The establishment of the Time Travelers Alliance began in the first year of Conan

Chapter 309 Kariya has become... a demon of vengeance (Seeking monthly votes!)

Some might ask, why is the league being so cautious?

Why does Conan act as if the entire Type-Moon universe is in an enemy alliance?

Since the Throne of Heroes is one of the "devices" that protect humanity and the world, why doesn't this self-proclaimed righteous detective "lend a hand"?
Why doesn't Conan upload his own "Heroic Spirit Panel" and add a new "Guardian" to this universe?

after all--

Aside from the Throne of Heroes' data demands, which resemble a "DDoS attack," the Type-Moon world doesn't seem to have actually caused him any real harm so far.

Even the act of anchoring him as a Heroic Spirit might just be the Throne of Heroes' instinctive reaction based on the "Holy Grail War".

After all, his "identity" at that time was already disguised as a Heroic Spirit, wasn't it?
But for Conan—

This hostility has never ceased.

They are everywhere.

"According to TDD's records, the RSI background value of around 100 in this universe is simply not enough to try to 'raise' its RSI value."

These are Conan's exact words.

But why is it "raised" instead of "lowered"?

It's very simple, just like Lin Sheng's RSI value is always fixed at 0.

An RSI value of "100" is "normal".

A value higher than "100" signifies an "anomaly" originating from the universe itself—such as Conan Edogawa within this universe.

And if it's below "100"...

It refers to the "outsiders" or the impact they cause that need to be "pacified".

This "hostility" is clearly not based on the alliance or whether the "outsider" is on a "righteous" standpoint.

Their very existence is fundamentally in conflict with the logic of this "universe".

Just as Conan needs to use the CYZ effect to "isolate" himself from the world, just as Hasegawa Tsuki needs to activate the "Circulation Protection Mode" to avoid being "spiritually transformed".

Without the CYZ effect, they might have already been assimilated into this universe—in a way that conforms to this worldview system.

Perhaps Conan will become a true Heroic Spirit.

And Hasegawa Tsuki... will become a person with a "soul".

Perhaps for Conan himself, this transformation is insignificant.

After all, he was just a created "Heroic Spirit Template," an "extension of reasoning" in the "universe," and a "possible time point."

But what about Hasegawa Tsuki?

If she relinquishes her own [timeline] nature and is transformed into a member of the [Type-Moon Universe], can she still go back?

not to mention--

There is no doubt that the "historical inertia" still exists.

However, after Conan assumed the identity of Lancelot, the harassment from the Throne of Heroes stopped.

His failed attempt to detach himself from the Grail System using TDD and imaginary number magic has already proven this point.

Because this is by no means a "failure of the magic mechanism".

If we only consider the settings of the [Type-Moon universe], his actions should be completely "justifiable"—

The Matou family, as one of the "three founding families" who constructed the Holy Grail System, was already aware of its flaws. Medea's "illegal summoning" in the future further proved the validity of this claim.

But Conan not only failed, he also needed to constantly use the [CYZ effect] to fight against this "assimilation".

Only when he is fighting against the inertia of history does he need to use the CYZ effect to anchor an outcome that does not conform to the established history.

This is like a computer suddenly refusing to execute its own main process; there's clearly only one reason for this refusal—

That means the "process" you're trying to run doesn't match its original "purpose".

Just like how Ran Mouri, even after deducing that "Conan is Shinichi," cannot recognize him.

That's clearly not because she didn't want to.

Rather, it is the inertia of history that prevents such recognition from becoming a reality.

The essence of "historical inertia" is a pre-designed "future" or "outcome":
Sakura Matou is destined to be swallowed up by the insect warehouse and tainted by malice;

Kariya Matou is destined to die a painful death in the Fourth Holy Grail War, and will even have to destroy the woman he loves most with his own hands;

Tokiomi Tohsaka, Kiritsugu Emiya, Irisviel, Waver, and even Ryunosuke Uryu...

Whether it is glory or sorrow.

Whether we joyfully enter the end or sadly accept the truth.

You may only go this far, but you must not go any further.

Because they have already been recorded in real history.

The "shell" merely allows the things within it to repeat themselves again and again according to the "inertia of history".

This is also the true meaning of "historical inertia".

Just like the Conan Universe-002, just like this universe.

Even within this universe, the Alliance has never truly overturned its own historical inertia, has it?
The mechanism of the shell is absolute.

Unless Hasegawa Tsuki and Conan simply act as "observers," silently observing everything without interfering in any way.

But obviously this is impossible.

Because simply by existing here, they themselves become the "source of interference."

Because if they don't disrupt the historical inertia, the shell won't respond—not even the slightest response.

As a result, the alliance will be unable to obtain more information about it and attempt to uncover its true operating mechanisms and vulnerabilities.

……

Matou Kariya slumped back onto the floor.

This person seemed to have suddenly lost the support of life.

He vanished into the insect chamber as if suddenly drenched by a downpour, falling into complete silence amidst the mundane narration of the heroic spirits he had summoned.

The joy and excitement he felt from the miraculous response disappeared, and his restored health brought him no positive effects.

My body... no longer belongs to me.

Even a tremor seeping from the depths of his soul, a chilling feeling called "despair," was slowly freezing his blood and soul.

He trembled slightly because of the heroic spirit's "reasoning".

Although Kariya couldn't fully understand what the heroic spirit was saying, the fragments of his words about himself and Sakura's experiences already revealed a great deal.

“Sakura…is destined…to be swallowed up by the insectoid chamber, to be tainted by malice…”

"Am I... destined to... 'kill' Aoi?"

How could these words and phrases end up forming such a sentence?

His lips involuntarily parted in a wide grin from shock.

All his nerves were throbbing with pain, and Matou Kariya's mind was completely unable to process it—he couldn't even understand the answer.

That elusive hope, which had been held tightly in the hand, was destroyed by something invisible called "historical inertia."

Kariya Matou felt as if he had suddenly returned to the past.

He suddenly remembered how he chose to leave the moment he learned about the Matou family's magical form.

But now, Yan Ye felt as if he were standing once again in that underground insect warehouse, before the swarm of insects crawling all over the ground.

He never truly escaped anything.

He thought of Kui again.

That gentle, beautiful, yet resolute woman.

Whether it was her decision to choose Tokiomi Tohsaka eight years ago, or her choice to send Sakura to the Matou family a year ago.

He rarely, perhaps only twice in his life, questioned the sunflower.

"Is this really good?"

But Matou Kariya will never forget that answer.

"...It is a mistake to expect the happiness of an ordinary family..."

This is utter nonsense!

—That's what Kariya once thought.

Even before today, Kariya had fantasized that perhaps the Holy Grail could erase that painful history and truly bring happiness to Aoi.

But now he knows that what Aoi said was undoubtedly true.

Now, that heroic spirit clearly told him—

That entire year of being devoured and tormented by the Imprinting Worms, that entire year of hellish experience.

It's not just about pain and regret.

Even the happiness he cherished, the beliefs he wanted to protect...

Was everything... all predetermined?!

Like everyone in this universe who knew the "truth" in the past, Matou Kariya now has nowhere to hide.

Now, he is exposed to the cold winds of fate.

……

Conan was not surprised by Kariya Matou's reaction.

Few people can calmly accept that all the suffering, struggles, and sacrifices they have experienced are actually part of a predetermined trajectory.

If that were a fairytale future, then so be it.

But what Matou Kariya had to accept was an unchangeable tragedy—a nightmarish despair, and pain and regret that even death could not erase.

This is less a matter of fate and more a kind of terrible "curse".

Conan turned his gaze to Hasegawa Tsuki, who had also fallen silent because of this information.

He added, "This is also why your initial command, Moon, was to act without disrupting the historical momentum."

"To guard against the risks that may arise as a result."

Although Conan still doesn't understand why he only needs to use a small amount of effect for anchoring.

However, the existence of "historical inertia" has undoubtedly been reaffirmed after its own recent probing and confirmation that the "Throne of Heroes" is a derived anomaly.

Before receiving support from Lin Shengxin, or even being pulled over in the same way.

The power they wield can even be described as quite weak.

After all, just by using Lancelot's stats and concealing the Throne of Heroes, he'd already spent the decimal part of the 13th string effect value...

It is essential to establish the [CYZ Alliance] using a local team tailored to local conditions.

Just like how Professor Agasa is still able to resist to some extent despite the interference of the story's timeline.

The character design is clearly not a derivative of historical inertia.

It is at least an equal entity, and therefore becomes a natural barrier, cover, and weapon against it.

For example, [Matou Kariya].

He had just rejected the summons for the "Berserker" because of his own desire and motivation to "save Sakura".

Now, Matou Kariya is about to do something out of her own grudge.

He finally raised his head.

Two deathly gray crystals, as if formed from the melting of anger, pain, hatred, and regret, were twisted and embedded in his pupils.

What exactly is this "Heroic Spirit"?

What was his purpose in telling him all this?

And what exactly he intends to do with himself.

Even the "redemption" that Conan had just promised him.

—Matou Kariya no longer wanted to think about it at all.

The strange calmness in his heart made Yan Ye feel inexplicably that none of this mattered anymore.

As long as it can all be destroyed.

All I need is to destroy this destiny, this curse, and the root of my suffering.

Even if he were to be destroyed, it wouldn't matter. Perhaps this dark side lurks deep within Matou Kariya's heart.

But... since I am a pathetic avenger, then it is reasonable for me to take revenge on the entire universe, right?

Looking at the Heroic Spirit standing before him, Matou Kariya did not hesitate to betray the universe that had betrayed him.

A somewhat ferocious smile appeared on his lips.

Then, without hesitation, he joined the [CYZ Alliance], which claimed to be "from another universe".

Yan Ye spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Speak, Holmes, what do you want me to do?"

……

As Conan released the anchor of time flow, Zouken Matou finally arrived at the entrance of the insect storage room step by step.

The door to the insect silo was pushed open.

“Kariya, I warned you... don’t even think about escaping the control of those Marked Insects.”

"Have you forgotten about being attacked by insects—"

The sinister and cruel mockery and threats came to an abrupt halt.

A magical power, seemingly rising from the depths of hell, surged forth, shattering the air like glass, and the insects died with low chirps and trembling.

A heroic spirit, clad in black armor that resembled an abyss, stood in the shadows.

He was tall, and an ominous, black, mist-like magic shrouded his face. Cracks like veins ran through his armor, and a crimson color, like blood, flowed within them.

The instant I saw Zouken Matou.

That heroic spirit, no, it was more like some kind of evil spirit; within the black mist, a dangerous red light flashed.

"—Arrrrr!!!"

That was not language, but a beastly roar, like the sound of hatred erupting from the depths of the soul.

Before Zouken Matou could react, magical energy surged like a black tide, and the heroic spirit, in the form of a blur, rushed towards and pounced on the source of the curse with a terrible resentment and a sense of calamity, ready to tear apart the ugly soul hidden under the insect sac.

At this moment, Zouken Matou finally felt a real threat originating from the "soul level".

Death was approaching him with no attempt to conceal it.

"I planted a Crest Worm inside... Sakura's body!"

Almost out of a survival instinct, the old magician uttered those words in a hoarse voice.

The figure of the black-armored hero suddenly stopped in front of them.

The two-handed greatsword, seemingly forged in a furnace and by vengeful spirits, stopped directly in front of Zou Yan's forehead.

The blade stopped.

But the air at the sword's edge was distorted by the scorching magic.

The black and red magic flowing on the sword was like a living thing, "gently" brushing across the forehead of the "Marked Worm" before being withdrawn.

A faint "crack" sound of bone cracking traveled along the skull, which had been split by the wind pressure, to Zang Yan's ears.

—Part of the skull, which resembled an insect's shell, was cut open, and fresh blood, accompanied by a slight stinging sensation, flowed down the top of Zang Yan's head.

But compared to his extremely disheveled appearance, a look of unexpected astonishment appeared in Zouken Matou's eyes.

"How can this be?!"

His gaze fell on the "tool" he was supposed to have complete control over—Matou Kariya stood in the very center of the insect silo.

Compared to his half-crippled body not long ago, his body looks exactly like a normal person's, and there is not even a trace of illness or pain on his face.

Zouken Matou had no idea what had happened.

He could even see a subtle mockery in Yan Ye's eyes, as well as a hint of resentment and displeasure that seemed to stem from his earlier threat.

The old magician, who had survived for hundreds of years, now felt a strong sense of unease.

The mark worms inside Kariya's body have completely severed their connection with him.

Zouken Matou finally realized that he had been careless.

After seeing the fluctuations caused by the appearance of the Heroic Spirit, he should have first used [Magic Detection] to check Kariya's condition.

He should confirm whether the Crest Worms still exist, whether the Command Seals are in effect, and whether the Heroic Spirits have established contact.

At the time, he simply assumed that the contract with this inferior magician had completely failed and rushed over because he was worried that he would not be able to take over Kariya's Command Seals when he was dying.

"...dirty inkstone".

In Zouken Matou's eyes, the inferior magician he had once regarded as a failure, a traitor, and an insignificant figure was now commanding him with an almost condescending tone—

"Make all those disgusting worms crawl out of Sakura's body."

Zang Yan's drooping fingers twitched, but he still dared not immediately try to mobilize his magic.

The greatsword, like a manifestation of a curse, still hovered above his head, as if about to cleave him in two.

Berserker would obviously not allow him to use powerful magic; in fact, this Heroic Spirit clearly possesses a certain level of Magic Resistance.

The insects in the insect warehouse could not immediately kill Yan Ye, whose body was already intact.

Few magic workshops would place the most powerful defensive spells in their core area—that should be placed to deter enemies, not to impede their own.

Zouken finally felt some regret; he should have taken the "miracle" of the Heroic Spirit more seriously.

But under Matou Kariya's threatening gaze—

Suddenly, Zouken Matou laughed, a withered, cracked laugh.

Few would believe it, but even Zouken's voice was strangely gentle at this moment, even carrying a hint of kindness and...greed.

"Hehe... What an amazing heroic spirit... truly... ah, so amazing."

Dirty Inkstone murmured softly.

His gaze lingered on the greatsword and the crimson and black magic that held a deep resentment and obsession, as if it were a precious treasure.

Zouken Matou is undoubtedly a qualified magician.

The obsession with pursuing "immortality" has gradually corrupted Matou Zoken's original heart.

This pathetic soul has long forgotten why he initially embarked on the path of magic.

He was simply calculating frantically in his mind, excited by this powerful heroic spirit.

Such a powerful heroic spirit...

Maybe this time it really will work.

After so many years... my long-cherished wish for immortality has finally seen hope again!
Even with decaying flesh, even with the sacrifice of countless lives, Zang Yan never wavered.

He has been living like this, barely surviving... even turning himself into an insect to survive, all for... for...

In short, Zouken Matou is willing to pay any price to obtain the Holy Grail.

He turned back to look at Yan Ye, a sinister yet gentle smile even appearing on his face.

"Yan Ye," he said hoarsely, "have you forgotten our promise?"

"As long as you obtain the Holy Grail for me, I will let Sakura go. I have never broken my promise from beginning to end."

“I want you to do it right now,” Yan Ye interrupted him.

"Now, make those insects come out of Sakura's body."

Zang Yan's pupils contracted slightly.

Within that resolute and calm demeanor, Zang Yan, who knew this "son" very well, sensed a barely perceptible tremor.

Moreover, it wasn't fear or anger, but rather a kind of repression.

An emotion that was hard to suppress yet had to be forcibly contained, like Yan Ye forcibly suppressing a dam about to collapse.

Zouken noticed that Kariya seemed... unstable at that moment.

"Yan Ye, it seems your body hasn't fully recovered."

Dirty Ink's tone remained gentle, but the cunning old fox aura crept up from within.

Using this brief interval, Zouken's reason, hidden in the shadow of death, quietly slipped out.

yes……

Why was Kariya suddenly standing there unharmed?
Zouken quickly made a judgment—this must be some kind of Noble Phantasm of a Heroic Spirit.

The Holy Grail War has only just begun. As long as I figure out this Heroic Spirit's background...

He still has time, he still has a chance.

With this in mind, Zouyan patiently and persuasively negotiated with Yanye.

"Kariya... do you think you'll let me go after I do this?"

The blade pressed down again.

However, Zouken Matou now had a clear idea of ​​what was going on.

"If you kill me, that child's heart might shatter too."

"I wonder if a life-extending treasure... could extend the lives of two people at the same time?"

He seemed genuinely worried about Kariya.

"I suppose you'll definitely give this opportunity to that girl Sakura."

"But does she have enough magic power to sustain the existence of this heroic spirit...?"

"yes--"

Zang Yan nodded slowly, as if he had just remembered something.

"In that case... she'll still have to participate in this Holy Grail War, right?"

As expected, Kariya made the same concession as Zouken.

“Okay.” As if he had made a huge decision, Yan Ye gritted his teeth and agreed, giving his bottom line: “But Sakura’s magic training must stop now.”

“No problem.” Zang Yan readily agreed.

"Furthermore, if you really obtain the Holy Grail, I can also remove the Crest Worms from you and Sakura, and even give you my life-extending magic."

What Zang Yan said was absolutely true.

In fact, if he weren't afraid of angering Yan Ye and causing him to do something irrational, he would have liked to ask Yan Ye for advice.

This old man with a "mischievous sense of humor" really wanted to know—

When the Holy Grail War ends and the Heroic Spirits' Noble Phantasms can no longer be maintained, will Kariya choose to live a life of ignominy like Sakura in order to witness Sakura's future?

Oh dear, Zou Yan is very curious about this.

But now, the burning magic on his forehead has subsided.

The old man glanced at the spirit that had almost taken his life with a joyful and approving smile.

Then he turned and walked toward the entrance of the insect warehouse.

"Then—I'll be waiting for your good news, Kariya."

……

The moment the gate closed, the heroic spirit standing at the entrance of the insect warehouse—[Lancelot]—knelt down with difficulty.

The black mist dissipated.

A kind of light and shadow, like a reflection of time, began to fluctuate erratically from the technologically advanced mask.

[Detective's Treasure] The Timeline Disguise Mask.

Its effect is that it can temporarily rely on the stolen timeline to disguise itself as the same existence, but if used for too long, there is a risk of losing oneself.

When Conan mentioned "disguising" himself as Lancelot, it wasn't just a literal disguise.

After all, he was just a "Heroic Spirit" disguised as a Heroic Spirit, just like the information he sent back to the Throne of Heroes about Lancelot.

By using [Matou Kariya], the [historical inertia] of [Lancelot] will inevitably be summoned.

This Lancelot is absolutely real.

The emphasis placed on Conan or Hasegawa Moon in the [Type-Moon Universe] or [Heroes' Throne] is not without reason.

The timeline they used...

It is clearly not the same thing as the timeline of the [Type-Moon Universe].

(End of this chapter)