“You’re that man from the wall, aren’t you?” Risitro looked up at Ronny, who was stuck on the stairs behind Enzi, “I didn’t get your name the last time.”

“Ronny McKitty.” He used scan on Risitro and got an error message. Too high level, as expected, “Enzi, what’s the meaning of this?” Ronny was too on edge to let his judgement be clouded by anger.

“They… sort of just showed up. Looking for Alice, they say.” Ronny noticed the second guest; and he recognized the Queen immediately, “But she’s not home, so they’re waiting.” Enzi shot a cautioning look over to Ronny, and since he already knew about Alice’s past, Ronny understood.

Risitro stood up and went to Ronny for a handshake. His gesture was meant with a slap and the Prince said “I understand” before going back to his chair.

Madison took a glance at Ronny, “So this is the survivor you mentioned? He doesn’t look special.”

“Looks are deceiving. He’s brave.” He added, “And last time I met him, he didn’t have mana.”

That got her attention, “What do you mean by that?”

“He didn’t have magic then, but he does now.”

“Weak magic. It could be from an enchantment.”

“Let’s ask then. Mr. McKitty, did you somehow obtain your magic recently?” Ronny realized that they could had mana detection too but thought that it must have been weak if they couldn’t detect Alice.

Risitro’s memory was astonishing to him. To remember such specific details about someone he’d only seen once was quite the feat. Ronny was wise enough to not want them knowing about System, “That’s none of your business.”

“Perhaps not, but I’m curious all the same. If Alice has acquired the capability to give people magic, that development could be a turning point in Barnock’s history. Hypothetically, if everyone in the country became a magic user, this island we call home could become a world power. Able to contend with the Guild even.”

“So that’s why you’re here? If that’s the case, get out!” Ronny reached down for his knife, but Enzi stopped him.

He whispered back to Ronny, “These guys could kill us like bugs. Don’t.”

Risitro, having overheard, called to Ronny, “We won’t kill either of you. There’s no reason to. That would worsen our footing with Alice. Understand this, men, our goal is to ally with Alice. Not antagonize her.”

“Why you…” Just as he was about to respond, Alice came through the front door. She had been in her room minutes before, so she must have jumped down from the window… or something. Ronny didn’t understand how she’d gotten there, or why.

Looking at Madison and Risitro, she spoke with sarcasm, “Hello! Welcome to Alice’s Inn, are you two here to stay the night?”

Madison slouched a little more, “It’s been five years, Alissa. That’s how you greet me?”

Alice laughed, “I’m sorry, have we met?”

“Don’t waste our time. You don’t even look different,” she frowned, “Theodemir Thelza already confirmed that you were alive. Accidentally, I should add.”

“You’ve met Theo? That boy came here because of the war…” She was cut off by a quick strike from Risitro’s palm, it looked like teleportation from Ronny and Enzi perspective, but Alice dodged it with ease, “That could have killed me!” The shockwave from his attack knocked over some cups and pens.

“It would take a lot more than that to kill you, Alissa.”

“I guess you’re not playing around then. What’s the meaning of this, Maddy? Why are you here?”

“I could ask the same to you, but frankly, it doesn’t matter to me.” From a pocket, the Queen produced a rolled-up parchment, “Read it.”

Alice unraveled the document, “So in short, you want me to kill some adventurers?”

“Spot on. Our sources tell us that five Mythrills are going to come here in a few months and try to take control of the country. Among them are Nvili and Saul, a serious threat—even to you. Without your help, the country that you worked so hard to ensure the autonomy of will surely fall.”

“You’ve got some good sources. Why can’t you just ally with Marude or something? They could send one of their Holy Four. That would be the end of it.”

“Marude is the same as The Guild. I’ve already looked into doing exactly that, and that course of action would require become a colony. We’re a small nation without any Adamantite support, and we aren’t powerful enough to bargain.”

“So, you want me to stick my neck out for you, the tyrant who killed our father?”

“Precisely… and about dad: you could have stopped me but didn’t. That tells me that you agree with my decision, at least logically. Perhaps you hate me for it, but you still let it happen.”

“It’s amazing how emotionless you portray yourself as being. You were so normal when we were younger. I wonder what happened to you…”

“I act as my country needs me to. But I’m not the focus of this discussion, Alissa. Will you help or not?”

“What would happen if I said no?”

“You won’t. After all, you know what would happen if you did.”

“It would be a shame if Barnock ceased to be. Then let me tell some things that would have to happen for me to say yes…”