Tohsaka Rin had anticipated an awkward meeting with Matou Sakura, but the expected discomfort never materialized.
It wasn't because there was no tension between her and Sakura. Rather, they hadn't even exchanged a single word.
The reason was simple: Sakura's attention was almost entirely fixed on Morpheus. Despite her efforts to hide it, the admiration in her eyes was unmistakable. With Rin's deep familiarity with her younger sister, she could tell Sakura was intensely interested in Morpheus.
For instance, during the group meal, Sakura's gaze barely left Morpheus!
What's going on? They should be meeting for the first time. Morpheus is clearly acting like it's their first encounter, but Sakura's behavior... though she's pretending it's the first time... feels like she's seeing someone she hasn't met in ages…
And that look in her eyes, the way she's acting toward Morpheus, is completely different. In all these years, I've never seen her show this kind of expression toward anyone else…
Sure, Morpheus is pretty handsome. Forget just at school... he'd probably be top-tier in all of Fuyuki City. But to captivate someone this quickly? That's a bit much. He can't possibly have succubus blood, right?
Could it be because of that blessing from Aphrodite he mentioned, boosting his charm? Hmm, that's possible. It's a divine blessing, after all... turning him into a heartthrob would be only natural!
No, I need to warn Sakura. She can't fall for this guy's tricks. He looks young, but who knows how long he's been around!
As Rin mulled this over, Sakura suddenly spoke to Morpheus. "Mr. Morpheus, since you're touring here, do you need a guide?"
Her words drew everyone's attention to her. Emiya Shirou looked stunned, as if meeting Sakura for the first time.
Is this really the Sakura I know? She's usually so shy and timid, but now she's saying something like this?! Shirou thought.
Fujimura Taiga was equally shocked, inwardly ranting, This guy's handsome, sure, but to say something like that, Sakura?!
Rin stared at Sakura. She'd noticed her sister watching Morpheus, but she hadn't expected Sakura to be so bold.
It sounded like a question, but the underlying meaning was clear: I can be your guide.
Before Morpheus could respond, Rin interjected, "No need to worry about that, Matou-san. I'll be his guide."
Her smile was forced, unnatural.
Sakura glanced at Rin, a mix of concern and doubt in her eyes. "But aren't you busy, Senpai? And when it comes to knowing the city, I'm probably more familiar."
Rin maintained her strained smile. "No worries, I have time to accompany him."
Sakura let out a soft "Oh," Then turned directly to Morpheus. "If there's any place you want to visit that Senpai doesn't know, you can come to me."
She was blatantly ignoring Rin, extending an invitation to Morpheus.
Rin felt a surge of frustration, nearly choking on it, when Morpheus spoke.
"Thank you. If I need help, I'll trouble you then, Miss Matou."
Sakura smiled faintly. "It's no trouble."
With that, their conversation ended.
Illya, eating nearby, watched the scene and fell into thought.
It seems Morpheus and Matou Sakura don't know each other. That makes sense... Morpheus is a Servant, so he wouldn't know many people in this world. He met Rin first, then the rest of us. If he met Sakura today, they should have just met…
But Sakura's reaction feels like she's known Morpheus for a long time. Could he have been summoned ten years ago? No, that's not right. I have records of the Servants from ten years ago, and none were named Morpheus…
Illya glanced at Artoria, who was quietly eating.
Come to think of it, Saber and I knew each other ten years ago. She's pretending not to know me now, and I'm doing the same. We're both acting pretty well.
But Morpheus wasn't summoned ten years ago, so… what secret is hidden here? Could it be tied to his unique magecraft… no, his unique magic knowledge?
The prospect of studying magic with Morpheus suddenly became even more exciting for Illya.
Time passed slowly. After breakfast, Taiga shouted about being late and rushed out. Rin, Sakura, and Shirou leisurely left for school.
Morpheus stayed behind at the Emiya residence.
Rin had the Moonstone for protection and could use a Command Spell to contact him, so she wasn't in danger at school.
Morpheus also trusted that Sakura wouldn't let her sister face a crisis without intervening.
So, staying at Shirou's house posed no issue.
Besides, he wasn't alone... Illya, Saber, and the still-spiritualized Heracles were there too.
With Rin at school, Morpheus decided to teach Illya the basics, giving her an initial understanding of his magic to help her consider their future partnership.
Thus, the foundational lessons he'd taught Rin were now laid out before Illya.
Time flew during study sessions, and Illya proved a diligent student. In the pleasant teaching process, over two hours passed quickly.
After leaving Illya to review on her own, Morpheus stepped outside, looking at Heracles, who had materialized in the yard. He shook his head.
"You seem frustrated. Is it because of this giant?" Artoria asked from nearby.
"Something like that. If Illya had summoned him as an Archer instead of a Berserker, her chances of winning this Holy Grail War would've been higher."
Artoria was surprised. "You know him?"
"I do. We're friends, in a way. If he retained his consciousness and could use his weapons, he'd be far stronger. With his vast combat experience, even you, Saber, wouldn't be his match."
Morpheus' words didn't provoke a rebuttal from Artoria. She could sense the immense power within the black giant. Though proud, she wasn't blindly arrogant.
Glancing at Illya studying inside, Artoria asked, "How do you plan to work with her?"
Morpheus smiled. "Curious?"
"As temporary allies, it's natural to wonder," Artoria replied, quickly finding an excuse.
Morpheus knew Artoria was concerned about her former Master's daughter, but she couldn't say so openly. Admitting it would reveal her participation in the Fourth Holy Grail War, undoing her efforts to hide it.
Seeing Illya pretend not to know her, even acting as if they were strangers, had relieved Artoria. For now, she could keep her secret.
As she thought this, Morpheus said casually, "As the daughter of your former Master, it's natural you'd worry about her. I understand."
"You!" Artoria whipped her head toward Morpheus, her expression as if she'd seen a ghost. Stammering, she asked, "H-How do you know?!"
"I told you, I divined it. Believe me?"
Seeing Artoria's skeptical look, Morpheus didn't bother explaining further. "I don't like seeing people get hurt, especially kids. Illya may be older in years, but mentally, she's a child.
"The Holy Grail, or rather the Holy Grail War, is full of tragedies. To reduce some of that, I'm stepping in."
Morpheus suddenly asked, "Saber, if the Grail isn't what you think, what will you do?"
"If the Grail isn't what I think?" Artoria echoed, growing increasingly convinced that this man knew much... her secrets, and details about the Grail she didn't.
"In the Fourth Holy Grail War, the Grail's core, or heart, was Irisviel. Its main core was Justeaze, the Einzberns' ancestral homunculus.
"Now, Irisviel is gone, so the heart of the Fifth Holy Grail War's Grail is Illya. Once the war begins and Servants die, their power gathers in her body, causing it to collapse."
Morpheus watched Artoria, whose expression remained steady... she clearly already knew this.
"You were in the Fourth Holy Grail War. You should know."
Since her secret was exposed, Artoria didn't hide it. She nodded. "I know."
"Pursuing a goal at any cost, even sacrificing others, is ruthless but understandable for success. I'd call such a person an idealistic villain."
Artoria's expression shifted slightly at Morpheus' words.
She felt he was criticizing her, labeling her a villain.
Knowing that continuing the Grail War would harm Illya yet proceeding anyway, Artoria couldn't argue back.
But Morpheus wasn't done.
"But sacrificing others, especially friends or those close to you, and still failing to achieve your goal? That's not an idealistic villain... that's just a fool."
Artoria finally understood. Morpheus wasn't calling her an idealistic villain... he was calling her a fool.
But his words revealed a critical issue.
So, she asked it.
"What's wrong with the Grail? Why do you say it's not what I think?"
No need to ask if he knew her wish... she just needed to know what was wrong with the Grail to judge if it could fulfill her goal.
"Saber, you're smart. Let me ask you: do you know Emiya Kiritsugu well? Do you know his wish?"
Morpheus' question silenced Artoria. After a long pause, she said, "I know his goal... vague and nearly impossible. He was someone who'd do anything to achieve it."
"Exactly. He was even more extreme than you. So why, at the moment of victory, did such an extreme man abandon the Grail, even destroy it?"
Artoria fell into deep thought.
She'd pondered this many times. To her, Kiritsugu was a betrayer... of her and the Einzberns.
They were supposed to win together and use the Grail for their wishes, but she was backstabbed. Forced by a Command Spell, Artoria had to destroy the Grail in the Fourth Holy Grail War!
This fueled her hatred for Kiritsugu, clouding her ability to think objectively.
But now, hearing Morpheus' words and reflecting on Kiritsugu's character, Artoria noticed many discrepancies.
Yes, Kiritsugu was extreme, doing anything for his goal. Unless he changed his goal midway, he should've used the Grail for humanity's peace…
So why did he destroy it, refusing to use its power? What was the reason?
Morpheus says the Grail isn't what I think, meaning it holds a great secret... one that made Kiritsugu abandon his lifelong wish to destroy it…
Artoria took a deep breath.
Morpheus continued, "What if Kiritsugu destroyed the Grail because he realized using it would ruin his wish, making it impossible?"
At this point, Artoria understood his meaning. Her eyes widened, and she exclaimed, "That's impossible!"
Not that Kiritsugu's actions were impossible, but that the Grail could be like that!
Even though she'd grasped the key, she refused to believe it. If it were true, what was the point of her coming to this era, fighting in the Holy Grail War?!
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL