Tea Party on his behalf.

“It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen you look like this,” Queen Isola shot him a glance. “I’ll be waiting for you outside.”

With that, Queen Isola vanished from her seat.