Chapter 27

Late at night, at the Matou residence.

"...Every repetition culminates in a fifth."

"——Aufang! (set start)"

"——Proclaim."

"Your body is under my command; my fate rests upon your sword."

"Respond to the Holy Grail's call. If you agree to this will and this reason, then answer me!"

In the damp, dark, and decaying basement, a naked purple-haired girl stood within a special magic circle, her hands clasped before her chest, eyes closed, chanting softly.

With each incantation, the magic circle beneath her feet glowed more brightly, casting an eerie light across the entire basement.

Shinji, wearing sunglasses, stood by with a cold expression, while Zouken Matou, leaning on a cane, watched with keen interest.

"I hereby swear—"

"I am the one who achieves all good in the world."

"I am the one who banishes all evil in the world!"

"Entwined by the three great words of power."

"Come forth from the wheel of restraint,"

"Guardian of the Scales!"

As she finished speaking, the magic circle's light shifted from green to blue, finally stabilizing at a bright red, reaching its peak brightness in an instant!

This fully explained why Shinji was wearing sunglasses.

Boom!

With a muffled sound, accompanied by the hissing of snakes, a woman with over-the-knee purple hair, a snake-shaped mark on her forehead, a purple blindfold with snake-scale patterns covering her eyes, dressed in sleek black clothes and knee-high boots, with a seductive aura and an exquisite figure, emerged from the magic circle as the light faded.

Sakura, as if drained of energy, collapsed to the ground, hugging her arms and lowering her head in silence.

...My appearance has finally been seen by my brother. Though I will be his woman in the future, it's still too early.

Shinji recognized the Servant with the cold aura: Rider, Medusa, just as in the original story.

"Servant Rider, I have answered your call."

Rider turned to Sakura.

"Are you my Master?"

Sakura remained silent, clearly showing no desire to participate in the Holy Grail War.

"Well, well," Zouken shook his head, sighing. "Although the Servant was successfully summoned, there is no desire to participate in the war? It seems the Matou family will..."

"Grandfather, I..." Shinji interrupted, removing his sunglasses, about to speak.

Zouken glanced at Shinji, showing some interest. In truth, this grandson, apart from lacking the talent of a mage, had no significant flaws.

All of Shinji's actions in recent years had been noted by Zouken. Compared to ordinary people, this grandson was exceptionally gifted, often feeling out of place among them, constantly trying different things.

Trying, striving, achieving far beyond average results, then discarding, continuously repeating the process. Zouken believed this grandson was searching for something to replace the unattainable path of magecraft. However, he never found it.

Success in ordinary pursuits came too easily for this genius grandson!

Because of this, he was perpetually tormented. This unfulfilled longing and twisted obsession were what Zouken admired most about Shinji.

After all, watching his descendants suffer was one of Zouken's few pleasures!

Moreover, this could be useful!

Additionally, though Sakura, the vessel he had modified into the Grail, was not yet mature and had no intention of participating, this grandson, who was several times more outstanding than ordinary people, could still bring some amusement, preventing boredom.

"Very well, Shinji, if you wish to try, then go ahead," Zouken said, then turned to Sakura. "Sakura, create a False Command Spell book for your brother."

Hearing this, Sakura slowly stood up, but just as she raised her hand, Shinji spoke again.

"No, Grandfather, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to ask where the premium magazines I hid under my bed went. Did you confiscate them?"

Zouken: Has this grandson's obsession with magecraft messed up his mind?

No!

Zouken suddenly realized something: Shinji would never say such a thing at a time like this! He would never miss such an opportunity!

Something is wrong!

"Have you figured it out, Grandfather?" Shinji grinned, showing a bright smile Zouken had never seen before. "But it's too late. Formation activate!"

As he spoke, a light blue barrier inscribed with strange white runes appeared out of nowhere, enveloping the entire basement!

Sakura, taken aback by the sudden change, didn't know how to react.

Rider, though also puzzled, instinctively prepared to protect her Master from any potential threats posed by this unknown barrier.

Even Zouken showed no panic. Instead, he looked at Shinji calmly and laughed, "Such power, Shinji, where did you get it? And what are you planning to do?"

"I can't tell you the details, Grandfather, but in short, it's from hard work. As for what I'm going to do, I'll tell you," Shinji said, his face softening slightly. "I'm going to save you, Grandfather... no, Makiri Zolgen."

"When did you find out?" Zouken's expression grew serious.

Sakura's eyes widened in disbelief, "Makiri Zolgen is the founder of the Matou family—ah!!"

Swish!

Sakura screamed as Shinji decapitated their grandfather with a hand chop!

However...

Zouken's decapitated body instantly turned into a swarm of insects, scattering.

"Although I don't know what you're planning, don't underestimate your grandfather."

Shinji shrugged, "No, I never underestimated you, not for the past ten years."

"Are you trying to prove your strength to me?"

"No, I just want to help a 500-year-old man who has forgotten his true self find redemption."

With that, a tremendous aura burst forth from Shinji, scattering debris and insects around him, even forcing Sakura to brace herself to avoid being blown back.

Rider, tense and gripping her weapon, felt an instinctive threat from the man before her, despite his lack of hostile intent.

If this man were to attack...

In mid-air, Zouken's swarming insects greedily eyed Shinji, who stood with hands in his coat pockets, wearing a serene expression.

I can feel it!

His soul and body, stronger than ever before!

So, this grandson had been hiding his true power all along!

If I could take his body and soul, I wouldn't need to switch bodies for decades, maybe even a century!

And if I could fully research his abilities...

"This is quite a surprise, Shinji. You've given your grandfather a great gift."

With that, Zouken controlled the swarm of insects to attack Shinji, while the workshop's defense mechanisms activated.

"Your powerful body and soul, I'll make full use of them!"