Volume 7 of Alice in Borderland (今際の国のアリス, Imawa no Kuni no Arisu) is part of the manga series written and illustrated by Haro Aso.
Overview[]
Arisu discovers the identity of the Witch and tries to share it with the survivors in the hotel, but Aguni interferes, and the truth behind Hatter's death is revealed. The First Stage is cleared, and the players find themselves wondering what is going to happen next.
Chapters[]
- Chapter 26, "Ten of Hearts, Part 6"
- Chapter 27, "Ten of Hearts, Part 7"
- Chapter 28, "Ten of Hearts, Part 8"
- Chapter 29, "Twenty-First Day of Sojourn"
Summary[]
The Ten of Hearts game, "Witch Hunt", comes to its conclusion as the number of surviving Beach members continues to go down, and violence spreads throughout the hotel. With little time remaining, Arisu reveals that Aguni killed Hatter and explains that Hatter's murder and the game are directly connected, revealing that Aguni has been suppressing the most dangerous militants while remaining Hatter's friend in secret. Flashbacks show Aguni and Hatter's past, beginning with their youth and long-standing friendship, followed by their arrival in Borderland and Hatter's decision to establish the Beach as a place meant to give people hope.
Over time, Hatter's fabricated goal of collecting all the cards becomes an obsession. He introduces rankings, strict rules, and executions to maintain control, eventually coming to believe that he is special for creating a paradise in Borderland. When Aguni confronts him and attempts to leave the Beach, Hatter threatens him with a gun. Aguni shoots first, and remorse pushes him to destroy the Beach completely.
As the game continues, Chishiya remains on the rooftop and leaves the outcome to Arisu, stating that Hearts games are not his strength. Niragi survives severe burns, and Ann returns despite her injuries to help identify the Witch. Arisu claims to know the Witch's identity, but Aguni refuses to listen and insists that he should be killed instead. When another fight begins, Asahi reveals herself as a Dealer and is immediately executed by a laser, which stops the fight and shocks everyone.
Flashbacks reveal how Asahi and Momoka were recruited as Dealers and forced to organize deadly games in exchange for extending their visas. Unable to accept surviving at the cost of others' deaths, Momoka volunteers to become the Witch. She believes that sacrificing herself may allow the players to win and bring the cycle to an end.
Arisu concludes that Momoka is the Witch, and Ann confirms this by examining the fingerprints on the knife, which indicate that the injury was self-inflicted. Momoka's body is thrown into the Fire of Judgement, officially clearing the game as the hotel burns. Survivors rescue the injured and escape the collapsing building, while Last Boss stays behind and dies in the fire.
On Arisu's twenty-first day of Sojourn, the remaining players face the aftermath. They hold a memorial for those who died and share memories together. With the Beach destroyed, the collected cards lost, and Aguni gone, the survivors are left without a clear plan. A brief announcement marks the beginning of the Interval.