NPC Code: Red Riding Hood

"Yes." the puppet answered.

The doll named Pinnochio had a dwarf height that made him look like a boy. But Pinnochio was not taller than Match. He had a light brown coloured hat and a blue tie wrapped around her neck. With red pants and two leathered shoes, he looked more like a villager in the town.

However, Pinocchio's long nose set him apart from humans and a figurine.

"I know where to find Alice, since she created me," Pinocchio added.

Pinocchio had the voice of a child, but spoke like an adult. Despite his puppet-like image, the little boy puppet had an aura befitting for a prince. If it were not for Pinocchio's skin made of cotton, he would look like a human.

The puppet tried standing on its two feet. Olivia tried helping with the doll, but Pinocchio refused. That puppet told her he required no help from others.

And that was what he did.

Pinocchio walked up to me and explained everything I needed to know. "The location of Wonderland is not far from the dwarves. Wonderland is the castle itself, stuck on an abandoned island. However, you need to cross the sea surrounding the island and fight against the sea serpent lurking beneath the waters."

"I knew about some of these details. What more can you tell me?" I retorted.

"Have you ever wondered why I am a puppet?" Pinocchio asked, as his eyes stared into mine.

I shook my head and answered, "No. But I think you're something created by someone. And that someone was Alice in Wonderland. Since I have encountered different monsters already, a puppet that could talk wouldn't baffle me."

It was the harsh truth, so I had to tell them. I faced countless foes and creatures that shared the same killing intent. Seeing a puppet that would do the same would not falter my mind.

"Alice created me to meet you. This world needs a non-player character and player that would free all of us from Code." Pinocchio exclaimed. "Alice knew about this wretched game world and was the most powerful being that the game developers created. She had enough arcane energy to destroy the Mainland if it were not for Okami interfering with her goal."

"After gauging Alice's strength, the game developers locked her inside the castle for good. They thought that creating Alice would make the game interesting. But they thought wrong. Alice could only hope that one day, she would meet someone that could free us all. And that someone might be you, Red Riding Hood. Or Red Rose, if you prefer that way."

With Pinocchio's words, my mouth became silent. I could not say a thing after hearing such a statement that came from the puppet. Now I knew why going to Alice slammed my heavy heart rock-bottom. I was carrying the responsibilities of the people living in this game.

However, I did not have any pure intentions like that. Freeing everyone could be a part of my job. But I wanted more out of this mission.

I swore for revenge against the players and game developers who created this game.

"So what do I need to do then?" I asked Pinocchio, hoping to heed more guidance from him.

The only thought that ran inside my mind was, 'I could use this puppet for my goal.'

"You need to free Alice and borrow her power. Since you are collecting the four obelisks, she would give the gemstone to you and gain the surface of her arcane."

"If Alice gives me the obelisk, would not that kill her?/'

"No. I'm afraid not, Red," Pinocchio answered. "Alice is a powerful being, and there is nothing that Code could do to kill her."

"But after you complete the game, free Alice. Since she planned to help you, you need to help her first break free from those latches."

I gave Pinocchio a nod and answered, "I will. If that is what it takes to have a powerful ally, I could give Alice a helping hand."

"I trust you for your words, Red. I hope you won't let Alice and me down."

Pinocchio motioned his hands and called out someone near the door. As I gyrated my head at my rear, a figure of a girl waved at me to say hello.

"Match? How long have you been there? I told you to play with the kids!" I said. But I could not be mad at her, considering that she was still a little girl.

"Long enough to hear everything?" She said, but Match tilted her head, unsure what she mentioned was the right thing for her to say right now. "I don't quite get what is happening... but… is that a puppet?"

But before I could even answer or even say anything, Match sprinted towards Pinocchio and pounced at the unfortunate doll. A blaring slam resonated inside the room, paired with an agonistic cry coming from the marionette.

"G-GET THIS H-HUMAN AWAY FROM ME! S-SHE IS J-JUST LIKE ALICE! AN UNCORRUPTED ALICE!" Pinocchio pleaded. But I could only shake my head in disdain.

"Relax. It will be all over soon." I said, and watched Pinocchio trying to clobber Match. But that puppet failed each of his swings to the swift little girl, thanks to her training.

"Where did you get this, Red? This puppet looks amazing! Can we keep it? Can we, can we, can we?" Match asked, as she shook the doll in every direction. If Pinocchio could feel nauseated, now was the time to sense that.

"No, Match. That doll isn't ours."

"Then who owns this?" Match asked.

"It came from Alice. Hey, are you even listening to the conversation?"

My question flew from elsewhere as Match succumbed herself into her world with the puppet. She wrapped her hands around Pinocchio and gave the doll a tight embrace that Match ever had. But the figurine did not like any of this, as Pinocchio tried to free himself from her grip. It showed from Pinocchio's face.

"Aren't you going to help Match? She seems really excited." Olivia suggested.

But I shook my head and replied, "Nope. It's my first time seeing Match grin like that. I would keep them watch for the time being. And the one who needs our help the most might be that puppet."

"HELP ME, RED! HELP MEEEEE PLEAAASEE!!!"

.....

After a few minutes, Match grew tired and slept on the make-shift couch. Her snores kept everyone awake, but I paid her no mind. Match could do whatever she wanted, as long as it would affect no one.

But that thought shattered upon the sight of the figurine. The little girl held Pinocchio, who was still squirming his way out from Match's hands. Puppets did not have energy, so they never grew tired. However, from the looks of Pinocchio, he did not want to fight back the urge to escape Match.

"We can talk," I said.

But Pinocchio was not happy about my statement. The pocket-sized puppet showed me a frown and crossed his hands, despite Match's arms clipping his body.

"You could've told me that sooner," Pinocchio snarled, and heaved out a long sigh.

But he had no other choice but where we had left from our conversation.

"You need to visit the dwarven kingdom and ask them for a boat. You cannot travel the water with your bare appendages, so a vehicle is a crucial thing to have in your journey."

"I already know that information. What more can you give me?"

Pinocchio let out an exhale once again and answered, "If you know this much, I have nothing else to tell you. I told you about Alice and her goal. I think that's just about it."

I stood up from my seat and went towards the two. My hands reached out for the sleeping Match and snatched her body out from the bench. The little girl moaned as soon as she felt my rough hands. After a few seconds, Match had finally calmed her senses.

"Thank you!" Pinocchio shouted, and went back to his room from where we had first seen him.

Olivia, who was with me the entire time, was also taking her nap on the chair. When I kicked Olivia's seat, the merchant stood up and shuffled her feet. After witnessing my face in front of her, the merchant girl growled at me and went towards the door.

"Let's go, Olivia, Match. We're going now, Pinocchio. Thanks for the information you gave us." I exclaimed, and shut the door.

Pinocchio nodded his head as he saw us off from the door. Within a few moments, the puppet's voice reverberated outside the shack.

"Beware of Rumpelstiltskin on your way out! Do not trust his words or anything that guy offers!" Pinocchio screamed.

... But I did not hear what the puppet told me. My ears heard constant mumblings inside the house. I could only guess what Pinocchio told me would not bother me soon.

Now that we were outside Goldilocks, all Match and I needed to do was resume our journey and meet with the dwarves.

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