Noticing that the atmosphere had grown somewhat awkward, Samael stepped forward and casually struck up a conversation, taking the initiative to break the silence.
"By the way, what are you doing in Fuyuki City?"
This time, Touko Aozaki seemed to have forgotten to resist Samael's approach. Putting on an indifferent act, she answered blandly.
"Business in Kanbushi City hasn't been very good. With so many people to support, I'm practically unable to pay their salaries, so I wanted to expand my operations and take over a storefront in Fuyuki City."
So that was it.
Samael pondered this. He had more or less guessed why Touko Aozaki had appeared here.
Kanbushi City was near Tokyo, firmly within a commercial district. In theory, its market was vast, and in the future, she would have encountered many troublesome "major clients."
Unfortunately, nearly all of Touko's future potential clients had already been thoroughly ruined by Samael.
First was the Runic expert, the renowned magus Cornelius Aluba.
In the battle on Amingo Island decades ago, Aluba had been taught a harsh lesson by Samael. Not only had he failed to recover Emiya Kyuken's Magic Crest, but his contingent of magi had also suffered devastating losses. After returning to the Clock Tower, he faced widespread criticism, and even his position as the next abbot of Sponheim Abbey had been seized by others taking advantage of the situation.
By now, this magus, frustrated in both career and professional life, had long since become utterly dispirited. He had no desire whatsoever to go out and stir up trouble.
Next were Asagami Fujino, Rie Miyojo, and Ryougi Shiki.
These three troublesome children had already been baptized by Samael during the Holy Body descent incident in Misaki City, suppressing the distortions and demonic nature within them.
Finally, because the head