Chapter 188

"Xiao Xiang, this is my friend--"

"Father, you've finally come! That's wonderful! I Xiao Xiang you weren't coming."

Unexpectedly, Hibino Hibiki ran straight to Novia and half-squatted down, just like she had when she was staring at Ritsuka earlier.

"Since I promised you, of course I'll come, Xiao Xiang."

"Mmm, Father is the best."

The girl nodded frantically.

"Novia... is Xiao Xiang's... father..."

Even though reality was already upon them, Ritsuka Fujimaru still murmured with some reluctance.

Her words naturally earned them both nods of agreement.

In an instant, Ritsuka Fujimaru, who was about to graduate from High School, was caught in a mental storm.

Novia is Xiao Xiang's... father???

Ritsuka Fujimaru pressed her palms tightly to her temples, her eyes wide open, her throat trembling slightly, unsure of what to say.

He's Xiao Xiang's father? My junior's father? My classmate's father?!

Novia, the bastard who abandoned Xiao Xiang to his grandfather for so many years...?

But wait, what's going on? She's so well-preserved! She looks like she's only in her early twenties...

Novia, father, Xiao Xiang's father...

This is just too strange... No, now that I think about it, Xiao Xiang's personality really does seem a bit like Novia's, so is it actually due to genetics...? So, logically speaking, I should already call Novia uncle or grandfather?

This is really strange!

So why did it turn out like this...?

Unbelievable, Ritsuka Fujimaru really couldn't believe this undeniable fact.

Just as Ritsuka Fujimaru was in a very bad mood and began frantically stirring the empty cup, she heard a sound coming from the other side.

"Hmm, Kisshouin didn't come after all. After all, an ugly Loser should just curl up his tail and obediently leave. That's all."

Under the bright red midday Sun, the tall woman's shadow fell into Ritsuka's eyes, and she felt that compared to her, she looked quite small, both in height and in other aspects.

"Hmm? Even though you're my mother, how come you've suddenly become so tall and big?"

Hibino Hibiki looked at Draco, whose figure was different from his previous petite frame, with some curiosity.

Compared to Draco, who always maintains a cold, poker-faced demeanor, this cheerful, laughing version of Draco feels quite rare.

"Hmm, that's more like how Xiao Xiang's mother should be."

Draco, whose long blonde hair covered half her face, raised her eyebrows and spoke. Although she had discussed this pose with the Demon Beast He for a long time before finally succeeding, this Draco's unhappy attitude simply disappeared, and one could glimpse her positive and enthusiastic side. She was very passionate, no longer easily shy, and her development in that area was also overwhelmingly strong.

However, this is also due to the rapid increase in the nature of the 'Rose Emperor' in the past few days; otherwise, she would not have lowered her stance to discuss matters with the Demon Beast He.

However, Draco's condition for exchanging his skills with the Demon Beast He was that they could be allowed to roam freely for a certain period of time...

She figured the Demon Beast He were pretty obedient, so it wasn't a bad idea for them to go out for a stroll.

"So, does this look of mine match your perception of me, Teacher?"

Draco, looking smug, walked straight to Novia without hesitation, as if he wanted to praise her.

"Um..."

Novia and Draco's eyes met, and Draco blinked his blood-red eyes, giving her a "I'm great, praise me" look.

He laughed and said, "The bright red rouge you wore on your face during that Triumphal Ceremony back then, Nero, looks just like you now."

Whether it's the shy Draco or the large Draco, the bright red lines on his face are the same as before.

"Because this is the symbol of Rome's prosperity and passion. Teacher Mingming, you should have it too, but it's not too late. Just like back then, a little brushing on is enough."

Draco embraced Novia's body and buried his face in his neck.

"I love you, Teacher, Nero loves Novia."

"Mom did a great job! So amazing! Even Yuan Yuan's mom might not dare to do that!"

"Don't mention that ugly Loser to Yu, Xiao Xiang! Your mother only has Yu; everyone else is just... a mistress!"

Ritsuka Fujimaru didn't know how she got home. Ever since she learned that Novia was Xiao Xiang's father, she felt like she had been in a daze, not listening to any of the conversations. The original invitation was put on hold, and she even gave up on asking how to invite him.

When she got home, she collapsed onto the bed, tears welling in her eyes. Only then did she get up, take a shower, and relax.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she sighed.

I discarded the thought that had flashed through my mind several times, intending to end it with an incomprehension and put it aside.

However, the girl became aware of the feelings she herself harbored.

She felt a deep Sorrow that made her want to cry, a sadness so absurd it bordered on foolishness. A vibrant, dazzling emotion, like a vivid color, swept over her. She understood this was probably love—a feeling that was undeniably wonderful, but now it was no longer hers.

On the last day of the last winter break before graduating from High School, Ritsuka Fujimaru's brief one-sided love ended, meaning she was heartbroken.

Li Xin. jpg

260: Things Related to You (Novia) (4k)

In a certain world, the Ruler failed to become Saint waited for sixty years.

In various timelines, during the Third Holy Grail War held in Fuyuki, the Einzbern did not choose the Nameless who bore the name of the Demon King, but instead chose the believers from the Far East—

The Ruler, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada.

Perhaps it was the result of their relentless gamble and thorough defensive strategy that paid off. At the end of the Third Holy Grail War, the Einzbern family stood in the position closest to the Greater Grail. But then an unexpected situation occurred: the patriarch of the Yggdmillennia clan, who was participating in the Third Holy Grail War, accidentally discovered the Greater Grail and forcibly seized it with the help of the military.

Thus Third Holy Grail War in this world came to an end.

Despite the fact that the surviving users fought each other to obtain the Greater Grail, the Einzbern Master also tragically lost his life.

With Einzbern dead, Tohsaka and Makiri retreating, only two remained on the battlefield.

The Priest Risei Kotomine, who served as the supervisor of the Third Holy Grail War, and Amakusa Shirou Tokisada.

What are your plans for the future?

Risei Kotomine asked Amakusa Shirou, who was standing beside him, with a slightly nervous expression. The scene was rather comical... Of course, any clergyman would probably react the same way if they knew the boy's true identity.

After all, although he has not become Saint, he has already done the things of Saint, so we should still talk to him with the appropriate attitude and manner of speaking.

"The Greater Grail has been taken away; it's highly unlikely that we can take it back with our bare hands."

Despite the loss of the Greater Grail and the death of his Master, severing the causal link between him and the Einzbern, the Ruler didn't seem particularly anxious. His Flesh had become a tangible entity; having come into contact with the Greater Grail, the Ruler had acquired a real Flesh.

"Besides, I now only possess the same power as an ordinary person. Therefore, I have given up on pursuing the Holy Grail."

"Hmm... Well then..."

"Lord Lizheng, you told me before that you embarked on a journey of enlightenment after arduous training. Well then, I think I should also go on a journey."

"Is that so? Then please allow me to do my part."

Risei Kotomine has already planned to grant the Ruler the identity and funding. The Priest has dedicated his entire life to God, and he would naturally be happy to assist the Ruler has suffered a tragic end, if he could regain something.

So, the Ruler got a new name and became Risei Kotomine's adopted son, traveling the world. However, he lied to Risei Kotomine.

Amakusa Shirou did not give up on the Greater Grail.

Moreover, not only that, the Ruler is even prepared to dedicate the second life he was fortunate enough to obtain to the next Holy Grail War.

Bathed in the light of the Greater Grail, the Ruler was certain that if he could obtain this miracle, he would surely bring happiness to all people in the world, just as the man he revered, who was not a god, had originally hoped for.

"I will eradicate this world, which to this day is still plagued by death and suffering, where people shed tears and the rain of blood never ceases, Lord Novia."

Later, after the Ruler entered the Eighth Sacrament Society through his connection with Risei Kotomine, he patiently waited for his opportunity.

Regardless of the nature of the Holy Grail War, it must be known to the Holy Church. After all, for Magecraft, it's easier to get things done if they are open and honest from the beginning rather than trying to hide it.

As news of the Third Holy Grail War leaked out and Sub-species Holy Grail War unfolded around the world, information related to the 'Holy Grail' flowed into the Eighth Sacrament Society.

But all these Holy Grail are fakes. Strictly speaking, even the Greater Grail in Fuyuki is a fake. But for the Ruler, what he wants is to summon his own one and only Greater Grail, so he just waits quietly.

Sixty years passed in this way, and the Flesh obtained through the connection with the Greater Grail, aided by the power of the Ruler's Noble Phantasm, did not age, thus maintaining this miracle.

For the Ruler, the time to think is almost infinite, so he considers all strategies: how to win over the master, what kind of Servant is needed to forcibly seize the Greater Grail, where to fight, how to obtain it, and how to 'continuously fulfill wishes'.

His prayers are for the happiness and goodness of all people, and for the eradication of all evil in the world. How many Obstruction must he overcome to fulfill this wish?

An ordinary person would have given up long ago, and even geniuses make mistakes sooner or later.

But the Ruler will not back down, how could he possibly back down? Nothing can shake his steely resolve.

Then, the long-awaited moment of war finally arrived: seven against seven, the Great Holy Grail War centered on the Fuyuki Greater Grail.

"Please give me your Command Spell."

Amakusa said this to one of the Master from the Red Faction.

Originally, he planned to wait for the right opportunity and then use 'hints' to obtain the Command Spell that controlled all five Servant.

However, after seeing the Master's Servant, he changed his mind and decided to acquire the Lancer first.

"... That makes sense." After a moment's thought, the man who had been 'hinted' at the suggestion quickly made his decision. "Now that the Holy Grail War is over, it's only natural that you want to retrieve your Command Spell to prepare for the next Holy Grail War. After all, they're useless to me."

The man then transferred his Command Spell to the smiling Amakusa Shirou without any compensation, and then fell unconscious.

The next second, a bronze-skinned man with blood-red eyes walked over and stared at Amakusa Shirou.

"Looks like I'm too late."

Upon hearing what the bronze-skinned man said, Shirou's previously leisurely and carefree gaze, which seemed to be gazing into the distance, suddenly revealed obvious apology.

"Please forgive my rudeness, founder of Rome."

The Lancer who should have appeared as the great India hero Karna, son of the War God Mars and Princess Silvia, raised alongside the Divine Beast wolf, became the founder of the Roman Empire, unifying the countries around the Mediterranean Sea and laying the foundation for its eternal glory—a crimson Divine Ancestor.

Romulus.

However, Romulus did not show too much anger at the change of Master, but simply looked at Amakusa and said calmly:

"It's alright, I will forgive you, because you, too, are Rome. Your birth was a product of Rome, and your misfortune is Rome's misfortune. Novia will also be very Sorrow. You are both Rome that I love, and I will witness it..."

After saying this, the crimson-red Divine Ancestor towards the window, as if he were watching something.

"By the way, if possible, please don't let the Berserker see me alone. He is also the Rome I love, but it didn't turn out that Rome. That Wrath is my Sin, for that glorious warrior."

Spartacus, the Red Berserker, a gladiator from Rome, a leader of the slave rebellion, and a man ultimately suppressed and killed.

What was Romulus's wish?

Upon his arrival, he said without hesitation, "I will bless Rome, and bless everything that loves Rome."

The words of the Crimson Divine Ancestor sounded incredibly strange and eerie, but Amakusa Shirou felt a subtle sense of relief.

Since the founders of Rome were willing to fight alongside him, did that mean he had already gained that great man's approval?

Amakusa Shirou Tokisada his lifetime.

Although those who Faith him and his God did indeed witness miracles, they still cannot be considered miracles.

For example, curing a blind girl is not a miracle, but simply a healing Magecraft. Summoning Dove or walking on the sea—things that people think are impossible—are all Magecraft or Magecraft- like abilities, not miracles.

The person named Amakusa Shirou is simply someone who was born with the ability to use Magecraft.

Miracles are said to be bestowed by the gods, but Amakusa Shirou possessed nothing that was bestowed by the gods.

At least that's what Amakusa Shirou believed before he died. But after becoming a Heroic Spirit, this cause and effect was reversed, and the Magecraft he used when he was alive was transformed into miracles amidst the admiration of many.

Having witnessed countless deaths on Small Island in the Far East, the Ruler had come to hate God and everything human. This was not because he himself had been killed, nor because his companions had been slaughtered, but because he hated humanity itself for accepting that this was how history had been constructed.

It whispers to the Ruler at all times, urging him to follow his most natural human passions, to hate everything or pity everything.

However, after a long period of time, the Ruler finally chose to have pity on everything and love everything.

The Ruler believed in humanity, believed that they would one day reach 'there'.

However, to get there, much is destined to be lost.

Amakusa Shirou did not want humanity to experience so much misfortune before achieving 'happiness,' so—