Hand in Hand, We Set Off Again

"Hmm, because I'm trying to quit smoking, and lately I can't keep my mouth shut, so this is the only thing I can eat."

Are you quitting smoking?

Upon hearing this, Rovey was genuinely surprised, so much so that he blurted it out.

"You actually quit smoking?"

"Idiot, who do you think I quit smoking for? Didn't you tell me to smoke less? Since you don't like it, then I'll just quit."

Aozaki Touko shook her head, then calmly said, "Anyway, it's just a way to relieve stress. Now that you've solved all my stress, I naturally don't need it anymore."

"Ah?"

"Alright, stop looking so surprised. Let's talk about something happier first."

As she spoke, Aozaki Touko suddenly turned around and lay down on the table, carefully searching through a pile of folders on the table.

However, with just a slight movement from Aozaki Touko, her short skirt couldn't conceal her private parts. Her deep red, sheer lace panties were simply and directly exposed to Rovey. Rovey was so shocked that he dropped his Pocky stick.

"Oh, this... Don't look at what you shouldn't see, don't look at what you shouldn't see..."

Rovey quickly covered his eyes.

Although that's what he said, his words might have been more convincing if the gaps between his fingers were a little smaller.

"Idiot, go ahead and look if you want. There's nothing particularly interesting about it anyway. I'm tired of looking at the same things when I'm making dolls."

It seems... no, it should be that he clearly realized what was happening behind him. However, Aoko didn't care at all, and showed no shame whatsoever. Instead, he generously told him to look carefully if he wanted, and continued to lie there looking for something.

"Ah... I think so, I've seen them all... No! You made your own body, of course I've seen them all."

Hearing her so generously let him see, Rovey couldn't hold back anymore. Just as Aozaki Touko was about to turn around, he hurriedly turned his head away, and at the last moment, he pretended to be a gentleman.

As it turned out, Aoko really didn't care. When she found the information about the matter that Rovey had entrusted to her in her pile of files, she turned her head back and acted as if nothing had happened, which actually made Rovey feel guilty for a moment.

"Cough cough..."

Guess what I've prepared for you?

"Um... panties?"

Upon hearing this, Aoko paused for a moment, then tapped his head in an annoyed tone.

"It's too early to be in heat in broad daylight. And if you want to be in heat, then take me directly to your room. It'll be hard to clean up if this place is too messy."

"Ahem, let's talk about that next time, next time."

"Ha, a coward with lustful thoughts but no guts."

Aozaki Touko rolled her eyes at him.

So what exactly is this good news?

Rovey hurriedly asked.

"Of course, the medium body you commissioned me to create for that Dead Apostle is complete. All that's left is to import his personality and soul fragments. Now you can rest assured, right?"

Upon hearing the news, Rovey was momentarily stunned, as the speed of the event was truly astounding.

After all, making a doll isn't like making a figurine; that requires the use of a medium, and many data points need to be adjusted and verified, taking at least a week. But it's only been two days? Aoko solved it all?

"You don't believe me? See for yourself."

But when he saw the sheet of paper she handed him, filled with Lita's new body data and a plan on how to control and restrict her, he realized that Aoko wasn't joking; she really had gotten everything sorted out in two days.

One can imagine how much effort she has put in these past two days.

"Phew, I'm really exhausted. I finally caught up after two days of non-stop work. Although I was a little unhappy about helping that woman with her body, since it was your request, I had to finish it quickly."

"How is it? Are you satisfied?"

"Of course I'm satisfied, I couldn't be more satisfied, thank you..."

"What are you thanking me for? I'm the one who should be thanking you, you idiot. I'm already happy to be able to do my part for you in this specific position."

Aoko replied with a smile, which deeply moved Rovey.

He was surrounded by talented people; he no longer needed to run desperately alone, isolated and helpless.

"As expected, the person I can't live without is you, Senior Aoko!"

"Really? I'd like to stay by your side forever, and add Crowley to my name. Do you dare?"

"I'll definitely do it next time."

"You idiot, it's that line again. I'm almost at the point where I want to strangle you whenever I hear that line."

Unable to contain her annoyance, Aozaki Touko slapped a thick layer of paper directly onto Rovey's head.

Normally, Rovey should take the initiative at this point in the development process. However, sometimes, because of a bunch of troubles around him, he doesn't dare to stop or slack off, so he can only answer with "I'll definitely do it next time" for the time being.

Sigh... If only this were a world without any trouble, he would definitely settle down and live a peaceful life without hesitation, leaving all the intersection of True Magic and reality behind him.

He could finally give Aoko an answer, and then they could become lovers and live a sweet life together.

It's a pity it can't be used!

The atmosphere suddenly turned somber.

And that's not all. Rovey now feels that if he were to officially announce his relationship with Aoko, Kenneth would come storming in with a knife the very next day, and Sajyou Manaka might even go crazy on the spot.

Therefore, some things are not something he can do as he pleases; he must consider the consequences and take responsibility for his actions.

In short, the big picture is paramount, the big picture is paramount...

Wait until the situation is completely stable before unfolding the knotted wings.

"However, junior Crowley, I actually have another gift for you."

"What else... um?!"

Before Rovey could finish speaking, the moment he looked at Aoko, she lunged at him. He instinctively wanted to dodge, but worried she would fall, so he gently caught her in his arms. Then that familiar feeling returned, their lips met again, and his mind went blank once more.

At this moment, Rovey's mind raced, and he seemed to understand everything that was happening before his eyes. This time, Aoko had been laying the groundwork for this, changing her clothes and hairstyle, and even deliberately offering Rovey "fan service" to lower his guard, all for the sake of this one fatal blow.

After all, her computer parts were immune to Rovey from the very beginning, so she had to resort to other methods.

They actually took advantage of the fact that he wouldn't bear to let her fall to the ground.

Aoko Senior, you're so despicable!!

This forceful kiss lasted for a while.

Only after feeling that she had recouped some of the benefits of her two days of hard work did Aoko finally sit back down in her seat, completely satisfied.

"How about that? Didn't expect that, did you, junior Crowley? My second goal."

"I didn't expect that."

Rovey touched his lips, then looked at the smug Aozaki Touko with a complicated expression.

"It was just too sudden; Perfect World wasn't prepared."

"But you didn't refuse, did you? After all, this time you don't have those burdensome kids interfering with you."

"Now that's settled, your first kiss and your second kiss both belong to me, Aozaki Touko!"

Rovey wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Aoko's lips were burning as she looked at him.

If the computer parts hadn't malfunctioned, she definitely would have taken a sip.

"Now that things have come to this, let's lay our cards on the table, Crowley."

Sensing that the atmosphere was about right, Aozaki Touko took the initiative to speak.

"Ha?"

"You already have two girls in your family who want to be your fiancée. Nobody knows if you'll do anything else that will make my blood pressure skyrocket."

"I already said that was just..."

"Was it just an accident? Or a coincidence? Whatever the case, your thoughts are none of my business, because I'm about to take the initiative. You can probably see it in my eyes, right? My feelings for you are impossible to hide."

"... You never intended to hide it at all."

Rovey glanced silently at Aoko's eyes, which seemed as bright as two suns, and then, afraid of being burned by her gaze, he quietly turned them back.

"Of course, even so, I don't mean to force you to accept it. At least I still have this much dignity. These two kisses are just a warning, a warning to you."

"What... what warning?"

"My former reserve is gone. Now I'm going to conquer you! I'll conquer you before those two little girls grow up. That would be my ultimate victory! Although the future is unpredictable, I'll seize the moment. We can split the future together later. Right now, you're mine!"

"Honestly, it doesn't have to go to this extent. Actually, I also really like Aoko -senpai."

After being completely outmaneuvered by Aoko's antics, Rovey unconsciously scratched his head, then sighed and said, "Although I'm still a bit confused, I still want to say thank you, Aoko."

"Oh, I see. Then I thank you for your understanding."

Holding Rovey's face in her hands, Aoko pressed herself against him once again.

This time, however, her target was lips.

This time, she left her own mark on those lips.

The sacred cross domain

Chapter 164 Hand in Hand, Setting Off Again

"Hey, it's been a long time, Crowley."

After another familiar daze, when Rovey slowly opened his eyes, he found himself once again standing in front of the Magus of Flowers, or rather, the Flower True Magic Girl— Merry.

"It has indeed been a long time. Ever since you mastered your illusion magic, I've cut off all contact with you. I never expected you would still be able to find me. You've got some skills."

Rovey stroked his chin, remembering True Magic Merry, who hadn't appeared in a long time and was now almost forgotten.

"How dare you say that! First you used sweet words to trick me into becoming like this, and now that you're no longer useful, you've abandoned me in the blink of an eye. What a heartless man! Waaah..."

As she spoke, Merry reached out and pretended to wipe away non-existent tears.

"Alright, stop fooling around. What exactly do you want from me? If it's about Artoria, I'm already ready to leave. You don't need to be in such a hurry, do you?"

"We have to hurry, it's almost time to act."

"Knight, Bedivere's soul has returned to Avalon, and with satisfaction, but little Al's figure has vanished for a thousand years. As his teacher, I'm naturally worried..."

"Huh? You mean Bedivere in this world is confirmed dead?"

Upon hearing this, Rovey's expression turned somewhat strange.

"That's right, Bedivere is dead, and very content. I once spoke with his spirit, and he said that being able to accompany little Artoria on her hundred-year journey was enough for him; he had no regrets in his life. I was happy for him then, after all, he was one of the last Knights of the Round Table to win, but..."

Merry waved her hand, gesturing for Rovey to follow her.

At this moment, Rovey realized that he was no longer in the lush sea of flowers he used to be in, but in a place similar to the top floor of a clock tower.

He looked out the window through the narrow space and realized that it was still the familiar sea of flowers outside.

Although it looks extremely beautiful, the scenery inside is also very empty.

This is clearly Merry's boudoir, no, it should be called the isolated tower where she was imprisoned.

"So what exactly happened? Please give us the details first."

"If Bedivere is dead, it means he has returned the Holy Sword. If Artoria travels with him, it means Artoria has actually let go. In that case, the Wild Hunt and Goddess Rhongomyniad will not be able to appear."

As Rovey asked his questions, he followed Merry and observed the building.

"You really do know a lot, Crowley. That saves a lot of trouble in communication. But your speculation is indeed correct. In any case, let's analyze it properly first."

Merry stopped walking and turned to stand next to Rovey.

With a gentle tap of his wand on the floor, a screen resembling a real-time monitoring device appeared out of thin air inside the tower.

"Let me make this clear first, I'm not spying. It's just that I have the Clairvoyance to see everything. And I've always felt guilty towards Artoria, so I'm treating her journey as a very interesting story."

"I watched her rediscover her mischievousness and personality, and I watched her start to roam the world with Bedivere, just like in the beginning, leaving her own amusing stories in many myths and tales, except..."

"But what?"

"Now for the important part."