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"I-impossible...Miss Aozaki...Even if it was you, there's no way..."
If Atram was choking, then Byron looked as if he was begging. For a man who had
devoted his entire life to art, seeing that art smashed to pieces before him, perhaps
there was no other expression possible.
"Nah, if it was me I would." In contrast, Touko was perfectly composed. "I see. Using a
leaf soaked in dragon's blood in a Cinderella spell. It's the perfect affinity, don't you
think? The myth of Siegfried is less of a man becoming immortal, and more of him
being reborn as an immortal hero. The comparison to Cinderella is even better.
Makeup and dressup are definitely their own kinds of magecraft. From there, plastic
surgery is just another step along the path. A Linden leaf connected to the rebirth of a
person into a hero is a Talisman that's almost too perfect. The fact I don't remember
this at all is driving me crazy."
At that, as if suppressing more laughter, she pressed a hand to her mouth as her
shoulders began to shake.
The arrayed magi - even Reines and Flat - stared at her in astonishment. Even for him,
a magus well outside the realm of normal, Touko's actions seemed unprecedented.
Even I, who was a complete outsider to the ways of magi, couldn't avoid the shock of
that revelation. Because even I had been born alongside this box and chained to the
past from the beginning. Even I had been taught that blind obedience to the past was a
given.
Maybe because I guessed her answer correctly.
Or maybe, there was some other reason.
"W...why..." Lord Byron at last swallowed loudly, turning to Touko. "Why?! Miss Aozaki,
that was what you demanded as your payment! Why would you use that yourself to
fulfill my request?! That's just going too far...!"
"Oh, is that how it was? Thanks for getting me something so valuable, then." In reply to
Lord Byron's wailing, Touko shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't remember it at all, but if
the Lord's speculation is correct then I can understand why I did it. I took the job
because it sounded interesting. But if the level of materials and funds provided is
lacking, that will show clearly in the finished product. So it only makes sense to use my
reward to ensure a result that satisfied me. Pretty logical, don't you think?"
"Wha-?! No one asked you to go so far! All we wanted was a way to get through that one
night...!"
"Please, let it go. That's just who I am." Touko smiled, an earnest apology from the
bottom of her heart.

The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II, Volume 3, Chapter 3, Part 2