"Have you lost your mind?"
Suigintou hovered mid-air, peering down at Shinku, who had been wearing a faint smile all this time, a puzzled look on her face.
What was she up to?
Could she have been hit too hard by that Snark earlier?
Perhaps Suigintou's expression was just a bit too odd, because Shinku finally snapped out of it.
She shot Suigintou a displeased glance, hugged the black tea she had chosen close, and hurried to catch up with Alice, who was walking ahead.
The magnanimous Shinku decided not to bother with Suigintou.
Alice and the others were now on their way to pick up some magical materials.
It was the same familiar shop, the same familiar staff—the only unfamiliar thing was how crowded it was this time.
Alice strolled along the counters, with Charlotte following close behind, purse in hand.
Since they were mainly restocking supplies, they didn't head upstairs.
Robin was still at the entrance, watching over their luggage, his expression so pained it looked like he'd rather be dead—which made Charlotte burst out laughing.
Shinku and Suigintou wandered aimlessly around the shop.
A staff member by the counter was jotting down the materials Alice selected on a notepad.
"Cat's eye, glass... Actually, do you have cocoa powder?"
"My apologies, ma'am, this is an automaton shop. We don't—" The staff member offered a polite smile.
Swish—
The crisp rustle of pound notes in Charlotte's hand was like a symphony playing in Vienna's Golden Hall.
"—normally stock such things, but of course we do!"
Alice nodded in satisfaction and continued on her way.
Soon, a shimmering silvery liquid caught her eye.
Was this... mercury?
Noticing Alice's interest, the staff member quickly stepped forward to explain. "This is a new product of ours. Although it isn't particularly useful for crafting automatons—"
"No need for explanations. How much do you have?"
"Pardon?"
"I'll take it all."
--+--
"Alice, where to next?"
Charlotte's steps were light, the purse in her hand now significantly lighter.
"I don't know."
Their main objective for the outing—selecting black tea—had long been accomplished.
Alice was now leading the group on an aimless stroll.
Just as they passed by, a flash of white roses appeared in a mirror nearby.
So she's here, is she?
Alice tilted her head almost imperceptibly.
Ever since discovering the Rozen Maiden, she had kept that unique magic circuit on her.
If all went as expected, this should be the youngest sister of Suigintou and Shinku.
That was another reason she had come out today.
For some unknown reason, the girl hadn't approached them until now.
Then, a nearby store caught Alice's attention.
--+--
Inside the children's clothing store, Shinku reluctantly set down the black tea she had picked out and followed Alice into the fitting room.
As they passed by, Alice had a sudden impulse to buy some new clothes for Shinku and Suigintou. Charlotte immediately agreed, and together they pulled the dolls into the shop.
The fitting room curtain rustled slightly as Charlotte slipped inside, clothes in hand and a mischievous grin on her face.
Alice quietly closed the curtain and added a few spells for good measure.
Now, there was no need to worry about the curtain being pulled open—from inside or out.
Shinku happily accepted the new clothes, but Suigintou crossed her arms disdainfully.
"This outfit already accentuates my perfection. I don't need any other garments."
"A perfect maiden doesn't need clothes to prove her perfection," Shinku retorted calmly, already wearing a new dress and nodding approvingly at her reflection.
As expected of me—so lovely.
Alice also nodded in satisfaction.
As expected of me—she's so lovely.
"You—" Suigintou glared at Shinku, clearly annoyed.
Shinku glared right back.
The two dolls were already gearing up for a "friendly exchange."
This scene had become all too familiar back at the mansion.
Alice moved beside the mirror, clothes in hand, leisurely waiting to see who would come out on top.
But the moment Alice stepped near the mirror, the magic circuit in her pocket began to grow warm.
The previously dormant circuit now glowed with a platinum light.
Suddenly, white brambles burst forth from the mirror beside her, twisting and turning as they reached for Alice.
The thorny vines coiled up the girl's arms, yet despite their sharp appearance, they brought her no discomfort.
They crept over her soft skin, up to her slender shoulders, then gently tightened, pulling Alice into the mirror.
So she's making her move now?
Knowing it was the mischievous Suigintou, Alice didn't resist much, allowing herself to be half-led, half-pulled into the mirror.
"Alice!" ×2
Both Suigintou and Shinku dashed into the mirror after her.
Charlotte glanced around in confusion for a moment, then followed them in.
Alice was instantly enveloped in darkness, finding herself in a strange, crystalline space.
It was a cavern of towering, transparent crystal pillars, bright and gleaming despite having no visible light source.
The moment Alice arrived, a girl with pale blonde hair, dressed in a budding floral dress, floated toward her.
Her form was faint and wavering, like a ghost unwilling to return to the underworld.
Her expression was a mix of anticipation and nervousness as she drifted up to Alice and spoke softly.
"Master..."
"Master?" Alice narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke with certainty. "Even though you're only a magic circuit, you're aware of the outside world."
"Yes. I am the seventh Rozen Maiden, Kirakishou." The girl pressed her lips together lightly, her amber eye shining brightly.
Though the space was windless, the single rose in her right eye socket seemed to tremble.
Indeed, Kirakishou had seen everything—Alice's arrival, even the scene where Alice crafted an abdomen for Kirakishou.
This was Kirakishou's peculiarity: she had no physical form in the real world and could only exist in the N-Field.
Here, there was no life, no warmth—only utter stillness.
Normally, she could only observe the outside world in lonely silence.
She survived by absorbing the spiritual energy of the other Rozen Maidens' mediums.
Seeing how all her sisters had bodies of their own, Kirakishou envied them.
She envied their freedom to move about in the outside world.
She envied their ability to eat delicious food and wear new clothes.
She envied them... for being able to feel love.
And she could only watch from within this lifeless N-Field, silently observing.
When she saw that Alice could create an abdomen for Suigintou, Kirakishou was overjoyed.
Could she, too, have a body and go outside?
Could she, too, eat delicious food and wear new clothes?
Could she, too, feel love?
The pitiable girl knelt before Alice, stretching out her hands—transparent and faint.
"I... I want a body," she whispered, her voice trembling, tears welling in her eye. "Master, could you... could you make a body for me?"
Whoosh—
A sharp feather sliced through the air.
"Where did you come from, you wild doll!"
Black feathers shot forth, accompanied by the fury in Suigintou's voice.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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.