Aozaki Touko, Commission, Negotiation

Having arrived in Mifune City, where he knew neither the people nor the place, how was he supposed to find Garan no Dō? Simple—look for places surrounded by barriers that kept them from being noticed.

Places that ordinary people would overlook due to magical suggestion even if they saw them directly. Mifune City was not that large; searching through abandoned, unfinished commercial buildings should find it within half a day.

He found the right location by the fourth place he checked. Using his Mystic Eyes, he slipped inside without a sound. The first floor was ruins, the second and third floors were workshops, and he went straight to the fourth floor.

When he opened the main door, the bell on it rang pleasantly. There was no one inside. Only when he reached the sofa did he finally spot the red-haired woman. The beer cans around her and the ashtray filled with cigarette butts made her lifestyle obvious.

She must have drunk too much yesterday and was still hungover. She had so little vigilance—was she not afraid of being ambushed? (She would wake up immediately if the magical barrier was triggered, but he had used his Mystic Eyes when entering, so he had not triggered it.)

Though he wanted to play a little prank on her, the consequences might be severe, so he gave up. If he did not court death, he would not die. At the very least, they needed to become familiar with each other first.

"Hello, hello. Is this currently business hours?"

Seemingly hearing the movement, Aozaki Touko slowly woke up. When she opened her eyes and found a handsome face before her, she immediately assumed a combat stance. He promptly retreated to a safe distance as well.

He spoke again. "Is this currently business hours? I have a commission."

Only then did Aozaki Touko belatedly ask, "How did you get in? What do you want?" Yet inwardly, she wondered, Why didn't the barrier activate?

He pointed innocently at the door. "I just walked up the stairs, opened the door, and came in. It's daytime, and there wasn't even a sign saying you were closed. That shouldn't count as breaking into a private residence, right?"

After gathering her thoughts, Aozaki Touko said, "You are the youngest clan head of the Genji Clan. What business could you possibly have with a small office like mine?"

He put on a slightly exaggerated expression. "I never expected an unknown nobody like me to be recognized by the renowned Grand Dollmaker. It is truly an honor." After saying that, he gave her a bow.

Aozaki Touko said, "If you count as an unknown nobody, then I really do not know what it takes to be famous. What does the Genji Clan's head need from me, and what exactly is this commission?" As she spoke, she moved from the sofa to sit behind her desk.

He followed her to the desk, pulled out a chair, and sat down. "Naturally, I came to a doll master like you because I wish to commission you to make dolls. Besides, knowing that someone as renowned as you was here, it would have been terribly rude not to pay you a visit."

Aozaki Touko replied, "If possible, I would rather people did not visit me for reasons other than commissions. So, tell me what requirements you have for these dolls, and I can give you a quote. The dolls I make are very expensive."

As long as she was willing to make them, he was not afraid of her price. He said, "Human-sized dolls. Combat models, reconnaissance models, and so on. I need a lot of them."

Most importantly, he wanted them to be portable and easy to operate, something even children could use proficiently. Ideally, they should look rather nice as well.

After he finished, Aozaki Touko said sharply, "You want children to use them? That is a dangerous idea. As a transaction, I should not be so nosy, but I still want to ask what you need these for."

"Of course, if it is some secret you cannot reveal, you do not have to tell me."

"It is not an unrevealable secret, but I hope you will put on your glasses. You seem more intellectual and more beautiful that way."

"There are some talented children in my family, and I want to send them to the Clock Tower to study. But they are too young, not even ten yet. You know that place is not peaceful, and there are many Dead Apostles. These are for their protection."

"Since it is the client's request, I will agree to it." She put on her glasses. "Still, you truly are heartless, sending children so young to a place like that. But since it is your decision, I cannot stop you."

"So, what level of combat ability do you want for the combat models? Personally, I recommend that they at least be capable of matching Night Demons over there. That would offer the best value."

After putting on her glasses, even the way she spoke became pleasant to listen to. Her sharp tongue had turned into that of an intellectual older sister.

"Please prepare two sets of reconnaissance models and combat models for me. If possible, I hope their combat power can contend with lower-ranked Dead Apostles."

"Are you insane? Giving something so dangerous to children? One mistake could cause a very serious accident."

"Do not worry. They are good children. I will also be strict with them. After all, I hope they will never need to use them."

"You are the client, so there is not much I can say. Only a fool would turn down money. Based on your requirements, these two sets will cost roughly eight to ten million. And, by the way, the unit is euros."

She could still be playful. How cute. He took out a black-and-gold card. "There are ten million in it. Make them to the ten-million standard."

"You truly are a generous customer. Including materials and production, it will take around two months. Come collect them then."

"There is no rush. I have another matter I would like to ask a Grand Caster about."

Aozaki Touko said, "As one of my major clients, I can answer anything within my abilities."

"I have a friend who is currently—" Before he could finish, Aozaki Touko interrupted, "There are only the two of us here. There is no need to invent a friend."

His face filled with question marks. That joke already existed in this era? "You misunderstand. It really is my friend. His Magic Circuits were forcibly severed and are now reconnecting randomly. Do you have any good solution for such a situation?"

"I am afraid I cannot help. From a Caster's perspective, you can only seek a therapist. It is a long and exhausting process. Honestly, I suggest you tell your friend to give up."

"Then could it possibly be accomplished from a dollmaker's perspective? For example, forging a new body, completely abandoning the original one, placing his consciousness—my meaning—into it, and turning him into an entirely new person. Can that be done?"

He presented his idea, but Aozaki Touko quickly rejected it and seemed ready to see him out.

He settled for the next best thing. "I heard Araya Souren is your good friend, and that he is also very skilled with dollmaking techniques. Could you perhaps introduce me to him? Of course, I will offer suitable compensation."