They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 234 Liudong Temple

The night wind was cold and desolate, blowing through the forest that had been ravaged by the power of gods and kings.

The memory images Kenneth displayed had long since faded, but the hellish scene was branded into Tokiomi Tohsaka's mind.

The dark, damp, wriggling swarms of insects, and his daughter's empty, numb purple eyes... every detail became the sharpest blade, repeatedly torturing his heart.

He remembered Zouken Matou's wrinkled, seemingly old and harmless face, his "heartbroken" lie when he pretended to be seriously injured, and his anger at being used.

Everything is connected...

Kirei died in that assassination attempt because he was carrying out his orders.

As a teacher, he not only failed to protect his student, but also indirectly caused his death due to his own ignorance.

We must take responsibility for him...

A resolute glint flashed in Tokiomi Tohsaka's eyes.

Even if he loses Archer, even if he suffers a crushing defeat, he must avenge this blood debt from Zouken Matou, for Sakura's sake and for Kirei's sake.

However, just as the flames of revenge were about to consume his reason, a faint and timid voice, like a glimmer of light piercing through layers of gloom, gently landed in his ear.

"Dad~"

The voice was soft, tinged with uncertainty, yet it resounded like a thunderclap deep within Tokiomi Tohsaka's soul.

His body trembled violently, and his face, contorted with anger and regret, froze instantly.

He turned around almost stiffly, his gaze passing through the chaotic ruins, past Kenneth, and finally settling on the small figure not far away.

It's cherry blossom.

She was wearing a clean white dress and stood beside Fujimaru Ritsuka, her small hands tightly gripping the hem of her dress. Her eyes were filled with worry and timidity as she cautiously looked at him.

"cherry……"

Tokiomi Tohsaka's lips moved, and the voice he made was hoarse and unlike his own.

Upon seeing his daughter's face, so strikingly similar to her mother's, and seeing her standing safely before him, all his pretense and strength crumbled in that instant.

He could no longer control himself and rushed forward like a child out of control.

He pulled that small, warm body into his arms tightly, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.

"I'm sorry, Sakura! I'm so sorry!"

Hot tears streamed down his face, soaking his daughter's soft shoulder. This man, who always possessed elegance and composure, now wept like a lost child, his voice filled with endless regret and self-reproach.

"It's all my fault...it's Dad's fault..."

He didn't know how to make amends or how to atone for his sins.

He sent his daughter to hell without knowing it, and even gloated over his "wise" decision.

This sin was so heavy that he could hardly breathe.

Sakura, who was in his arms, was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting her usually dignified father to lose his composure like this.

Her small hand gently rose, and she clumsily patted her father's broad, trembling back, whispering words of comfort with a maturity and gentleness far beyond her years:

"It's... all right now~"

A simple sentence, yet it was like a gentle but sharp blade, piercing Tokiomi Tohsaka's heart even deeper.

She didn't cry or complain; instead, she comforted herself, the one who was to blame.

Zouken Matou...you really deserve to die!
The so-called alliance of the three starter families was completely shattered at this moment.

Kenneth watched this scene quietly without saying a word.

He waved his hand, signaling Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others to step back, leaving this moment of warmth for the father and daughter who had endured so much hardship.

Then, he turned around and turned his gaze to the other side, to the vehicle that was falling from the sky—the [Divine Might Wheel].

"Thank you for your help, Conqueror King~"

Kenneth looked up and expressed his gratitude to the burly, red-haired man on the oxcart.

"Haha! It's alright, Master's teacher~"

King Iskandar the Conqueror laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell.

Then, as if remembering something, he reached out and, like picking up a chick, pulled a blushing, bewildered boy out from behind the bicycle frame, teasing him without any restraint:
"Didn't you have something to say to your teacher?! Stop dawdling!"

"Um...that...I..."

Webber Velvet, who was brought up, blushed and stammered as he looked at Kenneth, his eyes darting around, full of embarrassment and unease.

"Ahem~ Just say what you want to say, Weber."

Seeing this, El-Melloi II, who was standing on the other side of the oxcart, shook his head helplessly, tapped his forehead with his feather fan, and sighed.

All of this was part of his and Kenneth's plan. Having anticipated that Tokiomi Tohsaka might launch an attack tonight, he went along with the plan to find the Rider Master—his past self, Waver Velvet.

After a complex process of "self-persuasion," Webber finally agreed to assist and waited nearby with the Conqueror for the best opportunity to intervene.

"Alright, alright! I'll tell you!"

Under the dual gaze of the King of Conquerors and his future self, Waver, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, finally roared in anger and embarrassment. He took a deep breath, mustered all his courage, and bowed deeply to Kenneth, his voice loud yet trembling slightly:
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Kenneth!!"

This apology was a release of pent-up emotions within him.

Just as the long-haired man said, his initial motivation for participating in the Holy Grail War was naive and ridiculous; it was simply to prove himself to Kenneth.

He comes from a family of magicians that has only been around for three generations. He has mediocre talent and is as insignificant as dust in the Clock Tower, which emphasizes bloodline and tradition.

The feeling of being ignored and unappreciated led him to write the paper that proclaimed that "talent has nothing to do with family background, and greatness can be achieved through hard work."

Looking back now, it was an incredibly stupid thing to do.

The Clock Tower is divided into three factions: aristocracy that adheres to the theory of bloodline, democracy that advocates for the recruitment of talented individuals, and a faction that maintains neutrality.

Among them, the aristocratic power is the largest, because the essence of magic is deeply bound to mysterious origins, and the older the family line, the more powerful it is.

His remarks were tantamount to openly declaring war on a dragon.

If it weren't for his aristocratic teacher Kenneth publicly belittling his paper, making it a laughingstock throughout the Clock Tower, he would probably have "died unexpectedly" in some unknown corner long ago.

The teacher protected this arrogant student in a harsh, almost humiliating way.

"Ha~"

"The only thing you need to apologize to me for is stealing my relics."

As for gaining my approval, mere words are not enough.

"Keep up the good work, Mr. Webber Velvet!"

Kenneth chuckled softly, calmly looking at the boy in front of him who was practically burying his head in his chest.

This seemingly unremarkable young man, in another timeline, through his wisdom and hard work, revitalized the declining El-Melloi faction and became the revered monarch, El-Melloi II.

He must possess qualities that have yet to be discovered.

"Oh? Okay, okay, Mr. Kenneth!"

Upon hearing this unexpected encouragement, Weber abruptly looked up, his face initially showing surprise, which was then replaced by immense joy and excitement.

A flush of excitement rose on his cheeks, and he nodded vigorously, his eyes regaining their light.

"It seems you have a good teacher, little Master!"

Upon seeing this, Iskandar, the Conqueror, burst into another hearty laugh. He stretched out his large, fan-like hand and vigorously ruffled Waver's hair, his tone tinged with emotion.

"It hurts, Rider!"

Weber complained, but couldn't help but grin.

The Conqueror King turned to look at the destroyed forest, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

Since this Holy Grail is a corrupted wish-granting machine, his wish to "re-enter the flesh and conquer the endless sea" is basically dashed.

El-Melloi II watched this scene quietly from the side, a pleased smile on his face.

According to Romani's observations, this singularity has begun to extend into the past and future due to their intervention, and is starting to evolve into a parallel world.

Although this was not his world, the possibility of witnessing such a hopeful future was enough to comfort him.

"All right……"

"Next, it's time to do the last thing."

Kenneth withdrew his gaze, glanced around at everyone present, and his voice became serious.
……

The night grew deeper, and the chill was biting.

At the other end of Fuyuki City, there is Ryudo-ji Temple.

This ancient temple stands quietly at the entrance of Mount Yuanzang, appearing solemn and majestic under the moonlight.

However, deep beneath its surface lies a huge, unknown void.

This is the convergence point of the spiritual veins of Fuyuki City, and also the site of the Holy Grail descent ceremony.

Kenneth and his group arrived here.

In the center of the hollow, a hunched figure was already waiting.

He leaned on a wooden cane, his thin body wrapped in a large kimono, and his deeply wrinkled face looked particularly sinister and terrifying in the dim light.

It was exactly the person they had expected—Zoken Matou…

(End of this chapter)