Beauty is a kind of magic. That was what Daniel Davis said during one of his previous conversations with the Second, and many magi believe that by observing beautiful things, they themselves can become more beautiful. Whether it's magi or ordinary people, all yearn for beautiful things. It's like love at first sight—something that only happens between handsome men and beautiful women. No one ever falls in love at first sight with someone who's ugly.
Of course, beauty isn't limited to humans. People are naturally drawn to beauty in environments and objects too. Everyone prefers to live in a beautiful place—no one would ever willingly choose to live in a sewer.
Antiques, artworks, and similar objects—these are all things people chase because of a pursuit of beauty. That's why, at the Clock Tower, a group of magi devoted to the pursuit of beauty emerged.
According to the Second, beauty seems to be a kind of resonant thaumaturgy. By appreciating beauty, one's soul and spirit undergo purification. That is the true essence of what we perceive as beauty.
The Izaluma family are exemplary in this path. Every generation of their family creates a "Golden Princess" and a "Silver Princess" to publicly demonstrate their pursuit of beauty.
But throughout the generations, this current presentation was arguably the most perfect yet, as even Touko Aozaki, standing to the side, was visibly shocked by the Twin Princesses.
In the Moonlit World, beauty is also a powerful thaumaturgical technique. Just now, when the Twin Princesses made their appearance, the stunned reaction from everyone in the hall made that obvious. If someone had launched an attack at that moment, very few in the room would've had a chance to react or counter.
For magi to act, they must first activate their magic circuits. But all the magi had been left speechless by the Twin Princesses, so naturally, they couldn't operate their circuits.
"So that's why there are Gods of Beauty."
Thanks to the Second's explanation on this subject, Daniel Davis had gained some understanding of beauty and why Beauty Gods exist.
Shortly after their appearance, the Twin Princesses withdrew. As the saying goes, distance creates beauty, and naturally, they wouldn't be participating in the rest of the banquet.
But even though they left, the shock they caused left everyone in the hall dazed. After a long while, people gradually returned to their senses and the banquet slowly returned to normal. However, the Twin Princesses remained the most talked-about topic among the guests.
Especially those who had seen previous generations of the Twin Princesses—they kept congratulating Byron, the head of the Izaluma family. The perfection of this generation's Twin Princesses indicated that the Izaluma family's thaumaturgy had progressed yet again, which was a significant feat in the modern era.
If measured by ordinary standards, the Twin Princesses' success was equivalent to winning a Nobel Prize. Of course, that's just a metaphor, since there are no universally accepted standards in the magical world.
Byron received everyone's congratulations with a smiling face—he clearly was in a great mood.
After recovering from the shock, Lainis followed her usual strategy and quickly distanced herself from both the noble and democratic factions. Although the Twin Princesses' debut had captured nearly everyone's attention, the ongoing tension between the Clock Tower's two main factions meant it only took a few exchanged words before the conversation returned to their mutual animosity.
Though both sides exercised some restraint this time and didn't cause too much of a stir, Lainis still didn't want to get involved. It had to be said that the Clock Tower was an interesting place—an organization founded to study thaumaturgy had, over time, turned into a battlefield for political power.
Both the Second and Lainis wanted to avoid this conflict. Unfortunately, some things couldn't be avoided just because you wished to. Sure enough, just as Lainis was walking away, she was blocked by an old man with silver hair.
"Baruelay-sama."
Recognizing the man, Lainis immediately bowed respectfully. He was the leader of the democratic faction at the Clock Tower. Though Lainis was technically also a lord, her status and power were vastly inferior to his.
"Isn't it time you switched factions?"
Such a blunt question made Lainis's expression falter. After taking several deep breaths, she managed to regain her composure and replied in a calm tone.
"Baruelay-sama, please spare us. Our weak faction is already doing its utmost just to survive."
The El-Melloi faction belonged to the nobles. If they switched to the democratic side, they'd be seen as traitors—and traitors were often hated even more than enemies.
"Don't worry. Since I'm extending the invitation, naturally I'll protect you. If that El-Melloi II is willing to prioritize teaching for us, transferring one or two classrooms to you would be no problem."
This was a very generous offer. At the Clock Tower, classrooms were equivalent to spiritual grounds. If the El-Melloi faction could gain access to one or two of them, they'd quickly be able to pay off their debts.
"Apologies. The El-Melloi family isn't capable of utilizing additional spiritual grounds."
Lainis rejected the offer without much thought. As good as the conditions were, the El-Melloi family simply couldn't handle it.
If the Second or Lainis had Kenneth's former power, then there wouldn't be an issue. But if they had that kind of power, they wouldn't have been marginalized by the noble faction to begin with.
Lainis had always been clear about her position and the limits of the El-Melloi family. She never sought what they couldn't bear. Otherwise, all she had to do was say a few words to Daniel Davis, and everything could be resolved easily.
As a Magician, Daniel Davis could protect the El-Melloi faction effortlessly—even their debts could be wiped away in an instant.
In fact, if Lainis had asked, Daniel would definitely help. But since she didn't, he chose to remain silent.
"What a shame," Baruelay said, though his expression didn't change at all—as if he had expected her answer all along.
"Um, why isn't Lord Baruelay in the noble faction? Aren't creative magi all considered artists? Shouldn't artists be close to nobles?" asked Gray suddenly. Her question made Lainis stiffen slightly.
It was an innocent question—but also a dangerous one. Lainis understood the reason. But Gray, in her innocence, asked purely out of curiosity.
"Hahaha, it's been decades since anyone asked me that," Baruelay laughed loudly. He seemed genuinely delighted, not pretending at all.
"Because art must shock the contemporary era. Some say that only what survives time's baptism is true art. But to me, that's not art—that's history. History should certainly be respected, but that's what the nobles value, not what we seek."
"Mm." Gray nodded, half understanding.
"Lord Inolay, there you are."
Byron walked over just as Baruelay was about to continue.
"Ah, Byron. This banquet is quite interesting."
"I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Is that so? What a pity. You're a student of El-Melloi II, aren't you? Feel free to visit me anytime."
Though Baruelay still wanted to chat with Gray, since Byron had business with him, he had to go.
"Hello. I'm Touko Aozaki."
Not long after Baruelay left, a mature woman with short red hair approached and introduced herself to Lainis.
"You're... under a Sealing Designation?"
Hearing the name startled Lainis. This was a famous individual and a Grand Magus. She immediately regretted attending the banquet—she hadn't expected a Grand Magus like Touko Aozaki to appear.
"No need to be nervous. That Sealing Designation was lifted years ago."
Touko's words eased Lainis's tension. If she were still under a Sealing Designation, things might have turned dangerous.
"Um, aren't Sealing Designations absolute? Why would one be lifted?" Gray asked curiously. Her time at the Clock Tower had taught her a few things.
"Gray, that's simple. In this world, nothing is absolute. As long as your power is strong enough, a Sealing Designation is meaningless. Just like the Second Magician—he qualifies for one too, but who at the Clock Tower dares to bring it up?"
Daniel's words left both Touko and Lainis silent. Because it was true—the Clock Tower only bullied the weak and feared the strong.
"I don't deserve such praise. I imagine the item recently auctioned by the El-Melloi family came from you?"
"That's right. I provided it. What, are you interested?"
That couldn't be kept secret. Most people in the Clock Tower probably already knew.
"Of course I'm interested. But unfortunately, I don't have enough money to buy it."
Any magus would be interested in materials from a mythical creature.
"That really is a pity."
Naturally, there were things Touko possessed that Daniel Davis wanted. Not just modern Runes, but especially her unrivaled dollcraft techniques. But those things couldn't be rushed.
"Lady Aozaki, Lord Byron requests your presence."
A servant walked over and respectfully informed Touko.
"I understand. Looks like we'll have to chat another time."
"This place has a really nice atmosphere."
By the time the banquet dispersed, night had already fallen. Most people had left—locals returned home, while those from out of town went to nearby hotels.
Since it was quite far for Lainis to return home, she stayed at the Izaluma family's Yang Tower. The family had two towers: the Yang Tower and the Moon Tower. Though Daniel thought "Yin Tower" would've been more appropriate—Yin and Yang, after all—perhaps it sounded too ominous, hence "Moon Tower."
The Moon Tower housed the family's living quarters, while the Yang Tower was used for guests.
"Why didn't you leave?"
Inside her room in the Yang Tower, Lainis asked curiously upon seeing Luvia still there. Luvia had a car and a chauffeur, and unlike the struggling El-Melloi family, she could easily afford a luxury hotel.
"I'm curious about the Twin Princesses."
Luvia admitted her reason. She had been confident before seeing them, but afterward, she had to admit—the Twin Princesses truly embodied beauty.
"I see." Lainis nodded lightly.
"May I come in?" a sweet voice called out alongside a knock on the door.
"Please enter," Lainis said softly, glancing at those in the room.
"Good evening, Lady Lainis. I'm Karina," said a maid-like girl as she entered and bowed.
"Is something the matter?"
"Lady Tyadra would like to speak with you in private."
After the maid spoke, a figure emerged from behind her—it was the Golden Princess who had appeared at the banquet. Upon seeing her, Lainis couldn't help but groan softly.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Luvia rose and prepared to leave, dragging Rin Tohsaka with her. Daniel glanced at Lainis, then left the room as well.
Clearly, the guest wished to speak with Lainis privately. With Gray and the Moon Essence present, Lainis wouldn't be in danger.
"The Golden Princess wants to defect? That's... interesting."
After the Golden Princess finished her conversation and left, Daniel returned. Lainis gave him a brief summary of the meeting.
As a creation of the Izaluma family, the Golden Princess had made an impressive public appearance. But in private, she had suffered greatly. Both she and the Silver Princess were modified through thaumaturgy from a young age.
Their situation was somewhat similar to Gray's—her face had been altered to resemble King Arthur's. But the methods used were worlds apart. Gray had undergone slow, painless transformation.
The Twin Princesses, however, endured continuous rituals and drugs from childhood, all for that single moment of their debut. This was the Izaluma family's way of pursuing the Root—they sought to reach it through beauty.
Daniel found it absurd. If they wanted to reach the Root this way, the Twin Princesses would need to elevate their beauty to the level of a Goddess of Beauty—which was impossible.
"You don't seem to care much."
"Why should I? This has nothing to do with me. What about you?"
Though he pitied the Twin Princesses, there wasn't much Daniel could do. Things like this were all too common in the Moonlit World.
"I don't know. I plan to wait until tomorrow."
Lainis didn't dare take the Twin Princess in. But she also didn't want to reject her outright—there might be a trap. And she was curious about the offer the Golden Princess had to make. So she decided to stall for time.
Once they returned to El-Melloi territory, everything would be easier to handle. At this point, Lainis regretted staying. If she'd known this would happen, she would've left that night regardless of how late it was.
"How could this happen?"
The next day, at the agreed time, Lainis entered the Golden Princess's room. Kicking open the door, she was stunned to find the Golden Princess's corpse lying on the bed.
She had imagined many possibilities—but not this one.
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