Sakura Matou hesitated a little. Missing one's mother was a child's natural instinct, unrelated to how privileged one's living environment was. But wasn't her brother fighting in the Holy Grail War? Grandfather had said the Holy Grail War was dangerous. Taking her to see her mother and sister at a time like this would probably bring her brother a lot of trouble.
"This is a deal." The boy winked at the clearly shaken Sakura.
Sakura Matou understood that look. It was an intimate look, carrying a faint trace of pleading.
"I want to seek guidance from Senior Tohsaka." What kind of person was Li Zihan? A transmigrator, and a mage at that. Lying came without the slightest pressure. "I really want to learn Jewel Magecraft, but without guidance from a renowned teacher, I can't make progress. If Sakura goes to see her family, I can also take the opportunity to meet Senior Tohsaka."
That was complete nonsense. In terms of Jewel Magecraft, there were enough people in the Clock Tower stronger than Tokiomi Tohsaka to fill an entire El-Melloi Classroom.
So that was it. Sakura Matou seemed to understand. Her father really was an impressive person, and it was perfectly normal for her brother to want to learn from him.
"Before that, let's go have some fun." The boy stated the purpose of this trip without hesitation. Fuyuki's prototype was Kobe from his previous life. Kobe was a wonderful place, with beautiful scenery and a rich cultural atmosphere. Thinking about it that way, Fuyuki could not be too bad either. "Sakura, don't you want to go out and play?"
Sakura nodded. Since she would not cause trouble for her brother, of course she wanted to play. Even the most obedient child had a playful heart.
"Today's destinations are the Rokko Mountain Pasture, the Herb Garden, Oji Zoo, and Sannomiya Center Street!" the boy shouted, completely at odds with his quiet appearance. "I'm a man who'll surpass Yasuo!"
P.S.: I made it in time.
I didn't bail!
Chapter 10: Kiritsugu Emiya's Concerns
Unlike a certain boy who wanted to compete with the Happy Wind Man for happiness, the people using Einsbern Castle on the outskirts of Fuyuki City as their base were certainly nowhere near as happy as Yasuo.
A pale middle-aged man limped back and forth before the forest, his expression gloomy, like a philosopher contemplating life's three great questions. Beside him, a beautiful white-haired, red-eyed woman and a capable assistant had repeatedly wanted to step forward and support the man, who was temporarily having trouble moving, but held back at his gesture. They could only watch the man they cared for with concern, hoping yesterday's defeat would not leave him too despondent.
Reaching into his pocket, he took out a pack of cigarettes and lit one for himself. The man named Kiritsugu Emiya smoked as he recalled yesterday's operation.
Calling it an operation might have been somewhat inappropriate. A more fitting term would have been a crushing defeat—a crushing defeat for both sides.
First came the Masters. Through the intelligence he had obtained at the cost of half his life yesterday, Kiritsugu Emiya had confirmed the identity of that stellar mage: Kaineth El-Melloi Archibolt, Lord of the Clock Tower's Mineralogy Department, a man who could utterly crush every Master in Fuyuki City in magecraft.
Logically, someone like that should have disdained using technology. After all, with their extraordinary magecraft, they could imitate the vast majority of technological creations. Yet for some reason, this noble Lord had developed methods specifically designed to counter modern weapons. For example, he used magecraft to give the Mercury Doll human body temperature and fool night-vision devices. He also kept his strongest Mystic Code around him at all times to prevent anyone from taking a shot at him. He even used lightning magecraft to imitate an EMP bomb, directly disabling every high-precision instrument at the scene.
Those were only minor problems. There was something else that made Kiritsugu want to curse even more.
This Clock Tower Lord actually wore a magecraft-reinforced bulletproof vest at all times!!! Even Kiritsugu Emiya, who had seen his share of storms, could not help twitching at the corner of his mouth. That guy was more of an Inner World heretic than he was.
Last night, Kiritsugu Emiya had used his own severe injuries as bait to draw out Lancer's Master. After that Lord appeared, he had pretended to be at the end of his rope and wildly fired useless shots at the enemy. Naturally, Kiritsugu Emiya received Kaineth's contempt. Then, beneath his enemy's disappointed and disdainful gaze, he squeezed his life force into magical energy, replaced the brass round with an Origin Bullet, and in an instant pushed Time Alter to five times speed. At the fastest speed of his life, he struck Kaineth while the man's magic circuits were fully activated.
The plan had been excellent. It demonstrated Mr. Emiya's unyielding will, steel-like patience, and calm, dependable mind. He had been like a lone wolf waiting for the right moment. The instant his target revealed the slightest opening, he would charge in regardless of danger and tear out its throat.
Unfortunately, the enemy's bulletproof vest had been made of materials that were simply too good. It had not been penetrated.
Taking a deep drag from his cigarette, Kiritsugu Emiya's expression grew even gloomier. If Assassin had not suddenly appeared last night to attack Kaineth and draw the fire, he would have left his flesh and bones there.
As the saying went, blessings never came alone, and disasters never came singly. In the Servant battle, Saber displayed perfect synchronization with her Master. The King of Knights had always believed that only one of the twin spears in Lancer's hands was a Noble Phantasm, only to be ambushed by the short spear that had been thrown into the ruins beforehand. One of her hands suffered an unhealable injury, and she could no longer even release her Noble Phantasm.
Then the Rider pair appeared. Rider, named Iskandar, forcibly separated the two before announcing his own name and asking whether Saber and Lancer were willing to join his ranks. He was so fired up that he seemed like the protagonist of a hot-blooded manga.
Next came Archer. That arrogant golden bastard might as well have had "I'm number one in the world" written across his face. He even seemed to intend to challenge every combination present by himself.
For such an arrogant personality not to have been beaten to death early in history, yet still leave behind great achievements, he must have possessed something extraordinary. He might even have been an exceptional powerhouse.
What happened afterward proved that point. Archer discovered Assassin, who should have exited the stage the night before last, and flew into a rage. Kiritsugu Emiya did not understand why he was so furious, but he watched dozens of Noble Phantasms rain from the sky and turn Assassin into Assassin-chan. He understood that Saber absolutely could not defeat Archer.
Before you continue