While Ayaia subtly expressed her feelings to Naoki at the apartment, in a small alley in London—
A blood-soaked man was desperately running for his life.
It was a man wearing a black suit, red trousers, and glasses. If not for the wounds covering his body, one's first impression would have been that of an elegant gentleman.
But now, anyone who saw him would only avoid him. Blood flowed from large and small wounds across his body, leaving a clear trail on the ground behind him. His once-neat clothing was torn, as if slashed by sharp knives.
This man's name was Beryl, Beryl Gut. He was a magus from the Department of Botany. His reputation wasn't good—though most magi did have poor reputations, Beryl was one of the most notorious.
He was a pure-blooded magus. After learning all the Magecraft and spells from his mother, he blinded her and abandoned her. He started a murder business, making assassination his profession. Due to his cruel methods, he struggled to survive even in the underworld.
"Werewolf"—that was how the Clock Tower referred to Beryl.
Judged purely by combat strength, Beryl was among the most exceptional of magi. But at this moment, if any magus saw his current state, they would never connect him to the infamous reputation he held in the Clock Tower and the underworld.
Because the famously ruthless killer was now in the position of his enemies.
"Hah… hah… Damn, damn… Where did that cruel woman come from…?"
Without time to erase the blood trail behind him, the wounded Beryl staggered into the alley, leaned against the wall, and collapsed helplessly to the ground.
He had been attacked ten minutes ago.
He had been going about his usual routine—after assassinating several people in the unseen shadows of London, he planned to enjoy a delicious breakfast. But on his way to the restaurant, a female magus, appearing from nowhere, suddenly attacked him.
Beryl knew he wasn't popular. He had many enemies within the Clock Tower. So at first, he assumed he'd simply encountered someone seeking revenge.
But he quickly realized he was wrong—and it was a grave mistake. The female magus attacking him was incredibly strong, nothing like an ordinary magus!
Beryl still understood the level of modern magi. He had a rough idea. But the woman attacking him was different. She was far too powerful!
"Morfei le Jean… a name I've never heard. Where did this old woman come from? Did I have a grudge with her? Or was someone I killed before a relative of hers?"
"Neither."
As Beryl was thinking, at the entrance of the alley, a figure wearing a white cloak blocked the sunlight.
Holding a royal staff, Morgan—who was using the name Morfei le Jean—gazed at Beryl hiding in the shadows of the alley: "Those who live in darkness instinctively flee into darkness when threatened. It's because they're more familiar with the dark than with the light. Isn't that right, Werewolf?"
"But you're not very lucky. This alley is a dead end. There's no manhole ahead either. You walked yourself into a trap."
Though she said that, Morgan had also deliberately driven him in this direction. There was no special reason—she just wanted to toy with this man who had a slight connection to her.
Three weeks ago, Morgan, who had originally lived near Glastonbury with her daughter, was visited by Merry for the first time. At that moment, Morgan was utterly shocked. The strongest hikikomori in human history had willingly left her apartment. For a moment, she wondered if she was dreaming.
And upon arriving, Merry frankly revealed her purpose—Naoki had received a list from Chaldea. It contained several magi selected by Marisbury to assist Naoki against the Human Order Burn. One of them was particularly disliked by Naoki, so he hoped Morgan could eliminate him.
Hearing Merry's request, Mordred was extremely enthusiastic. The girl had become very obedient. There was no trace left of the rebellious knight. Essentially, she would obey 100% of what Artoria and Naoki said—even her own mother couldn't compare.
But Morgan was slightly curious why Merry had asked her for help. As an answer, Merry gave Morgan a fragment of memory—while sneaking into Naoki's dreams daily to interact with him, Merry had also glimpsed parts of the [Root Knowledge]. Within it was content about something called [Lostbelt Britain].
"After seeing this memory, you should understand why I asked for your help. Well then, I'll be going. Don't tell the King I was ever here. This time was my own initiative."
After Merry finished speaking, she left. And afterward, after reviewing the clearly-edited memory, Morgan truly understood why Merry had asked for her help.
(A source of tragedy in many ways… It wouldn't be a problem to eliminate him. It might even resolve things for that child—well, let's think of it that way for now.)
Thinking this, Morgan aimed her royal staff toward the alley. With one more magical cannon shot, Beryl and the entire alley would be obliterated.
But just as Morgan began gathering mana—
*PU-CHI!*
Beryl, who had just stood up in the alley to make his final stand, suddenly had his chest pierced from behind. A blade stabbed straight through his heart without warning, then split his body in two. Both halves collapsed to the ground.
And behind Beryl, seeing the pale blue figure emerging from the deepest part of the alley, Morgan sighed with slight regret: "I didn't expect you to steal him. Was this the child's order, Miss Guardian?"
"No. This was my personal decision."
Okita wiped the blood clinging to her body with magical tools and sheathed her sword: "And this method is better. Your Magecraft would cause a huge disturbance. Even though this area is deserted, it could still attract attention."
"I see. If you kill him like this, even if the corpse rots completely, it'll never be found, right?" Morgan smiled. "Extremely thorough. Truly the professionalism of the Shinsengumi."
"…"
Unconcerned with the meaning behind Morgan's words, Okita simply stared at her. After a moment, she turned her gaze away: "Deliver this message to Miss Merry—if you want to do it, do it. There will be someone to clean up after you. If you don't do it, you'll be the last one."
A sentence that made no sense.
But Morgan understood why Merry wanted Okita to deliver that message. After laughing helplessly, she replied: "Then, give her this answer—whatever happens, I don't care."