My Fates Codex of Type-Moon

"Come. In this war for the Holy Grail, you will gain everything you desire."

While Kariya was caught in an inner struggle, Sakutsuki had already smiled and moved away from him and Sakura Matou, his hands tracing an intricate diamond-shaped magic circle.

Before Displacement Magic enhanced by a Magic Workshop, so-called spatial distance was nothing more than a toy at Sakutsuki's fingertips.

Displace. Displace. Displace.

Displace the territory. Displace the Ley Line. Displace the concept.

Anchor connection confirmed. Configuration confirmed. Mirror activation—

The Ley Line of the Matou Estate now flowed through this hidden building, nourishing Kariya's long-depleted Magic Circuits and making Sakura Matou squint comfortably, her little face flushed red.

A Magic Workshop was built upon a Ley Line, so most of the Ley Line's power was used to maintain the workshop. It was simply impossible for a magus to enjoy it alone.

However, this building had still belonged to Sakutsuki mere seconds ago, so all that abundant Ley Line mana had gone to Kariya and Sakura.

By the time the two recovered from the overflowing mana, Sakutsuki, who had created all this, was already nowhere to be seen.

"Thirty portions of Divine Vein Spiriticles, three bottles of Shadow Dust, seven pillars of Erebus Clay..." Sakutsuki counted the materials he had looted from the Matou Estate, then sighed after a while. "If only I could use Imaginary Numbers Magic. I could make an Imaginary Numbers Pocket and save myself from carrying a bag around like some thief."

Being able to use magic corresponding to one's attribute was common sense in the world of magecraft. That was why, even though Sakutsuki possessed the knowledge of Imaginary Numbers Magic, he could not use it without the Imaginary Numbers attribute.

"Forget it. This absurdly overpowered basic magic is enough." Sakutsuki activated Displacement Magic and sent the precious materials to a hidden location. Then he mounted his motorcycle, twisted the handle, and shot off toward somewhere like a streak of lightning.

"I'm still missing some key materials... Let's see whether the Tohsaka Estate has any. If they do, I'll gladly accept them."

Thus, a few hours later, fierce explosions rang out from the Tohsaka Estate. A disguised pure-black motorcycle burst through the flames, carrying away a masked black figure.

"Stop right there!" A furious roar sounded. Tokiomi Tohsaka, his beard singed and his elegance gone, swung his Magic Reinforcement-enhanced legs and actually reached a speed no slower than a vehicle's. "Leave those things behind, thief!"

Behind Tokiomi Tohsaka, a figure moved even faster. A grim-faced man tore through the air and dove toward the black rider like a soaring hawk!

007: Tokiomi Tohsaka

Character Information: A famous Japanese magus. The fifth-generation head of the Tohsaka family, a magecraft lineage. One of The Three Families of the Fuyuki City Holy Grail War. He possessed numerous patents within the Mage's Association and was wealthy. His family magecraft specialized in conversion, he excelled at jewel magecraft, and his attribute was fire.

Hidden Information: Conditions insufficient.

Record Conditions (2/2):

1. Defeat Tokiomi Tohsaka

2. Experience the Tohsaka family's jewel magecraft

"Pursuers, just as expected. After all, I emptied out their entire treasury..." Sakutsuki was unsurprised when he spotted the man in the red suit through his rearview mirror. But when he caught sight of a man in priestly robes, a cross pendant fluttering at his chest, in the right-side mirror, he could not help exclaiming in shock, "Could it be?!"

The Fates Codex's record told him that it was exactly who he thought it was.

008: Kirei Kotomine

Character Information: A first-rate executor of the Holy Church. He possessed Magic Circuits, excelled at Bajiquan, and had exceptionally strong attacks against spiritual entities. Born with a mental defect, he could only feel joy and happiness from the pain and misfortune of others, as well as the destruction of all things. Yet he was still struggling under the restraints of faith—can you end this distortion before he falls completely?

Hidden Information: Conditions insufficient.

Record Conditions (2/3)

1. Defeat Kirei Kotomine

2. Kill Kirei Kotomine

Amid the sound of tearing wind, two Black Keys fashioned after crosses became streaks of light and caught up to the speeding Sakutsuki.

"Trace On!"

The black-and-white yin-yang symbol knocked aside the Black Keys, then turned into arrows itself and shot toward the rushing Kirei Kotomine.

"Crack!" The man in priestly robes crossed his hands before his chest, and six enlarged Black Keys sprang from between his fingers. They spread into a fan shape and met the impact of the two weapons, but the clash also halted his momentum and allowed Sakutsuki to widen the distance.

"Until next time, gentlemen!" Feeling his speed gradually rise, Sakutsuki squinted in satisfaction and laughed freely.

Before the true Holy Grail War began, every unnecessary battle was a waste of life.

The difference between a motorcycle and a person was that a motorcycle needed time to reach top speed. During that brief exchange, Sakutsuki had gained exactly that time, allowing this "ground-hugging aircraft" to fully unleash its terrifying speed!

Watching Sakutsuki approach Fuyuki Bridge, Kirei Kotomine quickly reached a conclusion. "We can't catch him."

Neither their speed nor the mystery of his magecraft allowed them to continue the pursuit.

Yet he did not stop, because he sensed a sudden magical current behind him.

"Kirei, I'm counting on you for the rest!" Tokiomi Tohsaka, who had barely kept up by using Magic Reinforcement on his legs, tossed three azure gems from his hand and instantly released the mana stored within them.

"Understood, Master!" Before awakening to pleasure, Kirei Kotomine was still quite dependable. Borrowing the small wind field created by Tokiomi Tohsaka, the priest-clad man stomped the ground and launched himself upward. Then, propelled by the erupting airflow, he crashed toward Sakutsuki like a cannonball!

By the time Sakutsuki spotted Kirei Kotomine again, it was already too late—the man had cut in beside him, the Black Key in his hand flashing with cold light as he brutally sliced apart Sakutsuki's beloved motorcycle!

"Boom!" Blinding fire exploded beneath Fuyuki Bridge. Two figures were blasted into the air by the explosion and tumbled together beneath the bridge.

"Kirei!" Tokiomi Tohsaka frowned, gripping his magical cane as he rushed beneath the bridge without hesitation.

When he arrived beneath the bridge, the two black-clad figures were already locked in battle. His beloved disciple had abandoned the fragile Black Keys and instead reinforced both hands with magecraft, using fierce, powerful fists to force his opponent back step by step!

"Bang!" The crossed Gan Jiang and Mo Ye were struck head-on. They did not shatter, but their defense was broken amid a teeth-grating sound, leaving Sakutsuki's center wide open. Kirei Kotomine's expression did not change. His tall figure slid into the young man's guard like the Grim Reaper, and a vertical punch hard as stone shot toward his opponent's chest.

Yet what traveled back through his hand was not the familiar sensation of death. Kirei Kotomine's body suddenly found nothing beneath it. Somehow, he had appeared in midair, while the black-clad thief drew a bow and nocked an arrow, aiming at his head in a flawless stance!

"Intensive Einascherung—"

The suddenly erupting flames answered the two-line incantation, swaying from side to side like a long serpent as they spread toward Sakutsuki.

"Tch!" Sakutsuki clicked his tongue. With his mere D-rank Magic Resistance, any magecraft beyond a single line of incantation was something he had to guard against, much less the surging flames that blocked his vision and cost him the best chance to kill Kirei Kotomine.

"In that case!" Sakutsuki casually dispersed the flames, turned his black longbow, aimed an iron arrow at Tokiomi Tohsaka, and released the bowstring.

It was just an ordinary arrow—at least, that was what Tokiomi Tohsaka and Kirei Kotomine both thought at first.

But when every layer of defensive barrier Tokiomi Tohsaka had set up was shattered, the shield formed by emergency gems was pierced through, and even his left arm was sliced open with a bloody gash, their expressions finally changed.

Because what greeted them was an overwhelming rain of arrows, like artillery fire scouring the ground!

"I've been fighting up close for so long that I forgot I'm an Archer." After firing more than a dozen arrows in succession, Sakutsuki panted lightly. Seeing Tokiomi Tohsaka and Kirei Kotomine using every means at their disposal to defend themselves, he finally put away his bow and left without the slightest hesitation.

When that wave of attacks ended, Sakutsuki had already vanished without a trace. Tokiomi Tohsaka, his suit in tatters, clenched his teeth, his expression dark as water.

"Don't let me find him."

Although he had discovered the theft in time and his most important Holy Relic had not been stolen, the incomparably precious magical materials he had prepared to summon that ancient king had almost all been looted by that little thief.

If he wanted to prepare another set, the Tohsaka family would be completely broke. They might even have to borrow money to survive.

Tokiomi Tohsaka rubbed the ruby atop his cane and quickly reached a conclusion.

Money could be earned again, but he had to win the Holy Grail War, no matter the cost.

Damn it. If not for that little thief, how could he have fallen into such a state?!

Kirei Kotomine, meanwhile, stared thoughtfully in the direction Sakutsuki had left.

If he had not sensed wrong, that young man had not held much killing intent when attacking Tokiomi Tohsaka.

But when he targeted Kirei himself, the decisiveness of that killing intent had startled even Kirei Kotomine.

Could it be... he knows me?

Within his tranquil heart, there was now one more person who interested him, aside from the Magus Killer.

When Kariya, exhausted after reading magecraft notes all day, emerged from the basement, he happened to see two figures, one large and one small, sitting on the sofa and watching television with great interest.

For electrical appliances to still function normally in such a mana-rich environment was ridiculous.

"I used magecraft to protect them," Sakutsuki said lazily, as though he had seen through Kariya's thoughts.

"Ah, Uncle Kariya!" Sakura Matou noticed Kariya as well and smiled happily.

Several days had passed since Sakutsuki's raid on the Tohsaka Estate. After learning about the Holy Grail War, Kariya had spent nearly every waking moment in the basement, while Sakura had gradually lowered her guard over those days of companionship and finally returned to her originally gentle and adorable self.

Sakutsuki, sitting on the sofa, tilted his head to watch the girl's happy appearance and could not help curling his lips into a smile.

From the perspective of profit, a living Zouken Matou—or rather, Makiri Zolgen—would have been far more valuable to Sakutsuki. Sakutsuki could even have used his power to control this Holy Grail War.

However, neither Sakutsuki nor Shirou could possibly stand by and allow Sakura to fall into that old worm's hands.

Ah... I'm still too softhearted.

Sakutsuki shook his head in self-mockery, then happened to notice Kariya Matou's left hand. His expression changed slightly. "You... succeeded?"

Kariya Matou grinned proudly and raised his left hand, marked with crimson patterns. "If this is what you call a Command Seal, then yes, my master and enemy."

"Hmph." The golden-eyed youth and the black-eyed man looked at each other. Sakutsuki slowly removed his glove, raised his own left hand bearing a Command Seal, and grinned. "Then come on. I'll beat your teeth out."

"You think a brat like you can fight me? I've read the books. Servants aren't afraid of ordinary modern weapons!"

"After I gave you so many resources, let you train with the Ley Line's help, and you already had some foundation, you only just now became qualified to join this Holy Grail War. You've got a lot of nerve talking like that."

"Oh? Want to try my half-baked water magecraft?"

"Summer isn't here yet, but if an old man like you wants to play in the water so badly, I'll reluctantly agree."

"You brat really know how to talk."

"And why shouldn't I?"

"Hehehe..."

"Hmph hmph hmph..."

Though the atmosphere was clearly tense, Sakura, sitting on the sofa, looked from one to the other and tilted her head in confusion.

Again? Why were Uncle and big brother both smiling so happily?

After thinking for a moment, Sakura's eyes lit up. She simply tugged Sakutsuki's sleeve and said sweetly, "Since Uncle Kariya became a magus, should we celebrate, Onii-chan?"

That single "Onii-chan" instantly sank Sakutsuki. Kariya turned around and laughed soundlessly, while Sakutsuki glared at him before lifting the little girl into his arms and smiling indulgently. "Since the little princess has spoken, of course I agree!"

Don't forget, the man whose abilities he inherited possessed EX-rank cooking skills!

The Emiya family's dinner was served today!

"It should be the Matou family..."

"Shut up!"

All that could be said was that he truly lived up to being that man. His cooking was as good as ever. After taking his first bite of hamburger steak, Kariya nearly burst into tears.

Fifteen days! Do you know how I spent those fifteen days?!

This little bastard clearly had such incredible cooking skills, yet after personally cooking on the first day he moved in, he had never cooked again! Every time Kariya eagerly went to the door to collect the meal box, all he found was store-bought curry rice—and the flavor had not changed once over all those days!

Now, the mere smell of curry made him want to throw up!

If Kariya Matou knew that Sakutsuki often made special meals for Sakura, he might truly fly into a rage and fight the little bastard to the death before the Holy Grail War even began.

But at this very moment, all he wanted was to savor the happiness brought by delicious food.

After eating and drinking their fill, the two pressed Sakura onto the sofa to watch television, then entered the kitchen together and spoke quietly beneath the sound of washing dishes.

"The war begins in a year. Be prepared," Sakutsuki said softly. "Although water magecraft counters Tokiomi Tohsaka, your skill in magecraft is laughably flimsy compared to his."

"You don't need to tell me that." Kariya stubbornly refused to yield.

"Heh. Work hard. The magecraft I left in the notes is enough to keep you studying for a long time. Also, don't neglect Sakura's magecraft training. Follow the plan step by step. Since we've created such an environment for her, she needs the strength to protect her true self—especially after the Holy Grail War... when neither of us is around."

Kariya fell silent and instinctively looked at the back of his hand.

That was right. In a war like this, who could be certain they would return alive?

He could not. Tokiomi Tohsaka could not... even Sakutsuki, the most mysterious and powerful among them, admitted that he was not confident of victory.

What if neither he nor Sakutsuki returned? What if even Tokiomi Tohsaka died?

What would happen to Sakura then? And what about Rin and Aoi?