Early morning.
Sunlight streamed through the window, and the burning wood in the fireplace crackled softly.
"...Mmm-hmm"
Aozaki Touko propped herself up in bed, her waist-length hair splayed out. She let out a lazy yawn, then looked at the snowflakes falling outside the window.
After a moment's thought, she lay back down and pulled the covers over her head.
"Well, I'll sleep for two more hours…" "Miss Touko, you should go eat a nutritious breakfast now."
A gentle female voice sounded. A white-haired, red-eyed maid stood by the bed, reaching out to nudge Aozaki Touko, who was hiding under the covers.
"...Mmm-hmm~"
"Miss Touko, you should get up now."
"...Mmm-hmm~"
"Your washbasin is also ready for you."
"...Mmm-hmm~"
The maid showed no impatience at this scene, continuing to call out softly with her voice like a clear mountain spring:
"If this continues, you might stay up all night again today."
"...I know!"
Under the covers, Aozaki Touko's delicate body stiffened slightly, then she got up with some difficulty.
She had been at Einzbern for three months. Her study of Homunculus technology had gone from initial enthusiasm to tedious boredom.
Of course, this might have been partly due to her investing too much passion at the beginning… Walking down the corridor, Aozaki Touko and the maid headed to the living room for their meal. The maids they passed all bowed to her. This attitude was not merely politeness towards a guest.
If anything, it was the attitude one would show towards… a family heir.
Of course, Aozaki Touko's relationship with Einzbern was not that deep.
In fact, the contract they signed was a very simple cooperative relationship: Aozaki Touko would win the Holy Grail War, and then the Einzbern Family would achieve their long-cherished wish.
On the surface, it was such a simple and clear relationship.
However.
Reality had exceeded expectations.
Three months of studying at Einzbern had been enough for the Homunculi to form a judgment about Aozaki Touko, and they believed that she could achieve victory in the Holy Grail War.
Given this premise,
Aozaki Touko could be said to be almost equivalent to the Homunculi's thousand-year-long cherished wish.
This was the reason for the Einzbern Homunculi's peculiar attitude… Upon reaching the living room.
Hadon was already seated in the main chair. His attire and hairstyle were immaculate, giving him the impression of a rigorous and rigid nobleman.
However, saying he was rigorous and rigid was actually not wrong.
Because the essence of Hadon's existence was that of an automaton that could operate indefinitely at the cost of being unable to progress.
In essence, he was no different from the puppets Aozaki Touko created.
"...How rare, you actually came to eat breakfast?!"
Aozaki Touko said with some surprise after sitting down.
In fact, Hadon himself had only been present on her first day at the Einzbern Family; at other times, he was basically nowhere to be seen.
"There are some things I need to discuss with you."
Hadon's tone was very calm.
During this time, the girl had fully demonstrated her talent. Her mastery of Homunculus technology was extremely rapid, even creating an illusion that given enough time, she could create the Winter Saintess on her own.
"Discuss?"
Aozaki Touko raised an eyebrow, showing curiosity.
"Before that, I have some questions I want to ask you!"
Hadon shook his head, then said seriously, "What are you pursuing, what do you want, what do you crave?"
"...I didn't expect you to ask me such a question!"
Aozaki Touko was somewhat surprised, then she smiled and said, "You know, in the world of ordinary people, it's actually very difficult to achieve freedom. Life is dictated by various things—the words of bosses, the words of teachers, the words of parents, and even the words of a wife—all are chains of bondage."
"Therefore, I am pursuing power, I want power, I crave power!"
Listening to the girl's words, Hadon remained silent, watching the glimmer in her eyes. It was a brilliant will, a gaze that only those with an 'ideal' would possess.
"Is that so, this truly is… an ideal that only a genius would have!"
This was no exaggeration. For ordinary people, to live their entire lives without control over their destiny, to grasp their own destiny, was almost an impossible feat.
However, for a genius, it was different. Compared to the pitifully few choices ordinary people had,
geniuses possessed a broader future and a wider range of choices. Only then could such a self-centered ideal be born.
"..."
Aozaki Touko drained her milk in one gulp, then said, "Then… can you tell me now what you want to discuss with me?"
"Regarding the disposal plan for the Lesser Holy Grail!"
Hadon said calmly, "Since you are responsible for participating in the Holy Grail War, I think your opinion should be considered in deciding what form the Holy Grail will take!"
Aozaki Touko blinked her eyes and asked softly, "Have you already created the Holy Grail?"