NPC Code: Red Riding Hood

Alice's Point of View

Epilogue for Volume 3.

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The days passed by, but the scenery never changed. This monumental citadel created by my father was the last antique place I had. But with these arcanic chains, I can never move an inch from my place.

My golden gown-which made me a princess, tainted my title. Even the crown resting on my hand became a part of my body. The game developers attached it like the cement on the walls, paired with strings that I could control.

Because of my body's layout, no sensation went inside of me. Every cell left inside my body turned into something sinister, which was far from any human or living species.

However, despite my rants, no one dared to save me. I even called for a quest to heal my wounds and rescue the damsel in distress. But even with those mails, no players went inside Wonderland…. My Wonderland.

"Warner…. Asimov," I growled, while glaring at the shadowy corner of my room.

It was the person's name who threw me here in this opened cell. After wreaking havoc against my kingdom, that man locked me inside my home, claiming that I would become a dangerous threat….

Warner did not allow me outside, thinking that I would come and kill him. He also placed a dome of magic surrounding this island, hindering anyone from entering Wonderland. That bloke even lifted the entire kingdom, making it difficult for other players to reach this place.

Since I already knew that I was a part of his game, Warner felt the immersive threat inside of me. But there was one mistake that Warner made, which would come back biting his tail.

"You should have killed me, Warner!" I screamed every day, hoping he could hear my words.

"Princess, I have returned."

The voice came from the same spot I glued my eyes. I gritted my teeth and launched myself towards the blackened area, still with my orbs leering at my fore. But before I could even reach that site, my body went backwards, hauling me away from that designated place. As I glimpsed back, the arcanic chain did it again and hindered me from my freedom.

"Who are you?" I asked.

There should be no one here besides Phantom, my father's corpse, and me inside this castle. And if someone visited this graveyard kingdom, I would send them off towards Hel!

"You called for me, Princess….?" the eerie masculine voice replied.

Two sharp eyes appeared behind the cloak of shadows, watching my every move. Even though these chains hindered my movement, that existence never attacked me when I was in my vulnerable state. Those vicious eyes had no intention of killing me, regardless of this condition. If I were a player or a game developer, I would have used some cheap tactics to destroy myself.

But that was the main problem. Nobody could kill me, even the ones who created me.

Despite my feral instincts, the mysterious being pestered me about his identity. That creature kept telling me I knew the guy, even though I met no one before.

However, after a few lines and a debate, the two of us finally agreed.

"So you are the king of Dragonewts?" I asked, while staring at the charcoal corner. "Can you come out and show yourself to me?"

"I will comply, your highness, as long as you order your puppet to lower his weapon. You could also deactivate the magical barrier obstructing me from entering your throne."

"And why would I trust you? A mysterious man who entered my domain asked the princess to lower the barrier. Give me one good reason before I could take your life," I retorted, while waltzing around the shield's edge.

The man cleared his throat and answered, "If my title doesn't satisfy your taste, I will tell you this information for free. Since I could sense your interest in these people, you might want to know them."

I raised my eyes after hearing the dragonewt's words. Despite the game developers caging me inside my castle, I still found my means of learning about the world. And if this dragonewt knew the people that took my interest, I would lend my ears to help him soon.

"Go on. I am listening," I replied, and finally stopped roaming around.

When the dragonewt finally caught my attention, he launched three boxes, which came from a system.

My eyes widened upon witnessing such a bizarre trait that this dragonewt had. Only the players had these powerful systems, which made them gods, protectors, and enemies of Code. But this person, who claimed himself as king, also had a system.

Only a few NPC could have a title beside their names, excluding the players and game developers. It was a special trait that the NPC had against the players invading this game. That title could also become a valuable asset when used in battle.

"I know where Red, Match, Ryoshi, and Wolf are. And I believe you know Wolf more than anyone in that group?" the hidden man announced, while blinking for the first time. "They are currently heading towards this island. But without a map, they cannot reach your place, Alice."

I raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you threatening me, dragonewt. You should probably know your position right now, despite being a king from your own kingdom."

"No, your highness," the dragonewt replied almost instantly. "I am just here to offer you something... Something that the two of us desire."

"But before I could disclose any information to you, tell your guard from the ceiling to come down. And if I see him, we could talk," the reptile bloke continued, while maintaining his eyes staring at me.

That man lurking behind the shadows knew the existence of a bodyguard. Phantom was a puppet I created when the citadel was still a lively kingdom. He was always there for me when I needed him the most, especially when I faced impossible feats.

"I am willing to negotiate, Alice. Just let your bodyguard stay on the side," the dragonewt repeated, while maintaining his fiendish aura.

This peculiar man looked like he would become a considerable ally of the game developers. Within a glance, my gears told me I should listen to what this lizard was about to say.

"Phantom! Will you come here for a second?" I called out, and motioned my fingers.

An obsidian figure landed on the ground from above. As soon as the puppet regained his balance, Phantom confidently stood before me, with his hands gripped on the pommel.

"This man is our ally. Lower your guard and let him through this place."

"But, your majesty, I cannot let anyone get near this…."

"DO IT!"

After hearing my scream, Phantom jerked backwards and shuddered. Since he finally witnessed my wrath, the puppet guard had no choice but to value my words.

Phantom pulled his hand away from his weapon and lowered his head before me, apologising for his mistakes. I forgave my bodyguard and told him to resume his duties. He needed to stick by my side and protect me at all times, if necessary. But right now, we needed to gain this lizard's trust before we could make a move.

Phantom afterwards turned around and faced the mysterious man, still hiding from the shadows. My bodyguard knelt on the ground and conjured two magic circles in his hands. After a few seconds, the barrier in front of us disappeared, allowing anyone to enter the throne.

As soon as this barrier deactivates, I could become vulnerable to any attacks. I was just a fragile doll with no weapons as long as these arcanic chains latched onto me. But if I could escape from these cuffs, my original power would return inside my body.

And if that happens, I could finally change this world and make myself alive on that planet Earth!

The dragonewt seized this opportunity as he finally moved out from the shadows. Soft sounds of footsteps marching in my direction echoed through the room. Those two glaring eyes never lost sight of my figure, paired with the aura surrounding the dragonewt.

After a few seconds, the lizard's clothing emerged into the light. That man wore a cloak concealing his appearance. This reptile looked more like a trader than a king, despite his claims.

"Are you mocking me, Princess Alice of Wonderland? I thought you were a king?! Then why are you wearing such indecent clothes!" I growled, while averting my gaze.

But within a second, the reptile, who was in front of us, disappeared. It even made Phantom react as he pulled out his sword.

Within a split second, the reptile I mocked went in front of my face, greeting me with its mammoth tongue. The dragonewt did not equip himself with a weapon. But if this dragonewt planned on killing me, he would have already succeeded.

"I do not care about appearances, Alice. People know me as the Wandering Merchant. And if I wear a crimson cape with a crown on my head, people will never purchase my products."