Alice in the Land of Steam

Have you got Chapter 117?

When Metien and Shemi returned to the lobby on the first floor of the hotel, they found that everyone was listening to Lingge telling about what happened in the morning. He seemed to have reached the end of his story, just leaving the last sentence: "…So Miss Saint Charia and I left the theater and returned to the hotel to think about it again."

The other protagonist, a girl with braided blue hair, sat in a reclining chair nearby, gently stroking the wool of the lamb in her arms, removing the sand and grass that had accidentally gotten on it.

"I see!"

Alice, who had just gone downstairs to look for food, crossed her arms and put on an expression that said "I totally understand" and said, "In simple terms, you met a weird guy and heard a weird history; then you met another weird guy and heard a weird story, right?"

I think you are quite weird.

Lingge was too lazy to pay attention to her. Only the kind-hearted Saint Xia Liya replied softly: "It's not a strange guy. The one I met in front of the theater was Mr. Rochelle, a walker from the Fertile Soil Sect. The one I met in the theater was Mr. Mills, the heir of Sir Roman."

"I can't remember names that complicated."

Alice waved her hand and classified the two people as "background NPCs", then asked Ling Ge: "So, when do you plan to go into the mountains to find the castle? Oh, and there is also a princess sealed in the castle, waiting for the hero to kiss her awake... Isn't this Sleeping Beauty?"

She looked at Ling Ge suspiciously: "I don't think you look like a hero. I can't imagine what you look like when you kiss the princess."

"Um... ah, no, Sister Alice, I mean, it's... it's... hey?"

The potted plants in the corner played the "Love Symphony - Prologue" by Master Patch Campbell at the right time, using the beautiful and innocent notes of first love as background music to enhance the mood of the audience.

Alice felt very unhappy: "Why did you make a conclusion without even guessing when it was my turn? Am I not worthy of it?"

"what? What!?"

"It's no use being cute! Take my move!"

Alice took a step back in fear: Sister, your tone, expression, and laughter really make me worry about your mental state.

So, it’s a big sister who likes to play games... Well, forget about that.

Metien, who had just walked into the hall, only heard the key words "Linger", "kiss" and "sincerely". He was immediately shocked as if he had seen Alice doing housework. He hurried over and asked: "Linger is in love!? With whom!?"

"Oh~" The proprietress, Shesta, held her cheeks with both hands, looking intoxicated and yearning: "I think it's very romantic~ If someone like Mr. Lingge, who looks cold on the outside, meets someone who is worthy of his true heart, he will definitely be incredibly passionate, right? Oh hehe~"

While talking, the girl's eyes swept over several big sisters in the hall one by one: Is it the big sister leading the sheep? Her reaction was very calm, so it shouldn't be her; is it the big sister who likes to hold banquets? Although she is very gentle, she is very scary, so it shouldn't be her; is it the big sister who is mixing drinks behind the counter? Her personality is too similar to Ling Ge's, and it seems that the two of them will not get along, so it shouldn't be her either.

"Hey, what do you mean!?"

If anyone else played the role of a hero who kissed the princess awake, it would be a beautiful fairy tale, but if it was Lingge, it would feel like a suspense or mystery story.

"Wuwu, Sister Alice, I was wrong, please stop rubbing my face, wuwu..."

“…” Lingge rubbed his eyebrows and suddenly felt very tired.

***
A few minutes later, under Shesta's strong suppression, the situation finally returned to normal - specifically, the boss lady smiled and said: "If you make trouble again, I will be angry~" So Alice and Metien returned to their seats obediently, even more obedient than the first graders in St. Lowood National School. By the way, has this metaphor been used before?
It doesn’t matter. At least we can discuss business now.

"The legend of Noctus the Dark has indeed been circulating in the area near the Sosen Mountains for a long time, but few people have heard of the mysterious castle in the mountains. At least in the 158 years since the establishment of the Fairy Inn, we have never heard of similar rumors." The person who spoke was the second sister, Shelia, because the eldest sister, Shesta, was using her aura to intimidate a few disobedient children.

"Perhaps the demons that have lived in the mountains for many years know something, but we don't have time to ask them for information now. In short, if you really want to find the castle, there are a few difficulties that you need to pay attention to."

The bartender raised a finger like an NPC issuing a quest and explaining the settings: "First, how to find its location. I think that if the castle really exists but has never been discovered for hundreds of years, it must be protected by a special magic barrier, just like the magic maze that protects the hotel. This kind of non-aggressive barrier is the most difficult to deal with. Without knowing the specific situation, it is difficult to find a way to crack it."

"It's ok."

Saint Shallia put the lamb in her arms on the floor, then gently raised her hand, and a golden ball of yarn emerged in her palm: "With the guidance of the [Destiny Beacon], all anchored things, whether between reality and illusion, cannot escape its gaze."

"What a convenient ability."

Xie Liya sighed, then raised her second finger: "Then the second difficulty is how to fight against the guardian of the castle, that is, the legendary sun-devouring beast Noctus. Judging from the power this guy showed in the legend, he is likely a demigod above Sequence 4. I remember that your ability, Xiao Xia, should not be used in combat, right?"

Saint Shalia nodded slightly.

Sequence 4 and above can be called a demigod... This was the second time that Ling Ge came into contact with the mysterious supernatural system. He vaguely remembered that when he was in Linweier City, Fialli, who was in the form of a night terror, was Sequence 6 in the mouth of Saint Shalia. In other words, Noctus the Dark was at least two levels stronger than Fialli at that time.

This simple conversion is certainly not accurate enough, but it is enough to illustrate the problem.

"It's ok!"

This time, it was Alice who stepped forward and made a promise: "My new game is already in the development stage. As long as it's finished before entering the castle, I'll definitely be able to beat that guy to a pulp!"

"A magical game magic? I heard Xie Mi mention it, so... let's just say it is like that."

The fact that Shelia used the word "for the time being" showed that she didn't really trust Alice's assurance. After all, this golden-haired maid had never shown any trustworthy qualities.

"In this case, there is only one last difficulty left."

Shelia held up her third finger. "If Sir Roman's memory is correct, the castle is not only hard to find, but also guarded by the sun-devouring beast Noctus of Obscurity. In addition, the outermost layer is covered with thorns that block out the sun and almost block out all light. I have reason to believe that it is a special magical plant. It is difficult to destroy it with ordinary methods, such as cutting it with a sharp weapon or burning it with fire. So, have you figured out how to break through their defenses?"

"Regarding this matter," Xiesta turned around and said slowly after hearing this, "Perhaps we can ask Madam Tree for help? I remember that she has a dagger called 'Plant and Tree Disaster Star' in her hand, which can absorb the vitality of plants and transform it into her own power. It is an absolute natural enemy of all plants, whether ordinary plants or magical plants."

"That should be possible." Shelia hesitated. "The question is, will Madam Shu agree to lend us the dagger?"

Xiesta was not sure either: "If we can discuss it properly..."

"The star of disaster for plants and trees!" Xie Mi suddenly interrupted her elder sister happily: "No need to borrow from Madam Tree!"

When everyone's eyes were on her, the fairy maid pointed at her friend, or more precisely, at the wooden box in his arms: "Because it's on Metien's body!"

　Give me some meow
　　
　
(End of this chapter)