Starting from Adopting Sakura in the Type-Moon World Chapter 5

And as Rovey had predicted, after scrutinizing the Magic Contract several times and repeatedly weighing its wording without finding any issues, the stern expression on Tokiomi Tohsaka's face finally eased slightly.

Just as Rovey had said, every clause in this contract was perfectly clear. No matter how he examined it, there was no problem on his end.

The contract's content was roughly as follows: As the adoptive guardian, Rovey Crowley would represent the Crowley Family in adopting Sakura Tohsaka, raising her as an heir, passing down the family's Magic Crest, and guiding her onto the path of magecraft. From that point on, the Tohsaka Family would have no further right to interfere with Sakura Tohsaka, nor could they approach her as relatives or induce her to act against the Crowley Family's interests. The contract also emphasized that as long as Rovey did not designate another heir midway, Tokiomi Tohsaka would have no right to reclaim custody of Sakura Tohsaka.

From any perspective, this contract was extremely clear. It not only provided guarantees but also left an out for both parties. If Rovey ever went back on his word and violated the contract by naming another heir, Tokiomi would still be qualified to reclaim custody of Sakura Tohsaka at any time—truly a clever arrangement.

After confirming the contract, Tokiomi Tohsaka hesitated no longer. He cut his finger, left his name in the designated area on the scroll, and then handed the contract scroll back to Rovey.

"No issues, Crowley Patriarch. Let us sign."

"I know."

Hearing this, Rovey nodded slightly, then took a small knife from his pocket, cut his finger, and pressed his blood and fingerprint onto the scroll, leaving his name as well.

When both had completed their signatures and the contract was formed, Rovey and Tokiomi Tohsaka could both clearly sense a special, intangible, mysterious force binding itself to them. This signified that everything was settled—the contract had taken effect.

Feeling the contract's power already at work on him, Tokiomi Tohsaka, knowing the matter was done, broke into a genuine smile.

It was set. Everything was set now!!

Now his younger daughter could develop her talents in a suitable environment and pursue the path of magecraft as she pleased.

For a father like him, what could be more gratifying than this news?

And with Sakura Tohsaka as a connection, even the way Tokiomi Tohsaka looked at Rovey softened somewhat.

From every angle, he could feel the other party's sincerity. Even the Magic Contract seemed deliberately slanted in his favor, which made Tokiomi Tohsaka inwardly admire him—truly a noble of the Clock Tower, impeccable in both principle and goodwill.

Compared to Tokiomi Tohsaka's self-congratulation, Rovey didn't think much of it.

A good deal?

Hah, since when were bargains so easy to come by? Every gift heaven bestows comes with a hidden price tag. Sometimes, the delicious meal you gleefully devour is nothing more than poison bait to lull you into complacency.

Tokiomi Tohsaka, Scapegoat of This World, your daughter is mine for now. As for you... you'd better think about how to survive the war a few months from now.

With different thoughts in their minds, the two men smiled and shook hands, their moods diametrically opposed.

"With that, the contract is officially established, Tohsaka Patriarch. So, shall we discuss the formal transfer now?"

"Of course, Crowley Patriarch. Anytime. You are now Sakura's guardian."

Gripping Rovey's hand, Tokiomi Tohsaka spoke with a radiant expression. "Under your guidance and nurturing, I am certain Sakura will fully realize her talents and walk the path of truth in happiness."

"Certainly, certainly. Then, Tohsaka Patriarch, would you accompany me to meet little Sakura?"

Rovey nodded slightly, then put on a concerned tone. "A stranger suddenly approaching to talk about adoption—a child might be quite resistant."

"Naturally. But compared to embarking on the quest for truth, a child's momentary stubbornness means nothing. She will understand in the future."

Tokiomi Tohsaka said matter-of-factly.

As a Magus, and as the head of the family, whatever he decided to do was set in stone. He wouldn't care about his daughter's feelings.

From start to finish, he hadn't even asked for the opinion of Aoi Tohsaka, Sakura's mother.

So, Magi...

They really are monsters wearing human skin.

Their worldview is incomprehensible, and frankly, disgusting...

Rovey mused inwardly.

Soon after, in front of the main gate of the Tohsaka estate.

As a mother, Aoi Tohsaka looked at Sakura with eyes full of reluctance.

She stepped up to her daughter, reached out, and gently stroked her tender cheek, brimming with maternal love and unwillingness.

In contrast to Aoi Tohsaka's sorrow, Tokiomi Tohsaka, as the father, had a completely different attitude. A smile was on his face, and his tone was filled with joy as he stood before Rovey, continuing to speak of his thirst for magecraft and their goals as Magi.

As for Aoi Tohsaka's reluctance behind him, it was merely a trivial matter in his eyes. He knew that compared to letting personal attachments hinder his daughter's future and potentially bring disaster upon her, what he was doing now was truly correct.

Though as a father, at the moment he sent his daughter away, a certain indescribable feeling did stir in his heart, Tokiomi Tohsaka knew it was all worth it for the future and happiness.

"Dad, are you really giving my sister away?!"

Having learned that Tokiomi Tohsaka was giving her sister to someone else, Rin Tohsaka hadn't had time to change clothes. Barefoot, she rushed out of the snow, running hastily, and stared at her father in disbelief.

"..."

Tokiomi Tohsaka didn't answer, nor did he scold his daughter for her rudeness. He simply raised his hand slightly and instructed his wife to take her back.

As for the younger sister, Sakura, who already knew her fate, her emotions weren't as agitated as one might expect. She tilted her head, looked at her father in confusion, and asked.

"I'm being adopted by the big brother... Does that mean Dad and Mom don't want Sakura anymore?"

"Sakura—!!"

Hearing this, Rin, who was about to be led away, froze in shock. Even Tokiomi Tohsaka's usually impassive expression shifted dramatically.

"Sakura, don't say that. Your father isn't abandoning you. He's just sending you to a more suitable environment."

Before Tokiomi Tohsaka could lose his temper, Aoi Tohsaka, as the mother, suddenly spoke to comfort her daughter.

Though she was reluctant as a mother to send her daughter away, she was well aware of her two daughters' physical conditions and her husband's stance. Tokiomi Tohsaka had already explained to her the issues surrounding Sakura and Rin.

So she understood that even if Rovey hadn't come to propose adoption today, Tokiomi Tohsaka would have taken the initiative to send Sakura to another Mage Family.

It might have been the Matou Family, one of the Three Families with ties to the Tohsakas and settled in Fuyuki City, or the Edelfelt family from Finland, with whom they had ancestral connections.

This parting between mother and daughter was ultimately unavoidable.

"Sakura!"

Taking advantage of her mother's moment of distraction, Rin Tohsaka swung her arm free from her mother's grip, slipped past Aoi Tohsaka with her nimble frame, and trotted over to Sakura Tohsaka.

Even though she understood that this was now a settled matter, how could she, as the older sister, allow her little sister to be taken away by a stranger?

So Rin Tohsaka grabbed Sakura Tohsaka's wrist, pulled her behind her, spread her arms, and used her small body as a final barrier in front of Rovey.

Seeing the resentment in Rin Tohsaka's gaze, Rovey shook his head with some helplessness.

Rin Tohsaka's reaction was perfectly normal. After all, she didn't know Sakura Tohsaka's original fate, nor did she understand that what he was doing now was already a form of salvation for the sisters.

In the eyes of a little girl her age, she only saw him as the villain taking her sister away. It was only natural for her to feel upset or resentful, and Rovey certainly wouldn't hold it against her.

"Rin! Don't be difficult. Step back now!"

Instead, it was Tokiomi Tohsaka who stopped the servant beside him from scolding Rin and forcibly separating them.

"Crowley Patriarch, please forgive the discourtesy..."

The scene before him left Tokiomi Tohsaka somewhat embarrassed.

"I understand, Tohsaka Patriarch. Their bond as sisters is deep, and being forced apart by an outsider like me naturally makes them unwilling. That's only to be expected."

"But there's no need to be so pessimistic. I'm not an unreasonable person. As it happens, I need to stay in the Far East for some time due to certain matters."

"In that case, I'll temporarily settle in Fuyuki City. During this time, if Rin and Lady Aoi Tohsaka miss Sakura, they're welcome to visit anytime."

Rovey smiled faintly, then pretended to ponder for a moment before proposing a reasonable solution for them.

He had already been looking for an excuse to stay in Fuyuki City for a while to prepare for the upcoming spectacle.

Since the situation aligned so well, he didn't mind using the deep affection between the mother and her daughters to give himself a plausible cover.

Of course, with his abilities, he could have simply taken Sakura away after reaching an agreement with Tokiomi Tohsaka and signing the forced Magic Contract, then returned unnoticed. As an alchemist, crafting some Mystic Codes to conceal his presence was trivial.

But it seemed there was a better option now.

"Really?"

At Rovey's words, Aoi Tohsaka's previously despondent eyes suddenly flickered with a faint glimmer of hope.

"Of course."

Rovey nodded slightly, then turned to look at the sulking Rin Tohsaka and the silent Sakura Tohsaka, asking softly with a gentle smile.

"What do you two think?"

"..."

Rin Tohsaka's expression froze, her eyes showing a hint of disbelief.

But the hostility that had been there was visibly diminishing, clearly because Rovey's words had taken effect.

'Still just a child after all...'

Seeing this, Rovey thought to himself.

"Th-then... can I still play with my big sister?"

Sakura Tohsaka looked timidly at Rovey, her voice laced with longing, her demeanor endearing.

"Of course."

Rovey gave his assurance.

"Mhm! Thank you, big brother."

Finally, under Rovey's guidance, the farewell that had been steeped in sorrow became less painful. The sisters about to part hugged each other tightly, tears glistening in their eyes.

Seeing this, Rovey shook his head, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Then he turned to look at Tokiomi Tohsaka, who was also watching the scene.

"So, Tohsaka Patriarch, while I'm staying in Fuyuki City, I'd appreciate your kind assistance." Rovey said.

"Of course."

Tokiomi Tohsaka nodded. He wouldn't refuse such a trivial matter, but...

"May I ask if the Crowley Patriarch has other important business in the Far East?" he inquired with some curiosity.

"Yes, it's a long story. Besides adopting Sakura, I also plan to visit some friends along the way, so I'll need to stay a little longer."

'So it's to visit friends...'

Hearing this, Tokiomi Tohsaka nodded, his gaze subtly drifting toward the back of Rovey's hand.

Seeing no three crimson marks there, he breathed a slight sigh of relief, and the heavy stone in his heart finally settled.

"I see... Then I wish the Crowley Patriarch success in your endeavors. As long as you're in Fuyuki City, if you need anything, feel free to come to the Tohsaka residence and find me."

"Thank you for your generosity, Tohsaka Patriarch, but it's getting late, so I won't impose any longer."

Rovey took his leave. "I'll take Sakura back now."

"Very well."

Tokiomi Tohsaka gave a slight nod, his face still wearing that gentle, scholarly smile.

Before leaving, Rovey made sure to hand his business card to both Tokiomi and Aoi Tohsaka. On it was written the address of his temporary magical base in Fuyuki City.

"This is where I'm currently staying—the Hyatt Hotel."

"I'll pay a visit when I have the time."

Tokiomi Tohsaka accepted the card Rovey offered, a faint smile crossing his face.

"Sakura, be good in your new environment."

Aoi Tohsaka crouched down, tears glistening in her eyes as she looked at her daughter, her voice choked with emotion as she kept instructing her: "Don't cause trouble for the big brother. Even without Mama by your side, you must stay healthy and happy, understand?"

"Mm, I know, Mama."

Sakura Tohsaka nodded, and Rin gathered around them as well.

In the end, this unavoidable farewell was sealed with a three-way embrace.

The warmth of family hugs added a touch of comfort to the bitter winter, and even the heavy snowfall in the sky cleared up at that moment.

Rovey took Sakura Tohsaka's slender hand, walked out the door, and got into a pre-arranged car, then departed under the watchful eyes of the Tohsaka family.

For a long while, only a faint glimmer of light remained in sight, growing dimmer and farther away, until the car's silhouette vanished entirely. Standing in the snow, Tokiomi Tohsaka finally let out a long breath, followed by a helpless sigh.

"Ancestors, watch over us. I believe the descendants of the Tohsaka family will surely find true happiness..."

Chapter 6: Do as Thou Wilt Shall Be the Whole of the Law (1/2, Please Add to Collection!)