Chapitre 62: 62 New Stage
Three months later.
Fuyuki City Airport.
It was a perfect day for flying.
In the back row of the waiting room, a young man was dozing off next to the window. There was still some time before the flight to London, so he closed his eyes to rest.
Thanks to the miracle of the Holy Grail, all the buildings destroyed during the war were restored, including his house, which had been wrecked by a gas explosion. Now, he had returned it to the group leader.
Although the events of those days had caused quite a commotion, fortunately, they didn't have too much of an impact. The rift between the mystical and the real world was mended with the help of the Holy Grail.
Everyone who came back to life that night treated the experience like a nightmare, and the magi kept quiet about it.
After resolving all the issues, he had packed his important belongings, preparing to leave the city that could barely be considered his home.
It was hard not to feel a little reluctant to leave this place where he had lived for so many years.
"Roy!"
While Roy was lost in thought, a lively voice full of energy reached his ears. Turning his head, he saw the energetic girl, Fujimura Taiga, who had come to see him off.
Seeing who it was, Roy stood up with a smile and looked at Taiga, who was running toward him. "Oh, it's Taiga. Did you come to see me off?"
"Hehe, that's right! I even brought you a farewell gift." The girl said with a grin as she pulled a small black box from her pocket and handed it to him.
"Is this... sunglasses?"
Roy weighed the box in his hand and, glancing at the special design, roughly guessed what was inside.
"That's right! I bought these new sunglasses from Tokyo. They suit you perfectly, Roy! Try them on."
"Thank you, Taiga. But… these seem pretty fancy. Are you sure your allowance is enough?"
Opening the box, he saw a pair of stylish, round sunglasses, just as Taiga had said.
From the packaging and design, it was clearly a luxury item, no doubt expensive.
"They weren't that pricey, just two months of allowance! I've been saving up."
"Well, that's…"
"Roy."
As they continued chatting, a powerful yet aged voice suddenly came from the entrance.
"Grandfather."
"Boss."
Both of them stopped talking and turned to look at Fujimura, the group leader, who appeared at the doorway.
"Yes, it's me." The elderly leader walked toward them, leaning on his cane.
"Ah, so you really are leaving. Now that the organization is at a crucial point in its growth and transition, it's hard to see someone as young and capable as you go." He sighed, looking at Roy.
"But, perhaps it's for the best. Young people need to go out and experience the world. It makes a big difference. Besides... you've got too many secrets on you. There are things about you that even I, an old man, can't see through."
"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused, Boss." Roy responded with a bitter smile. "But with so many capable assistants under your command, and Taiga, your excellent heir, I believe that even without me, the Fujimura Group will have a bright future."
"That's right, leave it to me, old man." Taiga chimed in enthusiastically. "Once I take over as leader, I'll make sure our group beats down the other organizations and shows them who's the real boss of Fuyuki City!"
Taiga patted her chest, striking a determined pose like a proud little tiger.
For her, she had long been eager to take over the Fujimura Group, officially becoming the boss of the gang, and then leading her subordinates to make a big move. Such a cool idea was quite attractive to a girl her age.
"Heh, girl, it's still too early for you. It's not your time yet. Wait until I'm too old to carry on before we talk about that." the Fujimura boss shook his head and said grumpily.
"Your most important task right now isn't about fighting and killing in the underworld. Focus on finishing your studies and stop thinking about all this nonsense."
"Ugh..."
The thought of the mountain of holiday homework waiting for her made Taiga lower her head in frustration.
Seeing this, Roy couldn't help but laugh.
It seemed that even the future gang leader of Fuyuki City struggled with homework.
"Youth, take this with you."
"This is?"
Taking an envelope from his sleeve, the Fujimura boss handed it to Roy, saying, "When you're out in the world, you need to take care of yourself. Since you're going abroad, you'll surely need money. This envelope contains a check for forty thousand euros. Consider it a token from me and the group."
This money was not only a form of support but also a reflection of the bond they had built over the years. Though they hadn't spent much time together, the old boss had come to see Roy as one of their own, an indispensable member of the Fujimura Group.
Smart, capable, and with a vision far ahead of most young people, Roy was vastly different from the typical headstrong or reckless youngsters. His bond with Taiga was also strong, making him someone the old boss could trust. He had even considered grooming Roy to eventually take over as the future leader, helping Taiga manage the group.
But everyone had their own path. The old boss wasn't a stubborn, unreasonable old man. Since the kid wanted to go out and explore, he'd let him. After all, forcing someone to stay would only lead to unhappiness. As long as Roy remembered that the Fujimura Group in Fuyuki City would always be waiting for him, it was enough.
As an elder, the boss now simply wanted to give him a proper send-off.
"Thank you, Boss Fujimura." Roy nodded and smiled as he took the envelope from the old man, offering a final farewell.
"Boss, Taiga, I'm truly fortunate to have met you and the Fujimura Group during the loneliest and most helpless time in my life."
"Even though I'll be far away from this city, I'll always remember this place, and the big family I had in Fuyuki City. If you ever need me, you can contact me anytime, no matter where I am in the world."
"Roy..."
As they said their goodbyes, Taiga silently stepped forward to give Roy a parting hug.
"Brat."
Hearing Roy's heartfelt words, the old Fujimura boss sighed, then blew out his mustache and grumbled, "Do you even need to say that? As long as you're alive, you'll always be a member of the Fujimura Group. Don't overthink it. We old-timers are still tough and can manage for at least another ten years. Just focus on taking care of yourself abroad, and reach out if you need anything."
"Yes, yes. Just don't find me too much trouble, boss."
"Hmph, cut the nonsense."
The boss smiled, glanced at the flashing flight time on the screen, and said, "It's about time. I won't keep you any longer."
"Taiga, let's go."
"Oh."
Taiga responded, and just before leaving, she turned back to Roy and reminded him, "Roy, if you run into any trouble out there, just let me know. I'll bring the boys and back you up."
"Yes, yes, I'll be counting on Fuyuki's Tiger, Boss Taiga of Fujimura Group."
"Hehehe, glad you know."
After a brief exchange, Roy watched as Taiga and her grandfather left.
As he stared at their fading figures and the thick envelope in his hand, he let out a bitter smile, "Seriously, I'm not a kid anymore. Do they have to worry so much...?"
He felt a warmth swell within him.
"It's already been three months, huh..."
Fuyuki City... a world that had risen from death. How quickly time had passed here.
...
Three months had passed.
This marked the total time since the Holy Grail War had begun. During this period of intense activity, time had quietly slipped away.
Two months ago, the moment Roy returned from the Root, he first visited the Matou residence to physically offer some warmth to a certain lonely old man. Then, he sought out a misguided youth, gave him a proper lesson, and ensured he received the punishment he deserved. After having a heart-to-heart with Matou Kariya, Roy finally had a candid conversation with Emiya Kiritsugu (emotionally) and, after obtaining what he desired, immediately headed for Tokyo.
While various factions poured into Fuyuki City, digging around relentlessly to uncover the abnormalities that had occurred during the Holy Grail War, the participants had already long gone.
Kayneth, along with Waver, had fled back to the Clock Tower at lightning speed, using the power of the El-Melloi family to protect themselves. In their haste, they didn't even have time to retrieve the few magical furnaces they had restored in the Hyatt Hotel.
Even Tohsaka Tokiomi, who couldn't escape the scrutiny, brushed off those who came knocking with various excuses, claiming he had been eliminated days ago and thus had no knowledge of the Holy Grail War's secrets.
The situation was brushed aside as the abnormal behavior of certain Servants or Masters, with blame shifted to the Church, which had overseen the war.
While it was shameless, that's how things unfolded. Most of the trouble had been caused by Amakusa Shirou.
As the Mage's Association and the land overseers deflected responsibility, Kotomine Kirei, the Church's overseer of Fuyuki, could only close the matter with the ridiculous excuse of a gas leak.
After all, the dead had been revived and the destroyed city restored. As long as they concocted a plausible explanation for the ordinary people, it would suffice.
However, within the world of magecraft, both Magus, Executors, and Dead Apostles alike could confirm that the pillar of light that shot into the sky that night, as well as the terrifying force capable of altering the planet's etheric environment, was real.
They knew that the so-called Holy Grail was authentic.
It truly existed... an ultimate force of life, a miracle of the Lord, or the power to reach the Root.
Thus, in this city, Dead Apostles secretly roamed, seeking out this immense power. Executors hunted for traces of angel, while magus pursued the possibility of reaching the Root. These three factions clashed in the city, creating chaotic scenes like demons running amok.
In the corners of Fuyuki at night, violent clashes often erupted, whether between magus or more deadly encounters.
But Roy paid no mind to these happenings. The Holy Grail had already erased all traces of the Holy Grail War. No matter how hard these factions fought or dug through the city, they would never find anything useful.
Moreover, Tohsaka Tokiomi, the land overseer, and Kotomine Kirei, the Church overseer, wouldn't sit idly by.
As long as things didn't escalate, such as deaths or exposure of mystery, nothing else mattered.
Compared to these concerns, there were far more important matters awaiting Roy's attention.
…
Two months earlier.
Outside a school in Tokyo.
Roy sat outside the school gates, quietly waiting for his intended target.
After several hours, the school day finally ended. He knew his target would be leaving soon.
Glancing at the setting sun and the throngs of students pouring out of the school, a confident smile crept across Roy's face.
"I've come for you, Shiki."
--- Volume 1: Fuyuki Stage - END
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