Chapter 52:

Deep within the heart of Einzbern family territory, a large castle the size of a palace post renovation which is shrouded by a giant Bounded Field which causes the internal weather to always be a snowing blizzard.

Within it are identical looking maids and guards in uniforms. Each of them is busy carrying out their everyday tasks. However, unlike the previous emotionless homunculi. The Homunculus is now capable of expressing emotions and acting like normal humans. For example, maids engage with chatter and small laughs as they carry laundry to the courtyard to be hung and dry.

(Do I need to explain how they dry laundry in blizzard weather? It's magic.)

The owner of this castle is hiding deep within this building, holing up in his Workshop as usual. He seeks to experiment and understand more of his power.

*Bam!*

"Brother Ray!" A taller and older Sakura from three years ago who is now nine years old, barged into his workshop in a hurry as if running away from someone and went to hug Ray before peeking behind his body.

Second later, Illya also came running with a pouting and angry face.

"Grrr. It's unfair for you to keep running to Brother Ray for his help." Illya angrily shouted with dissatisfaction.

Ray sighed as his research session once again interfered by the only two children in the castle.

"Can I please have a moment in peace without either of you disturbing me?" Ray is exasperated while quickly storing away the ominous dark red crystal in his hand previously which is literally the condensed form of negative energy from All the World's Evil.

He was peacefully experimenting to create a variant for his Unliving horde until he was disturbed. Again.

Ray lowered his arm and picked Sakura up into his arm which made Illya grit her teeth and fuming with jealousy that Sakura kept getting special treatment while she didn't.

Then Ray uses Telekinesis and also brings Illya to his other arm before she shuts up but continues to pout and crosses her arm with dissatisfaction.

"Alright. Don't act as if I didn't know you started this first, Illya." Ray said in a lecturing tone which shut her up.

It's normal when one day, a supposed next heir suddenly stripped of her title and all her authority because a guy with whatever magic showed up in front of her home. Perhaps being a half Homunculus made her more obedient to Ray. Instead, she made Sakura her target of animosity. Although, not much because of Ray's order.

Illya's breaking point is when her only remaining title, the sole Princess of Einzbern, was threatened by the existence of Sakura if Ray actually adopted the orphaned girl.

Unlike the original plot, Illya here isn't mature in early ages because she never fell down the path of vengeance with Irisviel here to accompany her. She instead retained her childishness.

She is afraid she will lose the only unique thing about herself which leads her to despise Sakura despite it not going to happen. After all, Ray planned to groom the- Wait, that came out wrong.

Ayo, stop. Don't call the FBI yet. Lemme explain…

So, Ray plans to groom both Sakura and Illya who have outstanding talent in magecraft to become a powerhouse of the Einzbern family.

Currently, Ray is the only pillar of the Einzbern family along with Tanya. For only two people that can reliably lead this family territory is difficult. If something were to happen or if Ray continues his adventures, Einzbern will be leaderless and soon crumble without reliable leadership.

In a way, Ray is grooming both Sakura and Illya to become their replacement in case something did happen and he requires someone to replace his role.

Of course, Ray wouldn't actually require them to micro manage everything down to the last details. He has Acht and plenty of other AI equipped flesh golem doing those tasks. They only need to be capable to defend the territory and resolve internal issues, mainly the vassals if any dare to do anything suspicious.

———

Walking to the common room. He found Saber who immediately greeted him.

"Oh, master. Did they run into your Workshop again?" Salter asked.

She wears a casual gothic styled dress and in her hand is chocolate chip cookies and on the table a warm mug of chocolate with a plate filled with the chocolate chip cookies.

Ray looks at the girls in his arms. Both lowered their heads after realizing they were being naughty again.

But it's not their fault. It's Ray's fault. Because Ray is always holing up in his workshop and Tanya and Charlotte are rarely able to bring them out to the city anymore since the start of war between Einzbern and the Dead Apostle.

"It's Brother Ray's fault for not spending time with me anymore." Illya said rebelliously and wriggled out of Ray's arm and escaped.

Although Illya is obedient to Ray. It's not always. She only did it when Ray was serious or angry. On other occasions, she treats Ray as an older brother than the Einzbern's family Head.

Seeing that Sakura stayed on his arm and hugged his neck, even. Ray takes a seat facing Salter and sets Sakura beside him.

Few maids appeared from some corners, bringing a cup of hot chocolate for Sakura and black coffee for Ray before they left from where they came from.

Ray didn't pay attention to such a common display and looked at Sakura next to him.

Sakura noticed the gaze from Ray. She didn't say anything and took the hot chocolate to her mouth before blowing at it to lower the temperature.

She is like this. Rarely talk much except with Charlotte even after being with Ray and everyone else for three years. She wouldn't talk unless necessary. But, that doesn't mean she dislikes everyone except Charlotte. It just, the trauma given to her by Zouken had yet to be fully healed and remained wary to everyone except her savior that day.

"Do you and Illya really feel very bored staying in the castle?" Ray looked at Sakura and asked.

Sakura took a sip of the hot chocolate and recoiled from the heat still being high before looking at Ray. She nodded and eyed him for a moment before returning to her mug.

"Hmm. I see. I guess it's my fault for overlooking your social interaction. Usually, a child your age will mix up with other kids and make friends…" Ray is thinking of mingling Sakura and Illya with childrens of his vassals. But, knowing both of them will be treated as princess instead of equal made that plan very likely to backfire.

"Hmn…" Ray tried to think but nothing came to mind. He can't exactly kidnap a bunch of children and brainwash them to be their friends. That's just the same as the previous one. It will backfire if they discover the truth.

Salter seeing her Master struggle too much to think for an answer. She proposed one to Ray.

"Master, why not bring them to Alma's little village? I heard she is gathering a lot of orphans and raising them there."

"Huh? Alma's village?" He never heard about this.

Seeing the question plastered on his face, Salter continued to answer. "She is creating an Elven race to stay in the paradise she is creating and maintaining it."

Listening to this, Ray vaguely remembers Alma saying something about the garden needing a gardener or it will not flourish without care and supervision.

He thought Alma was going to create some nature spirit or fairy. He didn't expect she would literally create a new race.

(The nature spirit here isn't the Nasuverse Nature Spirit. Those are two different things.)

"Also, the mermaid I forgot her name, also inhabiting the lake within the place. Last time I went there, there were a bunch of merman and mermaids instead of one." Salter added more to the shock while elegantly stuffing her cheeks.

The idea is honestly great although just a temporary fix of the real issue. If the Dead Apostle isn't posing a danger, Sakura and Illya wouldn't be restricted like this.

Perhaps it's time to deal a decisive attack and eliminate those Dead Apostles altogether.

He left that thought aside and looked at Sakura who was also looking at him with sparkling eyes. She might not convey words, but Ray had lived with her long enough to understand her body language and signs.

"Of course you can. Besides, being with Alma and Lamina is much safer than anywhere else except home." Ray patted her head and rubbed her head. "Go inform Illya and change to a more suitable outfit for the outdoors."

"I will bring you two there. Don't worry." Ray adds when Sakura is still seated instead of running to Illya that probably finding her mother to sulk or complain.

Only then Sakura nodded and went to find Illya to inform the news.

Well, unlike Illya who still retains childishness. Sakura, who experienced trauma, had matured rather early, mentally and didn't care much about Illya being territorial and defensive. Tolerating a little childish scuffle is heaven compared to staying in Zouken's worm pit.

———

In western Germany, nearing the border of France. Forces of Dead Apostle and Ray's Wraiths lead by Charlotte actively being in conflict. The former is invading and the latter is defending.

"Mistress Charlotte, the Flight Mage had successfully reinforced the vassals on the north and thwarted another huge horde of Undead." A Homunculus Flight Mage bearing the leader insignia is reporting to Charlotte.

"The Undead this time were led by dozens of Nightkin with a coordinated attack on the Western side."

"Nightkins only? That's odd." Charlotte murmurs after dismissing the leader to return to his unit and rest.

"Usually there is at least a high ranked knight or full fledged vampire leading an assault."

Charlotte looks at the Wraiths and all of them are dominating the battlefield, being literally untouchable as long as none of their opponents can use magecraft to harm their spiritual body. However, something is missing. Something very crucial.

The Dead Apostles are aware that their horde of Undead cannot harm the Wraiths. That's why, since the first ever battle that broke out. There are always proper vampires that can deploy magecraft within the horde.

The Wraiths without physical body as anchor isn't the most durable and easily defeated with sufficient magical attack.

"Should I report this to master?..." Charlotte wondered.

"No, I shouldn't bother him unless necessary." Charlotte shook her head moments later and decided to report to Tanya only.

Tanya is the commander of the Homunculus Flight Mages while also doubling as the person that manages all the Einzbern's family businesses.

After the horde was exterminated and the battlefield were cleaned off all rotting corpses to prevent diseases. Charlotte recalled the Wraiths and left a few thousands low level ones as sentry before returning to one of the fortresses they captured and renovated to house the Flight Mages.

Charlotte quickly found Tanya within her office, managing the distribution of troops. She mostly does the routine patrol teams, patrolling paths, ordering resources and manpower if necessary. Basically, stuff that is up her alley.

"Charlotte?" Tanya called when Charlotte suddenly phased through the wall and entered her office.

"You returned early today. I expect you to take till afternoon before returning." Tanya commented while her eyes and hand were on the paperworks.

"I encountered an odd situation again." Charlotte said before recounting the weirdness of the Undead horde she encountered this morning.

Hearing the situation, Tanya's brow furrowed and she put down her pen before leaning to the chair and sighed deeply.

"I assume the same situation is happening somewhere else?" Charlotte guessed from Tanya's expression.

"Mhm." Tanya hummed and closed her eyes shut.

"Our vassals, Lord of House Otto incharge of the lower western front had reported a similar situation yesterday and Lord Albrecht that is incharge of the east fortresses also reported his people are facing a similar situation." Tanya explained and thanked that at least Italy had strong Holy Church influence which meant they wouldn't need to fight in more than two fronts as the Dead Apostles had mostly fled to Romania or further west but stopped before Britain since that's where Clock Tower is and that's Lorelei's turf.

After a brief moment of silence, Tanya stops leaning and sits straight with both hands propped up on the table with solemn expression.

"There is no need to guess that they are waiting for the full moon and proceed with a ritual to summon the blood moon where their strength will be enhanced." Tanya explains.

(Idk if accurate but fk it, fandom ain't enough info and scouring the internet and filtering through tons of pages still found nothing mentioning this.)

This isn't the first time this tactic was done. In fact it was done multiple times before. With help of the Dead Apostle itself, taking the field and enforcing its Mystery upon the battlefield. If not for Saber, the Einzbern will be in a worse situation than this.

Due to the family still in its rapid expansion stage and barely stabilized. The funding is more than the output. The resources they output is less than what poured into the military, production facilities and its members. This means, for now. Most expenses are from Ray's own pocket.

Any major defeat is a major blow to Ray and the Einzbern family under his leadership. After all, his resources are finite.

He could engage in Einzbern's previous businesses. Which is producing and selling normal Homunculus. But, the business isn't profitable at all with very few customers because none wants to feed the growth of a new competitor.

The only Homunculus that has demand is his militarized homunculus. But, he wouldn't dare to sell them and risk leaking his secret of success.

From what Charlotte and Tanya could see. The enemies are getting desperate and trying to make a last push using the blood moon to go all out. However, it could potentially be a misleading trap that they fell for before.

"Regardless, whether this is true or not. We have two days to prepare." Tanya massages her brow and takes a look at the papers again.

"Also, if you are returning. Help me pass this document to Ray." Tanya took out an empty envelope from the drawer and folded a few papers she was doing just now before inserting them into the envelope and handed it to Charlotte.

"Here. Make sure he reads it. I need another production plant and an Alchemy workshop. The number of Flight Mages has increased and the supplies production cannot keep up, especially spell bullets."

Tanya returned to her work and Charlotte nodded before leaving through the door. Phasing through it of course. That's a perk for being a half ghostly creature.

———

Back in the castle.

"Really! We can go out and play?" Illya tried to confirm excitedly and forgot about their previous animosity as if it never existed as she shake Sakura with a large grin to cough up the information.

"Yeeess. Brootheer Raay told uuus to chhangee ourr cloothees firrsst." Sakura answered while being shake.

"Illya. Stop shaking Sakura like that and change your clothes quickly." Irisviel chastises Illya and smiles helplessly at Sakura who returns an understanding nod.

"Yes." Illya replied and quickly stopped shaking Sakura.

Illya walked over to her wardrobe as her personal maid, Leysritt and Sella, appeared to help her change.

Sakura looks at Irisviel who returns to writing a letter before leaving to her room and gets changed.

On Irisviel's face is a longing and sad face instead of smiling as she usually does. She was forced to separate from her husband after all and only able to communicate through letters.

Ray was forced to do this to ensure Shirou Emiya will become the same as the original. Another year left before Kiritsugu can fake his death and reunite with his real family.

It is cruel of Ray to do so. But relatively tame compared to what a real Magus will do. Considering the more cruel method they would employ to achieve something they wanted.

This is another reason why Ray is very tolerant of Illya most of the time considering how naughty she was usually.

Once Sakura and Illya are ready, they run to the front door where Salter and Ray are waiting. Both were talking about something before Salter excused herself and left to go somewhere else.

Ray catches the white bundle of energy that jumped on him while Sakura is just behind Illya.

"Come one." Ray told them to follow and he summoned some mount for their travel with a snap of finger.

Those mounts are actually part of the new Wraiths he created. Inspired by Nazgul. A black stallion and a large black furred wolf with crimson eyes. Their bodies constantly shift between planes of existence which causes black gas visual effects. He summoned the stallion with its rider because he is riding it.

Ray carried Sakura up first before him and looked at Illya who was standing still instead of getting on her favorite mount, the black furred wolf.

"?" Ray looks at her weirdly, playing with her finger behind her back and avoiding his gaze.

Looking at her sister's plight, Sakura sighed and told Ray that Illya also wanted to ride on the horse together.

"*Sigh* You should have said so earlier." Ray dismissed the wolf into his shadow realm and lifted Illya with telekinesis to the horse.

"Let's go." Ray holds the reign for stability and the horse is intelligent enough to go where its master wants.

Illya lifted her hand up to the air and cheered joyfully along the way and got to sightseeing along the way there.

The trip took them almost an hour which Ray can skip with portal magic but that would be quite boring.

Once they arrived, they passed through another Bounded Field and the winter terrain instantly turned to lush grassland with sparse trees and a giant tree in the middle.

Upon his arrival, the giant tree suddenly moved one of its branches closer to Ray and his group. A flash of green as someone drops from the branch before the branch returns to its original position.

"Ray! Finally have the time to visit this poor old lady, huh. What's the occasion?" The flash of green turns out to be Alma as she walks over to Ray before seeing the two adorable girls on the horse with him.

"Oh, the demon lord finally brings out the kidnapped princesses for a walk." Alma instantly jokes.

Only that her joke isn't well received by Ray who looks back at her with a flat stare.

Ray hugged both girls before dismissing the horse and put them down on the ground.

"I brought them here to play. I heard you have a bunch of kids here that can be their playmates." Ray explained his motive honestly to Alma, who nodded.

"Yeah. But, I don't think the Elven village is safe for kids yet." Alma points at the huts and half done building which was built on the tree itself.

"Perhaps you can bring them to Lamina's lake over there. I'm sure the girls would be thrilled to meet mermaids. Right?" Alma looks at Sakura and Illya before asking.

Illya whispered to the elf and mermaid several times before showing her sparkling eyes to Alma. "Yes! I wanna see a mermaid!"

Sakura nodded along

"There you go." Alma giggled a little at Illya's cuteness and bid them farewell because she is busy building homes for her Elven village.

"Let's go, Brother Ray!" Illya excitedly bounced on her feet and dragged Ray towards the mentioned lake with crystal clear water next to the giant tree.

"Also, can Brother Ray make us fly with magic? I want to fly there." Illya added another request which made Ray release a tired sigh.

"Yes, princess. Give me a moment." Ray felt like an underpaid- unpaid daycare worker, forced to deal with overly energetic kids.

Sakura at the side suppressed her giggle at the sight which according to Alma's description is correct. The demon lord that commands an army of Undying ghosts and a spoiled princess.

But, what about herself? A sullied, impure and filthy girl like her is unworthy of such title and care from Ray. What else does she have to offer to Ray? Her body? No, Brother Ray already has Miss Tanya and Sister Charlotte. She has nothing of worth to him like Illya but he still treats her well and quite literally takes her, an outsider, as one of his students for his craft. Something only the direct heir of a family has the privilege to.

(Why does this sound like a premonition or backstory for a Yandere character?)

Sakura looks at Ray's face. No matter how much of a nuisance she or Illya become, he never scolds or pushes them aside. Unless they went too far.

—————

To make myself clear, both of them are not love interests… at least not yet if I can somehow fk it up in the future.

But, not yet decided as their role for now is merely as Ray's magecraft student and for in case if he and Tanya, Charlotte leave for another world temporarily.

Also yes, Einzbern family officially become his first foothold in this Omniverse. He need numbers IF he wanna kick Ray Elliot's butt who have a large Empire which span the Omniverse.