After the kidnapping case was settled, I was going to ask Alice, the person behind the scenes, to examine the materials handed to me yesterday, when for some reason the person who handed over the materials appeared.
　I was puzzled by his sudden appearance, but the Phantom King spoke in his usual high-pitched voice.

You don't need to ask that rat to help you. I can provide you with the information you need.
Didn't you give it to me to find out for yourself?
'No, I just said it was a reward and gave it to you. It wouldn't be funny if there was an addition to the reward, would it?
....

　I don't know what it is, I return the words while feeling angry at the Phantom King for calling Alice a rat, but the Phantom King still speaks as if he is a man-eater and tells me plainly.
　Perhaps sensing my indignation, Kuronoa-san quickly moved in front of me and faced the Phantom King.

The actuality of this is that it's a very good thing. Since the previous heroic festival?
Klonoa, what can I do for you?
You're the one who told the world about Miyama, aren't you?　Why did you do that?
Well that was a good bait, wasn't it?

　When Kuronoa-san asked with a somewhat sharp voice, the Phantom King quietly returned the words.
　

''.........Is that what you mean.......you!　You used Miyama as bait!
...Decoy?

Huh?

　Come to think of it, I remember Mr. Liliwood saying that.
　The Phantom King does not tolerate beings that bring detriment to the world, and if he judges that to be the case, he will kill them mercilessly...in short, the Phantom King seems to have transmitted my information to the world and erased the people who started moving for that purpose.

　I shuddered at the fact that I was being used by the Phantom King without realizing it, but at the same time I felt a strange sensation of discomfort.
　

''But I don't understand. Aside from the other six kings, how did you manage to convince the Dead King?　He's supposed to move immediately when it comes to Miyama.... but for some reason, he's been quiet about the recent events. You made him do that, didn't you?
''........Indeed, it was painful to convince Isis. I was able to finally convince her by offering a fairly concessionary exchange condition.

　Indeed, Mr. Isis killed a black bear in the woods just because I was knocked out before. It's funny for me to say this myself, but I really think that if something were to happen to me, he would fly over to me.
　But for sure, in the recent events of the attack, when Megiddo-san came, and in this kidnapping, Isis-san didn't show up.

　It seems that the Phantom King presented Isis-san with a condition of exchange and made her agree to keep quiet.......but what kind of condition is that?
　And the uncomfortable feeling I felt earlier, was it about Mr. Isis?　No, but I still feel like something's stuck with me.

'I mean, what is it with you, the way you talk?　It's 'different'...
Huh?

　Klonoa-san's words asked dubiously. The moment I heard that, a completely different thought came into my head than I had before.
　The purpose of the Phantom King, the words he was saying when he encountered it, the conditions that convinced Isis-san, the tone of the Phantom King's voice.......................The feeling that the fragments that had been disparate were becoming one in my head.
　

　I slowly walk out in front of Kronor-san and say the words in a quiet voice.

''........I don't trust you. I'm not going to ask a favor of someone I can't trust.
Oh.
'Miyama?　Are you sure?　It's true that the Phantom King may be an untrustworthy opponent, but his information power is solid. This guy can certainly prepare evidence for you...

　Hearing the words I've told her, Cronor asks me if that's okay, tilting her head.
　I shake my head in response to those words and then move my gaze.

''........Kronor-san. I trust the Phantom King. I'm also grateful.
Yeah?　Miyama, what the hell are you talking about?
"There's something that's been bugging me for a long time. And now I see it clearly you're not the 'real Phantom King'.
....

　The words I said quietly startled Kronor-san, but the presence of the black robe remained silent.............................and did not interfere, as if to tell me to just continue.
　So the true nature of the discomfort is probably this.

　The first time I met the Phantom King, I felt an eerie presence... but the second time I encountered him, and the third time I encountered him, it was far more eerie than that.
　But from the being in front of me now........I don't feel that much of a chill.
　Until now, I had thought for sure that I was feeling something close to fear due to the fact that I knew more about the Phantom King's awesomeness, but it's more convincing to think of him as a different person.

''Kuronoa-san. You said earlier that the Phantom King speaks differently, right?
Oh...
''Could it be that the Phantom King.......usually speaks with a 'peculiar and peculiar honorific tone of voice'?''
That's right.

　Previously, Cronor had described the Phantom King as a quarrelsome and depressing fellow.
　But the Phantom King I actually met wasn't like that, it was more like a creepy mastermind...............................and the moment I heard the word 'different tone', I remembered something.
　

　

''........You were wondering how Kronor-san convinced Isis-san, right?
I don't think the King of Death is going to be easily convinced. He said he's made a deal with you, but I don't think there's anything he'd rather do than keep Miyama safe.
''........I think the Phantom King probably said this to Isis-san. ''I'll put up a perimeter around me, and if necessary, I'll intervene and help you.''....
What?

　Yes, perhaps the Phantom King convinced Isis-san to remain quiet by guaranteeing my safety.
　Based on that premise, it changes the way I look at a lot of things.
　

But after that, Sigma figured that it would be hard to defend me with the two of us exhausted........so he intervened.
...Miyama?
'When Mr. Megiddo showed up, I disguised myself as Black and made him pay Megiddo's contraption... and now, again...'

　So I break off the words and slowly turn around.
　The person who wasn't there when the second and third Phantom King appeared, but was there when the first and this Phantom King appeared.

''I want to help Lilia-san, Lunamaria-san, and Zeke-san, who have been a lot of help to me.
Mr. Kite....
So I'm going to need your help.

　I suck in a breath once and then look straight into his eyes and utter the answer I've arrived at.

''Please, Alice... no, 'Phantom King, No Face'...''

　Dear Mom, Dad - Come to think of it, that fellow always appeared out of the blue, except when we visited him. An enigmatic presence with no bottom in sight, an occasional sharp presence. If I'm not mistaken, Alice's true identity is - the Phantom King No Face.