The Sajyou Household.
A man named Sajyou Hiroki knelt on the tatami, a complicated expression on his face as he held a cup of hot tea.
"Father..."
Suddenly, a gentle and pleasant voice sounded from behind.
Sajyou Ayaka—also the younger sister of Sajyou Manaka.
"You seem worried lately..."
"Where's my sister?"
She asked quietly.
Sajyou Hiroki replied in a low voice, "Your sister left for London from the Sajyou house just recently."
"London..."
Ayaka repeated softly. Sensing something, her expression shifted slightly as she spoke, "She went to find brother, didn't she?"
She soon pressed, "Why did you let her go by herself...? With your character, you shouldn't have let her out alone... After all, she's the most important heir for revitalizing the family."
Hiroki didn't reply, bitterness welling up inside.
Long ago, when he first recognized Manaka as a rare genius in a hundred years, he placed high hopes and much love on her.
But... for the past year, he'd found himself unable to control her at all.
She was born connected to the Root, knowing everything, and so she lost her "humanity." She couldn't distinguish right from wrong, couldn't empathize with others' pain, and so-called familial affection in "Sajyou Manaka" had no meaning... In this family, her love was reserved only for the adopted son.
Of course, he hadn't wanted Manaka to leave the family... but he couldn't stop her.
At this point, he didn't even hope much for the family's revival anymore... As long as Ayaka and the rest of the family lived well, that was enough.
As for Izaya...
Hiroki closed his eyes and sighed quietly.
Only Izaya, with his "Empathy" magic, could communicate with Manaka... He could only hope the man would soothe her.
The man prayed silently.
…
A leaden canopy pressed heavily over London, England.
Rain fell—not a heavy downpour, but the fine, never-ending drizzle unique to this ancient city.
The Clock Tower.
Staring at the smiling girl before him, Izaya was momentarily dazed.
His first reaction was: "Am I still dreaming?"
But at this moment, the faint fragrance from Manaka's dress, and the tangible warmth of her body, told him—this was no dream, but reality.
Noticing Izaya's confused gaze, the golden-haired girl sobered from her earlier joy.
"Brother... brother...?"
She looked up at him, her clear eyes like sapphires washed in a lake—pure and limpid.
Yet, seeing that Izaya was staring at her without blinking, she blushed and looked down, whispering, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Manaka...?"
Gazing at the girl's beautiful profile, Izaya was again dazed.
"Why are you here?"
"I heard from Father that you might be re-enrolled, and I was a bit worried..."
Manaka elegantly tucked a lock of golden hair behind her ear and said with perfect posture, "But don't worry! I consulted Father, and only came after getting his permission."
Finally, she rose on tiptoe and smiled up at him. "So? Was I obedient?"
A lock of golden hair fell across her forehead, brushing her delicate, cherry-pink lips.
Looking at the girl so close to him, Izaya was momentarily dazed. It had already been three years since he left the Sajyou family... She had really grown up.
Also, they were still engaged.
But... what about Koyanskaya? A wife is a wife, a fiancée is a fiancée... Since coming back, he'd occasionally thought of her, but had no idea how she was now.
If following the original story, she should be secretly preparing some plan with the Foreign God now.
But now, she seemed to be a complete monster without a goal...
But thinking more about it wouldn't help... Even if he wanted to see her, now was not the time.
At least... he had to wait for Manaka to return.
"Why are you staring at me like that? Are you thinking about something?"
"It might not be appropriate, but if you need help, you can ask me," she said, her gaze burning.
Sensing his distraction, she tilted her head. "What's on my brother's mind?"
"Nothing... I just feel like I had a long dream... and I haven't woken up yet," Izaya smiled, shaking his head.
"A dream?"
"Yeah..."
He turned to look at the rain pouring endlessly over London for three days and nights.
"It was a very unreal dream, and I only just woke up from it."
…
The Department of Mineralogy, in the office.
Kayneth sat quietly at his desk, surrounded by a stack of documents.
Before him were detailed records of the "First Three Holy Grail Wars of Fuyuki."
At that moment, footsteps approached from outside.
He didn't look up, replying coldly, "What a rare sight... Marisbury Animusphere."
Marisbury was, like Kayneth, one of the Clock Tower's Twelve Lords—the Lord of Astronomy.
To the outside world, the Clock Tower seemed like a single organization, but in reality, each Lord symbolized a powerful magical lineage, and competition (even hostility) for power and resources was the norm.
It was rare for one Lord to seek another out.
Ignoring Kayneth's hostility, Marisbury simply smiled. "I heard you're heading to Fuyuki soon for the Holy Grail War?"
"Marisbury, you know I dislike beating around the bush... Speak your mind," Kayneth said coolly.
"I want to make a deal."
Marisbury gazed at Kayneth and spoke slowly. "This deal concerns the NFF Services company."
Kayneth raised a brow, his tone turning slightly contemptuous. "For her? When did Lords of Astronomy or Mineralogy ever need to waste time on a 'nouveau riche' company like that?"
Marisbury laughed, shaking his head. "Drop the arrogance, Kayneth... If that 'nouveau riche' wanted, she could buy the entire Clock Tower."
"I've done my homework... The founder and CEO of NFF Services, handling projects from weapons to consulting, logistics, and information trading."
Seeing Kayneth unmoved, Marisbury continued, "She's also involved in internal business—illegal trades, fantasy species bio-modification, and Mystic Codes."
"With her support, you'd have practically unlimited financial backing... That's why so many Lords are interested now."
"Is that all you came to say?"
Kayneth raised an eyebrow. "You're that generous with your 'colleagues'?"
He emphasized "colleagues" with a hint of sarcasm.
"Of course not..." Marisbury smiled. "I don't know if you'll win her support, but I figured, since you're preparing for the Holy Grail War, you'd want to look into 'relics.'"
"What relic is it that you want to offer up?"
Kayneth frowned.
Marisbury lit a cigar, exhaled a smoke ring, and looked Kayneth in the eye.
"I heard... It's a holy relic.
Used to summon someone in the Holy Grail War."
…