I, Kenneth, am going to get to the root of the problem today.

Page 63

The law that accelerates the collapse of the world is evil, born from humanity. However, human evil is also human love; evil born from all humanity is ultimately a part of human reason. Although abandoned, and although those beasts are increasingly shameful, their essence is still a part of the restraining force. The interference of a single beast in human reason may not be obvious, but when the beast's power is restrained, Kenneth can already guess what that represents: the opposite of human reason, representing the Black Alaya, the self-destructive program of humanity.

With a sigh of relief, Kenneth had a clear direction for what he needed to do next. His task now was to deal with Ayaka Sajou within him and seize the beast's power as a human. However, the ideal was far from reality; Ayaka Sajou's abnormality far surpassed Kenneth's, making it incredibly difficult to seize power from her.

"Tsk! If it were a sandwich, I'd probably beat him until he cried a few times and he'd behave."

The clock struck, bringing Kenneth back to reality. The appointed time had arrived. As Kenneth raised his right arm, Mordred, dressed in thermal underwear, appeared before him. After scanning his surroundings and finding no one to betray him, Mordred glared at Kenneth.

"Where is King Arthur? You're not kidding me, are you?!"

Kenneth glanced at Mordred, who was still being stubborn, and as Kenneth crushed the gem left by the Gemstone Elder, a phantom passage appeared before Mordred's eyes.

"Let's go. I hope you can still be this tough when you see her."

Kenneth glanced pityingly at Mordred, who suddenly became awkward, and took the lead into the passage to the parallel world. Gritting her teeth, Mordred, who was determined to confront the ahoge (cowlick) face to face, followed Kenneth into the vortex.

As the door to Zelrich's office was opened, the magicians who had been waiting outside the clock tower turned their burning gazes toward him. But when they saw that it was Kenneth who came out, these magicians who were passing by instantly disappeared into the corridor.

Stroking his chin, Kenneth, who had just massacred the Clock Tower, couldn't understand why these people were so afraid of him. Just as Kenneth was lost in thought, a flash of light appeared, and as Mordred's hair stood on end, Morgan's figure silently appeared opposite Kenneth. Glancing at the trembling Mordred, Morgan stared at Kenneth with a look of resentment.

Do you like local specialties?

"I think I would be even happier if it were other local specialties."

Hearing Kenneth refer to himself as a local specialty, Mordred's temper flared up instantly, but upon meeting Morgan's narrowed eyes, she swallowed her words. Mordred: Man, I'll remember this grudge!

Kenneth gestured for Chris to lead the others back first, then gave Morgan a look. Morgan understood and walked with Kenneth to the other end of the corridor. They casually pushed open an empty classroom door and Kenneth sat down.

"Something seems off about you?"

Kenneth looked at Morgan with some surprise, but after realizing the other's nested identity, he was relieved. With a kick, his soul left his body, and Kenneth showed Morgan the seal branded on his soul.

"They locked up a formidable guy, but it's a minor matter. I already have a solution. Has anything happened while I was away?"

"It's nothing serious. Orange went to Japan after you left, and I've also made some progress on what's inside the Greater Grail..."

With Morgan's explanation, Kenneth finally understood what had happened during this period: the Clock Tower remained peaceful as always, the Greater Grail could be dismantled at will, the Tohsaka family wanted to join the El-Melloi School, Aozaki Touko returned to Kanbuko City, and there was the murderer roaming the alleys.

Recalling his memories, Kenneth already knew who the murderer Aozaki Touko was referring to was. With a perspective beyond that of ordinary people, Kenneth subconsciously began to ponder the coincidences. All coincidences are, in essence, predetermined inevitabilities. He had just been thinking of meeting the legendary Ryougi Shiki, who could supposedly control Ayaka Sajou, when Aozaki Touko's casual conversation reached his ears. It was as if a driving force was guiding everything.

"Is it you? Or is it time to say goodbye? Ryougi Shiki."

The sound of the curtain falling interrupted Kenneth's thoughts. Seeing Kenneth's barely concealed expression, Lydia sneaked into Kenneth's study.

“While you were away, this fake witch would find some excuse to enter your study every few days. I have a video recording here, would you like to see it?”

"No need for video recording. It seems my study has been quite lively while I was away."

Kenneth casually cut off the inappropriate live stream with a wave of his hand, then turned to look at Morgan, who had a smile on his face.

"You've changed in less than a year, Morgan."

"Aren't you the same?"

With his hands behind his neck, Kenneth leisurely looked up at the chandelier above him. Just a few months ago, he was still thinking about how to survive, but now, he stood at the top of the world's surface, and this increased perspective had also inflated his desires.

"Yes, I've changed too, I've become a greedy devil."

"Devil? That's a very apt description. A witch and a devil, what a wonderful combination."

With a glint in his eyes, Morgan looked meaningfully at Kenneth, who was radiating intense malice from time to time. Even though Kenneth didn't elaborate, Morgan already had a guess in his mind. The aura of humanity, the malice that devoured the world—the madness of the man before him had exceeded Morgan's imagination.

Meanwhile, Mordred stood hesitantly before the gates of El-Melloi's camp. His former stubbornness was gone, replaced by a cowardly sigh. As the son who had successfully betrayed his father, Mordred felt his legs trembling violently.

"Are you afraid, you rebellious knight?"

When facing her parents, Mordred is incredibly timid, but when facing unrelated Servants, Mordred's fierce temper can defy the weather. Once her little scheme is exposed, Mordred, having drawn her damned sword, wants to have a go at Karna.

"Why would I be afraid! I'm just changing my attack direction! What do you know, you expressionless guy!"

Faced with Karna's terrifyingly calm eyes, Mordred, with her rebellious nature, stubbornly maintained her persona and started to talk her way out of it.

"So that's how it is? Using rebellion to mask your aspirations, using anger to conceal your fear—you didn't desire that position, nor did you intend to overthrow that nation. Rebellious knight! You…"

"Shut up, you bastard!"

With the same expression as Aqua, Mordred, whose thoughts had been exposed, raised her royal sword as if to physically shut Karna up. It was at this moment that the ahoge (cowlick) walked out the door with a solemn expression.

"Mordred, put down your sword."

With a clang, Mordred, who had just been surging with passion, instantly wilted under the suppression of his bloodline. Just as the atmosphere became increasingly oppressive, Karna's words made the situation even more awkward.

"Rebellious knight, beneath your rebellion lies an eagerness to prove your existence to those you admire. If you wish to gain recognition, first and foremost, put aside your grudges against King Arthur..."

Jamaica!!

The roar drowned out Karna's unspoken words. Mordred, sweating profusely, glared calmly at the ahoge (cowlick) that seemed lost in thought after Karna's words.

"King Arthur! I have finally found you!"

"How is it! How is it! How do you feel about seeing me, the knight who overthrew you! Do you hate me? Do you hate me!"

...

Just as Mordred was trying to maintain her persona, Kenneth, who had returned to El-Melloi, quietly appeared beside Karna.

"Karna, please translate this for me."

Although he didn't understand why Kenneth would translate it himself even though he had already seen through it, Karna, as a perfect Servant, resolutely carried out Kenneth's orders.

King Arthur! I am so excited to see you!

Will you still resent me, the knight who overthrew you? How I wish I could be scolded by you, how I wish I could gain your approval, King Arthur (Father), I am most…

"Ah!! Shut up! You bastard! Rebellion against my magnificent father—Clarent Blood Arthur..."

On this day, the clock tower sounded the highest alert. While everyone was investigating the person who dared to bomb El-Melloi, Mordred, the person involved, was kneeling obediently before Morgan.

Just moments ago, Morgan had barely settled in when Mordred attacked him. In his haste, he managed to block Mordred's Noble Phantasm, but Morgan's spell, which he had been working on for the past six months, was completely dismantled. Veins bulged on his forehead, and Morgan's chest heaved violently.

"Mordred!"

"I'm (whispering)"

Looking at Mordred, who would still bare her teeth at Karna even when she was looking down, Morgan rubbed her head in exasperation, wanting to say something but stopping herself, and then stopping herself but saying something again. In the end, Morgan simply forgot what she wanted to say.

"Fine, go play by yourself... Don't cause me any trouble, I don't have time to clean up your mess right now!"

Looking up in disbelief, Mordred, who was already prepared to be scolded, glanced at her ahoge (cowlick), then pointed at Morgan, her face practically screaming, "Who is she?"

Click!

The handrail was covered in cracks, and Morgan, who had witnessed Mo Zai's reckless behavior, tried his best to maintain his expression.

"Hahaha, that's more like it, that's how I remember it..."

The door shattered, and Mordred's body was sent flying at a speed too fast for the naked eye to perceive. Retrieving his wand, Morgan, his body shrouded in black energy, turned and headed towards the underground workshop.

Chapter 166 Lydel's Mental Breakdown

The farce in the hall did not affect Kenneth in his study. Just now, under the watchful eyes of the taut pendant, Kenneth sat expressionlessly in the boss's chair.

Kenneth casually pulled out a file folder from the bookend and began carefully studying the outdated document in his hand. Lydia's expression changed rapidly as she stared at Kenneth, who had completely ignored her since entering.

Her lips moved, her body rubbed together, and this feeling of being ignored inexplicably hit Lydia's sweet spot again. Her breathing became heavy, and Lydia looked at Kenneth, who was engrossed in reading documents, with a hint of eagerness.

"Hey! You bastard! Where have you been all this time? Do you even know... ugh!"

"Huh? Who's speaking? I think I heard the witch's voice. Strange? Or is it just my imagination?"

Deceived by Kenneth's expression, Lydia tilted her head and swung on the swing. With practiced ease, Lydia swung her body in front of Kenneth.

"Hey! You bastard! You pervert..."

"Lel ...

Click——!

The magic camera flashed, and as the golden retriever's eyes widened, Kenneth silently slipped the jewel he used for recording back into his pocket.

"You, you, you!! Ah—! You and that bastard! You lied to me again!"

As the victim in this role, Lydia once again fulfills her comedic role, breaking free from her restraints and appearing before Kenneth with her claws outstretched.

"Give it to me! Give it to me now! You bastard, give me the gem!"

Enjoying a long-lost pleasure, the gem that records Lydia's dark history flashes and shifts in mid-air under Kenneth's control.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—I won't let you succeed!"

The gem shattered in her hand. Panting heavily, Lydel slammed her hand on the table and stood opposite Kenny. The clock on the table ticked a few times, her palms turned red rapidly, and Lydel's expression trembled uncontrollably.

Suppressing a laugh, Kenneth clapped his hands. Chris, who was waiting outside the door, put down two cups of black tea, glanced pityingly at Lydia's steel plate, and then left the study.

"Ahem, Miss Witch, I've heard you've been coming here quite often lately. Is there something you need?"

To prevent a furious Lydell from smashing his study, Kenneth steered the conversation away from Lydell's outburst just before she lost her temper. When asked why she had come, Lydell's rage vanished instantly, especially when she met Kenneth's gaze; her eyes immediately became evasive.

"Um... um... um... I came to see Ayumi, I was just passing by, yes, that's right. Just passing by! Don't you dare misunderstand me! Why would I come to see a jerk like you!"

How should I put it? A sieve is still a sieve. Kenneth felt she could fool this golden retriever ten times in one night. Looking at the other's stubborn look, Kenneth's perverse sense of humor was about to reach its limit.

"So you're looking for Ayumi? Then hurry up and go. That witch should be having afternoon tea right now, so it'll be perfect for you to go."

Feigning surprise, Kenneth waved and opened the study door, as if to see him off. Seeing the smiling Kenneth, Lydia, whose intentions were not pure, blushed instantly.

"You, you, you, I, I, I!! You did this on purpose... Ah! Right, I already looked for Yuzhu, I just happened to be passing by and came to see you, you better show me some respect!"

"I see. I'm fine. If there's nothing else, Miss Witch, you can leave now. I have quite a lot of work piled up lately."

This is a lie. The hands-off boss has a job, and Kenneth just wants to bully this stubborn witch. Nothing is more exciting than making a tsundere tell the truth. Kenneth really wants to see Lydia cry and say she wants to play a little game.

Her flat chest remained flat despite the violent heaving, and the grinding of her teeth made a squeaking sound. At this moment, Lydell wanted nothing more than to bite Kenneth. Lydell couldn't understand why Kenneth would activate his barrier the moment she turned her head away, but today the blockhead opposite her seemed completely oblivious to her thoughts and refused to cooperate. Kenneth had been away on a business trip for a long time, and Lydell had been suppressing her little quirk for quite some time. Recalling the previous "idle play," Lydell's body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Seeing that Kenneth was completely ignoring her and flipping through the narcissistic book in his hand, Lydia, who was biting her lip as if she was enduring something, suddenly realized something. She slammed her hand on the table and propped her head up in front of Kenneth, with the fine reins dragging on the table. Her proud face once again fell into a state of awkwardness.

"Damn it... what have you thought about what happened before? (whispering)"

His eyes darted away, his head tilted to the side; if Kenneth hadn't had superhuman hearing, Lydia's words might never have reached him. To put it simply, that look in his eyes—three parts expectation, three parts evasion, three parts restraint—almost made every Kenneth tremble with fear.

"If you agree... ugh!... if you want, I might mercifully consider you. You're barely worthy of my attention, even though you're a bastard, but..."

"What is it, Miss Witch? What are you talking about?"

Lydia froze abruptly as she poked her finger. She was about to give him away again when she stared incredulously at Kenneth, who looked completely bewildered. The light in her eyes vanished, replaced by a surge of shame and indignation far exceeding anything she had ever felt before.

"Ah—!! Kenneth, you bastard! Pervert! Scum! Beast!"

Her twin ponytails swung wildly, slapping against the table with a series of crackling sounds. At that moment, Lydia just wanted to dig a three-bedroom apartment out of her head with her feet. Looking at the Coal Witch, who was practically burning to a crisp, Kenneth's pleasure was off the charts. Bullying a tsundere was truly the most fun thing in the world.

"The matter? Let me think... is it a collaboration between the Mineralogy and Botany families?"

No, you bastard!

"Is it the flower field that Albion discovered?"

No way, you jerk, think it over carefully!

Watching Lydia swing her twin ponytails with great force, Kenneth continued to attack her already meager mentality.

"I understand, it's that matter, isn't it? Miss Witch, just say it directly, why go through all this trouble?"

Kenneth's expression immediately turned serious after a moment of realization.

“This matter is indeed very important, as it relates to the further development of the relationship between El-Melloi and Acerlot.”

Yes, that's it. It concerns the future of both companies.

"This matter involves many things, and it may encounter obstacles from other families!"

[That's right, those old fogies will definitely object.]

"But it's okay, I'll take care of those guys."

That's how it should be. It's none of their business to interfere in our affairs.

"Huh? About us?"

【kindness?】

Meeting Kenneth's puzzled gaze, a bad feeling completely overwhelmed Lydia's increasingly smug attitude.

"You...you mean?"

Struggling to maintain his composure, Kenneth delivered the fatal blow to Lydia's already timid demeanor.

"Isn't it about El-Melloi and Acherot jointly developing the Fairy Realm? Does the witch have something else in mind?"