I, Kenneth, am going to get to the root of the problem today.

Page 2

"She's very interested in me. What a coincidence! Actually, I'm quite interested in you too."

As the sirens blared past his ears and he walked the streets of Guanbuzi City, Kenneth couldn't help but recall the figure that could sever death.

"In 1992, Ryougi Shiki was probably still a junior high school student, right? Hmm!! It's not impossible."

With hope for the future, the pressure on Kenneth's shoulders eased somewhat, and his soul, born from the technological explosion of the era, once again took over. In a daze, Kenneth found himself standing in front of a bamboo forest.

"Ok?"

Following the ascending blue stone steps, Kenneth was immediately drawn to a girl in a kimono. Her all-encompassing black eyes captivated him, and his instincts began to throb. The magic crest on the back of his hand heated up uncontrollably, and the girl's aura tantalized his heartstrings like a deadly poison.

"The root, that's the root!! Enter it!! Enter it fiercely!! (pointing to the root)"

Driven by instinct, Kenneth stepped onto the stairs, numbly moving towards the mystery that all magicians seek throughout their lives.

"you are very funny."

The ethereal voice awakened Kenneth's collapsing consciousness. Kenneth realized that he had unknowingly stood before the Root. Suppressing his instincts as a magician, Kenneth tried to regulate his heartbeat.

"You're quite interesting, outsider."

Raising her head, controlling Ryougi Shiki's body, Kenneth directed her unfocused pupils towards Kenneth's blond slicked-back hair, suppressing the instincts emanating from this body, and said in a hoarse voice:

"Is my law in Fuyuki?"

Turning around, Kenneth continued up the stone steps in the Root Formation. Having received no reply, he was about to follow when he found his legs felt as heavy as lead.

"We'll see you again."

Ryougi Shiki's figure disappeared, and Kenneth's legs regained feeling at that moment. The aura of the Root completely dissipated. Just as Kenneth walked out of the bamboo forest, a gaze from an unknown source enveloped him. After a moment, seemingly confirming that Kenneth was not abnormal, the gaze disappeared, and the world returned to peace.

"You're getting impatient already? Come at me head-on!"

Having received the root of the matter's approval, Kenneth straightened up, raised his middle finger, and spat at it with utter disdain. His goal had been achieved. Just as Kenneth was about to contact the hotel to book his flight, a figure in the distance wearing a dark green trench coat and sporting short orange hair caught his attention.

"I never expected such a pleasant surprise. This little Guanbuzi is truly full of hidden talents."

Putting his phone away, Kenneth turned and followed the figure dragging a suitcase. With Kenneth following her without any attempt to conceal it, Aozaki Touko, who had just arrived in Kanbuko City, also sensed the magic behind her. Her high heels stopped, and Aozaki Touko turned and stepped into the alley beside her.

"I never expected that the esteemed head of the El-Melloi family would condescend to come to the countryside?"

At that moment, Aozaki Touko, having seen who it was, was teasing Kenneth, who was blocking the alley entrance, but her hands, gripping the suitcase, were already sweating profusely.

"Really? I do think this Far East holds some of the world's mysteries. Don't you agree, Orange-san?"

When addressed as Kenneth, Aozaki Touko's brows furrowed subconsciously, but then, wearing glasses, she flashed a warm and friendly smile.

"For Lord to deign to come here, it must be something far beyond my imagination. With Lord's discerning eye, it must be something extraordinary."

"Let's skip the pleasantries. I'm not like those old fogies in the Clock Tower. My interest in your body far outweighs my interest in your talents. Let's find somewhere else; this isn't the place to chat."

After speaking, Kenneth walked out of the alley first. Noticing Kenneth's gaze sweeping over her suitcase before leaving, and considering Kenneth's previous words, Aozaki Touko couldn't figure out what Kenneth was thinking for a moment.

In the corner café, Aozaki Touko pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Kenneth. Looking at the blond man with his slicked-back hair, Aozaki Touko casually took off her glasses.

"Oh, you switch personalities as soon as you come in? Orange-san is really vigilant."

Having been pointed out by Kenneth, Aozaki Touko remained silent, her sharp gaze locking onto Kenneth, who was sitting with his legs crossed. Under Aozaki Touko's gaze, Kenneth put down his coffee and then spoke:

"I'm not going to beat around the bush anymore, Aozaki Touko, let's make a deal."

"Really? I wonder what Lord sees in me? I'm just a wandering magician, I don't have anything worth mentioning."

Kenneth didn't answer Aozaki Touko's question; instead, he took out his checkbook directly from his pocket.

"I've already said it, I'm more interested in your body than your talent. Work for me, and I'll help you break the seal."

At this moment, even Aozaki Touko, who had switched personalities, couldn't hold back anymore. Putting aside whether Kenneth could solve the seal for her, the fact that she was more interested in the body of the person she was referring to gave Aozaki Touko goosebumps.

As a magician who studied at the Clock Tower alongside Kenneth, Aozaki Touko was well aware of Kenneth's reputation as the most affectionate person in the Clock Tower. Being a free spirit, Aozaki Touko was truly disgusted by Principal Ken's relentless beating of Solau. Suppressing her discomfort, Aozaki Touko coldly said:

"Putting aside whether you, Lord, can resolve the sealing issue, your ideas about me are unacceptable to me, so please forgive me for refusing."

"Don't be so quick to refuse. I think you have some prejudice against me. I'll offer you a deal you can't refuse."

After speaking, Kenneth first wrote eight zeros in the checkbook in a generous manner, and then leaned back in his chair at a leisurely pace.

"The body I'm talking about isn't that lump of flesh you can't even tell where it is. Your puppet that has reached the realm of law is what I need."

Upon hearing this, Aozaki Touko's body trembled involuntarily. Kenneth took in Aozaki Touko's reaction, first switching the legs that were crossed over each other, before looking back at Aozaki Touko sitting opposite him.

"I will not restrict your freedom. On the contrary, I will provide you with regular financial support, and the El-Melloi family will give priority to finding the magical materials you need. It's like an employment relationship. I think you are aware of my relationship with Lord Barthemelloi. I believe the Secret Inquisition will see the situation clearly."

Sensing Aozaki Touko's interest, Kenneth immediately removed his right glove, revealing the Command Seals clearly to Aozaki Touko's eyes.

"You should recognize this, right? The Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City. I'm quite interested in the Einzbern family. As a puppeteer, a magic workshop made up of homunculus, Orange-san, can you refuse?"

At that moment, Aozaki Touko had to admit that she was smitten.

Chapter Four: Trading and Returning to the Clock Tower

Taking a deep breath, Aozaki Touko picked up the check on the table, filled in a 9 without any consideration for the rules, and then stuffed the check into her pocket. Immediately afterward, Aozaki Touko, wearing glasses, gave a business-like fake smile.

"It's a pleasure working with you, Lord El-Melloi."

Immediately afterwards, Aozaki Touko swiftly pulled out a self-mandatory certificate from her suitcase, wrote down the conditions Kenneth had previously proposed, signed her name, and with a fawning expression, pushed the parchment in front of Kenneth in an extremely mercenary manner.

Upon noticing the monthly funding of one hundred million US dollars, even the wealthy and powerful Kenneth couldn't help but gasp. Aozaki Touko was really treating him like a fat sheep to be slaughtered.

Noticing Kenneth's twitching eyebrows, Aozaki Touko fawned over him, as if to say, "No way, no way, the prestigious El-Melloi family can't afford such a small sum of money."

"Forget it, Aozaki Touko is worth the price. It's just money, right? How could a transmigrator like me not be able to make money! Once I've corrupted you with money, I'll make you pay for it tenfold!!"

To reassure himself, Kenneth glanced at the testimony and added.

"Okay, but I need to change a few details."

"No problem, just don't touch my money."

Seeing that Aozaki Touko did not object, Kenneth, with Aozaki Touko as a witness, slightly modified the document and signed his name.

The self-forced certificate burned out in mid-air, and the invisible contract linked Kenneth and Aozaki Touko together. Sensing that the contract was in effect, Aozaki Touko, who was sitting opposite Kenneth, completely dropped her previous guard and fawned over Kenneth.

“Hey boss, your subordinates are exhausted, hungry, penniless, and homeless right now. Shouldn’t you show them some support?”

Although he was prepared, Kenneth was genuinely shocked by Aozaki Touko's shamelessness. She had stolen his 900 million dollars, and now she was pretending to be poor. Although he was from a poor family, Kenneth wasn't going to say anything over such a small matter. He waved, and Aozaki Touko, dragging her suitcase, understood and followed Kenneth's back.

At the Hyatt Hotel, Kenneth looked at Aozaki Touko, who was sitting opposite him eating and drinking heartily, with a look of disgust. To be honest, if the hotel hadn't arranged a private room for him, Kenneth would have really wanted to throw Aozaki Touko, who was holding a cigarette in one hand and a steak fork in the other, out of the room.

"Ah, I'm satisfied, I'm satisfied. You sucker... cough cough... I'm sticking with you, big boss."

Looking at the mountain of plates in front of him, if Kenneth hadn't known Aozaki Touko, he would have definitely shown her what the majesty of the four flags on the clock tower was like. He took a cigarette from Aozaki Touko's cigarette case, snapped his fingers, and lit the cigarette at his lips.

Then, Kenneth, who was smoking for the first time in his life, coughed violently as a result of his body's instinctive reaction. All the "13-year-old" aura he had cultivated for so long vanished, and Aozaki Touko, who was blowing red wine into the bottle opposite him, sprayed it out on the spot.

"Hahaha, I didn't expect you to be such a newbie. You don't have the skills, so why pretend to be so elegant?!"

"Cough cough cough!! What do you know, you utterly unwomanly fellow? I usually smoke cigars, what is this 'Neon Special Supply' stuff of yours?!"

"Hahaha, whatever you say goes!!"

......

The dinner party helped Kenneth and Aozaki Touko grow a little closer. That night, lying in the presidential suite that Kenneth had arranged for her, Aozaki Touko took off her glasses and began to ponder Kenneth's behavior that day.

"What happened while I was away from the Clock Tower? That guy has changed so much."

"Never mind, it won't do me any harm. The El-Melloi family? No, Kenneth El-Melloi Archibald, interesting."

The next day, for the sake of the money, Aozaki Touko unusually saw Kenneth off at the airport. Recalling the arrangements Kenneth made for her before leaving, even Aozaki Touko couldn't figure out what the ninth head of the El-Melloi family was thinking.

"Making Kenneth's doll, searching for Asagami Fujino... A girl with Rainbow-level Mystic Eyes, interesting, really interesting. This little city of Kanbuko is truly full of mystery!"

"But what does that have to do with me?! Hey, I'm rich now, so I'll put aside being a sucker for now, it's shopping time!!"

Humming a little tune, feeling extremely comfortable, Aozaki Touko turned around and rushed towards the nearest shopping street.

-------------------------------------

The plane landed slowly. Kenneth got into the El-Melloi family's car and closed his eyes to organize the information in his mind. With Aozaki Touko's help, Kenneth had some confidence for the upcoming Fourth Holy Grail War.

"Roy, has anything happened while I was away from the Clock Tower?"

"Lord, nothing major happened at the Clock Tower, it's just that Lord Euryphus is somewhat dissatisfied with you because of something?"

Thinking of his former mentor and father-in-law, Kenneth couldn't help but smile with a sarcastic tone.

"Really? Then it seems I should find some time to visit my mentor."

Kenneth understood that now was not the time to break ties with the Euryph family. As the head of the Spirit Summoning Department, Kenneth decided to continue to feign compliance with them until he had squeezed every last drop of value out of them.

"By the way, Roy, there's a girl named Reines in the Archibald family. Tell them she's now with the Archibald family. Also, the Tohsaka family in Fuyuki City has a very talented girl named Sakura Tohsaka. Have them send her over."

According to Kenneth's memory, Sakura Tohsaka was adopted into the Matou family in 1993. The news that Kenneth was going to participate in the Holy Grail War has not yet been revealed. Before that, Kenneth wanted to do something within his power. When he returned to the El-Melloi family's ancestral home, an unexpected figure appeared in front of Kenneth.

"I heard from them that you came back today, so I came to visit."

Looking at his nominal fiancée, Kenneth suppressed the urge to kick her out and tried his best to put on a friendly demeanor. Recalling how Director Ken treated Sora, Kenneth sent the displeased Sora out of the house after a brief exchange of pleasantries.

Watching the Euphoria family's car drive away, Kenneth's smile vanished instantly. To be honest, Kenneth felt nothing but disgust for Director Ken's fiancée. She was just a tool for a family marriage, yet she still had this ungrateful attitude.

The brush's allure is indeed strong, but look how easily Irisviel broke free. As a magician trained by a large family, Solau, even if not as good as Irisviel, is still far superior to the average magician. Not to mention that magicians are naturally resistant to allure. Yet, under these circumstances, Solau still couldn't distinguish reality and threw himself at the brush. Kenneth's assessment of this is:

"Idiot."

Chapter Five: Reines and Loreleia

The next day, as Kenneth walked down the stairs, a blonde little girl (scratch that) immediately stood up from the sofa and gave Kenneth a curtsy.

"Reines Elmello Archizorti, has met Lord Elmello."

Looking at Reines, who exuded an aura of obedience, to be honest, if Kenneth hadn't read the Second Prince's Case Files, he would have been completely fooled by Reines' appearance. Seeing that Kenneth still didn't nod, the extremely precocious Reines subconsciously trembled.

To be honest, when Reines learned that Kenneth had taken a liking to her, she was filled with fear. As an "outstanding talent" cultivated by a family of magicians, Reines knew the ugly side of the magic world. Even if Kenneth was known as a sycophant in the Clock Tower, what if he did? Moreover, given Kenneth's loyalty to Solau, Reines was genuinely afraid that Kenneth would use her as experimental material.

Still half-asleep and not quite fully awake, Kenneth scratched his slicked-back hair, completely disregarding his royal decorum, and yawned as he sat down opposite Reines. Glancing at Reines, who was still curtsying, Kenneth waved his hand dismissively:

"Aren't you tired of standing?"

"No...I'm not tired..."

Upon hearing Kenneth's words, Reines trembled even more violently. Forcing her numb legs to support her weight, Reines answered Kenneth's question in broken sentences.

"If you're not tired, you can stand. Your name is Reines, right? Starting today, you'll stay by my side. Okay, that's all for now."

After tidying up his slicked-back hair, Kenneth ignored Reines, who was standing there. Then, Kenneth lost his appetite for the English breakfast in front of him. In Japan, it was alright; Kenneth could accept the breakfasts of ordinary people, after all, they were from the same cultural circle. But the tomatoes, fries, bacon and bread in front of him completely stunned Kenneth. He put down his knife and fork, turned around and walked out of El-Melloi's house.

Realizing Kenneth was about to leave, Reines, who was still standing still, thought for a moment, then took a step and chased after him with her numb legs. So, on the streets of London, Reines shakily accompanied Kenneth to breakfast.

Wiping his mouth, Kenneth walked out of the fairly decent breakfast shop with a refreshed look, got into the El-Melloi family's car and headed to the Clock Tower. Then, Reines, who was following behind Kenneth, went black upon seeing the building called the Department of Political Science and Law.

"Lord, we've come to the Political and Legal Affairs Department because..."

Before she could finish speaking, Reines realized she had been too talkative. As a follower, prying into the thoughts of the person in charge was a major taboo. Fortunately, Kenneth, who had transmigrated from another world, didn't act like one of those magicians and explained nonchalantly:

"I have something to discuss with Lord Barthemello. Let's go."

Reines was somewhat surprised by Kenneth's bluntness. After regaining her composure, Reines noticed that Kenneth had already walked away. She gritted her teeth, quickened her pace, and stepped into the Department of Law and Politics, which was known as hell to ordinary magicians.

"Lord El-Melloi, please come with me."

Thanks to Director Token, Kenneth didn't even need an appointment to see Loreleia. Thinking of the woman who stood at the pinnacle of magicians in the Clock Tower, Kenneth managed his expression and, led by the magician from the Political and Legal Department, entered Loreleia's private reception room.

Barthelo Loreleia, the current head of the Barthelo family, the monarch of the Clock Tower's Department of Law and Politics, is an extreme aristocrat who believes that "a person's characteristics are more worthy of evaluation than their personality." He lacks common sense beyond everyday life, shows a corresponding degree of concern for those with powerful special abilities, and harbors a strong hatred for the Dead Apostles that even he cannot understand.

After the magician who had led the way left the room, Kenneth turned his gaze to Loreleia, who had her long flaxen hair styled into a single ponytail. Facing this woman who could stand up and fight the twenty-seven ancestors of the Dead Apostles in the Moon Princess world, Kenneth was genuinely afraid that she would notice something amiss.

"Archibold, may I ask what brings you here today?"

Knowing Lorelia's personality, Kenneth didn't mind the coldness in her tone. He put down his teacup and looked at her with a composed expression. Seeing that Kenneth wanted to talk to Lorelia about serious matters, Reines, who had followed him into the room, instinctively shrank back.

"What should I do? What should I do? The two lords want to make a deal! Am I being forced to commit suicide?! I should have never come in..."

Unlike the anxious Reines, Kenneth, mimicking Director Ken's manner, said with a serious expression:

"Does Lord Barthezello still remember Aozaki Touko?"

Upon hearing Kenneth's words, Lorelia frowned, recalled the memories in her mind, and then replied:

"The former magician's egg of the Aozaki family, the puppeteer who was given the crimson color, and the magician designated for additional sealing by Balyereta?"

Seeing that Loreleia still remembered, Kenneth didn't beat around the bush. Considering Loreleia's personality, Kenneth directly stated the purpose of his trip.

"She is a very talented person, and her puppets are close to the level of magic. I hope Lord Barthezello will cooperate with me to put pressure on the Bureau of Arcane Tribunals. As for those magicians from the Democratic faction, El-Melloi will take care of them."

The royal families of the Clock Tower are also divided into different ranks. Don't be fooled by Kenneth El-Melloi's current fourth-place ranking; the three families above El-Melloi are monsters. These three families are known as the three great noble families of the Clock Tower: Barthemelloi, Transberio, and Baljereta.