Isn't a transition chapter important?

Waking up and checking the time, it was already past noon.

"I can't believe that old bastard let me sleep until noon. Is this his consideration for the artifact?"

It was clear that Kariya's body was already in bad shape, then he was "treated" violently by Caster, and on top of that, he went through so much last night. Kariya's mind was still not fully awake.

Huh? Something seems off. When did this gloomy Matou Residence remove those light-blocking windows and replace them with such bright ones?

Speaking of bright lights, there seemed to be one last night... or rather, something brighter than the sun... Where would the sun be at night? He couldn't remember. It must be the Crest Worms' erosion of his body causing his nerves to weaken. He couldn't recall what happened last night at all.

Dazed, he walked to the foyer. Along the way, Kariya noticed many more illogical things: not only had the house become brighter, but the oppressive feeling that had filled the entire house even on sunny days was gone. This oppressive feeling was actually Zouken's aura. Had that old man gone out? Impossible. Even if he went out, there would still be a considerable number of familiars and worms left in the rooms... Did he die? How could that be... Huh, why did he think of that light again?

The floor was polished to a shine, and the accumulated spiderwebs on the walls had been completely cleared. They had even re-pasted sky-blue wallpaper. Every table and coffee table, every cabinet and display shelf, was also wiped to a reflective sheen.

Clean, tidy, refreshing, bright, and warm. Was this really the Matou Residence?

A radio in the living room was broadcasting the news—When did they buy a radio?

"Last night at XX:XX, a large-scale explosion occurred at the Hyatt Hotel, causing the hotel to collapse. The surrounding roads were also damaged and are temporarily impassable. As of now, the number of minor injuries has reached 80, with 10 serious injuries and 3 missing persons. Fortunately, there have been no reports of fatalities. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined, and the police are investigating..."

With his heart full of confusion, Kariya walked into the dining room. Sakura was distributing tableware at the dining table. There were four plates and four sets of cutlery. A large soup pot was also on the table, emitting a strong aroma, along with several dishes of simple, exquisite home-style cooking. The clatter of pots and pans could be heard from the kitchen, indicating someone was cooking. Who was it?

"Uncle Kariya, good morning... it's already noon. Good afternoon."

"Ah, ah, Sakura, good, good."

He mechanically responded to Sakura's greeting. After a while, he noticed the abnormality—ever since arriving at the Matou residence, Sakura had been like a soul that had died, showing no emotional activity. Her eyes always held a dead silence. When did she start greeting him proactively? And helping with housework like a capable youngest daughter in a typical family? Although her tone was still stiff and her eyes lacked much expression, this was still a thousand times better than her previous state!

Is this a dream? If it's a dream, please don't wake me up. Let me sleep forever in this dream!

"Yo! Kariya, you're awake! It's already noon. We've already finished breakfast. I've tidied up the whole house. Berserker is perfect as a strong laborer; he handled all the physical work. China really needs this kind of hardworking and efficient renovation worker!"

A girl wearing an apron over a black robe, dressed in a very incongruous manner, walked out of the kitchen, holding a spatula. Her silver hair, tied casually into a bun at the back of her head for convenience while cooking, hung down. This domestic housewife appearance, combined with her rather cold and beautiful face, created a contrasting impact that once again made Kariya's mind, which was on the verge of waking up, falter.

Who was she? Why did a flash of white light appear in his mind whenever he thought of her?

"Sit down first, the food is ready. Don't you know, Berserker's noodle-making skills are really amazing? After all, he has the strength. These noodles are really chewy, even I, a Northerner, rarely see them. I'll make a pot of pulled noodles later. Eat well for lunch, and eat less for dinner. A good body comes from good food. Listen to me, it's correct. Drink more soup too. I secretly went to get the medicinal herbs from under the bridge early this morning while the Church was focused on the explosion case. There are many things in there to restore magic, which will be good for you..."

"...Caster!" Kariya's overloaded brain circuits finally fully activated, and he understood the current situation. However, Caster's mother-like nagging and current behavior caused a certain degree of sanity crisis.

"What are you calling me for? The noodles are still cooking! Huh! Kariya-kun, what's wrong? Don't pass out! Sakura, hurry and help!"

"Yes, Caster-sister."

---Every brother who dotes on his sister is an all-around capable housewife---

"Roar~"

"You speak the truth."

"Roar roar!"

"That's right, I thought you only had combat power, but I didn't expect you to be so outstanding in strategic planning. Your reputation as a perfect knight is well-deserved."

"Roar."

"Excessive humility is pride, you know, Lancelot-kun."

"Roar roar roar!!"

"Indeed, to deal with that shining Archer, there's no foolproof plan."

"Roar..."

"You might have a chance to fight, but I'll just get instantly killed."

"Roar?"

"Perhaps there's room for negotiation with Rider, but given his style, he'll definitely demand that we join him. Aren't you supposed to have only one Master?"

"Roar roar."

"Fine, fine, I admit that not being good at dealing with that overly familiar ** is also a reason. Do you really want me to marry him?"

"Roar roar roar..."

"It's okay to try and negotiate, as there won't be any loss if it falls apart."

Looking at the two Servants sitting at the table, "discussing" a pile of documents, Kariya felt a deep sense of powerlessness welling up from within.

Damn it, is this what they call a strategy meeting! How are you guys communicating! And where's my opinion? I'm the Master, okay! And are you not going to clean up after eating! Even though you are heroes who have left behind great achievements and legends in history, you have no psychological pressure to let a seven or eight-year-old girl wash the dishes!

"Hmm? What are you looking at me for?"

"Kariya-kun, you're saying all your thoughts out loud! And I deeply feel that the last sentence is your main point!"

"Roar↗ Roar↘." (Nods.)

Berserker, why are you joining the fun!

"Guys who sleep until noon, eat without working, and don't participate in labor have no right to talk about us!"

"Roar↗ Roar↘."

"Also, Sakura is a sensible good child. While you were sleeping in, I explained the situation to her properly, and she accepted it very understandingly. She feels that her 'Uncle Kariya' made such a great sacrifice for her, and she can't help you much with the big things, but she wants to do her best for you no matter what. How could I bear to stop such pure childlike wishes."

"Sakura..."

"Alright, let's put aside our personal affections and continue with the important matters."

"Hoo-hoo."

"You two have no right to be talking about important matters!"

--- Today's Japanese class entered the scriptwriting unit ---

Time: Lunchtime on the second day after the Holy Grail War began.

Location: Matou Residence living room.

Characters:

Kariya Matou: Current head of the Matou family, one of the seven Masters in the Holy Grail War.

Sakura Matou: Daughter of Tokiomi Tohsaka, adopted by the Matou family, underwent Crest Worm modification, suffering physical and psychological trauma. Her condition improved after being rescued by Kariya and Caster.

Caster: Servant appearing under the Caster class. For specific setting details, refer to the prologue.

Lancelot: Servant appearing under the Berserker class. Lost his sanity due to madness, can only communicate with Caster in ways others cannot understand (?). Originally the strongest Knight of the Lake under King Arthur, traditional and steady, valuing etiquette.

At the start, the four were gathered around a coffee table filled with documents. Caster was lounging lazily on the sofa, Lancelot sat upright opposite him, and Kariya held Sakura between them.

Scene Start:

Caster: Kariya, have you realized that your strategic objectives have basically been achieved?

Kariya: Huh?

Caster: Rescuing Sakura from that disgusting worm den, accomplished. Rebelling against that old man Zouken, exceeded expectations. Now you've overthrown his dictatorship and become the man in charge of the Matou family. Besides teaching Tokiomi Tohsaka a lesson, is there anything else?

Sakura (asking weakly): Uncle Kariya, do you want to... with Dad...

Kariya (interrupting roughly): That guy doesn't deserve to be your father! Someone who sends their daughter to a place like that doesn't deserve to be called a father! He has everything I ever dreamed of but doesn't cherish it at all, and he makes Aoi sad. I will definitely...

Caster: You're scaring the child, Kariya!

Sakura (looking frightened): Please don't... blame Dad. I'm a child of the Tohsaka family, I've always been...

Kariya (calmed down by Caster's words, but agitated again upon hearing Sakura's): Does the Tohsaka family mean unhappiness! Then I'll make that guy, make Tohsaka pay the price! I did it back then because... I thought Aoi would be happy with him...

If it was going to end up like this today, what was the point of my giving up, of my years of... (the last sentence was almost a cry.)

Sakura (timidly): ...I... I'm sorry!

Caster (displeased): Kariya!

Kariya (holding back something): I know, I know. I'll be rational.

Caster: That's good. Let's continue our previous topic. Although our strategic goals have yielded pleasing results, many drawbacks have also been exposed. The first point is that although we have two Servants, our side doesn't have a Master who can fully unleash a Servant's power! (Noticing Kariya's complex expression) I'm not targeting you, Kariya, just stating a fact. You could have commanded Berserker, but after I removed the Crest Worms from your body, your magic capacity is only slightly stronger than an average person's.

Kariya: Speaking of which, I never asked before, but Caster, where is your Master?

Caster: I killed him.

Kariya: I see... (suddenly realizing) What! You...

Caster: He wasn't a Magus, just someone pulled in by the Holy Grail by chance to fill a slot. He was that serial killer who was all over the news a few days ago. He apparently glimpsed the basics of magic somewhere and used the blood of his victims to draw a magic circle and summon me. He was completely mentally unstable, even thinking it was a ritual to summon a demon, and wanted me to eat the only surviving child in the house as a sacrifice... Let's not talk about him.

Kariya: Oh... Then... If it really comes to it, we can use the Crest Worms again. Zouken is dead anyway, so you don't have to worry about being controlled by him. Caster, based on Zouken's notes, recreating his magic should be very easy for you, right?

Caster: Do you not want to live anymore! Even with my treatment, it's questionable whether you can live for another ten years! Remember, you're all that's left of the Matou family now. What will happen to Sakura if you die? Will you send her back to the Tohsaka family? Can you guarantee that Tokiomi won't re-assign her to another magus family?

Kariya: Then what are your plans?

Caster: That's why I wanted Sakura to be present too. This little girl's talent is something that not only you, but even her own father Tokiomi, or that genius Kayneth, cannot possibly match.

Kariya (shielding Sakura behind him, agitated): I absolutely forbid it! Even if you've done me a favor, I'll pay for it with my life if necessary, but Sakura must not be involved in this dangerous conflict!

Caster: Calm down, calm down. I'm very fond of this child too, and I won't put her in danger. Speaking of which, Kariya, it was only this morning when I was tidying up the Matou family's library that I discovered it. I didn't expect there to be such an interesting item. Have you ever heard of it?

Kariya (suspicious, but not relaxing): What is it, Zouken's research results? I absolutely won't let you use it on Sakura.

Caster (smiling helplessly): Don't be so tense. If I really had any ill intentions, I would have just acted on them. Why would I discuss it with you? Do you think you have the leverage to stop me?

Kariya (slightly relieved): Then what are you talking about?

Caster: You haven't made the connection at all, have you? The Book of the False Vassal or something.

Lancelot: Even though I'm a character, I don't have any lines at all!