"Familiarity is a matter of perspective. Maybe if we spend more time together, things will naturally become more comfortable." Zepia ignored Aesc, directing his attention entirely to Shiomi.
He wasn't a Magus from the Wandering Sea, and his regard for Age of Gods Magi extended only to a basic level of respect, nothing more.
Yet the Tenkei Shiomi standing before him was someone who had genuinely caught Zepia's interest—though Shiomi remained unaware of it.
"So, what brings you here, Director Zepia?" Shiomi asked.
"Just gathering some data," Zepia replied. "I'll be staying around for a while."
Shiomi nodded and didn't press for details. It was Aesc who spoke next.
"So the Director of the Atlas Institute is actually a Dead Apostle."
"I've been one for quite a long time." Zepia didn't deny it, nor did he have any reason to. He looked at Shiomi. "Would you two like some wine? I heard you're scouting ahead for Lord El-Melloi II. It's better to gather enough intel before your companions arrive, right?"
Shiomi hadn't kept his journey a secret, but neither had he announced it openly. That left only one explanation—Zepia had been monitoring his movements all along.
"Thanks for the consideration." Shiomi didn't decline. He simply narrowed his eyes and replied.
Zepia led them into a room inside the cabin.
Though the room looked hastily assembled from wooden planks, not a single draft slipped through. Inside were elegant furnishings, and bottles of wine floated up under the influence of Magecraft, pouring red wine into the neatly placed glasses on the table.
"As the rising star of the Clock Tower, I hope you won't mind my excessive interest," Zepia continued. "I just happened to notice a unique presence like yours in the Holy Grail War data from Fuyuki."
"Oh?" Shiomi was tempted to ask who had put him up to it, but he knew the question wouldn't yield an answer, so he let it drop. He picked up his glass and took a light sip.
Compared to nine years ago during the Holy Grail War, Shiomi could handle his alcohol much better now. At the very least, he no longer needed to use Mana just to stay clear-headed after a drink.
"What do you think of Blackmore Village?" Zepia asked.
Though his eyes remained closed the entire time, Shiomi could feel his focus locked onto him. Only in this moment did Zepia's tone subtly shift toward Aesc.
"Utterly dull," Aesc said coolly. "Artoria died, just as expected. Yet now they want to bring her back—it's a contradiction I can't accept."
Zepia chuckled. "You say that like it has nothing to do with you. And maybe it doesn't—or shouldn't. But in the end, it's all inevitably tied to Your Ladyship, the Witch Queen, isn't it?"
From his words, it was clear Zepia had a grasp on Aesc's background and identity. That all-knowing attitude left Shiomi feeling slightly uneasy.
Still, there was little he could do. While the Atlas Institute was part of the Mage's Association like the Clock Tower, their perspective operated on such a different axis it might as well be another dimension. They viewed every possible future from beyond the boundaries of the world's development.
It wasn't a matter of superiority or inferiority—the starting points were simply different.
From their isolated vantage point, they'd watched the direction of the universe unfold for centuries, all while enduring the desire to leap from that height and end it all.
Even for the Director of the Atlas Institute, it was a grueling burden to bear.
"Living too long really isn't such a good thing," Shiomi said with a sigh.
Aesc shook her head. "Who knows? The opposite is often true. You always end up able to endure far more than you'd expect."
"...Yeah." Shiomi gave a bitter smile.
Zepia sat down across from them. "Back to the matter of Blackmore Village—judging from Your Ladyship's attitude just now, it seems you two have other plans?"
"Does that matter to you?" Shiomi crossed his legs and looked at the man in front of him.
"In a way, yes, very much so." Zepia's eyes opened just a crack, a calculating smile on his face. "After all, reviving King Arthur is one of the contracts issued by the Atlas Institute."
Shiomi's heart sank.
The Atlas Institute, which had existed since before the Common Era, had issued seven contracts over the last two thousand years.
This was one of the few things even the Clock Tower knew about.
Reportedly, as of three years ago—by the year 2000—the Atlas Institute had already recovered four of the contracts.
It now seemed that completing the recovery of all seven contracts was the goal driving the Institute's current operations.
Shiomi hadn't expected reviving King Arthur to be one of those contracts. He glanced toward Aesc.
But Aesc had already raised a hand to cover her face.
She looked like she couldn't bear to watch.
Just how twisted was this version of "Morgan"?
On one hand, she sent most of the Knights of the Round Table to Artoria's side, ultimately toppling her rule and burying her for good.
Yet on the other hand, after Artoria's death, she began scheming to bring King Arthur back—going so far as to secure a contract with the Atlas Institute for assistance.
It was absurd. For once, Aesc felt genuinely uncomfortable.
"Logos React," Zepia said, naming the term. "It's one of the seven weapons lent out by the Atlas Institute, used to extract King Arthur's spirit. Interference with the ritual is strictly forbidden."
Then he fell silent, saying nothing more.
"Got it. We'll be careful not to damage your equipment," Shiomi sighed deeply. He had already guessed the purpose behind Zepia's generous hospitality and loose tongue. "But something like this isn't nearly enough to get a contract out of the Atlas Institute."
Zepia chuckled. "Our contracts are exceedingly rare. It's been a long time since we issued one. But if things go smoothly this time, I might owe you a favor. You could ask me to do something... minor."
"Then I want you to never mention having seen Aesc here," Shiomi said quietly. "Not to anyone—not even to the person who helped you obtain the Fuyuki Holy Grail War data. Once we leave Blackmore Village, forget everything about us."
Zepia's smile faded, leaving behind only a seemingly gentle expression. He gave a deep nod, accepting the request.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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