Rin Tohsaka Works Hard to Become a Demon God-Touko and the Holy Grail! / Rin Tohsaka on the Road to Growth-Souren Araya's Provocation!

"Arisu, Touko and I were planning to leave tonight as well."

Arisu replied casually, with a trace of displeasure.

"Mm."

Knowing that Arisu might appear emotionless on the surface but was sensitive inside and also a tsundere, Rin grinned, set down her chopsticks, walked over, and took Arisu's hand.

"Arisu, you can come to Kanfushi City with Touko and me. Oh, and Aoko too. Touko and I might cause a little commotion in Kanfushi City this time. Could you come help us, Arisu...?"

Book recommendation:

"My Romance with Chika Fujiwara Can't Go Wrong"

Chika: Kazuya, hurry up and teach me about love.

Kazuya: Aren't we already dating?

Chika: I meant teach me everything that comes after that. (/ω＼)

Chapter 39: Rin Tohsaka Works Hard to Become a Demon God—Touko and the Holy Grail!

Kanfushi City.

Inside Touko's Magecraft workshop, Garan no Dou, Arisu, Touko, and Aoko were boredly playing Old Maid. Though it was less three people playing cards than two sisters competing against each other. Arisu's clean face stood in stark contrast to the sisters' faces covered in paper strips. Meanwhile, Rin held a map at one side, seemingly searching for something, and occasionally stole glances at them.

As for Arisu, who had joined the sisters' rivalry, although she had kept saying she did not want to, Rin had ultimately dragged her to Kanfushi City.

After losing, Touko irritably threw her cards onto the table and ripped the paper strips from her face.

"I'm done. I'm done."

Aoko tore off her own strips as well, then sneered at Touko's shamelessness.

"Heh. You quit just because you lost? Are you still a child, Touko?"

"Tch!"

For once, Touko did not retort to Aoko. Instead, she turned to Rin.

"Rin, have you chosen the location for the Holy Grail ritual?"

Aoko was startled and hurriedly rose to look at Touko and Rin.

"That little commotion you mentioned before... you're going to hold a Holy Grail War here?"

Rin waved her hands and hastily denied it.

"No. Touko and I only planned to see whether we could use the Holy Grail ritual to directly trick one or two Servants into coming down. We never intended to hold a Holy Grail War. Even if we wanted to, we would need enough mana. We can't even manage the mana needed for a pseudo Holy Grail War right now."

Aoko breathed a relieved sigh.

"As long as it isn't a Holy Grail War. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, you'd have to take the blame, right? The troublesome Fifth Magus in the Mage's Association's eyes."

Aoko turned to Touko and glared at her.

"Heh, with the famously Seal Designated Grand Magus Touko Aozaki here, how could I possibly take the blame? If anyone is taking it, it'll be you. I just think something like a Holy Grail War causes far too much destruction."

As she spoke, Aoko tilted her head toward Rin. In the eyes of the public, the Holy Grail War was now a magecraft ritual with immense destructive power, and that impression had been created by Rin Tohsaka's actions during the Fourth Holy Grail War.

Over the past few years, several pseudo Holy Grail Wars had been held. Though all of them had chosen to fight privately and in secret, their unrestrained extraction of leylines in order to gather massive amounts of mana had caused enormous natural disasters wherever those pseudo Holy Grail Wars took place.

Thus, the notion that the Holy Grail War meant destruction and disaster had spread throughout the entire magecraft world.

Of course, Aoko had not told the whole truth. As a Magus who had come into it halfway through life, Aoko still held familial affection for Touko. She was indeed worried about the damage a Holy Grail War would cause, but she was even more worried about her sister. The Mage's Association was closely monitoring leylines around the world now. Once a pseudo Holy Grail War was discovered, they would certainly dispatch extermination forces. Rin Tohsaka had the protection of the Jewel Old Man and Aoko, two Magi, so she did not have to fear the Mage's Association's official methods. Even if she were discovered holding a Holy Grail War, the punishment would not be severe. But if Touko were found to be holding one, her status as someone under a Seal Designation would certainly bring the Mage's Association down upon her. If Aoko compromised, she would probably have to follow the Mage's Association's arrangements from then on. If she forcibly protected Touko, she would likely become an enemy of the Mage's Association.

To avoid being caught in that dilemma, Aoko silently made up her mind. If Touko really intended to hold a Holy Grail War, she would stop her with all her strength.

How could Touko fail to see through Aoko's thoughts? She said nothing, merely walked over and patted Aoko on the shoulder.

"Relax. Rin and I only plan to trick over one or two Heroic Spirits for research. We're not holding a Holy Grail War. Besides, can a Holy Grail War really help me fulfill my wish?"

"It can!"

Touko turned toward Rin in surprise.

"The Holy Grail War was originally a magical ritual created by our Tohsaka family, the Matou family, and the Einsbern family in order to reach the Root."

"Wait, did you say magical ritual?"

"That's right. The Holy Grail War began when the Einsbern family created an artificial human modeled after the Third Magician of the past, the Winter Saintess, and she sacrificed herself to create it. According to my ancestors' records, the Winter Saintess could already be considered a Magus back then. But for some unknown reason, although she possessed the Third Magic, she could not use it properly. That was why, after a series of events, the three families came together and created the Holy Grail."

Aoko joined the conversation then.

"Wait, Rin, the more you say, the more confused I get. You created the Holy Grail? The Holy Grail is a physical object, not a magecraft ritual?"

Rin impatiently scratched her hair and looked at the two sisters.

"Ah, there's too much to explain. I'll tell you slowly later. Anyway, you only need to know that the Holy Grail can help Touko fulfill her dream. The original purpose of the Holy Grail War was to summon Servants, use the path connecting them to the Root, then stabilize that path with massive amounts of mana, thereby obtaining a route connected to the Root. The claim spreading outside that the Holy Grail is an omnipotent wish-granting machine is merely the result of a massive concentration of mana."

Touko stared intently at Rin, suppressing the excitement in her heart as she calmly asked.

"Rin, I don't believe that merely spending a month together would make you trust us enough to reveal such secrets. What do you want?"

"As expected, I couldn't hide it from you, Touko. It's simple. The Holy Grail has been corrupted. The Holy Grail in Fuyuki City is now an evil Holy Grail. Although I used a Servant during the last war to cast Great Magecraft from the Age of Gods and seal All the World's Evil, the mana in the seal may dissipate in less than ten years, and the Holy Grail War will begin again. When that happens, I hope to completely resolve All the World's Evil and dismantle the Holy Grail's main body, the 'Greater Holy Grail.' If you need it, Touko, I can destroy it after you use the Holy Grail. So, Touko, Arisu, Aoko, are you willing to help me?"

"Is the enemy strong? With your talent, you should reach Grand rank in just a few years, right?"

"Mm. There are only two confirmed enemies. One is All the World's Evil, and the other is the founder of the Matou family, which created the Holy Grail together with the Tohsaka family. He was already a Color rank Magus two hundred years ago. During the last Holy Grail War, I thought I had already destroyed him. But when I returned a year ago to inspect the seal, I discovered someone was secretly corroding it. After investigating, I found that old monster was still alive. And in the next Holy Grail War, I'm afraid it won't just be the Mage's Association. Quite a few shady figures will probably emerge as well."

After hearing Rin's explanation, Aoko laughed loudly, walked over to Rin, and punched her hard on the head.

"Rin, if you need help, just say so. If you dare pull something like this again next time, I'll hang you up and beat you."

Tears welled in Rin's eyes as she clutched her head and crouched down, hurriedly shaking it.

"I won't dare do it again. Aoko, are your fists made of iron? It hurts so much my tears are coming out."

Touko quietly crouched behind Rin as well, grabbed her cheeks, and began ruthlessly kneading them.

"Aoko, there's no need to wait until next time. Today, I'm going to let this little girl know how formidable Touko Aozaki is."

"Let go, Touko! Let go!"

Book recommendation!

"My Kirin Arm Is the Hand of God"

Chapter 40: Rin Tohsaka on the Road to Growth—Souren Araya's Provocation!

Several days had passed since their discussion at Garan no Dou.

Kirei Kotomine was carrying luggage as he slowly walked down the street with Kallian and Shirou Emiya.

Kallian, Kirei Kotomine's daughter, had returned to Europe with Risei Kirei after the Holy Grail War. After the emptiness in Kirei Kotomine's heart had been filled, he chose to bring Kallian to Fuyuki Church and care for her together with his adopted son, Shirou Emiya.

After returning to Fuyuki City this time, while Kirei Kotomine was spending several days with his daughter and adopted son, someone happened to come to the church seeking help with a person possessed by an evil spirit. As Kirei Kotomine prepared to perform an exorcism as usual, he suddenly heard Kallian cry out. The possessing evil spirit actually left its host on its own and flew toward Kallian.

After dispersing the evil spirit, Kirei Kotomine urgently contacted his father in Europe and learned that his daughter Kallian possessed an abused spirit medium constitution. Any demonic presence near her would trigger spiritual interference. It could also be called chronic demonic possession.

Upon learning that his daughter Kallian possessed the abused spirit medium constitution, Kirei Kotomine immediately hypnotized the person who had come seeking help, then sought out his former teacher, Tokiomi Tohsaka...

"Sorry, Kirei."

After receiving Tokiomi Tohsaka's answer, Kirei Kotomine, who had originally planned to spend a week in Fuyuki City with his children, brought his daughter and adopted son to Kanfushi City.

Supported by Shirou Emiya, Kallian timidly asked Kirei Kotomine.

"Father, does Sister Rin really have a way?"

Shirou Emiya looked at his younger sister with concern and reassured her.

"Don't worry, Kallian."

Though he answered that way, Shirou Emiya did not believe Rin could solve a problem that neither his adoptive father nor his grandmaster, Tokiomi Tohsaka, could resolve. Ever since Shirou Emiya had met Rin, her image in his mind had been nothing more than that of a violent girl with monstrous strength. As someone in the same club as Sakura, Shirou Emiya had suffered quite a few beatings from Rin.

With a smile on his face, Kirei Kotomine turned around and gently stroked Kallian's head. Suddenly, his pupils contracted. He threw down the luggage and dashed away in a single step.

Kallian and Shirou Emiya hurriedly looked in the direction Shirou Emiya had rushed toward.

Kirei Kotomine chased several delinquents carrying a young girl into an alley by the roadside. Seeing them preparing to assault the girl, he stepped forward.

"Hey, are you trying to meddle in our business?"

The delinquents noticed Kirei Kotomine approaching. Cursing, they pulled out daggers and threatened him, though his priest's robes kept them from making any overly aggressive moves.

Kirei Kotomine's gaze remained calm as he ignored the delinquents and looked at the girl. She had bluish-purple hair and a delicate face, dressed in the uniform of a church school. She was no different from any other beautiful girl on the street.

But it was her hollow eyes that drew Kirei Kotomine's attention. Those doll-like eyes looked so much like Kirei Kotomine's own in the past, the Kirei Kotomine whose empty heart had already broken.

Looking at the girl's eyes, Kirei Kotomine drew a breath and slowly spoke.

"Miss, do you wish to be saved?"

Leaning against the wall, the girl turned and gave Kirei Kotomine one hollow glance, then lowered her head again.

Enraged at being ignored by Kirei Kotomine, one of the delinquents disregarded his identity as a priest, raised his dagger, and viciously stabbed toward Kirei Kotomine's abdomen.

Kirei Kotomine casually caught the delinquent's wrist and gave it a light squeeze. With a crack, broken bone pierced through the back of his hand.

Seeing what had happened to their companion, the other delinquents fled the alley in terror, crawling and scrambling away. Only that delinquent remained, clutching his wrist and howling on the ground.

Kirei Kotomine was not Kiritsugu Emiya. There was a fundamental difference between them. Kiritsugu Emiya was selfless, capable of abandoning and sacrificing everything for his goal. Kirei Kotomine was selfish. He saved others merely to satisfy himself, using that pleasure to fill his heart. When this girl with eyes like his former ones appeared before him, Kirei Kotomine understood that saving her would bring supreme pleasure.

That's right. The pleasure of saving this girl before me will surely surpass that of saving my own daughter. Kirei Kotomine stared at the girl and impatiently asked again.

"Do you want to be saved?"

The girl still ignored Kirei Kotomine. She stared blankly at the delinquent on the ground, clutching his wrist and wailing, and muttered to herself.

"What does pain feel like?"

Just then, Shirou Emiya arrived with Kallian and shouted at Kirei Kotomine.

"Father, this is bad! Someone stole our luggage!"

Hearing that the luggage had been snatched, Kirei Kotomine stood there in conflict. On one side was supreme pleasure; on the other was the Holy Grail Rin had specifically instructed him to bring her. In the end, Kirei Kotomine chose Rin's Holy Grail. After all, where could this girl go in such a short time? Besides, he knew she attended the church school. With his status in the church, finding her again would not be difficult.

Having thought it through, Kirei Kotomine turned and rushed out of the alley.

"Shirou, who took the luggage?"

"Father, it was a very tall man dressed all in black, wearing a string of prayer beads. Father, look, he's over there."

Following Shirou's indication, Kirei Kotomine looked over and saw a man in black standing near the bridge opening beneath the riverbank. Kirei Kotomine's luggage lay at his feet.

Seeing Kirei Kotomine approach, the man in black calmly introduced himself.

"I am Souren Araya. Kirei Kotomine?"

Feeling the pressure emanating from Souren Araya, Kirei Kotomine remained composed and sharply inhaled.

"Ha!"

Kirei Kotomine launched an Iron Mountain Lean, charging toward Souren Araya.

"Fear Not, Vajra."

Two layers of barriers appeared before Kirei Kotomine and Souren Araya, blocking Kirei Kotomine's attack.

"Kirei Kotomine, I did not come to fight you. I hope you can pass a message to Rin Tohsaka."

Kirei Kotomine ignored Souren Araya completely. At that moment, all he could think about was defeating Souren Araya quickly so he could return to find that girl.

Seeing that Baji Quan could do nothing to Souren Araya, Kirei Kotomine unhesitatingly pulled out a Black Key from behind his back and slashed at him.

"Fear Not, Vajra, Serpent and Scorpion, Heavenly King!"

As the fourfold barrier unfolded, Souren Araya silently watched the man fiercely attacking him. He picked up the suitcase, tossed it to Kirei Kotomine, and turned to leave.

"Kirei Kotomine, please tell Rin Tohsaka this: I do not wish to be your enemy. I hope you will not interfere with my plans."

Catching the luggage, Kirei Kotomine watched Souren Araya's retreating back with some confusion. What is that monk trying to do?

Naturally, Kirei Kotomine did not know that after he had left, Rin, who had come to Kanfushi City, had become interested in the "legendary" Ryougi Shiki. Several days earlier, accompanied by Touko, she had already appeared at the hospital to visit the sleeping Ryougi Shiki.