Although the bluish veins beneath her fair skin, her lively eyes, and her warm breath all seemed no different from those of a normal human being,
a fake was still a fake. To the Einzbern Family, which had studied Android technology for a thousand years,
the judgment that this girl was a puppet had been reached almost the moment they saw her.
"If I had come in person... my score would probably have dropped quite a bit!"
Aozaki Touko smiled and said, "After all, barging into a magus's territory without permission... saying I'd taken leave of my senses wouldn't be an exaggeration, would it?!"
She was absolutely not joking. Within their own Magic Workshop, magi were on an entirely different level compared to the outside world.
To put it simply, it was like a scientist installing countless advanced weapons inside their laboratory. If someone broke in without permission, they would learn exactly what cruelty meant.
"...Heh heh, that's right!"
Hadon nodded in confirmation, then smiled. "Then, Miss Aozaki, please come inside so we can talk. This isn't the place for negotiations!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Androids voluntarily cleared a path.
Hadon and Aozaki Touko walked into the Einzbern Family's castle.
At the same time.
Japan
Misaki City, Kuzuki Western Mansion.
Kuonji Alice poured tea with a cool expression, while Aozaki Aoko sat across from her. An awkward and strange atmosphere filled the living room.
"...Azu, where did Touko go?"
After a long silence, Aozaki Aoko finally spoke.
"That isn't something you should ask about!"
Kuonji Alice set down the tea, her tone cold and merciless.
Where Aozaki Touko had gone concerned information about a magus. It wasn't appropriate for Aozaki Aoko, an ordinary person, to know.
"...Is that so?"
Unperturbed, Aozaki Aoko asked again, "Then can you tell me when Touko will be back? You can at least tell me that, right?"
"..."
Kuonji Alice furrowed her brows slightly, then seemed to give up. In a flat voice, she said, "When Touko will return is something even Touko herself doesn't know!"
That was the truth. Aozaki Touko had gone to Germany to acquire the Einzbern Family's Android technology. If she succeeded, the time she needed to study it certainly wouldn't be short.
Besides, even if she failed, Aozaki Touko apparently had no intention of returning immediately.
"..."
Aozaki Aoko lifted her teacup and took a small sip before asking, "Is she studying abroad or something? Since she needs to be away from home for so long, she probably went to some kind of Magic Academy, right?"
"..."
Kuonji Alice did not answer. She turned her head slightly, her dark eyes flickering faintly, then calmly said, "Touko... she'll probably return within two or three years."
"So Touko really did go study at a Magic Academy."
Aozaki Aoko held up her teacup and smiled. "But then, won't that leave only you here? Won't you feel lonely?"
"...Magi are solitary creatures."
Kuonji Alice spoke indifferently. "Still, compared to me, you're the one without a sister. You'll probably feel much lonelier. I hope you won't pester me to find a way to contact Touko later."
"...Huh~"
Aozaki Aoko's eyes widened slightly.
Chapter 3: Madam, I Like You
Early in the morning,
Sunlight spilled through the windows, while the firewood burning in the fireplace gave off faint popping sounds.
"...Mmm."
Aozaki Touko pushed herself up from the bed. Her long hair spilled down to her waist. She yawned lazily, then looked at the snowflakes drifting outside the window.
After thinking for a moment, she lay back down and pulled the blanket over her head.
I'll sleep for another two hours, for now...
"Miss Touko, you should go have a nutritious breakfast now."
A gentle female voice rang out. A white-haired, red-eyed maid stood beside the bed and reached out to push Aozaki Touko, who was hiding beneath the covers.
"...Mmm~"
"Miss Touko, you should get up now."
"...Mmm~"
"I've also prepared everything for you to wash up."
"...Mmm~"
The maid did not show the slightest impatience at this scene. She continued to call softly in a voice like a clear mountain stream:
"If you keep this up, you might end up staying up late again tonight."
"...I know!"
Beneath the covers, Aozaki Touko's delicate body stiffened slightly. She then rose with some difficulty.
She had already been at the Einzbern Family's castle for three months. Her study of Android technology had also changed from passionate enthusiasm at the beginning to dull monotony.
Of course, that might have been because she had invested too much enthusiasm at the start.
Walking along the corridor, Aozaki Touko and the maid headed to the living room for breakfast. The maids they passed bowed to her one after another. This attitude was not merely the courtesy shown to a guest.
If one had to describe it, it was the attitude reserved for... the heir of the family.
Of course, Aozaki Touko's relationship with the Einzbern Family was not that deep.
In fact, the contract they had signed was nothing more than a straightforward partnership. Aozaki Touko would be responsible for winning the Holy Grail War, while the Einzbern Family would fulfill its long-cherished wish.
On the surface, it was a simple and clear relationship.
But.
Reality had exceeded their expectations.
During the three months Aozaki Touko had studied at the Einzbern Family's castle, it had been enough for the Androids to form an assessment of her. Thus, they believed that Aozaki Touko could win the Holy Grail War.
With that premise established,
Aozaki Touko was practically equivalent to the wish the Androids had awaited for a thousand years.
That was the reason for the Einzbern Androids' peculiar attitude.
When she arrived in the living room,
Hadon was already seated in the head seat. His clothes and hair were immaculate, giving him the rigorous, stiff impression of a nobleman.
Still, calling him rigorous and stiff was not wrong.
That was because Hadon's very essence was that of an automaton that could operate forever, at the cost of being unable to advance.
In essence, he was no different from the puppets Aozaki Touko created.
"...How rare. You actually came for breakfast?!"
After sitting down, Aozaki Touko said with some surprise.
In fact, aside from the first day she had arrived at the Einzbern Family's castle, Hadon had been present. At all other times, he had practically vanished without a trace.
"There's something I need to discuss with you."
Hadon's tone was extremely calm.
During this period, the girl had fully displayed her talent. She had mastered Android-related technology with astonishing speed, to the point that it gave people an illusion.
Given enough time, this girl might be able to create the Sefirot herself.
"Discuss?"
Aozaki Touko raised her brows slightly, showing a hint of curiosity.
"Before that, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you!"
Hadon shook his head, then said seriously, "What are you pursuing? What do you want? What do you long for?"
"...I didn't expect you to ask me something like that!"
Aozaki Touko was somewhat surprised, then smiled. "You know, in the world of ordinary people, it's actually very difficult to obtain freedom. Life is manipulated by all sorts of things. The words of one's superior, one's teacher, one's parents, and even one's wife are all shackles that bind you."
"So I pursue power, I want power, and I long for power!"
Listening to the girl's words, Hadon fell silent. As he looked at the light shimmering in her eyes, he saw a brilliant will—a gaze that could only belong to someone with an ideal.
"Is that so? That really is... an ideal only a genius could have!"
He was absolutely not exaggerating. Ordinary people spent their entire lives unable to control their own fates. Wanting to seize control of one's destiny was practically impossible.
But geniuses were different. Compared with the pitifully few choices available to ordinary people,
geniuses possessed a broader future and a wider range of choices. Only then could such a thoroughly individual ideal be born.
"..."
Aozaki Touko drained her milk in one gulp, then said, "Then... can you tell me what you wanted to discuss with me now?"
"Regarding the disposal plan for the Lesser Grail!"
Hadon's tone remained calm. "Since you'll be participating in the Holy Grail War, I think your opinion should be taken into consideration when deciding what form the Grail should take!"
Aozaki Touko blinked and asked softly, "Have you already created the Grail?"
Chapter 4: Illyasviel von Einzbern
"The Grail was completed long ago!"
Hadon's voice was calm and completely even. "However, this Grail is somewhat special. It uses an Android's heart as its vessel. After collecting enough Heroic Spirits, she will die, and her heart will become the Lesser Grail!"
"She?"
Aozaki Touko raised her brows slightly.
"That's right, she!"
Hadon nodded slightly. "The Grail's vessel is a woman. We had originally intended to use her to find a husband, but since you've taken her place, that plan has been abandoned as well!"
"Can you tell me her name?"
Aozaki Touko looked interested, as though she knew nothing about it at all. Or perhaps she merely wanted to confirm it once more.
"Illyasviel von Einzbern!"
Hearing the name Hadon spoke, Aozaki Touko nodded slightly. She then stood up and said with a smile, "Take me to meet her. I've lost my appetite now!"
"If that's the case, follow me."
Hadon did not refuse. He nodded slightly and led Aozaki Touko away.
They walked through a corridor that seemed somewhat endless.
Aozaki Touko followed Hadon into a lavishly decorated room. Her gaze was instantly drawn to an extraordinarily beautiful girl.
The girl wore a pure white dress and sat on the sofa in an elegant pose. Her smooth silver hair cascaded down her back, and her entire body exuded the noble air of a Princess.
It was an exquisitely beautiful scene.
Before you continue