"Holy Church?"
Uesugi Yue narrowed his eyes, a mix of wariness and confusion slowly creeping across his face. Having long retired from his role as Shadow Emperor to run a ramen shop, he had lived alone and kept himself out of worldly affairs for many years, so this term was entirely foreign to him.
"You can think of it this way," Father Cervantes said casually, pacing leisurely within the church. His resounding voice echoed in the spacious hall. "The Holy Church is an organization established with the Pope's blessing, jointly founded with the 'Order of Solomon's Temple.'"
"Uesugi Yue-dono, the reason we were able to find you is because our colleagues from the Lyon Diocese of the French Catholic Church shared records concerning you—"
"Do you remember? When you were a child, you awakened your kotodama, and in a moment of lost control, destroyed three districts of Lyon. It was the Order of Solomon's Temple, along with your original clan, the Saegusa Eight Families, who suppressed and covered up the incident."
"And now, the purpose of our Holy Church is to preach the love of God, to aid the poor and those in distress. At the same time, we expand our sphere of faith, while also hunting and eliminating heresy."
"Since you too are one who recognizes the glory of God, why not join us and work together?"
Yue let out a short laugh. This old man's words made him feel like he'd been transported back to the bloody and barbaric Middle Ages—like some kind of Renaissance revival of the witch hunts. It was a mindset both rotten and fantastical, like an ancient book pulled from the dust of history, reeking of decay.
"Heresy?" Yue's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Sorry, I'm only interested in helping the poor and aiding my neighbors. As for hunting heretics… I really have no interest."
He had never heard of the Holy Church or the Order of Solomon's Temple before, but the fact that they could dig up his Shadow Emperor identity meant they were probably similar to the Secret Party—another mixed-blood faction.
If these people thought that a shared Christian faith would be enough to convince him to contribute his precious Shadow Emperor bloodline—or worse, take up arms as the Holy Church's frontline general to expand their territory—they were gravely mistaken.
Yue's faith had nothing to do with God himself. It was born from longing for his mother and seeking atonement for a life steeped in sin and regret. His belief was a form of self-redemption, not a calling to join some grand mission.
"You misunderstand," Cervantes said, his gaze deep, as if seeing right through Yue's thoughts.
"You were once the Shadow Emperor of the Saegusa Eight Families, so you're no stranger to the secrets of the Dragons and mixed-bloods. Our mission at the Holy Church also involves maintaining peace in the surface world and preventing dangerous forces in the shadows from spiraling out of control—especially those connected to our church."
"And right now, in Tokyo, there is a Holy Grail War taking place—an event we must monitor and guard against."
Noticing Yue's puzzlement, Cervantes explained further:
"When you were tending your community church, the changes outside had already gone beyond what we old men could have predicted. For example, the Holy Grail War."
"Someone is using the name of a 'Holy Grail'—a vessel said to grant any wish—to trigger a battle between terrifying Heroic Spirits. These spirits are all renowned heroes of past eras, unmatched in power and immune to modern weapons. Anyone who earns the right to participate in the Holy Grail War can command a Heroic Spirit."
"Imagine if such news were spread openly—how many could resist the temptation? Tokyo is already on the brink of a storm…"
"Enough!"
Yue's voice was tinged with impatience, as if suppressing inner frustration.
"I have no interest in this so-called Holy Grail War. If you want to manage the Grail, then do it! But let's make one thing clear—churches are meant to aid the poor and give guidance to lost souls, not to be your battlefield for killing and profit! You've come to the wrong person. You should go to the Saegusa Eight Families!"
These days, Yue's mind was occupied only by thoughts of his mother, his own repentance, and his son and daughter. He had no intention of "leading troops to war."
Cervantes didn't seem surprised by the refusal. His tone grew more meaningful:
"You still don't see Tokyo's situation clearly. In the tidal wave of the Holy Grail War, even the Saegusa Eight Families are being dragged into participation. That alone should tell you—Tokyo is far too turbulent to leave this small church untouched."
"…If the Holy Grail War were to spread, displacing countless Tokyo citizens, would you still cling to the safety of this church?"
Leaving those words behind, Cervantes departed with the nuns, not pressing the issue further.
Yue stood silently, watching the church door slowly close, the light shrinking away. "Saegusa Eight Families… involved in the Holy Grail War…"
He hadn't been moved by the Holy Church's rhetoric, but the information caught his attention. The Saegusa Eight Families were participating in a dangerous war beyond his understanding—and his son was the current Shadow Emperor.
The Emperor was a crucial combat asset to the clan. In times of war, there was no avoiding the call to the battlefield. How many factions would be drawn in? Would the Secret Party be involved? Could his son be killed in the process?
Yue sat deep in thought for a long while before realizing he could no longer hesitate. It was time to reunite with his children. If he delayed, it might be too late!
He could never forget the tragedy of his mother. Life was nothing but a series of hurried partings, and children, like kites, could soar far away until the string of family was quietly severed in some final farewell.
This time, he would not only reconnect—he would protect them if he could!
At that moment, the church door sounded with a series of knocks.
Outside, faint voices could be heard—
"There are plenty of churches in Bunkyō, but is it really necessary to pick this small community one? You think the target will be here?"
"You just don't get it! We're checking them one by one. Let me tell you, these church types love working through local Christian organizations. They might even use a church as a base! The main St. Mary's Cathedral would be way too conspicuous. Looking at all the churches in Bunkyō, this one's the most rundown—maybe there's a clue… See? Genius!"
"Then I'm impressed. Really hope you get lucky this time, Charlotte."
"This isn't luck! It's the power of a genius mind!"
Yue almost barked at them—this was no place for young couples to flirt in the morning—but the man's voice sounded oddly familiar.
"Alright, alright! Young people, knock a little softer. This old door won't survive your pounding…"
Yue opened the door to find Charlotte, with her pale-gold hair, alongside Shirou and Eri—the red-haired pair—looking right at him.
What? Of all people… it was them!
"Well, old man, working early today—"
"Huh? It's Master Yue? Are you here helping out?"
Charlotte and Shirou both looked surprised. Eri quickly scribbled in her notebook: "Good morning, Master Yue!"
"Oh, it's you lot. Haha, what a coincidence—really, what a coincidence!"
Yue's pupils trembled slightly. He tried to compose himself, but excitement still leaked through. His eyes swept over Shirou's tall, striking figure and Eri's elegant beauty in her loose shrine maiden robes. Finally, his expression shifted to one of satisfaction.
As expected of my descendants—every one of them has potential, half as good as I was in my youth…
Charlotte was confused. "Wait—you all know each other?"
"Of course!" Shirou answered without hesitation. "Master Yue runs that ramen shop just behind the University of Tokyo's east gate—been perfecting his craft for decades! Everyone says it's amazing!"
"Hey, don't exaggerate so much, kid!"
Caught up in the praise, Yue almost forgot his "father-son reunion" mission. He quickly waved them inside. "The doorway's no place to talk. Come in, this church is bigger than it looks."
"Right, right. Actually, we came to talk to you too."
Once they were inside, Yue carefully closed the door.
He took a deep breath, looking seriously at Shirou and Eri.
"…Shirou, Eri—I might be your real father!"
The words dropped like a cluster bomb, blasting the entire church into stunned silence.
"Hah?" Shirou's face was a mask of confusion. What kind of new parent-child relationship was this? We only came to chat, and now you want to be our dad?
(End of Chapter)
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