"Of course, please come in."
Byakuya quickly controlled his emotions. As a descendant of the Matou family, he wasn't useless.
Or rather, aside from his magical talent being useless due to incompatibility with the environment, in other aspects—whether business or social—
No descendant of the Matou family was without genius. Unfortunately, they were born into a Magus family. This talent had no chance to shine.
Facing the strangely dressed knight who had killed his "father" and the pillar of the Matou family, Byakuya knew very well that someone who could so easily kill his father wouldn't have any difficulty killing him either.
An existence like this wouldn't possibly stay long in the Matou family.
Afterward, Byakuya led Aslan to the reception room of Matou Manor, personally made tea for Aslan, and brought some snacks favored by little girls for Sakura.
These were preparations he had made when he learned the Matou family would adopt Sakura.
"Sir, may I confirm once more—did my father truly pass away?"
Byakuya suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth and asked sincerely.
Although Zouken occasionally showed the kindness of an old man, compared to the dark and evil aura he had long accumulated,
Byakuya preferred his father to be more liberated.
Though he didn't know what obsession Zouken had clung to, he could confirm this obsession was no longer in its original form.
"Dead. Completely dead."
Aslan lightly sipped his tea. He couldn't taste anything.
He still preferred Immortal Joy Tea.
"He even gave me a little surprise."
Aslan hadn't expected Zouken's death to actually grant him the Magic: The Gathering card • Five Hundred Years of Obsession.
A tool capable of forcibly altering and temporarily sealing another's Gift.
[Long ago, there was a man with great ambition.
Yet the passage of time transformed everything about that man into a strange form.
His appearance, his soul, even his ambition.]
An interesting tool—Conceptual Formalcraft.
From this, it could be understood that Zouken had no possibility of revival.
"Good, good."
Byakuya restrained his "grief" and spoke with a "choked voice."
"Thank you, Sir, for liberating my father. As a token of my gratitude, I, as head of the Matou family, will give you Matou Manor."
Byakuya spoke wisely. He knew Matou Manor might be the most valuable asset in the Matou family, and it also contained a Magic Workshop and magical books.
But he knew even better that he had no qualification to maintain these inner-world assets.
The Matou family's visible wealth was already enough for him to live lavishly for life.
As for Matou Manor, he would give it to the man who had killed... ah, no—liberated his father.
"Hmm...."
Aslan lightly sipped his tea, not uttering a word.
"Fine."
Aslan gave a slight nod. Coincidentally, he was slightly interested in the Holy Grail War, so he'd interfere a little.
"Father?"
"Son, this is no longer our home. We must leave."
After gaining Aslan's approval, Byakuya immediately packed his belongings and took his son away from this gloomy house—well, not gloomy anymore.
After all, now it housed a Sun Star Spirit Divinity. As a god leaning toward solar attributes, as long as Aslan sat there, the place would become one evil dared not attack. Even the original cold atmosphere of Matou Manor had vanished, becoming warm and filled with the scent of sunlight.
However, there was something called scenery-triggered feelings. To reduce the sorrow caused by his father's death, to avoid feelings triggered by the scenery, Byakuya decided to quickly sell the Matou family's assets and leave as soon as possible.
He took his son and immediately went overseas, leaving behind this "sad place" in Japan.
His speed was so fast it even made Aslan slightly embarrassed. Was he this efficient?
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
In less than three days, Byakuya immediately sold all the Matou family's assets and wisely left half of them for Sakura.
Of course, the deed to Matou Manor was also registered under Sakura's name.
Although left for Sakura, the actual guardian was Aslan. Aslan would manage these funds.
In an instant, Aslan also had sufficient funds to live a fairly luxurious life, though it meant nothing.
"Let's go. Time for shopping today."
The food supplies left in Matou Manor weren't much. Though Aslan had some, going out to buy them felt better.
After three consecutive days of researching Magecraft in Matou Manor, he felt himself becoming gloomy.
"Alright, Brother Aslan."
Sakura immediately jumped off the sofa. Since she hadn't undergone Crest Worm torture, and with Aslan's timely arrival, she was now quite cheerful.
As long as her former parents weren't mentioned.
Tokiomi committed a great sin. Truly deserved to be the source of this world's troubles.
Yet Aslan could still see the undeniable attachment in Sakura's eyes, and she regarded him as the knight who saved her.
It was likely that if Aslan left, he might have to take Sakura with him.
After all, his community also had a group of little kids. Adding one more wasn't too much of a problem.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the streets of Fuyuki City, Aslan strolled while holding Sakura's hand. Rather than saying shopping, it was better to say they went out for a walk, so he wouldn't grow moldy at home.
Passing by a children's clothing store, Aslan looked at Sakura, stroked his chin, and thought for a moment.
"Come on, Sakura, how about I buy you some clothes?"
Sakura was still wearing the purple dress Byakuya had bought. What kind of taste did someone who only drowned in wine and sex have?
Though Sakura looked cute in it.
"I also want to pick some clothes for Brother Aslan."
Sakura blinked her sparkling eyes and looked at him.
Since Aslan bought her clothes, she had to buy for him too. That was only fair.
Aslan gently patted Sakura's head, messing up the hair Sakura had carefully styled.
"Alright, I surrender. Sakura must choose well. If it doesn't perfectly show off my charm, I won't wear it."
"I know, narcissistic Brother Aslan."
Sakura puffed her cheeks. She had painstakingly learned from TV how to style hair that showed off a girl's charm.
(Brother Aslan is really annoying. I'll pick the ugliest clothes for Brother Aslan.)