Inside the apartment.
Seeing Sion sitting stiffly on the sofa, Touko—who had stayed behind at home—gave Naoki a clearly sarcastic look.
He went out briefly and came back with a woman. Yesterday it was Ayaka, and today it's a prodigy from the Atlas Institute.
Touko strongly suspected whether her student planned to bring home yet another person tomorrow. His charm toward women was truly unbelievable. Strangely, two years ago, no additional women had ever appeared in his household. That could be credited to Gray keeping a close watch over him.
Apparently, after leaving Gray's supervision, Naoki had become like this.
(I guess from now on I should make Gray follow him around.)
Without Gray or Rei watching over him, if Naoki went out alone, he might return accompanied by a dozen people.
As Touko pondered Naoki's social relationships, Naoki himself was speaking with Sion.
"I sincerely thank you for saving me, Natsukawa Naoki."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Sion bowed deeply and genuinely expressed her gratitude.
"Previously, I thought the Headmaster's evaluation of you might have been slightly exaggerated. I never expected you to truly be as strong as the Headmaster described. I apologize."
"The Headmaster? Ah… Zepia?" Naoki recalled someone he hadn't seen in a long time. "Did he mention me to you?"
Sion nodded. "Before I left the Atlas Institute, the Headmaster specifically told me: if I encountered an unsolvable problem in Misaki City, I could seek your help and cooperation. He said you were the most reliable and trustworthy man he knew."
In truth, after witnessing Naoki's overwhelming power nearly destroying Nero Chaos earlier, Sion now fully believed Zepia's words.
Hearing this, Naoki immediately turned to Touko and Ayaka. "Touko, Ayaka, listen up. This is the fairest and most objective evaluation of me. The Clock Tower's assessment is pure slander!"
What nonsense was this about chaotic social relationships, or being a playboy close to wealthy women, or being a nouveau riche—was Natsukawa Naoki really such a person?!
Seeing his behavior, both Touko and Ayaka averted their eyes and sighed in resignation.
(Fine, as long as you're happy, Naoki.)
(I actually feel Sion-san's evaluation isn't generous enough, Naoki.)
Ignoring their reactions, Naoki turned back to Sion. "But it's strange that Zepia would mention my name. The last time I met him was at Blackmore Cemetery ten years ago, and we only exchanged a few words."
"According to the Headmaster, you are one of the most exceptional magi he has ever encountered. Moreover, during these past ten years, you've frequently accomplished astonishing feats. Even without actively seeking information, news about you reaches him constantly. That's why he holds you in such high regard. And also because of your connection with Logos React."
Sion explained with a smile.
(She's talking about Rei… Hmm, better not mention the fact that I've turned her into a puppet, and that two Root Princesses reside within her.)
If he said that, Naoki felt Sion in front of him might fall into an extremely awkward situation.
"By the way, why did you come to Misaki City?" Naoki continued. "Although the Atlas Institute doesn't have rules forbidding members from going out, it's quite isolated. Magi there rarely leave voluntarily. You don't seem like someone who enjoys going out either. Is there a special reason you came here?"
(If she came because of Tatari… The Zepia in this world isn't Tatari. Sion probably hasn't experienced those events either, so she wouldn't have any reason to pursue Tatari.)
"I was expelled by the Headmaster."
Sion answered frankly.
"At first, I was peacefully conducting my research in my workshop. Suddenly, the Headmaster called me, said a bunch of incomprehensible things, and then expelled me from the Atlas Institute. He said I couldn't return unless I completed the task he assigned me in Misaki City."
"A task?" Ayaka frowned. "What kind of task?"
"[Go to Misaki City and kill Zepia Eltnam Atlasia]—that was the suicide mission the Headmaster gave me. Strange, isn't it?"
Sending Sion to Misaki City to kill herself. To anyone unaware, Zepia's actions would seem utterly confusing. Indeed, Sion herself had felt that way. But the people here had already been informed by Naoki about Tatari's true identity, so they understood the real meaning behind Zepia's instruction.
"Strange? Not really. After all, he didn't give you incorrect instructions."
"Huh?" Sion was slightly confused by Naoki's statement. "Do you mean… there's another Headmaster in Misaki City?"
Naoki nodded. "More or less. The Nero Chaos who attacked us earlier wasn't the real one. He was killed seven years ago. The one we fought was a copy created by someone who read residual information left in this city."
"Our enemy's name is Tatari, or the Night of Wallachia. He doesn't exist in this world—he's one of the Twenty-seven Dead Apostle Ancestors from a parallel world, and also [Zepia Eltnam Atlasia] from that parallel world."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The tallest building in Misaki City.
The Shrine—this was how people in Misaki usually referred to it. It sounded like an exceptionally remarkable skyscraper, but in reality, it was still an unfinished building.
At its peak, Ciel now stood there.
Compared to Touko, who had nothing to do, and Naoki, who was out strolling with Ayaka and Arcueid, Ciel might be the only one seriously thinking about how to defeat Tatari. Perhaps she hadn't fully let go of her role as an Executor?
Since their enemy was one of the Twenty-seven Dead Apostle Ancestors, thorough preparation was necessary. If the opponent was known to appear two nights from now, the time before that could be used to prepare various countermeasures.
Such as Magecraft barriers specifically designed against Dead Apostles—and similar things.
If asked what the difference was between Ciel now and Ciel seven years ago, it would be her level of Magecraft. Back then, she hated Roa. She had always rejected the Magecraft knowledge Roa had left in her mind and refused to touch it. But now, her perspective had changed. Over the past seven years, she had mastered most of Roa's Magecraft knowledge.
That was why she was here—to set up Magecraft barriers.
"Tatari… Hah~ I hope the battle two nights from now goes smoothly."
Gazing at the increasingly full moon, Ciel let out a soft sigh.