Chapter 10

Fujimaru Kyoya's words had completely exposed Matou Shinji's true nature. For the first time, he realized he was a weakling.

More crucially, that was when he discovered his father's beastly behavior—what he had done to Sakura...

Back then, Matou Shinji had wanted to pretend he hadn't seen it, but in the end, because of Fujimaru Kyoya's words, he picked up a liquor bottle from the floor.

The day after that, Matou Shinji's father, Matou Tsuruya, died of a sudden heart attack.

The day after that, Matou Shinji resolved to become a strong man.

"Britain's history seems to be... here."

Matou Shinji found the materials he was looking for, but the information on the White Dragon Vortigern was only fragmentary, unable to answer Fujimaru Kyoya's questions.

"Maybe only the Clock Tower has the information."

The Clock Tower, permanently stationed in London, was one of the three major institutions of the Mage's Association. If any organization understood Britain's history best, it was definitely that place.

"Lord Animsphere of the Department of Astrology is looking for me?"

Just after finishing a day's lessons and dealing with those problem children, Lord El-Melloi II hadn't even sat down at home when he heard this news from his adoptive sister.

"Our Department of Modern Magecraft and the Department of Astrology shouldn't have any dealings."

"Naturally, it's about Holy Relics. The only person in the Clock Tower now who has participated in the Holy Grail War is you, brother, isn't it?"

Reines said flippantly, but it made Lord El-Melloi II tense up.

The current Department of Modern Magecraft was no match for the established powerhouse of the Department of Astrology. Although his classroom had some eccentric geniuses, they still fell significantly short compared to that Kirschtaria Wodime.

If someone like that participated in the Holy Grail War, his own chances of victory would drop drastically.

"I won't accept it. I refuse this commission."

Since he was a future enemy, Lord El-Melloi II would rather take a detour to avoid him than help him.

"But brother, our family is already deep in debt, isn't it? Without extra income, do you think a magus of your level can avoid holding back your Servant?"

"Ugh~"

Reines struck Lord El-Melloi II right in his weak spot. The Holy Grail War happened once every sixty years. Although only nine years had passed since the last one, Lord El-Melloi II's magecraft level had basically reached its limit.

If he didn't want to hold his king back, his best option was to gather enough funds to build a perfect workshop, just like Kayneth had done back then.

"The Animsphere family's compensation is substantial. More importantly, getting an early understanding of the Servant they summon and preparing in advance—opportunities like that don't come often."

"I... understand."

Seeing the sly smile on his adoptive sister's face, Lord El-Melloi II couldn't help but feel a pang in his stomach. A mere child could easily manipulate him, a grown man.

But in terms of facts, Reines was right. He needed money, and there was still a long time until the next Holy Grail War. He might as well go and meet this future enemy.

Donning his formal attire and equipping his defensive measures, Lord El-Melloi II brought Reines to the Animsphere estate. There, he met a white-haired man who, though older than him, looked like a youth.

Marisbury Animsphere.

Chapter 17: The True Holy Relic

"I've long heard of you, Lord El-Melloi II."

Marisbury, like an ancient noble, was impeccable in his etiquette. Even toward a potential enemy like Lord El-Melloi II, he showed sufficient respect.

"The honor is mine."

Lord El-Melloi II was not skilled in aristocratic pleasantries, so he had brought Reines along. After some hypocritical noble small talk, they quickly got down to business.

"As someone who has participated in the Holy Grail War once, you must understand the importance of Holy Relics. I would like you to appraise this."

Marisbury clapped his hands, and a secretary-dressed woman immediately came forward carrying a long, narrow wooden box.

So-called Holy Relics are items once used by famous historical figures or great men.

The key to the Holy Grail War lies in summoning Servants. If one has a Holy Relic, they can narrow the summoning down to a specific individual. Without one, the summoning is based solely on compatibility between the Master and Servant.

The latter option is far too random—not a choice befitting a magus.

"This is..."

The long wooden box opened, revealing a sword lying within that emitted a faint blue light. Even after a thousand years, it still gleamed brilliantly.

"This weapon has undoubtedly reached the realm of a Holy Sword. Its history can be traced back to the 5th Century AD... wait, the 5th Century AD."

Just as Christians cannot forget Christ, a proper Briton cannot be unaware of the legend of King Arthur. The 5th Century AD was undoubtedly the era when King Arthur was active.

"Is this a Holy Sword of the Knights of the Round Table?"

Lord El-Melloi II recalled everything he had seen and heard. He knew the weapons of the Knights of the Round Table by heart, and none of them matched the sword before him. Suddenly, he thought of something.

"The Blade of Vortigern."

"Just as I thought."

Marisbury showed a relieved expression. Clearly, he already knew the origin of this sword. Calling Lord El-Melloi II over was merely to verify his conjecture.

"The original masters of this land were the Celts, not us Anglo-Saxons. To proclaim our legitimacy, we revered King Arthur as our ancestor and erased the story of the White Dragon entirely. This is why people today are fascinated by King Arthur's tale but know little of the White Dragon's legend."

Such secrets were inaccessible to ordinary people, but as one of the Twelve Lords of the Clock Tower and the Head of the Animsphere family, Marisbury naturally understood the ins and outs.

"Just as I thought. To maintain the legitimacy of the Anglo-Saxons and cover up our past invasion, we altered and concealed history. Most later generations only know that Vortigern was King Arthur's Arch-Nemesis, but they don't know there was also a knight who defeated several Knights of the Round Table."

Lord El-Melloi II came from an ordinary background, but over the years he had read widely and delved into that obscured history, especially after facing King Arthur in the Fourth Holy Grail War, which drove him to study it even more deeply.

"Regarding all records of Britain in the 5th Century AD, everyone is tight-lipped. Even after my investigations over the years, I've only reached two conclusions."

Though the two were future enemies, when it came to academic matters, both mages could still sit down and talk civilly.

"First, there's too little information on Vortigern—too little about his life and experiences, and it's unclear why he betrayed Britain. Second..."

"Mordred's betrayal came out of nowhere, right?"

Marisbury was no less learned.

"The affair between Lancelot and the queen was exposed too conveniently. The late period of King Arthur's rule was clearly unstable, yet he still marched on Gaul. Most crucially, the majority of the Knights of the Round Table were absent at the Battle of Camlann."

Mordred's betrayal reeked of strangeness, yet no one had questioned it for so many years. Most people treated it as a myth, while those on the mystical side remained tight-lipped about that era. Even if someone sensed something off, they wouldn't discuss it openly.

If one really dug into it, how did Britain's rulers transition from the Celts to the Anglo-Saxons?

Why did the Anglo-Saxons specifically honor King Arthur as their ancestor?

How could the repeated absences of the Knights of the Round Table in key battles during the late Camelot dynasty be explained?

"A bit off-topic, but with your eyes for appraisal, I'm reassured. As long as I can summon that Blade of Vortigern, victory will be mine."

"You're that confident?"

Lord El-Melloi II was annoyed. Being underestimated was one thing, but if King Iskandar was also being looked down on, he, as a retainer, couldn't stand for it.

"After all, he's a strongman who could defeat many Knights of the Round Table, and he has a record of beating King Arthur. As far as I know, Saber's Master in that Holy Grail War held out until the end."

"You think he'll participate again?"

Just thinking about that King Arthur made Lord El-Melloi II's mood sour.

"Who knows? But it's just a precaution. We've talked long enough today. I'll transfer the appraisal fee to the El-Melloi account as agreed. No need to see me out."

Satisfied with the result, Marisbury directly signaled the end of the meeting. After the two left, his female secretary stepped forward to put the sword away.

"Head of the family, are you really going to sell this sword?"

"Of course. Why would I summon someone who only might have defeated several Knights of the Round Table?"

Marisbury smiled disdainfully. Having Lord El-Melloi II come over was just a smokescreen.

He was determined to win the Holy Grail War, and his competitors could basically be narrowed down to four: Lord El-Melloi II and Fuyuki's Three Families.

But among the Three Families, the Einzbern Family was a bunch of old and weak, the Matou Family's magecraft had died out, and the Tohsaka Family was just a little girl left—none worth his concern. The only one he truly needed to worry about was the fellow Lord, El-Melloi II.

"The Astral Academy contract, the simulated Earth model, virtual submarine navigation, spiritron transfer... I've prepared most of the conditions. All that's left is enough startup capital."

Marisbury thought of the Greater Grail in Fuyuki City—the most convenient way for him to secure a massive sum of money.

Even though he knew the Holy Grail in Fuyuki City had been corrupted, everything else was ready, and he was just waiting for the final piece. Now the arrow was on the string, and he had to shoot.

"The Holy Grail is corrupted, but if I borrow his power and wisdom, there might still be a way to solve it."

Marisbury took off his glove. On the ring finger of his right hand, a plain gold ring was worn.

How could he easily show others the Holy Relic he would use to summon a Servant?

"The king who set the tone for magecraft in later generations—if it's you, you can surely fulfill our Animsphere family's long-cherished wish: Chaldea."

Marisbury was very confident in this smokescreen. Because although Lord El-Melloi II was preparing for the Holy Grail War, he didn't know it would start next year.

That fool still thought it was over fifty years away. By the time he learned the Holy Grail War had already begun, he wouldn't have time to see through the trick.

This Holy Grail War, he was determined to win. Chaldea would be established.

Chapter 18: Hmph~ Trying to Run?

"No leads from Shinji either? This is troublesome."

Fujimaru Kyoya's head ached. The current era was 2003, not a decade or two later when information exploded and you could just look things up online.

In this era, even in a developed country like Japan, computers weren't widespread, and smartphones hadn't been redefined by Steve Jobs yet. Fujimaru Kyoya had trouble even getting online, let alone researching 5th Century AD British records.

"But one thing is certain: this power is mana."

Though the method of use was different and much less efficient, Fujimaru Kyoya could indeed feel the mana, and his physical fitness was growing stronger.

"The only problem now is how to use this power."

When Fujimaru Kyoya was still Lloyd, his ability to suppress the Knights of the Round Table wasn't just due to hard work and talent—it came from the talents awakened by the simulator and the special advantage against the British side, which gave him such exaggerated combat performance.

Now, his only way to gain talents was to wait for the next simulation. In the meantime, he had to find a way to train mana that suited this era.

"Should I go to London and find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters? No, I'd better buy an owl first. Then Hogwarts can contact me."

For learning magic, Hogwarts was the way to go. I'll be waiting for you in Gryffindor.

"Huh? Is that Tohsaka?"

Just as Fujimaru Kyoya was planning to enroll at Hogwarts, a graceful figure flashed through his field of vision.

It was his classmate, Tohsaka Rin—the top student at Hohgitsunohara Academy, the most beautiful girl in school, the woman Matou Shinji could never get, the universally acknowledged untouchable flower.

Even a blockhead like Emiya Shirou would notice her, which said enough about her charm.

But right now, Tohsaka Rin was wearing a red-and-white miko outfit, working... at what looked like a shrine?

Probably a part-time job. But given Tohsaka Rin's popularity, if she were working somewhere, it would be common knowledge—especially with a miko outfit as eye-catching as that.

Could he have mistaken someone else for her?

"Tohsaka, so you're still working a gig like this."

"Fujimaru Kyoya... I didn't expect it to be you this time?"

Tohsaka Rin's expression shifted the moment she saw Fujimaru Kyoya. After all, that guy was the infamous school bully of Hohgitsunohara Academy.

His debut battle had been trampling the former school bully, Matou Shinji, underfoot and turning him into his errand boy. Then, single-handedly, he'd taken on the kendo club, judo club, karate club... and beaten them all. He was practically the god of delinquents in Fuyuki City.

Being targeted by a thug like this would inevitably lead to something like, "Tohsaka, you wouldn't want anyone to find out you're working as a miko, would you?"

Following that script, scenes straight out of those ".avi" format videos would soon unfold—absolutely not something she wanted.

"Even though we have no grudge against each other, please just forget this ever happened."

Seeing no passersby around, Tohsaka Rin immediately prepared to use hypnotic Magecraft to put this delinquent under and erase this memory.

If anyone found out that the untouchable flower of Hohgitsunohara Academy was working here, she'd never have peace again.

That was also why no one at school knew she was a miko here—just erase their memories, plant a psychological suggestion to avoid this area, and everything would be fine.

This would be over soon, Tohsaka Rin thought. But this time, the Magecraft she had long since mastered failed.

"Did you just do something?"

Fujimaru Kyoya felt something approach him a moment ago, but then it vanished without a trace.

"How can this be?"