The damp, sticky stone walls stretched endlessly downward. From the depths of that dark corridor came a chorus of countless insect cries, dense and chilling.Out from within stepped a hunched, gray-faced old man, leaning on a cane. His faded, dark kimono made him look like some sinister sorcerer from a bygone age, steeped in shadows and dread.
"...Father."
A voice full of fear and trembling reached the old man's ears.
"Hm."
He didn't even bother to look toward the speaker, replying instead:"That child from the Tōsaka family—how is she adapting to life within the Matō household?"
"She's still shy and withdrawn, but not as resistant as before."
"That is good."His tone was indifferent, as if speaking of livestock rather than a person. "That child carries an extremely rare and valuable 'material.' Before the time comes to use her, she must be properly nurtured."
The indifference in his words extended not only to the girl he spoke of, who was most likely still just a child, but also to the man before him—the middle-aged one who called him father, bound by blood, and yet treated no better than a servant.
"Go.Bring Shinji along sometime—children adapt faster with companions of the same age.And one more thing: without my permission, do not set foot in this place again."
His tone was cold, commanding.The middle-aged man dared not disobey and quickly departed.
Watching the retreating back, the old man's eyes grew colder still, void of joy or sorrow. In his heart he thought: The future of the Matō family… no—of the Zōken lineage—must be entrusted to that child.
With her rare magical attributes, even if he had only half a year left, so long as she was properly "remade," she could shine brilliantly in the coming Holy Grail War…
Shuffling forward, the old man emerged from the dark "cave," stepping into the ancient courtyard.
The Matō mansion lay in Fuyuki City's old district, Yamashiro Town. Surrounded by mountains and streams, it was secluded. No matter how loud the insects grew, no one outside would notice.
Then, suddenly, his steps halted.He sensed something—his head snapped upward.
"Visitors from afar… barging in without knocking makes you no good guests!"
His voice rasped like a chorus of insect cries, echoing through the rustling leaves.
A booming crash followed.The mansion's ancient gate fell in pieces.
"So this is the place? The disgusting old worm's den that Rukou told us about."A girl's voice called from beyond the dust.
"Aoko."
Another voice followed. "Leave the fighting to me."
Through the swirling dust, two figures approached side by side.Matō Zōken narrowed his eyes. He had already seen them earlier through his magical scrying—two young foreign magi. Now they had come in person, radiating hostility.
"Attacking me just because I caught a glimpse of you by chance?"His shrill laughter echoed. "But is it wise to storm into a magus's workshop so recklessly?"
Meanwhile, across from the Matō residence, atop the dome of a tall building, Tōsaka Tokiomi watched with wide eyes. The sudden assault left him stunned.
As one of the three great families, the Matōs had settled in Fuyuki City since the Holy Grail system's inception, maintaining long-standing ties with the Tōsaka clan. In fact, Tokiomi was personally acquainted with Zōken himself. To see his gate smashed down so brazenly—shock gave way to simmering anger.
He turned toward the boy beside him.
Rukou smiled faintly. "You're worried about your daughter, aren't you, Lord Tōsaka? Don't. Nothing will happen to her. Just watch."
Tokiomi opened his mouth, but no words came out.
His daughter… was indeed inside the Matō household.Of his two gifted daughters, he had once felt only pride. But a magus family had only one crest to pass on. Two heirs meant dilemma, not joy. He could not give both the mysteries they deserved.
Then, half a year ago, the Matō family—rumored to be fading, their bloodlines drained of magical potential—had approached him. They sought one of his daughters to adopt, to preserve their legacy.
It had been a convenient solution.The elder daughter stayed to inherit the Tōsaka crest.The younger was given to the Matōs.
Now, as he watched the mansion collapse under assault, his fury was directed not at the attackers, but at the thought of his daughter being endangered. As for the Matō family itself? He cared little.
Still, hearing Rukou's calm reassurance, he chose silence.
Below, battle erupted.
The ground of the Matō estate trembled with magical surges. From every crack and crevice crawled countless insects, swarming across the courtyard.
—Insect Magecraft.A Western system of sorcery, controlling swarms as familiars. The Matō family's inherited craft, etched into their crest.
The house itself was a vast hive.
Zōken's hunched body flickered backward, his withered palm slapping the ground. In response, a torrent of engraved familiars burst forth, transforming into a black tide.
Amid the buzzing of wings came his rasping laugh:"Let us see if you two can withstand five centuries of hospitality. These are my wing-blade insects—capable of devouring mystery itself!"
Aoko's pupils shrank at the sight of the writhing swarm. She instinctively gathered mana in her hands, turquoise light flaring.
But before she could act, Kuonji Alice had already stepped forward.
Her black skirt fluttered as her fingers brushed the glass vial hanging from her chest. A thread of rainbow light shimmered within.
"—'Oil of the Moon,' deploy."
Fairy tale law overrode reality.The insects struck a sudden silver barrier, only to freeze mid-motion, their chitin gleaming like toys of tin, forcibly reduced to lifeless specimens.
Zōken's eyes widened. "What… what sorcery is this?"
"Insects belong in specimen boxes."Alice's voice dripped with quiet loathing.
From the shadows beneath her gown, another artifact emerged.
"Turn, O Giant of the Bridge."
With a thunderous crash, the ceiling split apart.A colossal fairy-tale giant, formed of stone and timber, tore its way into existence. Each step ground insects into shreds, its massive gears grinding them like paper.
Then its massive fist came crashing down upon Zōken himself.
Alice stood motionless, her eyes blazing with the light of mystic eyes.
For once, even Aoko was taken aback, stunned at her companion's unleashed power.
From above, Rukou watched her long skirt flutter and thought to himself: So this girl, who always hides her strength, has truly lost her temper.
And no wonder. Alice might be called a witch, but she was never one to ignore suffering. After hearing of Zōken's vile deeds, her anger was only natural.
This was not Rukou's design, but Alice's choice.
Thus—
"The Holy Grail War may be skipped. But Matō Zōken must die."
Rukou spoke leisurely, glancing at the stunned Tōsaka Tokiomi beside him."Well, Lord Tōsaka? What do you think of this battle?"