"Assassin is gone, Kirei, there's no need to hold back your power any longer!"
"Yes, I understand!" Kotomine Kirei's low voice came from the other end of the communicator… Tōsaka Tokiomi knew that he was finally going to leave this place and step onto his own battlefield… But he wouldn't know that it was a path of no return for him… Under the moonlight, Ryougi Raku stood silently, gazing at the ancient, unchanging moon, secretly planning his future actions… He never believed he would lose from the start; he always considered himself the victor. The slight tremor in the long blade in his hand made him sense something inexplicable—a call from another world… 'How can I open it?' This question puzzled Ryougi Raku, yet he truly had no solution. He knew exactly where that other world was—the one connected to this long blade, which was his teacher's transformed body… 'World-hopping? If I can find a way, I should be able to do it, right?' The thought that he might not need to become invincible to travel between worlds excited Ryougi Raku.
'Will I be able to find you?' That figure still lingered in his mind.
"Master?" Seeing Ryougi Raku stand still, Lancer asked softly.
"It's nothing, Lancer!" With a slight smile, indicating it was fine, "Let's go. I have a feeling that the end of this war isn't as far off as we imagine…"
"Yes!" The loyal knight responded. For him, he had already gained his spoils of war from this conflict!
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Ryougi Raku sat by the window, basking lazily in the pouring sunlight, occasionally turning a page of the book in his hand. Lancer sat beside him, while Sakura Matou obediently poured tea, sometimes glancing curiously at the book's cover.
"Sakura, have you read all those magic books?" Ryougi Raku suddenly closed his book and asked with a smile.
"Ah!" As if startled, Sakura Matou, who had been steadily watching Ryougi Raku, lightly covered her small mouth and took a step back.
"Um, I've read them, but there's a lot I don't understand…" Lowering her head, Sakura shyly replied, a hint of unease in her voice.
"It's alright. Although it's basic magic, Sakura is still young, so there's no need to push yourself too hard. But, you must work hard!" Ryougi Raku encouraged her with a smile that didn't quite match his age.
"Mm, I will, Big Brother…" Sakura Matou nodded firmly, making her promise.
"The tea's gone…" Holding his teacup, Ryougi Raku shook his hand, chuckling.
"…Big Brother, wait a moment!" Looking at the teapot in her hand, Sakura turned and went downstairs, apparently to fetch more water.
Ryougi Raku felt perfectly justified in ordering a child around… "Lord Ryougi, why are you reading these?" Lancer asked with considerable curiosity.
The books in Ryougi Raku's hand included biographies of King Arthur, Alexander the Great, and even stories about Lancer himself… "Hehehe, Lancer, after thousands of years of records, the content written in these books is so different from what actually happened. King Arthur was a woman, and Alexander was also different from what's recorded in books. Tell me, how many mysteries in this world are buried in history?" Ryougi Raku said, half-sighing.
Of course, Ryougi Raku didn't mention that even Lancer's life, which he had seen in a dream, was different from what was recorded in books… Lancer shook his head, indicating he didn't know. Ryougi Raku merely sighed, naturally not expecting Lancer to have an answer.
"…But, humans fear the unknown, yet they don't realize that the unknown is what truly captivates the heart." Ryougi Raku suddenly said, as if profound. Then, he fell silent… The scene became quiet for a moment… "Big Brother, the tea is ready!" Sakura Matou ran upstairs, calling out to Ryougi Raku.
"…Sakura, be careful!" Quickly taking the tea from Sakura's hand, Ryougi Raku looked at Sakura with an approving gaze, his previous calmness vanishing… But his thoughts drifted unconsciously. The world of his previous life, the world of this life—how different were they, really?
...Saber was happily driving the Mercedes, speeding down the road. As a knight, she possessed the inherent skill of Riding, so driving a car was no problem for her.
This sensation, different from a warhorse, greatly excited Saber. She finally understood the joy Irisviel had felt while driving earlier.
"Saber, how does it feel?" Irisviel, sitting in the passenger seat, asked.
"Hmm, a truly remarkable mount, simply unimaginable!" Saber praised frankly.
"But Saber, you're amazing! Even though it's your first time in a car, you drive so well!" Irisviel said curiously.
"I also have a very strange feeling, as if I've controlled one a long time ago. I can do it reflexively…"
"Hehe~ By the way, Saber, Maiya has already entered Fuyuki City!" Irisviel chuckled.
Hisau Maiya's magical treatment from the Einzbern family healed her quickly, but the cost was also great… "However, isn't that new stronghold too close to the center of the battlefield?" Saber worried.
"It's nothing. The Matou and Tōsaka families are directly constructing defensive works within the city, and other Masters also live in the city. In fact, the Einzbern family looks more out of place…" Irisviel interrupted Saber's worries.
"Moreover, Einzbern Castle is simply too conspicuous; almost all Servants have been there." Irisviel sighed, helpless.
"This new stronghold is actually more hidden and safe!"
Saber ultimately agreed with Irisviel's point of view. Together, the two of them arrived at the residence where Shirou Emiya would eventually live… Waver held a book, reading with rapt attention. This was a habit he'd had since childhood; once he got a book, he'd immerse himself in it.
While reading the book in his hand, Waver kept an eye out for Rider's return. If Rider saw the title of the book, something bad would surely happen… This was a bookstore in Fuyuki City.
"Oh oh! Found him!" The massive figure found the small one among the narrow bookshelves.
"Hahaha! Look! It's 'Admiral's Grand Strategy IV'! It just came out today, and I got the first-press limited edition! Indeed, my luck isn't just for show!" Rider laughed heartily, excitedly shaking the item in his hand.
"…I mean, you actually bought a video game!" Looking at the large bag in Rider's hand, from which he pulled out only a small disc, Waver shook his head helplessly.
"Alright, let's go, kid. Let's hurry back and play together. I even bought an extra controller!" Rider seemed to have the potential to become an otaku… "I'm telling you! I have no interest in such vulgar games!" Waver shook his head in refusal.
Rider frowned and sighed, "Oh, come on, are you just going to immerse yourself in your own world? Don't you ever seek happiness?"
"Don't bother me! I'm a magus who explores the truths of the world. How could I have leisure time for such meaningless things?"
"Then, you waste it on this book?" Rider suddenly picked up a book.
"Hey hey hey hey hey hey! No, no, it's not! No, wait, how did you know I was reading this book?!"
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(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) ‹ (TL : More Chapters @patreon.com/c/Gooberilla)