Chapter 39

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-Town of Fuyuki.

3rd POV*

Lawrence and his group were about to return home when he suddenly sensed someone limping down an alleyway. Normally he would have ignored such normal phenomenon, the thing that took his attention was that this person is a master! Lawrence stopped, "Girls, please go ahead without me. I have some job to do" he said to them while looking at Kariya. "Hmn? Alright" although they were curious to what he will do, they decided to just adhere his words.

Sensing that the girls already left, Lawrence made his way to the pitiful man. He watched as the man despaired in silence contemplating about his chances in this war. Lawrence watched everything with interest, Matou Kariya was someone who tried to escape the Moonlit World only to be dragged back by the urgency of the matter. He has no wish to partake in this madness and just wanted to live like a normal person.

That matter changed when he discovered that one children of the person he adored was taken in by the Matou, or to be precise, she was SOLD to the Matou. The mere notion of that horrified Kariya, he is aware of the terror lurking around the residence of Matou as he was one of the previous tenant on it. With haste, Kariya returned to his mansion only to be greeted by the gruesome scene of a child drowning in the middle of millions of worms.

This forced Kariya to participate in the war, he negotiated with his Father that the girl will be released if he won this war. Lawrence shook his head removing those thoughts from his head. He decided to reveal his presence immediately inducing a reaction from the servant beside Kariya. Berserker appeared infront of Lawrence yet he just ignored the knight.

Instead he stared deeply into Kariya's eyes stating his offer. "Matou, do you want to have a deal?" upon saying that Berserker's sanity already vanished. The grabbed the pole on their side effectively making it a Noble Phantasm before swinging the thing at Lawrence. Kariya widened his eyes at the sudden attack but when he remembered that his person was one of the masters, he is secretly glad.

Unfortunately, the expected scene did not happen. Instead of being turned into mincemeat, Lawrence just casually catched the pole that Berserker swung towards him. "Ah…?" Kariya uttered a confused voice but was even more shock when seeing Lawrence literally blasting his servant with just one kick of his foot. "He's a hindrance, I hope you don't mind what I did" Lawrence said smiling ruefully at Kariya who got shook instead.

"W-What do you want?" he asked slowly backing away from his spot, he is waiting for Berserker to return so that he could have an assurance facing this man. Berserker did return instantly already carrying different types of garbage turned Noble Phantasm however Lawrence just brought a huge blade under his pocket and dropped it at Berserker. The Abyssal Blade pierced through Berserker's soul temporarily stunning the servant.

Lawrence patted his hand satisfied that there will be no more annoyance. "Matou Sakura" Lawrence said gaining a reaction from Kariya. Kariya ignored his limping body and straightly grabbed Lawrence's collar, "Why do you know that name?!" Kariya screamed in anger, he is already losing hope of this situation. Now that Lawrence brought this topic, he is sure that this man will use that little girl to make him do his biddings.

"Let's just say… I also have a certain hate towards the Makiri Family. I have a proposal for you, one that you cannot refuse" Lawrence said smiling at Kariya. In his mind, Sakura and Fujino are quite similar, both of them suffered dearly and with Lawrence's fondness of Fujino, he also wished to save the little girl from her cruel fate. Who knows this might devolve into Heaven's Feels route, that would be bad.

Kariya widened his eyes hearing what the man said. His despair turned hope at this moment, he seriously stared at the man's eyes looking for deception. Alas, he does not possess the ability to see whether someone is lying or not. So to solve that problem, Kariya decided to simply delve in to madness. He ignored reality and chose one definite conclusion, that is Lawrence telling him the truth and will help him.

He already lost hope in the first place, nothing will change even if he continues fighting. That is why Kariya turned his head from the truth and just choose to trust this stranger. If he lose this gamble then nothing changed, he does not have a chance to win anyway, he is simply letting himself go to the flow of fate. "I accept your proposal. No matter what you want, I'll do it" Kariya said with determination on his eyes.

Lawrence was baffled by how fast he accepted the offer but it is not within his consideration to think about it. "Deal" Lawrence gestured a handshake that Kariya reluctantly accepted. "For your part, I want Lancelot du Lac under my orders" Lawrence said pointing at the stunned Berserker. Kariya was not even surprised anymore, he just accepted the fact that Lawrence has a lot of knowledge.

"First, you need to do your part" Kariya said looking at Lawrence, he is not stupid enough to immediately hand over Berserker. What if this man won't do his part? Kariya at least need some assurance about this matter. "Of course that is the plan. Now let's go" Lawrence said holding Kariya's shoulder as the two teleported to the Matou Residence.

"Ugh, how distasteful" Lawrence commented upon the interior of the mansion. It was littered with worms everywhere. Kariya smiled lightly with someone having the same opinion as him, he detest this house the most. "Follow me" Kariya said as he led the way, however not even a few steps later, his body was dragged by Lawrence. "What the fuck do you think you are doing?" he said shaking his head.

"Let me do it by myself. Just wait here" Lawrence said before activating Riki's Cloak and Dagger skill. His whole body vanished and even his records from history. He became one with the world in this instance, the only people who could remember him was the people he handed items. They are immune to his invisibility.

Lawrence navigated through the mansion leaving the confused Kariya outside. He inspected the inns and out as he instantly memorized the whole structure, it didn't took long for Lawrence to find the way underground. Upon entering there, he was swiftly bombarded by the pungent smell of rot. If a normal person were to enter this place then there is no doubt that they will fall from how nauseous it was.

Fortunately, Lawrence already has the experience of Pudge who is literally rotting himself. This was no big deal for him. Lawrence calmly walked until he finally saw a hunchback old man staring at a huge hole with interest. The small grin on his face was hideous, it brings disgusting sensation to everyone staring at it. Lawrence went to the old man's side and also took a peek on the huge hole, there he saw little Sakura drowning in the worms with void expression.

She has given up on the world, there was no salvation for her. That is why, Sakura chose to ignore everything and just waited for the day she die. Sakura's gaze flickered when she saw someone standing beside her new grandfather. It stunned Sakura for a few seconds before her neutral expression returned. She considered the man as a guest of Zouken which might be rare but still a possibility.

Knowing that Sakura returned her attention to the worm pit again. She already got used to the pain hence she barely feel nothing being consumed by these worms. Sakura's attention was grabbed again hearing the loud shouting of her grandfather. "Who are you?!" this stunned the little girl a lot because from her experience, there was no time where her grandfather got ever surprise. He is always aware of his surroundings and knowledgeable in things.

Sakura just watched as the two introduced each other. "Matou Zouken… it is nice to meet you? Or not. I came here after having a deal with your son, please step back less you wanted to be hit by the attack" Although Lawrence told Zouken to step away, his hand was disturbingly pointed at him instead. "Son? Kariya huh? No matter, it is your grave mistake stepping into this place. This is my territory and you as a magus should know what that mean" Zouken gave a chilling smile.

That smile made Sakura shiver a little but was no effect to Lawrence, he simply spat on the ground in disgust. "Keep that revolting face off of my face old worm. God, that is disgusting" Lawrence did not hold back. Zouken was baffled by how fearless this young man is, however his interest immediately waned thinking that this is just another magus trying his luck.

"I deem your residence repulsive so I will now initiate a plan of cleaning it. Of course that would include you as well" Lawrence said having an appalled face. Hearing that Zouken did not get angry and instead just laughed heartily at the bunch of nonsense. "What is your name young man? I wish to know the foolish person so that I could laugh at your death" Zouken confidently asked.

Lawrence on the other hand began thinking whether he should tell it or not. But since this will be the last day of Zouken's life, he decided to accept his request. "Lawrence Rulphas Ranvil. Keep that name in your grave" Lawrence said vanishing on the spot. He grabbed Sakura and then used Blink Dagger outside the mansion. Just a millisecond later, a ray of sun descended from the sky basking the whole mansion on its extreme heat.

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!

Zouken's loud scream was heard from inside as the mansion burned. The fire was slowly consuming the remaining parts of the mansion leaving nothing behind. Sakura who was watching the spectacle could not help but let her eyes shine, the figure of fire was somehow soothing for her. Fire has become beautiful in Sakura's eyes, the way the ember danced through the structure was so delicate as if the fire was art itself.

Sakura's perception of fire changed at this moment, it became her pillar as this was the thing that helped her survived. She also took a peek at the man who saved her, this face was forever implanted on her mind and would never leave it in the future. Sakura reached out her hand as she felt like her consciousness was already being devoured, she at least managed to hold the person's face as he gave her a gentle smile. "Everything is alright now" that was the last thing she heard before succumbing to exhaustion.

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