The Tale of Hero Alice’s Social Death

“I will take you to your lodgings now.”

Luna, who had been on standby outside the office, immediately knew what she needed to do next as soon as she saw Alice exiting the office.
Without even waiting for Alice to speak up, she had already taken the initiative to lead the way for Alice.

Alice was a little stunned by this rapid development.
Then, when she saw that Luna had already moved some distance away from her, she hurriedly followed after the maid.

Alice would be studying magic in the March Royal School of Magic for the foreseeable future, so she couldn't stay in a temporary lodging such as a hotel.
Thus, Chris had specifically prepared a house for her.
It was also for this reason that he had dispatched a maid to serve Alice.

“His Majesty has been in a bad mood recently.”

To Alice's surprise, Luna had actually taken the initiative to strike up a conversation with her as they walked.

“Everyone in the palace knows that His Majesty has been facing mental problems recently, so everyone is worried about him.
However, after hearing that you were coming today, he seemed to be in a very happy mood, Alice.”

That's probably because he thinks I'm the only one who can save him, Alice mentally replied.

Alice could sympathize with Chris's mood.
According to historical records, the only time the Demon King's Power would leave the Demon King's body was after the Demon King had died.
Thus, having the Demon King's Power attached to him was no different than carrying a fatal disease.
Meanwhile, the Hero, who was capable of conversing with God, had become his only hope for surviving this fatal disease.

If God had a solution, everything would be happy.
If God didn't have a solution, Chris's only fate would be death.

“Actually, there was also a period when His Majesty was in a good mood previously,” Luna added after arriving before the black sedan parked on the street outside the palace.
Then, after opening the door for Alice, she continued, “That was when His Majesty first learned of Lord Hero's appearance.
The smile on His Majesty's face was visibly brighter around that time… Going by that logic, does this mean your real identity is the Hero, Alice?”

Alice's heart clenched when she heard Luna's words.
She didn't expect Luna to notice such a clue through Chris's behavior.
Moreover, her logic was hard to refute.
After all, anyone would naturally link Alice with the Hero if they saw the two instances where Chris behaved unnaturally joyful.

Fortunately, Alice had mastered the art of staying calm during her stay in the demon realm.
So, in response to Luna's guesswork, she simply chuckled and said, “Does it look like I am the Hero to you? I recall that the Hero should be a muscular man.”

“Indeed.
Your appearance does differ from the Hero's significantly,” Luna nodded in agreement after taking a look at Alice, her calm reaction making it difficult for Alice to judge whether she was happy or dissatisfied.
“But why would His Majesty be so concerned about you then, Alice? Could His Majesty's sexual prefe—”

“I think we're getting a little off-topic,” Alice quickly interrupted, her mouth twitching a little as she looked at Luna.
The more she interacted with the silver-haired maid, the more she discovered that Luna's frigidness was only limited to her outward appearance.
On the inside, the maid had a much more colorful imagination and personality.
“The reason why the king grew excited after meeting me is because…is because I am a mind magician.”[1]

“A mind magician?”

At this time, Alice had already gotten into the back seat while Luna had gotten into the driver's seat.
Then, while starting the engine, Luna asked a question in a suspicious tone, the skepticism in her voice clearly transmitted to Alice.

“You do know that geniuses exist in this world, right?” Alice said as she let out an awkward cough.
Although she wasn't an actual mind magician, she had no choice but to boast a little to make up an excuse for her meeting with Hatter.
“I might be young, but I have already made considerable accomplishments in the field of mind magic.
When His Majesty was out searching for mind magicians to help him, he contacted me as well, which is why I have come to visit him.”

“I see.” Luna nodded, seemingly believing Alice's excuse.
“However, you must be careful, Alice.
Every one of the mind magicians who had tried to treat His Majesty has ended up suffering mental breakdowns.
If you plan to treat His Majesty, you might come into danger as well.”

Upon hearing Luna's reminder, Alice thought back to the words Chris previously said to her.
According to Chris, those mind magicians had merely conducted a simple probe on his mind, yet they had still suffered mental damage.
While she hadn't inspected Chris's mind, she had still met him face to face.
So, she couldn't help but worry if she might come into similar danger as those mind magicians.

After thinking it over, Alice decided that it'd be best to take some countermeasures once she reached her lodgings.
It'd be terrible if the Demon King's Power had also launched a mental attack on her.
After all, she was essentially defenseless against mental attacks in her current state.

Meanwhile, noticing Alice's silence, Luna stopped speaking as well.
Thus, the rest of the drive continued in silence.

The lodging Chris prepared was a luxurious mansion located close to the palace.
Not only was the mansion situated in the Gryffin Kingdom's capital city, but it was even built close to the palace.
With Alice's general understanding of housing value, the price of this mansion was definitely astronomical.
The fact that Chris was willing to let Alice stay in such a mansion showed just how much he valued her.

However, Alice couldn't help but grow a little worried over this situation.
After all, people were bound to grow suspicious of her identity if Chris blatantly gave her such an excellent house.

“This is the master bedroom.
Of course, if you have any unique hobbies, you can sleep in the basement as well.
As a dutiful maid, I won't be bothered by the master's choices.”

After showing Alice to the mansion's master bedroom and seeing Alice walk into the room, Luna politely bowed and pointed at a magically-operated switch located by the soft and spacious bed, saying, “I will be in the maid's quarter downstairs.
If you have any need for me, press that magical bell, and I will come over immediately.”

Alice nodded to express her understanding.
Then, she watched as Luna stepped back respectfully.
Despite having a frigid appearance and a tendency to say strange things from time to time, Luna was undeniably a proper maid.

TL Notes:

[1]mind magician:

(17th November 2021)

I have made the following changes to past chapters:

Spirit (stat) -> Mind

spiritual magic -> mind magic

spiritual breakdown -> mental breakdown

spiritual magician -> mind magician