Ryougi Raku's eyesight was exceptionally sharp. Even from a distance, he could take in the entire Clock Tower within his field of vision.
Since Aoyama Yahiro's death, Ryougi Raku had contacted his family to reassure them. He also learned that the Tōno family was planning to exterminate the Nanaya clan. Thinking that the Nanaya clan's assassination techniques, which pushed the human body to its limits, might be useful to him, he sought out Zepia Makiri and engaged in a fierce battle, ultimately wiping out the Nanaya clan. As before, Nanaya Shiki survived but was adopted by the Tōno family. However, having already obtained the Nanaya assassination techniques he desired, Ryougi Raku lost interest in them. For Ryougi Raku, even if the assassination techniques were only "possibly" useful to him, that alone was reason enough to follow his heart.
However, that old fox Tōno Shinji probably wanted to establish some connection with the Ryougi family, so he actually invited Ryougi Raku to his home. This also allowed Ryougi Raku to meet Tōno Akiha, Satsuki, Kohaku, and Hisui when they were young.
Somehow, things took a strange turn. During this time, when Shinji Tōno's rebellious impulses flared up and he attempted to assault Kohaku and Hisui, Ryougi Raku struck him down with a single slash, leaving him less than human. Kohaku was naturally grateful to him for saving her and her sister—it could be said he had unintentionally raised a flag, which was a pleasant surprise! He only needed to wait until she grew up to reap the rewards!
When Shinji Tōno's rebellious impulses subsided, Ryougi Raku also hinted that he should forget these matters and not bother Kohaku and Hisui again. As for what Shinji ultimately did because of his impulsive nature, Ryougi Raku didn't care.
"Interacting with these characters is quite interesting. No wonder so many time-travelers enjoy it. However, the prerequisite for all this is to have sufficient power!" Ryougi Raku looked at his palms and clenched his fists.
Ryougi Raku couldn't really say he loved any of these people. The one he cared for the most so far was his sister! However, as an otaku in his previous life, he was full of fantasies about women. In this life, educated by Aoyama Yahiro, he didn't care about rules at all and simply followed his heart. If those beautiful women offered themselves, he certainly wouldn't pretend to be noble—he would accept them all.
A burst of music interrupted Ryougi Raku's thoughts; it was the cell phone beside him ringing.
"Hello, is this Kyūtaro?" Recognizing the number, Ryougi Raku spoke. Although it was the 1990s, this world was different from his previous one. Small mobile phones and laptops already existed, though their functions weren't as advanced as in his previous life.
"Yes, Second Young Master. I have organized the information you requested and will send it to you immediately. Please check it!" The voice of Kyūtaro, the butler of the Ryougi family, came from the other end.
"Alright, I'll check it later. By the way, Kyūtaro, how is Shiki doing recently?" Ryougi Raku was very concerned about his sister.
"Ah! Miss Shiki hasn't had any major personality issues since you left. It's just..." Kyūtaro's voice hesitated, as if he didn't know how to phrase it.
"Hmm? Explain clearly, Kyūtaro," Ryougi Raku said seriously. Since it concerned his sister, he had to be careful.
"Yes! It's mainly that the young lady seems a bit indifferent lately... No, not indifferent, more like empty, without any goals..." Kyūtaro's words were halting, clearly struggling to explain.
Hearing this, Ryougi Raku felt relieved. It was just an issue related to Shiki's Origin. It wasn't a big deal. Once he returned in the future, this problem could be easily resolved.
"Ah, I understand, Kyūtaro. It's not a big issue. Just take good care of Shiki." As for the Origin, since Kyūtaro didn't know, there was no need to explain—it would only complicate things.
Hearing Ryougi Raku's words, Kyūtaro also breathed a sigh of relief. He had promised to take good care of the young lady. If anything happened to her, it would be his fault as the butler!
"Caring for the young lady is my duty, and I will do my utmost! On the contrary, Second Young Master, based on the information you requested, the Ryougi family roughly understands what you intend to do. Please be extremely careful. If anything goes wrong, the head of the family said the Ryougi family can still assist you!"
A warmth spread in Ryougi Raku's heart. As an adopted son, for the Ryougi family to go this far was truly the utmost kindness!
"Don't worry, Kyūtaro. I will be careful... Also, tell my father that I will undertake this matter in my own name and will not involve the Ryougi family. If I truly have no other choice, I will ask for help." Ryougi Raku wouldn't actually let the Ryougi family assist him with these matters. He would bear the consequences of his actions himself.
"Yes, I will convey this to the head of the family!"
"…"
After casually asking Kyūtaro a few more questions about Shiki's recent situation, Ryougi Raku hung up.
He went to the computer and checked the information that had just been sent.
Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald. Head of the Archibald family, a magus renowned as a prodigy since childhood, serving as a first-class instructor in the Department of Spiritual Evocation. A photo was attached on the right.
Other information was useless to Ryougi Raku. This photo and name were enough.
"A prodigy? We'll see about that." With a cold laugh, Ryougi Raku deleted the information. He then went to bed, as he had other matters to attend to in the coming days.
…
In a conference room inside the Clock Tower, a group of people were engaged in a heated discussion. They were of various ages, but without exception, all were senior figures within the Association.
"Many small families near London have been attacked recently. Why is there still no explanation after all this time?" One of the elderly men looked at the documents listing the losses and casualties of the attacked families.
"What explanation do you want? The investigators are all your subordinates!" a sarcastic voice retorted sharply.
"You..." The old man pointed, furious, but his opponent was an old rival. As a person of status, he quickly suppressed his anger. The sarcasm was merely an attempt to undermine him. However, his subordinates were indeed incompetent!
"Moreover, you don't even know who the attacker is, when they struck, or how they did it. You're really useless in your position. If you're old, you should make way for capable young people." Seizing the opportunity, his rival continued to mock him.
"Perhaps the enemy is too powerful. Besides, only small families were attacked, and only some information and basic magecraft knowledge were stolen. It's very strange..." Another voice chimed in. The speaker was young and helped the old man change the subject.
"Indeed, what was the attacker's motive? Is there some conspiracy?"
"Is it the Church?"
"Are you an idiot? Why would the Church be interested in a few small families? The Church has far more information and magecraft knowledge than they do!"
"Hmph! They're just small families. Why bother? Even if they were all wiped out, so what?"
"But the casualties don't seem high. What a hassle!"
For a moment, the large conference room became as noisy as a marketplace.
"Quiet!" The old man sitting at the head finally spoke. "Such noise is disgraceful!"
Everyone fell silent. Clearly, this old man held great authority, and everyone was somewhat in awe of him.
"Regardless, this concerns the Association's reputation. What you do in private is none of my business, nor do I wish to interfere! But now, we are facing an external threat. Don't play any tricks—find out the truth!" He scanned everyone present. Seeing their silence, he nodded in satisfaction and walked out.
Everyone exchanged glances, their eyes filled with fear toward the old man. He was the current head of the Barthomeloi family. As the most prestigious magus family, passionate about combat, the Barthomeloi reigned supreme in the magical world. His granddaughter, Lorelei, was a formidable genius. It wouldn't be long before the old man would have to step down as head.
Seeing Barthomeloi leave the conference room, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"By the way, I heard the relic Kayneth was going to use in the Holy Grail War was stolen?"
"It seems it was stolen by one of his despised students!"
"Ha! Kayneth, called a prodigy since childhood, was tricked by a little guy!"
"Did they find the little guy?"
"He's already left England."
The topic gradually drifted away. One person stood up and left without a word. No one found it strange, as this person was the head of the Department of Spiritual Evocation. Kayneth, whom they had been discussing, was a student he took great pride in, and it was said his daughter was even engaged to him.
…
Ryougi Raku, of course, didn't know that the Mage's Association was discussing his actions.
Indeed, it was Ryougi Raku who had attacked those small families. Although he had decided to participate in the Holy Grail War, he didn't even know how to summon a Servant. Therefore, attacking small families was the best option. The summoning rituals weren't complicated secrets and were generally documented in the records of small families.
At the same time, he could also learn some basic magecraft knowledge. Knowing both yourself and your enemy is the way to win every battle!
He quietly sipped his fragrant tea while browsing through the plundered materials. He hadn't even bothered to kill the members of the small families—they were too weak to be of interest. Consequently, the Mage's Association's investigation found almost no casualties.
"There's not much information, but it's enough for me. Well, all preparations are complete. Now, all that's left is to kill Kayneth!" Tossing the information aside, Ryougi Raku lay on the bed, pondering his next moves, and soon fell asleep.
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Kayneth had been in a very foul mood lately. Ever since his disciple stole the holy relic, he felt that everyone looked at him differently, which made him, having never suffered major setbacks since childhood, extremely unhappy.
"Professor!" Students passing by greeted him respectfully, but he didn't even glance at them, walking past arrogantly. Naturally, the students didn't dare criticize their professor's attitude.