Chapter 235 - Kariya Matou (2)
Kariya hurried across the stage of his homeland, which he thought he would never see again.
Every time he returned to Fuyuki City, he never crossed the bridge to Miyama.
Ten years have passed since then. Unlike the Shinto area, where business was conducted every day, nothing had changed in this neighborhood where time seemed to have stopped.
The quiet streets were full of memories. But none of the pleasures would come to him if he stopped to look. Ignoring such useless nostalgia, Kariya thought about his conversation with Aoi an hour ago.
"... Do you agree with it?"
The unexpected pardon Aoi threw at him as he looked away from him. He had not used such a harsh tone in many years.
Don't look up, don't be a nuisance.... This was how he had lived. Anger, hatred, Kariya had left everything in the desolate streets of Miyama. After getting rid of his hometown, Kariya had never made a fuss about anything. Even the most horrible of affairs was nothing compared to what he had hated in this land.
That is why - yes. It must have been eight years since his voice carried such feelings.
On that occasion, was it not with the same woman that Kariya had used the same tone, the same words?
"Do you agree with it?" - He asked the same question on that occasion. He turned to his childhood friend the night before she received the name Tohsaka.
He never forgot it. The expression she was wearing at the time.
She had nodded slightly, as if asking for forgiveness, though she was still blushing with grief. Kariya had been defeated by that silent smile.
"...I was already prepared...It is a mistake to seek the joy of a normal family..." Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click <a href="#!_15693570606776305/kariya-matou-(2)_51726059430797525">#!_15693570606776305/kariya-matou-(2)_51726059430797525</a> for visiting.
Such words were a lie.
That day, 8 years ago, when the young magician asked her to marry him, her smile definitely showed her faith in finding happiness.
And so, Kariya completely accepted his defeat, because he believed in that smile.
Perhaps, the man who would marry Aoi, that man was the only one who could make her happy.
But that was a mistake.
More than anyone else in the world, Kariya must have realized that fatal mistake.
Because he had already fully realized how despicable magic was, had he not rejected his destiny and abandoned his family?
No matter, he could forgive that.
Even he, who had turned his back on it out of fear, well aware of how abominable sorcery really was... The woman who was most important to him had surrendered, of all people, to the man who was closest to the word magus.
What now burns in Kariya's chest is guilt.
Not just once, but twice, he had chosen the wrong words.
He should not have asked "Do you agree with it", but should have concluded "You must not do that".
And 8 years ago, if he had stopped Aoi - maybe there would have been a different future than today. If she hadn't joined the Tohsaka, today, she would have escaped the curse of being a wizard, and she could have led a normal life.
And today, this tension in the park, if she had reacted differently to the decision between the Tohsaka and the Matou, - perhaps it would have shaken her. She could have rejected the nonsense of a stranger.
But, even so, she could not blame herself alone in that way. She would not have to suppress her tears completely.
Kariya could absolutely never forgive this. He, who repeated the same fault twice. For this punishment he returned to the place of those days he had left behind.
Certainly there was a way to obtain forgiveness. The world to which he had once turned his back. The destiny to which he had so poorly escaped.
But now, he could confront that.
If I thought of the one woman in the world I didn't want to see suffer -
Under the sky where twilight was approaching, he stopped in front of the imposing and luxurious Western-style house.
In a ten year jump, Matou Kariya was standing in front of the doors of his house again.
. . .
"I think I told you never to show your face in front of me again."
Sitting in front of Kariya, the little old man who spat out those detestable words was Zouken Matou, the head of the family. He was so withered that his bald head and limbs made him look as if he had been mummified, but the light deep in his eyes filled his spirit, both his appearance and his personality made him an unusual and mysterious person.
To tell the truth, not even Kariya could determine the exact age of the old man. The aberrant entry in the family register said that he was the brother of Kariya's father. But even with his great grandfather, his third generation ancestor, there were records of an old man named Zouken in the family tree. There was no way of knowing for how many generations this man had reigned over the Matou family.
Speaking of repulsive achievements, he was a wizard who could be called immortal, lengthening and prolonging his age. A person at the root of the Matou bloodline with very little direct connection to Kariya. He was a genuine spectre surviving in the current era.
"I heard about what happened three days ago."
Kariya went straight to the point. There was no point in digressing into pointless conversations with this old man.
"Yes, it's a pity. Now we don't have any descendants with magical circuits."
"Don't you think it's a disgrace to resort to adopting someone else's girl?"
"Ha, who do you think was responsible for the fall of the Matou?"
"In the end, the son that Byakuya ended up with turned out to be someone devoid of magic circuits. The thoroughbred line of the Matōs has collapsed with this generation. But, more than your older brother Byakuya, you are the one who has realized himself in the bases of a magician, Kariya. If you had obediently received your inheritance and accepted the secrets of the Matō, we would not have pressed the circ.u.mstances. And all this is you..."
But Kariya, with a snort, rejected the threatening attitude of the old man who was getting even angrier by foaming at the mouth.
"Stop your comedy, vampire. What is the need for the line Matō to persist? Don't make me laugh. There's nothing wrong with it even if a new generation of Matō does not come along. The discussion is over since you yourself will continue to live for two hundred years or two thousand years, huh?"
Since Kariya had guessed correctly, Zōken let out a suspicious smile, as if the anger up to now was a lie. That was the smile of a monster who does not even consider human emotions as fragments.
"As always, you're a nice guy. You talk and behave in a very frank way."
"Whatever you say, that's how you trained me. I don't like to dwell on things."
A wet sound was produced from deep in the old man's throat, as if he were laughing pleasantly.
"It is true. You will probably live longer than me in the distant future, longer even than Byakuya's son. Even so, a Matou heir is necessary, to obtain the Grail."
"So that is your goal."
Immortality, Zouken had his eyes on the Grail to obtain that miracle.
"But... without Sakura you cannot obtain it."
Zouken frowned.
"That is, it is problematic that the girl has been kidnapped. It is going to be complicated to find another v.i.r.g.i.n specimen of so high quality."
V.i.r.g.i.n. When Zouken used that term, he referred to that he had not obtained teachings of any other magician before, how it was the case of Sakura.
Of the words of Zouken, Kariya understood something.
"You are going to abandon the girl."
It was not a question, but an affirmation. He knew the old man too well, that is why he had left the house 10 years ago.
"That's right."
Kariya sank.
Sakura had been kidnapped by people with the capacity to face the old man, or that they had the sufficient force as to surprise him.
"Old man, you have said that you need the Grail."
Zouken nodded.
"Let's make a deal. Zouken Matou. I will carry the name of the Matou to victory in the next war. In return, you will rescue Sakura Tohsaka."
Surprised for a brief moment, Zouken sneered with contempt.
"Kha, don't be stupid. A failure who has never studied anything could be the Master of a Servant in just one year?"
"You possess the secret to making that possible, do you not? With your worm-control skills of which you are so proud, old man."
Immediately, Zouken's face changed from that of a human to that of a wizard, all expressions fading away.
"Kariya, do you wish to die?"
"Don't tell me you're worried? 'Uncle'"
"I must say that I expect more from you than from Byakuya. After expanding your Magic Circuits with the Worm Crests, if we can train you hard for a year, maybe the Grail will end up selecting you".
"...Still, I can't understand it. Why go to such lengths just for a little girl?"
"Just let the Matou take care of the Matou's tenacity. Don't involve people from the outside who aren't involved."
"Again with your admirable dedication."
As if enjoying himself, Zouken showed a pleased smile, full of his evil disposition.
---------------
Finishing with Kariya, we have already finished with the pre-war.
The next chapter will already be the first day of the war.
Every time he returned to Fuyuki City, he never crossed the bridge to Miyama.
Ten years have passed since then. Unlike the Shinto area, where business was conducted every day, nothing had changed in this neighborhood where time seemed to have stopped.
The quiet streets were full of memories. But none of the pleasures would come to him if he stopped to look. Ignoring such useless nostalgia, Kariya thought about his conversation with Aoi an hour ago.
"... Do you agree with it?"
The unexpected pardon Aoi threw at him as he looked away from him. He had not used such a harsh tone in many years.
Don't look up, don't be a nuisance.... This was how he had lived. Anger, hatred, Kariya had left everything in the desolate streets of Miyama. After getting rid of his hometown, Kariya had never made a fuss about anything. Even the most horrible of affairs was nothing compared to what he had hated in this land.
That is why - yes. It must have been eight years since his voice carried such feelings.
On that occasion, was it not with the same woman that Kariya had used the same tone, the same words?
"Do you agree with it?" - He asked the same question on that occasion. He turned to his childhood friend the night before she received the name Tohsaka.
He never forgot it. The expression she was wearing at the time.
She had nodded slightly, as if asking for forgiveness, though she was still blushing with grief. Kariya had been defeated by that silent smile.
"...I was already prepared...It is a mistake to seek the joy of a normal family..." Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click <a href="#!_15693570606776305/kariya-matou-(2)_51726059430797525">#!_15693570606776305/kariya-matou-(2)_51726059430797525</a> for visiting.
Such words were a lie.
That day, 8 years ago, when the young magician asked her to marry him, her smile definitely showed her faith in finding happiness.
And so, Kariya completely accepted his defeat, because he believed in that smile.
Perhaps, the man who would marry Aoi, that man was the only one who could make her happy.
But that was a mistake.
More than anyone else in the world, Kariya must have realized that fatal mistake.
Because he had already fully realized how despicable magic was, had he not rejected his destiny and abandoned his family?
No matter, he could forgive that.
Even he, who had turned his back on it out of fear, well aware of how abominable sorcery really was... The woman who was most important to him had surrendered, of all people, to the man who was closest to the word magus.
What now burns in Kariya's chest is guilt.
Not just once, but twice, he had chosen the wrong words.
He should not have asked "Do you agree with it", but should have concluded "You must not do that".
And 8 years ago, if he had stopped Aoi - maybe there would have been a different future than today. If she hadn't joined the Tohsaka, today, she would have escaped the curse of being a wizard, and she could have led a normal life.
And today, this tension in the park, if she had reacted differently to the decision between the Tohsaka and the Matou, - perhaps it would have shaken her. She could have rejected the nonsense of a stranger.
But, even so, she could not blame herself alone in that way. She would not have to suppress her tears completely.
Kariya could absolutely never forgive this. He, who repeated the same fault twice. For this punishment he returned to the place of those days he had left behind.
Certainly there was a way to obtain forgiveness. The world to which he had once turned his back. The destiny to which he had so poorly escaped.
But now, he could confront that.
If I thought of the one woman in the world I didn't want to see suffer -
Under the sky where twilight was approaching, he stopped in front of the imposing and luxurious Western-style house.
In a ten year jump, Matou Kariya was standing in front of the doors of his house again.
. . .
"I think I told you never to show your face in front of me again."
Sitting in front of Kariya, the little old man who spat out those detestable words was Zouken Matou, the head of the family. He was so withered that his bald head and limbs made him look as if he had been mummified, but the light deep in his eyes filled his spirit, both his appearance and his personality made him an unusual and mysterious person.
To tell the truth, not even Kariya could determine the exact age of the old man. The aberrant entry in the family register said that he was the brother of Kariya's father. But even with his great grandfather, his third generation ancestor, there were records of an old man named Zouken in the family tree. There was no way of knowing for how many generations this man had reigned over the Matou family.
Speaking of repulsive achievements, he was a wizard who could be called immortal, lengthening and prolonging his age. A person at the root of the Matou bloodline with very little direct connection to Kariya. He was a genuine spectre surviving in the current era.
"I heard about what happened three days ago."
Kariya went straight to the point. There was no point in digressing into pointless conversations with this old man.
"Yes, it's a pity. Now we don't have any descendants with magical circuits."
"Don't you think it's a disgrace to resort to adopting someone else's girl?"
"Ha, who do you think was responsible for the fall of the Matou?"
"In the end, the son that Byakuya ended up with turned out to be someone devoid of magic circuits. The thoroughbred line of the Matōs has collapsed with this generation. But, more than your older brother Byakuya, you are the one who has realized himself in the bases of a magician, Kariya. If you had obediently received your inheritance and accepted the secrets of the Matō, we would not have pressed the circ.u.mstances. And all this is you..."
But Kariya, with a snort, rejected the threatening attitude of the old man who was getting even angrier by foaming at the mouth.
"Stop your comedy, vampire. What is the need for the line Matō to persist? Don't make me laugh. There's nothing wrong with it even if a new generation of Matō does not come along. The discussion is over since you yourself will continue to live for two hundred years or two thousand years, huh?"
Since Kariya had guessed correctly, Zōken let out a suspicious smile, as if the anger up to now was a lie. That was the smile of a monster who does not even consider human emotions as fragments.
"As always, you're a nice guy. You talk and behave in a very frank way."
"Whatever you say, that's how you trained me. I don't like to dwell on things."
A wet sound was produced from deep in the old man's throat, as if he were laughing pleasantly.
"It is true. You will probably live longer than me in the distant future, longer even than Byakuya's son. Even so, a Matou heir is necessary, to obtain the Grail."
"So that is your goal."
Immortality, Zouken had his eyes on the Grail to obtain that miracle.
"But... without Sakura you cannot obtain it."
Zouken frowned.
"That is, it is problematic that the girl has been kidnapped. It is going to be complicated to find another v.i.r.g.i.n specimen of so high quality."
V.i.r.g.i.n. When Zouken used that term, he referred to that he had not obtained teachings of any other magician before, how it was the case of Sakura.
Of the words of Zouken, Kariya understood something.
"You are going to abandon the girl."
It was not a question, but an affirmation. He knew the old man too well, that is why he had left the house 10 years ago.
"That's right."
Kariya sank.
Sakura had been kidnapped by people with the capacity to face the old man, or that they had the sufficient force as to surprise him.
"Old man, you have said that you need the Grail."
Zouken nodded.
"Let's make a deal. Zouken Matou. I will carry the name of the Matou to victory in the next war. In return, you will rescue Sakura Tohsaka."
Surprised for a brief moment, Zouken sneered with contempt.
"Kha, don't be stupid. A failure who has never studied anything could be the Master of a Servant in just one year?"
"You possess the secret to making that possible, do you not? With your worm-control skills of which you are so proud, old man."
Immediately, Zouken's face changed from that of a human to that of a wizard, all expressions fading away.
"Kariya, do you wish to die?"
"Don't tell me you're worried? 'Uncle'"
"I must say that I expect more from you than from Byakuya. After expanding your Magic Circuits with the Worm Crests, if we can train you hard for a year, maybe the Grail will end up selecting you".
"...Still, I can't understand it. Why go to such lengths just for a little girl?"
"Just let the Matou take care of the Matou's tenacity. Don't involve people from the outside who aren't involved."
"Again with your admirable dedication."
As if enjoying himself, Zouken showed a pleased smile, full of his evil disposition.
---------------
Finishing with Kariya, we have already finished with the pre-war.
The next chapter will already be the first day of the war.
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