I, Kenneth, am going to get to the root of the problem today.

Page 3

Barthemello, with his unparalleled strength, ranks first and represents the pinnacle of the aristocratic faction. Tramberio and Baljeretta, who follow closely behind, both align with the democratic faction. The neutral faction is not worth mentioning for now. Unfortunately, the one who applied for the sealing appointment for Aozaki Touko was her teacher, Lord Baljeretta, which is why Aozaki Touko questioned Kenneth's abilities.

Faced with the Baruyeleta family, which was deeply rooted in the Clock Tower, Kenneth could only ask Barthemello, another of the three noble families, to fight for him. As for the other families that sided with the democrats, Kenneth said, "Sorry, you scum don't understand the value of being the number one family below the three noble families."

As long as I, Kenneth, give the word, Euryphus, Gaius, Archelodeon, and Animusfia, all members of the aristocratic faction, will definitely give me face in this matter. With half of the twelve monarchs agreeing, and those vassal families of Balyeleta still having a say, Kenneth will consider himself to have lost. Kenneth declares: The advantage is on my side!

Kenneth's voice echoed in the office. Lorelia did not give a direct answer, but instead looked at Kenneth sitting on the sofa. Knowing what Lorelia meant, Kenneth did not hesitate and took out a crimson crystal from his pocket.

"This is my sincerity. In addition, the El-Melloi family will fully cooperate with Basemelloi in the search for information about Ottenrose (the White Wing, one of the three oldest Dead Apostles)."

Upon hearing the name, Lorelia immediately exuded the aura of the pinnacle of contemporary magicians. Kenneth was alright, but Reines trembled violently under Lorelia's pressure. Fortunately, Lorelia quickly adjusted her emotions, held the core of the Child of the Sea Forest in her palm, and carefully felt the magic power within.

“It’s a very healthy core; I can feel its heartbeat. I’ve agreed to this deal.”

"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Barthemello. In that case, I will await your good news."

Rising to his feet, Kenneth, having completed the transaction, gave Loreleia a noble salute before leaving Loreleia's reception room with the dazed Reines. To be honest, this deal was truly made possible thanks to Director Ken. If it weren't for the good personal relationship between Director Ken and Loreleia, they wouldn't have been able to persuade Loreleia, whose family history rivaled that of the Magic Association, to part with the core of the son of Fuhailin.

Noticing that Reines hadn't recovered from her daze, Kenneth didn't mind. He got into the El-Melloi family's car and headed to the Spellcasting Department. Recalling the old man in his memory, Kenneth was conflicted. The lord of the Euryphus family had indeed been good to Kenneth. If he could continue to drink blood, Kenneth didn't want to sever ties too soon. But considering the Solau issue, it was only a matter of time before they turned against each other.

As a man of noble aristocratic values, Euryphus considered face second only to his very foundation in the eyes of these old men. If Kenneth proposed annuling the engagement, then Euryphus and El-Melloi's honeymoon would be completely over.

Chapter Six: Lion's Tribulation and the Realm of Separation

Sitting in the car on the way back to the El-Melloi family home, Reines, who had been running around with Kenneth all day, became increasingly unable to look Kenneth in the eye. In Reines' eyes, this man seemed to have countless faces: his unpretentiousness in the morning, his easygoing nature at breakfast, his seriousness in front of Barthezelloi, and his flattery in front of Euryphus. All his behavior was completely different from the rumors she had heard.

"What a terrifying man."

At this moment, Reines transformed and returned to El-Melloi's mansion. Kenneth looked at Reines, who had been with him all day, and then took out a vial of mercury from his coat.

"Do you know what this is?"

"Moon Spirit Essence Liquid, created by you, Lord, is the new supreme Craft Essence of the El-Melloi family."

Seeing the silver liquid churning in the test tube, Reines' breathing quickened. Seeing that Reines knew her stuff, Kenneth put the test tube away and headed towards his own magic workshop.

P.S.: Reines was a shield that was pushed up after Ken sent her. When Ken was alive, Reines was just an ordinary magician from a low-ranking family of the El-Melloi family and had no access to Ken's Mystic Code. Archizolti was from a low-ranking branch family of the El-Melloi family.

"Come with me. From today onwards, you will be my adopted sister. As the heir of the El-Melloi family, the Moon Spirit Essence is a Mystic Code that you must master."

At this moment, Reines, who had been on tenterhooks all day, was completely stunned by this unexpected windfall. Her stepsister and the heir of El-Melloi echoed in Reines' mind. Noticing that Kenneth had already gone up the stairs, Reines realized that she was about to take off and lifted her skirt to chase after him.

"This is my process and experience in making Moon Spirit Elixir. The Archizorti family should have already taught you those basic magic tricks. Starting today, I will guide you in making your own Moon Spirit Elixir."

Entering his workshop, Kenneth took out a protective suit and tossed it to Reines, whose face was filled with excitement. After putting on his own protective gear, Kenneth also began modifying Director Ken's Moon Spirit Essence Liquid based on the memories in his mind. To be honest, Kenneth really couldn't stand this big, ugly blob of mercury.

"Just ask me if you don't understand something. Don't try things blindly. The construction of Moon Spirit Essence Liquid is a delicate task."

After receiving the protective suit from Kenneth and having a brief interaction with him, Reines got a basic understanding of Kenneth's temperament and immediately put herself in the role of his adopted sister.

"I understand, brother (Onii-chan~)."

Kenneth really didn't expect to receive the same treatment as Waver. Luckily, he had a mask to hide it, otherwise Kenneth's stomach-ache expression would have definitely startled Reines. After calming himself down, Kenneth nodded slightly to Reines in response. He then walked to the opposite side of Reines, took out his Moon Spirit Essence Liquid, and got busy.

The good times didn't last long. Within minutes, Kenneth realized how difficult the Moon Spirit Elixir was for Reines. After a series of explosions and mercury vapor leaks, Kenneth's usual magic workshop was completely destroyed.

With his hair slicked back and a dark expression on his face, Kenneth quickly walked out of the workshop after activating the self-rescue program. Behind Kenneth, a disheveled Reines lowered her head, not daring to look directly at Kenneth.

"Forget it, it's too difficult for you to start directly. Starting tomorrow, you can learn how to construct spells from me. It's getting late, so find an empty room to stay in."

Rene, who had burned through over a million dollars of Kenneth's money in just one night and hadn't heard any of his reprimands, breathed a sigh of relief. Sensing that Kenneth was different from other magicians, Rene, with her mischievous nature, became bolder and lifted her skirt to bow to Kenneth as he walked away.

Good night, elder brother.

"Good night."

Reines was completely relieved after receiving Kenneth's reply. Lying in the room arranged by the butler, Reines, who had thought she would become a guinea pig, finally relaxed completely.

-------------------------------------

The next day, after Reines called him "Big Brother" in a sweet voice, Kenneth got into the car and headed to the Clock Tower. In the Minerals Department office, after receiving the black tea that Reines had brewed, Kenneth looked at the restless man opposite him with a serious expression.

"any drinks?"

"Plain water is fine, no need to bother."

"Lenes, make Mr. Shishijie a cup of black tea."

Upon hearing Kenneth's address, the burly man named Lion Robber Jie Li instinctively trembled. Just yesterday, when Lion Robber Jie Li learned that Kenneth wanted to see him, he almost fled the world at the speed of light. As a representative of the aristocratic faction, Kenneth had always disliked these desperados. If Lion Robber Jie Li hadn't known that he hadn't offended this Lord, he would have definitely carried the London train station to London overnight.

Looking at the magician before him, who had a villainous face but was surprisingly a good person, Kenneth put down his teacup and invited him:

"You are very capable. I wonder if you have any thoughts about joining the El-Melloi school?"

‘Clang! ’

Kenneth's words startled Shizi Jieli so much that he dropped the cup of red tea in his hand. Ignoring Shizi Jieli's loss of composure, Kenneth gestured for Reines to brew another cup before turning his attention to Shizi Jieli, whose sunglasses had fallen to the ground because of his words.

"Don't be nervous. As long as you agree, the El-Melloi family will do everything they can to help you solve the problem of the magic crest."

"You probably don't know this yet, but Aozaki Touko is now a member of the El-Melloi School, and her techniques can completely undo the tragedies you experienced."

Kenneth's words struck Lion Jie Li like a hammer blow. His gaze behind his sunglasses began to flicker as he started to mentally analyze Kenneth's proposal.

With El-Melloi's help, Shishikage Kairi was tempted. He had also heard of Aozaki Touko, but her elusive whereabouts made it difficult for him to find her. Now, with such an opportunity in front of him, Shishikage Kairi found it hard to refuse Kenneth's offer.

Although he didn't understand why Aozaki Touko, who was known for her free-spiritedness and was even designated to be sealed away, would join the El-Melloi School, Shishikatsu Kairi suppressed his last concerns considering Kenneth's identity.

Raising his head, having thought everything through, Shiki Jie Li downed his cup of black tea in one gulp and looked at Kenneth sitting opposite him with a serious expression.

"Since you've gone to such lengths, Lord, what reason do I have to refuse? What does Lord want me to do?"

Having understood what Shizi Jieli meant, Kenneth's lips curled into a smile. He took out a stack of documents from under the table and handed them to Shizi Jieli across from him.

"Welcome to the El-Melloi School. The Holy Grail War is a ritual I'm about to participate in, and I hope you can cooperate with me in secret. There's a guy who's a perfect fit for your skills."

"Emiya Kiritsugu? He's certainly a good fit, but Lord, the Holy Grail War is still over a year away. What is my mission before then?"

Raising an eyebrow, Kenneth had truly underestimated the weight of the family curse on Lion's Den. Setting down his teacup, Kenneth said softly:

"There are no tasks for now. Before the Holy Grail War, you just need to keep our relationship a secret. In the meantime, the El-Melloi family will do everything they can to help you decipher the curse you are carrying."

Chapter Seven Rita Rogan

Kenneth knew that his greatest advantage was his familiarity with the plot. He had already manipulated Matou Sakura's fate, and if he continued to cause trouble, Kenneth was genuinely afraid that he would ruin the Holy Grail War. Just imagining being blocked at the door by the entire Emiya family's heroes made Kenneth break out in a cold sweat.

(P.S.: "The whole family are heroes" is just a joke, no offense intended. Everyone in the Emiya family, except for newbies who like Kirito, really likes them.)

After seeing off Kairi the Lion Clan, Kenneth thought for a moment and then turned to walk towards the location of the Summoning Department, where Locke Belfebon, the head of the Summoning Department under the Summoning Department, was also the old man who had been extorted by Kairi the Lion Clan in Alicization.

El-Melloi and Euryphus, who controls the Conjuring Department, are currently in a honeymoon period. Upon Kenneth's arrival, the magicians of the Conjuring Department immediately welcomed him into Locke Belfebund's office.

Kenneth's idea was simple: to summon Karna's relics in Alicization. If Kenneth remembered correctly, all the relics that represented the Clock Tower in Alicization were provided by the old man in front of him.

Since he has a choice, Kenneth will definitely not summon the brush. As for the Conqueror's Cloak, Kenneth also plans to send it to Waver as originally written. Poor Waver, he was already being manipulated by Kenneth before he even finished writing that paper.

Thanks to Kenneth's status as the son-in-law of the Euphoria family, Locke Belfebund, upon learning Kenneth's purpose, assured him that he would find the relic Kenneth needed and achieve a satisfactory result. It was already dusk, and with Locke Belfebund seeing him off, Kenneth had completed his plan for the day.

Back at the El-Melloi residence, after assigning Reines her homework and setting up a task to investigate the three starter Pokémon, Kenneth, sitting in his study, began to devise ways to optimize the Moon Essence Fluid.

Just then, the magic fax machine hanging in the study automatically printed out a document. After glancing at the contents, Kenneth marveled at Loreleia's efficiency and immediately dialed Aozaki Touko's number.

"Hey, big boss, do you know that disturbing a woman's beauty sleep is a major taboo? Let me tell you, this won't be resolved without five million..."

Listening to Aozaki Touko's drowsy complaints, Kenneth calculated the time difference and realized that it should be 4 a.m. in Japan. However, as the sugar daddy, Kenneth felt no remorse. "You're just a worker, how dare you complain to a capitalist? You're going to get what's coming to you later."

How's the work I assigned you?

"Hahaha, boss, what are you saying? My phone's deaf, I can't hear you! Hello, hello, hello..."

Black lines appeared on his forehead, and Kenneth's brows began to twitch violently. Suppressing his surging rage, Kenneth gritted his teeth and said:

"I can delay my doll, but I'm only giving you one week to finish this one, Asagami Fujino. If you can't, your salary next month will be zero!!"

"Boss, you know me, I would never slack off, but Guanbuzi City is too big, it's really hard to find someone. I'm requesting additional funding for the event!!"

Aozaki Touko's utter nonsense reignited Kenneth's anger, which had just subsided. After taking several deep breaths, Kenneth immediately responded with a tone of regret.

"This is really troublesome. I just received a document from the Bureau of Secret Trials. It seems you're not interested, Miss Aozaki!"

Now it was Aozaki Touko's turn to get anxious, far away in Japan. Immediately afterward, Aozaki Touko's expression changed drastically on the other end of the phone, looking like she was at the beck and call of her boss. Listening to the increasingly outrageous compliments on the other end of the phone, Kenneth laughed in exasperation and was too lazy to continue arguing with Aozaki Touko.

"Your seal has been lifted, and the announcement should be made soon. As for the holder of that Demon Eye, send him to me as soon as possible."

After thinking for a moment, Kenneth added:

"There's one more thing. You should be in contact with Rosie, right? Ask around for me if you know of any good magic eyes."

As a familiar name rang in her ears, Aozaki Touko remembered the time a few years ago when she and Beowulf (now Sojuro's watchdog) wreaked havoc on the Mystic Eyes Collection Train. Recalling the dead disciple who called himself an artist, Aozaki Touko thought for a moment and handed a number to Kenneth.

"You should ask that yourself, boss. I have no intention of having an all-night talk with that guy."

Without giving Kenneth a chance to refuse, Aozaki Touko hung up the phone in a flash.

"This guy, that's a flimsy excuse."

With a wry smile, Kenneth put down the phone and tried to recall Rita Rogan, who only existed in the background story. She was the fifteenth ancestor in the world of Tsukihime, a self-proclaimed high-class artist and collector, but in reality an extreme hedonist. She was the big boss behind the Magic Eye Collection Train and a typical aristocratic dead apostle who became best friends with Aozaki Touko after a fight.

"Now, we're in trouble."

Although the relationship between the Dead Apostles and the Magicians is clearly distinct on the surface, there are several families in the Clock Tower that have no dealings with those guys. Kenneth himself is unwilling to contact Rosie, mainly because of his identity. Putting aside his relationship with Barthemello, Kenneth himself is not familiar with Rosie and has no personal connections. It is simply a pipe dream to get good things from that fun-loving collector.

"Forget it, let's just accept the massive bleeding."

Kenneth dialed the number provided by Aozaki Touko and waited quietly. Not long after, the call was connected, and before Kenneth could speak, a cursing voice came from the other end of the line.

"You mudskipper, don't waste my stock! Wine is for savoring, not for you to churn out!"

Who are you calling a mudfish?! Do you believe I'll twist your head off?!

"You want to fight?"

[Fight if you want!]

......

Immediately afterwards, explosions, roars, and the sound of flesh being torn apart rang out. Without a doubt, Kenneth knew who was fighting Rosian: the twenty-first ancestor of the Moon Princess world, the Water Demon Smiley, the only being besides Arcueid who could use the ability to materialize illusions, and Rosian's love-hate relationship with her.

"Ahem, greetings, Miss Luo Jie'an."

"You mudskipper, let go of me! I'll call you back after I finish this call!!"

Okay, I'll do as you say!

Upon hearing the unfamiliar male voice, Rosie, who was still fiddling with Smilet's breasts, realized that the other person was not someone she knew and immediately adopted the demeanor of a noble young lady.

"I am Rita Rogéan. May I ask where you obtained this number?"

"Let me introduce myself. I am Kenneth El-Mello Archibald. As for where I got this number, please keep that a secret."

At that moment, Rogéan on the other end of the phone was stunned. No matter how much she had planned, she never expected that the other party would be El-Melloi, who was in cahoots with Barthezelloi. Although Rogéan's business also had dealings with Barthezelloi, Rogéan's disgust for that family, whose minds were full of killing the Dead Apostles, was off the charts.

Chapter 8 El-Melloi, on the verge of bankruptcy.

"I wonder what business the head of the El-Melloi family has with me? I don't recall having any relationship with magicians from your faction that close!"

Sensing the change in Rosie's tone, Kenneth revealed an expression of expectation. Although Rosie had many business dealings with the Magic Association, even so, they would not give the Bartholomew family a friendly look.

“Miss Roganne, I have no ill intentions. My purpose is simply to purchase some good magic eyes from your collection.”

"Oh, that's really interesting. I happen to have some Gold-grade Magic Eyes here. If you want them, I can sell them to you."

Mystic Eyes can be categorized from low to high as ordinary, gold, gem, and rainbow. The first two can be achieved through magic, while the latter two are legendary eyes that cannot be replicated by magic. For monarchs like Kenneth, gems are the only collectibles befitting their status, and Rogean's words can be described as a blatant insult.

“Miss Rosie is joking. As a collector, how could you possibly be interested in those defective pieces? Gems, or rather rainbows, are the treasures that are befitting your status.”

There was no other way; when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. In order to survive the Fourth Holy Grail War, Kenneth felt that he didn't care about losing face. Faced with Kenneth's flattery, Rosie on the other end of the phone burst out laughing.

"You're quite the smooth talker, but even if it's in my collection, why would I sell it to you?"

Hearing this, Kenneth breathed a sigh of relief. Since Rosie was still willing to exchange pleasantries with him, it meant that she had business intentions and was simply waiting for the right price.

"This is going to be a huge financial blow!"

After composing himself, Kenneth continued:

"Miss Rosie is too kind. We're all business people. As long as the price is fair, what can't we sell?"

"Pfft, you're surprisingly interesting. So, what would you like to buy from me, sir?"

Kenneth finally breathed a sigh of relief. After a pause, he uttered a single word.

"rainbow."

After a brief moment of distraction, Luo Jie'an on the other end of the phone burst into laughter.

"Mr. Kenneth has quite the appetite. Such legendary items are very rare. Rare treasures are meant to be admired."

Rosie's words were interesting; they neither denied nor confirmed, but rather gave an ambiguous answer. Knowing Rosie's meaning, Kenneth didn't probe further and stated directly: