Chapter 190: The Squandering Aozaki Touko

["…You… you can't prove it on the spot."]

[Byron, visibly flustered, continued to cling desperately to his feeble defense.]

["Since that is not possible, I refuse to allow you to tarnish our family's reputation with your baseless accusations and idle fantasies."]

["Then, can you please testify?"]

[El-Melloi II turned his gaze to Aozaki Touko, his expression serious.]

["Oh my, you want me to testify?"]

[Aozaki Touko stepped forward with a curious expression, tilting her head slightly. "What's this about?"]

[El-Melloi II gestured toward Carina's lifeless body. "Please examine her."]

[Aozaki Touko's lips curved slightly as she spoke with mock amusement. "From what you're implying, it seems you're saying this woman here is the Golden Princess who attended the debut party."]

[El-Melloi II nodded firmly. "Yes, the Golden Princess who attended the debut party was none other than this maid, Carina, who underwent extensive plastic surgery performed by none other than you, Aozaki Touko."]

["…"]

[The room fell silent once more. The atmosphere was so tense it seemed to press down on everyone present.]

Fiore: "Oh my… another shocking revelation."

Illya: "But… she doesn't look like she knows anything about it."

Emiya Kiritsugu: "Or she's pretending not to know."

Waver: "It's also possible they used magic to tamper with her memories. That's not unheard of in cases like this."

[Aozaki Touko let out a soft chuckle, the sound tinged with both amusement and dismissal. "Oh? I performed plastic surgery on the Golden Princess? What a grand and flattering tale. But regrettably, I have no recollection of such a thing."]

[She tapped her temple lightly with her finger, her voice turning mockingly self-deprecating. "My memory has always been unreliable, but should I start worrying about dementia now?"]

[El-Melloi II remained composed. "Please, examine her body first."]

[Aozaki Touko paused for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, with a slight shrug, she stepped closer to Carina's corpse.]

[El-Melloi II took a half step back, leaving space in front of Carina's body.]

["Then I won't hold back."]

[Aozaki Touko crouched down, her fingers brushing along the contours of the body's cheek and behind the ears.]

["…Yes, though subtle, there are indeed traces of surgical procedures on her face."]

["When performing plastic surgery with magecraft, depending on the technique, only indirect traces of the procedure remain. With proper magical preparation, there's no need for sutures or visible scars, making it undetectable in day-to-day life."]

[After a moment, she stood and continued, "Ah, I apologize for the trouble. It was definitely my handiwork."]

[This statement caused an uproar among everyone present.]

Tohsaka Rin: "So, it's true. The Golden Princess from before was a fabrication."

Caules: "That's incredible."

Gordes: "To think even the aura of such extraordinary beauty could be artificially recreated. As expected of a Grand Master Magician."

[Aozaki Touko tilted her head, a small frown on her face. "But why did I forget such an important commission?"]

["You didn't forget."]

[El-Melloi II interjected calmly. "You simply don't remember."]

[Aozaki Touko raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh?"]

["Mr. Maio."]

[El-Melloi II turned his gaze toward the pharmacist, Maio.]

[Maio stammered, "Y-Yes…?"]

["I heard you used an intoxicating drug during the earlier gathering."]

["Uh… yes, that's correct."]

[El-Melloi II narrowed his eyes. "If you can concoct an intoxicating drug, you should also be capable of producing one that erases specific memories, correct?"]

[Maio froze, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "…I… I suppose so…"]

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "There's a drug that can erase fixed memories?"

Kayneth: "I've never heard of such a thing. It must be something this Maio developed himself."

Sisigou: "Then this pharmacist is quite the talent."

Semiramis: "Indeed. His skill in pharmaceuticals is impressive."

Kotomine Shirou: "Unfortunately, it seems his talent has been turned toward murder."

[Aozaki Touko chuckled dryly. "So, you're suggesting I consumed a memory-erasing drug without realizing it?"]

[El-Melloi II shook his head. "No, I doubt you would be so careless. However, if the consumption of such a drug was included as part of the conditions for a commission, wouldn't you comply depending on the circumstances?"]

[Aozaki Touko gave a light laugh, crossing her arms. "I see. It would depend on how intriguing the request was."]

Kayneth: "She willingly drank it? This woman is utterly reckless."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "She truly has no fear of being manipulated."

[El-Melloi II's gaze shifted to Byron. "Why did you commission her for plastic surgery? And why did you tamper with Aozaki Touko's memory?"]

[Byron's tone turned defensive. "It's not a complex matter. The news of the Golden Princess's death couldn't be allowed to spread. To that end, we needed her to be reborn, even if it meant creating a fake."]

["And as for the method used, I think we've figured that out now."]

[El-Melloi II lit a cigar, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. "It's probably this."]

[Aozaki Touko smirked. "Hahaha! Cinderella, huh? I see. How quaint."]

[El-Melloi II nodded. "Exactly. Once you understand the method, it becomes clear."]

["Byron Valualeta Iselma, Atrum, I'll ask again. Could you explain in detail the cursed artifact you acquired at the auction?"]

[Byron snorted, "Say whatever you like."]

[Atrum adjusted his glasses, his voice measured. "If necessary."]

[El-Melloi II exhaled another puff of smoke. "Then let me spell it out. The cursed artifact you acquired is connected to a certain heroic spirit—a leaf stained with dragon's blood."]

[Though he didn't name the heroic spirit, the implication was clear to everyone in the room.]

Gordes: "Hah, this was already confirmed ages ago."

Chihiro: "That's just hindsight talking. Don't get ahead of yourself."

["Wait!"]

[Atrum suddenly stood, his face pale with realization.]

[El-Melloi II raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Is there an issue with discussing the cursed artifact?"]

[Atrum's voice trembled. "Could it be?!"]

[El-Melloi II's gaze sharpened. "Yes. The leaf, stained with dragon's blood, is nearly indestructible by ordinary means. A magus deliberately burned it in an unconventional way, turning it into disposable ashes."]

["!!!"]

[As realization dawned, Atrum's wide-eyed stare fell on Aozaki Touko, his expression bordering on disbelief.]

[Even Byron, who had remained composed until now, seemed utterly stunned.]

Gordes: "Wait… Are they saying the leaf was destroyed?!"

Siegfried: "…"

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "A priceless relic… burned to ashes…"

Waver: "It seems this was done without informing anyone else."

Sisigou: "Byron's face must be a sight to see right now."

Fiore: "After spending so much money and making enemies in the process… only for it to be destroyed."

Kayneth: "Aozaki Touko… truly an unparalleled squanderer."

["Bang!"]

[Byron's cane clattered to the floor as he stared at Aozaki Touko in disbelief. "Miss Aozaki… Even you… How could you do such a thing?!"]

[Aozaki Touko remained calm, her tone almost playful. "Oh, is that so? Using the leaf for the Cinderella ritual—doesn't it seem like an ideal match?"]

["The legend of Siegfried emphasizes the reincarnation of an immortal hero. And Cinderella, with its themes of transformation, makeup, and disguise, is undeniably a form of magecraft. Combining the two… well, it's practically poetic."]

[She shrugged, her expression unrepentant. "If anything, I'm more annoyed that I don't remember doing it myself."]

Darnic: "She truly embodies the spirit of indulgence."

Caules: "This level of extravagance is incomprehensible."

Fiore: "When it's not your own possession, it's easier to use without regret."

["Why…"]

[Byron's voice cracked. "Why, Miss Aozaki?! Why would you use the bodhi leaf for something like this?!"]

[Aozaki Touko tilted her head, unbothered. "Why? Because you gave it to me as part of the commission. Naturally, I used it to produce the best result I could."]

["No one asked you to go to such extremes! I just needed something passable for one night!"]

[Aozaki Touko smirked, her tone laced with amusement. "Oh, that's just how I work. I don't half-ass my projects."]

["…"]

[Except for Byron, who wore a bitter smile, everyone else was utterly speechless.]

Tohsaka Rin: "That old man deserved it. He walked straight into his own trap."

Waver: "It's just a shame that the blood linden leaf was wasted so frivolously."

Kayneth: "To use such a treasure for something so fleeting… Aozaki Touko truly operates on her own terms."

Emiya Kiritsugu: "This entire incident, started by Atram, has devolved into a complete farce."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "This woman really left chaos in her wake."