Allen was currently thinking about which catalyst he wanted to use, as he had a long dagger and an arrow. If I use the arrow, there's a high chance I'll summon Chiron or Atalanta, but with the dagger, I have no idea, he thought. "Well, whatever, I don't care who I summon, and I think the dagger is more suitable," he said. Then he looked at his servant. "Which one do you think is better to use?"
"I'd say the dagger, sir," the servant replied. Hearing that, Allen agreed. It seemed his thoughts matched his servant's.
"Alright, help me prepare the summoning circle and the catalyst for the summoning, along with a vessel that's already been prepared," Allen ordered. The servant nodded and immediately began handling everything herself. Not because he was lazy, but because this body wasn't suited for such work. Yes, he reassured himself confidently—though he was starting to doubt himself. Am I actually just lazy?
"Master, it seems there's a memo about the identity of the relic's user," my maid said.
"Oh… really? Let me see, I'll read it."
When I read the letter, I was quite surprised to find it contained the identities of Medusa and Atalanta.
"Well, I guess I'll summon Medusa," I muttered. And screw Velvet—I couldn't care less about anyone else. What matters is that Rider will be my top priority.
Once the magic circle was completed and all the summoning materials were gathered, I stepped forward and began the ritual.
I drew a deep breath, letting my voice echo through the chamber.
"By my blood and soul, I swear.
Appear from the boundless sea of fate,
O spirit bound to night and silence.
From the land washed in blood, from the sea that swallows souls,
from the air that shrouds all curses,
arise, you who bear the wings of darkness.
Let the eyes that behold the end of all life
become the spear that strikes my foes,
and let your cursed beauty stand as the shield at my side.
With my name as the key, with my will as the gate,
step forth beyond the bounds of worlds and ages.
Answer my call—
Come forth, Servant Rider… Medusa!"
The magic circle flared with a blinding violet light, the air trembling with pressure as her presence drew nearer.
The magic circle erupted in a surge of violet and black light, tendrils of shadow swirling upward like serpents. The air grew heavy, each breath tasting of metal and something ancient. My heartbeat quickened—not out of fear, but anticipation.
From within the storm of light and shadow, a figure slowly emerged.
First came the glint of silver chains, coiling loosely around her arms. Then, the sound of boots stepping on the stone floor—measured, graceful, yet predatory. Her long, amethyst hair floated like it had a will of its own, shifting gently as if in an invisible current.
Her eyes opened.
Even without their full power unleashed, they carried a weight that could crush the weak—mystic eyes that hinted at the end of all who met her gaze unprepared. And yet, within that danger, there was beauty… cold, unyielding, and inescapable.
She stopped just outside the magic circle, lowering her head in a subtle bow.
"…Servant Rider. You are my Master?"
A faint smirk tugged at my lips. "That's right. And I'm expecting great things from you."
Her expression didn't change, but I could feel the faint ripple of acknowledgment through our newly formed bond.
In that moment, the shadows withdrew, the circle's light fading, leaving only the two of us in the quiet aftermath—Master and Servant, bound by fate.
Allen checked the status and characteristics of his Servant and was quite satisfied with the results.
Class: Rider
True Name: Medusa (Gorgon)
Parameters:
• Strength: B
• Constitution (Endurance): B
• Agility: EX
• Magical Power (Mana): EX
• Luck: E
• Noble Phantasms:
• Bellerophon (A+)
• Blood Fort Andromeda (B)
• Breaker Gorgon (C-)
Class Skills:
• Magic Resistance (B+)
• Riding (A+)
Personal Skills:
• Independent Action (C)
• Monstrous Strength (B)
• Mystic Eyes of Petrification "Cybele" (A+)
• Divinity (E-)
"Master, what is this? I feel like my prana is overflowing," Medusa said, visibly shocked as she sensed the immense amount of magical energy stored within her. When she checked her Master's prana reserves, she looked slightly puzzled.
"Ahhh… let me introduce myself first. My name is Allen Barthomeloi, and I am a Magician of the First and Third."
"You're a Magician?" Medusa was slightly shocked to hear that—because it wasn't just one, but two. No wonder her Master's prana reserves were so abundant.
"Master, may I know your wish for the Holy Grail?"
"Well, for me, the Grail is completely useless. Besides, it's just a fake Grail made by magi—it's not the Holy Grail created by the Christians. On top of that, it's been corrupted by… uh… I forgot the name, but something like that. My only purpose in joining this Holy Grail War is simply to have fun and pass the time."
Medusa felt a slight headache from the flood of information—fake Grail, corruption, and more. In the end, it seemed her being summoned here was utterly pointless.
"Ahh, hey Rider, are you alright? Hey, it's fine—besides, if you have a wish, I could probably make it come true for you if you're feeling disappointed."
However, Medusa simply shook her head. "No, Master, I have no wish at all. My only desire is to follow and assist you."
"Really? No wish at all? Well, alright then. What matters is that you're happy too. Now, let's head to the Holy Grail War… Oh, but before that, I need to meet my future wife."
We then departed for Japan by plane, heading to the Tohsaka residence, accompanied by Justeaze and Rider. However, Allen instructed Rider to stay far away for the time being, since the person he was meeting was also the Master of Archer, and it could be dangerous if he noticed Rider's presence.
Upon arriving at the Tohsaka residence, which was now located in Tokyo, Allen was greeted by Aoi Tohsaka, the mother of Rin and Sakura.
"Welcome, Lord Barthomeloi. I'm sorry my husband couldn't greet you in person — he's already waiting for you inside, so please, come in."
"It's no problem. Besides, I'm only here for a short while and will be leaving right after I take your daughter with me," I replied in a casual tone, with a hint of arrogance. Well, what can I say? Growing up in a magus family sometimes turns you into someone you never wanted to be.
Hearing Allen speak so casually — as if her daughter were some commodity to be traded — Aoi felt her heart break a little. She couldn't find the words to respond.
"Don't worry, I'll treat your daughter well. At the very least, she'll be happier than staying with a rotten maggot who would devour her from the inside." I said it to make her realize she only had one choice — me.
"Y-yes… Lord Barthomeloi." Of course, Aoi was well aware that her daughter would suffer such a fate — her childhood friend had told her about it. And yet, she couldn't say a word to help her daughter, especially with her husband firmly believing that their child would somehow survive that horrifying process.
"Don't be so stiff. Just call me Allen. I'm not fond of being addressed by my family name — especially by my future mother-in-law."
Hearing Allen's words, Aoi felt relieved and even a little grateful in her heart — it seemed her future son-in-law wasn't as bad as she had thought at first.
After I entered the living room, I saw Rin holding Sakura's hand tightly, looking at me with curiosity. Then, Tokiomi introduced me to them. We didn't talk much since Tokiomi only discussed the family contract and his hope of gaining the Barthomeloi family's support in future business ventures and the like.
After that, he handed over his daughter as if she were an object once we had signed the magical contract.
"Come on, Sakura. You can call me Oniichan if you want."
At first, Sakura was shy when she heard that, but she slowly began to approach me and call me "Oniichan." She was truly adorable. Aoi and Tokiomi, seeing this, felt a bit relieved — but I couldn't help teasing them in my mind. Such a hypocritical family.
After that, we left the residence and went to a remote area in Fuyuki City.
Why didn't I take Sakura somewhere else?
Of course, the most dangerous place is often the safest — especially since I was certain the Matou family wouldn't give up so easily. That old man is relentless in achieving his goals, having survived over 300 years as a maggot for the sake of immortality.
"Sakura, let me introduce you. This is Justeaze — she'll be taking care of you from now on. And this is Medusa." I introduced them casually.
Justeaze hadn't changed much — her main concern was my safety, even though her model wasn't designed for combat but more for personal assistance. Medusa, on the other hand, stood there deep in thought, watching the girl as if their fates were somehow connected.
"Master, is she your future wife?"
"Yes… isn't she adorable?" I replied while gently pinching Sakura's cheek.
Hearing Medusa's words, Sakura blushed slightly and introduced herself, "Hello, my name is Sakura Tohsaka. Just call me Sakura." The two women simply nodded and greeted her warmly.
"Master… was that child sold by her family?" Medusa asked softly, worried Sakura might overhear, even though we were far enough away.
"Yep… pretty ironic, isn't it? A sweet child like that reduced to nothing more than a political tool." I spoke bluntly — I had no reason to lie to my Servant.
"What will you do with that girl, Master?" It seemed Medusa had her own reasons for wanting to be close to Sakura.
"Don't worry. I'll protect and care for my future wife. Now, about our target — have you found him?" I asked, referring to Ryuunosuke Uryuu, since he was a problem that needed to be eliminated before Gilgamesh.
"Yes, Master. I found him. Before he could summon his Heroic Spirit, I dealt with him."
"Thank you for your hard work, Rider," I said, stroking her stomach. "Hmm… could you bend down? I want to stroke your hair — it looks so soft."
Medusa only smiled and complied, her face slightly flushed from when I touched her stomach earlier.
"There's still one year before the Holy Grail War begins," I thought as I glanced at Sakura, who was currently reading a magic book.
Well, I suppose I can spend my time teaching her magecraft.
"Sakura, come here. I'm going to teach you the basics of magecraft."
The girl looked at me with sparkling eyes. "Really, Oniichan?"
Allen nodded, then positioned her to sit on his lap and began teaching her some basic magecraft from the Barthomeloi family.
At the same time, Kariya Matou was meeting with Aoi Tohsaka, who was accompanying Rin as she played in a park.
"Uncle Kariya!" Rin called out cheerfully, and he greeted her back.
"I have a gift for you, Rin-chan," he said, handing her a beautiful necklace.
"Where's your little sister? I have the same gift for her as well."
But Rin only lowered her head and didn't answer. Kariya felt something was wrong.
"Sakura is no longer part of our family," Aoi replied with a slightly sad tone.
"What happened, Aoi?" he asked in a slightly firm voice.
Aoi then explained what had happened — that Sakura had been sold to the Barthomeloi family and was now being taken care of by Allen.
That made Kariya angry at Tokiomi's decision, and the two argued fiercely. The argument scared Rin, who felt like the people she knew were suddenly different.
Kariya then left them, clutching one of the necklaces he had intended to give to Sakura.
Kariya decided to return to his family home and meet Zouken Matou. He wanted to teach Tokiomi a lesson and join the upcoming Holy Grail War.
"Ohhh… and what brings you here, you ungrateful child?" Zouken sneered.
"Teach me magecraft. I want to give Tokiomi a lesson and become a Master in this Holy Grail War."
"You know your magic circuits are very weak. It would be difficult for you to even sustain a Servant in battle."
"I know you have a way with your maggots, so—"
"You do understand the consequences, don't you? You could die."
"As long as I can kill Tokiomi and make him pay, I don't care."
Hearing this, Zouken agreed to his request and led him to the basement.
There, Kariya saw a young boy surrounded by swarms of worms.
"Shinji? Why is he here?"
"That boy is stubborn and wants to inherit the family's magic crest, so I had no other choice."
"Whatever," Kariya muttered. He didn't really care about the boy— to him, this family was already insane with their obsession over magecraft, willing to do anything for it.
After that, Kariya underwent the same process as Shinji.
*****
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