[T/N: Sorry guys, this is the missing chapter 69]
"Welcome back, Lord Roland…and...Sister?"
"Sakura!"
Matou Sakura, who had been brought home first by the shadow khan, leapt from the sofa the moment she heard the barrier parting. She rushed to the door, heart leaping in anticipation of Roland. But instead of the man she longed to see, the one who stepped inside was her long-absent elder sister.
"This girl insisted on meeting you, so I allowed it. The two of you should enjoy catching up."
Roland emerged slowly from behind Tōsaka Rin, offering calm explanation to the bewildered Sakura.
"Yes, Lord Roland."
Relieved at his approval, Matou Sakura turned to face her sister. Once, she had harbored bitterness toward Rin, but that was in the past. So long as it did not hinder Lord Roland, she was glad to spend time with her sibling.
"That's wonderful… wonderful… Sakura, I'm so glad you're safe…"
Unlike Sakura, Rin Tōsaka's composure shattered instantly. Her proud brows knit tightly, and her face, usually strong before Roland, was streaked with tears.
Regret, powerlessness, and fear welled up inside her, spilling forth as choked sobs of apology.
"After seeing the state of the Matōu household… I can't even imagine what I'd have done if you had been lost. I'm sorry, Sakura… I should have been braver. I should have defied Father…"
"It's fine, Sister. It wasn't your fault."
Though the younger of the two, Sakura spoke with a maturity far beyond her years. One hand brushed Rin's head, the other softly stroked her back.
"I'm grateful for my current situation. If not for all that happened… I would never have met Lord Roland."
"...So that man rescued you from the Matōus?" Rin asked carefully. "It doesn't look like he forced anything on you."
She knew well why Sakura had been abandoned to the Matōu family. Because of that, Rin didn't speak foolishly of dragging her back to the Tōsaka house. Once she confirmed Sakura was safe, reason regained control.
Someone needed to take Sakura in. Roland was dangerous, yes, but he hadn't harmed Rin when restraining her earlier, and had even spoken kindly. He couldn't be wholly malicious.
Besides, he was obviously wealthy.
If Sakura stayed with him, the sisters could meet without fear of the Matō-Tōsaka ties casting suspicion on them. By that reasoning, this was not a bad outcome.
"Lord Roland is the greatest man in this world. That much is only natural."
Sakura's expression glowed with reverence, almost sermon-like. Before Rin could argue, Sakura pulled her into her embrace, burying her nose in her sister's hair.
It carries Lord Roland's scent.
Sakura's gaze clouded darkly, yet her smile only grew brighter.
"Sister, tell me everything. How did you meet Lord Roland?"
"Well… since I already skipped school today…" Rin faltered, but gave in.
Watching the sisters, Roland smiled. "They are sisters, after all. See how well they get along."
Caster, shaking her head, sighed. "Sometimes I can't tell if you understand human nature too well… or not at all. I'll continue reinforcing the barrier. Master, do you wish to learn as well?"
"Sure. I've nothing to discuss with those two girls anyway…" Roland stretched, but suddenly stilled.
"What is it?" Caster asked, noting the shift in his expression.
"Nothing serious. But it seems today brings us quite a few uninvited guests." Roland clapped his hands lightly. "Go on, Caster. I'll see what that old worm is plotting now that he's lost his bargaining chip."
---
"Gone… It was here just now."
The hunched old man crouched in shadow, brows furrowed as he studied the traces left behind.
"The magical residue is strong. Did a battle occur here?"
After his workshop and clone were obliterated by Ishtar, Matōu Zouken had only barely let his surviving life-worm escape underground. After cowering through the night, he reassembled his body, taking in the changed situation.
Nearly all seven Masters and Servants had appeared. The girl who should never have been summoned walked among them. Yet with such a card in play, Zouken had no idea how to act.
Rin Tōsaka was still a Tōsaka heir; she clearly knew nothing of the Grail's true nature. Tōsaka Tokiomi was likewise ignorant. Zouken had no intention of exposing himself early and handing the Tōsaka family another ally.
But he had to find Rin—for she had taken the talisman he carried over from the last war.
That must be reclaimed. Yet facing Servants was suicide.
So, from morning onward, he'd slunk after their traces like a starving hound, hoping for an opening.
He was stunned to find Rin covered by a barrier. Apart from a Caster, few could craft one so strong. Servants he dared not confront, but allies could be targeted.
Yet once the barrier collapsed, there was nothing left. No path of retreat, no direction. It was as if they had vanished by a miracle. spatial transfer.
"Roland… where are you?"
As the old man muttered in a voice like buzzing insects, a mocking tone suddenly cut in.
"Hey, Matō-dono. Been a while. I heard your house got blown sky-high?"
"…"
Zouken turned. As expected, the elusive young man stood there, smiling nastily.
"Hmph." Zouken wasn't in the mood for wordplay. He spoke directly: "Since you speak so calmly, it seems you've taken the Tōsaka girl."
"You could say that."
Roland did not bother denying it—Zouken would only piece things together anyway.
"Then let me ask, did you obtain anything from her?"
"You mean this?"
Roland opened his palm. Resting there was a dragon-shaped talisman.
"My talisman!"
The sight of it, an artifact more vital than even the Grail itself, ignited Zouken's fury. Dropping his pretense of composure, he gave a guttural snarl and lunged.
But his movement froze mid-reach.
For his outstretched hand, and his entire upper body, were instantly consumed in flames erupting from the talisman.
"What—!?"
The remainder of his body instinctively scattered into writhing worms, shrieking.
"First of all, I despise people touching my possessions uninvited. Secondly—" Roland's smile turned cold, laced with mockery.
"—This talisman is mine, mongrel."