Anime: Fight Sukuna at the beginning?.

Chapter 318: An Elegant Man and Sisters in Different Circumstances

A few minutes later, at the Tohsaka residence.

After repeatedly confirming with his Servant that there were no magus's familiars stalking the area, Kotomine Kirei ordered the old man to patrol the area.

And looking at the mansion that was like a fortress with countless magical barriers, and [Tōsaka Tokiomi] standing in front of the door waiting for everyone.

Zhuang Zhengyan made a judgment about this person in just a moment.

[This is a 'noble' who follows the rules and takes pride in his family background.]

The words spoken by this man, dressed in a dark suit, with a well-groomed beard, regular features, dignified appearance and calm demeanor, also confirmed her guess.

“I am fortunate to have the support of the [Cathedral Church] and be able to invite all of you elites from the [Cathedral Church] to witness my Heroic Spirit Summoning Ceremony.

“I feel extremely honored.

"Who is this lady?"

After saying these words that emanated a hint of arrogance, [Tōsaka Tokiomi] bowed slightly and questioned Zhuang Zhengyan, who had sneaked in with him.

However, it was obvious that the head of the Tosaka family was not asking Miss Zhuang, but his old and close friend - [Kotomine Risei].

Kotomine Risei, who was standing by, also answered Tōsaka Tokiomi's doubts at the right time.

"Tokiomi, this is the 'right-hand man' sent by the Church to assist in collecting the [Holy Relics]. He is someone you can trust.

"This Ms. Zhuang once participated in a subspecies Holy Grail War and also mastered many 'miracles' (holy light spells).

"Among the 'Agents', his strength is quite outstanding."

He turned to Zhuang Zhengyan who was standing beside him and explained.

"This is the head of the Tousaka family, [Tousaka Tokiomi], a partner of the church."

After hearing his old friend's explanation, [Tousaka Tokiomi] nodded slightly and showed his goodwill towards Zhuang Zhengyan.

"I didn't expect the church to send someone as talented as Ms. Zhuang to help.

“It really makes me panic.

"Since we are allies, as the head of the [Tōsaka family], I should also play the role of a good host."

Zhuang Zhengyan just nodded coldly, but still didn't say anything.

As he spoke, [Tōsaka Tokiomi] paid no attention to the rude behavior of the agent.

In his opinion, the church's talented agents have the capital to be proud of this.

He bowed slightly, made an invitation to the people from the [Cathedral Church], and explained to them why he was personally welcoming them.

"Now that the Holy Grail War is approaching, I have dismissed my servants and asked my wife and daughter to pack their belongings. I'm afraid..."

Just as [Tōsaka Tokiomi] was going through the necessary social etiquette and performing the polite exchanges.

The small black twintails that appeared behind him interrupted Tōsaka Tokiomi's speech.

"Father, Mother wants you to come over to discuss something.

"There's more about our transfer..."
-
The childish-looking [Tousaka Rin] appeared in everyone's sight, interrupting the conversation.

This very young girl, seeing Kotomine Kirei, whom she disliked and who had received the magic lessons from his father, Tōsaka Tokiomi, before her, standing beside her, showed obvious dissatisfaction on her face.

However, before the little lady could continue speaking, Kotomine Kirei, who knew how to deal with her, greeted Tōsaka Rin with a slightly teasing attitude.

"Hello, Rin."

Having been educated by the head of the Tohsaka family, [Tohsaka Rin] responded subconsciously.

"Hello, Kirei."

Before the two could continue their conversation, Tōsaka Tokiomi, who was somewhat dissatisfied with his daughter's disrespectful behavior, began to teach his daughter a lesson.

“Rin, I don’t remember ever teaching you that you could appear behind me and interrupt the adults’ conversations at will.

"Please apologize to the Tōsaka family's allies for your disrespectful behavior."

[Tousaka Rin] glanced at the people wearing [Agent Robes] and was about to bow and apologize.

Kotomine Risei, who was standing by, waved his hand, interrupting the girl's actions.

“Tokiomi, we’ve been friends for so many years, there’s no need for Rin to do this.

"Since even a polite person like Lin still chose to interrupt our conversation, it means that the matter that Madam wants to see you must be very important.

"Tokiomi, go deal with it first."

The elegant man hesitated for a moment, but when he saw his daughter looking at him eagerly, he softened his heart.

He bowed to the crowd and expressed his apology.

“I’m so sorry, everyone.

“As the host who invited you all to the Heroic Spirit Summoning Ceremony, I should have treated you with the utmost care.

"But I didn't want to do something so disrespectful that it would damage the reputation of the Tōsaka family.

"Please move to the lobby and review the information I've gathered. I'll be here as soon as I've finished dealing with your wife's affairs."

As he spoke, [Tousaka Tokiomi] glanced at [Tousaka Rin] beside him.

After catching the noun mentioned in his daughter's words, [Tōsaka Tokiomi] realized what his wife wanted to discuss with him.

So he prepared to find an excuse to get his daughter away.

He conveyed instructions to his daughter in a cold voice.

"Rin, entertain the guests properly on my behalf.

"Don't do anything that would damage the reputation of the Tohsaka family."

The little [Tousaka Rin] heard her father's instructions and lowered her head slightly to show her obedience.

Then he imitated his father's posture and led everyone towards the living room.

“Everyone, please follow me.

"Here is the Master's information collected by my father."

Zhuang Zhengyan's eyes lit up when she caught the key words in the Master's message, and she drew a ray of holy light on her arm without leaving a trace.

She was about to start recording the intelligence.
-
A room in the Tohsaka family's residence.

Sitting on the sofa, [Tousaka Tokiomi] looked at his wife [Tousaka Aoi] who was hesitant to speak, and he asked gently, having realized something.

"Aoi, what's the urgent matter?

"I also need to entertain the allies of the Holy Church."

Feeling somewhat uneasy, [Tousaka Aoi] saw the news about the 'serial killer' on TV and subconsciously used it as an excuse.

"Tokiomi, can you find a capable assistant to protect Rin and me while we're being transferred to the Zenjo family?

"The recent rumors about the murderer have made Rin and I a little uneasy."

[Tousaka Tokiomi] touched his chin, and even though he knew his wife was just using it as an excuse, he still responded.

"I will ask the church for some help to protect you.

"Of course, forget about being my precious 'agent'. I'm not that prestigious, and I wouldn't dare make such an impolite request to the church.

"Aoi, is there anything else you want to tell me?"

[Tōsaka Tokiomi], who was waiting for the Heroic Spirit Summoning to be completed, was already getting a little impatient.

So he chose to directly question his wife. Hearing her husband's question, [Tousaka Aoi] lowered her head and stared at her shoes for a while, then hesitantly expressed her uneasiness to her husband.

"Today, I saw [Matou Kariya] twitching madly from a distance in the park.

"He suddenly aged many years, vomited a lot of hideous insects, and was still shouting Ying's name, saying things like "I will definitely save you".

"Should I ask the Matou family about Sakura's recent situation? I'm a little worried."

Hearing his wife describe the miserable situation of the 'loser' [Matou Kariya], [Tōsaka Tokiomi] frowned slightly.

He first grasped the cane at hand, then let go dejectedly and explained to his wife somewhat helplessly.

“Aoi, I already told you this when I sent Sakura away.

"There is only one [Magic Seal] that symbolizes the Tōsaka family's heritage and achievements in magic research, and only one person can inherit this glory.

"The inheritance of a magus family is the inheritance of the [Magic Seal]. Only those who inherit the [Magic Seal] can become the head of the Tōsaka family."
-
Touching the [Magic Mark] on his arm, [Tōsaka Tokiomi] thought about his two daughters.

He once again spoke those 'cruel' words to his wife.

"Sakura and Rin both have exceptional talents, so exceptional that they seem a bit too 'precious'.

"If anyone who doesn't possess the [Magic Seal] that symbolizes the family lineage becomes the head of the Tōsaka family, the remaining person will be designated as a [Seal Designation] by the [Magic Association].

"They are carrying out a 'punishment' called the protection of mystery, but in reality it is imprisonment and dissection."

After thinking about the information he had gathered about the Master today, [Tōsaka Tokiomi] gave an inappropriate example.

"The father of the magician killer Emiya Kiritsugu, Emiya Norikaze, is a good example.

"After being designated as a [Seal Designated], he was constantly hunted and ultimately dissected. The [Magic Seal] that symbolized his family lineage was also recovered.

“Unless one can be like the [Grand Puppet Master] of the Aozaki family who was [Seal Designated] and can be resurrected infinitely, then his strength will be enough to fight against the [Magic Association].

"Otherwise, you'll be like a rat hiding in the sewer, engaged in an endless 'breakout', fighting the pursuit of the Magic Association for the rest of your life."

It seemed as if he wanted to persuade his wife.

[Tousaka Tokiomi] explained the rules of the [Magician] to his wife for the first time.

"Sakura is already a member of the Matou family. In the future, she will inherit the Matou family's [Magic Seal] and become the head of the Matou family, thus avoiding the fate of being [Sealed].

"As the head of the Tōsaka family, I cannot casually spy on the future head of the Matou family's magic training and dictate his behavior.

"To any [Magician], including [Matou Zouken], this behavior is a shameless attempt to pry into their own magician heritage, and a naked provocation like a declaration of war.

"Do you understand? Aoi!"

After understanding the current situation, [Tōsaka Aoi] nodded dejectedly and gave her answer.

"I understand, I won't ask about Sakura anymore.

"I will also explain to Rin again that I am separated from Sakura and cannot help her."

[Tosaka Tokiomi] stood up, said some cruel words, and left.

"Don't beat around the bush with Rin, just tell her directly.

“She should understand.

"Or rather, if she wants to take over the [Magic Seal] from me and become the head of the Tōsaka family, she must understand this fact."
-
At the Matou residence, he used his [Cooking] skills to prepare food for the first time in a long time.

After feeding Miss Swordsman and Sakura Matou and receiving two friendship-enhancing messages, Fang Yi is now exchanging information with Miss Zhuang.

"Besides Kotomine Kirei, you're saying that the 'child prodigy' named Kayneth has already arrived in Fuyuki with his fiancée Sora.

"He even placed his heroic spirit, armed with two guns, at the harbor, inviting him to battle, but no one responded?
"Where did you get this information? Didn't it come from [Tōsaka Tokiomi]?"

Looking at the swordsman lady who was trying to play with Matou Sakura but succeeded.

Fang Yi, who was communicating with Miss Zhuang using the amulet given to her, couldn't help but lower his voice.

Miss Zhuang on the other end also lowered her voice and spoke softly.

"Yes, [Tōsaka Tokiomi] invited everyone from the [Cathedral Church] to witness his summoning of Heroic Spirits.

“It’s said that you got the strongest card.

“Also, he is also moving his wife and daughter, but he is worried about who to escort them.

"I've already skipped the mission, but I think it's more important to stay and search for information on the Heroic Spirit of [Tōsaka Tokiomi]. What do you think?"

Listening to the sound coming from the characters with mysterious meanings drawn on his arm, Fang Yi couldn't help but sigh.

Miss Zhuang not only informed him that the church was collecting [holy relics], which was highly likely to be highly relevant to the upcoming [competitive main mission] so that he could prepare early.

He also collected the Servant information and abilities of [Kotomine Kirei], an opponent that should not be underestimated.

The news of [Kenneth]'s arrival and the servant information of [Tosaka Tokiomi] are also very valuable.

[Great job, Ms. Zhuang. Your intelligence work is so thorough.]

[If you hadn't met someone like me who knows the plot, your help would have been enormous.]

He gave key instructions directly to Miss Zhuang on the other end to help his teammates avoid possible troubles.

"Ms. Zhuang, if you don't want to be called a 'bastard' because of your [bloodline],

"I also don't want to encounter someone who's so strong and will do whatever he wants, fighting with streetlights when he bumps into them, causing unknown consequences that I can't control.

“It’s best to take that mission, or find an excuse to leave the Tohsaka family.

"If you chose the former, you can try to increase [Tousaka Rin's] friendship. It will be very easy to gain her friendship by praising her in the name of her father or giving her gems."

Just when Fang Yi was ready to persuade the other party and had already thought of several reasons.

Miss Zhuang on the other end gave the answer without any doubt.

"Okay, I listen to you.

"I'll immediately use the excuse of escorting [Tousaka Aoi] and [Tousaka Rin] out of there, and I'll be back at the church in no time.

"You should also be careful of Kotomine Kirei's Servant and that Heroic Spirit of unknown class.

"I agree with your request that I take action against [Matou Zouken], but the time for this communication is about to expire. We will further refine the plan next time."
-
As the symbols drawn by the holy light on the arm gradually disappeared, Miss Zhuang's words also disappeared from Fang Yi's ears.

Fang Yi, who put down his arms, couldn't help feeling a little confused.

[Strange, are my words really that effective?]

But he soon put aside his doubts and looked at Sakura Matou, who was being teased by the swordsman lady but never smiled.

[Ms. Zhuang has been helpful. Her identity and this mission should earn her some trust from the Tohsaka family and help her find the refuge of their wife and daughter.]

[Finally, I was able to find a decent place for this child to stay during this [Holy Grail War], away from danger.]

Fang Yi was already prepared to kill [Matou Zouken] and turn him into fuel for his [Human Pill Method].

After stripping off the [Magic Seal] from the opponent's hand and squeezing out the last bit of its value, he also found a temporary place for the girl to go to prevent himself from being restricted in the next battle.

But right now he still needs to adjust the complete plan to kill [Matou Zouken].

Because, unlike other magicians' familiars, his is an 'intelligent crow' that cannot be easily detected.

The little tricks done by [Matou Zouken] have been shared with him.

This old man is showing his 'old man's wisdom', cashing in the resources at hand to form some alliances, preparing to make things more difficult for Fang Yi and to trick Fang Yi.

He triggered [Assessment Mission II: Show Your Prowess], and after understanding the Heroic Spirit's panel through sparring with Miss Swordsman, he was confident in the battle and ready to accept the challenge concocted by the opponent and attack a few Heroic Spirits.

The requirements of his assessment task seemed a bit 'outrageous' to him.

(End of this chapter)