Life in the modern era was peaceful.
At least, in the last few days, Arthur had considered the old bug's mood and temporarily held back his temper, choosing not to go out.
"Ahh, really. If that's the case, wouldn't it be completely meaningless for me to subject myself to this as a Servant?"
Arthur, who looked like a fluffy little lamb from a distance, grumbled as he rubbed himself with a towel soaked in shower gel, creating a generous amount of foam—while secretly keeping an eye on the little girl in the corner.
Well, this kind of 'entertainment' was indeed childish.
But there was no helping it. The internet wasn't well developed in Japan in 1989, and as a magician's residence, this house was unlikely to be equipped with modern facilities like computers.
As for Sakura Matou—
Ever since she'd fallen into that pile of insects a few days ago, she seemed to have suffered psychological trauma and had been in a constant state of fearful withdrawal.
It seemed the girl wouldn't be able to show any expression other than timidity unless she left the Matou residence.
How cruel.
"Hm? Sakura, aren't you even the least bit curious? Seriously, I'm quite confident in my looks. You're actually trembling in front of me. Even I'm a little shocked. I might need to re-evaluate my affinity."
As he said this, Arthur half-playfully pulled the girl to stand in front of him and gently rubbed her back with the towel.
When the slightly cold cloth touched her skin, Sakura trembled and looked very nervous.
In truth, as a Servant, it was impossible for Arthur to get dirty.
A convenient perk.
Even if covered in dust, he could maintain an elegant appearance with just a touch of magic.
Of course, most Servants wouldn't do that. They had to conserve their own magic power and their Master's as well—wasting it on trivial matters was inefficient. However, if the Master was an old bug, then it was a different matter entirely. There was no need for restraint.
The reason Sakura appeared in the bathroom today, even though she normally wouldn't, was because she'd accidentally spilled food on herself during dinner.
"You even managed to spill milk all over yourself, little one. You really are clumsy," Arthur said with a hearty laugh.
"Woo~"
Sakura whimpered like a frightened puppy—whether out of fear or nervousness, it was hard to tell. Then, calming down a little, she timidly asked, "Big brother, aren't you afraid of Grandpa? Grandpa is so—"
"Scary? He's the one who should be afraid. Summoning—or rather, being chosen by fate to supply me with magical energy—that's his misfortune." Arthur smiled. "Don't worry. As long as you're by my side, no one can hurt you. So, at least when I'm here, you don't need to worry."
He wasn't offering comfort—he was stating a fact.
After all, Arthur had never experienced being surrounded by insects. He couldn't understand Sakura's fear. Trying to comfort her would've been nothing but irresponsible coaxing. If simple words could soothe her, she wouldn't have been this terrified for days.
Hearing Arthur's calm declaration, Sakura nodded obediently and then fell silent.
Arthur didn't mind.
After helping her wash, he took her to the bedroom, dried her hair, and changed her into clean clothes.
With nothing else to do, he chose to kill time watching TV. The show was boring, but still better than staring at castle walls.
Sakura remained very quiet, staying close by. She didn't speak or interrupt him, but her little hands clung tightly to the corner of Arthur's clothes and refused to let go.
The atmosphere was quiet—yet strangely warm.
Suddenly, a loud argument erupted outside the door.
Even from a distance, it reached the room where Arthur and Sakura sat.
They exchanged a glance. Neither moved. Arthur simply couldn't be bothered, while Sakura was too afraid.
The arguing grew louder—punctuated by the sound of furniture breaking. Vases. Chairs.
Then came the hurried footsteps, drawing closer and closer.
Arthur frowned.
With a bang, the door was violently thrown open from outside, the sound echoing sharply.
"Sakura!"
A young man rushed in, completely ignoring Arthur's presence. He stared at the girl, his anxiety melting away at a speed visible to the naked eye.
What the hell is this guy's deal?
"How rude, Zouken. Do you really think I won't get angry?" Arthur said coldly.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I, your unfilial son, have always been reckless. Perhaps I was overwhelmed by emotion. If I've disturbed Your Majesty's enjoyment, then please punish this rebellious child." Matou Zouken crept in behind the young man, raising his bony claw-like hand. A dense swarm of insects burst forth, immediately surrounding and restraining the intruder.
"That's enough. Don't perform your disgusting magic in front of me," Arthur snapped.
An instant later, an invisible force repelled the swarm.
As punishment, the entire mass of insects flew into Zouken's mouth—making the scene even more grotesque.
For a moment, Arthur felt a twinge of regret.
After all, Matou Zouken was revolting, and the insect swarm was equally revolting. Now, the two had merged—disgust plus disgust equals an even higher degree of disgust. It was like triggering a grotesque chemical reaction. The feeling multiplied tenfold.
And worst of all, he was the one who'd caused it. He couldn't even shift the blame.
Was he… disgusted with himself?
No! This is all Tokiomi's—ugh, no, Zouken's fault!
Neither that worm magic nor Matou Zouken should have existed to begin with. That's right—this wasn't his fault!
Arthur glared at Zouken, then quickly looked away as if sickened. Without saying a word, he blasted the old man out of the room with a wave of psychic force and shut the door behind him.
Only then did he turn to the nervous young man still shielding Sakura.
Matou Kariya?
To be honest, after watching the entirety of Fate/Zero in his past life, the Master who had left the deepest impression on Arthur wasn't Kotomine Kirei, the cultist-turned-evil-companion, nor Emiya Kiritsugu, who sacrificed everything for justice.
It was the man in front of him—Matou Kariya.
Not because Arthur liked him.
But not because he hated him, either.
How should he put it? Kariya was neither good nor bad—just overwhelmingly ordinary. Just like in Fate/Zero, he was completely average and yet—paradoxically—extraordinary. A man you couldn't help but sigh over, even if you couldn't quite sympathize.
"Well then, can you explain yourself, you rude mortal?"
"…Who are you?" Matou Kariya's body tensed. No matter how impulsive he was, even he could tell how powerful Arthur was.
He hadn't returned to this so-called 'home' in nearly ten years. Everything felt familiar, yet distant. As he stood once more in this place, a storm of emotion churned in him—but there wasn't even a trace of nostalgia.
He knew full well the origins and truth of his family.
He also knew exactly how powerful, cruel, and ruthless magi could be.
He should have been terrified of this unfamiliar magician standing in front of him.
-End Chapter-
Visit the Patreon!!
Read 30 chapters ahead, more on the way!
[email protected]/TrashProspector