As magic power exploded outward along the blade of the magic sword, the entire wooden door splintered and burst apart. Aslan looked down the stairs at the old insect, who had yet to hide in the shadows, and flashed a bright, almost cheerful smile. To the old insect, that smile was nothing short of provocative.
"What grudge do we have? What hatred exists between us that you'd chase me this far?"
The old bug's hand trembled as it clutched his cane, veins bulging across the back of his hand. He was not delusional—he understood his own limitations. His physical strength had long since faded, and these days he relied more on secret knowledge, long-laid plans, and his deep understanding of the Holy Grail.
When there was no worthy vessel for the Fourth Holy Grail War, he had already abandoned his preparations. Who would have expected his unfilial son to return from abroad—just for the sake of a girl who wasn't even related to him by blood? That forced him to scramble and spend months stabilizing the boy's ruined health.
Now, he had no trump cards left—no rogue or retired Servants under his command, nothing with which to manipulate them.
And worst of all, the participant in this Holy Grail War was none other than his disobedient son, Kariya. The Command Seals were also on Kariya's body, which meant he had no way to summon Berserker back directly. If he'd had the foresight, he would've used the Book of False Ministers to siphon off one of the Command Seals himself.
No… something's not right.
Why is someone targeting me so precisely? I've hidden myself so well. When the time came, I'd planned to let my old identity die and adopt a new one. It was always the Matou heir who fought publicly, not me. Even when I went out to align the leylines, I was extremely cautious.
How could he have found me under these circumstances? Even if I slipped up, it shouldn't have been enough for discovery. I'm just a Matou elder! No one should know I participated in the previous Holy Grail Wars!
Desperation rising, the old bug began trying to activate the insects he had planted in his disobedient son's body—trying to send a warning. If Kariya realized the danger he was in, he might just summon Berserker back to protect him.
But what if he didn't?
What if he had begun to believe he didn't need his father's help?
The old bug knew the truth: if he died, no one in this cursed house would mourn him. In fact, some of his untalented magical descendants might just crack open a bottle of 1982 red wine and celebrate.
After all, he thought bitterly, to them, I am a nightmare.
Perhaps they don't understand it when they're young. But when they grow up, when they come to understand how the world works, they'll know exactly what to do with a nightmare.
His eldest son—technically the family heir after Kariya ran off—had inherited the Matou name, but not the teachings. Zouken had long since given up on raising Tokiomi properly. He taught him nothing—just used him for menial assistance. And yet, even then, the old bug had caught the fear in his eldest son's eyes the day he returned.
And his second son, Kariya…
A strange man. The most defiant of them all. A rebel in every sense of the word. In truth, if it hadn't been for Kariya's obsession with love, the old bug might have worried more about him.
Look at me now, he thought grimly. How did I become a loner without even realizing it?
Aslan stared at the trembling figure before him—this infamous, elusive worm who once manipulated entire generations from the shadows. Now he cowered, desperate and afraid, trying to escape from someone like him.
In the Fourth and Fifth Holy Grail Wars, he was a hidden final boss—a terrifying force that lurked behind every move. And now, he stood here… defenseless.
How satisfying.
Could it really feel this good to crush a cockroach?
"You asked me why I'm hunting you down? There's only one reason."
Aslan put away the magic sword. He couldn't fully activate its power, and if he wanted to ensure the old bug was destroyed completely, he'd need to be precise. Slowly, he reached for the pendant hanging from his neck.
Seeing the movement, the old bug instinctively took a half-step back. His hidden form—a swarm of insects beneath his clothes—began to stir, ready to flee at the first sign of danger. At the same time, his mind raced, trying to remember if he had ever offended the man standing before him.
But then, Aslan smiled—warm and gentle, almost like a priest. He raised the pendant, which rapidly transformed into a spear adorned with a fluttering flag. Its soft, radiant light bathed the entire basement.
"You don't need to remember, little one. You've never done anything to me. Not in this life. Not in any life. The reason I'm killing you is simple..."
Aslan's expression turned serene.
"...I just don't like you."
Huh?
The old bug's mind froze.
What kind of answer was that?
Was he being mocked? What did he mean, he didn't like me?
How did this man even know him? Was it his appearance? His smell? Something he'd done?
"Are you kidding me?! Just for that?!"
Aslan chuckled. The holy spear in his hand flared, filling the basement with a blinding glow. The light alone burned at the old bug's exposed skin, sizzling faintly in the silence.
"Yes, that's the reason. But if you'd prefer something prettier, how about this: I'm a servant of the Lord, sent to redeem fallen souls. And you—you're just next on the list. Sounds nicer, doesn't it?"
You bastard!!
The old bug cursed violently in his mind. If he'd had the strength, he would have screamed it out loud. But just then, he felt the insect inside Kariya's body stir—and finally, he made contact.
In a single, desperate shout, the old bug's will reached his son:
"KARIYA! GET BERSERKER BACK TO ME—NOW!!"
-End Chapter-
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