"Lantern? No, no, no, I'm just an insignificant nobody, I can't afford to hire that master forger. My fake identity is pretty ordinary."

  Upon hearing Alice's question, Mickey naturally didn’t dare to hide anything.

  Even though he was quite surprised that the "magical girl" before him knew about a figure as hidden, even within the underworld, as the "Lantern," he still answered very seriously:

  "Actually, from what I know, some time ago the ‘Lantern’ was captured by Lord Kastiel, brother of Grand Duke Nomeka. They say that after being tortured, he was handed over to the Astralis court… Though I don’t know why Lord Kastiel suddenly decided to go after the ‘Lantern,’ who was clearly entangled in the interests of powerful figures, I imagine he must’ve sold the information the ‘Lantern’ gave up for a good price."

  “……”

  Silence filled the air.

  By now, nearly twenty minutes had passed since Alice caused a major commotion at the Golden Night Casino. It was to be expected that the city guard of Flaren was already on their way.

  Normally, if the “magical girl” didn’t want to fight the guards, she should have left already, after all, she had made enough money this time.

  But…

  After hearing the news about the “Lantern,” Alice simply couldn’t leave.

  She remembered clearly that, according to her father's notebook, the doctor Elock, who had remained hidden for ten years without being discovered, only had his identity exposed because of the “Lantern”!

  Therefore, to Alice, the “Lantern” who betrayed her father was undoubtedly an enemy, and so was the man who obtained that information and handed it over to the Astralis court.

  Regardless of their reasons, that revenge was already decided.

  Alice had never let go of the thought of revenge.

  The problem was that she didn’t know where her enemies were, nor how to investigate them. Now, unexpectedly, she had found someone in the Golden Night Casino who might know something.

  The girl clenched her teeth in silence.

  How could she let this chance slip by?

  Without hesitation, she stepped closer to the still-confused Mickey and the “Little Keepsake,” who was still glaring at her, and asked urgently:

  “You’re saying this Kastiel guy was the one who handed the Lantern’s information to the Empire? Then tell me where he lives, I'm going to crack his skull open!”

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  The words were spoken firmly and without hesitation, filled with fury.

  Every sentence out of Alice’s mouth dripped with hatred.

  Perhaps such bloody words sounded shocking coming from such a beautiful girl, but at that moment, the “magical girl” didn’t care.

  It didn’t matter who Kastiel was. Since he had a hand in her father’s betrayal, then he would have to pay!

  “Please calm down, lovely young lady. Kastiel is a direct member of the Nomeka family line, and his place of residence is highly confidential. Someone like me, just a disposable pawn, couldn’t possibly know that.”

  Frightened by Alice’s sudden fury, Mickey still couldn’t understand how a little girl, who seemed like she’d watched too many cartoons, could harbor such hatred for a direct-line noble of a grand duke.

  But he really didn’t know where Kastiel lived.

  Of course, seeing the murderous gleam in Alice’s eyes, the seasoned gang leader knew he couldn’t just say “I don’t know” and expect to be left alone. So before the furious “magical girl” could start threatening him, Mickey quickly added:

  “Although I don’t know where Kastiel lives, my direct superior, the First Governor of Flaren, Lord Théodric, certainly knows the noble’s address. After all, this Golden Night Casino is Kastiel’s private property, and Théodric Valemont is a high-ranking aristocrat loyal to the Nomeka family. And I’m more than willing to tell you everything I know about Théodric’s household. My boss is a coward, if you give him a little scare, he’ll definitely spill everything.”

  It was no wonder Mickey was a “war veteran” of city life. His words sounded like gentle guidance, as if he were kindly helping Alice by pointing out a path. But in reality, he was selling out his own boss.

  There was no need to think too hard. After tonight, the Golden Night Casino would be ruined, the gang leader gone, and the governor of Flaren would certainly be furious.

  It wasn’t likely he’d let Mickey go unpunished. Who knew what the man might do in a fit of rage?

  But for now…

  Looking at the iron door crumpled like toilet paper and tossed across the ceramic floor, Mickey was sure his boss wouldn’t have time to come after him.

  “……”

  “You're using me, aren’t you? You want me to kill your boss so it’s easier for you to escape? Mickey, just know, I was only merciful because of that little girl.”

  Staring intently into the gang leader’s eyes, Alice clearly wasn’t satisfied with the answer.

  Compared to others her age, the girl who had been raised by Dr. Elock from a young age was clearly more mature.

  She thought for a moment and quickly realized Mickey wanted to use her as a weapon!

  However, even when confronted so directly, Mickey, dressed in a suit and tie, didn’t try to deny it.

  Though his gaze showed a flicker of surprise, like “I didn’t think this kid would catch on,” he simply gave a bitter smile. While gently patting little Katerly’s head beside him, he answered calmly:

  “Ah, lovely young lady, you’re like an angel sent by God to punish demons, so sudden… You destroyed, without warning, everything I worked my whole life to build, and now I can only try to run, filled with hatred and helplessness… What other options do I have to escape with my life? I can guarantee that man, Théodric, definitely knows where Kastiel lives. So please help me, for Katerly’s sake… You already got the information you wanted, so please don’t turn down this humble request for aid.”

  Mickey’s words were sincere.

  He no longer tried to fool Alice like she was a child. Now, this cunning man used his attitude to show that his “manipulation” was, in fact, a “request,” not a cold-hearted scheme.

  Yes, just as Thalia had once asked Alice to play the role of a magical girl punishing evil during a heist, Mickey was now also asking the girl before him to help him with his own revenge.

  And it’s worth noting… even Alice herself had to admit that, with little Katerly’s pitiful eyes fixed on her, that “small” request had become very hard to refuse…