There were no taboos. Even in the presence of his "fiancée" and the aura of "legitimacy" she carried, Izaya maintained his sense of justice and confidence. This overwhelming reaction was something Manaka had never anticipated. Yet, there was still no clue regarding the "route" concerning Koyanskaya...
Still, even without claiming omniscience, there was a high chance he'd already uncovered her true identity—a Beast that hinders the development of human reason, and not just any Beast, but a fully matured one. This was the truth behind the woman before him.
But so what...?
Manaka lifted her deep blue eyes; her once pure and perfect smile had long since vanished. This wasn't anger or shock. In truth, it was as if she'd discovered a "new toy," filled with the emotion of "interest." As the Princess of the Root, she was born with insight into everything in the world, and for a long time, she'd been tired of it all. To her, life was like rereading the same story over and over.
She knew every "cause" and "effect," every "beginning" and "end." But she had never cared for anyone except Izaya. For in her "storybook," only her brother could warm her.
And the woman before her...
Manaka's all-knowing gaze connected to the Root and in an instant, saw through the essence behind Koyanskaya's provocative words.
—It was a lie.
There was no "lover's relationship" between the two.
But... it wasn't a complete lie, either.
Manaka's "vision" seemed to glimpse the distant past through the mists of time. There was an entangled story between this woman and her brother... It was vague, but undeniably real.
"I see..."
The blonde girl's cold, delicate face bloomed into a slow, enchanting smile—sweet, yet devoid of human feeling.
"You are a complete Beast raised with my brother's help... That's why you're so shameless."
Her voice was pure, like a chant, but it trembled the heart's core. Though she had a "human" body, Manaka was not human. She was a "god" who did not understand human feelings. As her smile blossomed, it was as if the temperature of the ancient corridor dropped to freezing. In the air, a matchless, immense magic from the Root raged like a storm.
"But remember, Miss Fox."
Manaka raised her eyes, meeting Izaya's arrogant golden gaze.
"No matter the past, present, or future... My brother belongs to me alone.
Your relationship doesn't matter... Don't touch him again."
Koyanskaya's smile faded, replaced by a cold, pleasant smirk, as if an outsider had trespassed on her territory.
"Even if you claim to be 'all-knowing,' Miss Sajyou, it seems you don't fully grasp the power between you and me."
Magic erupted from her body, filled with the smoke of "civilization" and the primal desire of the "Beast." Beneath the magical light, her beautiful dress seemed to transform into the attire of a goddess, and she herself became even more captivating. Two "out-of-standard" magical powers echoed through the corridor.
Boom!
In the next instant, it seemed the entire Clock Tower's defense system had sounded an alarm. The walls lit up with dazzling red lights, and a piercing magical alarm resounded up and down the Tower. Izaya placed between them bounced violently.
"This is especially—"
A chill rose behind him, and it felt as if the little soul inside him was howling. Whether it was Koyanskaya or Sajyou Manaka, meeting either was a blessing... Yet, meeting them both was anything but.
"Oh god from another star, I know you're here. Please, help me...!"
Izaya cried out in his heart.
Of course, there was no reply.
What should he do? If these two really fought in the Clock Tower, he would have to "convince" the Lord to let him go free tonight... Or perhaps, there might not even be a Clock Tower left after tonight...
It was then that he suddenly saw, at the end of the corridor, a figure with messy black hair peeking out in terror.
Waver Velvet!
Sajyou's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he gathered a wisp of magic and secretly conveyed a message to Waver through the most basic, hidden magical communication.
"Waver, call Mr. Kayneth. Tell him... I have something important to ask."
Waver, who was trembling in the corner with no idea what was happening, was stunned for a moment. He saw the terrifying scene—two goddess-like women and the red flashing alarms on the walls. He instantly understood: this was not something a "third-rate magus" like him should get involved in! Without hesitation, Waver nodded desperately and ran toward Kayneth's office.
...
In the office, the magical fire in the fireplace burned quietly, crackling softly. Outside the window, the perpetual London rain curtain stretched endlessly.
Kayneth elegantly poured the finest Scotch whisky for himself and his guest.
"So, you didn't suggest 'business cooperation' after seeing the relic?"
Marisbury's voice was as calm and deep as ever, betraying no emotion. After all, it was extremely rare for this Astronomy Lord to visit another lord so frequently these days.
Kayneth pushed a glass toward Marisbury, a playful smile on his lips.
"I don't think she should have the relics she desires."
"Speaking of which, Marisbury, isn't it curious?"
He swirled his glass, a flicker of doubt passing through his icy blue eyes.
"NFF Services already includes intelligence gathering... What kind of relic did she need to find the Clock Tower? What did she need the relic for?"
There might be only one answer in Kayneth's mind—the Fourth Holy Grail War.
Was that woman searching for a relic specifically for the Holy Grail War? Who—or what—did she wish to summon?
At this very moment—
Bang!
The office door was flung open with reckless force!
Kayneth looked up, and the confidence and grace on his face instantly turned dark at the sight of the visitor.
"Waver—!"
He rose slowly, anger in his eyes.
"I hope you have a life-saving explanation this time. I'm speaking with an important guest."
"Professor, professor..."
Waver was almost speechless, his breath caught.
"Y-yes... It's Sajyou, he's looking for you for something!"
At the name, Kayneth waved his hand irritably.
"I have no time for such boring trivialities. Get out, now!"
"N-no... No." Waver stammered, "It's the important guest... Miss Koyanskaya is there too."
For a moment, the entire office fell into an eerie silence.
Kayneth stared blankly for a moment, unable to regain his composure, doubts rising in his heart.
Koyanskaya... and Izaya?
...
In truth, Izaya had been mentally preparing himself for this situation from the beginning.
First, the engagement with Sajyou Manaka had been "customized" by his adoptive father, yet the two had always gotten along, and Manaka had a somewhat "obsessive" attachment to him. If you'd ever dated Manaka, you'd know—her love bordered on the pathological... And if you got close to any other woman, Manaka might explode like a powder keg, as in this very delicate moment.
Two extraordinary magical powers swirled and clashed in the corridor like a tornado. Facing the full Beast, Izaya slowly raised his gaze. Izaya, eyes lowered, watched with interest.
Since birth, the Princess of the Root had never been provoked—because, in this world, she was "Law" itself. No matter how powerful the magic against her, she could erase its concept with a thought, making it vanish. She could even bestow or remove the concept of "death," creating so-called "immortality."
The so-called "link to the Root" was not simply "infinite magic." If magi of the Age of Gods could tap into the rich mana of that era with ease, then Manaka's "connection" directly reached the ontology of the Root and bore the "authority" to alter the world's rules.
Yet... even though the world's rules could be changed, "Sajyou Manaka" could not fully predict Koyanskaya's existence, for even she could not obtain detailed information on Koyanskaya from the Root.
Still...
She could not accept another woman provoking her in front of her fiancé.
"Since I already sit on the Beast's throne, I suppose I can be ruthless..."
Soon, the blonde girl's sweet but emotionless voice sounded softly.
"You know nothing about yourself, Miss Koyanskaya."
The magic on both sides clashed and squeezed the corridor, the defensive runes on the walls already at their limit, groaning under the pressure.
Caught between these two terrifying magical auras, Izaya felt as if his head grew an extra size and two giant teeth.
On one side was his fiancée, Sajyou Manaka. On the other, his "lover" from a previous life.
No matter whom he helped, the other would explode on the spot...
But he had to act now. At the very least, if nothing was done, the aftermath of these two forces would destroy the Clock Tower.
He took a deep breath, ready to risk everything just to calm them down.
"Manaka, Koyanskaya... This is the Clock Tower. Let's keep things—"
He never finished—
"Brother, just watch from the side."
"Izaya-kun, step aside. Leave this to me."
Two utterly different yet equally unmatched voices sounded at the same time.
Their eyes were still locked, as if the person standing between them didn't even exist.
Izaya's young heart sank completely.
Thankfully, at that very moment—
Quick footsteps, from far to near, rudely broke the suffocating standoff.
"—Stop!!"
A voice full of lordly dignity rang out.
Kayneth had arrived!
The genius Lord of the Clock Tower, who always maintained his elegance, was now full of anger and disbelief. Behind him stood Marisbury, Lord of the Department of Astronomy, silent but marveling at the scene before him as if observing the stars.
The moment they saw the scene, both lords were utterly stunned.
What did they see?
A student from Japan, rated as "unqualified" in his file, stood between two awe-inspiring women. One was the "honored guest" and president of NFF. The other... was Izaya's fiancée.
That's right...
Feeling the pure and terrifying aura, both lords' minds went blank.
On the other side, Izaya's eyes flashed as he stepped half a pace forward toward Kayneth and shouted calmly, "Professor, what are you doing here?!"
"..."
It was as if the students' eyes had "saved" him. Kayneth looked at the two "ladies" behind, whose mere presence warped the entire space.
He opened his mouth but couldn't speak for a long time. Questions slowly floated up in his mind. What had he been asked to do? He wanted to think, but now he had already spoken, and it was impossible for Kayneth, at this point, to follow his heart in front of his disciple and outsiders.
So the Lord of the Mineralogy Department stepped forward and spoke slowly, "I don't know what happened between you two, but this is the Clock Tower. Let's keep it together."
"And it seems my disciple is a bit embarrassed."
As he spoke, he glanced unconsciously at Izaya, immediately frowning.
Koyanskaya had only just shown interest in Izaya, but at the time, he'd thought it was just minor. However, today's events... made it seem his initial judgment was off.
The atmosphere between the two was still subtle, but Koyanskaya seemed to heed Kayneth's words, quickly putting a bright smile on her face.
"Yes, it'd be a shame to fight in a place like this."
With that, she actually withdrew the massive magical power from her body, stepped forward past Kayneth, and walked toward Sajyou Manaka.
At this moment, Izaya unconsciously held his breath.
Fortunately, Sajyou Manaka didn't do anything unexpected. She merely stared coldly at Koyanskaya. In her view, this was the other side showing goodwill and gentleness, taking the initiative, and as Izaya's fiancée, she ought to display the bearing of the main palace.
Thus, under Izaya's gaze, he saw the blonde girl extend her right hand to Koyanskaya.
At this moment, Izaya finally relaxed, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Thank goodness...
Kayneth's reputation might not be that big, but he didn't want such an ugly commotion in front of outsiders. As long as Manaka was willing to shake hands and make peace, both sides could at least maintain "harmony" on the surface going forward.
Seeing this, both Kayneth and Marisbury also breathed a little easier. They didn't know what was happening, but at least the two wouldn't cause too much trouble in the Clock Tower.
But just as everyone was letting their guard down, they saw Koyanskaya walk straight past Sajyou Manaka.
Through several dull glances, in the dazed eyes of Sajyou Manaka, a woman with loosely pink hair gently brushed past her.
Finally, she arrived before Izaya.
Staring at the youth in front of her, she glanced at Sajyou Manaka, her captivating and passionate face blossoming into a gentle smile.
"So you're omniscient...?"
"I wonder, can you really see this future... Princess of the Root?"
She leaned in slowly.
Izaya seemed to realize what she intended, his pupils contracting, and he unconsciously opened his mouth.
"Wait—"
But as he tried to stop her, he was a step too late.
With the sound of dripping rain, and Manaka's absent gaze, Koyanskaya leaned down, her soft red lips gently imprinting on the man's lips.
…