I, Kenneth, am going to get to the root of the problem today.

Page 18

In just a few months, Aozaki Aoko became acquainted with the shop owner, so much so that even outside of business hours, the shop owner, named Haruno, was willing to serve this somewhat carefree girl (just kidding).

"Is it the same as usual today? What would you like to eat, young lady?"

"I…"

"I just hope she's like me, then I'll leave her in your care, Uncle."

The shop owner, flashing a mouthful of bright white teeth at Aozaki Aoko, strode into the kitchen. As she drank the iced water on the table, Aozaki Aoko stretched and comfortably squinted her eyes.

"Indeed, having a bowl of steaming hot ramen after morning exercise is the happiest thing."

Forced into a chair, Morgan, who had already changed his appearance using magic, looked around the noodle shop that exuded the atmosphere of time. After looking around, Morgan's gaze finally landed on Aozaki Aoko across from him.

Are you really a magician?

After a long while, perhaps infected by Aozaki Aoko's excessive energy, Morgan looked at Aozaki Aoko, whose face was full of longing for food, with a complicated expression.

"Magician? Haha, you might not believe it, but I didn't even know what magic was until I was sixteen. Before that, I was just an ordinary girl."

"An ordinary girl...?"

Lost in her memories, Aozaki Aoko didn't notice the change in Morgan's tone. When Morgan asked her this, the naturally uninhibited Aozaki Aoko directly recounted her love-hate relationship with Aozaki Touko.

"It wasn't until my sixteenth birthday that my grandfather suddenly told me I was to inherit the family's magic. At the time, I thought my old man was getting senile, hahaha. Thinking only of making him happy, I inexplicably inherited the family's magic..."

“Until one day, my older sister, who was originally designated as the heir, came back. She had a fight with my grandfather and eventually ran away from home.”

Upon hearing this, Morgan's body trembled slightly.

"Could you tell me a little something about you and your sister, if it's convenient?"

At this moment, perhaps even Morgan herself did not realize that her tone and her attitude toward Aozaki Aoko had undergone a subtle change without her noticing.

"My sister, it still feels a bit surreal when I think back on it now. Our relationship was very strained at first because I became the heir. Before I entered the world of magic, she was always the heir of the family, and she had been working hard for it. But everything changed on my sixteenth birthday."

"Back then, in her eyes, I was a sister who had taken away all the efforts of her early life and robbed her of her reason for being. In my eyes, she was an older sister who had completely gone mad and was unwilling to even have a proper conversation with me. She returned to her hometown with hatred for me, and then we started fighting..."

[Ramen is here! Aoko, your favorite flavor! Double the portion of our special tonkotsu ramen! Let me know if you want more!]

"Oh!!! Thank you so much, Uncle Haruno! Then I won't be polite!!"

Surprisingly, Morgan wasn't angry about being interrupted. As he watched Aozaki Aoko eating noodles with gusto across from him, Morgan's thoughts drifted back to the era when the gods still existed.

"It really looks like it..."

"Huh? Aren't you going to eat? (image)"

For once, Morgan's lips curled into a smile that could scare Agravan to death. He looked at Aozaki Aoko, who had already started adding noodles to her bowl, picked up his chopsticks, and put the ramen into his mouth.

"Could you tell me more about you and your sister?"

"Meiyouwengti... cough cough, no problem, I'll tell you when we get back. Eat quickly, the noodles are going to get cold."

Morgan handed Aozaki Aoko a glass of water. The Aoko in Morgan's eyes increasingly resembled the younger sister in his memory. At this moment, Morgan seemed to have found the answer to Karna, and found the one he wanted to see.

"I see. So this is what I wanted."

At this moment, Morgan, who finally saw himself clearly, picked up his chopsticks and put the ramen in his bowl into his mouth. His taste buds, which had not been used for hundreds of years, were able to taste the food again. Looking at Aozaki Aoko across from him, who was radiating happiness from enjoying the food, Morgan felt as if he had sand in his eyes.

"Perhaps, this kind of life isn't so bad."

And so, perhaps Kenneth never imagined that, through his own twist of fate, Morgan's mindset would undergo a 'small' change under the influence of Aozaki Aoko. Having a similar experience to Aozaki Aoko, Morgan found in his younger sister Aozaki Aoko what she had been searching for since the Battle of Camlann.

He had once longed to row her, who was heading towards her end, to that ideal land far from the world. But when he saw her, scarred yet still smiling with relief, Morgan was bewildered. The joy he thought he had achieved his revenge vanished in an instant, and an emotion he had never felt before suddenly dragged him into a sea of ​​bitterness.

For centuries, Morgan had been grappling with this question, wandering the earth. To fill the void in his heart, he once performed a ritual in a Welsh village, hoping to see her one last time. But today, Morgan finally understood what those emotions she had hidden deep within her heart truly were.

"When did I begin to hate the child who was always watching me?"

Chapter 45 The Church and Command Spells

P.S.: I also wanted to post the pictures from the previous chapter, but with the cat's censorship, I'll have to figure something out. I can't guarantee how long they'll be up and running...

Standing on the edge of the cliff, gazing down at the Tohsaka family below, Kirei Kotomine's figure completely blended into the darkness.

“All the Servants have arrived. I want you to go to the Tohsaka family immediately. You should be able to easily face that fortress-like magical barrier.”

"Is it really okay? I heard that you and Tokiomi Tohsaka are allies."

Perhaps there is an 80% relationship between the Hundred Faces clones. As a sacrificial lamb pushed out to die, the other clones did not tell this unlucky guy Kirei Kotomine about the plan at all.

"You don't need to worry about it. Even that Archer is not worth mentioning. Quickly eliminate Tokiomi Tohsaka."

Gazing into the darkness below, Kirei Kotomine expressionlessly gave his final command to his Hundred Faces clone. In the woods, unnoticed by the Hundred Faces clone and Kirei Kotomine, a faint red glow emanated from the eyes of several crows.

Meanwhile, in the church in Fuyuki City, under the dim light, Kotomine Ryou was praying with her eyes closed to the cross on the wall. Under the flickering candlelight, the shadow that stretched out from Kotomine Ryou trembled violently. Then, a hunched-over pervert in a tight-fitting bodysuit with a white bone mask on his face stepped out from Kotomine Ryou's trembling shadow.

"Has it started yet?"

"It's already begun. That idiot has gone to the Tohsaka family. You can prepare to pronounce his death sentence."

A hoarse voice sounded from behind. Kotomine stopped praying, took out the spirit disc for monitoring servants from his coat. Although he didn't understand why there was a hierarchy of contempt among these Assassins when they were all the same person, Kotomine Rise quietly waited for news of the scapegoat, considering his promise to Tokiomi Tohsaka.

As the bodysuit-clad pervert re-emerged into the shadows, the church returned to silence once more. At this moment, the church, which was once a sacred place, lost its solemnity. The darkness outside the flickering lights seemed to be filled with countless demons from hell spying on the human world. Dark shadows flashed behind the stained glass from time to time, and the mournful cries of crows poured into the church through the thick walls. Sensing the abnormality around him, Kotomine Rin, who was standing under the cross, opened his eyes.

"Assassin, isn't this over yet?"

"It'll be soon, that monkey is about to turn into a hedgehog."

The moment the unfamiliar voice rang out, Kotomine Riki drew the black key from his waist. Beneath his black priest's robes, his muscles bulged, and the nearly seventy-year-old man instantly displayed a spirit far beyond his years.

"Unknown Servant, please stop here. The Church is the overseer of the Holy Grail War and remains in a neutral zone. If your Master seeks refuge, I welcome you. However, if you forcibly interfere with the Church's operations, the Holy Church will punish your Master!!"

"Overseers? Neutrality? Hah—!! You guys are as hypocritical as ever!!"

Cold sweat trickled down his forehead. While remaining wary of the surrounding darkness, Kotomine Risei tried to contact Kotomine Kirei, who was far away in the city, using the church's secret techniques. Even though he was panicking inside, Kotomine Risei maintained a calm expression on his face.

"Since the beginning of the Holy Grail War, the Church has always been the overseer of the Holy Grail War. The Church will fairly grant protection to every Master who has lost their qualification. If you do not wish to be judged by the Church, please leave immediately!!"

Just as Kirei Kotomine was trying to threaten Morgan, a rift suddenly opened in the sky above the church, and eight corpses of various shapes and sizes, all wrapped in black bodysuits, crashed heavily to the floor. Realizing that all the Assassins left by Kirei Kotomine in the church had been dealt with by that unknown servant, Kirei Kotomine's breath caught in his throat for a moment.

"I never imagined that the church, which is supposed to be the overseer, would also have the habit of keeping rats. Servants, stay away, heh..."

Laughter came from all directions. Kotomine Ryougi silently pressed his back against the wall, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness under the lamplight. The air fell silent again, with only the dissipating aura of Assassin floating in the air.

"Unknown servant, thank you for clearing the intruders from the church. As the overseer, the church will reward your master. Would you please show yourself for a chat?"

Completely deprived of his support, Kotomine Ryomasa struggled to suppress his abnormal heartbeat, trying to extract information from Morgan while constantly stalling for time. The church's communications were blocked, but the connection between Assassins could not be severed by magic. Each of the Hundred Faces could sense the death of the others. As long as he could stall for time, Kotomine Ryomasa could survive.

"Oh, so you were an intruder? It seems I misunderstood."

A dark figure, whose appearance was obscured, emerged from the shadows. Seeing that the unknown servant had appeared, Kotomine Ryou was on guard against Morgan while subtly manipulating the spirit disc on her chest.

"Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up..."

*Pfft!*

A slender arm extended from the wall behind Kotomine Risei, and a dagger called Invading Gold pierced Kotomine Risei's heart amidst a blue light.

"But unfortunately, I've never denied that I wasn't an intruder~~"

Sensing that his consciousness and soul were being stripped away, Kotomine Riki tried desperately to turn his neck to see the other person's true face. However, in the face of this dagger, whose original form was capable of piercing Tiamat's soul, the consciousness of a mere human was so weak.

The soulless and spiritless body slid down the wall, crushing the sphere of light that held the soul and spirit in its hand. With a swift stroke, an arm was swallowed by the crack that had opened up.

......

"Seven hundred and thirty-one, seven hundred and thirty-two..."

In the woods outside the church, Aozaki Aoko was idly counting the feathers of a crow in front of her. Sensing someone approaching, she released the crow's neck and stretched.

"Busy working?"

"Yes, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Aoko."

"It's alright, it's still early. Let's go grab some late-night snacks, we won't have time later."

The stripped-away timeline returned to normal. Aozaki Aoko patted the downy hair on her hands and skipped down the mountain path. Watching the energetic Aozaki Aoko ahead, Morgan quickly caught up with that cheerful figure amidst the blazing fire of the church.

"Hey, Aoko, are there any other good restaurants around here? I'd like to try some."

Recalling the girl who always seemed unhappy whenever she saw mashed potatoes, Morgan, who had already realized his feelings for Artoria under Aozaki Aoko's influence, also wanted to do something.

"Is this a good restaurant? It's decided, we're going to have barbecue tonight!!"

With her hands behind her back, her body ramrod straight, and her head tilted, Aozaki Aoko displayed her energy with a cheerful spin to Morgan, who was following closely behind. The girlish charm that Aozaki Aoko, who could already be called an aunt (crossed out), unintentionally revealed made Morgan's heart skip a beat.

"If only she could show me that look..."

"Caster, don't you like barbecue? If so, then there's also..."

"No, no, no, I like it very much. Let's go."

Aoko's face suddenly appeared before him. Feeling the warmth from her skin, Morgan, who had never experienced anything like this before, subconsciously looked away, his body tensing as he quickly moved to Aoko's side.

"Then there's no problem. Time for midnight snack! Let's go!!"

Led by Aozaki Aoko, Morgan's lips curled into a slight smile as he followed the girl's footsteps toward the night market below.

Chapter 46 Kirei Kotomine, in a perverted state...

Previous Mom.jpg

P.S.: I'll delete this picture tonight, if it survives to be published...

In Fuyuki City, at an imperceptible distance, Kenneth's gaze was immediately drawn to the perverted man jogging at night in a tight-fitting suit. Under Kenneth's watchful eye, the Hundred-Faced Split-Person, with a series of somersaults and a triple somersault in mid-air, leaped into the Tohsaka family's backyard. Pebbles flew out, and all the gems that Tohsaka Tokiomi had placed in the flowerbed were shattered.

"Pshaw, easy peasy."

Wearing a skull mask, Hyakume rose gracefully amidst the fluttering petals, tossing her non-existent hair. Like Archer in a tight-fitting suit, Hyakume left Kirei Kotomine above with a smug and imposing silhouette.

With narrowed eyes, he casually tossed a pebble, causing the barrier protecting the Tohsaka residence to tremble violently. Invisible magic swept across, and facing this all-encompassing scan, Hyakuma's lips curled into a triumphant smile. He tilted his head back, bent over, and moved sideways... like an old general on a stage, Hyakuma did his best to show off his flexible body to the surrounding audience.

The detection magic swept past, and Bai Mao's head tilted slightly to the side. Like a dancer on a knife's edge, this split personality tried its best to show off its superb gymnastic skills as it moved closer to the core of the barrier.

"Easy peasy, he's just a mere magician."

Like a dancer taking their final bow, the Hundred-Faced clone raised his arms high, his eyes filled with disdain as he looked at the red gem. He gave a flamboyant bow and then extended his hands, which were covered by his bodysuit, toward the gem located at the core of the spell.

"Hahahaha, seeing how diligently you've pleased me, I'll mercifully grant you death!! You mongrel!!"

"Bakana!!"

*Pfft!*

Just as the Hundred-Faced Spirit split its head, the spear that shot out pierced through Hassan's hand along with the gem.

"You groveling mongrel, who gave you permission to look me in the eye?!"

Golden ripples obscured the sky above the Tohsaka residence, and countless Noble Phantasms rained down on Hassan below. Before he could utter a complete sentence, the Hundred Faces, who had been putting on a show for so long, unleashed all of his equipment.

“Insects should act like insects. A mongrel like you has no right to admire the glory of the king.”

The golden light that had blotted out the sky dissipated, and Gilgamesh, his face etched with coldness, turned and disappeared from the rooftop of the Tohsaka residence. Kenneth looked away and gazed at Karna, whose eyes were now shining.

"Well, what do you think, that Hero King?"

"He is very strong, his arrogance is boundless, and his decisions are decisive. Although it is not something I can understand, I have to admit his kingly demeanor."

Recalling Gilgamesh's arrogance, Karna pondered for a moment before offering a slightly envious assessment.

"Lancer, you don't need to envy him. Right now, he's just a guy who's obsessed with tax evasion. You two are not the same type of people. I actually prefer you, Lancer."

"Is that so? Master, you trust me that much?"

"Really, Lancer, you need to have some faith in me. I've entrusted my future to you, and I have absolutely no reservations about trusting you."

A firelight flickered in his pale green eyes as Karna solemnly turned his gaze to Kenneth beside him.

"Master, I swear here that until the last moment of my life, I will do everything in my power to shoulder your future."

Karna's calm words revealed his fiery will. He took a deep breath and gently touched the back of his fist to Karna's hand, which was covered by gauntlets.

"Thank you, Lancer. No matter what the future holds, you will always be the best servant in my heart."

……

Standing before the cliff, watching his Hundred-Faced Clone, whom he trusted implicitly, die tragically before his eyes, an unprecedented emotion began to stir within Kirei Kotomine's otherwise unmoved heart.

"This feeling? What is it?"

His empty eyes looked down at his trembling palms, and even Kirei Kotomine didn't realize that the corners of his mouth had slightly turned up.

"Master, all of us who stayed behind at the church died a moment ago, but I've already rushed over to the rest."