Chapter 156

The news of Ryūnosuke's death was simultaneously detected by Caster, Gilles de Rais.

At that time, Caster was enraged after being struck by Lancer's Crimson Rose, which shattered his Grimoire of Noreilles in coordination with Saber.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it—!"

Watching the enraged Caster clenching his teeth and glaring, Lancer twirled his spear stylishly, pointed it at Caster, and was about to speak when he noticed Caster suddenly freeze, his expression turning blank.

"Ryū... Ryūnosuke..."

...

Escaping from Saber and Lancer through a cloud of red smoke, Caster reached the hiding place he had chosen for Ryūnosuke on the forest's outskirts, only to find his master's corpse.

Seeing the body, Caster was overwhelmed with sorrow, which quickly turned into rage and fury.

Ryūnosuke's body had been slashed open, his eyes gouged out, and his head severed...

From Ryūnosuke's expression, Caster could feel his master's agony and torment in the final moments of his life—like a man who had chased a lifelong answer only to find it within reach but unattainable and unseen.

For someone like Ryūnosuke, this was the cruelest fate imaginable!

"How could a human do this?! God, you are too cruel!!"

Feeling Ryūnosuke's anguish in his last moments, Caster could no longer suppress his grief and rage. Tears streaming down his face, he cried out to the heavens.

...

On a hill at the forest's edge, Shinji watched as Lancer, covered in blood and barely conscious, left with the barely-clad Kayneth. Just then, he received a report from Zayd.

"Successfully infiltrated Caster's workshop. Only one survivor, barely conscious due to healing magic, with his abdomen slashed and heavy bleeding..."

After a brief contemplation, Shinji ordered, "Rescue him. Send him to the address I specified, and be discreet. Caster has already returned, so act quickly."

"Understood."

...

Midnight.

In the dimly lit basement of the Matou residence, Shinji, dressed in a lab coat, calmly sutured the organs and wounds of the young girl they had brought in. Kariya stood by, wanting to ask questions but fearing to interrupt Shinji's work.

Two hours later, the surgery was successfully completed.

The girl was lucky; the Matou family had some emergency equipment (prepared by Zouken during Kariya's training), and her blood type matched Kariya's. Otherwise, she wouldn't have survived.

Watching the girl's stable heartbeat on the monitor, Shinji wiped the sweat from his forehead and removed his mask.

"Uncle, let this kid rest here for a few days. There's no benefit in sending her back immediately."

Kariya, recalling something, asked, "Shinji, is this child one of those who were abducted in the recent news?"

Shinji nodded slightly.

"And what about the other children?"

Seeing Shinji's unchanged expression, Kariya guessed the answer and didn't press further, clenching his fists and turning away in silent distress.

At that moment, Kariya's resolve to end the Matou family's pursuit of magecraft was firmed!

Removing his gloves and placing the surgical tools in a bag, Shinji prepared to leave when a small figure pushed open the basement door.

Creak—

Seeing Sakura at the top of the stairs, holding a white rabbit plushie, Kariya immediately spoke, "Sakura, didn't I tell you not to come to the basement anymore?"

Without a word, Sakura walked down the stairs and stood beside Shinji, quietly looking at the unfamiliar girl on the operating table with eyes that were empty but slightly more lively.

Kariya wanted to say more, but seeing Shinji quietly looking at Sakura, he held back, sensing that this might be a crucial moment in Sakura's life...

After a moment of contemplation, Sakura reluctantly placed her plushie beside the girl's head. Kariya felt a surge of emotion, realizing that the life of the girl he wanted to save was finally back on the right path.

Seeing Kariya silently weeping, overwhelmed by emotions, Shinji smiled gently, ruffled Sakura's hair, and handed her a new rabbit plushie from his space.

The girl, happy with the new toy, noticed her uncle's tears.

"Uncle Kariya, why are you crying?"

"Ah, it's nothing, nothing," Kariya said, hastily wiping his tears and forcing a smile. "Uncle just got some sand in his eyes. It's okay. How about I buy you a new toy tomorrow?"

Sakura shook her head, hugging the new plushie tightly.

"Um... a bigger one?"

Sakura shook her head again.

Ignoring Kariya's frustrated and helpless look, Shinji smiled slightly and left.

...

Having partied for several days, Tsuruno finally returned home. Concerned that Zouken might return unexpectedly, he cautiously went to the basement to check if the old man had come back.

Seeing Kariya sitting on the stairs, smiling at the two girls—Sakura and the unfamiliar girl on the operating table—Tsuruno couldn't help but feel a chill.

Kariya, learning magecraft, had become more like the old pervert Zouken! He even brought home a little girl!

Thank goodness I didn't learn their magecraft!

Kariya had recently been using Zouken's name as an excuse to bring his son to the basement for torture...

How terrifying!

I need to find a way to move out soon, just taking enough assets and stocks for my son and me to live comfortably.

Seeing his elder brother leaving the basement and giving him a strange look, Kariya wanted to shout, "It was your son who brought her here, not me!" But remembering Shinji's strict confidentiality rules, he stayed silent and let Tsuruno go.

...

"Master, should we continue monitoring Caster?"

In the hotel, Zayd asked, bowing his head.

"Yes, continue monitoring. Although he lost his Master, his Noble Phantasm, the Grimoire of Noreilles, contains a magical furnace that can provide him with a continuous supply of magical energy, so he won't disappear for now."

"Understood."

"Have you found the hideout of Lancer and his Master?"

"Yes, it's in an abandoned factory on the western outskirts."

"I see. Proceed with your work."

"Understood."

...

The news of Caster's Master's death reached both Kiritsugu and Kirei, who had just left the forest after tormenting his wife. Both suspected each other of killing Caster's Master!

Originally planning to chase Kayneth, Kiritsugu stayed in Einzbern's forest after learning that Caster's Master had been neatly dealt with.

Looking at the photos taken by Maiya's familiar with a pinhole camera, Kiritsugu was astonished by Kirei's unexpected presence in the forest that night.

Although the photos weren't very clear, it was evident that Caster's Master was killed instantly, with his abdomen slashed, head severed, and eyes gouged. The attacker (Kirei) had acted decisively and mercilessly.

Rubbing his temples, Kiritsugu stood up, knowing he couldn't dwell on that man (Kirei) even if he was terrifying!

Dividing his thoughts would disrupt his judgment. He needed to stay calm!

He had to do everything he could, as planned, to the best of his ability!

That man must be dealt with last!

...

At the Tohsaka residence, after reporting Caster's Master's death to his teacher, Kirei returned to his room.

Assassin had closely examined the body, so there was no mistake; that man (Kiritsugu) possessed incredible swordsmanship!

Three strikes were delivered almost simultaneously. Apart from high-level swordsmanship, there was no other explanation!

Convinced of this, Kirei became even more curious about Kiritsugu, eager to meet him and witness his nature, so similar to his own.

...

"Kirei, have you found Berserker's whereabouts?"

Entering the room, Kirei heard Gilgamesh's voice before he could close the door.

"According to the church's 'spiritual device,' Berserker was summoned an hour before you were. However, his spiritual device response disappeared afterward. Teacher believes Berserker's Master lost control and was killed by the berserk Berserker, causing Berserker to exit early. Teacher thinks he was an inferior mage..."

"I see. That's quite dull..." Lying on the sofa, Gilgamesh showed a hint of boredom. After staring at his wine glass for a few seconds, he sat up, asking:

"So, Kirei, did the Matou family truly withdraw from this Holy Grail War?"

"Yes, Assassin's investigation of their eldest son and Kariya Matou shows that the Matou family has abandoned this war. Kariya Matou, pushed forward by Zouken Matou, also didn't receive any Command Seals. However..."

Hearing the change in Kirei's tone and seeing his sudden frown, Gilgamesh understood that the awaited twist had arrived. He sat up and asked:

"What is it?"