Starting from Ainz Ooal Gown, simultaneously traveling through time

Chapter 224 Matou Ryokon gets scared away

Matou Reiken ran away.

The moment he saw Sakura, his pupils contracted sharply, and his body exploded like a swarm of startled insects, transforming into countless black shadows flying through the air, like a bursting dark cloud.

Countless flying insects gushed out of his withered body, like a flood bursting its banks, scattering and flying in all directions, fleeing madly, as if something terrifying was chasing after him.

Tokiomi Tohsaka had just broken free from the paralysis and illusion, and his consciousness was still somewhat hazy. The moment he saw Sakura, a complex mix of emotions welled up in his heart, a bittersweet feeling that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

But then he saw Matou Reigen's body explode and turn into a swarm of insects. His pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively thought that Matou was about to unleash some kind of terrible magic to kill them all.

He had no time to think, nor to discern Matou Ryouken's unusual fleeing posture. He gritted his teeth and pulled out a fine ruby ​​the size of a pigeon egg from his pocket.

The gemstone was entirely crimson, and it seemed as if flames were flowing inside.

This was a treasure he had kept for many years, which he had originally intended to make into a pendant to leave to Rin as a family heirloom, as a symbol of the next head of the Tohsaka family, but now, he couldn't care less.

Tokiomi Tohsaka gritted his teeth, gripping the jewel in his palm. Magic surged within his magic circuit, and the jewel glowed a fiery red in his hand. He chanted a short incantation, his voice low and urgent: "Ku ja "ats "al le k "iino!"

(Oh, magnificent sun, explode!)

The natural spirit that has been formed over millions of years within the ruby, and the profound mystery that has settled over countless years, are all awakened at this moment.

In an instant, the expanding flames transformed into a massive explosion, its power rivaling the powerful bombardment unleashed by the magical release of legendary heroes who had been downgraded into Servants.

boom!!!

The deafening roar shook the heavens, and the shockwave swept in all directions, snapping trees in the forest in half, ripping up the soil, and sending rubble and dust flying everywhere.

Kariya Matou was excitedly about to run over and hug Sakura when he was suddenly slammed to the ground by a shockwave. His ears were ringing and he saw stars.

He lay on the ground, cursing under his breath, but you couldn't hear a word he was saying.

The swarm of insects that Matou Ryouken had transformed into was mostly burned in the sea of ​​fire, but many black dots still managed to dart out from the gaps in the flames and quickly disappear into the twilight.

Tokiomi Tohsaka gripped his cane tightly, scanning his surroundings warily. He awaited Matou Ryouken's counterattack, but after a long while, the expected attack never came.

The forest was quiet; even the sound of crows flying by could be clearly heard.

Kariya Matou struggled to his feet, shaking his head violently, but the buzzing in his ears didn't lessen at all.

He was covered in mud and broken leaves, his hair was a mess, and there was a bloody scratch on his face from a pebble.

He angrily yelled at Tokiomi Tohsaka, "Tokiomi Tohsaka! What are you doing?! Are you trying to scare Sakura?"

Tokiomi Tohsaka ignored him and remained on guard for a while, finally confirming that Matou Ryogen had indeed left.

He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "What's going on? Why didn't he attack—instead he ran away? Is there some kind of conspiracy?"

Just then, Sakura ran over to them, and Kariya Matou scooped her up in his arms, holding her tightly. "Sakura, thank goodness, you're alright!" His voice trembled slightly.

Then he turned to Tokiomi Tohsaka and said, "Since you can still unleash such powerful magic, you can hold off that old devil while I protect Sakura as she leaves."

After saying that, he picked up Sakura and started to run.

"Kariya, wait a minute." Tokiomi Tohsaka reached out and grabbed him. "It seems the enemy has already retreated. We're safe for now."

o

Matou Kariya then turned around and found that the terrifying figure had already vanished without a trace.

He paused for a moment, then spat, "Where did that old geezer go? Does he still want to maintain this kind grandfather image in front of Sakura?"

Tokiomi Tohsaka straightened the charred corner of his clothes, dusted himself off, and tried to regain his usual elegant posture.

"I think he was intimidated by my powerful magic, which is why he dared not make any rash moves."

Matou Kariya rolled his eyes, but he didn't agree with that statement. He felt that Matou Ryogen's behavior just now was more like encountering a natural enemy, that kind of instinctive, desperate escape.

That old monster is extremely afraid of death and would never dare to fight a losing battle. Moreover, it seems that he only fled after Sakura appeared—could it be that Sakura played a role?

He glanced down at the little girl in his arms. Sakura's face showed no fear, but rather a deep curiosity as she blinked, looking at him and then at Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Yan Ye quickly shook his head. How could that be? How could a five-year-old child scare away an old monster who had lived for five hundred years? It must be his imagination.

"Uncle Kariya," Sakura tilted her head, her face filled with innocent curiosity, "were you and Dad playing a game with Grandpa just now? It looked so fun! I want to play too! And the flames Dad breathed out were so amazing! Dad, can you do it again?"

Kariya Matou gave an awkward twitch of his lips: "Sakura, that wasn't a game, and what your father did—it wasn't a performance either. It was very dangerous. You absolutely mustn't imitate it."

His doubts quickly dissipated. Sakura was so innocent and cute, how could she have scared away that old bug? Maybe that old man took the wrong medicine before he went out.

Tokiomi Tohsaka tidied his wind-blown hair and beard to make himself look more dignified, then looked down at Sakura and said in the formal tone of a magus family head, "Sakura, that person is no longer your grandfather."

There's no need to call him that anymore. Besides, that was a magic trick from the Tohsaka family, not some kind of fire-breathing performance.

His tone was serious, but deep in his eyes, there was a barely perceptible hint of heartache. His heart was bleeding; that gem was far too precious.

But on second thought, being able to see the true nature of Matou Dirty Inkstone at the cost of a gemstone isn't such a bad deal.

Sakura nodded obediently with a smile in her eyes, "I understand, Daddy."

"Then come home with me." Tokiomi Tohsaka extended his hand.

Kariya Matou immediately shifted his body to protect Sakura: "Go back to what home? Sakura has already been adopted by the Matou family. She's my family now, not yours!"

Tokiomi Tohsaka frowned: "Kariya, that agreement has been unilaterally torn up by your family, so it's no longer valid. Sakura is still my child."

"That old devil tore it up, I didn't violate any rules!" Matou Kariya retorted, "Besides, after you take her back, are you going to sell her to another magician family?"

"What are you hawking?" Tokiomi Tohsaka's tone turned serious. "I was doing it for Sakura's own good, hoping she could go further on the path of magic. Can you provide Sakura with that kind of environment? If not, then get out of the way."

"I won't let you push Sakura into the fire again!" Matou Kariya hugged Sakura tightly and turned to leave.

"Uncle Kariya, Dad," Sakura's voice suddenly rang out, not loud, but it made both of them stop at the same time, "You don't..."

"Let's keep arguing."

She looked up at Tokiomi Tohsaka, then at Kariya Matou, her eyes clear and earnest. "I want to go find my mother and my sister now."