Abnormal Moon

Chapter 24 The Orange Returns

Ten years ago, the Greater Grail summoned seven Servants, who then cooperated with seven Masters to fight each other.

But as it turned out, something unexpected happened.

The curse accumulated within the Greater Grail overflowed, engulfing Fuyuki City, Japan, and even the entire world. The world was engulfed in flames for a full year, resulting in heavy human casualties, and in the end, people could only hide in base cities to eke out a living.

This is the origin of the Great Cataclysm, a consensus within the magic community.

The root of everything is the Fourth Holy Grail War.

The impact of this cataclysm was enormous. Not only was the international situation turned upside down, but the magician world also underwent several major reshuffles. In today's world, even die-hard Type-Moon fans would never dare to say that they know this world.

In fact, given the depth of modern magic, it's not impossible to contain the cursed mud within a certain area.

For example, the magicians worked together to keep the black mud trapped within Japan.

The spread of the cursed black mud was far slower than Tiamat's Chaos Tide, which took a full year to cover the entire globe. If magicians had the will, they could have used any amount of effort to contain the black mud.

In fact, that's exactly what the magicians did in the early stages of the Black Mud Outbreak.

The result was a complete defeat.

What crushed them with overwhelming force were the six corrupted Servants who emerged from the black mud.

The six corrupted Servants were invincible. As soon as they emerged from the black mud, they slaughtered the magicians and made them collapse at the slightest touch. They swept across the globe and had no rivals.

This ultimately led to black mud covering the entire globe.

After that, the corrupted Servants returned to Japan from all over the world and wandered around the Japanese countryside.

Frankly speaking, excluding places like the Wandering Sea, Japan's countryside is the most dangerous place in the world.

Encountering monsters or cursed spirits is relatively mild; encountering a corrupted Servant is a disaster. Even dozens or hundreds of top-tier mages gathered together wouldn't be enough to defeat a corrupted Servant with a single hand.

The reason why the corrupted Servants returned to Japan and wandered in the Japanese wilderness for ten years remains unknown, and there are many different opinions.

Now, this question has been answered.

Because the power of the Holy Grail was not exhausted, the Greater Grail accumulated its magic power for ten years, finally gathering enough magic power.

The Fifth Holy Grail War is just around the corner.

At this juncture, the return of five of the six corrupted Servants to Fuyuki City speaks volumes about their intentions.

"It's the Holy Grail War again..."

A hint of annoyance appeared on Rin Tohsaka's usually composed face.

Almost everyone in this world hates the Holy Grail War, and Rin Tohsaka is a prime example of this. Her aversion to the Holy Grail War is beyond words.

"You'd better start preparing as soon as possible."

Roy smiled and pointed to Rin Tohsaka's hand.

On the back of her hand were three scarlet stigmas.

This is proof that she was chosen by the Aeon.

Roy saw the Command Seals on her hand when he was in the lobby of the association's branch.

The Greater Grail was created by the three starter families: Tohsaka, Matou, and Einzbern. When they set up the formation, they had already established a mechanism for selecting Masters, ensuring that three of the seven Masters would be from the starter families.

Essentially, the Greater Grail is something that the three families use to pursue the origin, so of course they'll prioritize their own people first.

Even if Rin Tohsaka really doesn't want to participate, the Greater Grail will still weld the Command Seals onto her hands without any explanation.

After the three founding families, there are two more spots reserved for the Mage's Association.

Only the last two spots are for freelance magicians.

However, the current Fifth Holy Grail War is hard to say.

Of the two candidates, Tohsaka and Einzbern are certain to be included. The Matou family has been destroyed, Zouken Matou is officially dead, and Sakura is still in Misaki City and hasn't returned.

There are over two hundred freelance magicians and magicians affiliated with the association residing in Fuyuki City. Who knows who the Greater Grail will ultimately choose?

"Or are you planning to abstain and hand over the Command Seals to someone else?"

A hint of amusement crept into Roy's smile.

"impossible!"

Rin Tohsaka looked at the Command Seals on the back of her hand and said resolutely.

"I will not give this Command Seal to anyone. I will use this Holy Grail War to resolve everything!"

Seeing her determined look, Roy knew that she must have made up her mind a long time ago.

That's right. Rin Tohsaka is a very independent and self-reliant person. She doesn't need anyone to tell her what to do; she can walk on the right path on her own.

"Then let's get ready quickly."

Roy advised, "The Association will find out the situation sooner or later. You are ahead of the game now, but only by one step. You'd better use this time difference to do something, whether it's to seize power or to win the Holy Grail War."

"I know, thank you."

Rin Tohsaka suddenly burst into laughter.

"Thinking about it carefully, I owe you so many favors that I can never repay them all."

"Then repay me with your body."

Roy chuckled.

"Huh? You! No, wait a minute... what are you saying all of a sudden!"

Rin Tohsaka leaped out and assumed a punching stance for Roy, her pretty face flushed red.

"I'd accept being treated like a slave."

Roy smiled merrily and added another sentence.

"You really are..."

Rin Tohsaka deflated instantly, her shoulders slumping listlessly.

My heart, which had been in my throat, immediately settled back into my stomach.

"I will think about it."

Rin Tohsaka gently brushed a strand of black hair from her temple and left with her cheeks still flushed.

…………

Aosaki House.

"Lord Roy."

As soon as Roy returned home, he was greeted by Hayasaka Ai, who looked like she had something to say.

"what happened?"

Roy took off his trench coat and handed it to Hayasaka Ai.

"You want to go back? But Shiyu hasn't finished her maid course yet, has she?"

No, that's not it.

Hayasaka Ai shook her head in denial, then pointed towards the living room.

“Someone’s here… She said she’s from the Aozaki family, and the barrier naturally avoided her, but Utaha and I don’t know her.”

The Aozaki family has returned?

Roy stepped onto the indoor slippers that Hayasaka Ai handed him, then suddenly paused upon hearing this.

Immediately afterward, his eyes lit up, and he strode into the living room without waiting.

There were two figures in the living room. One of them was wearing a maid outfit with an inner lining, and her long, straight black hair was draped behind her. It was Kasumigaoka Utaha.

The other woman had her long, bright orange hair tied into a chic single ponytail. She wore black-rimmed glasses just like Roy's, and looked to be only about twenty-four or twenty-five years old. Her eyebrows and eyes were soft and reserved, and her features had the unique charm of a mature woman. Every move she made exuded an intellectual air.

She was wearing a thin shirt and trousers, and Kasumigaoka Utaha immediately recognized whose office suit she had been wearing earlier.

She looked down and compared her bust size with the other person's.

Then he conceded defeat.

Chapter 25 Second Summoning

"Orange, you're finally back!"

"Hey, Roy."

Aozaki Touko held a lit cigarette between her fingers, surrounded by swirling smoke.

"Is this the servant you chose? The little brat has finally grown up!"

Her gaze fell on Kasumigaoka Utaha, her expression a mixture of amusement and admiration.

Kasumigaoka Utaha was speechless.