Misaki City.
Winter snowflakes fell upon the earth, piling up the world, pristine white. The full moon in the sky streamed moonlight, gently scattering over the land, bringing tender tranquility.
... To have already defeated a Dead Apostle Ancestor, Aozaki Touko is truly a collection of talents. Now, she might have even touched the Third Magic.
For the first time in a long while, the Magician emerged from his cave, his indifferent eyes seeing through time and space.
Within his sight, reflected was the battle between Aozaki Touko and Van Fem in Germany. He saw Aozaki Touko summon the Rozen Maiden and witnessed their incredibly brutal close-combat ability.
At this moment, he wavered.
He wavered on the question of who to pass the Fifth Magic to, because at this moment, a very strange thought arose in him: perhaps it would be more suitable for Aozaki Touko to inherit the Fifth Magic.
Poor compatibility—in the face of such excessive talent—
—Did it truly hold meaning?
Such a question arose from the depths of his heart.
... It's time to call her back now.
Muttering indifferently, the old Magician turned and walked back into the dark cave... Berlin.
Van Fem arrived at the Umbrella Corporation gates in his custom car. There, he saw Kiritsugu Emiya walk out, looking livid.
At that moment, he suddenly remembered that he had promised Kiritsugu Emiya to negotiate with Aozaki Touko for Natalia's redemption.
"Hmm... A hound is indeed a hound; not worth remembering at all. I actually forgot our agreement. However, it's still not too late to make amends now."
Saying such irresponsible words, Van Fem pushed open the car door, holding his cane, and walked towards Umbrella Corporation, his posture as elegant as a medieval noble.
This time, he was here to fulfill his agreement with Aozaki Touko.
As the losing party, he was obligated to provide reasonable compensation as per their previous agreement.
Of course, if contact was made during this compensation process, and then he inadvertently witnessed Aozaki Touko's life, that would also be unavoidable, wouldn't it?
After all, he was merely fulfilling his duty as the loser.
...?!
Kiritsugu Emiya frowned, noticed Van Fem approaching, then ignored him and continued walking. He completely pretended not to see the Dead Apostle Ancestor.
Anyway, he was now working under Aozaki Touko, and he probably wouldn't have a chance to leave her in this lifetime. In a sense, he should be considered Aozaki Touko's retainer.
This Dead Apostle Ancestor couldn't defeat Aozaki Touko. If he wanted to punish him for his disrespect,
He would also have to consider Aozaki Touko behind him.
—They brushed past each other.
Van Fem glanced at the hound, then indifferently continued walking forward.
The hound was probably angry that he hadn't fulfilled his promise, but didn't dare to confront him directly, so he resorted to this dismissive attitude.
Such an incompetent hound didn't warrant his attention... Umbrella Corporation rooftop.
In a lavishly decorated living room.
Sitting on the sofa, Aozaki Touko rubbed her temples, her voice tinged with weariness: "... Van Fem, do you have something urgent to discuss with me at this hour?"
To be honest, as an ordinary human, after a high-intensity battle, she really felt somewhat exhausted. Her body's fatigue was reminding her that it was time to hold Irisviel's soft body and sleep.
"Please help yourself."
Just then, Irisviel approached with a gentle smile, carrying two cups of coffee, placing them in front of Aozaki Touko and Van Fem respectively.
Then, she naturally sat down beside Aozaki Touko.
"Thank you, lady."
Van Fem showed a gentlemanly smile, picked up the coffee cup, took a sip, and then, setting it down, smiled and said: "I will be leaving Berlin tomorrow, so tonight I have come to fulfill my obligations as the loser and offer a reasonable amount of compensation."
... Reasonable compensation?
Hearing this, Aozaki Touko smiled slightly: "My request isn't too difficult, actually. You just need to use your network of connections in human society to help me quickly open up sales channels for the anti-cancer drug."
"Is that all?"
Van Fem didn't refuse; he just asked with a smiling face.
That expression... it was as if he was saying, 'I'm a pushover, you can ask for as many conditions as you like.' His attitude was so good it was almost eerie.
..."No, that's enough."
Aozaki Touko shook her head, then picked up her coffee cup, elegantly took a sip, and immediately frowned, looking at Irisviel with a pitiful expression.
"It's so bitter."
"Oh... let me add some sugar for you~"
Seeing this, Irisviel smiled, then took Aozaki Touko's coffee cup and added sugar cubes to sweeten it.
"It's rare to be able to exploit me, the Financial Demon King, at will, yet you let me off so easily? I should be shouting for joy right now."
Seeing how simple Aozaki Touko's request was, Van Fem said with a somewhat helpless smile.
"Those things are meaningless."
Aozaki Touko shook her head, her tone indifferent: "As long as my medicine can be sold, the money I get will be enough for my needs."
"Is that so?"
Van Fem nodded knowingly, then smiled and said, "If you need anything in the future, feel free to call me, but by then, it will be a trade, you know!"
"If there's a need."
Aozaki Touko nodded noncommittally.
"Then I won't disturb your rest."
Van Fem showed a gentlemanly smile, stood up, and chose to take his leave.
Since Aozaki Touko's request was so simple, he had no need to remain there.
"Mm... take care."
Aozaki Touko yawned, then pulled Irisviel, who was stirring coffee, and led her towards the bedroom.
"Oh... Touko, haven't you drunk your coffee yet?"
"I'm sleepy~"
"Is that so?"
Inside the room, the lights went out... "Ah... I forgot to redeem Natalia, that mercenary, again."
Walking out of the building, Van Fem suddenly remembered something, then indifferently turned and left; such matters could be resolved with a phone call later, right?