Starting from Ainz Ooal Gown, simultaneously traveling through time

Chapter 218 Matou Kariya is on his way to the scene.

Meanwhile, Matou Kariya learns from his childhood friend, Tohsaka Aoi, whom he loves but cannot have, that Tohsaka Sakura has been adopted into the Matou family.

As the second son of the Matou family, Matou Kariya thinks of his biological father, Matou Ryokon, whenever he thinks of his family of origin.

That Laubusted.

He felt no warmth or comfort from the Matou family, only fear and hatred.

The gloomy and oppressive environment, the atmosphere of a horror movie, and the extremely disgusting insect, Laubusted—all of this made Matou Kariya desperately want to escape this family of origin and sever ties with this biological father.

Fortunately, he succeeded.

Perhaps because he was of no use to Laubusted and was a complete waste in Laubusted's eyes, Matou Ryouken did not hinder Matou Kariya's escape.

Matou Kariya is finally free.

He once vowed never to go back.

However, he was originally returning from a business trip today and planned to visit Aoi Tohsaka and her two lovely daughters on the way.

Rin Tohsaka was so lively and clever, and Sakura Tohsaka always followed obediently behind her older sister, like a docile little...

Cat.

But today, he didn't see the small figure behind Rin.

"Rin, where did Sakura go?" he asked.

Rin Tohsaka tilted her head, saying in a tone that seemed to say, "How could you not know?", "Uncle Kariya, didn't Sakura already get adopted into your Matou family? Didn't you know?"

Adoption? The Matou family?

Kariya Matou's mind went blank as if struck by lightning. He abruptly turned to Aoi Tohsaka, his voice trembling, "Aoi-nee, is what Rin said true? Sakura—was really sent to the Matou family?"

Aoi Tohsaka smiled and nodded, her smile gentle and calm, as if she were saying something perfectly ordinary: "Yes, Kariya, Tokiomi recently entrusted Sakura to Matou-no-o."

Matou-oki, also known as Matou-no-Ken, is that old monster whom he finds disgusting even to call "father."

Kariya Matou felt his temples throbbing. He thought he had escaped that hellhole, that he would never have to face that gloomy basement, those disgusting insects, and that putrid smell again.

But at this moment, those images he had deliberately forgotten rushed back to him all at once: the dim candlelight, the swarms of insects crawling all over the walls, and that terrifying figure with a hunched back and sunken eyes.

Sakura, that adorable girl, is she really going to be ruined by that Laubusted?

He suppressed his surging emotions and asked almost accusingly, "Sister Aoi, Tokiomi agreed, so what about you? You agreed too? You can bear to push that child into that hellhole?"

Aoi Tohsaka still smiled, her tone so calm it was chilling: "Tokiomi's opinion is my opinion. Sakura is too talented; we can't waste her talent."

Kariya Matou could hardly believe his ears. Aoi could be so cruel?

No, that's not right—he suddenly realized that Aoi Tohsaka had no idea about the current situation of the Matou family. She thought the Matou family was just an ordinary family of magicians, and that Sakura had gone there to inherit the magic crest and embark on the glorious path of magic.

She didn't know what was in that basement, what those insects were, or what the word "inheritance" meant.

But Tokiomi Tohsaka knew that that bastard must know!

Yet he still sent his own daughter into that den of demons. For the sake of the demonic path and the glory of his family, he was willing to sacrifice anything—his wife and daughter were all pawns.

It's all Tokiomi Tohsaka's fault!

Tokiomi Tohsaka! You deserve to die!

Kariya Matou gritted her teeth, each word seemingly squeezed out from between them: "Aoi-nee, I don't blame you for not understanding the reasons, but don't worry, I will definitely find a way to rescue Sakura."

He paused, a fierce glint in his eyes, "Also, tell that bastard Tokiomi I'm going to beat him to a pulp."

After saying that, he turned and left, his steps hurried and resolute, completely unaware of the bewildered expressions on the faces of Aoi Tohsaka and her daughter behind him.

Rin Tohsaka asked in surprise, "Mom, what is Uncle Kariya doing?"

Aoi Tohsaka frowned slightly, trying to explain from a magician's perspective: "Kariya probably thinks that Tokiomi sending Sakura to the Matou family without permission will hinder him from inheriting the Matou family's magic crest."

Rin Tohsaka nodded, seemingly understanding.

But Aoi Tohsaka knew in her heart that this was not the real reason. Kariya Matou had never been enthusiastic about magic, and could even be said to have hated it.

His current behavior doesn't seem like he cares about the magic crest; it's more like he's afraid of something.

Could there be some danger in the Matou family that she's unaware of? She wasn't sure, but she planned to ask Tokiomi later; Tokiomi would surely know.

But she only asked; she wouldn't get involved.

Firstly, it was Tokiomi's decision to send Sakura away, and she would not disobey.

Secondly, after Sakura was adopted by the Matou family, she was theoretically no longer her daughter, and she had no right to interfere.

Thirdly, the path of a magician is inherently fraught with hardship and danger. If Sakura encounters danger and instead of finding a way to overcome it, she simply runs away like Kariya, fleeing the Matou family and returning to the Tohsaka family, it will only make Tokiomi very unhappy. She will then have no choice but to painfully sever her mother-daughter relationship and send Sakura back.

Since marrying into the Tohsaka family, Tohsaka Aoi has come to understand one thing: neither kinship nor love can give way to the path of magic.

She could only pray silently in her heart: "Sakura, may you obtain the Magic Crest and go further and further on the path of magic."

Kariya Matou rushed back to the Matou mansion, his mind filled with terrifying images along the way.

He even prepared for the worst, saying he would risk his life to save Sakura.

Then, he saw the ruins of the Matou family's residence.

A scene of ruins, with a raging fire burning amidst the rubble, its flames illuminating half the sky.

Several fire trucks were parked on the side of the road, and firefighters were desperately trying to put out the fire with high-pressure water cannons. However, instead of reducing the fire, the flames burned even more fiercely.

Some people tried to cover the fire with sand, which barely extinguished one spot, but within seconds, the flames burst out from the gaps in the sand and burned even more fiercely.

The fire seemed alive, as if it wouldn't stop until it burned everything to ashes.

Matou Kariya stood before the ruins, dumbfounded: "What...what on earth happened?"

"Hey, Yan Ye, you finally decided to come back." A firefighter's voice came from the side.

Kariya Matou turned his head sharply. The face and voice were unfamiliar. He didn't recognize the firefighter at all, but the other person actually called him by name.

But when his gaze fell on the large, mosquito-like insect on the firefighter's neck, a chill instantly ran down his spine.

"Matou Rikien," his voice was as cold as ice, "what happened here?"

The firefighter—no, he should be called a puppet controlled by insects—changed his smile, transforming it into a more sinister and repulsive expression.

"Kariya, it's been a long time. How have you become so rude?" The voice was forced out of the firefighter's throat, hoarse and dry. "Have you forgotten how to even call me 'father'?"

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