Suigintou blinked, her hands moving to her abdomen in surprise.
"Why were you able to..."
The abdominal component crafted by Alice showed no signs of malfunction. On the contrary, it had integrated seamlessly with her other parts as if it had always belonged to her.
It was a pity the doll's first words upon waking weren't that famous line.
"Do you remember these past few days?" Alice's calm voice interrupted Suigintou's movements.
"...Your name is Alice. Beyond that, only bits and pieces—like a dream."
Suigintou shook her head, then wrapped her arms around her waist, glancing away somewhat uneasily.
"How were you able to... repair me?"
"I used parts, that's all," Alice replied lightly.
"Impossible!" Suigintou's eyes widened, her hands unconsciously clutching her skirt. "Only Father is capable of creating a Rozen Maiden!"
Well, that's not entirely true—someone else could do it too.
"The fact is, I repaired you," Alice said, then held her arms out in an embrace. "Come here."
Frowning slightly, Suigintou stepped into Alice's hands.
"Indeed, you are most beautiful when you're alive," Alice murmured as she lifted Suigintou, a soft laugh escaping her.
"You know of us?"
"Yes. Are you still playing the Alice Game?"
"Of course," Suigintou declared, clenching her small fist as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "By taking the Rosa Mystica of the other Rozen Maidens, I will become the most perfect girl—Alice."
After a pause, she glanced sideways at Alice.
Though this girl was named Alice, she was far from perfect.
Almost as if she could read Suigintou's thoughts, Alice gave her cheek a light pinch, then began gently smoothing Suigintou's long hair.
After a moment of silence, Alice spoke softly, "In that case, the Alice Game can come to an end."
"Wha—" Black feathers scattered as Suigintou slapped Alice's hand away, spreading her wings and rising into the air to glare down at her. "What gives you the right to decide?"
She's shedding quite a bit—I'll have her clean those up later.
Unhurried, Alice brushed the feathers from her hair and stood to meet Suigintou's gaze.
"Let me ask you this: who told you about the Alice Game?"
"Father, of course. He's the one who told us."
"And did he personally tell you that the Alice Game involves killing each other?"
"..." Alice's question left Suigintou momentarily speechless.
From the moment she came into this world, the Alice Game had been engraved into her very magic circuit.
It was the destiny of all Rozen Maidens.
But the specifics had never been spelled out.
Still, since only one could become the most perfect girl, what choice did they have besides fighting?
Suigintou clung stubbornly to her thoughts.
She turned her face away, unsure how to answer Alice's question. After a brief silence, she insisted firmly, "I will continue the Alice Game."
"Suit yourself."
It was getting late—time to wake up Shinku. Alice picked up the other case and added casually, "But you are not to harm your sisters."
"Don't be ridiculous. How else am I supposed to play the Alice Game?" Suigintou crossed her arms and let out a derisive laugh. "If anything, how dare a mere human try to command me?"
True, Alice's skill in restoring her body was impressive—but so what?
When it came to power, how could any human compare to a Rozen Maiden?
A smug smile curled on Suigintou's lips as she settled mid-air, crossing her legs and holding out one hand.
"Alice, I must say, I admire your skill in crafting dolls."
She then shifted, recrossing her legs in the other direction. "If you're willing to serve as my medium and supply me with magic, I might be willing to lend you my power."
Seeing this, Alice quietly cut off the magic she had been supplying to Suigintou.
Feeling the flow of magic cease, Suigintou smirked in disdain.
It didn't affect her in the slightest—not even her strength waned. The black feathers around her still danced effortlessly under her control.
Heh. Bet you didn't see that coming, Alice. This is the true power of a Rozen Maiden.
Rozen Maidens could naturally regenerate a certain amount of magic. Even sleeping inside their cases helped restore it. For most of her sisters, the recovered energy was just enough for daily activities.
But as the first doll, the magic she regenerated was enough for combat.
Human magicians needed all sorts of tedious rituals to perform magecraft, and Alice didn't even have a doll by her side.
So, how exactly did she plan to defend herself against someone who could strike at any moment?
The feathers around her stirred restlessly, shifting from the shape of swords to that of grasping hands.
"Hmm~ Alice, if you don't want to get hurt, you'd better surrender. Provide me with magic like a good girl, and become my—"
Before she could finish, the black pupil of Alice's left eye shifted into an ominous shade of red.
The feathers scattered instantly, falling uselessly to the floor.
Under the girl's gaze, Suigintou felt as though her entire body had been bound—completely trapped, unable to command even a single feather.
The only thing still functioning was the magic circuit inside her, and even that was only enough to keep her conscious. She couldn't access a shred of magical energy.
The doll's body dropped abruptly from the air, only to be caught neatly by Alice.
"Misbehaving children must be punished."
Her finger traced slowly along Suigintou's exposed back. Even though she was a doll, her skin had the texture of real human flesh.
Alice's finger glided lightly over her, then paused right above her magic circuit and gave a soft tap.
Suigintou's arms and legs went limp, falling helplessly.
Alice's left eye returned to black, but Suigintou remained immobilized.
A moment later, a surge of powerful magic rushed into Suigintou's body. Staggering, she managed to stand.
Moving like a marionette, she walked stiffly to the door, closing it behind her as she went.
As if nothing had happened, Alice calmly lifted Shinku from her case and placed her on the table.
There lay a beautiful doll dressed in a deep red, classic Lolita-style gown. Her golden spiral twin-tails spilled beside her, and she seemed deep in slumber.
As magic flowed into her, the doll's body trembled slightly—but unlike Suigintou's dramatic awakening, she simply opened her eyes quietly.
Her blue pupils, shining like stars in the night sky, fixed on Alice as she slowly sat up.
"Are you the one who awakened me?" Shinku elegantly lifted the hem of her skirt. "My name is Shinku, the fifth Rozen Maiden."
"Hello," Alice said, extending a slender, pale hand.
The doll's small hand settled gently into her palm.
Just then, the door opened, and a visibly reluctant Suigintou entered, carrying cleaning supplies.
Shinku eyes met blue in a charged silence.
"Shinku!"
"Suigintou!"
Their voices rang out simultaneously.
Oh no—my room!
The moment they spoke, Alice realized—these two were bound to fight the second they saw each other.
But before she could explain or intervene, countless petals materialized throughout the room.
"Wait, I—!" Suigintou, about to summon her own feathers, suddenly remembered she was completely powerless now.
Before she could finish her sentence, a storm of crimson petals engulfed her as she shook her head in desperation.
"Gah! Why do they have to go in my mouth too?!"
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T/N: Gacha x Multiverse Fic Up!
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.