She had moved within aristocratic circles for a long time and understood the reality of such arrangements perfectly.
Now, she found herself forced to gradually adapt to this situation... Moreover, he had even called her the "eldest"... At the thought of this, she couldn't help but feel a secret surge of joy.
"Next, proceed with the original plan. Launch a direct assault on the Ogawa Apartments and take out Alba. I'll lead a surprise attack from the rear to rescue Shiki first, and then we'll coordinate on how to bring the whole building down," Haruka Kasugano deployed the strategy calmly.
"Fine, I'll follow your lead. I'm going to tear that loud mouth of Alba's to pieces!" Touko Aozaki echoed with righteous indignation.
Touko was the "Scarred Red," yet Alba had been granted the title of "Red Magus." Based on titles alone, Touko had enough reason to slaughter him. Deep down, the title she truly craved was the "Blue" that had been snatched away by her sister, Aoko. However, she could not tolerate someone like Alba parading in front of her. Why did Alba get to hold a pure Red title while she was stuck with a flawed one?
It wasn't just Alba who resented the genius Touko; Touko herself held nothing but hostility for the useless Alba. Worse still, she loathed the name "Scarred Red." Back in her academy days, she had sworn to kill anyone who dared mention that alias in her presence. And yet, while her head was soaking in a jar after Araya beheaded her, Alba had dared to utter that forbidden name.
Without a doubt, he had to die!
With that, Touko walked out the door with grim determination.
"Circe, follow her immediately. She has no backup bodies left; you must ensure her safety!" Haruka Kasugano commanded with a serious face.
"Don't worry, Piglet! Protecting a 'little sister' is what I do best!" Circe emerged from the side room with a bright, cheerful smile. She immediately flapped her wings and chased after Touko like a literal arrow.
Meanwhile, Haruka Kasugano showed no sign of urgency. He knew his objective wasn't as simple as just eliminating Souren Araya. To him, Araya was a minor character who could be dealt with at any time. The real focus right now was...
—How to awaken "Void Shiki."
Araya thought he was clever, imprisoning Shiki Ryougi at the core of the apartments and forcing her through a daily cycle of life and death to force her Origin to awaken, but it was all in vain. In truth, Shiki's Origin had long since awakened; Araya's efforts were a waste of breath.
However, his actions had deeply provoked Void Shiki. Only Void Shiki possessed the power to escape the apartment's spatial dimension; Shiki Ryougi herself was powerless. Yet even Void Shiki could not easily break free of the Ogawa Apartments' shackles without help. In this situation, the Ryougi family's demon-slaying blade—Kujikanesada—was essential!
Kujikanesada, an ancient blade inscribed with the Kuji-kiri (nine syllables of power), had transformed over centuries into a mystery capable of rivaling high-level magecraft. In the original story, Tomoe Enjou and Mikiya Kokutou brought the blade to the apartments and placed it in the elevator. As the elevator rotated endlessly, the blade gradually shredded the apartment's Reality Marble.
Since neither Mikiya nor Tomoe were available now, I'll have to play the hero! With that thought, he headed toward the Ryougi estate to find Akataka Suzurigi and demand the Kujikanesada.
------------
Haruka Kasugano soon arrived at the gates of the Ryougi estate, where Maiya Hisau had been scouting for a while.
" Haruka Kasugano, finally. Akataka Suzurigi is inside and hasn't left," Maiya reported.
Haruka Kasugano patted her head. "Good work. Go get some rest; I can handle the rest."
"Got it!" Maiya chirped and jogged back to her car.
Haruka Kasugano strolled through the bamboo-lined path to the traditional Ryougi mansion. The Ryougi family was a famous lineage of demon-hunting mages from the Sengoku era, though in the modern age, their primary business had shifted to running the local Yakuza. Unlike American gangs, the Japanese Yakuza operated semi-legally, primarily through protection rackets.
The Ryougis were the undisputed kings of Mifune City's underworld. This was why, three years ago when Shiki was suspected in a murder case, the police didn't even dare to summon her for questioning.
Knock, knock, knock!
Haruka Kasugano knocked on the massive gate. A moment later, Akataka Suzurigi opened it.
"Hello, I am—"
"Hello, Mr. Haruka! Is there something you need at this late hour?" Akataka interrupted politely.
Haruka Kasugano was stunned. He had never met Akataka. How did the man know him? He had prepared ten different excuses, none of which seemed necessary.
"Ah, that? Well, the Young Mistress mentions you often. I took the liberty of looking into you; you are a very likely candidate to become the Ryougi family's son-in-law," Akataka said with a smile.
"Uh... son-in-law?"
Haruka Kasugano was even more confused. Had Shiki actually announced something at home?
"Ah, apologies, that was a slip of the tongue. I simply know the Young Mistress so well that I made a guess... Oh, I'm terrible, I shouldn't presume to know the Master's mind!" Akataka muttered to himself.
Haruka Kasugano grew impatient. Stop playing with multiple personalities. Your master has that condition; why are you faking it?
"Since you're so well-informed, hand over the family treasure, Kujikanesada. I need to get it to Shiki!" Haruka Kasugano urged.
"Of course!"
Akataka didn't hesitate. He returned shortly with a sword box. "The Young Mistress is the heir; this belongs in her hands. I'll trouble you to deliver it, Mr. Haruka," he smiled.
Snap!
Haruka Kasugano took the box, and Akataka closed the door. Well... that was unexpectedly smooth.
In the original timeline, Akataka gave the blade to Mikiya. Now, Haruka Kasugano had intercepted it. Was the Ryougi family just that confident, or did they really think they could reel in this "son-in-law"? They probably wanted him to marry into the family. Heh, no way. I'm taking your daughter away for good.
Haruka Kasugano reached the Ogawa Apartments quickly. Touko was already clashing with Alba. He entered through the underground parking lot and found Fujino Asagami lying on the ground.
"Hey, beautiful, don't sleep on the floor; you'll catch a cold!" Haruka Kasugano nudged her.
Fujino woke up slowly. "Eh... Haruka-kun! Why are you here?" She chirped happily like a little sparrow, recounting her afternoon ordeal. It matched the original plot, just with her as an extra witness.
Haruka Kasugano pressed the elevator button. When it arrived, he tossed the Kujikanesada inside. Now, he just had to wait for Void Shiki to wake up. He sat on the floor and leaned back. Fujino immediately knelt beside him, offering her lap as a pillow.
Fujino was curvaceous, and her thighs were soft and fragrant. Better yet, Haruka Kasugano's view was partially blocked by her ample "charms." It was the ultimate lap pillow.
" Haruka-kun, why aren't we going up?" Fujino asked curiously. "Shouldn't we save Miss Ryougi?"
She didn't have much malice toward Shiki anymore; since they were both Haruka Kasugano's women, she viewed her as a "sister," even if there was a tiny bit of lingering friction.
"No rush. Just stay here and watch the show," Haruka Kasugano said comfortably, inhaling her scent.
On the other side, Touko stepped into the lobby. Alba screamed, "A ghost! You... didn't I kill you?"
"Idiot. You're supposed to be a decent puppet master; how do you not know about swapping bodies?" Touko teased.
"Impossible... I destroyed your head! Without a brain transplant, how could you swap?" Alba stammered. "And swapping means moving to a puppet body... but your body now... it's exactly like a human original!"
"Hehe... did you forget how I became a Grand rank?" Touko laughed. "I've made multiple identical versions of myself! You know the three elements of a person, right? Anyone can make a body, even you. But that's just a shell. I was designated for Sealing because I can replicate all three elements! As long as there is only one 'Touko Aozaki' in the world at a time, I am me. The old elements get hidden away."
"Even so... it's not the 'original' you anymore!" Alba cried in horror.
"We are magi; why care so much about the 'original' self?" Touko laughed wildly.
"Lunatic! You're all lunatics! You and Araya both!" Alba screamed frantically.