"Why? Are you worried about something?"

After Bella left, Alice looked at my face and asked.

Of course, I had plenty to worry about.

It wasn’t the Holy Knights that worried me. Opinions among fans of the game were divided over whether or not a goddess even existed, but I figured that if she did, my existence being permitted was proof enough that she didn’t see me as a problem.

In fact, I figured she might even favor me. Otherwise, there’s no way I would’ve been left alone for the past ten years.

If she didn’t know about me or didn’t have the power to intervene, then that was all the better. And if she knew but didn’t care, then that was fine by me too. I’d always thought the Holy Kingdom, wielding the goddess’s name, was merely a group of power-seekers. If she really did support them, then I wouldn’t consider her a goddess at all.

No, the real problem was the outfit I’d likely have to wear in that place.

"…Princess."

"Please, just call me Alice…."

However, seeing my serious expression, Alice didn’t push the matter too strongly.

Looking her in the eye, I continued.

"Even if it’s a legally run establishment, it’s still a gambling den. The people who frequent it and the ones who run it are not exactly the most honorable types."

"I know that."

Hearing me, Alice looked relieved, as if to say, "Oh, was that all?"

But I shook my head.

"…It may be far worse than you imagine, Princess."

Naturally, there wouldn’t be any "nobles" working as bunny girls there. Perhaps there were daughters of fallen nobles, but in their current situation, they’d be barely any different from commoners.

However, those who frequented casinos were usually wealthy, and the vast majority of the wealthy were either nobles or had close ties to nobility.

This world still adhered to a rigid class system, even if the winds of capitalism and nationalism had started to blow. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if a noble laid hands on an attractive bunny girl displayed for show in the casino.

In most regions of the Empire, brothels were illegal.

But that didn’t prevent "consensual encounters." If a noble visitor and a casino server happened to "fall for each other" and had a brief affair, the Empire wouldn’t pursue charges.

Tips? Well, they could say they were given as part of the service.

Technically, it was still illegal. But they knew and let it slide.

"…."

I didn’t think Alice fully understood these details, but she could read my expression well enough to sense how serious I was about it.

"If that’s the case, I can’t just let you go there alone."

"…."

While I appreciated her intention, her presence would undoubtedly be helpful. Sure, I might appear skilled in combat due to my ability to rewind time and assess situations, but in a direct battle without preparation, Alice would likely be stronger.

"And if I decide not to go, what would you do?"

I asked her this time, curious about her answer.

"If I disobey His Majesty’s order and refuse to go?"

"Is that what you want?"

Well, of course, that’s my will.

My will to avoid wearing a bunny costume.

"Or are you hoping I’ll tell you not to go?"

Uh…

It was my will, right?

A strong will against bunny costumes.

"…Even if you choose not to go, I can’t ignore this. The Emperor directly ordered it, and Bella herself came to deliver the information."

True, from the Empire’s standpoint.

"And who’s the one expected to become the next Emperor?"

"…That would be you, Princess."

"Then, as the next ruler of the Empire, I have a duty to know as much as possible about everything that happens behind the scenes. Besides," Alice continued, looking determined, "once I become Emperor, I might not have the freedom to roam about. The Empire is vast, and there’s much for the Emperor to do, so it’s unrealistic to personally gather intelligence. But, conversely, since I’m not yet on the throne, I can do things without reservation."

"As the future Emperor—"

"Don’t start with that now."

Alice stated proudly.

"I attend the Academy, talking with people on equal footing, training, and doing fieldwork together. Even when hunting beasts, we risk our lives just the same. And obviously," she pointed at me, "you," then pointed at herself, "and I are equals here. We’re just students in the same uniform. So, as long as we’re both in these uniforms, drop the 'Princess' title. I’m not the crown princess yet, so there’s no need to call me the future Emperor either."

"…."

"If you don’t want to call me Alice, you could call me 'Big Sister.'"

"I’ll call you Alice."

"…Even if I ordered you to call me 'Big Sister,' you wouldn’t listen, would you?"

"You were the one who said we’re equals here, Alice."

At my firm response, Alice looked like she was about to burst out laughing.

*

I had clung to a small hope.

That, perhaps, the "game logic" would lose to "reality."

No matter how skilled a swordsman was, they couldn’t slice through bullets, and injuries from wild beasts left real wounds. Even beasts that required dozens of strikes to bring down would bleed and die when cut with an aura-infused sword or shot.

Though it was a steampunk-fantasy world with absurdities, it retained some level of realism.

So I held onto a faint hope that the seductive outfits common in games wouldn’t exist here in the real world.

"…."

But judging by Leo’s flushed face as we stood in front of the casino, I could tell that my hopes had been dashed, and brutally so.

"Needlessly extravagant."

Alice muttered with a frown.

As she said, the casino was grander than expected. Admittedly, it was less garish than the over-the-top neon displays of the 21st century, but still.

If you watched American movies or shows set in the 1950s or 60s in New York or Las Vegas, you’d see buildings covered in lights, excessively bright by those standards. This place felt like that.

Of course, since there were no electric bulbs here, they used colored mana stones for lighting.

Compared to the capital’s other buildings, this one stood out as particularly flashy.

"…I can see why the instructor wasn’t keen to accompany us."

At Alice’s remark, Claire nodded in agreement, though her gaze was directed elsewhere.

While Alice observed the building as a whole, Claire, like Leo, was staring at something else entirely.

The entrance.

There, attractive women with perfect figures stood holding promotional signs. Most displayed ads for the casino. Some wore sashes with slogans, while others advertised hotels owned by the same entity as the casino.

A few nobles—mostly older, heavyset men—were flirting with the women. Some even had their hands on the ladies’ waists or shoulders as they headed inside together.

It was, in every sense, a city of indulgence.

If Las Vegas was a paradise in the middle of a desert, then this was like a hidden mansion of pleasure in the heart of the forest.

I remembered being completely thrown when I first saw this place, so at odds with the wholesome image of Carolyn.

…Everything here matched my memories exactly.

"…It’s indecent."

Charlotte murmured in shock.

Her gaze was fixed on a bunny girl with slightly tanned skin and a provocatively exposed chest, chatting and laughing with a large noble.

By the way, the bunny girl’s hair was silver. Frankly, if it weren’t for her flirty demeanor, she would have looked like a tragic heroine forced into this job against her will, radiating an almost ethereal aura.

…

She’s definitely enjoying herself, isn’t she?