Becoming Aozaki Touko's Life

"My entire fortune."

Seeing the boy nod in confirmation, the woman felt her heart stop. She immediately wanted to beat her prodigal son, but seeing his pitiful expression, she sighed helplessly. After all, her son had sold off their assets to save her.

"It looks like we'll have to beg on the streets."

In the end, the woman smiled helplessly and said to herself.

"Mother, we don't have to beg. Miss Aozaki is willing to wait for you to recover and let you manage the family business. The treatment is very generous,"

the boy added in a small voice.

"...Is that so?"

The woman shot her son a glare, feeling both annoyed and amused, but she didn't refuse. After all, she also needed to work to support the family.

Chapter 73: Former Director

Inside the mansion.

Living room.

Aozaki Touko sat on the sofa with her legs crossed, sipping a cup of black tea. Her gaze was somewhat scrutinizing as she looked at the man who had come to visit.

He was a very handsome and gentle-looking man with silver hair tied in a single ponytail, exuding a noble aura. He was the type that was very popular with ordinary women.

However, that was only on the surface.

His true identity was the current Lord of Celestial Mechanics at the Clock Tower, Marisbury Animusphere, a Magician who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

"The sudden visit from the Lord of Celestial Mechanics is truly flattering,"

Aozaki Touko put down her cup and looked at the Lord of Celestial Mechanics. "But it also makes me very curious why you've specifically come to find me, and at such a crucial moment in my research into magic?"

"Since Ms. Aozaki is busy, I'll get straight to the point."

Marisbury nodded slightly and handed Touko a folder. "This contains a proposal for cooperation. It's regarding the establishment of the Chaldea Security Organization project."

"...That sounds really impressive. It feels like something you'd use to scam investors like a listed company."

Taking the file, Aozaki Touko said with a light laugh, but she began to read through the document with extreme care, even more seriously than she would read magical texts.

"..."

Marisbury didn't retort. He simply waited quietly for Aozaki Touko to finish reading the file. His fingers were unconsciously clenched together, like a prisoner awaiting sentencing or a student awaiting exam results. He couldn't completely suppress the tension he felt.

The success or failure of this collaboration was tied to the Animusphere family's centuries-old aspiration.

If Aozaki Touko was willing to invest in them and help them with all her might, it would essentially solve the problem of astronomical sums of money.

This was because the most profitable industry in this world was... medicine.

Humans were ultimately mortal. If they had the chance for treatment, they would pay any price, even their life savings, without hesitation.

And the young woman before him possessed the absolute technology to provide that treatment.

This would allow Aozaki Touko to easily earn astronomical sums of money.

This had already been verified by the people who had come to seek treatment recently.

People would go to any lengths to survive.

"...How should I put it? The more I read, the more you seem like a scammer trying to get funding."

Aozaki Touko placed the file on the table, her gaze becoming serious. "The only thing I need to do here is provide money, and it's an amount that makes even my heart race!"

"If Ms. Touko doesn't believe me, you can verify it by any means necessary, including using a Magic Potion to make me speak the truth."

Marisbury's tone was very serious, without a hint of hesitation.

As long as he could fulfill the Animusphere family's aspiration, even if it cost him his life, it was within his acceptable range. They were very close to success now, as long as Aozaki Touko was willing to provide the funds for it.

"Why me? Surely there are many other investors you could approach?"

Aozaki Touko frowned, her tone somewhat questioning.

Logically speaking, if Marisbury wanted to attract investment now, there should be many potential targets. The Mage's Association had many nobles, and society had many capitalists who could be approached for investment.

However, this document indicated that she was the only potential investor being targeted.

"In fact, we have been quietly observing you since you came to the Clock Tower, Ms. Aozaki. Our conclusion is that you are not someone who craves power, and you possess very good moral principles. You would not excessively interfere with Chaldea."

Marisbury answered truthfully. "However, the Clock Tower and other nobles are not like that. They may not necessarily be interested in the Animusphere family's aspiration, and the political struggles within the Clock Tower are severe. It would severely interfere with the Clock Tower's operations."

"And... those people at the Clock Tower actually can't come up with that much money."

In fact, they had considered approaching nobles from the Clock Tower. However, although the nobles of the Clock Tower had accumulated astonishing wealth, most of it was in the form of inherent assets like Mystic Eyes, Magic Crests, and Mystic Codes.

If he were to tell those nobles, "Sell these to support us in establishing Chaldea," they would likely look at him as if he were an idiot and show him the door without hesitation. However, without selling these assets, their cash flow would not be enough to support the establishment of Chaldea.

In short... his family's dream was being strangled by money.

"...Is that so? I guess I'm easily observed."

Hearing this answer, Aozaki Touko gave a helpless smile and then said solemnly, "To be honest, I still feel like this is a scam, but I am interested in humanity's continuity."

"Is that a yes?"

Marisbury Animusphere asked with a light chuckle.

"No rush... at least not until I've had a chance to verify things a bit."

Without immediately agreeing, Aozaki Touko shook her head.

Chapter 74: Treatment

Right now, in the magic workshop.

Aozaki Touko held Altrouge by the waist, while Altrouge buried her head in Aozaki Touko's neck, slowly drinking her blood, savoring it like fine wine, with extreme patience and enjoyment.

This wasn't Altrouge feeding, but rather a form of treatment, healing herself by consuming Aozaki Touko's blood.

That's right, after gaining some understanding of her injuries, Aozaki Touko had spent some time analyzing blood samples. She had then selected blood suitable for Altrouge and, through targeted research and development, made it even more effective at healing her wounds.

Of course, this specially developed blood was incredibly delicious to Altrouge. Every time she came to drink Aozaki Touko's blood, she would savor it slowly and patiently, stretching a process that would normally take two to three minutes into half an hour.

This scene had been repeating for half a year.

"—Mmmph."

Altrouge let out a suppressed moan, suddenly tightening her grip on Aozaki Touko. She rose onto her tiptoes, her toes pressed tightly together, as if she had been electrocuted.

This state lasted for two to three minutes before she finally slumped into Aozaki Touko's arms, harmless like a petite cat acting spoiled. Her imposing and proud princess demeanor had completely vanished.

"I'm really worried you'll suck me dry, Altrouge," Aozaki Touko said with a gentle smile, stroking Altrouge's soft black hair.

"I will never let you die. I will cherish you, Touko, like the most precious treasure. Even if I have the desire to drain you completely, I can restrain myself." Altrouge nuzzled against Aozaki Touko, her tone firm and without a hint of jest.

Indeed, to her, Aozaki Touko was the most precious treasure, one she had obtained at an immense cost. Not only was she the hope for her recovery, but she was also a source of blood she couldn't bear to abandon.

Of course, this wasn't purely a matter of viewing her as a blood bag. In fact, she had no reason to treat Aozaki Touko as such, because Aozaki Touko possessed a strength that commanded her respect. Their relationship was on equal footing.

Furthermore, Aozaki Touko was the first person with whom she had established such a deep connection. Their interactions, both physical and spiritual, went far beyond the ordinary, a level of intimacy even her two Dead Apostle subordinates had never experienced.

For all these reasons, her feelings for Aozaki Touko were incredibly complex.

They existed somewhere between friendship, familial affection, and romantic love, yet the friendship wasn't particularly deep, and there was still a barrier to romance. Familial affection also didn't quite fit.

It was like a constantly spinning dial, and where the needle would eventually stop, or what it would point to, all remained vague and uncertain.

"Is this considered a confession?" Aozaki Touko asked with a slight smile, placing Altrouge on the bed in the magic workshop and carefully tucking her in.

After consuming her blood, Altrouge would enter a brief period of weakness and drowsiness.

This state occurred because her injured body, upon receiving a large supply of magical energy, would spontaneously enter a dormant state for healing. During this time, Altrouge would become very sleepy.

Simultaneously, some of the sharp edges of her personality would be smoothed out.

"...Well," Altrouge yawned and said drowsily, "perhaps it is. But if I were to accept a confession, I wouldn't intend to share. You know, my possessiveness is quite strong."

"Is there no way around that?" Aozaki Touko smiled wryly, her tone tinged with a hint of distress.

She looked as if she were worried about how their married life would turn out.

"Mmm... about that," Altrouge hummed softly, then said, "Well, if someone wants to marry me, and their strength surpasses my father's, then I can't help it."

"That's a hellishly difficult requirement." Aozaki Touko smiled faintly.

"After all, I am a princess. If the other party makes an excessive demand first, then it's only natural for me to be a little excessive too, isn't it?" Altrouge said matter-of-factly, and Aozaki Touko nodded in agreement.

"You're right. But in doing so, Touko, aren't you afraid of scaring away potential suitors?"

Although she said this, Aozaki Touko was actually confident about her ability to surpass Crimson Moon. Once she completed her Gene Lock, she would be able to defeat Crimson Moon.

"I am an immortal being, I have plenty of time in the future," Altrouge said proudly, then casually asked, "Touko, I recall you're a short-lived being, aren't you? Have you really not considered becoming a Dead Apostle?"

"Hmm... that's not urgent for now," Aozaki Touko replied with a gentle smile. "You sleep soundly. I still have some magical research to do."

Saying this, she turned and walked away from the bed.

Not long after Touko left, the previously drowsy Altrouge appeared wide awake. A strange emotion flashed in her crimson eyes, and then she hugged her blanket and turned over to sleep.

"..."

Chapter 75: My Bloodline is in Your Belly

"—Ugh~"

Altrouge's eyes fluttered open drowsily. Her gaze swept over her surroundings before she propped herself up, stretching lazily with a comfortable hum.

How to describe her current feeling? It was akin to someone who had worked hard all day finally getting a full night's sleep, feeling utterly refreshed and renewed.

This was also why she'd been able to endure six months of treatment from Aozaki Touko without complaint. It wasn't just that Touko's blood quality was improving.

Her increasingly comfortable experience was also a factor; the accumulated stress within her would temporarily vanish. She didn't have to worry about the rebellious Crimson Lord, nor the troubles of possessing half Dead Apostle blood.

In short... to be honest, she was becoming rather dependent on Aozaki Touko.

She wanted to turn Aozaki Touko into her own Dead Apostle, to keep her by her side forever. However, unfortunately, Aozaki Touko seemed to have a peculiar attachment to her human identity.

"—I slept a bit longer than usual this time."

Not far away, Aozaki Touko, dressed in a white coat, walked over. She leaned down slightly, observing Altrouge for a moment before chuckling softly.

"Mm... it seems you had a good sleep this time."

"That's thanks to you, Touko. Your blood quality keeps getting better."

Altrouge got out of bed and moved closer to Aozaki Touko's neck, sniffing gently. "Although I can confirm your blood is definitely human, and I doubt anyone's blood is more human than yours. But precisely because of that, it possesses a unique divinity. I'm starting to wonder if you're a reincarnation of the legendary Lilith."

She wasn't exaggerating. Because she frequently consumed Aozaki Touko's blood, she had an intuitive sense of the changes in it. This girl's humanity was growing stronger.

It was as if... she were the prototype for all humans.

"Is that so... it seems I've taken another step towards creating the perfect human."

Aozaki Touko tossed her long hair back, a confident smile gracing her lips.

She wasn't just pursuing Rune magic anymore. In fact, after her initial period at the Clock Tower, she had gradually shifted most of her focus back to Dollcraft.

"Perfect human?"