Shirou's Thirty Million Avatars

Therefore, no matter how many treasures a Servant possesses, they have nothing to do with the Master.

In theory, that's how it is.

But since Nero could produce prizes and put on such a grand spectacle, they had to be genuine, usable items.

The Citizen Tournament's prizes were decent, the Heroic Spirit Tournament's prizes were irrelevant, but what truly stirred his heart was the Master Tournament's reward.

The legendary Golden Apple—whether he used it himself or gave it to Rin, the potential was immense.

Though Rin's talent was already excellent, if she could consume the Golden Apple, her aptitude would surely become even more outstanding.

At that point, the Tohsaka family's long-cherished wish might be fulfilled in Rin's generation.

Even if he failed to seize the Holy Grail in this war, obtaining the Golden Apple alone would be enough.

As for the other six Masters, Kirei was on his side, no concern there.

Waver was just a half-baked amateur, and the Magus Killer Kiritsugu Emiya was the same—easily crushed.

In Tokiomi Tohsaka's eyes, the only one who could rival him was the Clock Tower's lord, Kayneth.

Defeat him, and the Golden Apple would be his.

It wasn't a sure thing, but using all the gems the Tohsaka family had hoarded, he had at least a seventy percent chance of victory.

This was a heaven-sent treasure, absolutely not to be missed.

"Heh... Tokiomi's performance? I look forward to it. I hope it doesn't end as some farcical comedy."

Gilgamesh watched Tokiomi Tohsaka with keen interest, a faint smile curling at his lips.

Chapter 11: Kariya Matou's Wish

Section 11, Chapter 11: Kariya Matou's Wish

City of Rome, within the Imperial Palace.

"Shirou, are you alright?" Kariya Matou asked, his face full of concern.

"I'm fine, why?"

"You're not pushing yourself, are you? Even though I'm just a half-baked magus, I know that summoning a Rome of this scale as a Noble Phantasm must consume an enormous amount of mana."

"I thought so too at first, but actually, the mana inside me has barely decreased."

As he spoke, Shirou instinctively looked toward Nero, who was approaching from a distance, waiting for her explanation.

"This is the effect of I's skill, Tyrant and Beloved. It reduces the mana required for a Noble Phantasm, allowing it to be activated at near-zero consumption."

For some reason, Nero's expression was very proud as she said this.

Of course, she was always like that, so Shirou didn't think much of it.

"I see."

Shirou felt a bit relieved inwardly, glad that the Servant he had summoned was Nero, and an enhanced version at that.

If it had been Archer, with his own mana reserves, his Unlimited Blade Works probably wouldn't have lasted even three seconds.

Knowing that the Noble Phantasm consumed almost no mana, Kariya Matou breathed a little easier, then said:

"Shirou, Sakura has rarely gone out this past year. Could I ask you to take her around the city?"

"I still have to participate in the Master Tournament. You take Sakura out to play." Shirou refused without hesitation.

"Shirou, I've always wanted to punch Tokiomi in the face. At the end of my life, this is my last wish."

As he spoke, Kariya Matou looked down at his own legs and sighed:

"Compared to me, it's more fitting for you two, as peers, to go have fun together."

"We're not peers. I'm seventeen, there's a ten-year gap between me and Sakura."

"Heh heh... but you look like a kid on the outside."

"In the end, you can't beat Tokiomi Tohsaka at all. If you go to the Master Tournament, you'll just end up getting beaten by him instead."

Kariya Matou's expression froze, and he let out a dejected sigh.

Indeed, he couldn't beat Tokiomi at all.

Though he desperately wanted to teach him a lesson, the gap in strength was plain to see.

Just then, Nero suddenly drew the red longsword at her waist, reversed her grip, and pointed the hilt toward Kariya Matou, smiling:

"In that case, I shall lend I's Noble Phantasm, Primal Fire, to thee. Take it, and offer I a triumphant ode of victory."

"This..." Kariya Matou hesitated, "I don't know how to use a sword, especially one so oddly shaped."

"It is not a sword, but a magical Mystic Code that can change its form at will."

As she spoke, the red longsword in Nero's hand gradually transformed, shifting into a ball of flame in an instant, then reshaping into a spear, and then a cup.

"Like so. The longsword from before was merely I's favorite shape."

So it wasn't a sword after all.

Shirou realized instantly—no wonder she, despite being a Caster-class Servant, always carried a sword on her.

So it wasn't a sword at all, but a magical Noble Phantasm—that made much more sense.

"Thank you, Your Majesty Nero." Kariya Matou solemnly accepted the Primal Fire, which had reverted to its sword form. "I, Kariya Matou, will surely offer you a song of victory."

Seeing this, Shirou raised no further objections.

"Since that's settled, I'll take Sakura out to explore the streets."

"Mm... Sakura is... in your care, Shirou."

"Go on." Nero waved her hand with a smile, then added, "In my City of Rome, all food and drink today are free. Enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"

The City of Rome from two thousand years ago—Shirou had seen it countless times through the coachman's own memories.

Though he had only lived there for a few short days, he had grown familiar with it.

And this Rome, summoned by Nero's Noble Phantasm, was the city from over a decade later, yet he could still catch glimpses of the shadows in his memory.

Some buildings along the streets were unfamiliar and new, but others were identical to those he remembered.

The other me wasn't summoned by Nero? Come to think of it, the me that matches this era should no longer be the coachman, but the Emperor's Husband, right?

A familiar street-side stall made Shirou stop unintentionally.

Sakura, following closely behind, bumped into his back without meaning to, pulling him from his reverie back to reality.

Looking at Sakura's hollow, vacant eyes, Shirou sighed inwardly.

That wretched Zouken Matou. In his past life, it had taken him two years to gradually heal the wounds in her heart. This time around, who knew how long it would take?

"Sakura, I'll take you somewhere—the most beautiful spot in all of Rome."

"Mm." Sakura nodded blankly.

The surroundings suddenly shifted from the living room at home to an ancient Western city, startling Rin Tohsaka while also stirring a hint of excitement.

And when the projection appeared in the sky and she heard Nero mention the three events, her eyes lit up at once.

Aside from the Heroic Spirit Tournament, the prizes for the other two events hit right in her sweet spot.

Whether it was the Fountain of Life, the Golden Apple, or a ton of gold—she wanted them all desperately.

Moreover, the Emperor Nero claimed to be an artist on par with Apollo; her singing must be beautiful, and Rin wanted to hear it too.

But unfortunately, she wasn't alone—her mother, Aoi Tohsaka, had been pulled in with her.

"Mom, this is the City of Rome from two thousand years ago! Let's split up and explore."

"No! With something this bizarre happening, we must find Tokiomi and regroup as soon as possible."

"Dad's probably really busy right now. Shouldn't we leave him alone?"

"Does Rin want to enter the competition?"

"Huh...?"

Her thoughts seen through, Rin's heart jolted, but a flicker of hope rose within her.

"Then..."

"No! We must find your father first—that's the top priority now."

"But why..."

Rin pouted in disappointment, holding her mother's left hand. After walking a few meters, two small figures in the distance caught her eye.

The red-haired boy—she didn't know him, but he struck her as remarkably mature.

And the girl behind him was her long-unseen little sister, Sakura Tohsaka.

But compared to before, Sakura had become utterly gloomy, staring at the ground with lifeless eyes, giving off a very unsettling feeling.

Clearly, she wasn't doing well now.

Watching her sister from afar, Rin tugged at her mother's sleeve and whispered:

"Mom, it's Sakura. She got pulled in too."

"What?"

Aoi Tohsaka's heart skipped a beat. She instinctively followed her daughter's gaze.

Seeing her younger daughter trailing behind the red-haired youth, she held her breath and unconsciously took a step forward.

Receiving her mother's "signal," Rin immediately broke free from her grip and hurried over.

"Sakura, you're here too! Long time no see—how have you been?"

Sakura instinctively stepped back, hiding behind Shirou, staring at the ground, silent.

Shirou sighed inwardly again. Unlike Kariya Matou, whose life was already at its end, her body wasn't in too bad shape. After drinking the Fountain of Life that Nero had gifted, she had fully recovered.

Even her hair color had returned to the same black as Rin Tohsaka's.

But physical wounds were easy to heal; the scars on the heart were far harder to mend, and might even last a lifetime.

Chapter 12: Tokiomi Tohsaka's Grace No More

Section 12: Chapter 12 — Tokiomi Tohsaka's Grace No More

"Rin, we're heading to the most scenic spot in all of Rome. Want to come along?"

"Who are you? How do you know my name?"

"I'm Shirou. I guess you could call me a classmate."

"What's your relationship with Sakura? Why won't she talk to me, but she's all nice to you?"

"Shouldn't you be reflecting on your own issues here, Rin?"

"Don't call me that so casually. I'm not that close to you. And besides, I'm the one asking questions here!"

Aoi Tohsaka, who had already walked up behind Rin, gently patted her shoulder and said with a smile:

"Little Rin, you can't be so rude."

After scolding her eldest daughter, her gaze shifted to her younger one.

Looking at Sakura's dim, lifeless eyes, she felt a sudden daze, and her voice carried a slight tremor as she spoke:

"Little Sakura, did your family come along? If you're not busy, how about going shopping with Mom and your sister?"

"I... don't have a mom or a sister anymore," Sakura said quietly.

Those words struck Aoi Tohsaka hard, leaving her momentarily silent.

Indeed, Sakura was no longer her child.

Honestly, when she'd asked if Sakura's family had come, she'd actually wanted to demand answers—Sakura seemed to be faring poorly.

But now, she couldn't get a single word out.

She opened her mouth to apologize, but hesitated, stopping short.