Accompanied by the sound of the wind, Atalanta's ears picked up Rei's voice transmitted through Magecraft.
With her eyes fixed on two people dining at the revolving restaurant in the distance, Atalanta responded, "So far, there's nothing unusual. They're just interacting and eating as usual, and Archer hasn't shown up either."
"Keep watching. Even though she's an acquaintance of Master, she's still a Magus. Betrayal is commonplace."
"I know that, it's just…"
After a moment of hesitation, Atalanta glanced at Aoko, who was beside her, also holding binoculars and looking toward the revolving restaurant.
"Aoko, why did you come here?"
"No reason, just here to spy on the enemy… That Touko, why did she spill my business with Naoki to Riddell? So annoying. I was planning to enjoy street food with Naoki tonight… Tch!"
Aoko's words clearly carried her frustration with her sister. If she were told Touko's whereabouts right now, she might charge in and fight until they were both battered. It had become their daily routine.
"But… Riddell is really cunning, dressing up so beautifully, and that revealing dress. Naoki, where are your eyes looking? She's not as big as me. Just wait and see how I'll punish you…"
Hearing Aoko's endless grumbling and the growing aura of resentment, Atalanta, slightly exasperated, turned back. "Can't you control your Master, Queen of the Land of Shadows?"
"This is entertaining enough." Scathach replied, looking like a spectator enjoying the commotion. "How someone manages their time to juggle multiple women is, in a way, a quality of a warrior. Great warriors naturally attract women. I'm quite curious to see how that fairy user handles this."
"I see. Rei, can I hand the surveillance task to Aoko and head back to you first?"
"No, hold on a bit longer, Ata."
"Haaah…"
Sighing in resignation, Atalanta turned her gaze back to the revolving restaurant. Watching Naoki chatting happily with Riddell, she suddenly felt an urge to shoot an arrow at his head.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At that very moment, as Atalanta and Aoko spied from the shadows, the conversation between Naoki and Riddell was gradually becoming more intense. Though they hadn't met in five years, there was a slight awkwardness at first. But after sharing stories about their lives, the tension quickly faded.
After sipping another glass of wine, Riddell smiled. "It sounds like a lot has happened to you out there… You must be exhausted from it all."
"Not really. Honestly, I don't always do everything the Old Man of the Jewels asks. Sometimes Aoko happens to be there, so I let her handle it."
"Aoko…"
Mentioning her old friend's name, Riddell suddenly shifted the topic. "Speaking of Aoko… Touko told me something quite interesting earlier."
"Touko… Oh, you mentioned her in your letter—the thing you wanted to confirm?"
"Yes. I was so curious that I wanted to ask directly whether it's true or not. The truth of this matter is quite important to me, especially regarding some family issues."
"So, what did you want to confirm?"
Swirling her wine glass, Riddell asked Naoki with a hint of seriousness, "Naoki, Touko said… out there in that world, you lived with Aoko for four years and even became a couple… Is that true?"
"Mm… Yes." Naoki nodded. "About four years ago, I was dealing with a rather troublesome issue. I couldn't handle it alone and couldn't use Magecraft because I was caught in a trap. Aoko could use Magecraft thanks to Merry's Magecraft, but it required mana to sustain Merry's technique, so…"
"Mana transfer, huh?"
Riddell let out a resigned sigh. She had initially thought the two had naturally ended up together, but it turned out an accident had propelled them straight to the finish line…
"So, Naoki, do you like Aoko?"
"I do." Naoki smiled. "In every sense, I really like her. Is that what you wanted to confirm?"
"Yes. Because the person I like was suddenly taken by someone else without my knowledge, I couldn't just sit back and pretend I didn't know. I had to get an explanation from him directly, right?" Riddell said with a smile.
Hearing her words, especially a certain phrase, Naoki's smile stiffened slightly, and his eyes widened. "Riddell… What did you just say?"
"Hmm? Didn't hear clearly? I said the person I like was taken by someone else."
"The person you like… Aoko?"
"Pfft~" Riddell couldn't help but laugh a little. "Why would you think it's her? Can't it be you? Or, you know, are you pretending to be clueless to dodge the question?"
"…"
"Looks like the latter. You think it's impossible? That I could like you?"
Naoki spread his hands. "Honestly, I'm shocked… I never imagined you'd like me. In my memory, I don't think I've ever done anything to make you like me."
"You stole my first kiss, and you call that nothing?"
"First kiss… That Paris flight incident was definitely her doing." Naoki said, touching his chest to indicate Manaka inside him. "Just that?"
"Just that. To be honest, you didn't really do anything. I just gradually became interested in you through our interactions, plus some practical factors."
Riddell gave a wry smile. "Becoming a Pride at a young age, apprenticed to Aozaki Touko, Lord El-Melloi's favorite student, individual combat strength on par with a Servant—Magus like you are rare in the entire world, especially as a first-generation Magus. If your bloodline could merge with the Archelot family, no one can imagine what kind of descendants would be born."
"Plus, considering your ties with the Department of Mineralogy, marrying you would also benefit the future development of the Department of Botany's faction."
"Because of these factors, I ended up liking you—if I had to put it that way."