Good things come in a hurry, it's a good day to have an idea.......the sooner you act, the better, so I had immediately come to the upper levels of the divine world.
　The purpose of this is, of course, to hear what Fate-san has to say about Alice, but the world doesn't work out that way.

　I can't imagine any place where Fayt-san might go, and if she ran away because she skipped work, it would be difficult to find her.
　I've been trying to contact her by hummingbird, but it seems that Fate-san has set up a special ward as a countermeasure against Kuronoa-san, and she doesn't accept contact by hummingbird, so no matter how many times she flies, the hummingbird comes back.
　So I visited the temple of Kronor, the person who seems to know Fate's whereabouts, and there I heard some surprising words.

''Oh, the God of Fate would have 'finished the job' and gone out to the human world.'''
'Oh, I see... what?　Finish ... the job?

　Somehow, I think I just heard the words that don't suit Fate-san the most from Cronor-san's mouth.
　No, I may have heard it wrong. I'm sorry but I can't believe that that Fate-san would finish her work.

''No wonder you're surprised. I was skeptical too, but I'm sure he's finished everything.
What... what the hell is going on?
I don't know. He had something to do in the human world, but his voice is so low that I couldn't get any details.

　Kronor tells me, surprised, that I'm surprised too, and tells me that he doesn't know where Fate-san has gone.
　I'm confused.......where did Fate-san really go?　A place to go to get the job done?　I can't even imagine.

What did you want with the God of Fate?
'What?　Oh, yes ... actually ...

　I had some thoughts about it, so I explained the situation regarding the matter of looking for Fate-san this time.






''.........hmmm, I see.
Yes. So, Mr. Cronor, do you have any idea what's going on with Alice?

　After listening to the story, Kuronoa-san crossed her arms and looked at me with a difficult expression on her face.
　I asked Ms. Klonoa if she had any idea what happened to Alice.

"...why do you ask me that?
'Well Kronor-san, when you warned me about the Phantom King before you said that Alice was quarrelsome and depressing, didn't you?　Doesn't that mean you're talking to Alice enough to feel depressed?
"...hmmm. That's a good read but probably won't give you the answer you're hoping for. If you're still willing, I can explain a few things to you.
Please.

　When I asked her if she was that close to Alice, Kronor-san nodded once, looking impressed, and offered to explain a bit about her relationship with Alice.

''........but there's little I can tell you. However, the Phantom King often visits me.
....
I was on my way to see the God of Fate and had a good reason for it, but I didn't have anything to do with it, just some idle chit-chat... well, he was talking to me about things.

　Hmmm. What does that mean?　From the way Kronor-san talks, she and Alice aren't really close, but it seems that Alice is coming to see Kronor-san.
　As far as I know, there doesn't seem to be any connection between the two of them, but why is Alice....

I was curious to ask you once. "I was curious," he said, "why do you talk to me so often?　Tsk.
So.....
The only thing he said was, 'The way he speaks is just like you,' as if he were muttering to himself, and he never said anything else. I don't even know what it looks like. I'm sorry, but I don't think I can be of much help.
'No, thank you. It's been helpful. I'll have to ask you some other questions.

　It was a bit disturbing, but I certainly don't think Cronor is right, and I don't think it's going to solve the current situation.
　Let's look elsewhere. There are still people from the family members of the Sixth King and Mr. Ein, so if we talk to them, we can get some information from them as well....

Hey, Miyama?
Yes, what is it?
"...Isn't it 'unlike' you?
...What?

　As I was thinking of other means since I couldn't find Fate-san, Kronor-san tells me in a quiet voice that it's not like....
　Kronor-san's red and blue eyes were quietly reflecting on me, and as I felt a little pressured by the atmosphere, Kronor-san continued to speak in a quiet tone.

"Gathering information from your surroundings in a roundabout way, filling in the outer moat I think that's not your style.
....
'You were always foolish, straight and serious in your face isn't that your virtue?　If you do anything you're not accustomed to, you'll only end up with more work.
Mr. Klonoa.

　It's not like you, is it? It's not the way you've always done things.　Cronor's words echoed in my mind in such a gentle yet sharp way.

''I know it's terrifying. Because you're comfortable with your current relationship with him, you can't take any drastic action when you think that it will change, right?　But it's a meaningless affair.
....
'You've already decided to go deep into his mind then you'll get there eventually one way or another. It's the same with who you're facing and what you need to ask.......you don't need to tell me any more, do you?
Yes.

　Kronor-san's words were the very first thing she said.
　
　I don't know if Alice will respond to me honestly. But even if you gather information like this, ultimately you won't be able to move forward without confronting Alice.

　Maybe it's not something that others should step into with their feet on the ground. We could wait until Alice speaks to us.......but in the world, we can't change things by just waiting. If we don't take action, there are things we can't find without stepping in.
　As for the secret Alice is holding, I think it's the latter.

　If that's the case, then it's certainly like Kronor-san said....this might not be like me. I don't intend to shatter it, but if I don't hit it, it won't start.
　The place I should be heading to was not the God Realm from the beginning, but the source of Alice.

"Good eye. I'll be rooting for you to do the same for me, even if it's just a small thing.
'Yes!　Thank you!

　Receiving reassuring words of support from Kronor-san, I slowly make up my mind.
　I'm prepared to find out the secrets she's holding from Alice herself........

　Dear Mom, Dad - I'm not very smart, honestly, and I guess there's no such thing as a smart way to do things. Well, that's easy enough. I'll just do what I've always done, and above all, I'll do what I'm supposed to do - I'll go face to face with Alice.









　The sun has begun to set and the interior of the grocery store has become dim. I'm sure you'll be able to hear the sound of a locked door opening in Alice's ears as she lies face down on the counter with a gloomy expression.

''Yoo-hoo Char-tan!''
...Mr. Fate?

　Alice looks up slightly at the voice she's heard, but when she realizes that it's Fate who's come to visit her, she puts her face back in her arms on the counter again.
　While looking at such Alice, Fate approaches the counter with a slow step.

''I'm.......sorry. I'm not in the mood for tea or anything today........
'Oh, yeah. No problem - I didn't come here for tea...
"...what?　Huh?　Fate, why the 'wards'... or rather, why the eyes are golden...
Well, for now...
"What?

　Alice slowly looked up in response to Fate, who suddenly put up a ward in the store with a loose tone, and when Alice slowly looked up... Fate's eyes were gold. They had changed to the color they were when she got serious.
　And just as she was about to ask about it, a fist is slammed into Alice's face with a shout.

　After receiving the blow from Fate, the supreme god, Alice was sent bouncing off like a pinball and slammed into the wall of the store.
　Originally, there would have been a hole in the wall, but the area was already reinforced with a solid ward.

''....................What are you doing all of a sudden?
Hmm. Well, you know what? You know ... I know what happened, to a certain extent, but I'm already worrying about some really stupid stuff and ... you're a damsel!
'........it's a maiden!　Even the flowers are ashamed, the dainty maiden....
Huh.
'I was beaten up by an encounter officer and then snickered at!

　With Alice's protests seemingly nowhere in sight, Fate slowly pulls back her legs and takes a stance while clapping her fists a few times.

It's a good thing that you're able to get a little bit of a head start by moving your body.....so get ready for it. Charu-tan.
Wait a minute!　What the hell...?
'Shallap!　No questions, no complaints!　If you have something to say, speak with your fists!
What tyrant are you?　Hey, ouch.......why is this happening.......
Hey, boy!
'Whoa!　Ke-kick?