บท 412: Tokiomi Tohsaka
A voice echoed from afar, though no one appeared to greet them. It seemed to be some kind of magical transmission device.
Kaguya recalled that in the original Fate/Zero series, Tokiomi Tohsaka didn't seem to be a fan of modern electronics. Instead, he had a particular fondness for older, more traditional items—perhaps due to distrust of modern technology or the pride of a mage who believed magic alone could solve everything.
Kaguya couldn't quite understand it. To her, it just seemed like Tokiomi was making life unnecessarily difficult. After all, what was wrong with using convenient devices like a phone or intercom?
Unlike the Matou family, which resided in a remote, eerie forest, the Tohsaka residence was situated closer to the city. This wasn't even their original home; the Tohsaka family estate was actually in Italy. The one here in Fuyuki City was simply a secondary property they purchased. Kaguya couldn't help but marvel once more at the ease with which wealthy families could buy such grand estates—like someone casually purchasing the latest iPhone.
The mansion was simple yet elegant, radiating a strong European style, with its white walls, lush green lawns, and fountains splashing under the early light. The atmosphere here felt peaceful and harmonious, a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness that permeated the Matou family estate. As a mage household, the Tohsaka residence was also filled with magical surveillance and protective wards, but to Kaguya, it all seemed like overkill. A few security cameras would've sufficed.
As they followed the path through the mansion's well-kept garden, the front door opened automatically before they could knock.
"I apologize for the lack of greeting. It seems we have unexpected guests," a deep voice greeted them.
Out stepped a man in a red suit, his appearance refined and dignified. His neatly trimmed mustache added to his distinguished aura. If Kaguya had guessed correctly, this was Tokiomi Tohsaka, head of the Tohsaka family and a key player in the upcoming Holy Grail War.
There was a saying: "It's all Tokiomi's fault." And that was often the case—whether it made sense or not, the blame somehow always fell on him.
"Hello," Kaguya greeted with a polite smile, showing no trace of the exhaustion from moments earlier when she was about to faint from hunger.
Tokiomi's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the small, yet stunningly beautiful silver-haired girl standing before him.
Kaguya smiled knowingly. As one of the three great mage families, it was no surprise Tokiomi had already sensed something unusual about her. He must have figured out by now that she wasn't a normal human.
"Why have you returned?" Tokiomi's gaze shifted to Matou Sakura, his tone distant.
"I... I..." Sakura stammered, unable to form the words as she nervously bit her lip.
Kaguya stepped forward, shrugging. "I'm afraid the Matou household... well, it's no longer standing."
"What do you mean by 'no longer standing'?" Tokiomi asked, clearly confused.
"Well, Matou Zouken, that old bug..." Kaguya's face lit up with a bright smile, and she winked playfully. "I killed him."
Tokiomi's eyes widened in shock, and for a brief moment, disbelief clouded his expression. Then he chuckled lightly and asked, "Is this some kind of story Sakura put you up to?"
"I-I didn't!" Sakura quickly denied it, her voice trembling.
Tokiomi ignored Sakura, turning his attention back to Kaguya.
"It's understandable that one would be skeptical," Kaguya mused as she strolled forward. "After all, Matou Zouken has been around for centuries. But even someone who's lived for five hundred years is still mortal, isn't he?"
Tokiomi's pupils contracted sharply as he fixed a piercing gaze on Kaguya.
The fact that Matou Zouken was the original head of the Matou family was a closely guarded secret. Even Tokiomi himself had only suspicions about it. Yet, this silver-haired girl seemed to know everything, which naturally raised suspicions about her true identity.
"Regardless of what you say, I find it hard to believe that you could have killed Matou Zouken," Tokiomi said after a pause. "His mastery of magecraft wouldn't allow him to be killed so easily."
"Magecraft," Kaguya chuckled softly. "What you mages find so profound and mystical is really just... ordinary to me. I don't see anything particularly impressive about magecraft families and their so-called power."
"Only the ignorant would speak with such arrogance," Tokiomi replied, his voice calm and composed. "You speak as though you know everything, but it's clear you've never truly witnessed the depths of magecraft. Like a frog at the bottom of a well, oblivious to the vastness of the sky above."
"And you're sure you understand my strength better than I do?" Kaguya's smile widened. She raised her hand, and in her palm, a swirling purple orb of energy formed, crackling with lightning and exuding a menacing aura.
It was the Tailed Beast Ball.
"This is..." Tokiomi's eyes widened, and his hands involuntarily clenched into fists.
The sheer power radiating from that orb was enough to make his heart race. The fact that this small girl wielded such tremendous strength with ease was both astonishing and terrifying.
Sweat began to bead on Tokiomi's forehead.
Who is she?
"Do you believe me now?" Kaguya asked sweetly, retracting the energy orb back into her body.
Though Kaguya maintained her smile, internally she was cursing. That demonstration had cost her precious magical energy, which was already running low. Luckily, she managed to recover the orb in time, or she would've been left even more drained.
"You aren't human, are you?" Tokiomi's expression turned serious, his voice low. "Why have you come here? What do you seek from me?"
Though he still didn't know exactly who or what Kaguya was, he could tell from her immense power that she wasn't an ordinary human. She was likely an otherworldly being, a Servant. But more pressing than that was the question of her intentions—what did she want from him?
"I didn't come here with any grand intentions," Kaguya replied, walking closer. Suddenly, her face fell into a pitiful expression. "Could you maybe give me something to eat? I'm starving..."
"..."
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