People in Type-Moon have a hero simulator.

Fujimaru Kyoya spread out the Buddhist stories in his hands. The high monks in the stories were like riddle tellers, and they really wouldn't say a single human word if they could avoid speaking human language.

For a moment, Fujimaru Kyoya felt that this Great Raiyin Temple might be a Big Gotham City.

"These? These are all Buddhist koans, so they are relatively difficult to understand."

Sesshouin Kiara was originally from a Buddhist family and had been exposed to Buddhism since childhood, so she naturally had some knowledge of these koans.

"Most of the Zen Buddhist ideas are transmitted from mind to mind without relying on written words. When transmitting the Dharma, they generally do not explicitly define what 'Buddha' is, but rather explain what 'Buddha' is not, thus achieving their own understanding by negating others."

Isn't this just being a contrarian?

This was Fujimaru Kyoya's first reaction to Zen Buddhism, but upon further reflection, he realized it was a very clever way of thinking.

Because humans cannot comprehend the realm of "Buddha," using human thinking and speaking will inevitably lead to a deviation from the original "Buddha," no matter what the final conclusion is.

Zen Buddhism understands this point, therefore in Zen Buddhism there is no concept of what "Buddha" is, only what "Buddha" is not.

Use dialectical thinking to attack the enemy and confirm your own understanding of "Buddha".

This is one of the reasons why Zen Buddhism has flourished for so many years.

“If you look at these stories from a different perspective, I believe you, Fujimaru-nii, will also have new ideas.”

Sesshouin Kiara cheered Fujimaru Kyouya on from the side, while Fujimaru Kyouya refocused his attention on the Buddhist scriptures.

As the anxiety subsided and the perspective shifted, the conversation, which had been full of riddles, gradually took on a different kind of interest in Fujimaru Kyoya's eyes.

His mind raced, and in his imagination, a figure slowly appeared before him.

This time, the simulated ghost was not the formidable enemy he had faced before, but a monk with an indistinct face, a monk he imagined based on the stories in his hands.

"May I ask, what is the meaning of the Patriarch's coming from the West?"

The so-called "patriarch" is Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma came from the West to transmit the scriptures and spread Buddhist teachings. The real question in the words of the eminent monk is what "Buddha" is.

"The cypress tree in front of the courtyard."

Fujimaru Kyoya answered as in the story.

"Buddha" is nothing. Everything has Buddha-nature, even the cypress tree in front of the courtyard mentioned casually.

What Fujimaru Kyo didn't know was that his words had attracted the attention of Sesshouin Kiara.

This exceptionally talented girl sensed... there was a transparent cypress tree behind Fujimaru Kyoya, visible only to her.

Chapter Seventy-Five: The Intruder

That's truly remarkable insight.

Sesshouin Kiara couldn't help but admire her; after just a few words of guidance, she understood the meaning. There was finally a second person like her.

At this moment, Fujimaru Kyouya was clearly getting into the zone, and Sesshouin Kiara did not stop him. Gradually, it got dark, and it wasn't until dusk that Fujimaru Kyouya came to his senses.

"Hmm? What time is it now?"

Fujimaru Kyoya looked at the sky outside in surprise. He had never been so engrossed in reading that he lost track of time before. This feeling was truly novel.

"Around six o'clock, Fujimaru, why don't you stay here for dinner?"

Liu Dong Yicheng also arrived at this time. He naturally wouldn't disturb this "demon" who was engrossed in reading, since every moment he spent watching such a rare event was precious.

"I don't let my sister eat lunch at home. I have the habit of eating hot meals outside. I will definitely come over for a meal next time. I'll go back first this time."

Normally, Iifujimaru Kyoya would not let free food go to waste, but recently his parents have been away on business trips. Although he keeps some emergency food in the refrigerator, it is only in case.

If he can go back to cook, he will still go back.

"Is that so? Then let's do it next time."

The Liu family was quite wealthy and didn't care at all about their friend coming over for a couple of free meals. As Liu Dongyicheng watched his friend leave, he suddenly remembered something.

"I heard recently... well, if this guy encounters a bear in the wild, he should be worried about the bear's life."

Liu Dongyi had heard that someone had recently mentioned strange things happening at Yuanzang Mountain, with some wild animals appearing very uneasy and even causing some disturbances at night.

Ultimately, it was just a commotion; there have been no casualties so far. Besides, it's uncertain who would have been hurt if the beast had encountered Fujimaru Kyoya.

……

"Kirei, do you think these two won't ruin the ley lines in our Fuyuki City?"

Rin Tohsaka said with some concern.

A battle between a Grand Master and a mage—it's not just about destroying the ley lines; it could wipe Fuyuki City off the face of the earth. How could Rin Tohsaka not be worried?

"That's unlikely. Those two didn't start fighting as soon as they met, so they obviously didn't intend to fight to the death, even if something like that really happened..."

Kirei Kotomine paused here, wondering if this agent of the church's executioner had some kind of trump card.

"Then we'll have no choice but to leave our homeland. The church won't interfere in the affairs of mages."

"You'd better do something useful, Kirei."

Rin Tohsaka felt that ever since she started hanging out with that guy Kyoya Fujimaru, she'd started to gravitate towards being a sarcastic and witty person.

Is Rin Tohsaka going to be labeled a comedic actress in the future?

I don't want that kind of future.

"But instead of worrying about those, why not worry about your disciple? If he accidentally stumbles into the duel between those two, he'll be killed without a second thought."

Although the Aozaki sisters were not indiscriminate killers, this incident involved the most important aspect of the Aozaki family's lineage: legitimacy.

The two sisters have been holding back their pride for so many years, and now no amount of persuasion from anyone can change their minds.

"Not necessarily. Although that guy has a strong magic resistance, we were able to roughly deduce the location of the Aozaki sisters' duel."

Rin Tohsaka glanced at the map of Fuyuki City and marked the locations of four spirit veins on it.

"Although Aozaki Touko has reached the Grand rank, in the Clock Tower, the Grand rank symbolizes more of her magical skill and cannot be equated with combat power. To defeat a mage... even one who does not use magic is not an easy task. She must rely on the power of the ley lines."

Using the terrain to narrow the gap between oneself and a mage is not a particularly clever tactic; the key lies in what kind of "otherworld" Aozaki Touko can create.

"That's not a place you can enter just by relying on magic resistance. Mount Enzo is in a remote location, and the Aozaki sisters must have made their move at night when no one is around. For him to still be able to plunge into that kind of place, you can only say he was unlucky."

To prevent Fujimaru Kyoya from getting carried away by his curiosity and causing trouble, Rin Tohsaka deliberately didn't tell him that Mount Enzo was very likely the location of the Aozaki sisters' final battle. She only told Fujimaru Kyoya not to go out at night.

After all, Rin Tohsaka could no longer figure out her apprentice.

“Indeed, as long as he doesn’t go out at night, he won’t run into those two people. That’s one way.”

Kirei Kotomine wasn't worried. With Gilgamesh protecting him, he should be able to escape unscathed even if he encountered a mage.

I just don't know which kid is going to do something so reckless right now.

Kirei Kotomine had a feeling that Kyoya Fujimaru would definitely be dragged into some inexplicable chaos, which would be... too delightful.

……

Fujimaru Kyouya is certainly not someone who seeks death. Although he has a cheat code, he wouldn't go and fight a boss before even leaving the beginner area. At least... let me learn the "Sword God" skill when I'm at Shilipo.

As darkness fell, Fujimaru Kyoya was quite certain that he hadn't gotten lost, so why hadn't he reached the foot of the mountain yet?

"The way back is no longer visible."

Fujimaru Kyoya looked back at the road he had taken, as if he had stepped into a different world by some unknown opportunity.

Or perhaps Mount Enzo at night had transformed into another world, and just a few steps away, Fujimaru Kyoya had experienced a "time travel".

"Ritsuka is waiting for me to come back and cook."

Fujimaru Kyoya muttered to himself, although he had prepared a bento box, it was a bit too nutritious for a child to eat a bento box.

No matter the reason, he had to go back.

"Boom~"

A muffled thud resounded, like the footsteps of a gigantic monster, but the source of the sound wasn't in the surroundings, but rather...

"Underfoot?"

The moment Fujimaru Kyoya made his decision, the solid ground immediately cracked open, causing the once flat ground to collapse.

What is that?

Although he had no foothold, Fujimaru Kyoya had not forgotten the techniques he had learned in the simulation. Even if he fell off a cliff, as long as he smashed those threatening sharp corners, with Fujimaru Kyoya's recovery ability, he could land safely and unharmed... right?

"Qingzi, is this the helper you invited?"

"Do you think I need help? I think this is the kind of helper I need, isn't it?"

Two sharp, confrontational voices rang out, causing Fujimaru Kyoya to inwardly curse his bad luck. Encountering these two in such a place was beyond just bad luck.

What if I came in by accident?

Fujimaru Kyoya asked tentatively.

"Then you are truly unfortunate."

Yes, that's so unfortunate.

The Seventy-Sixth Wizard's Egg (9/28)

Aozaki Touko was once a highly regarded genius.

Of course, this doesn't mean she isn't anymore. Aozaki Touko is still a genius and has even earned the Grand rank. But for the former "Magazine's Egg," the so-called Grand rank is incredibly ironic.

"Qingzi, we used to have a very good relationship, do you remember?"

Aozaki Touko asked the question without turning her head as she fiddled with the box next to her.

After meeting with Shinji Matou, she began to set up the underground cavern of Mount Enzo, which was her world, and she knew everything about the intruders.

Even if a magician comes.

“I remember, back then, as an ordinary person, I often went up the mountain to visit you. I would tell you about what I saw and heard at school, and you would tell me about your training on the mountain. In order to inherit the identity of a magician, your eyesight also started to deteriorate around that time. I saw all of this.”

Aozaki Aoko didn't hide anything. In this small world where it was just the two of them, she could now say things that she was previously too embarrassed to say without any restraint.

Aozaki Aoko clearly saw how much effort her older sister had put in to inherit the position of mage.

If that incident hadn't happened, the two sisters would probably still be getting along well.

"As expected, it's best to let Aoko inherit the Aozaki family."