[116] The Outsider Eager for the Holy Grail

It wasn't just King of Conqueror. In fact, Archer also felt that it was easier to use his abilities now.

But... unfortunately, it seemed that Heracles, who had fought against him earlier, had also experienced the same thing...

Their powers had likely increased.

No, it might be more accurate to say that they were getting closer to their true selves within the Throne of Heroes.

Because of the boost in legendary status on this land, even though it wasn't their original homeland, they still gained significant enhancements.

Even the red Archer, a person with almost zero pre-death legend, had become stronger than before.

He estimated it himself. If the result of projecting the Holy Sword earlier had led to his spiritual core collapsing, it seemed that he might still experience a collapse even with his newfound strength.

However, it would happen a bit slower this time, and he might be able to save himself with a Command Spell. It was better than the complete failure to save himself before.

At the same time, Rider's bold actions as King of Conqueror were naturally exposed to others.

After using his Reality Marble earlier, he had been strutting around openly...

While admiring his audacity, there was really nothing they could do to stop him.

They could only watch as he had his fun and then left.

And on the same day that King of Conqueror was touring the comic convention during the day, there were two other developments in the works...

....

"Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill. Repeat five times... Ah, what comes after that? I forgot..."

Prison—

A man named Ryunosuke Uryu was imprisoned here.

"Hey, don't do unnecessary things!" A police officer who had been drawn to the commotion on this side looked at Ryunosuke Uryu, whose forehead was covered in blood, and scolded him.

The "thumping" sounds they had just heard were likely caused by this guy.

Judging from the bloodstains nearby, it seemed that he had caused the commotion by smashing his head against the wall.

"Ah, sorry, sorry, I've caused you trouble, Officer."

"Tsk!" The police officer gritted his teeth. "Why is someone like you not sentenced to death?"

"I don't know... why are you asking me? But... if I die, will I become a Heroic Spirit or something? Haha, probably not... Ah, maybe the commotion I caused was too small."

The police officer gritted his teeth and, looking at the blood-stained ground and the crude summoning circle drawn with this guy's blood, which was only the size of a palm, said disdainfully, "Even if that were true, you can't summon anything with this thing."

"Well, I should at least give it a try."

In reality, the summoning circle he drew consisted of only a circle with a pentagram inside. Because, for him, that summoning circle was still too complicated, and he hadn't memorized it before he was caught.

One of the police officers had read the manga called "Fate/Zero," and during his free time, he had investigated Ryunosuke Uryu after being surprised by what he found. Then he got arrested.

It was an unavoidable situation...

"The Holy Grail, huh... I really want to see it. If such a thing exists."

...

"Hehehe, who do we have here? Is that you, Kariya? Why... are you back at this time? What's your purpose?"

"Matou Zouken—!" Matou Kariya looked at the old man who had suddenly appeared in front of him and couldn't help taking a step back. But he immediately stepped forward again. "This has nothing to do with you, right? The Matou family has already been destroyed, and you're just a stray dog now."

"Hehehe... that's true. In fact, it's even more than that. I was even put on the Association's 'Sealing Designation' list... Honestly, it really startled this old man at the time. Hehehe..." Matou Zouken chuckled twistedly, advancing slowly with a cane in hand.

"Well, it seems like you're quite relaxed."

"Hehehe... who knows, but anyway. Here, take this." Saying that, Matou Zouken waved his hand, and two books fell into Matou Kariya's hands.

"What is this?" Matou Kariya looked at the two books with no covers in his hands, puzzled.

"This is the essence of Matou Magecraft... or rather, I can say this is what you truly need, right? This thing..."

"What—?" Matou Kariya widened his eyes, not understanding what this old man was thinking.

"This Holy Grail War may end in any way, and I don't know the final outcome. But one thing I can be sure of is that the next Holy Grail War won't be too far off... However, that time should be dominated by the Mage Association. If you want to participate in the Holy Grail War, snatch a slot from the hands of the Mage Association!"

"Are you kidding me? Why would I ever want to participate in the Holy Grail War? There's simply no need for it!"

"Hehehe... Kariya, no matter how you deny it, you are still this old man's son. I can guess some of your thoughts to some extent. But... I won't give you the Magic Crest, or maybe even if I gave it to you, you wouldn't want it, right?"

"No, if you give it to me, of course, I'll take it."

"Oh?" Matou Zouken paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Is that so, is that so... You still haven't given up, huh? Hehehe... Do you want to get the Magic Crest from me and give it to that girl named Sakura? Well, that's fine! I'll give it to you, Kariya... However, do you really think that someone who has distanced himself from the world of Magecraft can get close to Tohsaka again?"

Matou Kariya clenched his hand and didn't say anything. But...

He tightly grasped the book given to him by Zouken Matou, which was Magecraft he had long abandoned—

Now...

Matou Kariya reluctantly accepted Matou Zouken's Magic Crest.

Although, in general, transferring a Magic Crest required it to be implanted before puberty and involved the use of drugs and the assistance of a "Ritual Specialist."

But Matou Zouken managed to wrap all of this up within a day.

However... of course, it came at a steep price.

Although Matou Kariya had inherited the Magic Crest, he couldn't use it properly. It was more like it was stuck on him and could be easily scraped off, to the point where it was practically useless.

Moreover, it came with excruciating pain every day.

In the future, if he wanted to use this Magic Crest properly, he would need several years and the help of a professional.

But...

"It's enough... this is enough. With this, Sakura will be safe... no one will harm her anymore..." Saying that, he glanced at the two books Matou Zouken had given him by his side. "The Holy Grail War... huh..."

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