Aozaki Aoko Case File

Credits: HugoH

In fact, after learning that the prototype of Chaldeas had come into existence, Aoko once doubted the sustainability of this worldline and even considered planning to escape to another world with her family and friends via interdimensional transport.

However, after thinking it through, she felt that running away in such a manner would be deeply unsatisfying. A Magician, by definition, is someone who makes the impossible possible—how could she give up so easily?

Thus, Aoko ultimately decided to take the initiative and join the Human Order Protection Plan, becoming a major shareholder in Chaldea through this Holy Grail War.

Aoko and Marisbury reached a series of agreements, with key provisions that included the Aozaki sisters' shareholding ratio in the soon-to-be-established Chaldea Security Organization and their corresponding authority within the organization.

The agreement stipulated that if Marisbury, the director, were to become absent (die) during the Human Order Protection Plan, Aozaki Aoko would succeed him as the next director of Chaldea Security Organization.

Furthermore, all Chaldea technology must be shared with the Aozaki sisters, who, in turn, must provide necessary technical support for Chaldea's operations.

This self-binding contractual agreement involved multiple parties, which made it necessary for Aoko to return briefly to Ryuudou Temple to pull her sister, Touko, away from her work of diligently crafting an Avenger transfer vessel so that she could co-sign the agreement.

Before returning to Marisbury's temporary workshop, Aoko disclosed part of the truth about Chaldeas and the Human Order Protection Plan to Touko, seeking her evaluation.

"This sounds pretty interesting, doesn't it?" Touko replied with a mischievous smile. "The first step to solving a conspiracy is to become part of the conspiracy's inner circle. Besides, there's still plenty of time before Chaldea's official establishment."

Thus, Touko readily agreed to Aoko's vision for the Chaldea Security Organization.

In addition to the Aozaki sisters and Marisbury, the Servants involved in the Holy Grail War also participated in the contract signing to ensure the plan proceeded smoothly.

What surprised Touko slightly was that one of the Servants—a man with braided hair—made a request the moment he saw her.

"After the Holy Grail War ends, please allow me to become human," King Solomon said. "I don't need to retain any powers—just an ordinary, mundane human will suffice."

Aoko wasn't surprised, but both Marisbury, Aozaki Touko and Artoria were momentarily puzzled by this powerful King of Jerusalem making such a request.

Helping a Servant regain a physical body and become human was a completely new magical challenge for the Grand Puppeteer Aozaki Touko, one she had no reason to refuse. She readily agreed.

Marisbury, upon hearing this, had a subtle and unreadable expression, as if calculating something in his mind.

Aoko also privately asked Artoria if she wished to remain in this era and live her life anew.

Artoria fell into silence. Since her summoning, both Aoko and Touko had occasionally revealed to her certain truths about the Holy Grail and Earth's history.

These included the original purpose of the Heaven Feels and the principles by which the Greater Grail fulfilled wishes.

The victor of the Holy Grail War could realize their wish using its immense magical energy. However, in essence, if the victor didn't know how to achieve their wish, the Greater Grail wouldn't be able to implement it through conventional means.

The destruction of Age of Gods Britain was a fixed event imprinted upon the records of the Human Order, a so-called "inevitable occurrence in all parallel worlds."

If Artoria wished to use the Holy Grail's power to ensure her people never went hungry, then after the wish was realized, Britain would still face other catastrophes that would lead to its destruction. Her people might even suffer more greatly as a result.

Furthermore, if the humans of Age of Gods Britain were to succeed in resisting the decline of the gods, Britain might become a Lostbelt and face pruning.

Pruning is the process by which the Human Order itself burns away pages deemed unnecessary by the collective will of humanity. In other words, the continued existence of that Age of Gods Britain was a fact denied by the Human Order.

After learning the truth, Artoria experienced a brief moment of confusion. However, the Knight King didn't remain in that state for long. She quickly regained her composure.

"It can't be helped," Artoria said calmly. "My people and I have endured unimaginable hardships. Even if we ultimately failed, we have no regrets."

"I will fight for my Master and win this Holy Grail War," Artoria continued. "A knight's vow must be upheld."

Aoko didn't press further about whether Artoria would stay in the modern world after the war. However, based on Touko's analysis of the Greater Grail's summoning system and the concept of Saint Graph, Aoko was confident she could use Avalon, the uniquely designated holy relic, to summon an Artoria who retained her current memories.

With the contract signed, the collaboration officially began.

Marisbury and King Solomon, under the guidance of Aoko and Touko, descended into the hollow space beneath Ryuudou Temple where the Greater Grail was stored.

"As expected... this is the same situation Dr. Heartless described, isn't it?" Marisbury murmured as he gazed at the Greater Grail, surrounded by a massive curse. "Resolving this won't be an easy task."

"We already have a plan in place," Touko said, crossing her arms with a slightly proud tone. "Ultimately, the source of the curse within the Greater Grail is the Avenger improperly summoned into it. All I need to do is extract his soul from the Grail and transfer it into the prepared vessel to contain him."

"So, what's the difficulty in this plan?" Marisbury, ever the astute Lord of Astromancy, immediately discerned that the matter wasn't as simple as Touko made it sound.

"The difficulty lies in locating that soul," Aoko said with a helpless shrug. "Avenger seems to have noticed our movements and has been hiding within the imaginary space inside the Grail, making it hard for us to pinpoint him."

"I can handle that," King Solomon said, staring into the black mud churning within the Greater Grail. "Though, it will take some time."

Aoko wasn't surprised by this outcome. Solomon's mastery of magecraft was undoubtedly unparalleled.

Even a top-tier magical construct like the Greater Grail—one that bordered on the Third Magic—likely posed little challenge to the King of Magecraft.

With both sides having reached a complete consensus on the Holy Grail War's conclusion, Aoko and Marisbury believed their ultimate victory was inevitable. What remained were only minor details to address.