radicalducati Page 365
Page 365
"The witch's special recipe."
Kuonji Yuju put down his teacup, his voice suddenly becoming serious.
"But the effects of the drug will only last for twelve hours. You must get some rest before the decisive battle tonight."
Aozaki Aoko pouted, wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, and curled up back on the sofa.
"You make it sound like I'm some kind of weakling. If it weren't for that attacker last night..."
"If you hadn't acted on your own, the cold air wouldn't have invaded your spiritual vein node."
Kuonji Aratsu interrupted her, her dark eyes filled with worry.
"The people Aozaki Touko sent were more dangerous than expected."
Outside the window, the winter sun shines through the stained glass, casting dappled light and shadow on the floor.
Aozaki Aoko stared at the flickering lights and suddenly asked a question.
Do you think they'll really come tonight?
Kuonji Yuju got up and walked to the fireplace, adding a few pieces of firewood inside.
"Magicians value ritual. Midnight, when the moon is at its fullest, is the time when spiritual energy flows most actively—"
The flames crackled, illuminating her delicate profile.
"They won't miss such a golden opportunity."
"Does that mean we have to stay up all night?"
Aozaki Aoko sighed dramatically.
"Staying up late is bad for your skin, Ms. Kuonji Yuzu."
The witch glanced back at her, then took a tea set from the cupboard.
So now is the time to conserve our energy and build up our strength.
She gracefully brewed a new pot of black tea.
"Let's discuss tactics as well."
The aroma of black tea filled the air. Aozaki Aoko took the teacup handed to her by Kuonji Yuzu, and the warmth gradually restored feeling to her cold fingertips.
"So, what brilliant idea does the great witch have?"
Kuonji Yuzu sat down opposite her, her skirt spreading out like black petals.
“The spiritual veins of Misaki City have five main points.”
She traced a line with her fingertips above the coffee table, and a pale blue cityscape and five shimmering points of light appeared in the air.
"We only need to hold onto one of them."
Aozaki Aoko leaned closer to observe and discovered that three of the light spots had turned a dangerous red.
"Was it damaged last night?"
"Ah."
Kuonji Temple nods.
"But the intruders must breach all the strongholds to seize administrator privileges. As long as we hold onto one—"
She pointed to the blue dot at the very edge.
"This area, the cemetery behind the church, is where my familiars are most active."
Aozaki Aoko frowned in thought.
"You mean, we should voluntarily abandon the other support points?"
"Turn passivity into initiative."
Kuonji Yuju's fingertips traced across the red dots of light.
"Let them think victory is assured, only to be ambushed at the final hurdle."
The flames in the fireplace suddenly shot up, casting long shadows of the two people onto the wall.
Aozaki Aoko stared at the distorted shadows and suddenly laughed.
"It sounds like some kind of trap game."
"That's what it is."
Kuonji Yuju picked up her teacup.
"A magician's battle is essentially a game of intelligence and psychology."
Aozaki Aoko suddenly became serious.
"Kuonji Aratsumi, do you think Aozaki Touko will personally intervene?"
The teaspoon made a crisp sound as it struck the side of the cup.
Kuonji Yuju paused almost imperceptibly.
"Uncertain. But yesterday's attackers..."
She put down her teacup.
"His target doesn't seem to be the spiritual vein."
"What's the meaning?".
Chapter 457 My Responsibility
"He had the opportunity to kill me, but he chose to retreat."
Kuonji Yuju's voice was deep.
"It's more like... wanting to gain some kind of qualification by defeating the witch."
Aozaki Aoko suddenly sat up straight.
"Wait a minute! Doesn't that mean—"
"You don't have to participate in tonight's battle."
Kuonji Yuju looked directly into her eyes, her tone unusually gentle.
"This is not your war, Aozaki Aoko."
The room suddenly fell silent, with only the crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace.
Aozaki Aoko put down her teacup, the porcelain clinking against the glass coffee table.
"What a joke!"
Her voice suddenly rose.
"I am the heir to the Aozaki family, and it is my responsibility to protect Misaki City!"
Kuonji Yuju watched her quietly.
"But the enemy isn't targeting you. If you quit..."
"Wouldn't that make me a deserter?"
Aozaki Aoko sneered.
"To make the enemy underestimate the magicians of the Aozaki family?"
"A magician..."
Kuonji Yuju repeated the word softly, her expression turning serious.
"Aozaki Aoko, are you aware of the cost of using the Demonic Ritual of the Six-fold Umbrella?"
Aozaki Aoko looked away, staring at her shimmering reflection in her teacup.
"It's just a matter of shortening one's lifespan, as if I care that much."
"It's not as simple as lifespan."
Kuonji Yuju's voice suddenly became sharp.
"Magic can distort the laws of reality. Each time it is used, it will leave an irreversible mark on you."
A gust of wind blew past the window, and tree branches scraped against the glass, making an unpleasant sound.
Aozaki Aoko looked up and met the witch's gaze, discovering a rare anxiety in her eyes.
"When the crucial moment comes, I will not hesitate."
She spoke slowly and deliberately.
Kuonji Yuju suddenly stood up.
"Foolish! Do you think this is child's play?"
She raised her voice, which was unusual for her.
"Magic is not a tool for showing off!"
Aozaki Aoko was stunned.
In her memory, Kuonji Yuzu had never been so distraught. The firelight from the fireplace danced on the witch's pale face, casting shadows of varying depths.
"There are beads in Kuuanji Temple..."
She called softly, then suddenly realized something.
"Are you afraid?"
The witch turned her face away, remained silent for a moment, and then regained her composure.
"I'm just stating the facts."
She straightened her skirt and sat down again.
"If you insist on participating in the war, at least understand the risks."
Aozaki Aoko scratched her head, trying to ease the tension.
"Alright, alright, maybe we won't even need magic! Your familiar plus my magic should be enough to handle it, right?"