A Visit / Then There's Only One Answer

Some things had to be done by someone. No one was surprised by the Holy Church's move, and no one cared.

Likewise, the Clock Tower regarded the Holy Grail War as nothing more than "a rural magecraft battle." They did not attach much importance to it. It was merely that the Tohsaka family, the Einzbern family, and the Matou family had once been quite renowned. Though they had now declined, they had at least once been respectable powers.

It was only natural to give them a little attention.

Otherwise, why had Kayneth come here with the mindset of "tourism"? He barely spared most matters a glance, focusing wholeheartedly on sightseeing—drinking coffee, wandering through various attractions, taking photographs, and planning to show his fiancée the scenery he had seen once he returned to the Clock Tower.

But now... Kayneth's contempt had completely vanished. A thin sheen of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. Though he had already had a premonition that this Holy Grail War was not merely an ordinary magecraft battle as he had believed.

Once he saw the intelligence gathered from previous Holy Grail Wars, he fully understood. What magecraft battle was this?! This was a Holy Grail War that appeared to be fought with magecraft, but in truth involved the word "Magic"!!!

That was right, the Third Magic—Materialization of the Soul.

If his family's intelligence was not wrong, then what Kayneth was about to face was a magecraft war intended to bring about the return of the Third Magic!

And when this magecraft war had first been proposed, aside from the Einzbern homunculi, the first head of the Tohsaka family, and the Matou Family Head named Makiri Zolgen.

There had also been a witness. Even someone as proud as Kayneth had to bow his head before that witness, unless one day in the future he entered the Root and became one of the legendary Magicians.

Only then would he be qualified to face that witness directly. Although that witness might have come for his disciple, Kayneth did not believe that "that great one" would act as a witness solely for his disciple.

That was right. He was one of the world's only five "Magicians," a figure holding the highest status within the Clock Tower.

Kischur Zelretch Schweinürg.

"Damn it, why hadn't I learned this vital intelligence before coming here?!" Kayneth cursed. His state was extremely unstable.

This was a fucking rural magecraft war? A rural magecraft war that could be handled with nothing more than a casual outing?!!

Which bastard had sent him here to participate in this Holy Grail War?! Had that person not investigated properly before saying such a thing?!

This was a magecraft war involving two "Magics."

Though the Jeweled Gentleman had not actually interfered with the so-called Holy Grail War, Kayneth viewed things differently. What he saw was not something ordinary people could see.

What he saw was that during the first Holy Grail War, that great one had come as a witness. In other words... did he hope for the Third Magic to descend once again?

Or had he seen something, and thus wanted to serve as a witness???

Or perhaps the Holy Grail War contained something terrifying, something that required him to stand guard in order to prevent an even more dreadful existence from leaking out?!

As the saying went, the smarter a person was, the more they thought. Within little more than ten minutes of receiving his family's intelligence, Kayneth was already drenched in sweat. Though he was one of the Clock Tower's twelve Lords, if he failed to understand his own position and forcibly involved himself in a battle of "Magic," the likely result would be "death"!

Death! Kayneth was not afraid of death. He did not fear dying—or rather, no magus feared death. What he feared was being unable to pass on what he possessed.

Moreover, his career had only just "begun." Much of his research remained at a superficial stage, and his marriage had only just started. He had not even produced an outstanding heir.

If everything in his life had been complete, Kayneth would not have feared any of this. Even if the word "Magic" lay ahead, as a genius, he would have dared to venture forward and see the scenery witnessed by those before him.

But... now... now... Kayneth clenched his fists. Bloodshot veins filled his eyes, and his bearing changed from its original calmness into madness! Violence! He had fallen into an intensely conflicted state.

His curiosity toward magecraft urged him to remain in this Holy Grail War. If he survived, perhaps he would glimpse a corner of Magic's mysteries. Even if it was only a corner, he could turn the knowledge he saw into something of his own.

Though Magic was something neither magecraft nor science could achieve, Kayneth had confidence in himself. He had confidence!!! He believed he could gain something from this Holy Grail War, because he was a genius—a true genius. Nothing could stump him.

Yet whenever he thought of what the Second Magic and Third Magic represented, Kayneth felt as though an abyss were staring back at him, as though one wrong step would leave him with nothing but "death" in the future.

"My Lord, what is wrong?"

At that moment, Diarmuid's voice came from outside the room. He seemed to have sensed the strange emotional fluctuations of his Lord.

"Nothing. Rest early. I am studying tactics." Kayneth was already extremely irritated, so he naturally roared at Diarmuid. "If you cannot even recover from your injuries, how can you help me win this Holy Grail War?"

After roaring, Kayneth clenched his fists again, his eyes filled with unwillingness. He did not want to give up halfway, but though opportunity lay before him, danger filled it as well.

"...Yes, my Lord." After being yelled at, Diarmuid said nothing more and quietly lay on the bed to tend to his wounds.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—!!!!!"

Seemingly to preserve his image before Diarmuid, Kayneth set up a soundproofing spell before roaring as though venting his frustration.

The pressure was too great.

Who could have known that Kayneth had come to participate in a magecraft battle for fun, only to discover after entering that this so-called magecraft battle actually bore the shadow of "Magic"—even traces of two Magics!!!!!

I don't care, I want her body.jpg

A Visit

The next morning, all sides began to move. Mikaela and Irisviel set out together for the Matou family residence to find Tohno Shiro and discuss how to deal with the King of Conquerors and Diarmuid, the two Servants.

At the same time, Mikaela needed to show sincerity and make Tohno Shiro willingly step into the trap, allowing Gilgamesh and Hassan of the Hundred Faces to take action against Diarmuid and the King of Conquerors.

Though Gilgamesh would be difficult to handle, Mikaela had already decided to go all in. Whatever happened, happened!! They would have to fight in the end anyway, so he might as well have that chuunibyou golden brat who kept calling everyone mongrels go kill the King of Conquerors, then Mikaela could go kill Diarmuid.

Then the two of them could fight and see whether your Gate of Babylon had more weapons, or whether the mana of the Master beside me, linked to the Greater Holy Grail, was greater!

"What?"

Having just woken up at the Matou family residence and currently preparing breakfast, Tohno Shiro looked at the Assassin beside him. He frowned slightly, as though reconfirming it, and asked, "The Einzbern homunculus and Servant are on their way here?"

"That is correct. Judging from their destination, they seem to have determined that you are at the Matou family residence." Hassan of the Hundred Faces looked at Tohno Shiro, who was making breakfast in an apron, with an odd expression. He had not expected this magus to know how to cook.

They had learned about a country like Japan, so they naturally knew that men did not usually cook. Cooking was mostly left to women. And... a magus like Tohno Shiro should not know how to cook either, should he? Were they not the sort who ignored everything except researching magecraft?

Though Hassan of the Hundred Faces was not wrong, Tohno Shiro was different. He had spent the first half of his life struggling through hardships and had tried everything. Not just magecraft—even before marrying, Tohno Shiro had cooked for himself.

In Tohno Shiro's words, it was merely a way to fill his stomach. Though he could not call himself proficient, it was still a skill he could barely show others.

"I see. It seems that after last night's battle, they have lost their patience instead. That is good news." Tohno Shiro ignored Hassan of the Hundred Faces' surprise.

Naturally, he had heard from Hassan of the Hundred Faces about Mikaela's battle against the two Servants last night. Mikaela had been so enraged that he exposed his second Noble Phantasm, and even the King of Conquerors and Diarmuid had learned his information.

Tohno Shiro was not surprised that they would take the initiative to seek him out. But he had not expected them to come so early in the morning, before he had even begun breakfast.

That was far too "unexpected" for Tohno Shiro. Were they really that anxious?

"Yes, they are in a hurry. It does not show on the surface, but judging from how fast the Einzbern Master was driving, she is extremely agitated."

When speaking of the Einzbern Master, Hassan of the Hundred Faces wore an odd expression. To be honest, they truly did not understand why modern people enjoyed riding those seemingly cool but actually fragile "mounts."

But after seeing the Einzbern Master's—namely Irisviel's—driving skills today, Hassan of the Hundred Faces understood. So those "mounts" could move that fast.

"Her driving speed?" Tohno Shiro was somewhat baffled, not knowing what the Einzbern Master had done.

But the next second, he understood!

Knock, knock, knock.

A knocking sound rang out. But it was not a true knocking sound. Someone was striking the Magic Barrier Tohno Shiro had set up at the entrance to the Matou family residence. As the owner, Tohno Shiro heard the "guests" knocking.

"So fast???" The corners of Tohno Shiro's mouth twitched. Hassan of the Hundred Faces had only just come to report, had he not?

"Her speed exceeded our expectations."

The next moment, a dark-skinned, purple-haired female Hassan of the Hundred Faces appeared. The corners of her mouth twitched as she looked at Tohno Shiro and said seriously, "It only took them about half an hour to travel from their base to here. I observed them from afar and can confirm that they are very anxious. But after arriving, they hid the urgency on their faces. They likely do not want you to know that they have already fallen into difficulty."

"...They came too early. Sigh... forget it. I will go welcome them." Tohno Shiro let out a deep sigh. Though it was good to know in advance that Irisviel and Saber were desperate, he still felt an inexplicable helplessness.

Tohno Shiro waved to the two Hassans of the Hundred Faces before turning off the flame. He had not even finished cooking the dishes before the Einzbern Master and Servant arrived.

Though he knew they were in a hurry, Tohno Shiro was in an even greater hurry. He had wanted to make a hearty breakfast for his daughter today. He had only just finished preparing the rice, and had not started anything else before they came.

But guests were guests. Though Tohno Shiro wanted to cook, since they had already arrived, he could not hide in the kitchen.

After briefly washing his hands, Tohno Shiro set his apron aside and walked toward the washroom, seemingly intending to use the mirror to tidy himself up.

However, as soon as he reached the washroom, Tohno Shiro saw Matou Sakura supporting Matou Kariya, causing him to stop.

"Have guests arrived?" Matou Kariya grinned at Tohno Shiro. The injuries inside his body were irreversible. Though Tohno Shiro had forcibly prolonged his life, his appearance was still rather "frightening."

That grin made Tohno Shiro sigh inwardly instead.

Back when Matou Kariya was in school, he had been very popular. He was handsome and talented, and like Tohno Shiro, he came from a family of magi. Yet he no longer possessed any of his former grace.

To see his former rival and friend reduced to this state made Tohno Shiro feel deeply uncomfortable.

"Yes, the Einzbern family. But you do not need to concern yourselves with them. Kariya, you have already withdrawn from the Holy Grail War. They will not do anything to you. Today, I will send someone to take you and Sakura out of this city."

Though Tohno Shiro was speaking to Matou Kariya, his gaze was mostly fixed on Matou Sakura.

However, Matou Sakura seemed not to notice. She silently turned her eyes away, refusing to look at her "father."

"That is wonderful." Matou Kariya seemed to sense Matou Sakura's emotions as well. He coughed softly several times and said in a low voice, "But go entertain your guests first."

"Ah, all right." Tohno Shiro came back to his senses and quietly sighed inwardly. Then he resumed his elegant bearing. No longer bothering to look in the mirror, he slowly headed toward the entrance.

"...Do not worry." Matou Kariya stroked Matou Sakura's little head, seemingly comforting her.

"..."

Matou Sakura raised her head and looked at Tohno Shiro's retreating back. Just as she had seen in the past, it was a reliable back full of confidence.

But... it was all an illusion, nothing but an illusion. Her father was already "dead." She was a child of the Matou family. She had no father.

She only had her uncle. When she had been at her darkest, her uncle had not abandoned her. He had always stayed by her side.

Thinking of that, Matou Sakura tightly grasped Matou Kariya's sleeve. Tears slid down her cheeks. She could not lose anyone else.

Then, There Is Only One Answer

"..."

After getting out of the car, Mikaela looked thoroughly shaken. He had imagined how crazy Irisviel's driving could be, but her physical condition was not particularly good right now.

In Mikaela's expectations, she should not have driven so recklessly.

Yet he had never expected that the moment they got in the car, Irisviel would be completely fine. She happily drove the black luxury sedan, and at that speed... if Mikaela had not secretly turned into spirit form, even though this body was made of mana, he would not have been able to take it.

"Good morning, Tohno Family Head."

At the entrance to the Matou family residence, Irisviel wore a gentle smile. Her attitude was no longer as "arrogant" as it had been two days ago, making her appear much more approachable.

"Mm."

However, Tohno Shiro did not seem to be in the mood for pleasantries with Irisviel. He calmly replied before saying unhurriedly, "Please follow me."

Though Tohno Shiro knew that the person before him had blown up his house last night, for the sake of cooperation, he decided to turn a blind eye. In a sense, the information she had given him was more important than his ancestral residence.

Moreover, Tohno Shiro had brought out the Tohsaka family's foundations. Although the house above ground had been blown up, the most valuable things in the basement remained completely intact.

Mikaela and Irisviel exchanged glances. They seemed to sense Tohno Shiro's "perfunctory" attitude, which left Mikaela somewhat puzzled.

Logically, should Tohno Shiro not have worn an elegant smile and come out to welcome them today? They were allies delivered right to his door. Besides, Mikaela had displayed considerable combat power last night.

Though they had doubts, Mikaela and Irisviel still followed behind Tohno Shiro and entered the Matou family residence.

Upon arriving in a place similar to a living room, Tohno Shiro sat on the sofa and personally brewed tea for Mikaela and Irisviel.

Though he was making tea, Tohno Shiro had already adjusted his mindset. Looking at Mikaela and Irisviel, he calmly said, "It seems that Kayneth and his disciple are no longer hiding their alliance."

The King of Conquerors and Diarmuid joining forces to attack Mikaela last night had undoubtedly been an announcement to all participants: our two factions have joined hands.

"In the name of the Three Great Families, we must join forces to deal with them." Irisviel spoke with conviction. "The Holy Grail War was created by our families. Outsiders have no right to interfere."

"Mm." Tohno Shiro nodded. Naturally, he understood what Irisviel meant. The Holy Grail War had been established through the combined efforts of Einzbern, Tohsaka, and Matou.

Now that the fruit was ripe, before any of the Three Great Families had even acted, others wanted to come pick the peaches. How could Tohno Shiro possibly agree to that?

"But Saber, have you seen the King of Conquerors' Noble Phantasm?" Tohno Shiro spoke at that moment. He held the absolute initiative now, and he wanted to know exactly what sort of existence the King of Conquerors' Noble Phantasm was.

Through Hassan of the Hundred Faces, he roughly understood that it was a Noble Phantasm that imprisoned others.

Even if Mikaela and Irisviel had not come today, he would have taken the initiative to send an invitation and arrange a meeting with them.

"I have not seen it personally, but I know his Noble Phantasm is an Inherent Domain. It is extremely powerful." Mikaela wanted Tohno Shiro to make Gilgamesh take the initiative against the King of Conquerors, so he deliberately exaggerated. "He has already seen my Noble Phantasm, so he will not approach me easily. If he uses his Inherent Domain to imprison me, then even if I deploy my Noble Phantasm inside his Domain, it will probably have little effect."

"Oh? Why is that?" Tohno Shiro was greatly surprised. The King of Conquerors' Noble Phantasm was actually an Inherent Domain.

Yet he still did not understand why Saber was taking the initiative to show weakness. From what Hassan of the Hundred Faces had told him, Saber's released Noble Phantasm was an extremely powerful existence.

If not for the fact that her Noble Phantasm was a double-edged sword, then the victory of this Holy Grail War would surely belong to the Einzbern family.

"His Inherent Domain can last around three minutes, while my Noble Phantasm can only last one minute—perhaps not even a full minute. If I enter the King of Conquerors' Inherent Domain..."

Mikaela fell silent there. Even without saying the rest, Tohno Shiro should understand.

One Inherent Domain could last three minutes, while the other could not even last a minute. The outcome was apparent from the beginning.

"Therefore, Tohno Family Head, we hope to receive your help." Irisviel looked at Tohno Shiro with a grave expression and said earnestly, "If you agree to help us deal with the King of Conquerors, then regarding the Holy Church, I can represent the Einzbern family and overlook your act of cheating this time."

The moment those words left her mouth, Tohno Shiro's heart skipped several beats. Just like when he had been caught doing something wrong by his parents as a child, Tohno Shiro had not expected the Einzbern family to discover his cooperation with the Holy Church.

"There is no need to hide it. Like that Clock Tower Lord, you had already been planning this from the very beginning, had you not?" Irisviel did not give Tohno Shiro a chance to explain and continued, "Our Einzbern family can give up victory in this Holy Grail War, but the Holy Grail absolutely cannot fall into someone else's hands."