The primary reason I exerted so much effort to recruit Shiki Ryougi was, first and foremost, because she would serve as a formidable addition to my combat strength.
The second reason was that I had no way of knowing what foolish schemes the Demon God King might be hatching.
During the original Incineration of the Human Order, Shiki Ryougi—and by extension, 'Void' Shiki—simply supported the protagonist in an ordinary fashion, aiding Ritsuka Fujimaru by dispatching Demon God Pillars in the final chapter.
The problem, however, was that this world had already twisted to a degree that was beyond my recognition.
Angra Mainyu has awakened as a Beast, an Evil of Humanity. Kayneth, Kirei, and Kiritsugu are now acting as my allies. And that deranged Demon God King could set his sights on me at any moment, from anywhere.
In such a situation, that mad King of Demons holds a literal trump card that could upend my foundation at any time: the awakening of a Beast.
Of course, for him, manifesting a Beast would require a significant expenditure of resources, such as utilizing a Holy Grail. Moreover, Shiki Ryougi and 'Void' Shiki wouldn't be overtaken so easily... but even so, one can never be too cautious.
"So, who exactly is this guy you're fighting?"
"I can't say."
"Hey, are you really going to maintain this wall of secrecy even now?"
Touko Aozaki, seemingly genuinely incensed, took off her glasses and shot me a cold glare.
"You've been extorting me for rent and all sorts of things, but do you have any idea how much my medical treatment usually costs?"
"It's not for that reason. I simply mean I am physically unable to speak his name. You know why I hide names, Touko-san."
"...Don't tell me, his name carries a curse... or something like that?"
When I remained silent, she clicked her tongue in disbelief.
"Even magi from the Age of Gods weren't capable of that level of interference."
"He is certainly no ordinary magus. He is, for all intents and purposes, the existence that brought the Age of Gods to a close and inaugurated the Age of Man."
"...No way."
She seemed to catch a glimpse of who I was referring to, and she promptly fell silent.
Slowly turning away from her, I began to contemplate my next move.
'Once Ryougi-san's rehabilitation is over, I'll suggest she move to Misaki City. With Beowulf and Alice-san there, it should be safe for a while. Once the Near-Future Observation Lens: SHEBA is complete, I'll link the pipeline to Chaldeas... and before the Tsukihime incidents occur, I'll relocate everyone I have a connection with to Chaldea.'
The joint investment from the El-Melloi faction and the Einzbern family was gradually securing a larger stake in Chaldea. It seemed the UN was also closely monitoring the progress of the Near-Future Observation Lens and the Earth's Model as they neared completion.
Effectively, excluding Souren Araya, my business in Mifune City was concluded... It was nearly time to prepare for the Tsukihime events.
"It takes a Heroic Spirit to catch a monster. I'd love to summon one if I could."
I wasn't overly worried about people like Souren Araya; I could handle them with the Preta Path's Seal Absorption or the abilities of the Asura Path. In the original timeline, he was utterly dismantled by the duo of 'Void' Shiki and Touko anyway. I could easily demolish the Ogawa Heights mansion they were likely building somewhere in this city.
However, when it came to Vampires, the potential for civilian casualties was on another level.
The Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors, the primary antagonists of Tsukihime, boasted a truly colorful array of depravity: from one who could slaughter an entire school, to a lunatic who scattered ice and fire across a city, to a freak who committed murders while constantly swapping bodies.
Since Fou—Primate Murder—isn't counted among the Dead Apostles here, I can infer this world follows the logic of the 'New Version.' However, things are still ambiguous. For instance, Nrvnqsr Chaos is still alive, and though it's not yet the year 2000, Shiki Tohno is already past middle school age.
Therefore, I have to vary my countermeasures since I don't know which vampire might appear.
In Roa's case, he'd probably be thrilled just to be killed by Shiki Ryougi, so he's manageable. But considering the madman who carries a degraded version of Tiamat's power in his body, the spider-type Apostle who turns others into subordinates, or someone like Vlov who gave Arcueid a hard time, I need specific plans. Civilian evacuation goes without saying.
"...Sigh, my head is killing me."
* * * * *
A few days later, Shiki Ryougi—the normal personality, not the 'Void'—was discharged from the hospital and announced she would move into the Hollow Shrine.
Before Touko could say a word, Mikiya Kokutou welcomed her with open arms. I also gave my approval, preferring the company of a Shiki who becomes a bit more approachable around Mikiya rather than a Director who always radiates a freezing chill.
Touko Aozaki had no choice but to arrange several jobs for Shiki. Shiki would head out with nothing but a single knife to handle various tasks involving the underworld or the supernatural.
Occasionally, she would request a spar. I was astonished to see her literally cut off the reception of magical energy flowing between my puppets.
"The Mystic Eyes of Death Perception are seriously a cheat..."
"You're the last person who should say that!"
"How is the ability to manipulate the phylogenetic tree of living beings not a cheat?!"
"I don't even know what you're talking about! All I can do is cut things!"
In the end, despite the bickering, the bouts usually ended in my victory, and Mikiya would eventually force a reconciliation by tossing us two containers of Häagen-Dazs ice cream.
At Reien Academy, Mother Riesbyfe Stridberg took direct command, rooting out corruption and issues. In the process, all students involved in the sexual assault of Fujino Asagami were expelled.
Gojo Asagami had sent a request to have his daughter, Fujino, killed. Shiki refused, claiming she didn't want to deal with someone who wasn't even a proper serial killer, and the request form was delivered—unaltered—directly to Fujino. After seeing it, Godword Mayday paid a visit to Gojo Asagami... I didn't need to check to know what happened next.
Meanwhile, I kept myself busy organizing my affairs and occasionally visited Reien Academy to share tea with the Director, Riesbyfe.
"...I see. So that child has awakened the Mystic Eyes of Distortion."
"I've used my abilities to place a seal on them for now, and the girl is aware of her own abnormality. Surely you wouldn't harm an innocent child just because she's become entangled with the Magecraft, right?"
"Of course not. There is no reason to harm a student who wishes to hide her Mystic Eyes and live a normal life."
That was the truth. What I had told Fujino Asagami initially was a lie.
A woman who pantingly admits she loves seeing the smiles of young girls wasn't going to kill an otherwise ordinary student just for having a Mystic Eye. Especially not a student who was her type.
"More importantly, it seems a large-scale magecraft event will occur in the city soon."
"...I assume you are well aware of the mandate to conceal the Mystery?"
She spoke now not as the Director of Reien Academy, but as the Leader of the Shield Knights of Bester.
"The same applies to me. I've told you before, I have no interest in the Root... An intruder has entered the city, and it seems those people are engaged in rather dangerous activities."
"Dangerous activities?"
"Kidnapping people to turn them into puppets, or granting others 'Dual Existence' to induce falls to their death... civilian casualties are mounting. I assume you've heard of the recent gas explosion at the hospital?"
"I could indeed sense traces of artificial magecraft. Furthermore, if the eldest daughter of the Ryougi family is involved, we might see the underworld come into contact with the Mage's Association."
"An acquaintance of mine is handling that young lady. However, as the owner of this land, I must deal with the magus matters myself. Will you cooperate?"
Riesbyfe nodded in response.
"Certainly. Should battle break out in the city, I will take charge of protecting and evacuating the civilians."
With that, the preparations for civilian safety during the search for Ogawa Heights and the subsequent battle were complete.
All that remained was the fight itself. The day I would leave this demon-haunted Mifune City was not far off.
After a pleasant farewell and inquiries about certain students and faculty I was keeping an eye on (Misaya Ouji, Fujino Asagami, Satsuki Kurogiri, etc.), I set down my teacup and headed back to the Hollow Shrine.
Upon entering to the sound of the tinkling bell, I found the office empty; Touko-san appeared to be out as well.
Sighing, I was about to summon a puppet from the Naraka Path to kill some time when I heard a tap-tap-tapping against the window.
A piece of black paper, folded into the shape of a paper airplane, was pecking at the glass like a bird.
"A contact from the Mage's Association? I thought they only reached out once a year..."
When I took over management of the leylines, the Association taught me a communication method. I was obligated to use it to report any issues with the leylines or discoveries related to the Root. Of course, it was an obligation I considered none of my business and a rule frequently broken in secret, so I had been ignoring it.
"Still, a contact is a contact. Let's see what we have here."
I opened the window and snatched the letter. The paper airplane unfolded smoothly, revealing its contents.
[To Mr. Karma Kirigaya.
The Clock Tower highly evaluated Mr. Karma Kirigaya's zealous activities during the Fourth Holy Grail War and his passion for excellent magecraft despite his family's somewhat lackluster history; thus, we granted you management authority over the leylines and land of Mifune City.
However, the Department of Policies has recently received a report that you are harboring Sealing Designation Target-24601 (hereafter referred to as Touko Aozaki) in the vicinity of the Mifune City leylines.
Harboring a Sealing Designation target is a grave offense that obstructs the quest for the Root. Therefore, representing the Clock Tower as a whole, we demand an explanation regarding this matter.
Twelve hours after the confirmation of this text, your ownership of the leylines and land management rights will be temporarily revoked. A team of Enforcers will be dispatched to arrest the Sealing Designation target, Touko Aozaki.
You are commanded to cooperate with the arrest of Touko Aozaki on behalf of the Clock Tower and to return to the Clock Tower following the arrest.
May the Root be at your journey's end.
Magus of the Department of Policies – Hishiri Adashino]