Aozaki Aoko Case File

Caren Hortensia's mother was already dead—a fact Aoko hadn't entirely anticipated.

Based on the information she had deduced, Kotomine Kirei might not have yet confessed his insanity to his wife. On the surface, they should still have appeared to be the model couple of the Holy Church. So how had this happened so suddenly?

Not that Caren's mother being alive or dead was a major issue. The real question was whether Caren's Masochistic Spiritualist Constitution had awakened.

Aoko activated her magic circuits, grasped Caren's arms, and carefully examined the little silver-haired girl's body with magic. This made Caren, who had no understanding of magic, a bit frightened.

"What are you doing, you creepy old lady? Let me go, or I'll scream!"

But screaming wouldn't have done her any good. All the staff in this chapel under the Holy Church had already been neutralized by Aoko. At this point in war-torn Yugoslavia, not even divine intervention could stop her.

After a thorough check, Aoko confirmed that Caren's Masochistic Spiritualist Constitution had not yet awakened. For now, she was just an ordinary, slightly undernourished little girl.

"How old are you this year?"

Aoko asked, staring into Caren's eyes.

"E-Eight," Caren stammered, intimidated by this glowing older sister. Could she be a demon? Or an alien?

Her usual caretakers—the priest and the nuns—were nowhere to be seen. Surely this person had eaten them! Poor Caren whimpered internally as her thoughts spiraled.

While Caren was lost in her imagination, Aoko calculated that the awakening of her Masochistic Spiritualist Constitution would likely occur around age nine. Since Caren was only eight now, the Holy Church hadn't started persecuting her yet. Everything was still manageable.

"Alright, Caren," Aoko said.

"Let's pack your things. We're taking you to your father's country."

Caren didn't feel like talking. She had no fondness for her biological father—she knew he wasn't a good person, just as she was aware she wasn't exactly an innocent child herself. But she wasn't going to say that to this strange older sister.

What if she wasn't a good person either?

Smart little Caren obediently led the strange sister to her small room and gathered what few possessions she had.

Truthfully, Caren didn't own much: a dirty-looking teddy bear, a spare set of nun's clothing, and a photo with her parents. That was it. Even the Bible in her room was Church property, not hers.

Aoko swept the room one last time with magic to erase all traces of their presence.

Caren then quietly joined the children's lineup—in other words, she stood next to Touko and stared at her.

"What are you staring at, brat?"

Touko, unsettled by the silver-haired girl's gaze, warned her to show some respect.

"?"

Caren tilted her head.

"Why call me that? Aren't you shorter than me?"

Touko felt a flicker of understanding about Caren's sharp tongue, but being mocked about her height?

Unforgivable!

"See that person over there?"

Touko pointed at Aoko, who was busy using magic.

"That's my little sister."

"Impossible," Caren replied flatly.

"Don't try to trick me just because I'm young."

Touko's irritation flared.

Being bullied by Aoko was bad enough, but now a random little brat was mocking her too?

Before she could retaliate, a soft, warm sensation enveloped her.

"No fighting!"

Irisviel, with a motherly smile, hugged both Touko and Caren.

"Touko and Caren are both good kids. Fighting is bad!"

For a fleeting moment, Caren's thoughts wandered to her late mother. Her unusual emotional structure wavered slightly.

Meanwhile, Touko's cheeks turned crimson—not entirely from embarrassment but partly out of frustration at being treated like a child again. She couldn't afford to act out, though. If she did, Aoko would surely seize the opportunity to tease her.

Hmph. Just wait until I become a wielder of the Third Magic, Touko thought to herself. Then I'll show all of you!

Aoko, suppressing laughter, mused that if the police knew everyone's real ages here, Touko might get arrested.

After securing Caren, Aoko promptly bought plane tickets for the group, leaving Yugoslavia.

The journey to the airport was surprisingly uneventful; it seemed Aoko had scared off any remaining magus with her earlier rampage. After all, who wouldn't fear a lunatic who not only defeated her enemies but also obliterated their magic crests?

...

The group finally returned to Misaki Town in Japan.

Kuonji Alice wasn't too thrilled about the sudden influx of people into her home. It wasn't that she minded outsiders living there—it was that Aoko hadn't consulted her first.

Aoko better has a good explanation for this, Alice thought. And she's paying for all their rent!

Meanwhile, Touko flopped onto the sofa in a perfect imitation of a worn-out office worker. Considering her actual age, the sight was oddly adorable.

Aoko gave a quick rundown of the work expected from Sella and Leysritt and instructed them to help teach clone Irisviel proper maid skills.

Alice, despite being a noble young lady, had never enjoyed the luxury of having maids serve her due to family circumstances. She was secretly fascinated by the three beautiful, elegant, and professional maids now residing in the Kuonji household. At least two of them seemed qualified enough to meet her exacting standards.

"Phew~"

Aoko flopped onto the sofa, shaking Touko in the process.

"Home is still the best!"

"To celebrate our successful trip to Europe, let's have a feast tonight!"