Chapter 175: Master and Disciple Meet

[Reines: "So, Lord Byron's methods are so dangerous that you feel the need to defend yourself, and he refuses to heed your advice?"]

[Golden Princess: "Yes."]

[The Golden Princess' tone turned somber.]

[Golden Princess: "If things continue as they are, either my sister, the Silver Princess Estella, or I will inevitably die."]

Kayneth: "I see. They've hit the limit of their progress."

Kayneth: "With the Golden Princess' level of perfection, pushing further would indeed be exceedingly difficult."

Waver: "At this point, it seems they're turning to more extreme methods to achieve a breakthrough."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "It's clear the Iselma family has resorted to dangerous techniques. Even their treasures—the Golden and Silver Princesses—are terrified of what lies ahead."

[Reines: "Shouldn't this matter be appealed to Lady Valualeta first?"]

[Golden Princess: "Lady Inorai is kind, but she is the head of the Department of Creation. As long as my father has achieved enough as the leader of the Iselma family, she will not overturn the foundation he's built, even to help us."]

[Golden Princess: "On the other hand, you belong to the Barthomeloi faction. If you deem us valuable enough, you will disregard both my father's wishes and Lady Valualeta's authority to act in your own interest. I believe we hold that level of worth."]

[Reines: "But wouldn't that mean your bodies would be scrutinized in the end? I can't say you'll find it any easier under Barthomeloi influence than you do now."]

[Golden Princess: "True, but I believe we can negotiate a deal."]

[Reines: "I understand. However, I'm just a peripheral figure within the aristocratic faction. Even if I accept your proposal, I can't promise anything."]

[Golden Princess: "That's sufficient. As long as the renowned El-Melloi accepts us, no one will be able to ignore us."]

Kayneth: "What a bold gamble. Aren't they afraid of leaping from one tiger's den into another?"

Tohsaka Rin: "I think they're just skilled at judging character. They knew Waver was the best person to approach."

Chihiro: "That's true."

Waver: "Wait a second! If this becomes a deal, then all the pressure will fall on me!"

Iskandar: "Hahaha! The more capable you are, the more responsibility you should bear. What's wrong with helping others? Who knows, you might even gain two more concubines!"

Waver: "Concubines?! What kind of nonsense is that?!"

[Reines: "If that's the case, I must also discuss this with the Silver Princess, Estella. Our faction values the order of the magecraft world above all else."]

[Reines: "We may differ from the Valualeta faction, but because of that, we won't take any action that could spark large-scale conflict."]

[Golden Princess: "If I were to offer a significant reward, would that change your perspective?"]

[Reines: "A reward?"]

[Golden Princess: "Please visit my room tomorrow morning."]

[The Golden Princess stood and adjusted her posture.]

[Golden Princess: "I will open the back door for you. My room is secured with a Mystic Lock, so there's no need to worry about interference. At that time, I'll also share details about the Silver Princess."]

[Perhaps sensing she had stayed too long, the Golden Princess quickly excused herself and left the room.]

[Reines sighed helplessly at the weight of the trouble the Golden Princess had just handed her, but she decided to meet with her the following morning.]

Tohsaka Rin: "I don't like the way this is shaping up. I have a bad feeling about tomorrow."

Waver: "Same here."

Kayneth: "It's progressing just like a story out of a novel."

[Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Moon Tower...]

[Aozaki Touko: "Thank you for tonight, Lord Byron."]

[Maio: "Let me escort you back, Miss Aozaki."]

[Aozaki Touko: "No need, Maio. You've had plenty to drink as well, haven't you?"]

[Aozaki Touko waved him off and began walking back to her room in the Sun Tower. Maio, on the other hand, remained in the Moon Tower, as he was originally hired by the Izeluma family as a pharmacist.]

[Halfway through her journey, Aozaki Touko stopped abruptly. Her gaze turned toward the thick fog ahead, sensing something.]

[From the shadows, a figure emerged slowly—it was the Lord, Inorai Valualeta.]

[Inorai: "My foolish disciple, in a place like this."]

[Aozaki Touko: "Ara, long time no see, Lady Inorai."]

Waver: "Teacher? Aozaki Touko was Lord Valualeta's apprentice?!"

Kayneth: "Yes, but during her Sealing Designation, Inorai hadn't yet risen to the rank of monarch."

Illya: "I thought the apprentice she mentioned earlier was the pharmacist, Maio."

Tohsaka Rin: "Same here."

Sola-ui: "Still, it seems their master-disciple relationship is on good terms."

Kayneth: "Once her Sealing Designation was lifted, the Valualeta faction likely gained considerable support through her."

Chihiro: "Are you so certain Aozaki Touko would help the Valualeta faction?"

Kayneth: "There's an old saying: 'The fox borrows the tiger's authority to intimidate others.' It's only natural."

Chihiro: "You're overthinking it. Aozaki Touko isn't someone who can be easily used."

Kayneth: "Hah! You sound like you know her personally."

[Aozaki Touko walked closer, glancing at the small device on Inorai's ear.]

[Aozaki Touko: "Is that music?"]

[Inorai: "Yes, the iPod is quite impressive."]

[Inorai pulled a sleek, modern music player from her dress pocket, showing it to Aozaki Touko.]

[While many magi remained wary of modern technology—some refusing to even install telephone lines—Inorai, as the leader of the Department of Creation, embraced scientific advancements without hesitation.]

Waver: "I didn't expect Lord Valualeta to be so modern."

Tohsaka Rin: "I thought so too. Most magus avoid electronics entirely. I don't even have a TV at home."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Devices like that only serve to erode ambition."

Kayneth: "Precisely."

Fiore: "You're all so old-fashioned."

Darnic: "Indeed, this is why the Mage's Association is seen as a decaying institution."

[Aozaki Touko: "Teacher, you haven't changed a bit. Were you waiting to ambush me here on purpose?"]

[Inorai: "That's right, because I let you slip away at the party."]

[Aozaki Touko: "That was purely a coincidence."]

[Aozaki Touko watched as Inorai seemed to sink into her memories, a faint smile crossing her lips.]

[Aozaki Touko: "You've become a Lord now. It seems you've been quite successful."]

[Inorai: "Spare me the empty compliments."]

[Inorai smiled wryly.]

[Inorai: "I heard that your Sealing Designation was lifted, but I never expected you to show up at Iselma's debut party."]

[Inorai: "Didn't you once say you wanted to live like someone untouched by the world?"]

[Aozaki Touko: "That's still my goal, but it turns out I don't have enough talent. Escaping the mundane world seems to be beyond me for now."]

[Inorai: "In some traditions, they say the qualifications for achieving such a life are tied to what they call 'immortal destiny.'"]

[Aozaki Touko: "Yes."]

[Tohsaka Rin: "Immortal destiny? What's that supposed to mean?"]

Chihiro: "In simple terms, some believe that aside from talent, reaching a transcendent state also requires an extraordinary amount of luck. People blessed with this kind of fortune are said to possess an 'immortal destiny.' It's believed such people are the ones with the best chance of achieving transcendence."

Chihiro: "Basically, it's all about luck."

Tohsaka Rin: "Huh, I thought it was something like a natural aptitude or gift."

Chihiro: "Even if you have that so-called 'immortal destiny,' it's no guarantee. Zhang Jiao is a good example."

Zhang Jiao: "That's true. Achieving such a state isn't easy. Talent, luck, character, and understanding—all of it matters."

[Inorai: "If I lack the talent, I'd rather be a painter on the streets whose work doesn't sell than a Lord bound by rigid expectations."]

[Aozaki Touko: "Please spare me, but I'll also spare myself from seeing any of your paintings."]

[Inorai chuckled, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a crumpled pack of cigarettes. She handed one to Aozaki Touko.]

[The pack was adorned with a old design, and its edges were wrinkled and worn—evidence of being carried for a long time.]

[Inorai: "I'm surprised you still have this."]

[Aozaki Touko looked at the pack with mild surprise. It was a rare brand of cigarettes once produced by a Taiwanese collector for personal use. She had been fond of them in the past, but since the brand had been discontinued, she had quit smoking entirely.]

[Aozaki Touko: "You kept this all this time?"]

[Inorai: "You left it behind in the lab and forgot to take it with you."]

[Aozaki Touko: "Is that so."]

[Aozaki Touko placed the cigarette in her mouth, pulling a lighter from her pocket and igniting it.]

[Inorai: "Light mine too."]

[Leaning forward, Inoral lit her cigarette off the tip of Aozaki Touko's. She took a deep drag and immediately coughed.]

[Inorai: "What is this? It tastes awful. Are you trying to torture me?"]

[Aozaki Touko: "I did warn you about that."]

Tohsaka Rin: "I thought these two would have a much colder relationship. I didn't expect this kind of banter."

Chihiro: "No matter how powerful or prestigious someone becomes, they're still human. Everyone needs to unwind once in a while."

Kayneth: "Hahahaha, I didn't expect Inorai to dabble in painting. That's honestly hilarious."

Waver: "Teacher, it's not polite to mock someone's dreams."

Kayneth: "When you see her paintings, you'll understand why I laugh."