These people, relying on their powerful family backgrounds, acted high and mighty in Fuyuki City. Not only did they frequently oppose Rin Tohsaka and vie for control of the city, but they also shamelessly declared their intention to reclaim the Greater Grail, treating it as the Mage Association's private property and forbidding any outsiders from interfering.
Noticing the Mage Association's movements, magus families from around the world sent their representatives to Fuyuki, turning the city into an even more chaotic melting pot.
Among Japan's four fortress cities, Fuyuki was infamous for its political quagmire.
Rin had lost count of how many headaches it had caused her.
"Anyway, since you don't have any leads and the Magician isn't coming back, that's the answer I'll give them."
After finishing her cup of hot water, Rin stood up to leave.
"Whatever."
Roy shrugged indifferently.
He had never liked the Mage Association anyway.
"Oh, by the way—do you think the intruder who forced their way into the underground cavern might be Zouken Matou?"
Just as Rin was about to leave, Roy suddenly spoke up, his tone unusually serious.
"Zouken Matou…?"
Rin froze, frowning in thought.
"True, he is one of the three founding families of the Holy Grail War, and his roots in Fuyuki run deep. If it were him, sneaking into the underground cavern undetected wouldn't be impossible."
"However, that old fossil was destroyed along with the Matou family three years ago…"
Rin held her breath.
"And it was you and that Magician who personally did it."
"Right. I tattled to Aoko, and she personally paid a visit to the Matou residence, wiping them off the map."
Roy tapped the table calmly.
Rin nodded.
Three years ago, on a certain day, the Matou family had been obliterated.
Zouken Matou was blown to pieces by magical artillery, and the insects hidden underground swarmed out, darkening the sky.
Rin had a younger sister who, under their father's reasoning of "securing her future," had been adopted into the Matou family years earlier.
Yet it wasn't until that day, when the insects filled the sky, that Rin learned just how deeply the Matou family had fallen into depravity—and just how grave a mistake she and her father had made. For eight years after being adopted, her sister Sakura had endured endless torment, submerged day and night in a sea of insects, bitten, violated, and tortured—all under the guise of "training" by that old monster Zouken.
That day, the one who stood amidst the ruins of the Matou estate and carried Sakura out from the underground insect chamber was Roy.
And the one who burned the Matou residence and its insects to the ground was also Roy.
From then on, the Matou name was erased from the world of magecraft.
No one dared to speak up for them—not when a Magician had been involved in their destruction.
Moreover, the Matou family had never been on good terms with other magus families to begin with. After the main family was annihilated, their remaining assets were plundered, and the last survivors—Kariya Matou and Shinji Matou—were reportedly assassinated soon after. Not a single descendant or penny of the Matou legacy remained.
That was three years ago.
Since then, Zouken Matou had seemingly died that day, never to reappear.
But both Roy and Rin knew all too well just how tenacious that old monster truly was.
Whether he was truly dead or not remained an open question even now.
"In that case, the intruder must be Zouken Matou. I'll report this to those old fossils at the Association branch!"
Rin suddenly smirked, a malicious gleam in her eyes.
"If he's dead, great. If not, let those old bastards tear each other apart!"
'Perfect!'
Roy nodded vigorously, fully approving of Rin's plan.
Meanwhile, Utaha and Ai Hayasaka stood silently to the side, not uttering a word.
"Oh, about my sister—"
"She's in Misaki City. You know that."
"Will she return for this Holy Grail War?"
"No idea."
"I see…"
Rin sighed deeply, her expression a mix of regret and sorrow.
"Thank you. If not for you, I'd still be in the dark, and Sakura… who knows how much longer she would have suffered. Our family owes you a huge debt, and I will repay it someday."
"No need for thanks. I did it because I wanted to."
Roy smiled faintly, unbothered.
His gaze then shifted to Ai Hayasaka, and his eyes gleamed with sudden interest.
"Speaking of repaying debts—how about lending me your attendant for a few days?"
Hayasaka's head jerked up in shock.
'Huh?!'
Why was the conversation suddenly about her?
Utaha also looked utterly lost.
"Ai? Lend her to you? Why?"
Rin stared at Roy in confusion.
Are you that short on attendants?
Or have you finally hit puberty and awakened to lust—one beautiful girl isn't enough for you now?
"My attendant, Utaha, probably hasn't done this kind of work before. She's still inexperienced and hasn't adapted to the role yet."
Roy gestured to Utaha behind him.
"Your attendant, Ai Hayasaka, seems very professional. I'd like her to help train Utaha. What do you think? Don't worry—once Utaha gets the hang of it, Hayasaka can return anytime."
Utaha silently lowered her head and began counting the lines on the floor.
"Hmm. Hayasaka, what do you think?"
Rin pondered for a moment before turning to Hayasaka.
She had no objections, but it ultimately depended on Hayasaka's own willingness.
'Can I refuse?'
'I don't want extra work!'
Despite her internal grumbling, Hayasaka's face blossomed into a flawless smile.
"Of course, it would be my honor to assist Master Roy!"
'Damn these maid instincts of mine!'
"As long as you're willing."
Rin nodded, then seemed to remember something.
"Hayasaka, come with me for a moment. There's something I need to tell you."
"Yes."
Rin led Hayasaka out of the living room and into an empty room.
"Hayasaka, Roy is generally easy to get along with—especially when he's wearing his glasses. He's very accommodating then, so even if you slack off a bit, it's fine. But once he takes off his glasses, avoid talking to him as much as possible."
Hayasaka listened to Rin's warning, growing more alarmed by the second.
This Roy guy sounds like he has split personalities or something! He sounds dangerous!
Can I take back what I said and go home?
"While you're staying with Roy, there's only one thing you absolutely must remember."
Rin's expression turned deadly serious.
"Do not bring up anything related to his past from three years ago!"
"That topic is taboo for Roy. If anyone even hints at it, stop them immediately. If you can't stop them, then get away from Roy as fast as possible. Understood?"
"...Yes."
Hayasaka was speechless.
'Miss Kaguya… I miss you so much!'
***
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