A Rock-Solid Alliance for the Old Worm (2/2) / You Rotten Old Geezer, You're Really Up to No Good!

"Not only that, humanity was now even advancing toward realms that magecraft could scarcely reach—the world beyond the stars, the universe."

"This was the progress of the age, the wheel of history, and the inevitable trend. We simply could not stop it; all we could do was embrace this change. And I am human as well. Seeing humanity conquer the night and conquer the planet, I naturally ought to feel proud."

"Hehe... Though you are a Magus, it seems the Crowley Patriarch is not opposed to technology."

Matou Zouken shook his head and let out another strange laugh.

"Not every Magus rejects technology or the progress of the age. I merely accepted it calmly. And in my understanding, I have always believed in one important truth—that is, all humans are stars."

"Having personally lived through that age of technological revolution, you should understand humanity's greatness even better, shouldn't you?"

"Still, compared to the changes brought by the advancement of the age, the changes that happened to you seem far more earth-shattering. Am I right, former ally of justice, Mr. Marich Zorgen?"

A faint smile appeared on Rovey's face, cold and carrying a trace of mockery, as though he were ridiculing the old man before him.

His words were as sharp as a stabbing blade, directly piercing through a hidden truth long sealed within Matou Zouken's heart.

Matou Zouken's withered, deadwood-like pupils suddenly contracted.

An Unbreakable Alliance for the Old Worm (2/2)

—The decaying body creaked like branches, while the aging soul had traveled an unknown distance. Only when it turned back did it realize it had long lost the road it came from.

"...Hehe, this truly surprised this old man."

In the night, an ancient and peculiar voice echoed from the top of the tower.

"Marich Zorgen really is a familiar name. This old man did not know how many years it had been since he last heard it from someone else's lips."

Upon hearing that incomparably familiar yet utterly unfamiliar name, Matou Zouken's movements visibly paused for a moment.

His gaze involuntarily assessed the mysterious young man before him, who had suddenly appeared in Fuyuki City and disrupted his original plans. His eyes were filled with wariness.

Because the descendants of this generation of the Matou Family were rebellious and disappointing, the family's magecraft had fallen into stagnation and even decline. At present, they could not even produce a decent Magus.

As a result, Matou Zouken had no choice but to abandon participation in this Fourth Holy Grail War and place his hopes on the next Holy Grail War.

But with those two useless fools, Matou Kariya and Tsuruno Matou—one who had abandoned magecraft over a mere woman, and the other who was utterly incompetent—the outcome would be the same no matter how many years they were given.

Moreover, for various reasons, he could not conveniently show himself, and his own decrepit body could no longer withstand intense combat. Thus, Matou Zouken began searching outside the family for talent, making preparations for the next Holy Grail War.

By coincidence, the Tohsaka Family, one of the Three Families and a lineage with considerable history, had produced two geniuses who met the requirements. The current head of the Tohsaka Family, Tokiomi Tohsaka, was also troubled over the inheritance of his two daughters. To Matou Zouken, this was nothing less than heaven's help.

So he set his sights on Sakura Tohsaka, intending to use the Magic Crest to induce Tokiomi Tohsaka to adopt his daughter into the Matou Family. Then, during her growth, he would gradually use magecraft to alter her into a useful tool that would help him win the future Fifth Holy Grail War.

Yet before he could act, Rovey suddenly intervened and utterly shattered his original plan, ruining Matou Zouken's beautiful dream.

An alchemical noble from the Clock Tower had actually gotten there first and adopted Sakura Tohsaka, whom he had set his sights on.

When he learned of this, even his long-decayed soul erupted in rare fury.

Yet that was of no use...

The other party was an orthodox magecraft noble of the Clock Tower and had close ties to a certain Lord. His influence far surpassed that of the present Matou Family. Matou Zouken also lacked the nerve to storm the Clock Tower and seize Sakura Tohsaka back. In the end, he could only grit his teeth and swallow his rage, reluctantly accept the matter, and think of another solution.

But just as he was about to give up entirely, a strange letter was delivered into his hands. Besides an address, it bore the words: To Marich Zorgen.

This made Matou Zouken willing to personally take action regardless of the cost, determined to uncover the truth and see exactly who knew his identity.

When he arrived at the appointed tower in Fuyuki City, Rovey, who had long been waiting for him, made no attempt to conceal anything and directly revealed his intentions.

"That's right, I sent that letter. And I know your true identity as well—the magecraft genius from a century ago, Marich Zorgen." His expression remained calm as he said evenly, "To think you are the same person as the current Matou Patriarch, Matou Zouken."

"Oh? This old man truly did not expect the Crowley Patriarch from the Clock Tower to know so much about him. You even uncovered that name, buried for a century—a name even this old man was about to forget. Such means truly reach the heavens..."

"But calling this old man out at a time like this could not have been merely to confirm such a thing, could it? And your purpose in coming to Fuyuki City is far from as simple as it appears. It seems Nagato Tohsaka's incompetent descendant has not noticed at all."

Matou Zouken looked at Rovey, casually belittled Tokiomi Tohsaka, then sneered.

"What do you want from this old man?"

"My, you have nearly forgotten even your own name. It seems you have truly fallen completely... How tragic, for a former ally of justice to end up like this. Still, that is not important. The reason I called you out is actually very simple."

Rovey did not mind his attitude, nor did he care about the killing intent hidden in the shadows. He merely asked with a cold smile.

"Marich Zorgen, how about it? Are you interested in working with me to win the Holy Grail War? After all, you have no other choice now, do you? A magecraft genius as outstanding as Sakura Tohsaka is not so easy to find, and you do not have much time left in your current state. Even if you found someone suitable, you would not have time to train them...

"Rather than passively wait for death, why not join hands with me? You could take this final chance and make one last gamble."

"You mean... you want to join hands with this old man and seize the Holy Grail?"

Upon hearing Rovey's words, Matou Zouken's expression changed immediately. Even the wild grin at the corner of his mouth quietly faded.

"Of course. We have no grievances between us. What else did you think I came for?"

"..."

He remained silent, seemingly considering Rovey's words seriously. Only after a long while did he speak again in that hoarse voice.

"Are you serious?"

Matou Zouken hesitated, because what Rovey said was true. Without Sakura Tohsaka, there was no reason for him to keep waiting. Dragging things out any longer had no meaning. Working with Rovey and making a direct all-out attempt undoubtedly gave him better odds, but...

"Did you adopt Sakura Tohsaka solely to cut off this old man's retreat and force him into cooperating with you?!"

Seemingly thinking of an answer very close to the truth, Matou Zouken's dried-up pupils abruptly contracted. He stared fixedly at Rovey and spoke in disbelief.

"Yes, there was indeed an element of forcing you to submit. But more than that, I probably saved her simply because I wanted to. That girl has great potential, and a constitution with an Imaginary Numbers attribute is so rare. Why let you ruin it? Forcibly altering such a rare Imaginary Numbers Constitution just to accommodate that hole-ridden plan of yours—only you could commit such a wasteful act."

As though thinking of something, Rovey spoke indifferently.

At the same time, he was conveying an important message to Matou Zouken: I know what you intend to do. I know everything about you. This made Matou Zouken, realizing that his plan had long been seen through, even more alarmed.

His identity and plans had always been kept secret. Over the centuries, he had never revealed them voluntarily. Forget other Magi—even Matou Kariya and Tsuruno Matou, those useless descendants, knew nothing whatsoever.

But why did the man before him know so much?!

Matou Zouken looked into Rovey's eyes once more, but Rovey answered only with a faintly smiling, inscrutable gaze.

Was it Future Sight?!

And to be able to predict things to this extent... what kind of monster was he?!

"...If this old man agrees to cooperate with you, then what will happen to the Holy Grail?"

Forcing down the unrest in his heart, Matou Zouken continued.

Matou Zouken had to admit that he was tempted. If he truly cooperated with Rovey, then their side would possess the strength of a Rider Servant and thus gain an absolute advantage in the Holy Grail War.

Furthermore, with himself and Rovey—whose depth he could not fathom, but whose strength was undoubtedly formidable—their chances of winning this Holy Grail War would be quite high. But he could not guarantee what would happen when the Holy Grail finally descended...

"You need not worry, Matou Patriarch. I have already investigated it. Since the establishment of the original Holy Grail ritual, after so much time has passed, the magical energy accumulated within the Greater Grail has already reached a level beyond our imagination."

"After the souls of seven Servants have been sacrificed, the power it possesses could even directly allow someone to reach The Root. According to my understanding, you are committed to gaining a new life for yourself and achieving immortality on the level of life itself. If that is all you wish for, then it will be more than enough for the two of us to divide."

Rovey spoke with an indifferent smile.

"I have no intention of using the Holy Grail's power to reach The Root. What interests me is only the Holy Grail War itself."

"If you cannot rest easy, we can sign a Magic Contract."

Matou Zouken: "..."

"Then... what class of Servant do you intend to summon? Have you obtained the qualifications to summon as a Master?"

After remaining silent for a long time, Matou Zouken asked.

"Caster. For certain reasons, I intend to summon Caster this time. But you need not worry about the Servant's quality. The summoning catalyst I prepared is top-tier."

Rovey removed his glove, revealing three crimson Command Seals on the back of his hand, which he had seized not long ago from a murderer. Then he spoke calmly.

"...Very well. Come to the Matou Family in a few days. This old man will give you an answer."

After a long internal struggle, Matou Zouken finally made his choice.

"Mm. Then I shall await your reply."

The final result did not surprise Rovey. With no path of retreat and such immense hope before him, Matou Zouken had no other choice.

Even if he knew Rovey had his own schemes, that adopting Sakura Tohsaka had been a trap laid for him to force his cooperation, there was nothing he could do.

This was an open scheme, one with no solution at all for him.

But if the other party had merely used his identity and hidden secrets to threaten him, Matou Zouken would rather fight to mutual destruction than comply with Rovey's wishes.

The reason he agreed was that he clearly understood how rare this opportunity was. As one of the first people to know the truth behind the Holy Grail War, with his centuries of accumulated magecraft knowledge and the assistance Rovey could provide, this plan had a far greater chance of success than the one he had originally arranged.

Compared to entrusting everything to that bleak future, perhaps this truly was a rare opportunity.

After leaving those words behind, Matou Zouken did not linger. His aged, frail body turned into insects and scattered into the night sky.

Seeing this, even Rovey, whose expression remained calm, could not hide the flash of disgust in his eyes.

But it did not matter. As long as he could win, that was enough. Even if Matou Zouken would certainly turn against him in the end, the victor would still be him.

Still, it truly was impossible not to feel sorrow...

The ally of justice who had once cared for humanity had, under time's ravages, decayed into such a revolting state. Time truly was a terrifying thing.

Since that was the case, rather than let you decay and die in the shadows in the form of an insect, I might as well send you on your way and let you leave this world as a human in the end.

That could be considered my farewell to Marich Zorgen, that ally of justice.

You Wretched Old Man Are Bad to the Bone! (Please Bookmark!)

—The Tower of Purification creaked, piercing through the world like light.

"Hmm, though things have turned out somewhat unexpectedly, this strange development is becoming more and more interesting. What an interesting human."

In the Starry Sky, Merlin, who was sitting atop a tower and enjoying afternoon tea, slowly opened his eyes.

"But if I remember correctly, wasn't this tower built by Vivian supposed to be eternally isolated? How did someone still sneak in?"

"Hehe, with the peerless magical attainments of the Lady of the Lake from the Age of Gods, even gods would find it difficult to break into this region, much less enter this tower that imprisons sinners."

"However, the Starry Sky, the eternally isolated Garden of Avalon, Avalon itself—do they not share many similarities and points of connection with Crimson Moon's Millennium Castle in essence? And after traversing so many parallel worlds, Avalon's location could more or less be anticipated. As long as one found a suitable node and used the Second Magic for assistance, entering was not all that difficult. Compared to the far shore of the Land of Shadows, this place was already relatively easy to reach."

An old man clad in a black robe adorned with magnificent gemstones pulled out a chair and sat down. Then, without the slightest courtesy, he poured himself a cup of flower tea and drank it in one gulp.

"You actually said this place was inferior to the Land of Shadows. If Vivian heard that, she would definitely be angry, wouldn't she?"

"Haha, I did not say that. I merely think the Land of Shadows is harder to reach than this place. After all, the location of that far shore is not fixed."

"But in the end, although this is said to be the place of your confinement, a place filled with birdsong and flowers does not look much like a prison for sinners. Your freedom may be restricted, but you seem to be living quite comfortably, Merlin."

After finishing his flower tea, the Jewel Magician looked at Merlin seated before him. He pointed at the series of high-tech products, as well as the messy novels and paintings he had seen while passing through the tower, then teased him.

"Oh my, how can you say that? Being imprisoned for thousands of years is hardly pleasant. Other than flowers, there is only this tower. There is not even a lady with whom I can have a deep conversation, though I do know I deserve all of this."

In response to the Jewel Magician's teasing, Merlin sighed and answered helplessly.

"Heh, you old lecher. You know you deserve it, do you? Rather, after doing something like that, receiving only this punishment means you got off easy, doesn't it? Not to mention that at the very end, you, a nonhuman thing, actually obtained what you had always dreamed of... emotions."

"You are right. That truly was the first time I experienced human emotions... It simply was not as wonderful as I imagined."

"But you did not enter this place today merely to criticize me, did you?"

Facing the Jewel Magician's mockery, Merlin looked somewhat helpless.

"What do you think? Did you really think I would evade a group of fairies and sneak in just to chat with you because I had nothing better to do? You are not a magical girl. If it were Merry, I might actually do that."

"Merry... my legendary female counterpart? It seems you like her quite a bit."

"Like would be too strong a word. She simply happens to be suitable as a magical girl. And when it comes to the nastiness of nonhuman things, she far surpasses you."

Thinking of a certain Merry, a dangerous woman, the Jewel Magician gave his assessment of her.

"I came to speak with you about something this time. I believe you should have noticed it long ago, no?"

"Is it because of the Holy Grail War?" Though Merlin phrased it as a question, his tone was utterly certain.

"Of course. After all, the Holy Grail War system was built by my disciple, and the most outstanding one at that. As his teacher, it is only natural that I would pay it some attention."

"But throughout so many Parallel World Observation records, I have seen the conventional Holy Grail War more times than I can count. The formula and template are always the same. At this point, I could write the script with my eyes closed."