"Investigations have concluded that the loud noise heard in the city the night before last was caused by an explosion resulting from an open flame igniting a residential gas pipe. The incident resulted in the death of one elderly person from the household, with no other casualties reported."
"This station reminds everyone to use household energy sources properly. Open flames are prohibited near gas or biogas systems to prevent similar incidents from recurring..."
Inside the television station, the news from two days prior was being broadcast.
When he left the insect nest earlier, he hadn't controlled his strength properly and accidentally blew the roof right off that small bungalow. Quite a few people had heard the noise that night.
Sure enough, it was another one of those 'gas explosion' type incidents.
This time, however, the official explanation was a biogas explosion.
As Matou Byakuya put it, the old man at home was usually restless, liked tinkering with the septic tank, and used the biogas to supplement the household income.
Who would have thought that this time, he'd accidentally encounter an open flame, sending the entire biogas digester sky-high.
Which meant, in the eyes of outsiders, Matou Zouken met his end in a 'combustible waste-related incident'.
Let's just say, being able to tell people his old man was blown up by shit, that Matou Byakuya really has a special kind of filial piety, doesn't he?
But then, considering the oppressive atmosphere in the Matou household, maybe it's not all that far-fetched?
"Another peace-ful day, huh."
Mydei took a gentle sip of the hot coffee little Sakura had handed him and couldn't help but sigh.
"Is this... about what happened that night, Big Brother?" Sakura looked curiously at the content on the TV.
"Yep. Even though it caused quite a stir, this place, Fuyuki City, has always had all sorts of explosions happening since way back when. So the citizens are pretty used to it by now."
Just saying it made Mydei feel a bit exasperated.
Because magi were quite active here in Fuyuki City, supernatural phenomena occurred from time to time.
To cover up the aftermath, the TV station would use reports to divert people's attention.
Over time, the people of Fuyuki themselves got used to it. Every time a similar report came out, the citizens would roast the city's gas company all over again.
To be honest, the gas company was pretty hard done by. They used the best equipment, so why did explosions still happen?
But after all these years, since they'd already been taking the heat for so long and were used to it, the gas company just went with the flow. Go ahead and complain, just remember to pay your gas bill.
"Mmm, that night I accidentally used a bit too much strength, which made the commotion rather loud."
Mydei nodded, looking at the well-behaved Sakura beside him.
"So... Grandpa is dead, right?"
Sakura looked at the information on the TV, feeling a bit lost for a moment. "Where should I go now? Father didn't want me, and I can't go back to the Matou house..."
"He's dead. If I hadn't killed him, he would have hurt more people. Don't worry, I'll take good care of you. After all, you're my Master. I couldn't just abandon you."
As he spoke, Mydei gently took Sakura's right hand. On the back of her pale, tender hand were three vivid red Command Spells.
Of course, in reality, these Command Spells were somewhat ceremonial. The Holy Grail's bit of magical energy couldn't really enhance Mydei. The Grail's true form might have been a different story.
"It's getting late, time for bed. I'll look after you from now on. As for the Holy Grail War, don't worry. I'll protect you. And the ultimate victor will definitely be us."
As a child from a magus family, Sakura naturally knew about the Holy Grail War. Tohsaka Tokiomi had been going on about it for years.
Even though he hadn't explained the details to his two daughters, the clever Sakura had picked up on it.
"Big Brother, if we participate in the Holy Grail War, will we encounter Father?"
Sakura's eyes showed a trace of conflict, as if she had thought of something.
"Naturally. Your father, Tohsaka Tokiomi, has always wanted to win the Holy Grail War. He summoned a Servant yesterday; I could sense his magical energy."
"Then... could you go easy on him when you face Father? You're very strong, Big Brother. Father couldn't beat you."
As she spoke, Sakura's eyes held a hint of nervousness.
"Sakura... you don't hate him?"
Mydei raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat surprised at the little girl before him.
"Father... he meant well. I could feel it. Even though he almost pushed me into the abyss, his intentions were good. If I had actually been pushed into the worm pit, maybe I would hate him. But since it didn't happen...?"
A smile, gentle as an angel's, spread across Sakura's face as she spoke slowly.
It was hard to believe these words came from a girl not even ten years old.
"If it truly comes to that, I'll spare his life. You have my word, and I always keep my promises."
"Mmm, thank you, Big Brother."
After receiving Mydei's promise, Sakura visibly brightened. She immediately gave him a light hug, then pattered off towards her room in the new pink slippers Mydei had just bought for her.
"Well then... Goodnight, Big Brother."
After opening the door and stepping inside, Sakura peeked back out with half her head showing and spoke softly.
"Goodnight, go get some rest." Mydei nodded and replied slowly.
Watching the door close gently, Mydei sat on the sofa in thought.
He waited until the breathing from the room gradually steadied into the rhythm of sleep before he stood up, quietly and carefully closing the main door.
Sakura was very sensible. She had hidden her emotions well these past two days. But after all, she was just a child under ten.
Most kids her age were still acting spoiled in their parents' arms, yet Sakura had already been through so much.
Although Sakura displayed maturity and understanding far beyond her years, a trace of sadness would still flit across her face unintentionally.
Even if her words sounded forgiving, Tohsaka Tokiomi's actions had still hurt the child.
Mydei, well, he just couldn't stand seeing a child wear that kind of expression.
But this kind of heartache was something Mydei couldn't cure.
It was also the reason for his foul mood. So now, Mydei decided to go vent a little. Hmm, the Tohsaka residence seemed like a fine destination.
Even though Tohsaka Tokiomi had now fortified his home into a magus workshop and had already summoned a Servant, that level of magecraft was like a toy in Mydei's eyes.
And while Gilgamesh was strong, he was still a Servant in his conventional state.
The real Gilgamesh in his full glory would give even the current Mydei a bit of a headache, let alone this version, the chuuni-version, who could only wield a fraction of his power as a Servant?
Sure, he'd gotten along well with the Wise King Caster Gilgamesh back in the Absolute Demonic Front, but that was the Wise King—a Gilgamesh who had achieved enlightenment after experiencing the death of his best friend and numerous other hardships.
The one Tohsaka Tokiomi summoned was the absolute asshole version through and through.
--+--
"Kirei, what are the results of the investigation?"
Inside the room, Tohsaka Tokiomi paced back and forth. It wasn't until the door opened and Kotomine Kirei walked in that Tokiomi settled down, looking at him with a trace of anxiety in his eyes.
"It's been confirmed. Matou Zouken is indeed dead. Furthermore, there were no signs of a struggle at the Matou residence." "
The enemy defeated Matou Zouken extremely quickly. Zouken himself didn't even put up a decent fight."
"I questioned Matou Byakuya, but he claimed to know nothing about the incident. By the time they arrived, the enemy had already left. Matou Sakura also disappeared at that time."
Kotomine Kirei relayed his findings methodically.
"It seems the Matou family will have to withdraw from this Grail War... But who exactly took Sakura? That old insect vessel was a magus of not-insignificant attainment."
"Someone who could kill him so swiftly... Could it be someone from the Clock Tower? Aiming to secure victory in the Holy Grail War by eliminating Zouken before he could summon a Servant?"
"In that case... the Grail would be forced to select another Master..."
Tohsaka Tokiomi frowned. "But why take Sakura? She is innocent."
"Perhaps they noticed Matou Sakura's talent by chance and decided to take her on a whim?"
"A Sealing Designation!"
(T/N: Not sure why Matou Sakura would need a sealing designation other than her origin and element both being Imaginary Numbers, but idk if that warrants such worry, but hey, thats what they wrote)
Tokiomi shot to his feet, almost afraid to continue that line of thought. What would become of Sakura if she fell into the hands of another magus?
"Tokiomi, you are losing your composure."
At that moment, Gilgamesh, who had been silent until now, spoke coolly.
"My apologies, my King. Although I sent Sakura to the Matou family, she was once my daughter. Please understand a father's concern."
Hearing Gilgamesh's voice, Tokiomi immediately bowed and apologized.
Seeing Tokiomi's excessively reverent demeanor, Gilgamesh didn't look pleased but instead furrowed his brow slightly.
"How dull..."
He shook his head. "As my retainer, you should remain calm at all times. In your speculation, if that magus's goal is the Holy Grail War, then as long as the war continues, the opponent will inevitably appear. So, Tokiomi, why this panic?"
Gilgamesh snorted coldly, his tone challenging.
His words weren't pleasant, but upon hearing them, a look of ecstatic relief spread across Tokiomi's face. "My King, do you mean... you will assist me?"
"Since we have a lord-vassal relationship, is that not as it should be?"
Gilgamesh snorted again but didn't elaborate further, instead leaning back on the sofa, hands behind his head, closing his eyes to rest.
"I am grateful for your Majesty's grace." Tokiomi hurriedly bowed in thanks.
"I must trouble you, Kirei. You'll have to work hard these next few days. We still don't know the specific identities of the other participants. I need you to gather as much intelligence as possible."
"The moment you have news of any other Masters, inform me immediately."
Tohsaka Tokiomi looked towards Kotomine Kirei as he spoke.
"I will, Teacher." Kotomine Kirei nodded in acknowledgment.
"Someone is coming. An enemy. Fast."
Just as Kotomine Kirei was about to leave, Gilgamesh, who had been resting nearby, suddenly frowned and issued a warning.
"Only the first day, and already they can't hold back? However, this is my workshop. Even if the enemy has a Servant, this is far too reckless. It seems our foe lacks brains, unaware of the price one pays for forcibly invading a properly prepared magus's workshop."
Tohsaka Tokiomi chuckled coldly, speaking with confidence.
Yet, the moment his words fell, a deafening roar erupted from his courtyard.
Immediately after, Tokiomi felt the numerous magical traps and devices he had set up in the yard being wiped out in an instant—completely annihilated.
That fortress-like magus workshop was utterly destroyed in a single moment.
"Rather interesting. Let us see who this mongrel is, daring to barge in alone."
A look of interest appeared on Gilgamesh's face. As he spoke, he rose directly from the sofa and strode towards the small courtyard outside the door.
Seeing this, Tokiomi quickly followed.
"Did something just hit me a moment ago?"
Mydei rubbed his arm. His speed had been too high when he charged into the courtyard. Then he noticed all these red and yellow flashes in the yard, and it seemed like he might have taken a few hits?
But since the attacks were so weak, Mydei couldn't even be bothered to dodge, just letting them strike his body.
To put it in numbers... Tohsaka Tokiomi activated Trap Cards! Enemy takes 100 damage!
Sounds like a lot. Then you glance at Mydei's health bar—on that deep, crimson, almost black bar, 100 HP wasn't even a visible sliver.
Then, Mydei simply stood with his arms crossed in the center of the courtyard, waiting.
With the racket he'd just made, it would be strange if Tokiomi could still sit still.
After all, Mydei's landing shockwave alone had just demolished over half of the other's workshop.
"Mongrel, you dare come here alone? State your name, then come forth and accept your death."
The arrogant voice arrived before its owner. Then, Gilgamesh emerged from the room, followed by Tokiomi and his apprentice.
"Even though I know you're all the same person in essence, this version of you is really hard to like, Gilgamesh."
Looking at the furious face of this chuuni Gil, Mydei kept his arms crossed and spoke with a faint, teasing smile.
"Oh? Interesting. You know this king? Yet this king has no memory of you whatsoever..."
Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, gazing at Mydei with a newly intrigued expression.
"Of course I know you. We were comrades who fought side by side, Gilgamesh. But you wouldn't have those memories. Never mind, speaking in riddles is pointless. I am Mydei, King of Castrum Kremnos, and also the Demigod of Strife. I'm just here to pay my respects."
"King of Castrum Kremnos? Demigod of Strife?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi frowned. In preparation for the Holy Grail War, he had read countless books. Yet, he had no recollection of either 'Castrum Kremnos' or a 'Demigod of Strife.'
However, Tokiomi was quick-witted. He didn't dwell on it, instead giving a slight nod to Kotomine Kirei beside him.
The next moment, Kirei made an almost imperceptible hand gesture.
In an instant, a lean figure emerged from the shadows behind Mydei, a dagger in hand thrusting straight towards Mydei's heart.
Thump...
The sound of a blade piercing flesh rang out. Mydei's heart was brutally impaled at that moment.
The tip of the sword protruded from his chest, and blood began to flow.
It had all been far too smooth, so smooth that even Tokiomi was taken aback that Mydei's heart could be so easily pierced.
Even for a Servant, the heart was definitely a weak point!
"Success!"
A flash of triumphant joy crossed Tohsaka Tokiomi's face.
Whoever this Mydei was, charging alone into the enemy's stronghold was an unwise move no matter how you looked at it.
He didn't even have basic vigilance. Although his raw power seemed formidable, enough that the workshop couldn't stop him, it appeared he was all brawn.
Kotomine Kirei's Servant, the Hundred-Faced Hassan, excelled in intelligence, not direct combat.
Even its key strength—stealth and assassination—was hard to execute, given how sharp Servants' senses were.
Who would have thought that the first kill of this Holy Grail War would be scored by the Hassan, whom Tokiomi hadn't held much hope for initially?
"Fool. Recklessness demands a reckless price. Demigod of Strife? You're not worthy."
Hassan's sinister voice sounded behind Mydei, laced with smugness and scorn for his target.
What Demigod of Strife? Nothing but a boastful fool asking for death!
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.