One of the three great noble families of the Clock Tower. A woman hailed as 'the peak of modern magi.' Lord, Vice-Director, and Sorcery Marshal. She was a magus who had personally struck down two of the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors, a woman who had ascended to the rank of Grand through sheer, overwhelming power.
Wayland fell silent.
'This shouldn't be happening. At least, not like this.'
How could he, a mere 'Cause' rank magus, possibly warrant this level of attention?
He had only asked Pascal to notify Hishiri Adashino. How on earth had that turned into a direct visitation from Lord Barthomeloi?
"Perhaps she's simply here to see the Golden and Silver Princesses," Wayland suggested, trying to find a logical out.
"Perhaps," Touko Aozaki replied, though her voice didn't sound particularly convinced.
They reached the main hall.
The floor was covered in a deep, plush velvet carpet that swallowed their feet up to the ankles with every step. The room was filled with magi, all standing in hushed groups, nursing glasses of wine and speaking in low, guarded tones.
The atmosphere felt off. It lacked the celebratory air of a banquet entirely.
Wayland followed the fearful, sidelong glances of the crowd and quickly located Lord Barthomeloi.
His first impression was of her youth; she looked more like a teenage girl than a ruler of the Association. If it weren't for the regal, imperious aura radiating from her every movement, it would have been impossible to connect her to the title of 'Lord.'
Hishiri Adashino stood at her side.
When her gaze met Wayland's, a faint smile played on Adashino's lips, and she gave him a subtle, knowing nod. Lorelei, however, offered no reaction at all.
It was strange. Why would a Lord of her stature bother coming here personally? If she only wanted to confirm his status, Adashino alone would have been more than sufficient.
Wayland pushed the thought aside. Touko clearly had no intention of approaching Lorelei to exchange pleasantries.
After a few minutes of tedious waiting, two young girls entered the hall.
It was Reines and Gray.
This was the first time Wayland had seen Reines in person. Her long, striking blonde hair and piercing blue eyes were impossible to miss. Behind her stood Trimmau, her liquid-mercury maid, and the hooded figure of Gray.
Reines' eyes scanned the hall, taking in the assembled magi. She spoke to Gray in low tones, explaining the significance of the three great noble lineages of the Clock Tower. When her gaze landed on Lorelei, her expression went rigid. She blinked repeatedly, as if struggling to believe her own eyes.
In the entire Clock Tower, Lorelei Barthomeloi was arguably the least active and most reclusive of the Lords.
"Miss Reines. Gray."
Wayland stepped forward to greet them.
"And you are?" Reines asked, her tone curious.
Gray lifted her head. The sheer number of unfamiliar faces at the banquet had left her feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Seeing Wayland,a face she actually recognized,brought a look of relief to her eyes. "Miss Reines," she whispered, "this is Wayland. He's my mentor's other student."
"The student?" Reines' eyes lit up. "Ah, I remember my brother mentioning you."
She looked him over for a moment, a faint, mischievous smile crossing her lips. "You certainly look more reliable than Flat."
'Everyone looks more reliable than Flat,' Wayland thought with a hint of resignation. He remembered the chaotic energy of Flat Escardos and the fact that his own nickname,the 'Rising Star',was already spreading like wildfire through the Modern Magecraft department.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Touko Aozaki."
Reines turned her attention to the woman standing beside Wayland. She took in the dark red hair and the unfamiliar, Eastern features.
Reines froze. The name 'Touko Aozaki' registered in her mind like a thunderclap. Her voice turned slightly hoarse as she asked, "You... you are the one under the Sealing Designation..."
"The Sealing Designation has been lifted," Touko said simply.
"Ah... I see. My apologies. It is an honor to meet you. I am Reines El-Melloi Archisorte."
Reines bowed respectfully, then turned to Gray. "Gray, look. This is the Grand-rank magus I mentioned."
Touko looked at Gray, her eyes lingering on the girl's face. "You have quite an interesting countenance."
The grey-haired girl trembled slightly under the gaze.
Suddenly, the hushed atmosphere of the hall shattered like boiling water, the sheer pressure radiating from Lord Barthomeloi momentarily forgotten.
Wayland turned to see the cause.
At the top of the spiral staircase on the second floor, two maids stepped forward. They bowed deeply, lifting their skirts as they spoke in unison.
"Lady Diadra, Lady Estella... please, enter."
In an instant, an unbelievable wave of beauty washed over the hall. It was as if a man dying of thirst in a desert had stumbled upon an oasis, or a devout believer had finally set eyes upon their god. The guests were robbed of all speech.
The princesses had eyes the color of the Aegean Sea, shimmering with a soft, inviting light. Their features were carved with the precision of stars, and their lips looked like a gift from the spring rain.
It was an assault on the very psychological defenses of every person in the room.
Suddenly, Irigal,who had supposedly been offline,spoke directly into Wayland's mind before vanishing again.
["Artificial beauty... in the end, it's nothing more than a hollow fabrication. Master, this isn't what you're looking for. Don't let yourself be enchanted."]
Wayland snapped back to his senses.
He looked down at the dormant system interface.
'Irigal.'
More and more, he was beginning to realize that she was far more than just a simple artificial intelligence.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]