Chapter 274

Shinji had no fondness for the Magic Association.

The Magic Association, nominally a self-defense group formed by people from different nationalities and schools who studied magic, managed and concealed magic as its mission. It held armed forces to protect itself from threats like the Church, other magic groups, and those who broke taboos.

To further the development of magic, it established numerous research institutions and enacted laws to curb magical crimes. But this was just on the surface.

Shinji had dealt with the Magic Association.

For example, after the Holy Grail War, if he hadn't had the strong backing of his own powerful group, he might have been captured and dissected by the Magic Association for research.

Sakura was currently hiding her magical attributes because of Shinji's fear that the Magic Association might target her. It wasn't out of fear but rather because being targeted would be troublesome.

Mystery should be hidden, which was one of the three major principles of the Magic Association. However, this principle wasn't for the sake of ordinary people but because they feared the mystery leaking beyond their control. After all, once widely known, a mystery ceases to be a mystery.

The more people know about a mystery, the weaker it becomes.

The "Sealing Designation" was another reason Shinji had a grudge against the Magic Association. Under the guise of protection, they captured and imprisoned magi with rare talents or those who broke taboos, detaining them for life.

If Sakura's attributes were exposed, she would likely be designated for sealing, and if the Magic Association got their hands on her, she would end up no better than a specimen preserved in formalin.

There were also magi designated for sealing who, like Kiritsugu's father, were killed, and their research results were taken by the Magic Association.

Once they got hold of something, it was questionable whether they continued the research secretly.

Moreover, the Magic Association's reach was too extensive.

Even the Far Eastern island nation fell within their sphere of influence.

This was what Shinji found most displeasing about the local organizations managing mysteries. They had their own management but were still infiltrated to such an extent.

It's truly pathetic.

Thus, for various reasons, Shinji had been secretly making moves. Not out of fear of the Magic Association but as a precaution.

In secret, more than one-fifth of the country's parliament members had ties to his group, and many local mystery management organizations were friendly with his group.

An organization from the distant West wasn't so terrifying. Even if they were targeted, those local organizations could stall them long enough for Shinji to escape.

Then there were the local mystery management organizations.

Japan had its own organizations managing mysteries, independent of the Magic Association.

However, these organizations were numerous and fragmented, like separate clans in the Warring States period.

Fuyuki City was special, managed by the Tohsaka family, which had connections with the Magic Association due to their ties with the Wizard Marshall. Not just Fuyuki, but some scattered places also had ties with the Magic Association.

In recent years, Shinji had been working behind the scenes, uniting small, insignificant organizations that were not considered "noble families."

These united organizations had grown significantly, gaining increasing influence in Japan's mystery management. They had nearly equal, if not greater, influence than the biggest local organizations.

Seeing this situation, even organizations that initially had no interest in joining began to waver.

Months ago, leveraging Zouken's death, Shinji used the spiritual lands of the Matou family across the country to entice local magic families to join the organization, further strengthening it.

As for families that only wanted to seize the Matou family's spiritual lands without contributing, Shinji had Rider visit them after the Holy Grail War.

The efficiency was high; those who resisted were eliminated, and their knowledge was absorbed into the organization.

Shinji showed no mercy. He never considered selfish, greedy, and immoral people to be human.

Magus with humanity, like Rin or Shirou, were truly rare in this world.

By the way, the organization's headquarters was in Okinawa.

...

"Ryukyu University?"

Rin looked puzzled as Shinji mentioned this university. Even after racking her brain, she couldn't find any connection between this ordinary public university and mysteries.

Noticing Shinji's lack of response, Rin thought of something, and her expression became a bit strange.

"Hey, Shinji, could this university be..."

Snap!

Shinji snapped his fingers and nodded affirmatively, "That's right, it's supported by our family group. Although it appears to be a regular public university ranked at the bottom, it's actually the headquarters of the largest local mystery management organization in Japan, known as 'Kamikakushi.'"

"Kamikakushi?" Rin frowned, "I've never heard of it. I should know all the local mystery organizations in Japan, even if they are insignificant."

"Yes, because they were insignificant and always fighting among themselves, letting the Western Magic Association easily interfere in Japan. That's why Kamikakushi emerged."

Rin, sensing an underlying meaning in Shinji's words, pressed further, "Wait, Shinji, you don't mean to say..."

"I initiated it, but no one in the organization knows about me. They are held together by the group."

"What's your aim in doing all this? To oppose the Magic Association?"

"I just couldn't stand local mystery management organizations letting the Magic Association interfere. Matters concerning Japan's mysteries should be handled by Japan itself."

Though Shinji's words made sense in a way, Rin still felt an odd sense of unease.

"Will Kamikakushi expand?"

"Of course. As I said, I want Japan's mystery management to be in Japan's own hands, so it will eventually cover the entire country."

"Even Fuyuki?"

"Yes, of course."

Rin suddenly became anxious, standing up to refute, "Do you think anyone will allow that? Even if I, as Fuyuki's manager, permit it, the Magic Association won't!"

Shinji glanced at Rin calmly, "Tohsaka, do you think I would do this without preparing to confront the Magic Association?"

Seeing Shinji's calm demeanor, as if he were discussing an ordinary matter, Rin suppressed her anger and clenched her fists, speaking through gritted teeth.

"Shinji, are you serious?"

"Do I ever joke about such things? Moreover, while you may not feel it due to your close ties with the Magic Association, many local magic families and talents have suffered greatly because of them."

"But..."

Rin wanted to argue but gave up, realizing Shinji was serious about this.

"Don't you think so, Shirou?" Shinji asked Shirou, who clearly didn't fully understand, "Shouldn't we handle our own matters?"

"Uh… I don't quite get what you're saying, but it means we have our own organization similar to the Magic Association, right?"

"Yes," Shinji nodded.

"Then why don't we see them?" Shirou asked again.

"Because you're in Fuyuki, Tohsaka's territory, and the Tohsaka family has close ties with the Magic Association."

Shirou suddenly understood, "Oh! So they avoid conflict with the Magic Association..."

"Not just that, they also like infighting and lack a sense of responsibility."

"That's terrible..." Shirou frowned, dissatisfied, "We should handle our own country's matters!"

"Eventually, things will improve. Someday, Kamikakushi will be the only mystery organization in this country, preventing foreign interference."

"Wait!" Rin interrupted Shinji, glaring seriously at him, "The only mystery organization? Are you planning to..."

"At least better than the previous state of chaos, letting the Western Magic Association interfere freely."

Seeing Shinji's nonchalant attitude, Rin bowed her head in silence. She understood that he meant to eliminate all other mystery organizations.

Those who could be subdued would be, and those who couldn't...

"Now, two of the Four Great Exorcist Families of Japan and Grand Magus Aozaki Touko, who was often designated for sealing by the Magic Association, have acknowledged Kamikakushi. Soon, Kamikakushi will replace all other mystery organizations in Japan. Truly, Japan's mysteries will be managed by Japan itself!"

Hearing Shinji's words, Shirou didn't fully understand but felt a sense of excitement.

"Our matters should be our responsibility!"

Maybe this was what the nation lacked!

"Yes! I think we should handle our own matters too!" Shirou affirmed.

Seeing Shirou, who hadn't realized the potential chaos and bloodshed this would bring, Rin sighed and remained silent.

She knew, in a sense, this was beneficial.

Gathering the organizations would not only aid the development of Japan's mystery side but also, as Shinji said, prevent the "foreign" Magic Association from meddling.

"So, Shinji, can magic be learned there?" Shirou asked.

"Yes, although the faculty isn't as strong as the centuries-old Magic Association, the general magic knowledge is sufficient for your learning. Moreover, there are things you can't learn at the Magic Association."

"Things you can't learn?" Rin asked first.

"Look at the map, fool. Okinawa's ley lines are connected to China."

"The Eastern magic base?!"

Rin realized and exclaimed.

"Yes, like Eastern curses, which can be learned in Okinawa, are overlooked by the Magic Association. They wouldn't imagine that curses could surpass magic in some aspects."

"Can I learn too?!"

Rin blurted out but quickly composed herself, pretending she hadn't said anything.

Ignoring Rin, Shinji turned to Shirou, "Anyway, I think you'll go to the Middle East eventually, so learning some skills there will help. The general magic knowledge will also suffice for years."

"Why do you think I'll go to the Middle East?"

"Just a feeling."

"Oh..."

"To demonstrate, let me show the simplest exorcism curse I know."

"Wait! Spirits?" Shirou panicked, glancing around, "Wait! Shinji, do you mean there are..."

"Of course, they're everywhere!"

Shinji pointed to a corner, "See that shadowy spot? It's a gathering place for spirits. Though currently just a collection of unconscious spirits, they might develop consciousness over time. I'll exorcise them for you."

"We have... spirits..."

Shirou stared at the corner, dumbfounded.

Seeing Shirou's reaction, Shinji frowned, "What are you talking about? Your house even has heroic spirits, so what's strange about having other spirits? Didn't Saber tell you? She should be able to see them."

"Saber can see?" Shirou turned mechanically to Shinji.

"Of course, most heroic spirits can. They can even draw magical energy from such spirits if needed."

At that moment, Shirou felt his worldview shatter. His yard had things from horror movies, and his servant saw them daily!

Shinji closed his eyes, recalling an exorcism curse for weak spirits.

"I think it was..."

Picking up a leaf, Shinji focused and threw it like a shuriken at the corner.

Snap!

The sound wasn't loud, but Shirou saw the leaf hit something invisible and both turned to powder.

"Sprinkle some lime or similar to keep the area dry, and you won't have such problems again. Don't worry."

"Got it."

Shirou nodded, deciding to lime all shady corners of his house the next day!

"So, what's your decision, Shirou?"

Shinji looked at Shirou, considering this might be the most significant turning point in Shirou's originally tragic life.

Unlike Archer, Shirou would meet different people in Okinawa, potentially altering his fate.

Often, a small change could shift the course of events, a principle Shinji lived by.

After about two minutes.

"Yes! I trust you, Shinji!"

Seeing Shirou's response, Shinji smiled and extended his hand.

"Congratulations, Shirou, you're accepted."