"Why are you so surprised?"
Hearing the surprise in Tohsaka Rin's tone, Ryuga asked back.
"I just feel like something at the level of the Holy Grail War wouldn't be useful to you. Even if you have some wish you want to make, anything you can't do yourself, the Holy Grail probably can't do either, right?"
Scratching her head, Rin voiced her thoughts.
"Even things like reaching the Root would be meaningless to you!"
If Ryuga participated in the Holy Grail War, the result would definitely be without suspense. With his strength, he could easily end the war within ten minutes, and most of that time would be spent searching for people and traveling.
As for the rewards brought by the Holy Grail War, whether it was the wish-granting opportunity that others might desperately pursue, or the Root that magi sought after, for Ryuga they should both be nothing special.
When receiving magical education from the Tohsaka family, Rin had heard from her father that the pursuit of the Root that modern magi desperately sought was something that gods and Age of Gods magi disdained, because divine authorities were inherently connected to the Root, and Age of Gods magi could indirectly connect to the Root through authorities, with no need to pursue it.
If that was the case, what need did Ryuga have to participate in the Holy Grail War?
"Regarding wishes, your thinking is fine."
Faced with Rin's question, Ryuga casually explained.
The so-called Greater Holy Grail's magical power accumulated through Fuyuki City's ley lines for sixty years was only seen as infinite by humans, but for Campiones it was just ordinary. Campiones' curse power generally surpassed dragon veins.
Ryuga's curse power capacity was stronger than ordinary Campiones, naturally also surpassing the Greater Holy Grail.
The Holy Grail's wishes really had no meaning for him.
"But regarding the purpose of the Holy Grail War, it seems Tohsaka Tokiomi hasn't explained much to you yet."
The so-called wish-granting machine was just a gimmick to attract Heroic Spirits and outsiders.
"The true purpose of the Holy Grail War - the chance to obtain the Third Magic: Heaven's Feel - is the most precious reward, with importance even surpassing gods."
Having infinite magical power as a perpetual motion machine was secondary - that was just the most superficial application of the Third Magic. The materialization of the soul was the true core of this law.
Whether it was the manifestation of Heroic Spirits or the existence of Divine Spirits, both were closely related to the theory of soul materialization.
If he could completely master this law, Ryuga's strength might directly leap forward by two levels or more.
"Moreover, while magical power levels might have distinctions between high and low, there are no distinctions between the quality of information."
"Even techniques accumulated by mere ordinary magi might contain quite precious inspiration."
"For example, like this!"
With those words, Ryuga pulled out a record of insect magic he had read and activated an improved technique.
"Buzz buzz buzz—"
Massive swarms of insects flew out from every corner of the Matou residence, as if receiving commands from some existence, all flying into the air and covering the entire Matou residence like dark clouds.
"Ew!"
Seeing at least a million insects gathering from all directions, Tohsaka Rin got goosebumps.
Sakura also showed some uneasiness and stepped forward to hide behind Ryuga.
The noisy sounds quickly became completely quiet. Even the massive number of insects that Matou Zouken himself couldn't control all broke through the earth under Ryuga's command, then fell simultaneously in the courtyard, forming white cocoons one by one.
Half a minute later, these white cocoon piles began to tremble continuously, finally being torn apart by the creatures inside.
"Wow! These are... butterflies?"
Tohsaka Rin showed a dumbfounded expression.
The originally hideous and ugly insects had become brilliantly beautiful butterflies after re-hatching. Massive numbers of butterflies began to fly around the Matou residence like beautiful ribbons.
Seeing this incredibly gorgeous scene, even Sakura put down her fear.
"Can such disgusting insect magic also be transformed to be so beautiful?"
Rin once again marveled at Ryuga's comprehension. Worthy of Ryuga-sama - he could make anything work brilliantly.
"Strictly speaking, butterflies also belong to the insect class. This isn't transformation but extension."
Ryuga shook his head and reached out to stop Rin, who wanted to catch one to look at.
"Also, don't be deceived by the gorgeous appearance. They're still the same beasts that fed on human flesh and blood. They have no value in staying alive!"
Along with Ryuga's words, a crimson butterfly's wings suddenly ignited with fire.
That was a strand of red flame.
The flame quickly expanded, forming a red flame tornado along with the flying butterfly.
The huge flame tornado covered the entire Matou residence, burning the Matou residence's insect nest, buildings, courtyard, and all life within range to ashes.
Sacred flames purified everything, including Matou Zouken who was suffering the agony of ten thousand insects gnawing at his heart.
In the forest on the outskirts of Fuyuki City, that natal worm struggling violently was also burned by red flames along with the scarecrow until only ashes remained.
The magus Matou Zouken, or Makiri Zolgen, officially ended his dark and twisted life, not even leaving his soul behind.
At Mount Enzou, at the location of the Greater Holy Grail magic circle beneath Ryuudou Temple, Tohsaka Rin gazed at the gradually disappearing grand flames from the Matou residence and suddenly remembered something, patting her forehead.
"Oh no, I should have used a barrier to hide it if I had known. Now the whole city saw it - how are we going to explain this!"
Faced with this unnecessary worry, Ryuga shook his head.
"Don't worry, Fuyuki City's citizens are used to it. We'll just say it was a gas pipe explosion"
"..."
Hearing this reason that had been repeated countless times, Tohsaka Rin was speechless.
Sakura nearby curiously examined the contents of this underground space, hesitated for a moment, then boldly asked.
"Ryuga-sama, are you going to summon a Servant in the Greater Holy Grail?"
"That's right."
Ryuga nodded and revealed the three Command Seals on the back of his hand.
This wasn't qualification granted to him by the Holy Grail - a mere Holy Grail didn't have the qualification to break through his curse power defense.
This was one of the three predetermined slots that the Three Founding Families inevitably held in each Holy Grail War, now falling into Ryuga's hands along with the Matou family's magical inheritance.
Since he had obtained the Heroic Spirit summoning ritual, naturally he had to conduct an experiment personally before systematically optimizing it.
"Ordinary Servants don't have much meaning for me. I hope I can summon one with special powers."
Thinking this, Ryuga recited the Heroic Spirit summoning incantation.
"I declare!"
"I am the one who accomplishes all good deeds in this world."
"I am the one who spreads all evil in this world."
"..."
Along with a bright light flashing, a somewhat petite figure appeared in front of Ryuga.
To be continued…
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