"You're here to see me......

Sitting on the soft couch, Alice muttered.

As a solitary magician living alone in the depths of the forest, there was nothing in her voice that would bring joy to being missed, but there was also no disgust in her voice.

It should be said that she simply re-questioned it to confirm whether this was true.

"Of course!"

And the person who answered this question without hesitation couldn't have been anyone other than Marisa.

-- To digress first, the place where they are now is the so-called living room, that is, the reception room.

Very elegant place, whether luxurious or not, but all the furniture is elegant and elegant, giving a very high-end feeling. The flames in the fireplace, which dispel the gloom brought by the snow, add to the atmosphere.

In such an environment, all the behavior of ordinary people is not allowed. No matter who you are, you will have this kind of thought, so that your words and deeds will be subconsciously solemn.

But...... That being said, judging from Marisa's relaxed posture sitting cross-legged on the sofa, it would be more appropriate to say that she was sitting on a bench made of bamboo rather than sitting on a high-end sofa.

It's a pity, it seems that this girl is not infected by her surroundings at all, and still maintains her own style, which is also a very remarkable thing in a way.

At least neither of the two next to him showed any disgust.

However, that doesn't mean they don't care about this kind of behavior, Alice is simply used to Marisa's style.

And Feili...... Although his expression was calm, it was unclear from his closed eyes that he might be restraining the desire to slap Marisa on the head to make her restrain it.

"So...... Uncle, too?"

Alice turned her searching gaze to the man sitting next to Marisa, whose posture was very different.

Even when he sat down, he didn't have any slackness in his posture, which was really in sharp contrast to the guy next to him who was almost paralyzed.

Unlike Marisa, who often visits the house, Fei Li is undoubtedly a typical example of going to the Three Treasure Hall for nothing. But he probably didn't come to Alice's house because of his philistine personality and because he only came to visit when he had to ask for it, but because he was concerned about Alice's personality. And strictly by calculation, Alice received much more overwhelming help from him than the help given to him by the maiden.

"Strictly speaking, I'm just following Marisa around. But to put it bluntly, yes, so do I."

It's not very pretty.

But as a way to express meaning, it is straightforward enough.

Alice doesn't hate this straightness.

Because of the beautiful lies and the harsh truth...... She undoubtedly prefers the latter.

"But ......"

As he spoke, the man changed his words.

"Looks like I'm a male here to get in the way of the girls' conversation...... It's terrible."

「……」

There are many things that can be refuted, but Alice can't.

Even when she and Marisa met, they didn't always have a lot to say. Marisa was there talking non-stop, and it was not uncommon for her to listen without saying a word.

However, this one-man show unexpectedly did not produce any bad atmosphere...... This is probably because Alice is not ignoring Marisa, but is listening carefully. Although there was no response, it could be called an alternative exchange.

However, if there is a third party who is Feili...... It's an indisputable fact that you feel abnormal.

It should be said that Alice has never let a man get so close to this point, and there is basically only one man she knows around her, although it is just an excess of self-awareness, but it is still a little uncomfortable.

"But there's no way around it...... Since you're here, please let me be cheeky. But before I do, I'll make some tea and apologize."

With that, he stood up neatly from the couch and walked in the direction of the kitchen.

「――――」

Alice wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't say anything.

I always feel like the other party has been kicked out by my unreasonable self.,The girl was condemned a little from her conscience.、

Fei Li noticed Alice's desire to speak and stopped.

Of course, he understood what the girl's mind was. After giving a reassuring smile, he disappeared from the sight of the two girls.

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The kitchen here is just as beautiful as the outside. However, Fei Li only glanced at it and lost interest, because he already knew the structure very well, and for him with a clear purpose, wasting too much time was completely unnecessary.

He opened the cabinet under the stove, and among them was a ceramic tea set for three people. It was placed on the work table, but Feili soon encountered a problem.

What kind of tea should I make?

It's a problem, but it doesn't stump for too long...... Not even two seconds.

After all, black tea is a perfect option anyway. Especially the girl who calls herself an urban magician won't refuse.

However......

「…… Where's the tea?"

Looking at the kitchen that can't be described as ordinary, Feili made a mistake for a while.

Since there are as many unused cabinets here as there are mountains, it is not easy to find the one that stores the tea leaves. But it would be a mistake to think that this would make him retreat.

His unimaginable microscopic vision, which can penetrate almost everything, and the speed at which he approaches light, are not just decorations. Although it may seem like a bit of a fuss to use it on this, Feili is not such a pedantic man.

Just as he was about to scan all the cabinets with super vision, a childish and gentle voice suddenly rang in Fei Li's ears.

「…… That, do you need help? Lord Feili?"

With a little shyness, it seems to be ashamed of the voice of the person. It doesn't belong to the cheerful Marisa, nor to the calm Alice, so who is the one who speaks?

Fei Li turned his head to look, but he didn't see anyone - only a puppet floating in the air.

It was a doll slightly larger than the palm of the hand, with a red bow tied on its chest, wearing a dark blue dress and a short white apron characteristic of a maid. There is also a pair of transparent wings on its back, and it is the constantly flapping wings that make it float in the air.

There is no doubt that this is a doll made by Alice Margot Royd.

However, it seems that it is not only that.

Fei Li has also seen other dolls of Alice, but this one is particularly exquisite. There was no chance that his proud eyes would be wrong.

The long hair of the golden shawl, and the beautiful eyes that were not inferior to those of their owners---if it weren't for the bulbous joints of the puppet that could be seen in the part of the hand, Fei Li would almost think that there was a little fairy or something in front of him.

But even so, it's an admirable feat.

"No, leave it to me, Alice. If I need your help in this kind of thing, then I'm afraid I will be ashamed."

Calmly respond to the words. But Feili was secretly smiling bitterly in his heart, he didn't expect that he was so unreliable in the eyes of this girl, so that he had to be advised by the other party to make tea.

There was basically no mistake in his thinking.

Alice's puppets can move around and talk freely, as if they were alive, but in fact this is not the result of the self-discipline of these dolls, but the result of Alice's manipulation.

-- At this moment, Fei Li did not know that this idea would appear for the last time today.

「…… No, not Miss Alice. It's Shanghai itself that wants to help you......

「………… Excuse me, what do you say?"

Fei Li blinked in confusion.

…… It's very different from the usual calmness.,It's rare to show surprise at something beyond expectations.。 Being able to see Fei Li, who is more than 10,000 years old, showing off this kind of expression, the Shanghai puppet is enough to show off in the big monster.

Of course, Miss Doll with a simple nature doesn't understand how strange this is. She just looked at Fei Li, who was clearly confused, with an uneasy look.

"Even the look is vivid...... You just said you got here of your own free will? Is that so?"

To be honest, Shanghai could not understand why this gentleman asked in such a serious manner, but there was no reason why she should not answer.

"yes, what's wrong with that? Lord Feili?"

Faced with the puppet's re-questioning, Feili didn't answer this time, but muttered in a sudden realization.

"That's right...... It's called a self-discipline puppet."

"Yes, Shanghai is the only automaton that Miss Alice has ever made."

"Why have I never seen you?"

"Because Shanghai has just been born...... It's been less than a year, and the last time Lord Feili came, he didn't notice Shanghai."

Hearing the puppet's words, Feili couldn't help but be speechless.

The last time he had a meeting with Alice...... Let's be a meeting about Marisa. He was attracted by Alice, he didn't look around at all, and even if it was a self-disciplined human form, it was still a kind of puppet, and it was difficult for Feili to find anything abnormal from his breath, and it was normal to ignore the other party.

However, compared to him, he did not notice Shanghai.

Shanghai was very impressed with him.

Originally...... Miss Alice has very few friends, and none of them are men. Suddenly a man who came to visit, how could he not make Shanghai care.

Later, although I learned that it was Miss Alice's elder, what left the deepest memory on Shanghai was the calm and gentle demeanor of the other party and the beauty that seemed to be given by God.

He is Miss Alice's uncle -- and such a beautiful character. And it seems to be a little easier to get along with.

Bewildered by the gorgeous side of Fei Li, it is precisely because of this that when he saw that he seemed to be in trouble, Shanghai would come to help.

"It's really done...... There's such a thing as putting a false personality on a prop."

However, his words, which could not be described as gentle in any way, suddenly made the enthusiastic Shanghai feel disillusioned.

He doesn't seem to care at all about Shanghai's ideas -- no, it should be said that his disregard is the best embodiment of using Shanghai as a tool.

"Sometimes magicians love to do such meaningless things...... I don't quite understand why, though—huh?"

Halfway through his talk, he finally noticed Shanghai's expression.

Compared with the attitude that made people feel shy just now, the sad appearance of holding back tears is even more pitiful. At the same time, it can't help but make people angry at the guy who can make her sad.

"Can you even simulate grief...... It's Alice."

However, men don't seem to have the slightest sense of guilt. Still uttered mean words.

As he said, he only used the Shanghainese figure as a tool...... Perhaps the Shanghainese humanoid with personality is not even a qualified tool in his eyes.

Shanghai did not understand at all why the gentleman, who looked so gentle in front of Miss Alice, was now so cold.

If the Yokai Sage knew what she was thinking, she would definitely laugh immediately.

To say that this man is gentle...... It's not all an illusion, either. But he also has a ruthless and arrogant side that he has never shown to others.

It should be said...... He only shows the gentle side to the object of his affection, or rather, it is the bait he creates to capture his prey.

「…… Your words are too cold, Lord Feili."

The tone and wording are not fierce at all. It is better to say that there is still a weakness in the voice that is not strong at all, but this is undoubtedly Shanghai's resistance.

Of course, this weak resistance will not work.

"I don't think so."

Unashamed, he quickly made a declaration.

"The so-called puppet is an entity that is highly anthropomorphic of human beings, which means that the puppet is originally intended to imitate human beings...... Of course, I don't hate that kind of beauty."

Yes, in Feili's opinion, the doll should keep the appearance of the doll, because the jewel eyes are beautiful enough. There is no need to add anything to the so-called feelings.

"As for things like adding false personalities to puppets...... I hate it even more."

"Who said that Shanghai's personality is false - at least in the love for Miss Alice, there is absolutely no falsehood in Shanghai!"

The Shanghainese figure who puffed up his chest and said this showed a compelling attitude for the first time.

This is probably because she doesn't want to be told that her love for Miss Alice is false.

However, even this small wish, men seem to want to break it.

"It's hard to say."

With a grim smile, Fei Li continued.

"Can you tell me...... Why do you love Alice?"

"Ahh

Just such a simple sentence left Shanghai speechless.

"Can you answer that?" If you can't answer it, I'll tell you, because that's how you were designed. The Creator wants you to love her, so you respond to that love -- but in the end, it's just a false love that has been determined a long time ago."

Fei Li was convinced that this was his victory.

However...... He was so naïve.

「…… Does love need a reason?"

Looking at Fei Li, who was full of absolute confidence, Shanghai couldn't help but ask timidly.

This time, it was the turn of the speechless to fly.

And he also realized in an instant that this was his defeat.

Puppet -- No, Shanghai's rhetorical question does not mean "love does not need a reason", but asks "Is love without reason all false?" ”

For Feili...... This is a question that does not allow him to give a negative.

Is love without reason all false?

-- He couldn't deny that.

"I see...... I see............

He repeated the word twice, a relieved smile on his face.

「…… I was wrong."

Even if only this love is true, he cannot deny that the personality of the Shanghai humanoid is false. Because of this, he bowed his proud head to the puppet.

He bowed deeply to the floating figure, just for the wrong words he had just said.

"Even a man-made soul is not a fake...... I'm so sorry for all the stupid things I just said."

「…… Huh?"

And Shanghai still can't understand why Feili has made such a big change. This is all because of a sentence she subconsciously asked.

The puppet's small mouth and beautiful eyes widened in surprise were seen by Fei Li, and he only smiled lightly at this. It was an apologetic smile that was very different from Fang Cai's coldness.

-- He was ashamed that he had completely denied himself in Shanghai just now.

After saying so many harsh words, it goes without saying that he must have caused psychological trauma to the Shanghai humanoid.

But now it's not about dwelling on regret...... It's about how to make up for your mistakes.

"Miss Shanghai."

Thinking of this, he tried his best to put on the most soothing smile he could. But even so, he secretly prayed that it would work.

Then, the conversation between Feili and Shanghai began again.

---Of course, judging from the Shanghainese figure who watched Alice leave with his arms when he finally left Alice's house, his invincible beautiful manly charm still played a role.