Enzouzan, Great Cavern.
Before the altar, Samael carefully set a rune into the tail end of the formation.
Huff...
With the final stroke complete, the ancient serpent stepped back slightly, letting out a small breath as he eased his taut nerves and casually snapped his fingers.
In an instant, accompanied by rhythmic pulses of ether, flickering runes lit up one after another. Dark-red streams of light spread from the altar in every direction, like expanding blood vessels and veins.
From the corner, Samael watched intently and saw a crimson outline of a human figure with arms spread wide gradually brighten and become clearer amid the surging mana of the Ley Lines.
The figure, both bewitching and holy, wore a faint smile. Like a compassionate Madonna, she embraced the tainted mortal world, granting the primal peace and salvation of life.
Saintess of Winter—Anastasia Lizleihi von Einzbern? The wise woman who willingly sacrificed herself to save humanity?
Heh heh, what a pity the one who truly ought to be lying here never came.
Samael turned to glance at the pitch-black passage behind him and the magical traps outside the cavern entrance that had never been triggered, then shook his head regretfully.
Pandora, Daughter of Calamity. Aside from that old worm from the Matou Family, she was the second fish he wanted to hook.
Yet his dear daughter was far more cautious than the mentally rotten Zouken Matou.
After all, he had been in Fuyuki City for more than half a year already.
During that time, to create an opening for Pandora to take advantage of, Samael had not remained in the Great Cavern at all times. Whenever he was free, he would periodically head into the city to invite Kariya Matou out for drinks, or take Alicephil and Artoria shopping.
After all,