Time: Night.
Location: Matou residence, basement workshop.
Shortly after settling Kariya, two shadows—one tall, one short—appeared under the workshop's lights.
"This is… a fragment of Arthur's Round Table? Impressive. The residual mana confirms it's top-tier. How'd you get this?"
Roy took the fragment from Zouken, squinting as he examined it.
As expected, per the original timeline, Zouken planned to summon a Heroic Spirit with a Round Table fragment—specifically, the Knight of the Lake, Lancelot, as a Berserker.
"It's quality, but which knight are you summoning? The Round Table's scope is vast. Luck might get you King Arthur, but you could end up with Gareth, Gaheris, or some obscure knight. They're not exactly powerhouses in the Grail War."
Though aware of Zouken's plan, Roy probed to maintain cover.
"Of course, I know the risks. A Round Table fragment alone is too unpredictable, so I came prepared…"
Nodding at Roy's caution, Zouken pointed to the fragment's ancient inscriptions. "I had it translated. It's confirmed— this bears Lancelot's name, his seat. It'll summon the Knight of the Lake, Lancelot, one of Britannia's downfall's culprits."
"Lancelot… a formidable Servant."
Roy nodded, feigning approval. "Saber?"
"No, Saber's likely taken. I'll summon him as a Berserker, enhanced with maddening curses for greater destruction."
Zouken explained.
Greater destruction… hmph. Lancelot's strength lies in his martial prowess. Summoning him as a Berserker, with its madness and loss of reason, weakens him. Add maddening curses?
Even if it boosts raw power, without wisdom, how can he wield his skills fully? A wise, skilled Lancelot is the mythic Knight of the Lake. Without intellect, he's just a rabid dog.
Roy didn't point this out, nodding quietly.
"Fair. Berserker's stats are solid and controllable, an advantage in the Grail War. As for me… I'll try this."
Roy reached into his coat, pulling out an old, worn book, handing it to Zouken.
"Oh? This is…?! No way!!"
Zouken's pupils shrank, disbelief in his eyes as he took the book.
"Caster class… summoning that man is impeccable. His talent and strength rival any genius or hero. I never thought this survived the Clock Tower's purge…"
"…Roy Alexander Crowley, Aleister Crowley? And… Crowley. I see, I see. No wonder you have this. Your magecraft and alchemy's uniqueness—his work?"
Zouken studied the tattered book, muttering.
Though curious, with Roy present, he didn't pry, instead savoring the book's unique aura.
Alchemy, summoning magecraft, Western magical theories…
Though the title was illegible, Zouken's centuries of experience recognized it: the original Book of the Law.
This was ordered destroyed by the Clock Tower long ago.
The Book of the Law.
In the occult world, many bore this name, but the one causing waves traced back centuries to a genius.
A man deemed heretical by the occult world, blending theology and magecraft, proposing radical theories. He used miracles of the mind to manifest past magecraft—an incomprehensible feat.
Outside modern and Age of Gods magecraft frameworks, his methods baffled even today. His actions drew the Mage's Association and Holy Church's wrath.
This book, written in Cairo, Egypt, was his grimoire—The Book of the Law.
After its completion, the mysterious man vanished, never seen again.
Some said the Church's Burial Agency executed him, others that the Department of Policies sealed him, or that he reached the Root, leaving the world.
Speculations abounded, with no clear answer.
Undeniably, he was a reckless heretic, betraying divine and magical paths, yet a visionary pioneer, his theories now validated.
Zouken was stunned to see this in Roy's hands.
Was he a successor? A descendant?
Zouken pondered.
"Interesting. If you summon the modern magical world's most infamous man, winning the Grail War might be easier…"
Zouken gave high praise.
Roy said nothing, tossing the Book of the Law into the summoning circle, attempting to connect with a Heroic Spirit.
As time ticked by, faint mana emanated from the circle, but no Servant appeared, no expected bond formed.
After a long wait, the glowing circle dimmed.
"Failed, huh…"
Seeing the circle fade, both Roy and Zouken felt disappointed.
"As expected…"
Roy lowered his arm, retrieving the book.
He'd anticipated failure, but seeing it stung.
Summoning that man would've spared him trouble.
Meeting the book's author to resolve his issues was a key reason for joining the Grail War.
But since it failed, no need to dwell.
Shortcuts were tempting, but forging his own path wasn't bad.
"No surprise. That man's not easily summoned. Even the occult world can't confirm his life or death."
Zouken shook his head, unsurprised, then looked at Roy. "Got other relics for summoning? If not, I can help."
"No need… I expected this. Just in case, I got another relic from my professor. Not as good as the Book of the Law, but decent."
Roy pulled a crimson necklace from his collar, handing it to Zouken.
"I'll use this— a fragment of the magic spear, Gáe Bolg."
***
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