Aozaki Aoko Case File [329]

Due to well-known reasons, it's highly likely that Aoko would become the target of Alice's impending wrath, especially since Aoko was the mastermind behind this interdimensional travel operation. Therefore, Touko decided to stay on the sidelines and enjoy the show, watching whether her supposedly all-powerful younger sister would finally take a fall this time.

Although the sleep quality of the Third Magician is not exactly tied to her mood, last night's good mood did allow Touko to sleep in until well past sunrise. Seeing a lavish breakfast spread across the table and a visibly sweaty Aoko, Touko gave a mischievous smile and happily enjoyed her share of the meal.

After much deliberation, Aoko decided to keep the portions for Alice and the other residents of the Kuonji estate. She used a preservation spell to keep the food fresh, hoping they could enjoy it at its peak flavor later.

...Unfortunately, when Aoko finally mustered the courage to knock on Alice's door, she discovered that not only was Alice not in her room, but Kohaku, Hisui, Artoria, Gray, and Arcueid were all missing as well. Now things were starting to get serious.

Aoko, however, didn't panic. She just sat on the sofa with a headache, frowning as she pondered where they might have gone. Surely they hadn't decided to go on a trip while she and Touko were away?

"You idiot," Touko ruthlessly mocked her. "Did you forget what we got our hands on earlier?"

Aoko immediately snapped out of it upon hearing that, recalling the spoils she had taken from one of the Dead Apostle Ancestors. She grabbed Touko and rushed to the second floor of the Kuonji mansion — specifically, Alice's study and magical workshop.

She retrieved a spare key from a hidden compartment next to the door, inserted it into the lock, and with a click, opened the study door (which could be locked from the inside). She headed straight for the deeper part of the room — the magical workshop.

...Inside Alice's workshop, sitting on an ornate pedestal at the center of the room, was exactly what she expected — a sphere modified from the Principle Blood Ring. In Magus's terms, this was a portable demi-plane sphere.

Such an item would be a priceless treasure even in celestial realms — a legendary artifact for which countless master magi might go to war.

After some quick preparations, Aoko and Touko used the control rights of the Principle Blood Ring to enter the demi-plane known as The City, or The Kingdom.

Aoko landed in the inner part of the city, the very place she had remodeled based on the design of Raya Lucaria Castle and the surrounding academy town.

The scenery made Aoko momentarily dazed as if she had returned to the Lands Between — but it was only an illusion. Strictly speaking, many details of this city differed from the real Raya Lucaria.

This was because her memory of the castle and the surrounding town was based on the game version rather than the actual location. That's why, during her time in the Lands Between, Aoko had commissioned Touko — an architectural expert — to conduct a detailed survey of the Raya Lucaria Castle.

However, the castle renovations had to wait. If the entire place were remodeled into a fantasy medieval castle, it would be inconvenient for modern people to live in. So one of Aoko's next tasks was to refine every detail of this demi-plane — a task that suddenly made her feel like one of those obsessive model builders from her memory.

Aoko and Touko strolled through the town. The houses were as empty as before, but some buildings designed as shops or restaurants showed signs of recent human use — suggesting that Alice and the others had been there.

"Let's head up there," Touko said. "They're probably in the castle district. Should we walk or fly?"

"Let's fly," Aoko sighed, putting on a face of noble sacrifice. "Better to rip the band-aid off. Instead of lingering here, let's face the storm head-on and get it over with!"

"...Shall I relay those exact words to Alice?"

"Please, Touko, I beg you — don't."

Aoko activated her Sky Wind Realm, while Touko conjured a pair of pure white wings for herself. The two flew to the castle district atop the mountain, landing mid-span on the large northern bridge.

Previously, Aoko had used the Principle Blood Ring's authority to replicate the terrain of Liurnia of the Lakes. The bridge leading to the castle and the lake beneath it were scenic elements she had intentionally preserved to give this replica of Raya Lucaria Magic Academy a more dreamlike appearance.

Once inside the castle district, Aoko immediately sensed Artoria, with whom she still had a contract — and she wasn't far away.

When Aoko reached the circular plaza at the end of the bridge, she found Irisviel hugging Karen and sitting on a bench. In the middle of the square, Kohaku was sparring with Artoria using wooden swords.

"Go, sis!" cheered Hisui — much more cheerful than her counterpart from the original timeline — as she shouted encouragement to Kohaku. "Show Sister Artoria your determination!"

Hearing her sister's voice, Kohaku's expression tightened further. Gripping her wooden sword with both hands, she assumed a middle stance and charged at Artoria.

But Artoria, holding her sword one-handed and standing relaxed, effortlessly parried Kohaku's strike with a smooth motion — almost like a magic trick.

While sparring, Artoria patiently guided Kohaku, pointing out mistakes in her form and helping her correct them. Although Artoria's teacher had been unreliable, Artoria herself (in her adult form) turned out to be an excellent instructor.

What she taught was simple but profound — easy to learn, hard to master. Even Aoko, a complete novice in swordsmanship, could tell it was a deep and well-structured method.

Though King Arthur was never the most elite swordsman, Artoria's years of battle experience on countless fields made her knowledge invaluable. Sharing that with Kohaku, a swordsmanship enthusiast, was a clear sign that Artoria had truly taken a liking to the girl.

Smack!

With a crisp sound, Kohaku's wooden sword flew from her hand, and Artoria stopped, letting her rest.

"Big Sis Aoko, Big Sis Touko!" Kohaku, wiping sweat from her brow, spotted the two watching in secret and ran over to greet them. "You're finally back! Sister Alice was really worried about you. She's been in a bad mood lately."

At those words, the smile on Aoko's face froze a little. Just as she feared — the storm was brewing.