Becoming Aozaki Touko's Life

Hearing this answer, Altrouge's eyes widened slightly. She immediately understood something. The young girl before her was recognized as the foremost Dollcrafter in the Magician world, with no equal in her craft.

So, this individual would use her most skilled craft to create a perfect human, and through that, reach the Root that Magicians so desperately desired.

Wasn't this a perfectly natural course of action?

"Are you saying, Touko, that you intend to reach the Root by creating a perfect human?"

She leaned closer to Aozaki Touko's face, her gaze pressing with an imposing pressure.

If Aozaki Touko truly intended to create a perfect human, she might actually succeed in reaching the Root. But if that happened, Altrouge might never be able to taste Aozaki Touko's blood again.

"...Well, that's a possibility."

Aozaki Touko took a small step back, turning her head slightly as she said softly, "It's being considered as a contingency plan. If all else fails, then that will be the only way to pursue the Root."

"...Is that so? It seems you have quite a few methods to reach the Root, Touko~"

Altrouge's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, her tone unusually serious. "However, Aozaki Touko, you must understand that very few who go to the Root ever return alive!"

She then let out a helpless laugh.

"But I doubt you'll listen to me. Magicians are the kind of creatures who will risk their lives, even seek death, in pursuit of the Root."

"Who said I wouldn't listen? If I didn't have confidence in returning, I wouldn't go to the Root."

Aozaki Touko tossed her long hair back, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "But speaking of things far in the future, how about coming to my place for dinner? My wife's cooking is quite good."

"...Then I shall impose upon you."

Altrouge sighed softly, then smiled and accepted.

Seeing this, Aozaki Touko nodded slightly. She then took off the white coat she was wearing and hung it on a nearby rack before leaving the Magician workshop with Altrouge.

In the corridors of the Clock Tower.

A peculiar scene unfolded before everyone's eyes. Those usually indifferent Magicians were enthusiastically greeting a certain young woman, much like fans meeting a celebrity.

It was enough to surprise Magicians who had received traditional education. These reclusive, cold, and emotionless Magicians actually had such an emotional side.

Weren't they supposed to be pursuers of the magic path, discarding all distractions?

After all, investing emotions in women would only hinder their pursuit of the magic path.

Of course, the same applied to investing emotions in men.

"Ms. Aozaki, you are as beautiful as ever."

"Good afternoon, Touko-sama."

"Touko-sensei, would you have time for afternoon tea together?"

"Sensei, I have a question."

Such conversations were happening continuously. Meanwhile, Altrouge stood with her arms crossed, watching Aozaki Touko skillfully handle the greetings and invitations with a mix of helplessness and amusement.

"Touko, you're really quite popular."

She remarked with a sigh.

"That's probably an accident."

Aozaki Touko finished dealing with a student and then turned back, chuckling softly. "Actually, I didn't expect the attitude towards me within the Clock Tower to change after I reached a cooperation agreement with the Celestial Mechanics department."

That's right. After she invested an astronomical amount of funding into the Celestial Mechanics department, her status within the Clock Tower had suddenly soared. Other departments that had been indifferent to her also changed their attitudes after this incident.

"It's because you're so appealing to the Magician community. Your lineage and appearance are exceptional, you possess extraordinary magical attainments, and you're also very wealthy and willing to invest in Magicians."

Altrouge listed the reasons one by one, then smiled. "To be honest, Touko, if you play your cards right, you could definitely gain significant power and status within the Clock Tower."

"I have no interest in political scheming. I came to the Clock Tower solely to improve my magical skills. I'll pass on those energy-wasting matters."

Aozaki Touko shook her head, appearing very carefree.

She was very clear about her own positioning: to continuously improve her strength. All political maneuvering was merely a supplement. As long as her strength continued to grow, corresponding status would naturally follow.

"That's truly the speech of a pure Magician."

Altrouge's delicate eyebrows knitted together, feeling a sense of helplessness.

She had no objection to the suicidal pursuit of pure Magicians, but she didn't want Aozaki Touko to commit suicide in the Root. However, she couldn't stop her either, because she knew how great the desire of Magicians to pursue the Root was. Life itself was simply not worth mentioning in the face of the Root.

In fact, the desire to pursue the Root constituted a larger portion of the driving force for the continuation of a Magician's life.

"..."

As if sensing Altrouge's concern, Aozaki Touko's tone became slightly more serious. "I'm not a Magician who would discard their life for the pursuit of the Root, bang. I still have many attachments in this world, so I won't act recklessly before I'm confident."

"—Attachments~"

Altrouge tilted her head slightly, her incredibly beautiful face adorned with a smile. "For example, your wife, Irisviel?"

"Far more than that!"

Aozaki Touko shook her head with a smile. "Well... for example, there's also Altrouge."

"So, I also have some significance?"

Hearing such a statement, Altrouge lightly gathered her hair, revealing a captivating smile. It was a smile potent enough to make any naive youth fall in love.

"Mhm... that's only natural!"

Aozaki Touko's tone was very serious. "You have to remember, my blood flows within you!"

"...Eh?~"

Altrouge's beautiful eyes widened, and she froze in place.

Chapter Seventy-Six: Trembling in Fear

Night.

Warm light spilled from the windows of the Western-style mansion, and the enticing aroma of food wafted from within. If one were close enough, they could faintly hear the sounds of children playing and young women conversing.

"Touko, you live surprisingly well."

Altrouge sat on the sofa, propping her cheek with a delicate hand. She watched the three lolis nuzzle against the White Beast, a hint of surprise on her stunning face.

This was her first time visiting Aozaki Touko's residence. It wasn't the desolate and austere place she had imagined; instead, it was filled with a warm, familial atmosphere.

This made her feel a bit surprised.

In her impression, Aozaki Touko should be a genius girl completely devoted to magecraft research, living a simple life like a researcher.

Their previous encounters had only reinforced this impression. Every time they met, it was either in the Clock Tower's library or in her magecraft workshop.

It was as if Aozaki Touko was researching magecraft almost all the time.

"...I'm not good at these things. It's just that there are people here with a strong sense of life."

Beside her, Aozaki Touko smiled and shook her head. She watched the three lolis playing with the White Beast and, with a touch of mischievousness, wondered if Kohaku and Hisui would have lingering fear when they grew up and learned they had been playing on the Primate Killer.

"This one doesn't dislike this kind of atmosphere~"

Altrouge picked up her teacup and took a sip. Then, she shifted her gaze to the black and white knights sitting and chatting, and then finally to the true owner of the mansion, 'Mey-Lidell Archilot'.

"Human, am I that frightening that you're making a face like you're about to cry?"

Hearing the Dead Apostle princess address her, Lidell's body trembled slightly. She then forced an extremely strained smile and said cautiously, "...This is my happy expression to welcome you, Princess."

"..."

Altrouge's lips twitched, and she said speechlessly, "Take that happy expression for me away. Anyone would think you'd seen a ghost."

(It's like I have seen a ghost. Four True Ancestor Dead Apostles are in her house. Does Touko have an innate talent for attracting Dead Apostles? Why is she always getting involved with Dead Apostles, and such high-ranking True Ancestors at that.)

Lidell grumbled internally. Then, she saw Altrouge glare at her, which scared her into immediately putting on a friendly smile. She then quickly moved to Aozaki Touko's side, clinging tightly to her arm.

To be honest, even though this Dead Apostle princess could crush her with one hand, she didn't feel that scared. After all, she was Aozaki Touko's friend, and she would at least give her some face.

If possible, she could even establish a good social network with this Dead Apostle princess.

However, it was different with the Primate Killer present. As a witch with considerable strength, her perception far surpassed that of ordinary humans. Even though the Primate Killer could conceal her aura, Lidell still instinctively felt a deadly danger.

If she had to describe this feeling, it would be like someone holding a sharp knife, aimed at her eyeball, ready to stab at any moment. The fear of imminent death permeated her entire being, making it impossible to suppress.

The only way she could think of to gain peace of mind was to stay by the side of someone who could provide a sense of security.

And that person was undoubtedly Aozaki Touko.

"---Everyone, dinner's ready."

Just then, Irisviel came out carrying a pot of soup, smiling playfully at everyone. "Today we're trying Chinese cuisine."

"Come and try my wife's cooking."

Seeing this, Aozaki Touko smiled slightly and led Lidell to the dining table.

The others also converged towards the dining table and soon took their seats, leaving only one empty chair.

"..."

Irisviel frowned slightly. The seats were arranged according to the number of people; there shouldn't be an extra empty seat.

So, she looked around and focused her gaze on the White Beast in the corner.

"Miss... won't you join us at the table?"

As soon as she said this, the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Beside her, the Primate Killer also looked up in surprise, looking at Irisviel, who had a gentle smile, and asked strangely, "Human, do I look like someone who can sit at the table to eat?"

"But... I heard Touko say you can transform into human form."

Irisviel revealed a gentle smile. "Since you can transform into human form, then come and eat with everyone. It'll be more lively, won't it?"

"..."

The White Beast gazed at the human woman who invited her to eat. Her smile was very gentle and inclusive, without any ulterior motives; it was pure and sincere. She had simply considered that the White Beast could transform into human form and had prepared an extra seat for her.

She subtly... felt her heart being touched by this human.

Even though she was merely a homunculus, a human woman, she was able to touch her heart in such a way. This feeling was quite novel for her.

Chapter Seventy-Seven: Catgirl

"..."

The White Beast didn't immediately respond to the invitation. She turned her gaze to Altrouge, her eyes conveying a question.

Seeing this, Altrouge nodded slightly, her exquisite face breaking into a smile of assent.

In fact, Altrouge was very pleased that her pet was willing to transform into its human form.

After all, even if she wanted to see the White Beast in its human form, she would have had to exercise her authority as its master and forcibly transform it.

"—I understand."

The White Beast, which had been resting comfortably, stood up. At the same time, her body began to glow, its bestial outline shifting into a human one.

Finally, a maiden like a snow spirit appeared before everyone's eyes.

She was a girl of exquisite beauty, dressed in a white dress, with silvery-white hair cascading down to her waist. Her skin was whiter than winter snowflakes, and her aura was both cool and proud.

However, her twitching animal ears softened that coolness, giving her a cute appearance that made one want to tease her.

"...So cute. Is this the catgirl Touko mentioned?"

Irisviel's eyes lit up, her tone filled with curiosity.

When she had chatted with Touko before, she had heard Touko mention this concept and had even seen some cosplay photos, but she had never seen a real catgirl.

Now that she had seen one, she found it genuinely adorable.

"...Catgirl?"

Beside her, Altrouge glanced at the White Beast's ears before choosing to introduce her pet first.

"This is my pet and retainer, named Bremeth. She is a Primate Killer with absolute authority to kill humans."

"Absolute authority to kill humans? That's amazing!"