Anime: Fight Sukuna at the beginning?.

Chapter 329 What He Forgot
The alley next to the Matou residence.

"Your suggestion is good."

When Matou Zouken felt that the holy light of the 'Agent' in front of him was gradually fading.

Through the high-definition images transmitted by the few remaining [Visual Insects] and [Familiars], it was confirmed that the other party had indeed made a gesture of calling off the attack.

Matou Zouken finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The 'agent' from the [Church of the Holy Land] in front of him was indeed a bit difficult to deal with.

Although as long as his soul was still alive, he could use the [Art of Immortality] to mimic an insect's body, the other party had no chance of killing him.

But your own bugs will disappear.

However, after several battles, many of the [Winged Blade Insects] and [Marking Insects] that he had carefully cultivated disappeared one by one along with the opponent's holy light.

This made him quite sad.

Therefore, after Matou Kariya's servant disappeared, the possibility of killing Fang Yi and his Saber was lost.

He no longer intended to engage in this meaningless and unprofitable battle with the other party.
-
After hearing the other party say the first half of the sentence, he stopped talking but did not make any gesture to leave.

Matou Zouken reacted instantly.

[The other party is asking for benefits from me and asking me to come up with a plan to deal with those important people above.]

He glanced at Matou Kariya, whose body had been completely devoid of all the [Marking Bugs] and whose servants had also disappeared, and smiled sinisterly.

This "son" of his was no longer useful, so he was sent out to take the blame for him.

At the same time, he needed to leave the battlefield as soon as possible, spy on the condition of the man named Fang Yi, and think about the next course of action.

He looked at the silent Zhuang Zhengyan, tapped the ground with his cane, and spoke in a slightly seductive tone.

"Ma'am, since you've suggested stopping, I, Matou Zouken, naturally have a way to deal with the church.

"All you need to do is bring back this 'son' of mine who summoned a Heroic Spirit and attacked the church's stronghold with insects.

"As for the reward, even with the [Magic Mark] on my body, it's impossible."
-
Before Matou Zouken could finish his words, he heard the other person utter a spell syllable from his mouth.

"Announcement, I will kill you."

A small area filled with soft white light and a sense of purification also appeared around its body.

Matou Zouken, who had long been wary of the methods of the [Holy Church], was shocked.

[A [Baptism Chant] that requires continuous chanting and gradually expands the attack range?]

Why does she still want to kill me?

Matou Zouken, who instantly realized the other party's tactics, couldn't help but reveal a slightly sarcastic smile on his face.

"How naive! When I saw the [Agent's Robe] on you, I was already on guard against this!"

【I won’t let you finish singing! 】

Matou Zouken waved his hand, and several mosquito-shaped [Marking Insects] that were dormant in the ground broke out of the ground and rushed towards the other party.

Before these insects could get close to each other, their bodies began to swell at an abnormal speed, and then emitted violent magical power.

Apparently, these 'specially made' bugs have transformed into several small bombs ready to explode.

If the opponent continues to chant, he will be injured by the explosion he created.

At the same time, Matou Zouken's entire body transformed into countless [Seal Bugs], which emitted an unsettling noise in the air before breaking into pieces and flying away.

Before leaving, he left behind a sarcastic remark.

“The skills are good, but unfortunately the experience is lacking.

"In battle, no one will let you."
-
But the next moment, the other party's mouth became strange and distorted, reciting the syllables at an extremely fast speed.

The brightness and intensity also changed rapidly with the chanting, and the "field" that quickly spread to the surroundings made Matou Zouken feel something was wrong.

【How can this be! 】

[High-speed chanting? But wouldn't it be theoretically impossible to use this technique for such a powerful 'miracle'?]

【Why can she use this technique? 】

A feeling of uneasiness suddenly surged in Matou Zouken's heart.

He had already sensed that the other party's holy light contained a power that he had never heard of but was extremely afraid of.

His intuition told him that as long as his insects came into contact with that strange holy light.

The [Art of Immortality] that he has survived for hundreds of years will undergo changes that he cannot understand, and he will also suffer some unacceptable losses.

[No, absolutely not. I want.]

However, before he could finish his thoughts, holy light had already covered the entire battlefield.

Before the 'bomb flying insects' exploded, the expanding flying insects turned into black smoke that diffused in the air.

His scattered swarm of insects could not escape this fate and had to contend with the expanding holy light.
-
The next moment, the entire battlefield was engulfed in light.

Before Zouken Matou's swarm of insects had completely dispersed, he felt an irresistible force surrounding him.

As an intense burning sensation swept through his long-rotten soul.

Matou Zouken can no longer maintain the use of [Insect Magic].

The huge swarm of insects under its control also began to disintegrate in the holy light, turning into pieces of flying ashes and disappearing into the air.

Zouken Matou's external body has been completely destroyed, leaving only the "main body" in Matou Sakura's heart that is about to be activated.

At this moment he finally realized something.

[That woman, from the beginning to the end, possessed the ability to end this battle in an instant.]

The other party is his natural enemy that he is completely unable to fight against.

The opponent's holy light that made him feel like he was facing a formidable enemy was not just a specialized attack against spirits and evil creatures.

It also has a soul-burning effect.

Thinking of this, Matou Zouken couldn't help but feel a little confused again.

[But why did she wait so long before using this trick? ]

What is she waiting for?

But this doubt did not last long.

As this wave of unrelieved soul-searing pain continued to be caused by an unknown source of fuel.

In a trance, he should have quickly woken up in Matou Sakura's heart.

He then began to hunt some humans, obtain their flesh and blood, and then make an external body for himself. However, he fell into a kind of emptiness that made him panic.

He felt that in the past few hundred years, he seemed to have forgotten something that was very important to him and was enough to shake his current existence.

At the same time, he was also puzzled by his inexplicable conflict with Fang Yi and his actions to deal with him.

[Why, when I saw that man named Fang Yi, who exuded a sinister aura, I had no intention of cooperating with him, but instead only wanted to kill him?]

[Why did I develop the [Art of Immortality] and live for so long? ]

Matou Zouken, who had just woken up in Matou Sakura's heart and had not yet begun to observe his surroundings, felt a little confused.
-
The alley next to the Matou residence.

"Would you like to treat the man named Matou Kariya over there? He seems to be seriously injured. Perhaps you can get some 'benefits' from him?

"Just a reminder, that old man named Matou Zouken doesn't seem to be completely dead.

“Also, did you just add something to the spell that I didn’t see last time?

"Shouldn't I satisfy my curiosity?"

Listening to the questioning voice of the 'teacher' beside my ear.

Standing on the battlefield, Zhuang Zhengyan directly ignored Matou Kariya beside her, and instead sensed the loss of her own mental strength and mana.

Then he gave a selective reply.

"Treat Matou Kariya for profit? Not interested!
"The top priority right now is to fulfill the agreement with Fang Yi and get rid of the bug he couldn't kill.

"As you said, Matou Zouken is indeed not dead, but I have a way to find his true form.

"We can find him by following the traces of 'Burning Karma'."

As Miss Zhuang spoke, she first drew a line on her arm with holy light.

Following a corrosive sound like strong acid eroding flesh, a scar emitting a mysterious meaning appeared on the Kabaneri's limbs.

After closing her eyes and sensing for a while, Zhuang Zhengyan turned her gaze to the somewhat eerie Matou residence.

A rare hint of excitement appeared on her expressionless face.

"I got you, Matou Zouken.

“Give me the [Illusion], Sensei.

"I don't want others to see me walking into the Matou family and expose my relationship with Fang Yi."
-
But Zhuang Zhengyan picked up the [Magic Seal] that was exploded by Matou Zouken and was about to head towards Matou's residence as agreed with Fang Yi, but she did not receive the expected magic blessing.

After being stunned for a moment, I heard an inexplicable humming sound in my ear.

She had no choice but to make some explanations helplessly.

"I just used [High-Speed ​​Chanting] [Burning Karma·Baptism Chanting].

"The prefix [Burning] is the [Spell Expertise] I acquired.

"【Burning Karma】has the special effect of burning the opponent's soul using their 'sins' as fuel."

Looking at the Matou residence so close, she really wanted to go in and crush the bug to death.

By the way, I wanted to show the man that I am now a completely different person and that I can play a role in this mission.

Therefore, listening to the 'teacher' who was still humming in her ear and had no intention of taking action, Miss Zhuang had no choice but to add another sentence.

"[Features] Ordinary Reincarnators can only steadily acquire these through [Attribute Breakthrough Quests].

"However, my [Talent] has undergone a mutation due to my damaged bloodline and the heart that man pinched, and my [Intelligence] and [Spirit] attributes have reached 25 points.

"That's why we created this kind of reward before this mission. Basically, it's only available through the [Attribute Breakthrough Mission]."

After hearing Zhuang Zhengyan's answer, he also heard a woman's laughter.

"It seems that you also have a 'weak spot'.

"Let's go!"

【Illusion】

With a wave, Zhuang Zhengyan disappeared in this space on the surface, but in fact she walked towards the Matou residence openly.

Only Matou Kariya was left alone.
-
After an unknown amount of time, the man, who had become blind and had lost most of his muscles, regained consciousness and stood up by miraculous instinct.

“We can’t stop yet, Sakura is still in the bug warehouse.

"I'm going to ask 'Father' for some more bugs. I'm still valuable, and I can still fight."

Matou Kariya, repeating these words in his heart, crawled bit by bit through the ruined streets and stumbled towards the Matou residence.

Anyone who saw this man would think that he was a damaged puppet that had lost all ability to move.

But this 'doll' is in such an incredible way.

Moved.
-
Matou Residence.

After spending several minutes calming the burning sensation in his soul.

Having revived within Matou Sakura's heart, Matou Zouken began to consider his next course of action. Limited by the [Self-Enforced Certificate], he hadn't used his precious [Vision Bug] to observe the battlefield until Matou Kariya's Servant vanished, to prevent it from interfering with his plan to kill Fang Yi.

In his current state, he was unable to control the [Visual Insect] to obtain information before the insect devoured a person's flesh and blood and recreated his own body.

Thinking of this, Matou Zouken began to calmly "borrow" Matou Sakura's eyes to look at the surrounding environment.

He soon realized that he and Sakura Matou were in an extremely empty basement.

Thinking back to the [Seal Bug] that existed here, Matou Zouken couldn't help but feel ecstatic.

【I survived again! 】

Although it was unknown what means the frail female Saber had used, she had defeated Berserker and Lancer.

He also didn't understand why the woman named Zhuang Zhengyan was obsessed with killing him.

But now, as long as he comes into contact with these insects, he can reshape an external body and move freely.

Then explore the current situation.

However, after using the [Insect Magic], Matou Zouken couldn't help but feel a little strange.

[Why can't I sense my bug here? Is it too far away?]
-
The next moment, the sound of leather boots tapping the ground echoed in the somewhat empty basement.

“Although the enemy is a little weak, the newly acquired sword energy is also very useful.

“But it’s still a bit tiring to kill so many bugs at once.

"Sakura, Master, you haven't come back yet?"

Sakura Matou, who had moved a chair and was secretly knitting a bracelet while sitting in the middle of the basement as planned, did not answer.

The girl simply carefully and calmly hid the unfinished bracelet in her sleeve.

Then he shook his head slightly and replied to Miss Swordsman with a hint of doubt.

"Have you come back, Ms. Okita, you should..."

Before the girl could finish her words, the swordsman scratched her head in embarrassment.

"Oh, I forgot, he and I have the ability to communicate telepathically, just ask him directly.

"It's just that he was fighting just now, so I didn't disturb him."

Looking at the cherry-haired Saber who appeared in front of Matou Sakura, talking to herself and shaking off the blood and the flesh of the [Marking Worm] on the knife.

Matou Zouken suddenly realized a horrible fact that he didn't want to think about.

[If the one dealing with the bugs here is Saber Okita Souji.]

[Then who Kariya mentioned fighting Berserker and Lancer would be...]
-
The next moment, the words uttered by the man who walked into the basement answered his doubts.

“I’m back, and I dealt with some unexpected Heroic Spirits.

"It was a bit difficult, but I finally defeated the two Servants."

Hearing Fang Yi's words, the swordsman lady beside him complained with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Master! I want it next time."

Fang Yi waved his hand to stop the swordsman lady from shouting, walked straight to Sakura Matou who was sitting on the chair, and greeted the girl.

"Good evening, Sakura."

Matou Sakura nodded slightly, then stood up and unbuttoned her coat following Fang Yi's gesture.

The next moment, the long sword at Fang Yi's waist was unsheathed.

In just a moment, the cut on the girl's chest healed as the [Reversal Technique: Strengthening] was activated.

There was also an [Engraved Insect] in the glass jar that Fang Yi casually unscrewed in his left hand.

After doing all this, he added a creepy greeting to Matou Zouken in the jar.

“It’s not okay to be missing someone when greeting others.

“That would be considered uncultured.

"Good evening, Mr. Matou Zouken."
-
The doubts that arose in Matou Zouken's heart did not last long, and he easily found the answer.

But at this moment, Matou Zouken could no longer be happy.

[That man, has he been fighting with the Servants all this time? ]

[A Servant with a full A-level stat gained three [Command Spells] amplifications, but it didn't hurt him? ]

【This goes against common sense! 】

After only a rough assessment of the opponent's combat power, Matou Zouken felt a chill run through his body.

What kind of monster is he?

[No, I must escape. I don't want the books in the Matou residence, nor the [Magic Costume] in the Magic Workshop.]

【As long as I can live! 】

He looked at Fang Yi, who looked quite scary from the perspective of an insect, and tentatively touched the glass bottle to explore the texture of the bottle.

[Very good, just an ordinary glass bottle, it can be broken.]

He glanced again at the flesh and blood of the [Marking Worm] on the basement floor, sensing the remaining magic power in it.

Made a judgment immediately.

[As long as I can reach that place, I can recover part of my body.]

[According to the 'contract', Fang Yi, whom I hate so much, can't stop me from transforming into a bug and escaping!]

He subconsciously controlled the little magic power he had left and suppressed his disgust.

She spoke words of submission to this man, whom she had inexplicably disliked the first time they met.

"I didn't expect Lord Fang Yi's methods to be so brilliant. I am ashamed of myself for not being able to match him.

"Now that victory is certain, I beg you to follow the magician's rules and spare my life.

"From now on, I will serve you wholeheartedly and will continue to teach you the magic you haven't mastered yet."
-
Seeing Fang Yi stunned and looking pensive, Matou Zouken felt happy.

[I convinced him! ]

He continued to strike while the iron was hot.

"I will also transfer the magic patents that are deposited with the Magic Association and continue to generate profits to you in the name of the head of the Matou family.

"I will also offer you the precious familiar called the Vision Bug.

“I will also offer you all the wealth that the head of the Matou family has.

"Only please"

Without waiting for the 'contemplative' Fang Yi to respond.

He decisively released his magic power, shattering the glass bottle in his hand instantly. After regaining his freedom, Zouken Matou flew towards the wreckage of the [Marking Bug].

Looking at the wreckage so close, he couldn't help but feel ecstatic.

"You didn't expect this, this is mine."

The next moment, he felt that his body was motionless in a way that he had been quite familiar with for hundreds of years.

In other words, the [Seal Bug] that was living inside Matou Zouken was rendered motionless by the effects of [Bug Magic].

After realizing this fact, Matou Zouken asked Fang Yi in a trembling voice.

"[Bug Magic]?!

"Fang Yi! How could you use my magic against me?

"I just gave you a little knowledge and you know it? That's impossible!"

Zouken Matou struggled hard, trying to make a final effort to fly towards the remains of the [Sealing Worm] and have a feast.

However, after several attempts, he only managed to advance a few centimeters, and then Zouken Matou discovered in despair that he could no longer advance even an inch.

[Is this extremely sinister man trying to toy with and humiliate me? ]

[But the contract is absolute, so theoretically he can't do anything about it.]

Following the sound of crisp footsteps outside the basement.

Matou Zouken, who was still thinking about how to turn the defeat into victory, suddenly lost all his confidence after seeing the familiar Miss Zhuang.

Fang Yi, who had used the Matou Zouken inkstone to brush up his [Insect Magic] skill level, turned around and saw Zhuang Zhengyan, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

Without waiting for the swordsman lady to speak, she started to review the script with Miss Zhuang.

"The 'Agent' of the [Holy Church]!
"This is not the place for you!"

Miss Zhuang walked to Fang Yi very naturally and said perfunctorily.

"Heretical magician! Enemy of the Church!
“I have something urgent to do now.

"Step aside!"
-
Faced with such a "powerful" enemy, Fang Yi struggled for a while, and finally had to let go of Matou Zouken.

The next moment, with the blessing of [Burning Karma], a holy light flashed and turned into a chain that bound Matou Zouken.

Zhuang Zhengyan, who had caught Matou Zouken, asked in a deep voice according to the "script".

"Then Master Matou, does your family have any hidden secrets?
"If you don't tell me, the 'sin' you carry will burn for a long time.

"Although I don't know why you've lived this long and have so many 'sins', the pain transformed from your enormous 'sins' is very intense."

However, Matou Zouken, who was suffering from the torture of [Burning Karma], felt that he was being tortured by this strange holy light.

I am remembering some things that I have long forgotten.

Why have I lived so long?

[I seem to have had some very grand ideals before, which is why I hate Fang Yi, but I don’t think so.]

Looking at the uncooperative Matou Zouken, Zhuang Zhengyan raised her eyebrows and the holy light in her hand became brighter.

She directly chose 'Increase Power'.
-
Under the even more blazing holy light, as his own 'sins' burned, Zouken Matou gradually remembered things he had long forgotten on his deathbed.

[I am, Machiri Zolgen.]

My original purpose in seeking eternal life was simply to realize my dream from my youth—to abolish all evil.

Thinking of this, I recalled what I had done in the past.

He couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

It's been almost 500 years since I last saw my dear friend, von Hohenheim.

[Has it happened that I, who forgot my ideals, went from being someone who initially pursued justice and eradicated evil, to becoming an out-and-out villain?]

【How ironic! 】

Feeling ashamed, he looked at Fang Yi who was thinking with his head down not far away and made arrangements.

"Fang Yi, there's the Matou family's [Magic Costume] under the floor of the magic workshop's workbench.

"In the mezzanine below, there are scattered manuscripts of my good friend [Von Hohenheim] regarding his research on the [Philosopher's Stone].

"[Visual Insect] Go ask that surviving Kariya for it, he still has a few!
"You can take the useful [Vision Bug] and the manuscript, but you have to promise me one thing!"

This magician who lived from the Renaissance to the present day, now "cunningly" borrowed the name of the founder of alchemy and the knowledge of the [Philosopher's Stone] to submit a commission to Fang Yi.

　There is still a big chapter, still in progress
　　Von Hohenheim (Bean Dad) is indeed a good friend of Matou Zouken, and he does have the skill of [Philosopher's Stone]

　　
　
(End of this chapter)