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

Chapter 310 Without a doubt, Matou Kariya is a true man.
It's hard to feel your own existence.

No, it's more like I'm simply a part of the history of the existence of [Matou Kariya].

There are millions of "selves" wailing, shouting, and collapsing at different "time points".

Like [Matou Kariya] being crushed and ground into powder by time itself, and then scattered to every corner of the universe and spacetime.

It was as if one's soul, memories, and thoughts were infinitely subdivided and disintegrated, then shattered like dust, scattered between every fork and node of the timeline, transforming into every shimmering point of light in the kaleidoscope of spacetime.

The person who called himself "Sherlock Holmes" had warned Kariya Matou long before he even received the mask.

"Kariya, without the existence of a [timeline], it is not suitable for you to wear it."

"This is extremely painful."

"As long as... as long as I can personally cut down that worm, that's all that matters."

Kariya didn't take Conan's well-intentioned reminder to heart at the time.

What pain could compare to the mental and physical torment I've endured over the past year?
What torment can compare to death itself?

At the time, Matou Kariya believed that he had nothing left to lose, and he thought he could give everything to avenge Zouken.

"Give everything"...what an empty phrase.

No words can describe the boundless pain that Matou Kariya experienced after donning that timeline mask.

That was not a mask, but a gallows called the "Timeline".

The moment I put on that mask.

Kariya Matou felt that his senses were extending along with the timeline. He was writhing painfully on a white steel cable called the "timeline."

The infinitely divided and subdivided time points caused millions, billions... millions... of equally infinite oceans of pain to pour down from above Yan Ye's head.

Kariya Matou doesn't understand why he has to suffer such pain.

Time loses its meaning in the face of this pain; even its existence seems to become the pain itself.

A whole year of mental and physical torment was nothing compared to this pain.

But he knew perfectly well—

This pain will not end now.

This man prayed in his heart to any being.

Please, whoever it is, just let it end quickly...

Even if I were to be submerged in the insectoid chamber and devoured alive for a year, ten years, or a hundred years...

Rescue Sakura, bring happiness to Sakura and Aoi, and take revenge on Tokiomi Tohsaka...

It doesn't matter anymore.

Even if it's just for a second, even if it's just for a moment, as long as he can get rid of this pain, Kariya Matou is willing to give up his body and soul, abandon his beliefs, and even give up who he is.

Finally, the mask was removed.

His body convulsed and twisted like a snake with its head cut off, his pupils contracted and dilated wildly, his heart shattered from the arrhythmia, and his vocal cords tore before he could utter his first wail.

But Kariya found joy in this slight pain.

Because, with the disappearance of Lancelot's figure, the torment that pierced through time and space, crushing his existence and soul, finally came to an end.

At this moment, Conan's expression became extremely complicated.

Even if he overestimated the difference between the [this universe] and the [Type-Moon universe], he still underestimated it.

The timeline of this universe is an objectively existing, externally visible phenomenon; it is the "continuity" itself that exists within it.

It is not some kind of "record" of what happened.

Kariya Matou does not exist in the form of a [timeline]; his "mode of existence" does not possess the attribute of "linear continuity".

According to the description in the Type-Moon universe, he should exist as three elements: "body, spirit, and soul".

Therefore, the moment he put on that mask, he was forced to continue with a "continuity" that did not exist, and he had to dismantle his entire "existence" and evenly dismantle it, then knead it into a "length" from his birth to the present.

……

"I never expected... that wearing that mask... would hurt so much..."

This low, hoarse soliloquy was the first thing Matou Kariya uttered after being rescued.

He leaned against the wall, struggled to sit up, and then turned to look at Conan Edogawa standing not far away.

Conan's heart was overwhelmed with guilt.

He was too hasty; he should have first checked whether his method had any safety risks.

“Kariya, if you…” Conan’s voice lowered.

He wanted to apologize to Kariya, and even wanted to ask him if he could do anything to express his remorse and ask for his forgiveness.

But then Matou Kariya's voice, devoid of any complaint, rang out—

There were no questions, no blame.

He acted as if he were merely a patient asking a doctor if he could have anesthesia during his next surgery.

"Hey... Holmes, do you have any way to eliminate... or lessen the pain for the next use?"

"What? You still want to use it?!" A surprised voice broke the silence.

It's Hasegawa Moon.

It was she who used the timeline restoration function built into TDD to save Kariya from a state of near annihilation.

The former member of the CYZ Alliance's medical department spoke with disbelief.

Based on her judgment, what Matou Kariya just experienced was a Level 4 [Timeline] incident.

This is the most serious timeline incident that a single individual could cause.

Even within the alliance, such incidents are usually only common in research projects of the [Time Research Department] and [Time Sequence Department].

But the man stood up unsteadily, a self-deprecating look on his face.

“Yes, but it doesn’t hurt anymore, does it?” Yan Ye’s hoarse voice revealed a firmness. “If we can blur that memory afterward, then we should do it every time.”

Both Hasegawa Tsuki and Conan were stunned for a moment.

—This man is serious.

Seeing the astonishment on Conan and Hasegawa Tsuki's faces, Matou Kariya simply shrugged.

"Since you want to hide it from that so-called 'shell'... then this is the only way, isn't it?"

He was as calm as if he were stating what he was going to have for lunch.

"After all, you need my so-called 'persona,' right?"

These words sounded cruel and calm, but there was not a trace of resentment in Yan Ye's expression.

Because the timeline obviously brings more than just pain.

For Matou Kariya, after those painful memories faded—those memories of Aoi shone brightly in Kariya's soul.

That was not just a simple "memory," but a true re-experiencing of that time.

The little things that happened after I met Aoi—

Kariya felt as if she had met and gotten to know Aoi again, relived that beautiful childhood and adolescence, and experienced that tenderness once more...

It was as if time had never left, as if they had never been separated.

It was as if Kui had never disappeared from her life.

Kariya dared to say that he had spent more time with Aoi than with anyone else in the world.

Especially Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Even during that near-destructive experience, Kariya felt a strange sense of clarity for the first time.

It is impossible for a person to fully understand himself.

That is definitely not the realm of ordinary people.

But without a doubt, the moment she put on the mask, [Matou Kariya] took control of her "everything".

He was shattered in that boundless pain, but Kariya Matou saw that the broken mirrors reflected a "complete self".

Each broken mirror is a "complete self".

Yan Ye even had a firm feeling that even the gods could not take away her from that moment.

This is both an illusion and a reality in a sense. In fact, this experience is very similar to the state Karasuma Renya was in when he entered the [story timeline].

Although this is just "seeing".

But that all-knowing perspective, overlooking the whole situation and being omnipotent, was enough to captivate Kariya.

However, perhaps it's because "mastering everything" is just something that Conan takes for granted.

The detective felt that Kariya might need more rest and to give up trying to continue using the mask than to possess such "terrifying omnipotence".

After all, his painful struggle on the ground just now... was truly horrifying to watch.

Conan finally spoke up: "Kariya, you don't need to do this anymore. Just leave some traces, and I'll play Lancelot afterwards."

"Do not."

Yan Ye shook his head without hesitation, his refusal was exceptionally decisive.

"If we only focus on Lancelot's identity, that would be a waste of your time, Holmes."

He bent down to pick up the mask from the ground, stared at the empty eye sockets and gave a bitter smile, then looked up at Conan's eyes.

"And...didn't you say that if we want to anchor our identity, we need to use that very valuable effect?"

Kariya glanced at Hasegawa Tsuki, who had just suddenly appeared and healed him, and gave a bleak but sincere smile.

"I guess this is all the useful thing I can do."

"I just need a technique that can immediately blur those painful memories after each session."

He paused, then added, "Of course, it would be even better if the pain could be alleviated."

Conan sighed as he stared at Kariya's unwavering gaze.

He actually knew very well the real reason why Kariya insisted on continuing to use that mask:
To kill that person named Matou Zouken with my own hands;
To personally destroy the dream of that man named Tokiomi Tohsaka;
He saves Sakura under the identity of "Matou Kariya," and there's also Aoi...

……

Now, Conan truly realizes the biggest difference between the Type-Moon Universe and the Real Universe.

The detective originally wanted to persuade Kariya to stop getting caught up in this painful revenge.

But he only now realizes he was wrong.

Because many of them hold beliefs that are not to be abandoned, even those that are contradictory in some sense.

And for them, it wasn't a matter of right or wrong; it was simply that abandoning it was no different from killing the person.

Even if I were to actually propose it—

As long as he abandons his desire for revenge in the future, the alliance will do its utmost to give him a perfect future...

Will this man really agree?

For Kariya Matou now, being a truly successful avenger is probably the "perfect" thing he wants.

"I, as a detective... am really not quite used to the characteristics of this [universe]..."

Conan felt a mix of emotions.

Perhaps it was out of guilt for his recent mistake, or perhaps it was because of Matou Kariya's own desire, and his lament for the tragedy itself.

Finally, under Kariya's somewhat nervous and pleading gaze, Conan nodded in agreement.

"I will try to replace some of the less important functions in the mask with a pseudo-timeline structure, and shield you from physical pain when you use it."

But the detective's justice is undoubtedly also fair.

Conan earnestly advised Kariya, "Kariya, if possible, you'd better not kill anyone."

—Once he activates his first Noble Phantasm, the final judgment will undoubtedly descend upon the world as the truth is revealed.

The essence of Conan Edogawa is "the justice of detectives".

That is by no means something that can be easily influenced.

To be honest, Conan was actually a little resentful of himself—he should have known better than to write his skills down so absolutely.

He even had an urge to use his third Noble Phantasm directly to deliver a perfect ending.

But he cannot do that.

Now it's clear that we can't afford to waste the CYZ effect by changing the specific details.

……

Kariya noticed the dilemma of the "Sherlock Holmes" in front of him.

He understands that feeling.

Just like how he watched helplessly as Sakura was trapped in the insect warehouse, unable to stop it.

But again -

To stop this man's "revenge" is tantamount to killing him.

Therefore, this person, who had just experienced immense suffering, even went so far as to comfort his own heroic spirit.

"It's okay, I just can't wait."

Then, he pondered the meaning of Conan's words.

"Even if it's Zouken Matou, can't I kill him?"

Conan's expression immediately turned serious. "This is related to the characteristics of my Noble Phantasm."

"Kariya, once you become a 'criminal,' it will be extremely dangerous. As for that criminal, he will eventually receive the judgment and punishment he deserves."

What would be the outcome of doing that?

Conan knew he couldn't persuade him anymore.

"Then you'd better paint your armor white, otherwise you'll likely die."

Paint the armor white?
For a moment, Yan Ye even thought he had misheard.

But Holmes's genuine expression made him nod, indicating that he understood.

Holmes's answer actually relieved him—as long as it wasn't the kind of pain that comes from wearing a mask.

Now, he only has one last question.

"If I die, will it be a complete death?"

Conan fell silent.

"Oh, that doesn't matter."

The vengeful spirit even smiled nonchalantly.

Even temporary death is acceptable.

……

In fact, Conan's claim of dyeing the armor "white" was not a joke.

That powerful Noble Phantasm called "Truth Never Exists in a Single Dimension" can only be used once per "case," that is, in the Holy Grail War.

That was an EX-rank anti-evil Noble Phantasm that represented his identity as a detective.

With an insurmountable "absolute deduction domain" and the "brilliance of a detective," it can forcefully expose the enemy's "evil" nature and bring "justice," "truth," and "redemption" to our side.

Its scope of influence is not fixed.

Its maximum capture is the timeline at the time of activation and the causal chain bound to it (with no upper limit).

Conan's instructions only touched upon a very subtle aspect of the complex effects of this Noble Phantasm.

After all, even if Kariya really did kill Zouken Matou, his motives and actions should be taken into account.

According to the law, the final judgment will likely be somewhat lenient.

But the key point is that Lancelot's armor is black.

The effect of this Noble Phantasm is extremely complex: "Truth never exists in a single dimension."

However, one of the negative effects regarding the [Criminal Faction] is described as follows—

The Black-Clad One Who Is Doomed:

If the [Criminal Faction] has characteristics related to the [Black Organization], an additional "inevitable death" criterion is added, and the probability of "inevitable death" is checked every 3 seconds.
Sometimes, the power of Conan Edogawa is revealed in the midst of absurdity.

(End of this chapter)