Funding was no longer a weight upon my shoulders.
The Einzberns, who had amassed astronomical wealth through alchemical gold and 'Black Gold'—petroleum—immediately established contact with the Animusphere family. They offered to support the completion of the observatory. In that process, alongside Kayneth's El-Melloi family, I was able to pour a significant amount of capital into the project under the guise of an 'investment.'
Marisbury would handle the rest of the personnel. My plan was to monitor him while reaching out to the prospective Chaldea staff members beforehand—those capable of dealing with the future Incineration and Compilation of the Human Order—establishing a connection with them before Marisbury ever could.
As for the immortal elemental, Yu Mei-ren, Aoko-nee had already made contact. She dangled the bait of being able to summon Xiang Yu, and an agreement was reached. The Wodime and Zemlupus families were left to the El-Melloi faction to manage.
"I know Marisbury, but Marisbury does not know me."
Furthermore, on the surface, the Einzbern family's objective remained the achievement of the 'Third Magic.'
Since all other external activities of the Einzberns were perceived as mere money-making ventures for the production of homunculi, the Clock Tower seemingly viewed our investment as either a search for a lead to the Root or a simple business maneuver.
Moreover, the fact that I possess a pseudo-Third Magic has yet to be revealed, providing the ultimate camouflage.
If that were the case, the only task remaining for me was... at most, recruiting additional staff.
"In that sense, I look forward to working with you. Miss Touko Aozaki."
"...Dammit."
Ah, this is exactly why they say you should live your life doing good deeds.
* * * * *
Mifune City was overflowing with talent suitable for recruitment as staff.
There was Fujino Asagami, possessor of the Mystic Eyes of Distortion and the top individual in terms of physical destructive power by Kara no Kyoukai standards.
Kirie Fujo, the floating villain of 'Overlooking View' with her dual existence.
Mikiya Kokutou, whose talent as a detective rivaled that of Lord El-Melloi II.
Shiki Ryougi, who could quite literally 'kill' anything.
Godword Mayday, also known as Satsuki Kurogiri, the master of the Unified Language that reproduces memories.
And even Meruka Kuramitsu, the bomber who could see the future.
Just securing the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception and the Unified Language would be a jackpot, but this place was a veritable gold mine, clustered with all sorts of Mysteries.
"To think the Mage's Association would grant you a lease for this territory..."
"The leylines are practically dried up anyway; it's more like they just threw me one of the leftovers. Regardless, I never gave permission for an illegal street stall here, yet you're doing business quite freely."
"...Blast it. Why are you coming at me like this the moment I return, especially when you've been gone for nearly two months?"
"I have my reasons. I have quite a bit of business with this 'Hollow Shrine'..."
"What?"
Instead of explaining, I held out a bill.
"Trespassing, land tax, building and leyline usage fees... even a charge for the concealment of Mystery and use of Bounded Fields amounting to 298 million yen? This is extortion!"
"You have quite a mouth for someone who walked onto another's territory and set up a workshop, don't you?"
"Ugh..."
"Furthermore, you even held an exhibition out front, didn't you? Some kid seemed to notice a thing or two about you... that qualifies as a disclosure of Mystery. Since you're an acquaintance of Aoko-nee, I've given you a 2-million-yen discount."
"You... dammit, what is it you want?"
And that was how I successfully, and legally, gained employment at the Hollow Shrine.
* * * * *
Touko Aozaki often faced massive expenditures, both to maintain the Magic Crest she had stolen and to fuel her habit of excessive consumption.
For her, the massive compensation claim I presented was poison. She had no choice but to accept my demand—to allow me to move into the Hollow Shrine.
Aside from that... the work ahead of me involved a rather grueling schedule.
If one were to summarize the story of 'The Garden of Sinners,' it was essentially a series of observation lists and the antics of delusional stalkers, orchestrated by a man named Souren Araya—someone harboring ideologies similar to Zouken Matou—in order to obtain Shiki Ryougi's power. It sounds absurd, but that really is the gist of it.
The main villains of each part were mostly 'bosses' arranged by Souren Araya for Shiki Ryougi's awakening. In practice, they served to strengthen Shiki's abilities or draw out the power of the Root within her. The exceptions would be Godword Mayday, who acted independently of Souren Araya's plans, and the bomber who became active after Araya's death.
Moreover, since the key individuals in this city—Godword Mayday, Fujino Asagami, and Shiki Ryougi—all survive until the end, there were plenty of ways to incorporate them into my faction within Chaldea even without direct interference.
The problem, however, lay in the hardships they would have to endure.
First, Fujino Asagami—often referred to as 'Lady Margaret'—would go through literal hell, suffering through gang rape compounded by analgesia and appendicitis. Shiki Ryougi would also face numerous brushes with death. As for Godword, his life hung in the balance depending on the movie, anime, or novel versions, so it was safer to include him by intervening early...
In the end, it meant I had to involve myself in this tedious and lengthy series of incidents if I wanted to recruit them.
"I have heard the story from Sister Yuika Suse. I am Mother Riesbyfe of the Eighth Sacrament."
"I am Karma Akabane, the one who has been granted this territory in Mifune City. I am an acquaintance of Miss Kuonji as well... do you happen to remember her?"
"Ah, you mean the Witch of Fairy Tales. I remember her clearly."
"I felt it only courteous to inform the representatives of the Holy Church of my stay here. It might be uncomfortable for a man to remain at a girls' academy for long, so let us finish this quickly."
Mother Riesbyfe.
According to information from Yuika-nee, she was a former member of the Eighth Sacrament and an elite Holy Knight who currently served as the Captain of the Shield Knights of Bester. The number of Dead Apostles she had personally struck down supposedly exceeded what one could count on ten fingers. Of course, those of the level of the Twenty-Seven Ancestors would be an exception...
"So, if you have business other than a courtesy visit, please speak."
"The reason I have come here is none other than because I have confirmed that one of the teachers at this school has been facilitating prostitution and committing sexual assault against students."
Now, I wondered... could a member of the Holy Church—gathered from the lunatics brimming with the devotion defined by 'Mushroom-sensei'—stay calm upon hearing this?
As expected, the handle of the teacup she had been holding with such grace snapped instantly. A sharp, piercing killing intent began to radiate from her body.
"What did you just say?"
"I have photographic evidence. For the record, I discreetly sent the student home under the pretense of being a buyer, and I erased her memories of the day's events... Though I understand you have effectively stepped back from your power as director to maintain a policy of laissez-faire, I don't believe such a case can simply be overlooked."
"I shall see to this matter personally. To dare commit such shameless acts in the very pasture where the Lord's lambs reside..."
She stared intensely at the photograph for a moment, and once she had seemingly identified the target, she rummaged through the personnel records of the faculty and pulled out a specific file.
I prayed briefly that the human being described in that file would die as painfully as possible, and then I asked her.
"Who is he? That man."
"...A teacher in charge of Class D at Reien Academy... To think they hired such a thing as a teacher. It seems he even has a blood relation to the principal. This warrants a thorough investigation."
Though her expression had momentarily resembled that of a vengeful deity, she quickly regained her cold, composed face before speaking again.
"You have been a great help. I truly never imagined the academy harbored such a grave issue... I feel I must offer you a reward of some kind."
"Although I belong to the Mage's Association, I do not loathe or hate the Holy Church. In fact, I have an acquaintance with Sister Yuika... Oh, are you familiar with Father Kotomine? I encountered him during the recent Holy Grail War, and he helped me on a few occasions."
"I have heard of him. He was a very capable individual... More importantly, what will become of the children?"
"...At the very least, it seems none of these children stepped forward voluntarily for such unwholesome activities as compensated dating. I shall proceed with their counseling slowly and carefully."
She requested that I leave, saying it was time to sweep away the vermin. I offered no further retort and stepped out of the Academy Director's office.
The moment I left the room, her thunderous, enraged voice began to echo through the hallway. Seizing the opportunity, I began to walk slowly toward the school's rear garden.
"First, I have secured the Mystic Eyes of Distortion."
With this, I would be able to prevent the horrific suffering Fujino Asagami was destined to face to some extent. The appendicitis could be cured later, so that was no problem...
Now, there was only one thing left. Godword Mayday.