Clock Tower.
In the office of the Lord of the Department of Botany.
"Yes, I just received a call too. We'll meet in Misaki City next Tuesday, right?"
The current Lord of the Department of Botany, Riddell Archelot, was on the phone with Aoko, who was far away in Italy.
Leaning back in her leather chair, looking at the Clock Tower sky outside, Riddell said with a laugh: "Come to think of it, the last time we all gathered was when the Human Order Incineration ended, and suddenly almost seven years have passed. Everyone must have changed a lot, right?"
[Then come and gather with us once in a while!]
"The affairs of the Lord of the Department of Botany are numerous, do you think I'm like you, wandering in parallel worlds somewhere every day—Oh, for the past few years you've indeed been traveling the world. Thanks to you, the Clock Tower has been filled with your bad reputation these past few years. The Queen of the Department of Policies must hate you very much."
The Queen of the Department of Policies, named Barthomeloi Lorelei, was dubbed the Apex of Modern Magus. In terms of combat strength, it was no exaggeration to say that she was the strongest in the modern Clock Tower.
As a Lord, and also the strongest candidate to become the Director of the Clock Tower, she bore the responsibility of coordinating all Magus and regulating their behavior—this was also an obligation as the Lord of the Department of Policies. Therefore, she deeply resented Magus like Aoko and Touko who disregarded the rules of the Clock Tower and always operated outside the norms.
[All such rebellious Magus must be apprehended and given a Sealing Designation!]
Those were Barthomeloi's original words. Of course, there must be a reason for desiring other people's Magecraft knowledge.
After all, Magus were like that. Sealing Designations were not much different either. To expect Barthomeloi to truly act for pure justice and rules was to overestimate the morality of this group of Magus.
[No problem. If she hates us, tell her to come find us. We'll see if I beat her until her teeth fall out or not.]
Regarding Riddell's warning, Aoko showed no fear or apprehension whatsoever.
Barthomeloi was indeed very strong as a Magus. She could even directly subdue 27 Dead Apostle Ancestors. Her combat power was entirely comparable to a Servant—but Aoko had met monsters far stronger than Servants over the years. Frankly, just being the strongest in the modern era wasn't enough to mean anything.
[By the way, that Queen definitely doesn't count that idiot as the strongest, right?]
"That one is out of standard. Comparing adults and children is just bullying, isn't it? Let's just leave some dignity for that child." Riddell laughed, "Then, see you next Tuesday."
[Okay, see you again.]
After hanging up the phone, Riddell turned and looked at the person sitting in her office: "Sorry, it took a while. That was a very important call—So, is there anything else you'd like to say, Queen?"
"..."
Barthomeloi stared at the smiling Riddell, took a deep breath, then said: "May I consider your words just now as a provocation and insult to the Clock Tower as a whole? Lord Archelot."
"Go ahead. After all, for the Department of Policies, it's very easy to lay charges on me, isn't it?" Riddell smiled, "It's just, I think on the second day my charges are spread throughout the Clock Tower, the Department of Policies will be removed from the thirteen departments. Am I right, Mo-chan?"
"It won't even take a day, an hour is enough."
Mordred, sitting directly opposite Barthomeloi, said while resting her royal sword on her shoulder.
Since Riddell was the most vulnerable among them, to protect her, Artoria and Mordred had acted as her bodyguards for all these years. Although Artoria had gone back to Japan recently to visit family, Mordred was still around.
"Relying on the strength of others. As a Lord, relying on the strength of others is truly unsightly."
"Then, you should also look for a Tiger?" Riddell said with a proud expression.
Barthomeloi raised an eyebrow: "Do you think that man would still look at you now? An old woman almost fifty years old?"
"In appearance, I'm still eighteen, you know. And if you say that, everyone on our side is an old aunt in their thirties and forties, you know—May I consider your words as a provocation against our Natsukawa Group?"
The Natsukawa Group—that was the name given by the Clock Tower to their group a few years ago due to the resurgence of Chaldea and the activities of Aoko and the others. Because they all operated with Naoki as their core, they were eventually named as such.
Currently, they had become the most unavoidable force in the Clock Tower. There were even rumors that their power was strong enough to change the existing order of the underworld, and to dismantle and reconstruct the Mage's Association that had lasted for thousands of years.
"But, we actually don't care about your disputes. After all, my person also doesn't like to seek trouble. It's very pleasant if everyone can coexist peacefully. Didn't the Queen often order my person around?"
Riddell changed her tone.
"So, you don't need to bother coming here seeking discomfort every time. After my child and he grow up in the next dozen years, I will naturally retire. At that time, you can go ahead and bother my child."
"A dozen years later... you plan to retire at sixty?"
"Why not? The Clock Tower shouldn't have retirement age regulations. The former head of the Archisorte Family retired at forty, you know."
Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald.
This famous Clock Tower genius was now half-retired. All affairs were handed over to the current Lord of the Department of Mineralogy, Reines El-Melloi Archisorte, while he himself focused on delving into Magecraft and educating his children.
"Well, if you keep bothering us like this, I can only whine a little to my person, asking him to come to the Clock Tower and speak one by one with all of you. Coincidentally, he'll be back this year."
"Whining... You, an old woman almost fifty years old, dare to say it?" Barthomeloi looked disgusted, "Don't you find it nauseating yourself?"
"But I am now eighteen forever. My mind also stays young. People who see me at most would think I'm a young girl in her early twenties, right?"
"Shameless Magus."
"Same to you. Unwanted piece of iron for life. The Barthomeloi family will likely die out in your generation. Or are you planning to find a random man to complete the task after this?"
Barthomeloi's eyebrow twitched instantly: "You—"
"Alright, calm down, Magus." Mordred tapped her royal sword on the table at the right moment, "If you want to fight, I'll accompany you. The outer courtyard is spacious enough; how about we fight there?"
"Enough, that's enough for today. I'll take my leave now."
Taking a deep breath, Barthomeloi stood up.
"For now, I will trust your words, Lord Archelot. But don't think that just because you rely on Naoki you can act as you please. The Clock Tower will not be intimidated by just one group. One day, I will put all of you in order—including that man."
*CRASH!*
Seeing the door slammed shut, and after pondering Barthomeloi's words just now, Riddell couldn't help but laugh as she looked at Mordred: "What do you think, Mo-chan? I think this can be added to the collection of jokes."
"Indeed. But it's best not to let her meet Father."
"Why?"
"A hunch." Mordred said, "I've seen on the internet that plots like this, which are initially antagonistic, often develop into couples—Wouldn't it be troublesome if that woman became part of our family?"
"Hmm, there's some truth to that."