A Sinful Man

"So why was Miss Aozaki here? I was thinking..."

Michael's voice suddenly trailed off as a strange thought came to him.

Aozaki Aoko and Tōko Aozaki—he simply could not believe the two had nothing to do with each other.

Could Aozaki Aoko have called in reinforcements?

At that thought, Michael subconsciously stroked the ring on his finger. Its smooth Mystic Gold surface reflected his pensive face.

If that was really the case, things would be rather troublesome.

As an Archmage proficient in runes and puppet-making, Tōko Aozaki was clearly a formidable opponent. If she had been someone easily dealt with, Michael would not have conducted business with her so obediently.

"Oh? I merely came home to see my adorable little sister, whom I haven't seen in a long time."

Tōko Aozaki took a light sip of coffee, her eyes narrowing slightly. It was not her usual flavor, but in a remote little city like this, coffee of such quality was already more than one could ask for.

"Miss Aozaki Aoko?"

"Hm? You know my sister?"

A flicker of genuine confusion passed through Tōko Aozaki's eyes. She found it hard to imagine that her sister could be connected to The Fool before her. Given The Fool's tendency never to act without profit, the only thing that could possibly attract him was that—the Fifth Magic inherited by the Aozaki Family.

She took out a lady's cigarette. Without needing a lighter, a mere snap of her fingers caused its tip to slowly ignite. Wisps of smoke rose, seeming to drape a gray veil across her face.

"And I heard that child has been troubled lately. I came all this way just to offer her some advice."

As she spoke, an uncanny smile appeared on her face.

Troubled...

Michael pondered for a moment. The confusion in Tōko Aozaki's eyes earlier had seemed genuine.

"What kind of trouble is it? I think I might be able to help," he asked probingingly.

"It's nothing, just a little friction between sisters."

Tōko Aozaki decisively rejected Michael's offer.

"Is that so? What a pity. As Miss Touko's old companion and Aozaki Aoko's current classmate, I thought I could do my part."

Michael raised his coffee cup and said with considerable regret, "I just dealt with two ill-intentioned criminals last night. It seems this place really isn't very safe. Are you sure you don't need my help, Miss Touko?"

A flash of coldness flickered through Tōko Aozaki's eyes. It was precisely because the puppets she had arranged last night had been dealt with by Michael that she had come to find him herself. In her plan, Michael was the greatest variable.

"Well, since you're being so enthusiastic, The Fool, I'd be embarrassed to keep refusing."

A captivating smile returned to her face. "It's just that I'm rather short on cash. Puppet-making is a bottomless money pit. Though magi all pursue the Root, without money in modern society, it's impossible to get anywhere, isn't it?"

"Don't worry. This time, it's free. How could I charge Miss Touko for my services?"

"By the way, since that's the case, I happen to have run into some difficulties too. Why don't you take care of those while you're at it?"

Thinking of her flat wallet, Tōko Aozaki's eyes shifted as though she had found a way to fill it again.

Wasn't there a shining mountain of gold right in front of her? Failing to make use of it would not suit her character.

"This..."

Michael suddenly shivered, feeling as though Tōko Aozaki's eyes were gleaming green.

"As my old companion and Aoko's classmate, it's only a small favor. You can agree to this, can't you, The Fool?"

The smile on Tōko Aozaki's face grew increasingly radiant as she calculated how much operating capital she ought to "borrow" from Michael.

"Very well. What would you like my help with?"

Having his own words thrown back at him made Michael feel somewhat uncomfortable. But if he wanted to obtain the Fifth Magic, Tōko Aozaki before him would also be an obstacle. He should stabilize her first, then proceed gradually.

He only hoped it would not be anything too difficult.

"Mm—just some funding. In return, you'll be a permanent half-price VIP with me from now on."

Tōko Aozaki was somewhat embarrassed to say it. In preparing those things, she had already spent every last cent. If she had not won a little money from Pachinko, she would probably have gone hungry tomorrow.

So she wanted money. He had thought it would be something difficult.

Michael let out a long sigh of relief inwardly. It was merely vulgar money. These were precisely the things he lacked least. With his foresight, he had invested in many famous companies that would emerge in the future. The annual dividends alone were an astronomical sum.

"How much funding do you need, Miss Touko?"

Tōko Aozaki hesitated for a moment, then held out one slender, fair finger. Seemingly feeling that was not quite enough, she changed it to five fingers.

"How about five hundred million?"

"A small favor."

Michael snapped his fingers and casually took out a gold card from his Imaginary Pocket before handing it to Tōko Aozaki.

"It's an anonymous Swiss Bank account. It happens to contain five hundred million pounds in spending money. That should satisfy your needs, Miss Touko. Also..."

His voice paused slightly. "Just call me Michael."

Five hundred million pounds—!

A tremendous storm surged within Tōko Aozaki's heart. She had intended to ask for five hundred million yen, yet the amount had increased by several hundred times. This sum was equivalent to the entire fortune of some mage families, yet to Michael, it was merely spending money. Just how wealthy was this guy?!

Her thoughts raced, and the smile on Tōko Aozaki's face grew ever more intense. Dozens of plans to fleece this fat sheep had already formed in her mind, and every one of them seemed highly feasible.

"In that case, I'll gladly accept."

She unceremoniously slipped the Swiss Bank gold card into her pocket. With such a vast sum of money, her immediate difficulties vanished like smoke. At the same time, her guard against Michael grew even stronger.

Clearly, this investment was only for greater profit. What in the Mage's world could be more valuable than Magic?

However, Magic was unlike ordinary magecraft, where simply seizing a Mage Crest could determine ownership. The Fifth Magic inherited by the Aozaki Family was especially unique. Whatever this fellow was planning would likely come to nothing.

Moreover, she had recently heard about the Holy Church's actions. The Dead Apostle before her should also be on the Burial Agency's extermination list. Although her relationship with the Holy Church could be described as terrible, if she could borrow some of their strength, then if she got rid of her creditor, wouldn't she no longer need to repay her debt?

Tōko Aozaki and Michael chatted with smiling faces about interesting things they had seen and heard. On the surface, they appeared to be getting along wonderfully, but each harbored ulterior motives, thinking only of how to gain the greatest benefit.