The next day, Shinji learned that his grandfather had gone abroad on a trip.
For a time, peace returned to the Matou household.
Over the following days, Shirou Amamiya continued staying at the Matou residence.
With Byakuya Matou's arrangements, he obtained proper identification and enrolled in an elementary school in Fuyuki, becoming classmates with the Matou siblings.
During the day, he went to school with them, learning about the world.
At night, through [Magical Terminal Makiri], he gathered information about the hidden side of Proper Human History.
Before long, Shirou Amamiya learned of the secret ritual known as the Fuyuki Holy Grail War—as well as the deeper, darker truth behind it.
...
...
The Holy Grail War.
A secret Magecraft ritual held every sixty years, built upon the vast leylines beneath Fuyuki City.
Its participants are seven Magi, along with seven Heroic Spirits summoned into the world through a ritual of manifestation.
These seven pairs fight one another until a single victor remains.
At the center of the ritual lies the Holy Grail, known as the "omnipotent wish-granting device."
That is the version told on the surface.
Through [Magical Terminal Makiri], however, Shirou Amamiya also obtained the deeper truth.
A secret known only to the three founding Magus families of the Holy Grail War: the Einzbern, Matou, and Tohsaka.
The so-called "omnipotent wish-granting device" was nothing more than a lie, spread to conceal the true value of the ritual and reduce the number of powerful competitors.
The true purpose of the Holy Grail War was to sacrifice all seven Heroic Spirits and use them to reach the Root.
The Root.
The origin point of all phenomena.
A place that records everything in existence, from beginning to end. The seat of all that is.
"Cause" gives rise to "effect."
"Cause" contains "effect."
Reach the origin, and you can know and manipulate all outcomes.
For Magi who pursue truth, reaching the Root is the ultimate and final goal.
Because the three founding families concealed the fact that "the Holy Grail can open a path to the Root," the Fuyuki Holy Grail War never attracted serious attention from the wider Magecraft world.
"I see… the Root…"
Shirou murmured, a look of realization crossing his face.
"Morgan mentioned something like this before…"
So that's why she named my eyes the "Mystic Eyes of the End."
"To reach the origin" and "to reach the end."
Two phrases that sound completely opposite, yet in Magecraft, they point to the same truth.
"But still… the fairy world doesn't even have a Magecraft civilization. How did Morgan know something this deep?"
Even if he would never see her again, Shirou couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of respect for his savior.
"It's me. Byakuya Matou."
That evening, Byakuya Matou came to the study where Shirou had been spending most of his time.
Since that night, he had never once regarded Shirou as an ordinary seven-year-old.
To him, Zouken Matou had been an absolute, terrifying authority.
And yet, the monster who had ruled the Matou family for centuries had been eliminated near his own workshop by a mere child.
Shirou Amamiya was a monster that had devoured another monster.
Something even more terrifying.
Although Shirou had stated that Byakuya Matou would take charge of the Matou family from now on, the man couldn't truly believe it.
He had once effectively served as Zouken Matou's secretary.
Now, his duties remained mostly the same.
With one addition.
Teaching Shinji and Sakura the basics of Magecraft.
That was the only task Shirou Amamiya had given him.
Although it might sound strange coming from his own father, does Shinji really have any aptitude for Magecraft?
He truly couldn't understand the boy.
At this rate, the next head of the Matou family would likely be chosen between those two.
Shinji had absolutely no talent.
The daughter of the Tohsaka Family, on the other hand, was a once-in-a-century genius.
The gap between them was enormous, but—who would ultimately become the next head of the Matou family, for now, depended entirely on Shirou Amamiya's decision.
"So… what do you intend to do?"
"Hm?"
Byakuya Matou quickly clarified, "I mean the upcoming Fourth Holy Grail War."
"Ah, right. The Matou family is one of the Three Founding Families, so we can't ignore it."
The red-haired boy looked at him.
"Zouken is gone. Byakuya Matou, are you planning to participate?"
Byakuya Matou shook his head immediately. With his level of talent, it was unlikely he would even manifest Command Spells.
"Then I guess no one from the Matou family will be participating," Shirou said, sounding a bit disappointed.
To be honest, he was quite interested in the Holy Grail War.
As for the "Holy Grail" that grants any wish, the so-called omnipotent wish-granting device, or even the Root, none of that really interested him. It all sounded rather dull.
What truly caught Shirou's interest were the beings known as Heroic Spirits.
Sensing the boy's thoughts, Byakuya Matou spoke in a low voice:
"Couldn't you participate yourself…?"
Shirou thought to himself: I don't have any wish I want the Holy Grail to grant. It wouldn't choose me anyway…
"Shirou! Come play! I bought a new card game!"
"Shirou-nii-san! Where are you?"
The voices of Shinji Matou and Sakura Matou broke his train of thought.
Honestly, kids should act like kids. Just enjoy your childhood.
Shirou walked toward the two of them. At that moment, a loud bang came from the entrance.
"Zouken!!! Get out here!!!"
A young man in a tracksuit shouted from the entryway.
Shirou instinctively moved to shield Sakura and Shinji behind him, inwardly sighing.
What is it this time?
...
...
The man who barged into the mansion was Kariya Matou.
Though he lacked the family's signature seaweed-purple hair, he was undeniably of Matou blood, even if he had left home ten years ago and cut ties with the family.
"Hah? You're telling me that old parasite who can't stand the light went abroad? You think I'd believe something like that, Byakuya?!"
"Believe it or not! And stop shouting at the door! After everything, how do you even have the nerve to come back?"
The moment Kariya Matou and Byakuya Matou faced each other, the brothers fell into a heated argument.
"Sakura!"
Kariya Matou spotted the girl hiding behind Shirou, shoved Byakuya Matou aside, and rushed over.
"Eek!"
His expression was so intense and agitated that Shinji let out a startled cry.
"Sakura! Did Zouken do anything to you?!"
The man dropped to his knees and grabbed her arm tightly.
"Ah… Kariya-uncle… it hurts…"
Sakura Matou winced in pain.
At that moment, a hand gently rested on Kariya's shoulder.
"I understand how you feel. Sakura is fine. Just calm down first."
Shirou spoke softly, blinking rapidly.
After seeing what just happened, he had already grasped the situation.
With Kariya Matou in this state, reasoning with him wouldn't work. So Shirou chose a more direct approach.
He infused his words with a subtle suggestion.
"…Alright."
Kariya Matou nodded blankly and followed him into the reception room.
There, under the calming effect of Magecraft, he listened as everything was explained.
Sakura Matou had not been harmed.
And the malignant presence looming over the Matou family, Zouken Matou, had already been eliminated.
"That's impossible…"
Even under suggestion, Kariya Matou couldn't accept it.
"How am I supposed to believe that that immortal monster was defeated by a seven-year-old child?"
"Kukuku… just like always. Still as pathetic as ever, Kariya."
As Kariya Matou's thoughts stalled, a damp, eerie chuckle echoed through the room.
"!!!"
He sprang to his feet, looking around in alarm.
"Cut the act. Where are you? Get out here! Zouken Matou!"
He would never mistake that voice.
It belonged to that monster.
"Stop making a scene. Even I feel embarrassed for you."
The voice came from the rubber duck sitting on the table.
Kariya Matou: "???"