Starting from Adopting Sakura in the Type-Moon World Chapter 12

"Oh... oh."

Though she didn't understand why Emiya Kiritsugu was so agitated, Irisviel obediently nodded.

For his naive wife, Kiritsugu couldn't explain too much.

All she needed to know was that any Magus who dared utter those four words would, if Aozaki Touko found out, be dead by now—even the Lords of the Clock Tower, high in their seats, wouldn't lightly make an enemy of the Grand Puppet Master. After all, who wouldn't panic knowing someone who, even if killed, would just swap bodies and come back from some corner of the world, had their life on their mind? Not everyone was the Blue Magician.

For Emiya Kiritsugu, though, this time he had to be fully prepared. They might well cross paths with Aozaki Touko again in the Holy Grail War.

Even though he hadn't seen Command Seals on her hand during the fight, the fact that she'd broken into the Einzbern estate and taken the records of the Third Holy Grail War proved she had some connection to it.

He couldn't be sure yet, but they had to ready themselves for battle more thoroughly this time.

The image of Aozaki Touko's nightmare-like figure surfaced in his mind. Kiritsugu sighed deeply, his gaze flickering almost imperceptibly toward Artoria, who sat quietly beside Irisviel, eating pastries.

No matter how ill-suited their temperaments, if they ran into that monster Aozaki Touko, the only one he could rely on was the legendary King Arthur he'd summoned.

A legendary king, a knight wielding a holy sword, a true radiant being... I hope you won't let me down...

After finishing the playback of the intel he'd gathered, Kiritsugu found a moment to step out and used a satellite phone to call his assistant, who was out on a mission.

Maiya was currently using smuggling routes to transfer the weapons he needed into Fuyuki City, preparing for the coming Holy Grail War.

Beep-beep-beep—!!

After a short ringtone, the call connected.

"Kiritsugu?"

When she saw his familiar number, her voice carried a hint of cheer.

"Maiya, how's the transfer of the arms I ordered going?"

"Don't worry, it's already in transit. A few more days and it'll reach the Fuyuki base. No need to fret."

"I see..."

Kiritsugu asked, "If I need to add another batch of arms now, is there still time?"

"If we buy through the black market or from mercenaries, there's still time."

"Kiritsugu, what else should I prepare?"

On the other end of the line, Maiya, sitting in a transport truck escorting the goods, pulled out a pen and notebook.

"C4, RPGs, Barrett M82A1 Sniper Rifles. If possible, get me some Stinger missiles or high-explosive rounds."

"Stinger missiles, high-explosive rounds..."

Hearing those names, she couldn't help but pause.

Though she inwardly wondered if the Holy Grail War really required this level of firepower, as his assistant, Maiya didn't question it. She just nodded and replied.

"Kiritsugu, these aren't easy to get, but I'll do my best to find a way."

"Good. I'll leave it to you."

After wrapping up, he ended the call with his assistant. Having completed this new round of preparations, Kiritsugu walked to the castle window, raised his hand, and lit another cigarette.

No matter what, whoever he fought, his goal and the outcome wouldn't change.

Even if he had to use the dirtiest methods, he would kill every Magus, obtain the Holy Grail, and save all of humanity.

That was the final obsession and the only meaning left in the life of Emiya Kiritsugu, who had killed his own father and foster mother and survived to this day.

He looked out the window.

Just then, the snow outside began to fall harder, blurring the view before his eyes.

Snow, still falling...

Amid the howling wind, the horn of war had already sounded.

Chapter 15: Two Old Foxes (Two-in-One)

Late one night before the story began.

The night was gentle as water, the city's lights brilliant, the Milky Way and stars shining overhead, the moon like a silver plate illuminating the earth, drawing pedestrians on the streets into the city's beauty and tranquility.

Fuyuki City outskirts, the Matou Family estate.

Through the winding, twisted woods, Rovey walked alone to the centuries-old mansion, pushed open the sealed gate, and stepped inside naturally, ignoring the magical barriers set up to test intruders and the terrifying insects circling in the night sky as warnings. He chose to disregard them all, advancing with a calm expression—but one old man wasn't content to let it be.

"So you've come... an interesting brat, daring to enter another Magus's workshop alone. In that case, let this old man test your mettle."

A hoarse voice echoed through the dark mansion.

Then, a withered hand reached out from the shadows, traced a motion in the air, and issued an attack command to the insects lying in wait outside.

Buzz-buzz-buzz—!!

Outside the mansion, receiving their master's order, the insects that had been quietly watching from the sky suddenly grew agitated. A sharp sound like metal scraping rang in the air, and a wave of murderous intent flooded the estate.

Even with the cover of night, that hidden killing intent couldn't escape Rovey, who walked the earth.

Sending insects to surround him...

"Is he trying to kill me right here?"

He lifted his head, gazing at the swarm of insects hidden in the sky, and began to ponder inwardly.

After a brief moment of thought, he quickly dismissed the notion.

If the old worm truly intended to kill him, given his ruthless nature, he would never have sent only one type of insect familiar. This was most likely a test.

Without a doubt, that old bastard Matou Zouken hadn't trusted him so easily, which was why he had set this up today—just to probe his strength.

If he passed this trial, the old man would surely emerge openly, claiming it was all a misunderstanding. But if he failed, his death would be for nothing; the other would simply mock his incompetence, reclaim his magical legacy, and continue pursuing the Holy Grail War.

Old Worm really played dirty...

Rovey couldn't help but remark.

Compared to Matou Zouken, a monster who had clung to life for who knows how many years, even magi like Tohsaka Tokiomi seemed pure and innocent.

Still, if it's a test they want, then let them test away. I don't mind playing along.

Besides, showing one's hand and strength before forming an alliance was common practice. So Rovey didn't mind revealing a few tricks, satisfying the old man's curiosity with his power while also hoping to dispel any lingering doubts by demonstrating some capability.

Then, Rovey made his move.

Before the hidden insect familiars in the sky could launch a fierce attack, the Magic Crest on the back of his hand flared with blinding light. With a flick of his wrist, a container of mercury-like viscous liquid slipped from his sleeve and shattered against the ground.

"Crack—!"

Accompanied by a crisp breaking sound, the container holding the mercury liquid shattered like glass, splattering the Volumen Hydrargyrum within.

"What is this?"

Under Zouken Matou's astonished gaze, Rovey raised his finger and began tracing rapidly. Silver magical runes materialized in midair, forming an intricate array. In an instant, a sizable red Alchemy Array rose in the Matou Family's courtyard. Rovey, standing at its center, tilted his head slightly, looked up at the insects in the sky, and slowly snapped his fingers.

Snap!

With a crisp snap, a faint, elusive ripple of magical energy spread through the air. The Alchemy Array beneath his feet flickered with a few glimmers of light.

"...What was that?"

Inside the Matou Family mansion, Zouken Matou, controlling the insects through shared vision, watched the scene unfold outside. This naturally included the simple Alchemy Array under Rovey's feet and the snap of his fingers just now.

But...

Even having seen it, he still couldn't grasp what had happened. Yet the magical energy drifting in the air indicated that something had indeed occurred.

So, what exactly happened?

Though Zouken Matou hadn't figured out what just transpired, his age and cunning told him not to give Rovey more time to prepare. Without further hesitation, he raised his arm and quickly commanded the Wing Blade Insects in the night sky to dive straight at the young man in the courtyard.

Stimulated by the magical command, hundreds of greenish, mantis-like strange insects buzzed into the air. Their transparent wings whined as they cut through the air, and their blade-like claws sent chills down the spine.

"A swarm of hundreds, huh... That's at least somewhat respectable."

Seeing the dense mass of Wing Blade Insects surging forward, the young man standing in the courtyard showed no fear. Instead, he smirked and curled his lip, extending his right hand flat: "Flame, divine majesty, born of light, now by sacred fire I grant you death."

The incantation left his lips, and a surge of vast magical energy was drawn into his body, quickly converted into output. As his fingers traced lightly through the air, silver magical runes materialized in midair, forming an intricate array that silently appeared around the Wing Blade Insects, then began to expand and glow.

"What?!"

Witnessing this horrifying sight, even Zouken Matou, hidden in the mansion, couldn't help but feel shocked.

But there was no time for shock. With Rovey's crisp snap, hundreds of Wing Blade Insects, like moths to a flame, were engulfed by the flames that suddenly erupted around them, producing the sizzling sound of fire scorching flesh.

In an instant, the once ferocious swarm of Wing Blade Insects was reduced to a few stragglers. Some had their bodies mostly consumed by fire, others had their claws burned off, falling from the sky and twitching at his feet. The few that survived the flames, before they could attack Rovey, were pierced by several spikes of Volumen Hydrargyrum that shot out, wrapping around them and dropping them to the ground.

"Hmph."

Ignoring the ugly insects that had lost all mobility on the ground, Rovey continued walking toward the entrance of the Matou Family mansion.

As he stepped forward, the surrounding Volumen Hydrargyrum moved like extensions of his arms. In the night, the sound of air being cut came from all directions, like flexible tentacles stretching out, mercilessly piercing the insects lurking on the path and dragging them into the blazing flames.

"Hey, Zouken Matou, is the boring test over? Are you satisfied with the strength I've shown? Of course, if you want to continue this pointless probing, I'm happy to oblige!"

With his family's Alchemy Array underfoot and the Volumen Hydrargyrum for self-defense, Rovey, whose magical power was now multiplied several times, was brimming with confidence. He fished two gemstones of different colors from his pocket, ready to hurl them at the Matou mansion.

At this moment, seeing all the insects he had arranged wiped out, Zouken Matou, who had been hiding in the mansion, could no longer stay put.

Though he had tried to overestimate Rovey's strength before the test, the young man was, after all, just a Festival Rank magus who had only recently delved into the magical arts. Before his century of accumulated experience, he was like a child. Even with great talent, so what? So he had planned to test him while also seeing if he could capture him to seize the upper hand in their upcoming cooperation.

But now, watching his carefully cultivated and imported insects fall one after another to Rovey's flames and mercury, Zouken Matou's heart bled.

Not only had the young man used that silver liquid Mystic Code to set up an Alchemy Array on the spot, but the power of the flame—one of the four basic elements borrowed through Alchemy—was far beyond what a mere Festival Rank should be able to control.

This kid didn't feel like a Festival Rank at all. He felt more like a Lord, and a combat-oriented one at that.

Were those fools at the Clock Tower blind? How could this possibly be just Festival Rank!

Cursing the blind idiots at the Clock Tower in his mind, at this critical moment, Zouken Matou hurriedly used his magic to open the Matou Family's front door, dispelled the magical barriers set in the courtyard, and withdrew the remaining insect familiars.

"Oh? Finally coming out? Is the test over?"

Seeing the door of the Matou mansion open from within, the old man and the young man stood facing each other, separated by only a dozen meters...

Though their contact had been brief, after tonight's events, Zouken Matou had gained some understanding of the power Rovey wielded.

He was astonished by the young man's formidable strength. Despite being only Festival Rank, he had already reached this level. Even a Rank magus wouldn't have handled his combined insect swarm so effortlessly.

Though doubts lingered in his mind, Zouken Matou knew that the pointless testing could end here. Continuing would only waste his own strength without any gain.

Even though this was his workshop, giving him a significant advantage, the Alchemy Array under Rovey's feet was nothing to scoff at. Compared to ordinary magi, Alchemists were far more troublesome opponents.

These fellows, when fully prepared, could muster power that ordinary Magi couldn't hope to match, making them far stronger in defensive battles. But since Alchemy differed from traditional magic and required a corresponding Alchemy Array for support, Alchemists could only fight in pre-prepared positions—there was no time to draw an array on the battlefield.

Yet that brat Rovey, using that bottle of mercury-like liquid of unknown material as a support, could complete his Alchemy Array in a short time and stand atop it, mobilizing the four elements—water, fire, earth, and wind—for combat support. It had truly startled him; this was essentially a mobile fortress Magus.

Everyone knew that a Magus fighting in their own territory could double their strength, so what a freely mobile fortress Magus represented was something Matou Zouken understood better than anyone.

At the very least, if he ran into Rovey outside, he would turn and flee the moment he sensed the other's Alchemy Array completed. No fool would willingly fight another Magus inside their own territory.

Through this probing, Matou Zouken had roughly grasped Rovey's hidden capabilities and could confirm that, if properly utilized, Rovey would indeed be a formidable ally.

If someone like himself, who knew more of the Holy Grail's inner workings, could cooperate with a mobile fortress Magus, plus two Servants, the odds of winning this Holy Grail War would be unprecedented.

As for after they eliminated all other Servants and Masters...

There was only one Holy Grail. No matter how eloquently Rovey spoke or what guarantees he made, the two of them were destined to struggle against each other for it.

So the moment the other competitors were dealt with, he would turn hostile, find a way to eliminate Rovey, and monopolize the Holy Grail.

Though Rovey's ability to set up an Alchemy Array on the spot was troublesome, it wasn't impossible to handle. At least in summoning a Servant, the Berserker he had chosen would far surpass Rovey's summoned Caster in stats and compatibility. Once the other opponents were eliminated, he could use his summoned Berserker to take Rovey out.

"The Crowley Patriarch jests. Since we are allies, how could this old man engage in such discourteous probing?"

"It's just that I didn't anticipate Your arrival so early, so I hadn't had time to withdraw the insect familiars I'd set up in advance, leading to all these misunderstandings. I beg the Crowley Patriarch not to take offense."

Even though Rovey had called him out to his face, Matou Zouken's expression remained utterly calm, his tone so sincere that he almost believed his own act.

"It seems Lord Marich Zorgen's skin is far thicker than I imagined. But I'm not taking this incident to heart—let my flames and your insects serve as the opening ceremony for the coming war."

"However, I hope such things won't happen again. One pointless probe is enough. Otherwise, I'll consider you my enemy as well. Can the Matou Patriarch understand that?"

Rovey's eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke in a cold tone.

"Of course. This incident was entirely this old man's fault. Having lived so long, my eyes have grown somewhat dim, and occasional lapses are unavoidable. But since such a reckless mistake has already been made once, I naturally won't repeat it. For the remainder of the Holy Grail War, until the very end, this old man will walk shoulder to shoulder with the Crowley Patriarch, together claiming victory in this Holy Grail War."

Matou Zouken said with a smile.