Aozaki Aoko Case File

"Th-th-the Witch of Destruction!!" Goredolf Musik stammered, face ashen, staring at Aoko. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

"Heh, if you'd ever talked to Ritsuka Fujimaru or Mash Kyrielight, you'd know me," Aoko said, giving him a once-over. "Last time, your Chaldea came to my timeline; now I'm here to see you. Isn't that normal?"

Goredolf opened and closed his mouth like a fish, speechless. He looked at Aoko, then hopefully at Holmes for help.

"And you magi from the Association—why are you so respectful to the old man of jewels, but act like I'm a bank robber?" Aoko complained, glaring at Goredolf.

Of course not! Gordolf screamed internally. Who didn't know of Aoko Aozaki's glorious deeds?!

"My apologies for not properly welcoming the Magician to Chaldea," Holmes sighed. "I've reviewed Chaldea's action logs, so I know some of your exploits. But I have some questions for you if you would."

"Ask away," Aoko said cheerfully, "We're allies in this Lostbelt, after all. And though you're not quite the detective from the novels, you do satisfy my curiosity."

"There's always a gap between fact and rumor," Holmes smiled with British flair. "So, are you the same as the Fourth Magician of Proper Human History?"

Holmes went straight to the point—even Goredolf held his breath. As a long-standing magus family, he knew such questions could be sensitive, but he trusted Holmes' judgment.

"If your understanding of the Fourth Magician fits my appearance, then yes, I'm the same person," Aoko said, finding a seat. "I've consolidated many versions of myself across timelines. As long as it's not too divergent a parallel world, it's me."

"Parallel world management?" Holmes mused. "If I recall, isn't that Second Magic territory?"

"Mm, you could say the old guy and I have some overlap in our domains," Aoko considered. "My methods are a bit more, let's say, forceful, but the effects in certain areas—like time travel—are similar."

"A fascinating issue to ponder," Holmes said with a gentlemanly smile. "So, when can we reunite with our lost Chaldea staff?"

"That's easy," Aoko said, pulling out her mirror. "Anytime."

With that, she activated the magic mirror, opening a stable portal. Voices could be heard from the other side.

"Chaldea staff, please come over!" Aoko called through.

Moments later, Mash emerged first, followed by Da Vinci-chan and Ritsuka Fujimaru. When they saw they were aboard the Dimensional Drill Ship, they were overjoyed.

"Holmes! Are you alright?!" Ritsuka rushed over, fussing over Holmes.

"Can't fight yet, but I can move," Holmes replied, smiling and grabbing Ritsuka's wandering hands.

Goredolf, seeing the three reunited, breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately reprimanded Mash and Ritsuka for their recklessness, prompting Meuniere to tease him.

For a moment, the bridge was filled with joy, but the mood quickly sobered when two more figures emerged from the portal.

"C-Crypters!" Goredolf panicked again—not without reason, as Chaldea had suffered several attacks from A-Team.

"Relax, relax, these two are on my side now," Aoko waved. "So, they're not Crypters."

"Oh my," Pepe eyed Holmes. "Didn't expect the real Holmes to be such a handsome young man! How surprising, hehe."

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Pepe," Holmes replied courteously.

"No need to worry, Mr. Musik," Hinako turned to Goredolf. "In our world, even Mash hasn't been born yet. Besides, I'm currently working for Miss Blue."

Though Goredolf and the others remained wary of the Crypters, they accepted the odd situation. After all, killing yourself was hardly rare in the Nasuverse.

Usually quiet, Consort Yu was now curious, sizing up Holmes—surprised that the real detective looked like this (though her bookish-girl act was fake, she had read the Sherlock Holmes stories).

"Time is tight," Aoko said, "so let me explain what we're facing next—this concerns the survival of your worldline."

Everyone on the bridge tensed up; even Captain Nemo rushed over since operations couldn't do without him.

Aoko explained the general situation in Fairy Britain, with Da Vinci-chan occasionally supplementing details.

The Chaldeans grew more serious as they listened. They'd known the world would end if left unchecked, but hadn't realized how many hidden hands were at work. In hindsight, without the intervention of the Fourth Magician, things would have been dire.

But now, there was still time. With a Magician and the Lostbelt King on their side, the advantage was theirs!