blogombal Page 324
Page 324
"I will come to collect the Demon Eye Killer in a week."
Shiraishikawa turned to leave.
"I look forward to hearing your response regarding the second commission... Please give me a positive reply."
The moment he turned around, Aozaki Touko quietly activated the three combat dolls hidden in the corner of the workshop.
They silently slipped out of the shadows, forming a triangular formation that surrounded Shiraishi River.
"In such a hurry to leave?"
Aozaki Touko's voice carried a false enthusiasm.
"How about another cup of tea?"
Shiraishi River did not pause in his steps.
“Miss Aozaki, testing is dangerous.”
His tone remained calm.
"Especially when the other party is much stronger than you."
The three puppets launched an attack simultaneously, their specially made magic blades aimed directly at Shiraishikawa's vitals.
The next moment, a melodious song suddenly rang out in the workshop.
"こまもあなたと..."
(Wherever we go, I'll be with you...)
A girl in a white dress appeared out of thin air, her long silver hair fluttering in the windless workshop.
She gently raised her hand, and the three puppets seemed to be frozen in mid-air by an invisible force.
“Real name, be gentle.”
-Moon〔Chair 2〖Phosphorus 2（。Two）Japanese Ink Mixed with Ba'er?Shiraishikawa said without turning his head.
The girl, whose real name she was called, smiled innocently, and then—pulled a golden cup out of thin air.
Aozaki Touko gasped.
That shape, that magical reaction... it couldn't be anything else, it's the Holy Grail!
"おやすみなさい, Ningyo さん" (Good night, Mr. Doll), his real name said softly, tilting the Holy Grail slightly.
What gushed from the cup was not liquid, but countless tiny black locusts, which instantly covered the three dolls.
A chilling gnawing sound rang out, and in less than three seconds, the doll that Aozaki Touko had painstakingly crafted turned into a pile of useless scrap metal.
"Ouma... real name?"
Aozaki Touko uttered the name with difficulty.
She had seen records of “the void genome” and “the lost Christmas” in some taboo literature.
The real name turned to Aozaki Touko, tilting her head and revealing a sweet smile.
"こんにちは, 新しいお友达!"
(Hello, new friend!)
Shiraishikawa finally turned around.
"Sorry, I sometimes forget to use the common language when I use my real name."
He gently patted the girl's head, and she squinted her eyes like a cat.
Chapter 396 Emergency Spell Triggering Device
"As you can see, we are indeed... somewhat special."
Aozaki Touko's hand had already quietly reached for the emergency spell trigger device under the table.
The next moment, she froze—Shiraishikawa walked to an unfinished blank doll in the corner of the workshop and reached out to stroke its cheek.
"Life is the greatest magic trick, isn't it?"
An eerie green light emanated from his fingertips.
Aozaki Touko watched helplessly as the blank doll, which should have been lifeless, began to breathe.
Its chest rose and fell, the veins appeared beneath its porcelain-like skin, and finally—its heartbeat could be clearly heard in the silent workshop.
"Owner?"
The doll opened its eyes and spoke in a halting voice, its gaze fixed on Aozaki Touko.
Shiraishikawa nodded in satisfaction.
"A small gift as an apology for the...unpleasantness just now."
He walked toward the door. 663 "It will take care of the workshop for you until my next visit."
Mana skipped and hopped behind him, and before leaving the house, she suddenly turned back and winked at Aozaki Touko.
"またね,おさん!"
(Goodbye, sister!)
The moment the door closed, Aozaki Touko finally allowed herself to slump into the chair.
Her back was soaked with cold sweat.
The newborn doll clumsily began to tidy up the scattered tools, occasionally looking at its hands in confusion, as if it did not understand why they were moving.
Aozaki Touko lit another cigarette and took a deep drag.
The power Shiraishikawa has displayed transcends the realm of conventional magic—granting life, manipulating the void, and possibly even possessing the Holy Grail... This is something no ordinary magician could achieve.
"Master... what do you need me to do?"
The doll asked timidly.
Aozaki Touko did not answer immediately.
Her thoughts drifted to the rumors of the missing female magicians at the Clock Tower, and to what appeared at certain underground auctions.
Specialty goods. If Shiraishikawa's plan is indeed as she suspects...
"First, clean up the locust remains."
She finally spoke, her voice carrying a weariness she herself was unaware of.
The doll nodded obediently and began its work.
Aozaki Touko walked to the window and looked at the gloomy sky outside.
One week... She needs to figure out Shiraishikawa's true intentions within this week, and—whether she should get involved in this dangerous game.
A thought suddenly flashed through her mind: what if she could offer a magician... and a witch as well? Would such a bargaining chip be enough to grant Shiraishikawa's reasonable wish?
Aozaki Touko stubbed out her cigarette, a dangerous smile spreading across her face. Perhaps... this game was more interesting than she had imagined.
Shiraishikawa's footsteps were exceptionally clear in the silence, each step seeming to tread on the string of time, causing unseen ripples.
"Master, the moon is so beautiful tonight."
Mana Ouma tilted her head back, the moonlight flowing through her long silver hair like liquid stars.
She linked arms with Shiraishi Chuan, her fingertips unconsciously tracing circles on his sleeve.
Shiraishi Chuan did not answer; his gaze traveled across the alley to the figure that had suddenly appeared.
He was a tall, middle-aged man, half of his body hidden in the shadows, as if he were a part of the darkness that had grown out of it.
He stood there, like a stone tablet weathered by a thousand years of wind, heavy and ancient.
"Araya Sōren..."
Shiraishi murmured the name, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible, yet it instantly made the girl beside him tense up.
Mana Ouma's pupils contracted to the size of pinpoints, and a faint blue aura emanated from her body, spreading outwards.
"Master... you don't seem to like that guy staring at us. Should we kill him?"
Her voice was sickeningly sweet, yet it carried a chilling edge.
Shiraishikawa did not answer immediately.
He gazed at the man known as the Static Origin Avatar, and memories of the character flooded back.
A rogue monk of the Tiantai sect, a magician seeking the prototype of the soul, and a monster who has lived for over two hundred years.
According to the normal timeline, he should still be secretly making plans, rather than appearing here so openly.
"The timeline is messed up..."
Shiraishikawa narrowed his eyes, a deep red light flashing in the depths of his pupils.
He gently patted the back of Mana Ouma's hand.
"Don't rush, let's see what he's planning to do."
Araya Sōren remained standing in the same spot.
His face was etched with deep wrinkles, each one seeming to bear the weight of endless suffering.
Chapter 397 Obstacles
That wasn't an expression a human should have; it was more like a manifestation of a hellish scene.
"I see. You were just a passive responder."
Shiraishikawa suddenly laughed, a mocking smile curving his lips.
He released Mana Ouma's hand and took a step forward.
"The reason you came out so late at night is enough to prove that she's here, right?"
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Araya Sōren slowly raised his head, his cloudy eyes moving before finally settling on Shiraishikawa.
"...The Observer."
His voice seemed to come from underground, each syllable carrying a rough, sandy quality.