The assassination attempt did not cause much of a stir. Every family had encountered similar things to some extent; it was enough to have their subordinates investigate and wait for the results. Even the Genji Clan had done the same before.
On March 2, 1988, Sakura Tohsaka was born. With six years left until the Holy Grail War, the time for negotiations had arrived. I immediately set out for Fuyuki City to find Tokiomi Tohsaka.
Along the way, I repeatedly weighed my words. I knew whether my subsequent plans could succeed depended on today. If I succeeded, I would strike it rich in one go; if I failed, many things afterward would have to be scrapped and redone. For me, it was a huge gamble.
However, the odds were greatly in my favor, because Tokiomi Tohsaka was a man who pursued magecraft traditions.
I rang the doorbell. This time, a servant I had never seen before answered the door. It seemed Aoi Tohsaka was still recovering after giving birth. Sometimes, I really envied Tokiomi Tohsaka.
I said to the servant, "Hello, my name is Yuan Shikai. I have an appointment with the head of the Tohsaka Household." A voice came from behind the door. "Let him in."
The moment I entered the living room, I called out, "Congratulations to the Tohsaka head on gaining another daughter. This is a congratulatory gift." I then presented the gift with both hands. Tokiomi Tohsaka did not need to open the package to know it was a gemstone. This time, he merely thanked me before taking me to see the newly born Sakura.
"This is my second daughter, Sakura Tohsaka," he said. I echoed, "A fine name. In the future, she will surely become an outstanding mage like her older sister, Rin Tohsaka."
Tokiomi Tohsaka laughed heartily at my words. "Yes. Like her sister, Sakura possesses seventy Magic Circuits. Furthermore, her affinity is the rare Imaginary Numbers Magecraft."
However, he then spoke with a trace of sorrow. "What a pity. In my view, Sakura's talent is somewhat wasted. You are young, so perhaps you do not know that mage families generally pass down their inherited Magic Crest to only one successor."
Since Rin was the eldest daughter and also possessed exceptional magecraft talent, Sakura, as the second daughter, could not inherit it. It was truly regrettable.
This was exactly what I had been waiting for. Seizing the opening, I said, "So that is such a tradition. It truly is regrettable. However, I have an idea—or rather, a proposal for cooperation. I wonder whether the Tohsaka head would be interested."
My words seemed to pique Tokiomi Tohsaka's interest. "Then let us discuss it in the study."
Once we arrived in the study, Tokiomi Tohsaka said, "Tell me about your idea for this cooperation. I am quite curious."
"What the Tohsaka head regrets now is that Sakura's talent may be buried. I would like to offer a suggestion—or rather, propose cooperation. Please marry Sakura to me!!!"
Tokiomi Tohsaka parted his lips and stared blankly at me. It took him quite some time to recover before he said, "You are not joking, are you?!"
I answered with a smile, "Of course it is not a joke. When Sakura comes of age, I am willing to give her the title of wife of the Genji Clan head. What does the Tohsaka head think of this arrangement?"
Tokiomi Tohsaka abruptly stood up in fury. "This joke is not funny at all. If you continue like this, I will have to see you out."
I knew the real show had begun. "Please calm down, Tohsaka head. Then let us discuss another cooperation proposal. This one will definitely interest you." Tokiomi Tohsaka sat down again, but said nothing. He was likely waiting to hear what else I could possibly say.
With a faint smile, I said, "The Holy Grail War." Tokiomi Tohsaka straightened his posture slightly. I continued, "According to my investigation, the next Holy Grail War will begin soon. During my investigation, I discovered that the Holy Grail War was a ritual created jointly by the Tohsaka, Matou, and Einzbern families in pursuit of the Root."
"At the same time, the Holy Grail can grant the victor's wish. Unfortunately, the previous three wars all ended in failure for various reasons. How about I lend the Tohsaka Household a hand this time?"
After hearing me out, Tokiomi Tohsaka pondered for a moment. "If you do not become a Master, outside assistance is neither here nor there to me—" Before he could finish, I revealed the Command Spell on my left hand. "What about this?"
Tokiomi Tohsaka was stunned once more. He felt that today's shocks had used up an entire year's worth of surprises. First came an unreasonable request, then came a cooperation proposal that seemed impossible.
After recovering, he slowly said, "Incredible. But this does indeed qualify you to discuss cooperation. What exactly does your cooperation entail?"
Everything had gone more or less as I expected. I slowly said, "The Genji Clan will do everything in its power to help the Tohsaka Household win the Holy Grail War."
After hearing that, Tokiomi Tohsaka asked, "What must the Tohsaka Household give in return?"
I said, "What kind of person does the Tohsaka head believe I am? Or rather, how am I described outside?"
After some thought, Tokiomi Tohsaka replied, "The outside world's description? The hope of the Genji Clan, a business prodigy, exceptionally talented in magecraft, the youngest and most promising head of the Genji Clan, the man most likely to lead the Genji Clan back to its peak."
"As for my personal impression, I think you are someone with many ideas. Your various thoughts and approaches leave me somewhat unable to make sense of them. I cannot grasp the meaning within them."
A fairly impartial answer, much like I had expected. Saying it this way would not offend anyone.
"That is right. My ultimate goal is to revitalize the Genji Clan, and this cooperation is part of the process."
Tokiomi Tohsaka countered, "If you wish to revitalize your family, should you not win the Holy Grail War yourself? Why help me instead?"
I answered calmly, "First, all records of the Holy Grail War are only records. The extent to which a so-called wish can be granted is unknown and cannot be used as a reference. There is no basis for comparison, so I choose the safer path."
"After all, this concerns the future of an entire clan. Participating in the Holy Grail War may mean death, and I have not yet made that resolve."
Tokiomi Tohsaka seemed to accept my words. "Since this is cooperation, what must I pay?"
This was exactly the rhythm I wanted. I said, "As a family at the peak of the second tier, I do not lack foundations or wealth. What I lack is connections—the connections of first-rate families. And are those connections not right before me?"
"The Tohsaka Household was originally a disciple of that great man, Zelretch. That title alone represents a great deal." They could not even be considered formal disciples, yet they insisted on glorifying themselves.
After I finished, Tokiomi Tohsaka sat up straighter. "That is correct. It is the pride of the Tohsaka Household." He even found Yuan Shikai somewhat more pleasing to the eye.
I continued, "My request is simple. Please give Sakura Tohsaka to me, then publicize this matter throughout the magecraft world to increase the Genji Clan's prestige. Before long, the Genji Clan will surely enter the ranks of the first tier."
Tokiomi Tohsaka asked in confusion, "Are those your only conditions? If you win the Holy Grail War, would you not gain prestige all the same? Would it not be even easier to elevate the Genji Clan into the first tier?"
I answered solemnly, "I am afraid of death. I have not made that resolve. Is that not enough? Besides, I am still young. I am not in a hurry to pursue the Root. Perhaps when I am fifty or sixty, I will pursue it."
"At the very least, in my view, I am the most important person in the Genji Clan, so I must ensure my safety. All things considered, is this not the most reasonable choice?"
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