Chapter 49: Does Einzbern have a special attack against the Matou family?
The sun gradually began to set behind the cliff. The pretty and cute little girl followed the blue-haired boy leading the way in front of her slowly, with the reserve of visiting a stranger.
It wasn't that she was acting; she was truly cautious. From the moment she entered the manor, she could feel unknown little creatures observing her from all directions. Swarms of familiar insects hid beneath eaves, under soil, and in dark corners, serving as guards for the magic workshop.
The Matou family was indeed worthy of being the local authority in Fuyuki City. While it appeared that outsiders could enter at will, the defenses were loose on the outside and tight within. Though the courtyard's security was inconspicuous, with only basic surveillance, the latent magecraft emanating from every building proved that any magi intruding uninvited would face certain death.
As expected of the family of great magi who invented the Crest Worm!
Miss Illyasviel mused inwardly, her earlier exclamation in front of Matou Kariya genuine. She truly thought the person who developed the Crest Worms possessed remarkable talent.
If such mystic creatures capable of altering one's fate were introduced to the outside world, they would likely cause a major stir. After all, didn't obtaining blood, flesh, and mana requires personal resources? For a magi, was it not simple to acquire the necessary magic crystals? As for ordinary people lacking funds to alter their destiny, surely a magi wouldn't fear financial constraints?
Of course, this varied by circumstance. Obtaining magecraft qualifications and circuits was futile without a magi's lineage, and those already possessing such inheritance had no need for crest worms. Thus, while symbolically significant, their practical value remained limited and somewhat redundant.
"Why are you so slow? You're a magi, yet you don't even know how to walk properly? Taking three steps and stopping every two—aren't you annoying?"
Noticing Miss Illyasviel's cautious steps, Matou Shinji stopped impatiently. Initially, his impression of her hadn't been entirely poor.
It wasn't until she explained that she was a friend of Uncle Matou Kariya and had come specifically to visit her grandfather, Matou Zouken, that an inexplicable irritation welled within him toward the cute little girl.
Being young, Shinji failed to consider whether Miss Illyasviel might be lying. His childish perspective couldn't fathom deception from her. Furthermore, his mindset in a situation where "everything was taken away by foreign children" bred resentment toward many things.
"Sorry, sorry, seeing such a large manor reminded me of a certain gentleman I visited recently. I accidentally broke many of his things back then, so I tend to overthink when I see manors like this…"
She pondered how many rounds of explosives would be required to reduce this estate to rubble, how best to empty the Fuyuki City Self-Defense Force's arsenal under nightfall, and how many weapons to seize.
It was rumored that Kenneth resided at the Fuyuki City Hotel—should she sneak over and bomb it tonight?
Miss Illyasviel's somewhat reserved apology quelled the blue-haired boy's irritation. For some reason, neither her tone nor posture invoked any dislike; instead, there seemed to be something uniquely captivating about her presence.
"I'm really sorry… Are you upset?"
"Hmph, no, I'm not! Besides, my Matou family isn't as stingy as that gentleman you mentioned. Destroying a few things here? No big deal. It's just ugly to act so timid."
Though Shinji's tone remained impatient, his pace slowed noticeably.
Now Miss Illyasviel could observe the magecraft structures as they walked.
What could a child her age possibly damage?
Surely only petty concerns plagued such people. Could a mere little girl dismantle an entire manor? Likely, it was an ordinary family—how miserly of them.
Crossing the expansive front yard, the blue-haired boy led Miss Illyasviel to the Matou family's guest side room.
The windows faced the sky, with the sunset casting a lonely glow into the room.
The interior was devoid of electronics or extravagant furnishings. The simple arrangement consisted of a long sofa, a square table, a bookshelf, and a few everyday items.
"Just go in and wait. Grandfather should arrive shortly."
The little boy pointed to the side room door that had been opened.
"No, no need to bother, thank you. I'll just wait at the door. I personally think it's very impolite to sit down and wait before the host arrives."
'After all, there are too many bugs in your room.'
The cute little girl, who looked like a snow fairy, stood stiffly at the gate, staying there quietly without moving.
When the blue-haired boy saw Miss Illyasviel staying there, he understood that she was waiting for his terrible grandfather, so he waved his hand impatiently and prepared to go back to his room without saying anything else. He was not the heir of the Matou family.
His grandfather would not allow him to sit in on such conversations between adults and magi.
Just like the conversation between his uncle Matou Kariya and his grandfather not long ago, where he "voluntarily" was called to go to bed by Uncle Kariya, the blue-haired little boy, named Matou Shinji, had no status in this family.
"Tsk, what a troublesome guy. You are almost the same age as me, but you became a magi. If I could become a magi like you, I wouldn't be like you..." Matou Shinji muttered as he turned around to leave. If he were also a magi, he would not be as reserved as the other person when visiting others, and he would certainly carry the pride of being a magi.
"Well, actually, magecraft talent doesn't determine everything. In today's society, both magi and ordinary people need to be polite."
Miss Illyasviel blinked, clearly having heard the blue-haired boy's mumbling.
As Shinji Matou was about to leave, his body shook. He wasn't sure if the cute little girl was talking to him or to herself.
She gently raised her hand and pulled a few silver threads from her hair. After comforting the other person politely, she began concentrating on sensing how many bugs were approaching her. After all, since the other person was a good person like Uncle Tohsaka Tokiomi and allowed her into his nest through the main gate, she didn't mind giving him a few pointers.
"Huh? Do you know what you're talking about? How can something like magecraft talent not be innate?"
"Congenital blockage of magic circuits and blood acclimatization aren't difficult conditions, right? Although solving them can be troublesome, there are indeed methods to cure them. It's just that the cost isn't proportional to the reward. Moreover, exploring magecraft paths is often dangerous. There's nothing wrong with being a child from a magi family without magecraft talent and living a happy life."
'Really? Truly?'
Ignoring the latter half of her words, Shinji Matou stared blankly at the cute little girl's back. After confirming she was indeed talking to him, he couldn't believe it.
Blockage of magic circuits meant lacking qualifications to be a magi—a congenital defect beyond correction. Despite spending months reading through the Matou family's vast collection of magecraft texts, he found no solution.
Now, this cute little girl was saying otherwise. It felt like a dream.
"What method?" Shinji asked excitedly, having regained his senses.
In his judgment, this angelic girl was a great magi like his grandfather. Surely, she knew magecraft secrets he couldn't comprehend. Even slim hope was worth pursuing.
Miss Illyasviel tilted her head, surprised by Shinji's enthusiasm.
'Don't you have Crest Worms at home that simulate Magic Circuits? Why are you asking me for solutions? Do you think they're useless? Not exactly. Judging by Matou Kariya's experience, quick-made Crest worm were indeed time-consuming.'
"For instance, you can transform yourself and sacrifice your life to gain magecraft abilities. Alternatively, you can join the Holy Church and learn their martial arts, comparable to basic magecraft. Or you can enter a Holy Grail War, wagering everything for the ritual of the universal wishing machine. But that's dangerous, and it requires waiting."
Feeling cold malice nearby, Miss Illyasviel explained kindly to the excited boy. After all, this was basic knowledge.
"I'll bet anything! As long as I can become a magi!"
The young boy didn't grasp Miss Illyasviel's warning fully.
He only knew that having magecraft talent meant reclaiming his rightful place in the Matou family, regaining his family's attention, and restoring his dignity.
"Pfft~ Let's talk again when you're a bit older, kid." Miss Illyasviel chuckled, and the silk threads in her hand transformed into a butterfly that landed on Shinji Matou's shoulder.
"Okay, go play. This butterfly is your reward for showing me the way."
"I'm not a kid! We're the same age!"
Shinji Matou retorted but softened as he watched the delicate butterfly settle on his shoulder. His heart raced inexplicably, though in front of this ethereal girl, he felt calm.
She seemed like an untouchable Snow Saint, inspiring devotion.
Perhaps it was her disguise skill, her innocent temperament, or simply being the only magi willing to help. Shinji began longing to follow Miss Illyasviel's footsteps.
Just like his grandfather Matou Zouken had once been captivated by a silver-haired woman.
"If I win the Holy Grail War, can I become a magi like you?"
Turning away, Shinji asked softly, as if finding new purpose.
Miss Illyasviel's butterfly embodied his fledgling determination. Yes, what use was complaining without hope? Now that he had found it, he would pursue his goal relentlessly.
Before Miss Illyasviel could reply, a raspy voice interrupted:
"Haha, an unknown Caster using Einzbern magecraft. Is this how legendary magi of the Age of Gods instruct other families' children?"
A mummified bald old man, Matou Zouken, emerged from a hidden path, leaning on his crutch and grinning eerily.
"Grandfather..." Shinji Matou instinctively shrank away.
"Why are you still staying here? Leave quickly." The weird old man glanced at Shinji Matou, who was still at the scene, with dissatisfaction, then raised his crutch and banged it!
He directly knocked the little butterfly on the opponent's shoulder to the ground and threw it aside like crushing some garbage!
'How stupid! You don't even know that your life is under someone else's control, yet you dare to accept a magecraft familiar from a strange magi. Aren't you afraid they might use the familiar to take your life at any time? Although judging by the magecraft power within it, the offensiveness of this familiar is at most a trivial slap.'
"......."
Looking at the little silk butterfly that shattered on the ground, Shinji Matou was stunned at first and then clenched his fists. He looked apologetically at Miss Illyasviel, who still smiled politely and waved at him, then looked deeply at his strange old grandfather, who had never even glanced at him.
Finally, he nodded, looked a little dejected, and left quickly, as if realizing something.
He was still unclear about risking everything, but this didn't stop him, a boy who had lost his family and self-esteem, from grasping this last glimmer of hope.
Since you don't understand, then go and find out.
Flipping through magecraft books, asking adults in the family, searching for information—this was the limit of what the child could do for now. It was his last chance, his chance to reclaim the identity of the Matou heir, his ridiculous self-esteem, and his sister's admiration. Perhaps this was a chance to take it all back.
Perhaps, there was still a desire to follow that cute little girl's footsteps...
"You were a bit too harsh on that boy, Matou Zouken."
Miss Illyasviel spread out her hands indifferently, acknowledging the strange old man.
The current magecraft consultant of the Matou family, the developer of Crest Worm magecraft, whose age and identity are unmatched even in the records of the Holy Church—a great magi likely at the pinnacle of his craft, Matou Zouken.
"Don't concern yourself, Ms. Caster. My useless junior is just like Matou Kariya—a waste. What's the point of worrying over such a bug?"
A black swarm of insects slowly crawled out from the ground, emitting a nauseating stench.
These ugly creatures thrived on devouring human blood, bone marrow, and even pleasure. Once they invaded a man, his spine would shatter, his brain devoured, leaving him crippled. For women, the worms invaded their nerves, craving further consumption, destroying reason while stimulating pleasure until death claimed the host entirely.
"To manipulate such a vast swarm simultaneously—Matou Zouken is indeed a great magi."
A faint click echoed as fingers snapped.
Five Ritter: Stork Knights soared from Miss Illyasviel's hands and into the sky.
Strange tearing sounds filled the air as more than twenty winged insects attempting to approach were cut down by the knights!
These blade-winged insects could supposedly devour a strong bull in less than thirty seconds. Even a magi wouldn't survive entanglement with them.
"Haha, compared to legitimate magi of the Age of Gods, my methods are mere parlor tricks. After all, even the Einzbern family's familiar magecraft is easily mastered by you. No need to flatter an old relic like me," Matou Zouken laughed grimly.
It would indeed be strange if Miss Illyasviel couldn't handle such minor threats. The older the mystery, the more potent the magecraft. In the Age of Gods, if thunderous means weren't displayed, it would indicate a problem.
"So what brings an extraordinary figure like you here to me?"
"I didn't participate in the Holy Grail War. I'm merely a dying old man. If you attack me, the Church would not ignore it... But you conveyed sincerity through that mongrel Shinji Matou. Surely you didn't come to the Matou family just to cause trouble?"
In his territory, Zouken believed he could survive against third-rate Heroic Spirits and perhaps hold his ground against second-rate Servants. Even against a top-tier Berserker, his chances weren't hopeless.
But Caster, even a weaker one, held a connection to the Age of Gods.
Thus, regardless of rank, such opponents demanded vigilance.
Despite Miss Illyasviel's seemingly benign demeanor, Zouken immediately referenced the Holy Church's oversight, asserting non-involvement in the war, framing himself as a non-combatant under divine protection.
Curiosity piqued him, though. What was her purpose? Why guide Shinji? Alliance discussions should have gone to Matou Kariya, not a decrepit old man.
"Of course... No, personally, I greatly admire you as the creator of the Crest Worm. Even in the Age of Gods, such mastery would earn recognition within the Throne of Heroes."
"Hahaha, forgive my laughter. How did you know I developed the Crest Worm?" Matou Zouken's sunken eyes narrowed, a gleam flickering within.
Initially reluctant to appear, facing Caster, whose magecraft lineage stretched back to ancient gods, even Zouken's skills offered only survival. Yet Illyasviel's claim of camaraderie with Kariya triggered suspicion.
That mongrel son of his must have been scheming again.
"This information came directly from my trusted ally, Matou Kariya."
"…So you intend to kill me? What terms did Kariya offer? I suspect foul play from him; I've prepared against his intrigues."
"No, no, no. I swear upon the title of Caster, I hold no ill will, Mr. Matou Zouken. I come only on my Master's orders for a friendly visit."
Raising her hand solemnly, Illyasviel took an oath.
Zouken scrutinized her expression, which lacked deceit, before nodding.
Heroic Spirits valued reputation, as did ancient magi.
Anti-heroes might diverge from that norm, but even they adhered to some code.
"So, Caster, what brings you here?"
"Just to inform Mr. Matou Zouken of two pieces of news and to give you a contract."
She took out a yellow-brown paper covered with words from the pocket of her dress.
Miss Illyasviel used the Ritter: Stork Knight to deliver the paper to the swarm of insects surrounding her.
This was the self-enforced contract she had obtained from Kotomine Kirei, recognized by the magi world as the best.
"The first news is that Matou Kariya has formed an alliance with me and wants me to get rid of you."
"Second, Tohsaka Tokiomi already knows everything you did to Matou Sakura... including the purpose of using the crest worm to impersonate the magic crest."