Fate/Magus Path

113 Aoko Aozaki

Misaki Town, Old School Building
Near Midnight

Returning to this place that held deep memories from over ten years ago, Touko Aozaki couldn't help but feel a bit sentimental.

Leaning against the railing, she lit a slim cigarette and exhaled slowly. With her was Beo, the golden wolf, who had a burger in its mouth while fiddling with a gaming console Touko had just bought. Shiki, who had also come along, quietly spun the mithril dagger that Roy had gifted her, gazing out at the city's nightscape.

She was eagerly anticipating the spectacle that was about to unfold.

"Finally, I'll get to see what this guy is truly capable of."

Up on the high platform, Roy blinked briefly before leaping down.

"Is everything settled?" Touko asked as he approached from the platform.

"It's done. The challenge letter has been delivered to her in your name, and I've given them about two hours to prepare their strategy."

"Leaving them two hours to get ready? How generous of you. If it were me, I'd give Aoko hell, making her rush here without a moment's rest." Touko said with a sneer, exhaling another puff of smoke.

"But this works too. Aoko always loses her composure when faced with unexpected situations. You've stirred up quite the storm by now; she's probably panicking."

"It was necessary. Leaving that big bounded field intact would have made the upcoming battle and the hunt for the Dead Apostles a troublesome affair."

"With a huge bounded field looming over them, those sneaky creatures would never show themselves easily."

"Oh? Then why not use the Aozaki's bounded field to track them down? We've already taken control of half of it. With your skills, you should be able to take over the whole thing with some effort, right?"

"It's not worth it. My opponents aren't just regular Dead Apostles; I'm dealing with their Ancestors and possibly even their Princesses. We don't yet know how many are involved in this."

"At their level, if they're serious about hiding, the Aozaki family's bounded field won't detect them. Breaking through that superficial veil and going straight for their essence is the best option."

Roy explained casually, glancing at Touko. "The structure of this bounded field is complicated, but as long as I don't damage its framework, restoring and taking control of it isn't too difficult. Once this is over, I'll repair the bounded field exactly as it was."

"If this is out of guilt, it's unnecessary. After all, that witch will definitely find a way to handle it afterward. Whether you fix the bounded field or not, it'll still be Aoko and that witch cleaning up the mess in the end."

Touko's tone, like her words, was laced with indifference.

After wandering for so many years, she had long since lost any attachment to this city she once called home.

Roy merely shook his head slightly, choosing not to respond to her remark.

"Are you sure you don't need our help in the upcoming battle? You really plan to fight Aoko one-on-one?"

"Yes, fighting the Magician of the Fifth Magic is a rare opportunity. I'm looking forward to it."

"You're only interested in the Fifth Magic, aren't you?" Touko snorted lightly.

"I didn't expect this side of you."

"But what about the Witch? If you're planning to duel Aoko, Alice Kuonji won't just stand by and do nothing. While dealing with her wouldn't be too hard for someone like you, it would still be troublesome if her witchcraft interfered during the fight."