Starting with Adopting Sakura in Type-Moon

Mother of Kanbako City shook her head slightly. This was the first time she had encountered something so unusual.

She had never expected that there would be someone in this world whose future even her eyes could not see. It was truly astonishing.

Rovey raised an eyebrow lightly, then a bitter smile appeared on his lips.

"It's fine. It's probably an issue with me."

"Perhaps."

Mother of Kanbako City nodded, then smiled and looked at Rovey with amusement. "However, while I couldn't see your future, I did see some very interesting things while observing it. Would you like to hear them?"

"Interesting things?"

Rovey nodded gently, intrigued by Mother of Kanbako City's words. He then asked, "Please, go ahead."

"Mm. While observing your future, I happened to see a very strange man through a hazy veil."

"A strange man?" Rovey immediately perked up.

"Yes. A White-Haired Handsome Man."

Mother of Kanbako City smiled faintly, then continued her vivid description. "I saw a breathtaking sea of flowers, filled with all kinds of beautiful blooms I had never seen before. The scenery was so beautiful that it hardly seemed to belong to this planet. And amid that lush sea of flowers stood a white tower."

"Perhaps noticing the gaze I had secretly cast his way, the handsome man resting against the tower slowly opened his eyes and met mine. He smiled and wanted to pass on a few words to you through me—"

"Hiss..."

Rovey sucked in a sharp breath. By then, he had already guessed what was going on.

"Well, well, what an interesting existence. You actually managed to evade my eyes, as well as the gaze of the entire world, and exist alone in a world that does not belong to you... This is the first time big brother has ever seen such a strange phenomenon."

"Unfortunately, your future does not exist within this world's records, you know~"

"Rather than wasting time and effort searching for things like Absolute Future Vision or Clairvoyance to observe where things are headed, why not personally take part in it? The future is interesting precisely because it is unknown. Compared to omniscience and omnipotence, isn't it only through personal experience that one can savor its beauty? Both I and those two kings think so, which is why~"

"Marvelous traveler from beyond the world, since you seek enjoyment, why not throw yourself into it and experience it firsthand? Only by participating can you understand the true joy within."

"In the near future, perhaps I'll pay you a visit myself~ Look forward to it."

As though trying to recreate the scene she had witnessed more faithfully, Mother of Kanbako City imitated a certain online scammer perched high atop a White Tower, speaking in that same irritating tone. Rovey's eyelids could not help twitching.

Just from the description and that familiar, punchable tone, Rovey could already guess the other party's identity.

He could also roughly understand their method of communication. It was the so-called Clairvoyance Chat Room.

That group of big shots with Absolute Future Vision, Clairvoyance EX, or the Star of Omniscience all communicated this way. They could even use those special abilities to send messages across eras.

So, had he been noticed by some shut-in who lived in a tower year-round? When he said they would meet again in the future, could Merlin be planning to become a Servant and participate in the Fourth Holy Grail War?

No way, right?

Wasn't Merlin that online scammer who only stayed in Avalon and coldly watched the stories unfolding in the human world? Surely he wouldn't personally step in to fight people... right?

He wanted to say that, but remembering that Merlin would also make an appearance for interesting things, Rovey could not reach a definite conclusion. After all, trying to speculate about something inhuman using human thinking was fundamentally flawed.

"It seems you know that somewhat strange man." Mother of Kanbako City raised an eyebrow slightly and asked after noticing Rovey's odd reaction, "Is he an acquaintance of yours?"

"No, we've never met."

Rovey shook his head. "Calling him an acquaintance would be a stretch. He's just an online scammer who lives in seclusion on the Reverse Side of the World year-round."

An online scammer living beyond the world. That was quite impressive.

"I see. How interesting."

Mother of Kanbako City smiled again and continued, "Although I cannot see the course of your future, I can still see the future trajectories you change. Take today, for example..."

"Because you cut off the hands of those delinquents in the alley and robbed them of their ability to continue harming society, you indirectly changed the fate of a girl who should have suffered because of them. That, in turn, changed the course of many things."

"Though I cannot give such actions an exact definition, in my eyes, this does count as a good thing. At the same time, I approve of what you did. That is why I came out to meet you and offer you some advice."

Mother of Kanbako City looked at Rovey again and spoke to him seriously.

"What you do is your law."

"So do not hesitate. Follow your heart, young man. Go and do what you wish to do. I believe that in the end, you will gain something from it."

"???"

Hearing those familiar words, Rovey's expression froze slightly.

Like, "Our hearts are as clear as mirrors; all our deeds are justice." Wasn't this the guiding principle of life he had muttered to himself just yesterday? How could he hear it again here?

He knew Mother of Kanbako City surely had a deeper meaning behind her words, but diviners always described the future so vaguely. It was truly a headache—

Couldn't she just speak plainly?

He had wanted to ask more, but when he saw Mother of Kanbako City sitting opposite him gently lower her veil, he lowered his hand as well and smiled at her.

"I understand, ma'am. Thank you for this."

"Oh? I thought you would press this old woman for more details."

"That was what I intended at first, but after thinking it over, I don't feel it's necessary now. There's no benefit in knowing prophecies too clearly, and I'm already tired of hearing those words. When the time comes, I'll naturally understand."

"As expected, you are very clever."

Mother of Kanbako City nodded, becoming increasingly satisfied with Rovey before her.

"Then, thank you for clearing things up. If there's any payment you want, please name it. Consider it my thanks."

At this point, Rovey had accomplished the purpose of his trip and gained some unexpected rewards.

Though he still had many questions he wanted answered, she had already made it clear that she had said all she would say. He could not force the matter.

"Isn't the payment written clearly? Two hundred yen per person. This old woman is merely a roadside fortune-teller. How much money could I possibly ask from you?"

Hearing Mother of Kanbako City's almost deliberately obtuse answer, Rovey nodded lightly and said nothing more. He took out a large-denomination bill from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"Here. This is the fortune-telling fee you asked for. No need to give me change for the rest."

"Good. Now we're even. Don't come looking for me so casually again, young man."

After taking the bill from the table, Mother of Kanbako City nodded in satisfaction. Deep down, she found herself liking Rovey even more.

"Until we meet again, young man."

"Mm. Goodbye, ma'am."

After that final farewell, Rovey had obtained the information he wanted and no longer lingered to disturb her. He turned and left.

Once Rovey's figure had disappeared into the distance, Mother of Kanbako City let out a long sigh and could not help reflecting.

"What an interesting young man. How long has it been since this old woman last saw such a peculiar situation? As expected, if one lives long enough, one can encounter all manner of interesting things."

"Though I cannot help you with anything, I still hope that one day, you will reach the future you desire."

After saying that, Mother of Kanbako City exhaled softly. Her figure gradually turned into a wisp of white smoke in the darkness and vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.

The Visitor

—There were no coincidences in this world, only inevitabilities.

Germany.

Einzbern Castle.

"You mean that famed Grand Puppet Master... Aozaki Touko?"

One night, Emiya Kiritsugu and his wife Irisviel were awakened from their sleep and summoned before Ahadon, the head of the Einzbern Family.

"That is correct. Aozaki Touko, the Magus granted Grand Rank by the Clock Tower, and a descendant of the previous Fifth Magic user. Not long ago, she sent a letter to the Einzbern Family through a puppet. It stated that she was passing through Europe and had heard of the Einzbern Family's outstanding Homunculus Technology. She intends to pay us a visit soon to observe it."

Ahadon looked at the two of them and spoke slowly.

"That infamous Grand Puppet Master is coming here in person..."

Kiritsugu's expression immediately turned grave upon hearing this.

Clearly, Aozaki Touko's name was not unfamiliar to him, a Magus Killer who had spent his life walking the edge between life and death.

"Is she really coming only because she covets the Einzbern Family's Homunculus Technology?" Irisviel paused before asking.

The Einzbern Family's legacy dated back to before the first year of the Common Era. It was undoubtedly ancient, and its origin had been a workshop established by the disciples of a Magician who had achieved the Third Magic.

Although that workshop was later abandoned and left unattended for many reasons, over the long passage of time, the homunculi left behind by Einzbern—despite having been discarded by their creators—miraculously revived their creators' pure ideals as Magi: the salvation of humanity. The workshop continued operating and eventually became the Einzbern Family, one of the Three Families.

The Einzbern Family now possessed extraordinary Homunculus Technology inherited from the disciples of the Third Magic user. It was only natural that it would attract the interest of the Grand Puppet Master.

Yet the instincts of all three people present told them that this matter was far from as simple as it appeared.

It was reasonable for the Grand Puppet Master to be interested in Homunculus Technology, but the timing of her visit was highly unreasonable.

The Holy Grail War was about to begin, and the Einzbern Family had already made every possible preparation for the coming conflict.

Ahadon had not only provided Kiritsugu with financial support, but had also mobilized the Einzbern Family's resources to find one of the finest Sacred Relics, intended to summon a legendary king to fight alongside him in the coming Holy Grail War.

Yet at this moment, when everything was ready and they were merely waiting for the war to begin, a renowned Grand Puppet Master with no prior connection to the Einzbern Family suddenly paid them a visit without warning. Anyone would have found that surprising.

They had to wonder whether she had some other purpose in approaching this place, such as...

Could she also be a participant in this Holy Grail War?

At that possibility, Kiritsugu's eyes widened. The hand hanging at his side began trembling involuntarily, and his emotions could not settle for a long while.

If Aozaki Touko, that Grand Puppet Master, was also a competitor, then this Holy Grail War would be far more dangerous and difficult than he had imagined.

"Ah, she may be a participant... Aozaki Touko... Aozaki, Aozaki... I never expected even a descendant of the Fifth Magic user might enter the Holy Grail War. Fate truly is impossible to predict."

Ahadon sighed softly, murmuring the Aozaki surname several times.

Like the Third Magic user, the Fifth Magic user had passed away. Yet in the final moments of his life, he had successfully passed down his magecraft and miracles for his descendants to inherit.

Those descendants were the two daughters of the Aozaki family, Aoko Aozaki and Aozaki Touko. One inherited the Aozaki family's Fifth Magic and mastered the miracle known as Blue, while the other carved out her own path in the pursuit of magecraft. Meanwhile, Einzbern, which also carried the legacy of a Magician, had fallen to such a state. Compared to the Aozaki family, they were leagues apart.

Thus, Ahadon sincerely hoped that one day, they would once again witness the return of the Third Miracle with their own eyes, bringing a perfect conclusion to the workshop that had operated beneath their feet for centuries.

"Since a descendant of the Fifth Magic user is coming to visit, the Einzbern Family, as successors to the Third Magic user, cannot afford to be discourteous."

After thinking it over, Ahadon spoke indifferently to Kiritsugu, whose expression beside Irisviel was contemplative.

"Emiya Kiritsugu, you will receive her. Be sure to watch your safety."

"I understand. I'll be careful."

Under his wife's worried gaze, Kiritsugu nodded and decisively accepted the task.

Facing Aozaki Touko alone, a Grand Rank Magus, would be extremely dangerous. But among the Einzbern Family, Kiritsugu—who had spent years dealing with dangerous people while walking the line between life and death—was undoubtedly the most suitable choice.

If she truly had come for the Holy Grail War, they could not avoid her even if they wanted to. In the end, their only option would be to fight her for the Holy Grail.

But for Emiya Kiritsugu...

No matter what happened, no matter whom he fought, the outcome would not change. He would defeat every enemy standing in his way. He would obtain the Holy Grail and save the world. That was all.

Late at night in Fuyuki City.

Atop a towering building.

"What a bustling city... Even at night, it's so lively."

"Though its history is short, it has not diminished its thriving vitality. This is the progress of the times."

As if speaking to himself, Rovey stood atop the high tower and silently overlooked the city below, its streets filled with traffic and light, before letting out a sigh.

Compared to London, where the nights were silent and who knew what supernatural phenomena might occur, he preferred this modern city below. This was the proper environment humanity ought to live in.

"Yet as the times advance, the darkness once feared by humanity is gradually conquered as well. Multicolored lights have invaded the space that once belonged to the night, causing much of the mystery hidden in darkness to fade away more quickly..."

"But for people like us, can that truly be considered a good thing?"

A hoarse voice sounded from the shadows. Then an old man with a hunched body and the appearance of withered wood slowly emerged from the darkness of the high tower, leaning on a cane.

Just like his ghostly voice, the old man's face resembled a corpse that had cheated death. It looked sinister and terrifying, and an unmistakable aura of decay radiated from his entire body. Even maintaining the most basic act of walking seemed difficult for him, as though he might collapse and die on the spot at any moment.

Though he had long since concealed himself from the world and even handed the family he controlled over to some useless descendant, remaining behind the scenes year-round to the point that even his own clansmen rarely saw him.

Still, with all the foreknowledge advantages Rovey possessed, how could he possibly not know this old man's identity, as well as the secret he had hidden for so many years?

"Heh. Since their birth, humans have possessed limitless potential and have tried to conquer all kinds of things. They conquered the land first, then the seas, and later the sky. Naturally, they would eventually conquer the night as well."