Starting from Ainz Ooal Gown, simultaneously traveling through time

Chapter 223 Tokiomi Tohsaka VS Ryouken Matou

Tokiomi Tohsaka sat on a church pew, his fingers lightly stroking the ruby ​​on his cane, his brow slightly furrowed. "Kariya doesn't have that ability; he abandoned the demonic path long ago."

He paused, his gaze falling on the stained glass window. "I'm more suspicious that this might be a trick orchestrated by Matou Oki himself. The Holy Grail War is approaching; perhaps he has some scheme in mind?"

"Directed and acted by himself?" Kotomine Ryougi raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, it's also possible that Einzbern was behind it," Tokiomi Tohsaka continued. "They wanted to eliminate a rival ahead of time. I heard they married that infamous magician killer, so maybe he was the one who did it."

Kotomine Risei shook his head: "Tokiomi, why are you always guessing about the Holy Grail War? Couldn't it be something the Matou family used to have as an enemy?"

"My family and the Matou family know each other quite well," Tokiomi Tohsaka said confidently. "As far as I know, the Matou family hasn't made any enemies in the magic world in recent years."

At this moment, Kirei Kotomine spoke, his voice still calm as still water: "Sensei, based on the fire and the damage to the Matou residence, the fire and explosion likely originated in the Matou family's basement. Furthermore, a large number of charred insects of various kinds were found in the basement."

"Insects?" Tokiomi Tohsaka was slightly taken aback. "The Matou family keeps insects? They probably use them as familiars."

He pondered for a moment, "After destroying it from within and eliminating Matou Kariya, it might really be a play that Matou Old Man directed and acted in himself."

Kotomine Risei asked, puzzled, "Why would he blow up his own house? Even if it's preparation for the Holy Grail War, it doesn't have to be this bad."

"I don't know either." Tokiomi Tohsaka shook his head honestly. "Perhaps it's some kind of magical scheme."

"Teacher," Kirei Kotomine asked again, "should we ask Tsuruno Matou and Shinji Matou? They might know something."

"Sure. Didn't Kirei say they were seriously injured and unconscious? Ask them after they wake up." Tokiomi Tohsaka turned to Risei Kotomine. "As for Kariya, I'll ask him. He said he was going to beat me up. I'd like to see how an ordinary person beats me up."

Kotomine Risa waved her hand with a smile: "Weren't we just talking about Sakura's whereabouts? How did the conversation veer into the topic of criminal suspects?"

"Sakura is missing now." Tokiomi Tohsaka's tone turned somber. "She's either dead, escaped safely, or is in the hands of the arsonist. Of course, we need to determine who the arsonist is."

"But didn't you say that Matou Oki might have orchestrated and acted on his own?" Kotomine Risuke asked.

"It's just a possibility." Tokiomi Tohsaka stood up. "In the mysterious world of magic, anything can happen. Perhaps the truth is far beyond my expectations."

He bid farewell to Kotomine and his son, and embarked on his journey home alone. As dusk settled, the path through the forest was shrouded in shadow.

Then, he met Matou Ryouken.

When Tokiomi Tohsaka saw that emaciated figure from afar, his first reaction was that he was seeing a ghost. The desiccated appearance and the hunched posture were clearly those of Matou Oki.

But before he could speak, the other party made a move.

Without any pleasantries or probing, Matou Ryōken raised his hand and unleashed a swarm of winged insects, which swarmed towards Tohsaka Tokiomi in a dark mass.

Tokiomi Tohsaka swiftly drew his ruby-encrusted staff and unleashed a fire magic attack. Flames swept across the area, turning the winged insects to ashes in the firelight.

He suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "Old Man Matou, what is the meaning of this?"

Matou Ryouken revealed a chilling smile and chuckled twice: "Tohsaka Tokiomi, you took Sakura away and burned down my house, and you actually dare to ask me what I mean? Of course I want your life."

Tokiomi Tohsaka was stunned: "What?"

He could hardly believe his ears. He hadn't even blamed Matou for his poor protection that led to his daughter's disappearance, and the other party was biting him first?

"Tokiomi Tohsaka, you're quite the schemer." Matou Reiken's smile grew even colder. "You said you'd give me your daughter to adopt, but you're plotting against me all along. You're quite amusing."

Before he finished speaking, several more winged beetles pounced from different directions, attacking from all sides and blocking all escape routes.

Tokiomi Tohsaka laughed angrily, "What nonsense are you spouting? Wasn't this all orchestrated by you? To win the Holy Grail War, you did this absurd thing to hide yourself, but now you've exposed yourself and are framing me! It's utterly outrageous!"

He took a red gem from his pocket, activated the magic within it, and a raging fire erupted, burning all the winged insects around him to ashes.

"Furthermore," he said sternly, "although this place is near the forest, people often pass through. Are you trying to expose the mystery by doing this?"

"If I kill you, and then kill everyone who knows, then we won't be exposed, right?" Matou Ryouken laughed even more brazenly.

With a wave of his hand, a large number of insects emerged from the soil beneath Tokiomi Tohsaka's feet and crawled onto his shoes and trouser legs.

Tokiomi Tohsaka quickly jumped away and stomped his feet inelegantly, kicking the insects away.

Damn it, I was in such a rush that I didn't bring enough magical costumes. He shook his leg and gritted his teeth, but he still got bitten a few times by the ugly bugs, making him wince in pain.

He used his less-than-skilled magic to drive away the swarm of insects, but it didn't work. He then set a fire, which blackened his trousers, before finally managing to get rid of the insects.

"I never imagined the Matou family would stoop so low." Tokiomi Tohsaka panted, his gaze cold. "To command such filthy and disgusting insects, your heart must be as corrupt as these insects."

"Sharp-tongued," Matou Ryogen said dismissively. "However, after talking to you for so long, my magic trick is already prepared." He chanted softly, "Komm zurück, kämpfe, erodiere."

In that instant, Tokiomi Tohsaka felt as if his body was bound by invisible chains, completely unable to move, and his heart trembled:

What's going on?

"Those winged insects contain a paralyzing toxin that only works when heated," Matou Ryouken said slowly. "The insects that bit you earlier had the same effect."

Tokiomi Tohsaka gritted his teeth, his magical energy surging through his magic circuits as he attempted to activate the antidote technique within his magic crest. However, he suddenly felt a dizzying sensation, and his vision began to blur.

"You actually believe it's a paralyzing toxin just because it's called that?" Matou Ryouken's laughter echoed in my ears. "It's actually an insect charm, a kind of illusion. It only really works when you activate a magic circuit."

Tokiomi Tohsaka's consciousness was slowly fading away. He heard Matou Ryouken say, "I don't know who took Sakura away, but I know that killing you will solve everything. Tokiomi Tohsaka, you can die in peace."

I'm not reconciled—I haven't won the Holy Grail War yet, I haven't touched the [Vortex of Root]—I don't want to die—

Just as he was about to close his eyes, a figure suddenly darted out from the side.

"Ada!"

A strange cry accompanied a flying kick that struck Tokiomi Tohsaka squarely in the side.

He was kicked and sent flying, rolling twice on the ground in a sorry state, but the intense pain somehow dispelled the numbness.

"Ah!" Tokiomi Tohsaka cried out in pain, then saw that it was Kariya Hitotori who had kicked him.

Matou Reiken's face darkened: "Kariya, I thought you would just stand by and watch, but I didn't expect you to actually make a move."

Kariya Matou pointed at Tokiomi Tohsaka, who was still shaking his head, and said calmly, "Although I hate this guy, I can't just stand by and watch him die."

Tokiomi Tohsaka immediately retorted, "Who asked you to come and save me?"

Matou Ryogen added fuel to the fire: "See? They don't even appreciate it, yet you're rushing here to die. What's the point? If I kill him, you can openly and legitimately get the Tohsaka Aoi you like, right? Don't you understand that?"

"I don't care if he wants to be saved or not." Matou Kariya said without backing down. "I'm going to save him. Besides, although I like Aoi-nee, I wouldn't stoop to being the kind of person who takes advantage of someone in distress."

Matou Reiken laughed angrily, "Fine, fine, you brat, for the first time you've had courage, it's used against me. Who gave you the guts?"

Matou Kariya straightened his back: "I don't know where it came from, it just suddenly appeared. I guess I'm tired of this escapist life. I'm not even afraid of death now, why would I be afraid of you, you old geezer?"

He turned to Tokiomi Tohsaka, who was getting up, and said, "Tokiomi, although I still hate you, at least I know you're not with this guy anymore. You must find Sakura and not let her fall into this old monster's hands again. You run, I'll hold him off."

Tokiomi Tohsaka looked at him with complicated emotions. He wanted to say, "What can an ordinary person like you do to stop him?" But seeing the resolute expression on Kariya Matou's face, he ultimately didn't say it.

He gritted his teeth: "I understand. I will never hand Sakura over to that disgusting bug again."

Matou Kariya gave him a rare smile, then turned and rushed towards Matou Ryouken.

Tokiomi Tohsaka then took off running in the opposite direction.

One second later.

Matou Kariya was easily knocked to the ground.

Two seconds later.

Tokiomi Tohsaka was hit again and forced to lie on the ground.

"Kariya," Tokiomi Tohsaka couldn't help but complain, "you're so useless. Couldn't you have held on for a few more seconds?"

"I want to hold on too," Matou Kariya said weakly, her body trembling, "but my body won't obey me."

He was bitten a few times by several mosquito-like demonic insects and was immediately defeated.

"That's true." Tokiomi Tohsaka sighed. "It's really asking you, an ordinary person who has long since abandoned the path of magic, to deal with a veteran magician."

"I never imagined," Kariya Matou smiled bitterly, "that I'd end up dying alongside you, and I don't even know where Sakura is, or if she's safe—my Sakura!"

"What do you mean, 'your Sakura'? That's my daughter," Tokiomi Tohsaka said irritably. "Besides, who wants to die with you?" He lowered his voice. "Kariya, I still have some trump cards, but I need you to sacrifice something. Are you willing?"

"What do you mean, 'willing or not'?" Matou Kariya replied softly, "Let's just get started."

Matou Reiken, standing to the side, sneered, "Are you two pretending I didn't hear you? Plotting right in front of me. I'll just send you two star-crossed lovers to your deaths."

He raised his hand, ready to deliver the final blow.

Tokiomi Tohsaka gritted his teeth, reached into his pocket, and grasped the gem he had kept as a family heirloom.

Just then.

A petite figure suddenly darted out from the forest path nearby.

The little girl tilted her head, looking at the scene before her, her brown hair swaying gently in the twilight.

She blinked, her eyes filled with innocent curiosity: "Huh? Daddy, Uncle Yanye, and—Grandpa, you..."

Why are you all here?

The three of them froze simultaneously.

They all turned their heads to look at the girl standing on the forest path.

Kariya Matou exclaimed in delight, "Sakura!"

Tokiomi Tohsaka's eyes widened, his voice filled with disbelief: "Sakura!"

Matou Reiken's pupils contracted sharply, and for the first time, genuine fear appeared on his face: "Sakura!"