Chapter 413: Alice's 'Scream,' A Secret That Must Not Be Exposed!
This world harbors shrine maidens capable of using a power known as spiritual vision.
And spiritual vision is far from mere long-distance perspective.
Powerful Witches can use their spiritual vision to extract information from others to some extent, understanding their origins.
They can even foresee the future.
To be precise, this ability uses inspiration to read current events and subconsciously predict future possibilities based on the gathered information.
Thus, Lucretia knew she would inevitably be suspected.
Not long after the two Heretic Gods vanished from Sardinia, she arrived at Alice's place only to face another Heretic God's descent.
Coupled with the sudden appearance of two strange Campiones, she was bound to become a target of suspicion.
Alice would definitely use spiritual vision to spy on her.
So, her earlier joke about serving someone and suggesting Alice serve him too might prompt Alice to reinvestigate.
To determine what kind of service she meant.
They would suspect him, investigate him.
Therefore, she needed to prepare for Alice's investigation.
Now, Lucretia's heart raced because she had grown even more intimate with the person before her.
This intimacy was such that only the final step remained.
Since things had progressed this far, she might as well enjoy it fully.
Take that final step.
Hm?
It's here!
Lucretia felt the spying.
Truly worthy of the Witch of the Heavenly Extremity, a Witch of her own caliber.
And to think, Alice was still young yet already possessed abilities not inferior to—no, perhaps even slightly surpassing her own. The only area where she might lag was in knowledge and experience.
Therefore, if Lucretia hadn't now obtained Divine Authority, which strengthened her body and made it more sensitive, she might have truly failed to notice Alice's peeping in advance this time.
Of course, failing to notice didn't mean being completely unaware—it meant that by the time she realized, it might have been too late, and Alice might have already discovered some secret.
So now, with prior preparation, she and he performed a grand show for Alice.
Thus, sensing that faint, somewhat dazed gaze, Lucretia curled her bewitching lips, her moist eyes glinting with mischief.
Taking advantage of the princess's momentary daze, she seized this mental gap to deliver a wonderfully clever counterattack against the peeping princess.
At Alice's mansion, in a room filled with mystique, Alice stood at the center like a shrine maiden performing some ritual.
Surrounding her, aside from the two Campiones, were Alice's personal butler and the current chairman of the Wise Men's Council.
Everyone present knew the world was facing a great crisis, and Her Highness was attempting to locate the source of the danger.
Hmm? The princess, with her eyes closed, suddenly changed expression as if she had seen something astonishing.
Had she discovered something?
Immediately, her face began flushing at an incredible speed?
What was happening? Was she gathering all her strength to delve deeper into her peeping?
"Eh? Wait, no, ahhhhhhhhh—"
A mournful cry escaped Alice's lips as her body went limp, collapsing into a seated position.
Her entire face had turned as red as a boiled octopus, her eyes slightly moist, her breathing uneven, and her body trembling faintly.
"Alice?"
"Your Highness!"
"What did you see?"
But Alice, slumped on the floor, paid no attention to anyone.
"What is this? Disgusting, disgusting—what is this feeling? That wretched old woman, waaahhh—"
Writhing slightly, Alice let out a shameful, tearful voice.
"Alice?"
"What's going on?"
"What exactly did she see?"
"I—I don't know!"
Answering like a petulant child, Alice's figure vanished.
Thus, in the bedroom on the fourth floor where her true body lay, Alice opened her eyes.
"Waaah!"
She cried out again, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Ericson, don't let anyone in! If anyone comes in, I'll kill myself in front of them!!!"
These words halted the group that had already reached the doorway.
They exchanged bewildered glances—what could have suddenly driven the princess to threaten suicide?
"Alice, you know this is no time for jokes!"
A low voice came from the Black Prince.
"Princess, what exactly is going on?"
This was John's rather confused voice, clearly concerned about what was happening.
"I'm not joking at all! Anyway, anyway, I won't see anyone today, and no one is allowed to come in, or I'll really kill myself in front of you all!!!"
Thus, under the princess's inexplicable tantrum and threat, only her housekeeper Ericson could enter.
Ericson looked rather puzzled at the princess she had served for many years, wondering why she was having such a peculiar reaction.
This reaction felt somewhat familiar.
Ah, she remembered.
Wasn't this the same embarrassed reaction the princess had when she was young and something awkward happened?
After all these years, and now that she's grown up, is she still like this?
It might not be impossible. After all, the princess's health was poor, and using her powers several times before might have placed a greater burden on her body, making it even harder to control.
As she approached and observed the princess's subtle movements, Ericson's guess was confirmed.
That was why the princess was threatening with death to keep outsiders from entering. If this embarrassing situation were exposed, she would never be able to face anyone again.
So, Ericson said nothing and simply took out the princess's clothes and new bedding from the wardrobe.
Seeing her do this, Alice's face turned even redder.
Clearly, her long-serving housekeeper had realized her situation.
In reality, the housekeeper was somewhat mistaken, but it was better to let the misunderstanding stand.
If she knew the real situation, it would be even worse.
Damn it, damn Lucretia!!!