124 The Tohsaka

"Lord Tohsaka."

Artorius released his hold on Illya and gently reached out to help him up.

"During my time in Japan, I entrust myself to you."

"It is my honor..." Tokiomi replied while bowing even lower.

"..."

"Hmph."

Though she was a little afraid, the cute little tsundere with a twintail hairstyle, when looked at by Artorius with curious eyes, let out a cute little snort, an act of rebellion against the royalty.

Seeing her like this, Artorius didn't feel angry or offended. Because of her cuteness, this small issue could be completely forgiven.

"Who is this...?"

"This is...." Tokiomi hurriedly explained, "Rin, greet His Highness quickly."

"..."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Tohsaka Rin..."

Although reluctantly, Rin still managed to offer a ladylike greeting to Artorius. Her actions made her even more charming.

"Rin." Artorius looked at her with interest, "Nice to meet you. Consider this a welcoming gift."

As he spoke, he handed her a small box. Rin instinctively wanted to refuse, but when she met Artorius's gaze, she couldn't bring herself to do it.

When she opened the box, she found a sparkling red gem inside.

"Beautiful..."

Though she was still young, she was still a girl and naturally couldn't resist the allure of something so beautiful.

"I remember that the Tohsaka family practices jewel magecraft, right? This should be useful for you."

"It's too valuable, Your Highness, I..."

Tokiomi attempted to intervene, feeling that the situation was becoming inappropriate, but Artorius waved his hand to dismiss the objection. "The gift is for Miss Rin. Your family doesn't need to say anything more."

"..."

"Yes, Your Highness." {T/N: Looks like they're unaware that Artorius is the first emperor. All they know is that he's a royalty from the empire.}

Tokiomi sighed internally and didn't say anything further, his worry becoming more apparent on his face.

At the same time, Rin's expression was torn. Despite being from a family skilled in jewel magecraft, she had never seen such a beautiful gem before. Moreover, she could sense the powerful magical energy emanating from it. With proper craftsmanship, such a gem could be turned into a potent Mystic Code. If she gave up on this opportunity...

"Do you really want to give this to me?"

Rin bit her lip, looking at Artorius, at times pushing the small box away and at times quickly pulling it back.

"Yes, of course..." Artorius smiled and nodded. "As I said, consider it a gift for you."

"..."

As Artorius spoke, Rin's desire to accept the gift grew stronger.

"Then, I'll accept it."

She mumbled, "But just so you know—even if you give me so much, I won't sell Sakura to you!"

"..."

"Hahaha."

Hearing her words, Artorius first froze, then burst into a burst of hearty laughter, reaching out and gently patting her head.

His action caught Rin off guard, making her instinctively feel like she said something embarrassing or did something awkward, but she wasn't sure what it was exactly. Regardless, she held her ground, gazing at Artorius with a defiant look.

"Uh, that..."

Her remark made Tokiomi even more uncomfortable and regretful of bringing his child here.

"Sakura...? Is she your daughter, Lord Tohsaka?" Artorius asked, seemingly knowing the answer already.

"Yes, Your Highness. She went to the Empire to serve His Majesty the Emperor last month." Tokiomi confirmed.

"I see." Artorius nodded as he turned to Iri. "The practice of the youth army still exists, then?"

"Yes." Iri nodded. "Though its content and form have changed somewhat, the tradition of sending the offspring of nobles and important figures to the Emperor remains significant in the Empire."

"I see." Artorius nodded in understanding.

When he mentioned the youth army, he was referring to the practice during his time of conscripting noble offspring from the conquered Germanic tribes to serve as guards and hostages by his side.

In his era, the youth army had become a common practice, and these noble children became an essential part of the Empire's military force.

Upon hearing Iri's explanation that the system still existed, Artorius became slightly curious about how it had changed in modern times.

"Wait a moment."

Hearing their conversation, Tokiomi couldn't help but pause. A frightening idea had come to his mind.

'The earlier news mentioned that a member of the Imperial family had secretly gone to Japan. But now, hearing what His Highness said, and that he's with someone from the Einzbern, could it be he's actually... No, it can't be, right?'

Tokiomi was both startled and suspicious of this conjecture. Meanwhile, Artorius, looking at the young girl, said with a smile.

"Did you hear that, Rin? I didn't take away your sister. She is still a member of the Tohsaka family, only she went to the Empire to receive an education."

"Isn't it the same thing?"

Though she said that, Rin continued to hold her ground.

Artorius found her stubbornness cute. Meanwhile, Illya, standing next to Artorius, pouted. She felt like she had a competitor.

That kind of jewel—she didn't get one even though she was right here!

With that thought in mind, Illya's resentment towards Rin increased.

"It's not the same."

Artorius looked at Rin seriously and glanced at Illya's pouting face. While contemplating how to compensate Illya with a gift, he told Rin, "It's a noble mission for the empire and humanity, not just loyalty to me personally."

"Me?"

Rin appeared somewhat puzzled by his words.

"Also..." Artorius continued, looking at the bewildered Rin, "If you want to see your sister again, why not go to the empire and study there too?"

"..."

"But..."

Listening to Artorius speak, Rin couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart.

But if she chose to go along with this, would she have to leave her home and her parents?

Instinctively, she wanted to refuse, but it felt as though she would be admitting defeat if she did, so she kept her lips sealed, unsure of what to say.

"Don't know how to decide?" Artorius smiled. "Then take some time to think about it. We still have plenty of time, Rin."

Artorius looked up and turned to Tokiomi. "Isn't that right, Lord Tohsaka?"

"That... my daughter..." Tokiomi opened his mouth but wasn't sure how to answer.

On the surface, the Empire's youth army system might have become more of a cultural tradition or a prettier term for overseas education with the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. However, on the inside, it still existed and was even greatly reinforced.

Major Bazett for example, came from the Empire's youth army system and had received training from a young age.

But she wasn't from a vassal state; she was one of the Empire's own, a family with an ancient bloodline dating back to the ancient Celtic era—the famous Red Branch Knights of Ireland. They were known as the 'Old Celts', specifically referring to those noble bloodlines that had persisted from the Empire's founding to the present day.

As the world entered modern times, while steam engines became prevalent in the surface world, the Empire also eagerly extended its influence eastward. Noble children from Southeast Asia, India, and Japan joined the Empire's ranks.

The reason the Empire didn't act earlier was simply to maintain the order of history and keep its world within proper human history, buying more time for humanity's freedom and ascension.

They easily defeated the still-isolated Japan at that time and made it their vassal state.

Due to the 'convert' effect, the noble youth who joined the Empire from these regions were often more enthusiastic. However, they were somewhat looked down upon since they joined relatively late.

The Empire wasn't entirely ruthless; it didn't plunder everything. As a result, noble families with a single child would have their children return to the family after reaching adulthood. Meanwhile, families with multiple children could choose to send some children away while keeping others within the family.

Tokiomi chose the latter option.

He sent Sakura to the Empire, while Rin stayed in Japan to inherit the family's legacy. Both paths held promising futures.

That was Tokiomi's initial plan. However, now this peculiar prince had an odd request—to lure his other daughter to the Empire as well, and that was a bit...

Tokiomi had met those who received the Empire's education and later returned to Japan.

One such person was Rudolf Zolgen, who had a half-Japanese heritage and supposedly spent his childhood in Japan. At the age of six, he was sent to the Imperial Academy for education and later returned to become an influential figure in the world of magecraft in Japan, courtesy of the Empire.

Tokiomi didn't interact with him much, but he had a lasting impression of the man. Last month, that white-haired individual, who looked prematurely aged, came as an envoy of the Empire to his home, inviting Sakura.

Despite being in the late 20th century, the man was dressed in black armor, complete with medieval-style chainmail and a helmet, carrying a sword. He spoke fervently about the Empire, idolizing the Emperor and proclaiming that Sakura's education in the Empire would be the best choice.

It was as if he was stuck in some sort of fantasy delusion, in short, a chuunibyou.

Even though another Empire's envoy assured him that Rudolf was an exception, it was something his father could also vouch for.

Tokiomi's father also had received an education in the Empire and didn't succumb to such a delusion, even bringing back a wife, which was his mother and Rin's grandmother... but still, wasn't there still a possibility?

There was still a possibility that his own child would become an Empire fanatic with delusions of magnificence.

If possible, he really didn't want that to happen.

Choosing Sakura over Rin had something to do with this consideration as well.

Compared to the outgoing Rin, Sakura's reserved personality made it less likely for her to be influenced and become a fervent fanatic.

However...

Could he really reject a request from an Imperial prince?

Even if the prince said—"You don't have to decide now; it's entirely up to Rin." Could he truly rest easy with that?

Tokiomi was worried about this.

===

Author's Note:

Rudolf Zolgen, also known as Matou Kariya in the original, was a member of the Zolgen family, a prominent European mage family associated with the Mystery.

For those unfamiliar, the Matou family originally hailed from Russia, where they were known as the Zolgen family. In this timeline, they naturally aligned themselves with the Empire. Even after relocating to Japan, they retained their original family name and remained devoted subjects of the Empire.