I Realized Too Late (9)

"Well, it’s almost time to start work. Rex-sama, Kururu-sama, Alice-sama, please get ready."

"Hmm... Is it already that time? I’ll have to save True Mighty Heaven-and-Earth White Thunder Cannon for another time."

"...What is it, Rex-sama? This ‘True Mighty-whatever’ you mentioned?"

"It’s the name of my new ultimate technique. Next time, it’ll be magic instead of swordsmanship."

Watching Rex smile as he pictured the finished technique, David said, "Ah, I see," and left the meeting room. Kururu and Alice followed, wearing expressions as if they’d just seen a pitiable soul.

"S-she’s here! She’s here! Alice-chan is here!"

"The goddess of victory has arrived! We can win... If I bet it all on black now, I’m sure to win!"

"A-Alice-tan came... to lead me to victory... H-huff, huff... hafu-hafu, dewuhehehe...!"

As the sun reached its zenith, the number of people in the gaming hall temporarily dwindled as they went to eat lunch. The quiet, sparsely populated space instantly came alive with bustle and excitement as people returned from their meals.

"Alice-chan! Give me one of those good-luck charms!"

"Sure! Two will be 870 bronze."

"Alice-chan, I’ll have a coffee. Man, just seeing you cheers me up, even when I’m losing."

"I’m glad you think so! I’ll make your coffee right away."

At David’s suggestion, Alice was not only serving as the casino’s mascot but also working as a roaming vendor. They had originally hoped to attract customers with her as their mascot, but since they were at it, they also put her in charge of selling the good-luck charms Tina had been trying to foist on people.

As a result, not only regular customers but also repeat visitors began eagerly spending money there every time they came.

Although Alice was a demon, she was a beautiful girl with lovely features, and her naturally charming personality had won over some of the customers, both men and women.

Her earnest attitude toward everything seemed to make a good impression. She was starting to attract some odd fans, while all sorts of visitors—including nobles—had taken a liking to her.

She never looked displeased—in fact, she seemed happy—to serve the complimentary drinks to customers. Some even went out of their way to ask Alice for a drink instead of ordering at the counter inside the gaming hall.

"Alice-tan... huff, huff... I-I... I... y-your... heh, hehehe... W-what are you doing? Ah, A-Alice-taaaaan!"

At that moment, two burly staff members nearby grabbed an overweight man who was breathing heavily and wiggling his hands as he tried to approach Alice, then escorted him outside.

Alice’s rounds as a vendor weren’t limited to the gaming hall; she visited all sorts of places throughout the casino.

Rex had been concerned that "it might be dangerous for young Alice to walk around alone," but whenever some creep tried to follow her, the staff on hand were quick to protect her.

"Alice-chan... It’s nice to be friendly with everyone, but please be a little more careful, okay?"

"Yeah, Alice. You’ve already got enough weird fans as it is."

"O-okay. Thanks, you two."

Alice turned her sun-bright smile on the male and female dealer staff who had hurried over, worried about her.

Seeing her smile, both staff members couldn’t help but soften their expressions.

Alice was well liked not only by the customers, but by the staff as well. If she tried to carry something heavy, they’d offer to carry it for her, and nearly every staff member would greet her whenever they saw her.

Thanks to that, Alice could safely do her part to help the casino bring in revenue.

Watching Alice, a demon, work with the support of humans, Takako wore a quietly satisfied expression. Alice herself found purpose in a job that was bringing her steadily closer to her dream.

But at the same time, she was afraid.

Everyone was kind to her now because they thought she was human. What would happen if they found out she was a demon? Sometimes the thought crossed Alice’s mind as she tightly retied the ribbon Kagami had bought her to hide her horns.

And the more she thought about it, the more she wondered about David, who had clearly seen that she was a demon, yet still treated her exactly as he always had.