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

Chapter 389 The Death of Tokiomi (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Tokiomi Tohsaka was staring blankly at the family photo.

He and Aoi stood behind the children, bending down slightly as if to hug them tightly.

Unlike the somewhat shy Sakura, who simply squinted her eyes with a hint of happiness.

Rin, wearing a red ribbon in her hair, smiled brightly at the camera, revealing her lively and adorable face.

Rin's and Sakura's hair were both styled by Aoi; the jet-black strands were braided into shapes that the children liked.

Tokiomi Tohsaka was not a slow-witted person—a noble magician who could return from studying at the Clock Tower and earn a good reputation was certainly not a slow-witted person.

"Rin has always wanted me to do her hair nicely."

Tokiomi Tohsaka murmured to himself, his voice filled with the grief of losing his daughter.

Only at this moment did he seem more like a father than a magician.

But he is first and foremost the heir of the Tohsaka family, and only then the father of Rin and Sakura.

Sometimes, Tokiomi would hope that either Rin or Sakura's child wasn't particularly talented, so that he could ask them, like a father, whether they truly wanted to inherit the magic path.

Of course, compared to the joy of receiving two treasures for the Tohsaka family more often, this feeling of being a "father" often only comes out from the bottom of his heart when he encounters misfortune and setbacks.

Moreover, just like now, the habits he developed during his upbringing have led Tokiomi to subconsciously choose to "accept" Rin's situation of being kidnapped.

When faced with setbacks, view them as trials or honors. Then, in accordance with the ancestral precepts of the Tohsaka family, overcome them "gracefully."

Tokiomi Tohsaka instinctively hugged his daughter to his chest, even holding her tighter.

The Master or Heroic Spirit named "Kaito Kid" sent me that photo that clearly looked like it was taken today.

Rin is smiling happily in the picture, but if you add the small note attached to the back, and the demands that are almost equivalent to "withdrawing from the Holy Grail War"—

Who knows, the smiling faces in the photos that come in later might turn into crying faces, or even something else entirely.

Even those sincere admonitions, such as "peace can be obtained by withdrawing from the Holy Grail War," were difficult for Tokiomi to accept, even with an accompanying document that Tokiomi was very familiar with and that looked like a "self-forced testimony."

He relinquished his "Tohsaka Otaku" status and announced to the entire town of Beika that he was permanently withdrawing from the "Three Kingdoms Championship"...

Just like a typical kidnapping case in "Detective Conan," in theory, Tokiomi should have chosen to accept the conditions, find a detective, or call the police to investigate, which would have attracted the detective's help.

However, after learning from the records of that ancient mansion that it seemed to be a real world, and understanding that the being that brought them there was indeed God, Tokiomi Tohsaka hesitated.

"What if, what if I personally went to ask that God for help?"

This is not a far-fetched idea, but a conclusion reached after careful consideration.

Whether it's the fact that this world is teeming with the profession of "detective," the principles that this profession embodies, or the events that occurred at Fuyuki Harbor—

That God was a good person.

The world is just that strange.

Although some people think that those kind-hearted people may be "abnormal", and a small number even scoff at those people and their actions.

But if you encounter situations that those self-proclaimed "independents" cannot resolve, then...

If they had a choice, they would cling to those kind people like they were grasping at a straw, instead of letting themselves be "eliminated" as they said.

Sometimes, the more wicked a person is, the more at ease they feel with those who are kind-hearted.

Don't you see that even Black Sakura, Black Alice, and even Waver don't harbor much malice towards the person behind Matou Sakura who orchestrated all of this?
"Plus... tonight is the apprenticeship ceremony."

The invitation, along with the airship visible through the window, the excited broadcasts, and the news on television, radiated a ray of hope.

Tokiomi Tohsaka was confident that he could persuade the school principal to help.

In any case, this Holy Grail War, which is already "prepared for death," should not involve children and innocent people.

Moreover, judging from the records in the mansion, the Tohsaka family had been in contact with the headmaster for a long time in this world.

The Einzbern family symbolizes the "Detective Conan" school of thought created by Professor Agasa;
The Matou family, symbolizing the Armed Detective faction;
and also--

Symbolizing traditional methods of deduction, the Tohsaka family is the most powerful and influential faction within the Sherlock Holmes school of detective academy.

Since that God chose such a fair way, He must surely save His own child as well.

Of course, Tokiomi Tohsaka naturally overlooked the unfairness that this Holy Grail War brought to others.

He is a magician, and even the Holy Grail Ritual originated from the three starter magicians. Therefore, it is only natural and just that God would grant him this legitimate and fair wish.

With a "thud," Tokiomi released the child from his arms with one hand and placed the family photo frame back on the bedroom table with the other.

He forced himself to look away from the child in his arms, from the child's purple hair.

"Sakura," Tokiomi Tohsaka said softly, "do you know what to say when you see Master?"

[Matou Sakura] paused for a moment, then nodded.

But then, it was as if she had made some important decision in her mind.

The child clenched his fist, letting his fingernails pierce his skin, allowing the dark, muddy substance to slowly flow into the ground along the shadow cast by the curtains.

With his somewhat unfamiliar purple hair, and those usually calm and lifeless eyes that stung Tokiomi's heart, there was a rare hint of pleading in them.

"But……"

Sakura Matou, who had been brought back from the Matou residence, spoke slowly, as if she were genuinely worried about her sister's safety, and tried to persuade her father to choose a safer approach.

"If I just agree to what the criminal who kidnapped my sister says, won't he give her to me...?"

"Don't talk nonsense, Sakura!" Tokiomi Tohsaka's expression turned serious.

"You are now not only Rin's hope, but also the hope of the Tohsaka family!"

……

Yes, that makes perfect sense.

If the children of the Tohsaka family are kidnapped, then who will fill in for them, the children who are about to be taken as "disciples" by the headmaster?
Therefore, unsurprisingly, the "magician" named Tokiomi Tohsaka rejected the proposal from his "father" named Tokiomi Tohsaka and instead inquired with the Matou residence.

Of course, before that, he first asked Gilgamesh to find Rin, and even hoped that his former "Heroic Spirit" would help him defeat the kidnappers out of consideration for his past service.

"Hero King, Tokiomi begs you to bring Rin back to me."

Gilgamesh, having already regained the memories given to him by Merlin, naturally chose to help Merlin.

To be precise, Gilgamesh chose to persuade Tokiomi to accept Merlin's terms.

Although this Master had a very unpleasant falling out with me in my memories, and even committed the crime of deceiving the emperor—Tokiomi had concealed the purpose of the Holy Grail War from me.

But at least he is now a "wise king," not his immature, adolescent self.

"Tokiomi, you should withdraw from this Holy Grail War."

The Hero King spoke to Tokiomi in a commanding tone.

Tokiomi could even hear the sound of a motorcycle speeding through the street coming from the other end of the microphone.

That carefree, arrogant spirit seemed to be enjoying its pleasure and joy on the street.

This sense of powerlessness was even greater than in the world where magic could still be used; he no longer had Command Seals to control another will, another power.

The remaining two red marks are now just marks.

Tokiomi once again regretted summoning this king, who had said that he found the world very interesting.

Now that he has been defiled with the help of that God, and the true owner of that cup has come looking for him.

To be honest, Lin Sheng had always been curious about this matter, since Gilgamesh claimed that everything in heaven and earth belonged to his treasury.

If we're using the same original texts from the heroes, that's fine, but what if we encounter gods?

He wielded Indra's vajra, the Vimana of the Ramayana, and the Kungunir of the great god Odin...

If he were to actually encounter these mythological deities, or even the chief god, would he still, or rather, dare to claim that these divine artifacts are from his treasure trove?
Even using the fact that Mesopotamia's pantheon was earlier in history as a reason is not enough.

Because "Earth history" and "Moon history" are different.

Furthermore, the so-called "mythological origin" setting actually contradicts the idea that the gods come from the previous generation of "primate succession".

Moreover, this argument subtly suggests a tendency to rank myths, which sounds somewhat "dangerous."

Fortunately, Lin Sheng should be able to get a definite answer now.

At least ever since Merlin returned those memories to Gilgamesh, he has never mentioned this shameful thing that made the "grown-up wise king" feel ashamed.

After all, if he continues to be so rude, a criminal who doesn't like him might suddenly jump out halfway and use a very Conan-esque method to kill the president of the Uruk Corporation.

Gilgamesh also believed that his past Master was completely unsuitable for the current situation.

"I am currently busy with another very important matter. You only need to announce my withdrawal, and that child named Rin will return."

Tokiomi Tohsaka felt that the constant engine noise coming through the microphone made the King of Heroes' words completely unconvincing.

For Gilgamesh, who now also controls everything—through the act of showering money upon others, and is now incredibly wealthy—

The most important thing is that he drives his custom-made motorcycle around all day, disturbing the peace.

Unlike the first day I came into this world, today is already the third day.

In the past few days, Tokiomi Tohsaka has spent a lot of time cleaning up the mess left by this group that cooperated with the Tohsaka family.

—It can only be said that many people are trying to find a better "cause" for the result that is about to be achieved.

Many beings are trying to choose a "river" that will flow to their doorstep from the blank "second day" that is about to arrive, for this time that is now flowing backward.

……

Just like the daughter who is now being held in Tokiomi Tohsaka's arms.

To be honest, Tokiomi felt some guilt, both towards his daughter and towards the Matou family.

"Fortunately, the Matou family agreed to send Sakura back for Rin's sake."

However, even so, if Tokiomi were to think about it carefully—

Consider the true emotions behind his hasty decision at the time.

Was he happy because Rin had a chance to be saved, or because the Matou family agreed to send Sakura back, and something else?
Tokiomi Tohsaka dared not think about it too much.

And because he dared not think about it too much, he subconsciously ignored it—

The fact that the Matou family sent Sakura Matou back so easily after receiving that urgent telegram is quite unusual.

After all, if Sakura is sent back, where will the Matou family find the child who deserves to be taken as a disciple by God?

Therefore, Tokiomi Tohsaka had no choice but to believe what he believed.

"Mr. Zouken is indeed a man of great loyalty and affection. No wonder he has a long-standing friendship with the Tohsaka family."

Thinking of this, the magician felt a surge of gratitude for Zouken Matou's noble character.

He looked down at the smooth, long purple hair: "Sakura, you must listen carefully to Mr. Zouken's teachings from now on."

"Mmm." Sakura, who was usually a bit shy, nodded obediently.

But the moment Matou Sakura lowered her head, a strange smile appeared on her lips because of her father's words.

—It was almost as if they were mocking their own "father".

This well-behaved child suppressed the impulse in his heart and the increasingly strange, almost uncontrollable smile on his face.

With a reluctant, childlike tone, she spoke to her father:
"Dad, can I come back? My sister... can she come back?"

Tokiomi's expression turned serious.

"Don't say such things, Sakura. You are the child who will inherit the magic of the Matou family in the future."

As if he had thought of something, Tokiomi Tohsaka paused, and his expression became somewhat pained.

“If…if Rin hadn’t returned, you might have had to inherit the legacy of both the Tohsaka and Matou families.”

“Sakura.” Tokiomi Tohsaka held his daughter’s shoulders and turned her around.

The magician looked into his daughter's eyes with a very serious gaze. "This...this is what you have to face after becoming a magician, Sakura. You must remember, you can't run away from the responsibilities you should bear."

Tokiomi thought that his daughter stopped crying and started laughing because of his words.

Sakura even nodded as if she suddenly understood something.

Then, she asked herself a question.

"Then... Dad, if one day Rin and I get into a fight because of this, who will you support?"

"Don't say that, Sakura!" Tokiomi Tohsaka instinctively denied the possibility.

However, at this moment, it was as if a kind of magic, a kind of magic that was neither magic nor sorcery, was guiding Tokiomi Tohsaka to continue speaking.

“If things really do turn out that way in the future, I believe you will be happy. If you win, you will gain unparalleled glory, and even if you lose, this glory will belong to the family name of your ancestors.”

He paused, then said, "No battle is more glorious than this kind of duel."

To To Tokiomi's surprise, there was still no doubt in his daughter's eyes.

On the contrary, at this moment, those purple pupils seemed to be filled with indifference because of his answer.

Tokiomi felt as if he were being treated like a stranger.

Sakura even looked at him as if he were an insect.

……

Why... can one express such despair without batting an eye?
This is something that even Matou Sakura, who is forever trapped in despair and pain, can never understand.

Even strangers like [Matou Kariya] suffer for their own pain and are willing to give their lives to save themselves.

And his own "father"—

Even if it's not the original one.

Yet he was still able to say those words without changing his expression.

Then, those small, slightly damp, warm hands reached out and gently cupped "Father's" face.

"In that case, even if 'Father' loses in this duel, it will still be glorious and honorable, right?"

Tokiomi Tohsaka did not understand his daughter's meaning.

"Sakura? What are you talking about?"

But now, a sense of unease was beginning to rise in Tokiomi's heart.

He even felt a nameless fear—

It's as if I made a terrible mistake, an irreversible one.

Unlike those insincere smiles.

At this moment, the smile on Matou Sakura's face could not have been more genuine and sincere.

However, the dampness in his palms, and the flow from the broken wounds on his palms, was not bright red blood, but some moving black mud.

Just like the advice, even the warnings, given by Merlin and Gilgamesh—

Tokiomi Tohsaka shouldn't have agreed.

He shouldn't even have opened the door for the child who was standing alone at the door.

Of course, now they've fallen for Sakura's "luring the tiger away from the mountain" tactic.

Whether it's Merlin or Gilgamesh.

Those follow-up reminders could never be delivered to this room.

Amid Tokiomi Tohsaka's struggle, Sakura Matou softly spoke:
"Actually, if you close the door, Dad, Sakura will also feel troubled, won't she?"

After all, this body is currently unable to use magic or spells to influence the outside world.

As a member of that [Endless Sea of ​​Resentment], or as a part of it all—

This [Matou Sakura] would never use her precious [Limit Breaking Power] on her "father".

But just like now.

If the father "welcomes" him back, "welcomes" him back like the "Editorial Notes," and is close enough to him...

Tokiomi clutched his throat in agony, as if trying to stop the black mud that kept pouring into his body through his five orifices.

He stammered in anguish, "Sakura?! No, you're not her, you... what exactly did you do to Sakura—"

Tokiomi Tohsaka didn't get a chance to say what followed.

Even at the moment he said "You are not her," the surging blackness that was slowly spreading along Tokiomi's face, like poison spreading along his veins or a decaying spider web, became much faster.

That once beating, vibrant heart was replaced by a lump of black sludge in the next second, urged on by the orange-red light.

【Matou Sakura】takes her "father's" hand: "Dad, let's go! It's time to go to the party at the Kaiyue Hotel!"

She felt no regret whatsoever about her "father".

Even Tokiomi Tohsaka's words sounded somewhat boring to Sakura Matou; she had heard them countless times in those universes she had swallowed up.

Although each time it still ended up making her a little angry.

How could a "father" not recognize his own "daughter"?

Calling yourself a monster is really inappropriate!

……

Unfortunately, due to the urgency of time—

【Matou Sakura】sounded regretfully in her heart.

"Sigh, I was still planning to test whether this dad could survive the transformation of the insect pod..."

Although none of the countless universes that were swallowed up could do this, and even most of the "sisters" could not.

But who knows, this "father" might be the first?

【Matou Sakura】felt not even a trace of regret or unease about the terrible and utterly evil things she had done.

She led her "father" to the front door and gently pushed open the door leading outside.

The midday sun brought Matou Sakura a sense of satisfaction.

The sunlight, like the glory of the Tohsaka family, made her purple hair shine brightly.

【Matou Sakura】Looked up at her father's lifeless eyes.

Yes, my father must have supported my actions.

Otherwise, why would he repeat it to himself hundreds or even countless times?
As long as you do as your magician father says, you can't go wrong.

Why feel those uncomfortable emotions?
after all--

"Even if one loses in a duel, it must be 'glorious and honorable'."

Of course, another thing that [Matou Sakura] felt somewhat regretful about was:

It now appears that Merlin was indeed not lying at the meeting.

It seems that my sister was indeed taken away by him.

"But... since she's my older sister, she'll surely understand my thoughts, right?"

"After all, my sister is always so lucky. Whether it's the senior or the mage Merlin, they always choose my sister who shines like a jewel."

Facing the warm sun, the girl revealed a chilling smile.

"However, I still won this round by a small margin."

Yes, as long as one knows about the existence of the [editing matters], how can one not worry?

Is he worried that he, as the Black Grail, might use the "Compilation Matters" to "corrupt" the "Heroic Spirits" and "Masters" who were originally "destined to be devoured" by him?
Whether it's that guy named Kirei Kotomine, or Saber and the other Heroic Spirits.

Clearly, everyone else needs to be wary of them getting their hands on someone else.

But if we focus our attention on them...

Now, there's no "senior" to stop me.

Thinking of the existence of another [Black Grail], [Matou Sakura] couldn't help but smile.

That detective's "Holy Grail" is something he can't do anything about.

But if it's the Holy Grail of the Einzbern Empire—

Now that I have "accommodated" more "souls," according to the "editing matters," it seems that my authority is much higher than that of that puppet!

They even easily took over the Assassin sent out by Irisviel, the spirit named Zaid.

"They probably still think that the doll collaborated with them, right?"

"So next, that's what they've been thinking about."

“Saber, Kirei, and my sister…”

【Matou Sakura】counted on her fingers—reverting to the state of a younger child still affected her 【spirit】to some extent, as well as her 【physical】body.

If the plan goes smoothly, the Holy Grail will be in my hands after today.

"Hmm, should I keep my 'senior's' father and that doll in the end?"

……

It can only be said that although he didn't tell the truth about many things, Weber did not lie about some things.

For example, they did leave the "surface of the world" in order to "escape" the "branch war".

For these self-proclaimed "strong" individuals who believe they are exploiting the "compilation matters," reflecting on its "essence" will indeed not bring much improvement to their combat power.

As long as the [Root] still exists, apart from the effects caused by the [Power of Breaking Limits], the effects shown by all research cannot exceed its own.

Even if Weber City develops more weapons and researches more principles, they will not have enough CYZ effect to apply it.

For any "strong person," as long as they truly grasp the part of their "persona" that brings them an advantage, all other schemes will be empty talk.

Therefore, just like [Matou Sakura] at this moment.

She doesn't need to understand or study how she did it.

All she needs to know is—

With very few exceptions, any Heroic Spirit in the Holy Grail War will be at the mercy of the black mud the moment they come into contact with it.

After all, just like his countless attempts, he never heard his father choose any other options "from the very beginning".

These guys will only follow orders as written in the [Editorial Notes].

Of course, many of those "fathers" who were swallowed up by themselves will also feel remorse for what they know.

But in Black Sakura's eyes, it was just a plea to avoid pain.

Just like this "father," he had given him two chances.

"What's so great about my sister?"

【Matou Sakura】Can't understand this question.

But she knew that it didn't matter if she couldn't understand it.

As long as I make a wish upon the Holy Grail at the end, or even just obtain it—

Whether the senior wants it or not, he will stay with me.

"Emiya-senpai, Sakura, I'll be able to come see you soon..."

(End of this chapter)