I really didn't want to burn it.

“Hmm…after all, you’re a big celebrity in the industry,” Li Ang said with a smile.

"Is that so... I don't think I'm particularly famous. So, what brings you here?"

Orange glanced at Li Ang and Chloris, then lit a cigarette.

This action made Li Ang's eyes narrow slightly.

"Are you allergic to nicotine, you big man?" Orange teased.

"No, not at all."

Li Ang's smile seemed a little forced.

The reason for his grim expression wasn't that Chengzi was smoking, but rather that Li Ang noticed, through her smoking motions, that there were no red marks on the backs of Chengzi's hands.

Although a small number of Command Seals may appear on the Master's wrist, Orange just happened to have rolled up half of her shirt sleeves.

Similarly, Li Ang did not see the red marks he had hoped to see on those pristine white arms.

However, the Master I chose using my authority was definitely not the problem, and the guidance given by the Command Seals did indeed lead me to Aozaki Touko.

It seems that this puppeteer either transplanted the Command Seals from his body or simply changed his body.

With Orange's magical skill, transplanting Command Seals wouldn't be a problem at all, but Leon personally suspects the latter possibility is more likely.

Before transmigrating, Li Ang had heard a little-known fact: it was said that when a certain puppeteer changed bodies, he would secretly make the bust size a little bit larger each time.

If it's true, then why did Orange solve the case by wearing an ill-fitting shirt?

As expected of Li Ang! You truly are the man who goes by the alias Sherlock Holmes!

"I said, can you just tell me what you want to talk to me about?"

Aozaki Touko took a drag of her cigarette, exhaled a smoke ring, and asked impatiently.

"Is there some unspeakable request? Don't worry, I have a lot of professional ethics. Even if it's just to make a sex doll that looks exactly like a Hollywood star, I'll do it as long as the money is right, and it will be absolutely confidential."

"Why would you come up with such a strange request?"

Li Ang sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Is not it?"

"I do have a commission, but it has nothing to do with the sordid things you mentioned."

Li Ang directly revealed the Command Seal on the back of his hand.

Aozaki Touko pointed behind Li Ang and the other person: "The door is over there. Goodbye."

"Did you have to refuse so quickly?" Li Ang's lips twitched violently. "Aren't you going to hear what I have to say?"

"No, it's too much trouble."

Orange refused very decisively.

"why?"

"Because it's troublesome."

"..."

Orange's answer was so straightforward that Li Ang's attempt to persuade her was immediately choked off.

Of course, the trouble Orange mentioned wasn't just an excuse; it was real trouble.

Several years ago, during the Fourth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City, Touko received an order to make prosthetic hands, supposedly for a Master who was quadriplegic.

While completing the order, driven by curiosity, Orange learned about the Holy Grail War.

After understanding the cause and effect, Aozaki Touko defined the Holy Grail War as troublesome.

Adding adjectives would be a huge problem.

Not to mention that participating in a war of this scale is inherently dangerous. What's worse, the Mage's Association will also get involved in the Holy Grail War.

It's worth noting that Orange is currently under the "Sealed Designation" label, making him practically a wanted criminal.

Although Orange scoffed at the Magicians Association's pursuit, being unafraid of the association and actively seeking them out are two completely different things.

Therefore, Orange immediately chose to give up upon receiving the Command Seals.

Just kidding, Aozaki Touko doesn't have any unavoidable desires, so why would she want to get involved in this troublesome war?

Wouldn't it be better to use that time in America to study magic and explore the secrets of humanity?

"In conclusion, I have absolutely no reason to participate in the Holy Grail War."

Aozaki Touko said lazily.

"I'm not being modest, Captain, you should find someone else."

“This is going to be difficult…” Li Ang said, scratching his head. “After learning that my teammate is the famous Miss Orange, I was really looking forward to it.”

"Expecting a different kind of relationship with me? If you're trying to use the suspension bridge effect to pique my interest in you, forget it."

Orange deliberately steered the conversation in a different direction, glancing at Chloris next to Li Ang and teasing her.

"Are you sure your female companion won't beat you to death if you do this?"

That wicked female magician, watch out, I'll make you cry one day!

Feeling the pain in his waist once again, Li Ang cursed at Chengzi.

Perhaps sensing malice, Aozaki Touko's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

"Of course, while I can't directly participate in this Holy Grail War, I'd be very happy to accept any requests, such as providing prosthetics for Masters who have lost limbs."

"We probably don't need that kind of thing."

Li Ang shrugged, deciding to change his approach and lure the woman into his trap from another angle.

“I believe Miss Orange has no desire to obtain the Holy Grail, which is actually better for her. After all… there can only be one winner in the Holy Grail War.”

Li Ang said this with a pointed remark.

Orange had a cigarette dangling from her mouth, giving off an attitude of "you can say whatever you want, I won't agree."

"Actually, besides the Holy Grail itself, the Holy Grail War has many unexpected benefits."

"For example?"

"If Miss Orange isn't aiming for victory, you could summon a Servant like Cast. Wouldn't it be nice to learn some lost ancient magic from them?"

Li Ang's words made Orange fall into deep thought.

As a seasoned magician, what he said was indeed very appealing to Orange.

"Hmm... how about summoning a Servant skilled in using runes?"

Besides making dolls, Orange also specializes in refining runes.

However, the primordial runes that Odin comprehended by hanging himself upside down from a tree for nine days and nine nights have long been lost.

Runes in modern magic systems are merely a slapstick version of the original.

Unfortunately, Orange was unaware that the man in front of her had studied the most authentic runes under Odin.

Otherwise, Orange would probably have directly made demands to Li Ang himself.

What you said is very interesting; I've decided to think about it some more.

Orange said, resting her chin on her hands.

"I hope you can make a decision as soon as possible. Also, I would like to make a request to Miss Orange in my personal capacity."

When Chengzi heard Li Ang start calling her by her name, her eyebrows twitched, but she didn't object.

"I have a few Masters here who were chosen by the Holy Grail, but they are very inexperienced. I hope you can teach them, Miss Orange."

Both Wu-jo Kirie and Asagami Fujino, who was pre-selected by Leon, need to undergo systematic magician training.

Since they can be used as pawns by Araya Souren, their potential and talent are beyond doubt, but they still need to learn if they want to become qualified Masters.

After all, not everyone can be like Shirou Emiya, who can use the protagonist's halo to have unlimited overpowered abilities.

Unfortunately, Li Ang's path was completely different from that of the native magicians of Type-Moon, and he was not a good teacher for them.

Therefore, Li Ang had no choice but to entrust Orange with training the rookies in the team.

"I see... If that's the case, let me calculate it..."

The puppeteer stubbed out her cigarette and began skillfully typing on the calculator beside her.

"About... I'll start with 18,470,000 yen."

Finally, Orange gave a number.

"Uh...huh?"

Li Ang stared at Aozaki Touko in surprise, veins bulging on his forehead.

What's the deal with this price?

"Heh, hiring me to teach apprentices costs money. I can't work for free, can I?"

Orange spread her hands: "Captain, my finances are really tight right now."

Seeing Chengzi's behavior, Li Ang suddenly thought of the saying, "Even the landlord's family doesn't have surplus grain."

"Damn it, this woman... is she trying to be a sugar daddy?"

Li Ang was at a loss for words when it came to this woman.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

In the end, Li Ang agreed to Orange's offer.

Unfortunately, the deal with Orange wasn't just about mentoring apprentices.

In order to express his sincerity, Li Ang had no choice but to make some concessions.

Of course, Li Ang didn't believe the claim that Chengzi was struggling financially.

This woman is really good at making money.

When Orange severed ties with her family and went to study at the London Magicians' Association, she was burdened with enormous debt.

But Chengzi managed to pay it off within two years, which is enough to show the puppeteer's earning power.

Compared to Orange, Waver, who was also heavily in debt, was in a much worse situation. Even ten years later, in the Fifth Holy Grail War, he still hadn't paid off his debts.

However, Li Ang felt that Weber's failure to pay off the debt was due to his lack of ruthlessness.

If Princess were to charge exorbitant fees like Orange did when resolving incidents, she would have been a free man long ago.

"Forget it, maybe that masochist is actually enjoying it?"

Li Ang looked up at the sky, thought for a moment, and said, "So, who should get the remaining spots?"

Besides Li Ang himself, as well as Wu Tiao Kirie and Aozaki Touko who have already been selected, there is also Asagami Fujino and another member who has been internally selected by Li Ang.

The Red team still has 2 Master slots available.

Li Ang was having a hard time deciding between these two.

To maintain internal unity, Li Ang did not want two random passersby to come.

Since we've chosen to play together, let's see it through to the end.

"Hey, Li Ang."

Chloris, nestled in Li Ang's arms, suddenly spoke.

"what happened?"

"Can I participate in this Holy Grail War?"

Chloris blinked her big red eyes and asked expectantly.

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PS1: If Artoria is the character with the most disguises in Type-Moon, then Orange is definitely the character with the most different looks.