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Heavenly Tyrant of Fuyuki: The Young Master's Divine March
Prologue: The Birth of a Tyrant
In the highest cultivation realm known as the Azure Jade Heaven, thirteen supreme sects had ruled for ten thousand years. Their unbreakable laws were simple: power belonged to those born with talent, with the right bloodlines, with the correct meridians.
Jin Zhuan had none of these.
Born to a family of outer-court disciples in the weakest of the thirteen sects, Jin Zhuan's spiritual potential had been measured at precisely zero. The sect elders hadn't even bothered to expel him—he was beneath notice, destined to sweep courtyards and polish spirit stones for those who actually mattered.
"Useless," they called him. "Talentless trash," they sneered.
And for nineteen years, Jin Zhuan had accepted this. He swept. He polished. He bowed his head to disciples decades younger than him who had already reached cultivation levels he could never dream of attaining.
Until the day he stumbled into an ancient, forgotten cave while gathering herbs. Inside, covered in dust and forgotten by time, lay a tattered manual titled: "The Reversal Dao: When Nothing Becomes Everything."
Most cultivators would have dismissed it as worthless. After all, everyone knew that foundational talent was immutable.
But Jin Zhuan had nothing to lose.
For seven days and seven nights, he studied the manual until his eyes bled. On the eighth day, he understood. The path to power wasn't about talent or bloodlines or meridians. It was about conversion—turning weaknesses into strengths, passivity into dominance, laziness into divine authority.
And so began his true cultivation journey—not through combat or meditation or qi circulation, but through something infinitely more satisfying: indolence elevated to an art form.
The manual contained a single technique: the Dual-Cultivation Reversal Method. Unlike traditional dual-cultivation, which required two cultivators to combine their powers, this method allowed Jin to absorb and convert the essence, emotions, and spiritual energy of powerful female cultivators into his own foundation.
His first partner had been Sect Leader's daughter, Lin Qingge, who had initially approached him with mockery. Three days later, she left his small hut with vacant eyes and diminished powers, while Jin felt his meridians buzzing with newfound energy.
Within a month, he had cultivated with seven female disciples. Within three months, he had reached a cultivation level that should have taken decades. And all while barely lifting a finger—the more he surrendered to pure laziness, the more the technique flourished.
By his nineteenth birthday, Jin Zhuan had cultivated a new truth into existence: the less he moved, the more the world moved for him.
The day he ascended to become the Heavenly Tyrant was the day he created Reinharda.
Having reached the peak of his cultivation world, Jin had grown bored. Even the heavenly tribulation had been disappointingly easy to overcome—he'd simply yawned at the divine lightning, and it had rerouted itself to strike his enemies instead.
"I need a guardian," he had declared to the empty air while reclining on his cloud divan. "Someone perfect. Someone who will handle all these tedious matters of governance and combat while I focus on important things... like napping."
His Dual-Cultivation Reversal Method had evolved by then. No longer did he need physical interaction—simply by desiring something strongly enough while in his state of supreme indolence, reality would bend to accommodate him.
The space before him had rippled, dimensions tearing as his desire pulled across realities. From a world of witches, curses, and royal candidates came the essence of the most powerful being in that reality—Reinhard van Astrea, the Sword Saint.
But Jin Zhuan had very specific preferences.
"A man?" he had complained lazily. "That won't do. Reshape."
Reality shuddered again. The male form wavered, reconstructed, feminine grace replacing masculine lines. Crimson hair lengthened, blue eyes softened while retaining their deadly edge.
"Better," Jin had murmured. "But the outfit is all wrong. More... subservient."
The armor morphed into an immaculate maid uniform, white and gold with subtle runic embroidery.
When the transformation completed, she knelt before him—this impossibly powerful guardian pulled across dimensions and reshaped by his whim. She was Reinhard but not Reinhard. She was perfection reimagined.
"What is your name?" Jin had asked, idly swirling spirit wine in a jade cup.
"Reinharda van Astrea," she had answered, her voice melodious yet carrying the undertone of blades singing through air. "I exist to serve the Heavenly Tyrant, Jin Zhuan."
"And what will you do for me, Reinharda?"
Her answer had been simple, delivered with absolute conviction:
"Everything."
Chapter 1: Arrival in Fuyuki
"Reinharda, I'm bored."
The words hung in the air of Jin Zhuan's palatial bedchamber, where he reclined on sheets woven from cloud silk and spirit thread. Morning sunlight filtered through jade-lattice windows, casting patterns across the marble floor.
In an instant, Reinharda materialized beside his bed, kneeling with perfect posture, her crimson hair cascading like a waterfall of blood down her back. Her white-and-gold maid uniform remained immaculate despite having spent the previous evening reorganizing an entire wing of his palace.
"My Sovereign," she replied, eyes downcast in reverence. "How may I alleviate your boredom today?"
Jin Zhuan sighed dramatically, stretching his arms above his head. At nineteen, he possessed the physical beauty of a celestial immortal—perfect features, luminous skin, and eyes that shifted between obsidian black and swirling galaxies depending on his mood. Despite never engaging in physical training, his body maintained the peak condition granted by his unique cultivation method.
"This world has grown stale, Reinharda," he complained, sitting up and allowing her to place a silk robe around his shoulders. "Everyone already acknowledges my supremacy. Where's the entertainment in that?"
Reinharda rose smoothly, moving to prepare his morning tea at a small table carved from a single piece of spirit jade. Her movements flowed with hypnotic grace—each gesture precise, efficient, yet somehow artful.
"Perhaps my Master would enjoy a hunt? The Vermillion Phoenix has been causing trouble in the Eastern Ranges. Or perhaps a tournament among the lesser sects to amuse you?"
Jin waved dismissively, causing ripples in the spiritual energy of the room. "No, no. More of the same. I want something different." He accepted the tea cup she offered, sipping thoughtfully before his eyes lit up with sudden inspiration. "Reinharda, are there other worlds beyond this one?"
She paused, considering. "Yes, my Sovereign. The ancient texts speak of countless realms existing in parallel to our own. Some connected by thin membranes of reality, others separated by vast dimensional gulfs."
"Could we go to one?" Jin asked, his tone casual, as if inquiring about a stroll in the garden rather than interdimensional travel.
"It would be... challenging," Reinharda admitted carefully. "But not impossible. With my blade and your authority, we could potentially tear through the barriers."
Jin's expression brightened as he leaned forward, suddenly animated. "That's it! Take me somewhere new, Reinharda. Somewhere full of beauties, myths, and fate I can shatter."
Reinharda bowed deeply. "As you wish, my Sovereign. I shall make preparations immediately."
"Excellent." Jin reclined again, his momentary excitement already fading into his customary languor. "Oh, and Reinharda? Pack my favorite tea set. And my cloud divan. And the spirit wine from the immortal peach garden."
"Of course, Master." She hesitated, then added: "May I suggest bringing your Celestial Barrier Formation as well? Unknown realms may contain unexpected dangers."
Jin laughed, the sound like jade chimes in a gentle breeze. "With you by my side, what danger could possibly threaten me? But yes, bring it if it eases your concerns."
Reinharda nodded and disappeared to make arrangements, leaving Jin to contemplate the possibilities of new worlds to dominate through his unique brand of effortless conquest.
Three hours later, Jin Zhuan stood atop the highest peak of his sect's mountain, dressed in flowing robes of midnight blue embroidered with silver constellations that subtly shifted position. Around him, floating trunks and containers held everything he had deemed essential for interdimensional travel—primarily comfort items and luxury goods.
Reinharda knelt before him, her sword unsheathed across her palms.
"I have located a suitable realm, my Sovereign," she reported. "A world of ancient mystery and powerful entities bound by ritual and fate. The barrier is relatively thin at this precise location."
"What's it called?" Jin asked, examining his fingernails with mild interest.
"The locals do not have a unified name for their world," Reinharda explained. "But the specific region I've targeted appears to be called 'Japan' in a city named 'Fuyuki.'"
"Fuyuki," Jin repeated, testing the foreign syllables. "It sounds... adequate. Proceed."
Reinharda rose in a single fluid motion, her sword gleaming with an inner light that seemed to devour the surrounding illumination. With precision born of absolute mastery, she executed a series of cuts so fast they appeared simultaneous.
The air before them split open like silk parting under a razor, revealing a swirling vortex of blues and purples that pulsed with mysterious energy.
"After you, my Sovereign," Reinharda said, extending her hand toward the portal.
Jin stepped forward, pausing at the threshold to look back at his palatial estate—built atop the ruins of the sect that had once mocked him. "I was getting tired of the decor anyway."
With that nonchalant declaration, he strode into the unknown, Reinharda following exactly three steps behind—her blade ready, her eyes vigilant, her devotion absolute.
The sensation of interdimensional travel was peculiar—like being simultaneously compressed and expanded, deconstructed and reassembled. For Jin, who had cultivated the Laziness Refusal Law to perfection, the journey felt like settling into a particularly comfortable chair. For most beings, it would have been excruciating.
They emerged atop a wooded hill overlooking a city of twinkling lights. The night was cool, the air carrying unfamiliar scents and magical signatures that made Reinharda's senses tingle with alert awareness.
"Fuyuki City," she stated, instantly assimilating knowledge from the ambient mana. "A nexus point for ritual magic and heroic spirit manifestation. Currently preparing for what they call a 'Holy Grail War' – a battle royale between seven mages and their summoned heroic spirits."
Jin absorbed the view with mild interest, noting the strange architecture and the primitive vehicles moving along illuminated streets.
"Their spiritual formations are laughably unoptimized," he commented dryly, sensing the ley lines beneath the city. "And what's that foul smell?"
"I believe it's called 'pollution,' Master. This world's cultivation is primarily technological rather than spiritual."
Jin wrinkled his nose in distaste. "How barbaric." He turned to Reinharda, who remained in a half-bow, awaiting instructions. "We'll need accommodations. Nothing in this backwater seems suitable for someone of my status."
"Of course, my Sovereign." Reinharda closed her eyes for a moment, her senses extending across the city's ley lines. "There is an unfinished temple on a powerful convergence point. The location is optimal for spiritual resonance, but the current structure is... inadequate."
"Then remake it," Jin commanded with imperial certainty. "Build me a palace worthy of my magnificence. I expect proper bathing facilities, multiple reception halls, and beds worthy of a divine emperor."
"It shall be done within the hour, Master." Reinharda bowed deeply before adding, "Would you prefer to wait here, or shall I transport you to a comfortable location while I complete the construction?"
Jin considered the rocky hilltop with evident distaste. "Create me a temporary pavilion here. I'll observe the city while you work."
With a gesture from Reinharda, spiritual energy coalesced into a delicate structure of semi-transparent jade, complete with cushions, a small table, and a steaming pot of tea. Jin settled in with a satisfied sigh as Reinharda disappeared in a blur of crimson and white.
Left alone, Jin extended his spiritual sense across the unfamiliar city. "How odd," he murmured to himself. "Their qi is restricted by conceptual boundaries they call 'Mystery.' And these summoned spirits... bound to masters through command seals?" He chuckled, the sound somehow both musical and menacing. "How quaint. Spirits that powerful should kneel of their own accord, not through compulsion."
He poured himself tea and settled in to wait, occasionally flicking his fingers to create small displays of spiritual energy—miniature constellations that danced above his palm.
Precisely fifty-three minutes later, Reinharda reappeared, kneeling at the edge of his pavilion.
"Your palace awaits, my Master."
Jin set down his teacup and rose lazily. "Show me."
With a casual grace that belied the immense power contained in her slender frame, Reinharda lifted Jin into her arms. He allowed this liberty with the air of a sovereign permitting a special honor, draping one arm loosely around her shoulders.
"The most direct route requires aerial transit," she explained. "I would not subject you to unnecessary walking."
"Thoughtful as always," Jin commented, relaxing into her hold as they launched into the night sky.
They soared over the city, Jin's robes and Reinharda's hair streaming behind them like twin banners of authority. Below, several sensitive individuals—mages and spiritualists—felt the passage of something immensely powerful and shuddered without knowing why.
They landed before what had once been Ryuudou Temple. What stood in its place now defied architectural possibility—a sprawling complex of white marble pavilions, jade-roofed pagodas, crystalline towers, and flowing gardens, all surrounded by mist that obscured its true dimensions.
"The bounded field is active," Reinharda reported as she gently set Jin down on a path of luminescent stone. "No magecraft from this world can penetrate it, and time flows differently within our grounds. I've incorporated defensive formations from seventeen different cultivation realms."
Jin nodded absently, already striding toward the central palace structure. "The interior?"
"Furnished to your specifications, my Sovereign. The hot springs draw from a thermal vein I redirected, and I've established a spiritual matrix that will gradually absorb ambient mana to power the household formations."
They passed through massive doors engraved with dragons and phoenixes, entering a grand hall that combined elegant minimalism with breathtaking opulence. Golden spirit lamps floated in the air, illuminating jade pillars and silk tapestries that depicted Jin's rise to power in his home world.
Jin made his way to a throne-like chair positioned beside floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a garden with a blooming sakura tree—a tree that shouldn't bloom for months yet had apparently decided to make an exception for its new master.
"Adequate," Jin declared, his highest form of praise. "You've done well, Reinharda."
She bowed deeply, genuine pleasure flashing across her usually composed features. "Thank you, my Sovereign. Would you like to inspect the other rooms?"
Jin waved dismissively. "Later. For now, bring me wine. The cloud nectar from the fifth cellar."
Reinharda produced a jade bottle and crystal goblet from seemingly nowhere, pouring the luminescent liquid with practiced precision. As Jin sipped, watching the unfamiliar moon through the windows, his expression grew contemplative.
"Tell me more about this 'Holy Grail War' you mentioned."
Reinharda knelt beside his chair, her posture perfect even in repose. "It is a ritual battle between seven mages and seven heroic spirits they summon as familiars. The spirits—called Servants—are divided into classes based on their attributes: Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker."
"And the purpose of this battle?"
"The last pair standing claims the Holy Grail—allegedly an omnipotent wish-granting device."
Jin laughed, the sound both melodious and somewhat chilling. "A wish? How primitive. Why wish for power when you can simply take it?" He reached out to touch Reinharda's crimson hair, the gesture almost affectionate. "Though I suppose I did wish for you, in a manner of speaking."
"You created me through your cultivation technique," she corrected respectfully. "Your divine will shaped me from the essence of the original Reinhard, transforming what was once a male Sword Saint into your perfect servant."
"Semantics," Jin waved dismissively. "The point remains—I desired the perfect guardian, and you manifested. No external grail required."
He finished his wine and gazed out at the city below, eyes narrowing with predatory interest.
"This place smells of suppressed egos. Reinharda. I desire companions worthy of me. Go. Find them."
Reinharda rose smoothly, bowing low. "Yes, my Master. I will bring you only the most beautiful, powerful, and suitable women this world has offer—and they will bow."
As she turned to leave, Jin added, "Oh, and Reinharda? Do try to avoid unnecessary casualties. I find cleaning up messes... tedious."
"As you wish, my Sovereign." With that, she vanished, leaving behind only the faintest scent of steel and cherry blossoms.
Jin Zhuan leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing across his lips as he contemplated this new world ripe for his influence.
"Let the collection begin."
Chapter 2: The Master's Comfort
Morning arrived in the interdimensional palace with a gentle chiming of spirit bells. Jin Zhuan, nestled among silken sheets and cloud-fluff pillows, stirred lazily as Reinharda materialized beside his bed.
"Good morning, my Sovereign," she greeted, her voice soft as she set a tray of breakfast delicacies on the bedside table. "I trust you slept well?"
Jin yawned expansively, stretching like a satisfied cat. "Adequately. This world's spiritual energy is thin, but you've done an acceptable job with the bed."
Reinharda bowed in acknowledgment of the compliment before pouring a cup of steaming tea infused with spirit herbs from their home world. "I've taken the liberty of scouting the city more thoroughly overnight. The Holy Grail War preparations are accelerating."
Jin accepted the tea, breathing in its aromatic steam before sipping. "Any worthy prospects?"
"Several, my Master." Reinharda began laying out his day clothes—robes of shimmering azure with silver cloud patterns that shifted with each movement. "The Saber-class Servant is particularly notable—a female king from European history with extraordinary magical potential."
"A female king?" Jin raised an eyebrow, suddenly more interested. "How unusual for this backward realm."
"She disguised herself as male during her reign," Reinharda explained. "Her true identity is Artoria Pendragon—King Arthur of Britain."
Jin chuckled. "Delightful. I always appreciate those who subvert expectations." He set down his tea cup and extended his arms, allowing Reinharda to dress him with practiced efficiency. "What else?"
"There's a powerful magus named Rin Tohsaka—heir to one of this city's founding magical lineages. Her specialty involves jewel craft and elemental magic." Reinharda's hands moved with unerring precision as she secured various layers of his robes with ornate clasps. "Additionally, there's a white-haired homunculus created for the ritual, a divine-adjacent fox spirit serving as a Caster, and several other entities of note."
"Hmm." Jin considered as he allowed Reinharda to comb and style his hair—a daily ritual she performed with reverential attention to detail. "Begin with the king. I find the concept of royalty serving another rather... stimulating."
"As you wish." Reinharda completed his hairstyle, securing it with a silver pin tipped with a star-core gem. "There is one other matter requiring your attention, my Sovereign."
"Oh?"
"I've detected another entity of immense power—a golden-armored king from ancient Mesopotamia. He calls himself the King of Heroes and seems to possess authority over countless Noble Phantasms."
Jin scoffed. "Another king? How crowded this little pond is becoming."
"He may pose a challenge even to me," Reinharda admitted carefully. "His arsenal is vast and includes weapons of conceptual destruction."
This confession—rare from his usually omnipotent guardian—piqued Jin's interest. "Is that concern I detect, my perfect Reinharda?"
"Merely a tactical assessment, Master." Her expression remained placid, though a hint of steel entered her voice. "I could defeat him, but it might require more... destructive measures than you prefer within your new territory."
Jin rose from bed, moving to the balcony overlooking his newly established domain. The morning mist swirled around the palace grounds, creating an otherworldly effect that separated his residence from the mundane city below.
"How entertaining," he mused. "Perhaps we should invite this 'King of Heroes' for tea sometime. But first, the female king. Make preparations."
Reinharda bowed. "Shall I bring her by force or persuasion?"
Jin turned, his expression one of mild disappointment. "Reinharda, what have I taught you about true power?"
She lowered her eyes. "That the highest authority never needs to demand—merely to expect."
"Precisely." Jin smiled indulgently. "Don't drag her here like some common kidnapper. Extend an... intriguing invitation. Make her curious. Make her want to come."
"Your wisdom illuminates my path, Master." Reinharda bowed again. "I shall arrange everything for this evening."
"Good." Jin gestured toward the door. "Now, I believe you mentioned hot springs? Show me."
The bathing chamber was a marvel of interdimensional architecture—a vast grotto of luminescent crystal and smooth stone, where multiple pools of steaming water glowed with different colored spiritual essences. Ethereal music played from nowhere, and the air was perfumed with subtle herbal scents.
Jin disrobed and settled into the central pool with a sigh of satisfaction, the mineral-rich waters immediately beginning to nourish his skin and cultivation base.
"This is acceptable," he declared, leaning back against the smoothly contoured edge. "Though the temperature could be two degrees warmer."
Immediately, the water adjusted to his preference.
"Will there be anything else, my Sovereign?" Reinharda asked, kneeling at the pool's edge with a tray of fruit and spirit wine.
Jin considered her for a moment. "Yes. You've been exerting yourself considerably since our arrival. Join me."
A flicker of surprise crossed Reinharda's features before her usual composure returned. "As you wish."
With efficient grace, she removed her maid uniform, folding each piece with perfect precision before sliding into the water across from Jin. Despite her fearsome combat abilities, Reinharda's form was lithe and elegant, her pale skin unmarked by the scars one might expect from countless battles.
"You know," Jin remarked conversationally as he selected a slice of spirit fruit from the tray, "most servants would be uncomfortable bathing with their master."
"I exist to serve you in all capacities," Reinharda replied simply. "Comfort, combat, companionship—all are my duty and privilege."
Jin smiled lazily. "And that, Reinharda, is why you are perfect while other servants are merely adequate." He gestured to her with his wine cup. "Come closer. My shoulders require attention."
Reinharda moved through the water to position herself behind him, her strong fingers beginning to work the superficial tension from his muscles. Though Jin's cultivation prevented any true physical strain, he enjoyed the sensation of her skilled touch.
"You're thinking about the coming encounters," he observed as her hands worked his shoulders.
"Yes, my Sovereign."
"Don't worry so much. Remember our fundamental principle."
Reinharda recited dutifully: "The universe bends around your indolence."
"Exactly." Jin closed his eyes in contentment. "I won't need to lift a finger. These so-called kings and heroes will come to me, and they will adapt to my reality, not the reverse."
Her hands continued their methodical massage, working down his spine with perfect pressure. "And if they resist?"
Jin chuckled. "Then you may offer a more... persuasive demonstration of our philosophy. But I doubt it will be necessary. People with power are so often desperate to display it. Their own egos will bring them to our doorstep."
After the bath, Reinharda assisted Jin with an elaborate skincare ritual using oils and essences from their home realm. Each product was applied in a specific sequence, with Reinharda's touch remaining clinical and precise throughout.
"You truly believe this Artoria will come willingly?" she asked as she applied a final layer of immortal peach oil to his face.
"Of course." Jin kept his eyes closed, enjoying the treatment. "Kings recognize kings, Reinharda. And despite what all these pretenders might think, I am the only true sovereign in this realm."
As evening approached, Jin Zhuan reclined in the garden pavilion, idly playing with small constructs of spiritual energy while waiting for Reinharda's return. He had chosen to wear more formal attire for his first meeting with the supposed King of Knights—midnight blue robes with constellations that glittered like actual stars, and a simple silver circlet that somehow drew more attention than an elaborate crown would have.
The garden itself was a testament to Reinharda's attention to detail in serving her master. Despite being created just yesterday, it featured fully mature cherry trees in perpetual bloom, streams that flowed with musical precision, and spirit butterflies that emanated soft light as they fluttered between exotic flowers.
Jin sensed Reinharda's return before he saw her—a subtle shift in the spiritual energy of his domain that always heralded her presence.
"My Sovereign," she announced, materializing at the pavilion's entrance and bowing deeply. "I present Artoria Pendragon, the Once and Future King of Britain."
Jin didn't look up immediately, continuing to manipulate the spiritual constructs between his fingers for several moments before slowly raising his gaze.
Standing beside Reinharda was a young woman of remarkable presence. Despite her diminutive stature, she carried herself with undeniable regality. Blonde hair, emerald eyes that reflected centuries of burden, and an aura of controlled power that even Jin's spiritual senses found noteworthy.
"So," Jin drawled, his voice carefully modulated to project equal parts disinterest and intensity. "This is the legendary King Arthur. Smaller than I expected."
Chapter 3: The King of Knights
Artoria Pendragon stood with perfect composure, though Jin's spiritual senses detected a flicker of irritation at his greeting.
"And you are Jin Zhuan," she replied evenly. "Less tyrannical in appearance than your title suggests."
Jin laughed—a genuine sound of amusement that momentarily transformed his languid features. "Appearances, King of Knights, are the most easily manipulated of all things." He gestured casually to the cushion across from him. "Sit. Reinharda, tea."
As Saber cautiously approached, noting multiple escape routes out of habit, Reinharda materialized beside Jin with a tray holding an exquisite tea set. The maid poured with fluid grace, presenting cups to both her master and their guest.
"I understand you're fighting in some sort of... competitive ritual?" Jin asked, sipping his tea with casual elegance.
"The Holy Grail War," Saber confirmed, taking her own cup but not drinking yet. "Seven Masters and seven Servants battle for the right to claim the Grail and receive a wish."
Jin made a dismissive noise. "Such inefficiency. Seven powerful entities fighting to destruction when they could combine their strengths." He observed her over the rim of his cup. "And what would the great King Arthur wish for? Let me guess—a revision of history? A chance to undo your reign's tragic conclusion?"
Saber stiffened. "How could you possibly—"
"Your regrets emanate from you like perfume," Jin interrupted smoothly. "I can taste the bitterness of your failure on my tongue. It's... exquisite, actually. Pure, like aged wine."
Anger flashed in Saber's eyes. "You mock my kingdom's downfall?"
"Not at all," Jin replied, setting down his cup. "I merely appreciate the rarity of someone whose regrets are born not of selfishness but of genuine concern for others. It's uncommon in any world."
The compliment, unexpected and seemingly sincere, caught Saber off-guard. She finally sipped her tea, finding it unlike anything she'd tasted before—somehow reminiscent of her homeland's meadows while simultaneously carrying flavors she couldn't identify.
"What do you want from me?" she asked directly. "Your... attendant was vague about your intentions."
Jin smiled, the expression transforming his face from handsome to devastatingly beautiful. "Want? Nothing specific. Consider this an introduction between rulers. Though I must admit, your situation intrigues me—a king bound to serve another's will, fighting for a corrupted artifact that will twist any wish you make."
"Corrupted?" Saber's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Jin leaned forward, suddenly intent. "You haven't sensed it? The malevolence at the core of your precious Grail?" He clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "Your connection to this world's spiritual essence must be even more limited than I thought."
"My Master's mana supply is—"
"Inadequate. Yes, Reinharda mentioned." Jin waved his hand dismissively, causing ripples in the air around them. "A temporary inconvenience, easily remedied."
Before Saber could question his meaning, Jin extended his hand toward her. "May I?"
Wary but curious, Saber nodded.
Jin's fingers brushed her armored wrist, and suddenly Saber felt a rush of power unlike anything she'd experienced since her living days. Pure, untainted magical energy flooded her spiritual core, instantly replenishing reserves she hadn't realized were depleted.
She gasped, eyes widening. "How did you—"
"A trifling gesture," Jin replied, withdrawing his hand with a satisfied expression. "Consider it a token of goodwill between sovereigns."
Saber flexed her fingers, feeling strength course through her body. Her connection to Shirou remained intact, but now supplemented by whatever Jin had done. It was like breathing fully after years of shallow breaths.
"This changes nothing regarding my obligations," she said firmly, despite the gratitude she couldn't entirely suppress.
"Of course not," Jin agreed, leaning back among his cushions. "Your honor is legendary, after all. I would expect nothing less than perfect loyalty, even to an unworthy master."
He studied her thoughtfully. "Tell me, King of Knights—in your pursuit of the perfect ruler, did you ever consider that perfection itself might be the flaw? That humanity responds better to charismatic fallibility than to flawless ideals?"
The question struck uncomfortably close to Saber's core doubts. "A ruler must be above reproach," she responded automatically.
"Must they?" Jin countered. "Or must they simply be powerful enough that their flaws become virtues in the eyes of their followers?" He gestured toward Reinharda, who knelt motionless nearby. "I am vain, occasionally cruel, and catastrophically lazy. Yet my perfect guardian follows me with absolute devotion. Why do you think that is?"
Saber glanced at Reinharda, noting the serene devotion in the maid's posture. "I cannot speak to another's loyalty."
"Then speak to your own experience," Jin pressed. "Were your knights loyal to Britain, or to Arthur? To the crown, or to the person who wore it?"
The conversation continued late into the night, philosophical debates intertwined with stories of their respective worlds. Despite her initial reservations, Saber found herself engaged in the most stimulating discourse she'd had since her summoning—perhaps even since her original life.
When she finally rose to leave, conscious of her duty to return to Shirou before dawn, Jin remained reclined on his cushions.
"You're welcome to return, King of Knights," he said casually. "Our conversation has been... refreshing."
Saber inclined her head slightly. "It has been unexpectedly educational, Jin Zhuan."
"Reinharda will see you out," Jin replied, his attention already drifting to a book that had materialized in his hands. "Oh, and Artoria? Do consider what I said about the Grail. Not all wishes lead to the destination one intends."
As Reinharda escorted her back toward the city, Saber found herself glancing back at the impossible palace multiple times, wondering why the arrogant young man's words had resonated so deeply with doubts she'd never voiced aloud.
More disturbing still was the realization that, for the first time since her summoning, she felt truly seen—not as Servant Saber, not as King Arthur, but as Artoria Pendragon, the girl who had pulled the sword from the stone and sacrificed her humanity for a kingdom.
"He has that effect on everyone," Reinharda commented softly, noticing Saber's contemplative expression. "Seeing beyond masks is one of my Master's many talents."
"He is dangerous," Saber observed, not entirely as a criticism.
Reinharda's answering smile was equal parts pride and warning. "More than you could possibly imagine."
When Reinharda
Chapter 3: The King of Knights (Continued)
When Reinharda returned to the palace, she found Jin Zhuan still reclining in the garden pavilion, his eyes closed in what appeared to be meditation but was more likely simple indolence.
"Your meeting with the King of Knights went well, my Sovereign?" she asked, kneeling gracefully beside his divan.
Jin's eyes remained closed, but a small smile played across his lips. "She's fascinating, isn't she? So much power trapped within such rigid principles." He opened one eye lazily. "She'll return."
"You sound certain," Reinharda observed.
"Of course." Jin stretched languidly. "I gave her something no one else in this world has offered—recognition of her true self."
Reinharda's expression remained composed, but a faint tightening around her eyes betrayed a hint of... something. "She is indeed a remarkable Servant."
Jin caught the microscopic change in her demeanor and chuckled. "Don't tell me you're jealous, my perfect guardian?"
"I exist only to serve you, Master," Reinharda replied smoothly. "Your happiness is my sole concern."
Jin sat up slightly, suddenly more alert. "You're evading the question, Reinharda. How unusual." He patted the space beside him on the divan. "Come. Sit."
She complied immediately, moving with fluid grace to position herself at a respectful distance from him on the cloud-soft cushions.
"When I created you," Jin said, his tone unusually serious, "I pulled the essence of the strongest being from another world and reshaped it to my preferences. But I never intended to erase your capacity for personal feelings." He reached out to brush a strand of crimson hair from her face. "Your devotion is absolute, but that doesn't mean you can't experience other emotions."
Reinharda's perfect composure wavered slightly. "My feelings are... irrelevant to my duties, Master."
"On the contrary," Jin countered, "they're essential. A guardian who serves purely from obligation is merely a tool. One who serves from devotion is irreplaceable." His fingers lingered against her cheek. "Tell me what's troubling you. That's an order."
Faced with a direct command, Reinharda could only comply. "I... worry that these women from this world might not appreciate your true worth as I do. That they might view you through the limited lens of their understanding."
Jin laughed softly. "You're concerned they won't properly worship me?"
"Yes," Reinharda admitted. "They don't know you as I do. They haven't witnessed your rise from nothing to supremacy. They might mistake your refined laziness for weakness, your strategic inaction for inability."
"Then we'll simply have to educate them," Jin replied, settling back among the cushions. "Beginning with the jewel mage. What was her name?"
"Rin Tohsaka."
"Yes. Arrange a meeting for tomorrow. But first..." Jin's expression shifted to one of comfortable expectation. "My shoulders are tense from all this conversation. Attend to me."
Without hesitation, Reinharda moved behind him on the divan, her strong fingers finding the precise pressure points along his shoulders and neck. As she worked, Jin closed his eyes in contentment.
"You know," he murmured, "in all the worlds we might visit, you alone truly understand what I require. Others may join our collection, but never forget—you are the first and the perfect one."
Reinharda's hands paused momentarily before resuming their methodical massage. "Thank you, my Sovereign."
Jin smiled without opening his eyes. "Not gratitude, Reinharda. Truth."
Chapter 4: The Jewel and the Fox
Morning in Jin Zhuan's interdimensional palace followed a precise routine established by Reinharda. The first rays of dawn would filter through specially crafted crystal windows, refracting into gentle rainbows across Jin's chambers. Spirit birds—constructs created by Reinharda—would begin a harmonious melody exactly fifteen minutes before Jin preferred to open his eyes.
Today, however, the routine was disrupted by an unexpected spiritual fluctuation.
Jin stirred irritably as Reinharda materialized beside his bed, already fully dressed and alert. "What is it?" he demanded, voice thick with sleep. "Something better be on fire."
"Forgive the disturbance, my Sovereign," Reinharda said with a deep bow. "We have an unexpected visitor approaching the outer bounds of our domain."
Jin groaned and pulled a cloud-silk pillow over his face. "Deal with it. That's what I created you for."
"I would, Master, but..." Reinharda hesitated, an unusual occurrence that immediately caught Jin's attention. "It's the Fox-Servant, Caster. She appears to be... delivering breakfast."
Jin removed the pillow and blinked. "Delivering what now?"
"Breakfast, my Sovereign. She carries a lacquered box of what appears to be traditional Japanese cuisine and is requesting permission to present it to, and I quote, 'the magnificent new presence whose divine aura has blessed Fuyuki with its radiance.'"
Jin sat up, suddenly more awake and decidedly intrigued. "Well, isn't that interesting? And you haven't even approached her yet?"
"No, Master. I've been monitoring the bounded field. She arrived ten minutes ago and has been waiting patiently at the border, making no attempt to breach our defenses."
Jin's lips curved into a pleased smile. "Proper etiquette. How refreshing." He stretched leisurely. "Very well. Prepare me, then escort our guest to the east pavilion. I'll receive her there."
Reinharda bowed, though Jin noted a subtle tightness in her posture. "As you wish."
Thirty minutes later, properly bathed, dressed in casual but exquisite robes of emerald green with golden cloud patterns, and with his hair artfully arranged by Reinharda's skilled hands, Jin Zhuan reclined on a divan in the east pavilion. This particular structure overlooked a miniature landscape garden where impossible flowers bloomed in arrangements that subtly enhanced the pavilion's spiritual resonance.
"She approaches, Master," Reinharda announced from her position three steps behind his divan.
"Show her in," Jin commanded, arranging his features into an expression of casual interest.
The woman who entered the pavilion was a vision of traditional Japanese beauty with distinctly inhuman features. Long pink hair flowed to her ankles, and atop her head perked a pair of fox ears. Nine fluffy tails swayed gently behind her as she moved with elegant grace, dressed in an elaborate shrine maiden outfit. But most striking were her golden eyes—ancient, cunning, and filled with immediate appreciation as they fell upon Jin.
She knelt in a formal pose at the entrance, bowing until her forehead touched the ground. "This humble servant greets the divine presence who has honored our unworthy land," she said, her voice melodious and carefully modulated. "I am Tamamo-no-Mae, once honored as a divine spirit, now summoned as a Servant in this ritual."
Jin observed her with growing amusement. Unlike Saber's reluctant respect, this Fox-Spirit's deference seemed practically second nature—and entirely strategic.
"Rise, Tamamo-no-Mae," he said magnanimously. "Your reputation precedes you—the nine-tailed fox of Japanese legend, advisor to emperors, and embodiment of divine beauty."
Tamamo rose gracefully, a becoming blush coloring her cheeks. "You honor me with your knowledge, divine one. I've brought a humble offering." She gestured to the lacquered box she had set aside. "Breakfast prepared by my own hands, incorporating techniques refined over a thousand years."
Jin nodded to Reinharda, who stepped forward to inspect the offering with intense scrutiny. After determining it contained no harmful elements, she placed it on the table beside Jin's divan.
"A thoughtful gesture," Jin commented, making no move to actually examine the food. "Though I'm curious how you learned of my presence so quickly. We've barely established ourselves."
Tamamo's ears twitched subtly. "When a divine aura manifests, those with celestial connections naturally sense it. The moment you arrived, my tails began to tingle with awareness of a superior presence." She tilted her head, golden eyes sparkling with intelligence. "And when the handmaiden was seen traversing the city last night, I simply had to investigate personally."
"Handmaiden?" Jin repeated, a hint of amusement coloring his tone as he glanced toward Reinharda. His perfect guardian remained expressionless, though he could sense her internal displeasure at the terminology.
"Is that not the correct term?" Tamamo asked innocently. "Perhaps 'divine consort' would be more appropriate? The celestial sword-bearer who cleaves reality at your command?"
Jin laughed, genuinely entertained by the fox-spirit's calculated flattery. "Reinharda is my sword, my shield, and my perfect guardian. She is... beyond simple categorization."
"As expected of one chosen by such an exalted being," Tamamo replied smoothly, offering Reinharda a respectful nod that contained just the right balance of acknowledgment and subtle hierarchy establishment.
Reinharda returned the gesture with perfect courtesy that nonetheless conveyed absolute dominance. The exchange, though outwardly polite, carried undercurrents that Jin found deliciously entertaining.
"So, Tamamo-no-Mae," Jin said, redirecting the fox-spirit's attention. "What brings a divine servant like yourself to my doorstep, beyond delivering breakfast? Surely you have obligations to your Master in this... war?"
Tamamo's expression shifted subtly, a flash of calculation visible before it melted into practiced charm. "My current Master is... adequate for the ritual's purposes. But one who has served emperors and gods recognizes true divinity when it appears." She lowered her eyes demurely. "I merely wished to pay proper respects and perhaps... establish a favorable impression."
"How prudent," Jin observed. "And does your 'adequate' Master know you're here?"
"He believes I'm gathering intelligence on our competitors," Tamamo replied with a small, mischievous smile. "Which, in a manner of speaking, I am."
Jin finally reached for one of the dishes from the lacquered box, selecting a delicate piece of what appeared to be an egg roll. He took a small bite, eyes widening slightly at the complex flavors.
"This is... acceptable," he declared, which from him constituted high praise.
Tamamo beamed with genuine pleasure. "I'm overjoyed it meets your exacting standards! I've prepared meals for emperors and divine beings across three millennia, always seeking to perfect my humble skills."
As they continued their conversation, Jin noted with amusement how Tamamo expertly balanced deference with subtle self-promotion, flattery with genuine wit. She was, he realized, a master manipulator who had survived centuries by understanding precisely how to appeal to powerful beings.
"You're quite different from the King of Knights," Jin commented after sampling several more dishes.
"Artoria Pendragon? The once and future king?" Tamamo's tails swished with subtle dismissal. "A remarkable warrior, certainly, but so... rigid. Those bound by human concepts of honor and duty never truly understand the divine perspective, wouldn't you agree?"
Jin smiled lazily. "And you do?"
"I've served divinity in many forms," Tamamo replied, her golden eyes meeting his briefly before lowering respectfully. "I recognize the signs of one who transcends ordinary limitations—one who reshapes reality through mere presence rather than effort."
"Perceptive," Jin acknowledged, increasingly entertained by her performance. It was calculated, certainly, but performed with such artful sincerity that he couldn't help but appreciate the skill involved. "And what would a divine servant such as yourself hope to gain from our acquaintance?"
Tamamo's nine tails rippled in a hypnotic pattern. "Perhaps simply the privilege of serving true greatness once again. The modern world offers so few opportunities for those of us with... classical sensibilities."
Jin chuckled. "A diplomatic answer. But I suspect you have more specific aspirations."
"Is it wrong to hope that one as discerning as yourself might recognize value where others see mere utility?" Tamamo asked, managing to look both innocent and knowing simultaneously. "My current Master views me as a weapon, a tool for victory. He does not appreciate the thousand subtle arts I've mastered over centuries—the ability to manage a divine household, to create harmony through careful attention, to bring pleasure through refinement."
"And you believe I would appreciate these qualities?"
"I believe," Tamamo said carefully, "that true power deserves true service—not merely in battle, but in creating a worthy environment for divine leisure."
Throughout this exchange, Reinharda had remained silent, her expression unreadable. But Jin, attuned to her every subtle reaction, could sense her evaluation of the fox-spirit: dangerous, calculating, but potentially useful if properly managed.
"An interesting perspective," Jin finally said. "And a welcome diversion this morning." He waved his hand in casual dismissal. "You may return to your 'adequate' Master for now. Reinharda will escort you to the boundary."
Tamamo bowed deeply. "Might this humble servant be permitted to call upon your divine presence again?"
Jin pretended to consider, though he had already decided. "You may bring dinner three days hence. Something suitable for multiple guests—I intend to host a gathering of notable entities from this realm."
The fox-spirit's eyes gleamed with immediate understanding of the opportunity being presented. "It would be my utmost honor. I shall prepare a feast worthy of celestial attendance."
As Reinharda led Tamamo toward the exit, Jin called out: "Oh, and Tamamo? Next time, do inform your Master where you're going. I find deception tedious unless I'm the one employing it."
Tamamo's ears flattened briefly in surprise before she recovered, bowing once more. "As you wish, divine one."
After the fox-spirit had departed, Reinharda returned to Jin's side, kneeling in her customary position.
"Your assessment?" Jin asked, helping himself to another piece of the surprisingly excellent breakfast.
"Dangerous," Reinharda replied without hesitation. "Self-serving, manipulative, and harboring ambitions she believes are well-hidden."
"Obviously," Jin agreed. "And yet?"
"And yet potentially valuable. Her skills appear genuine, her knowledge extensive, and her instinct for service well-developed beneath the calculated exterior."
Jin nodded, pleased with Reinharda's evaluation. "Precisely. A useful addition to our collection, provided she understands her place in the hierarchy." He glanced meaningfully at Reinharda. "Which I assume you made quite clear during your exit conversation?"
A rare, small smile curved Reinharda's lips. "I may have demonstrated the difference between a divine fox and a Sword Saint when she attempted to extract information about your preferences and daily schedule."
Jin laughed. "I almost wish I'd witnessed that exchange." He rose from the divan, stretching languidly. "Now then, I believe we had planned to meet the jewel mage today?"
"Yes, my Sovereign. I've arranged for her arrival this afternoon."
"Excellent. Until then, I believe I'll explore the western gardens. The spiritual alignment there feels particularly soothing this morning."
As Jin strolled through his impossibly perfect domain, Reinharda walking exactly three steps behind him, he contemplated the emerging dynamics of his new collection. Saber with her conflicted honor, Tamamo with her calculating servitude... each powerful in their own right, each bringing different energies into his orbit.
"Reinharda," he said absently, "do you ever miss our original world?"
The question seemed to surprise her. "My existence began with you, Master. I have no attachments to any realm except where you reside."
Jin nodded thoughtfully. "True. Sometimes I forget that your consciousness didn't exist before I reshaped it." He paused beside a flowering tree that shouldn't bloom for months yet somehow produced perfect blossoms in his presence. "I wonder if these women we're collecting understand that concept—that reality itself is malleable to those with sufficient presence."
"Few beings in any realm truly comprehend that principle," Reinharda observed. "It's why they exert so much effort trying to change their circumstances, never realizing that circumstances naturally change around those with true authority."
Jin smiled appreciatively. "Eloquently stated. This is why you remain irreplaceable, Reinharda. You understand the fundamental truth of my cultivation."
He reached out to touch a blossom, which immediately detached from the branch and floated to rest in his palm. "The universe bends to accommodate me, not the reverse. These women—powerful as they may be—still operate under the delusion that effort creates results."
"While you have transcended effort entirely," Reinharda completed.
"Precisely." Jin examined the flower before gently placing it in Reinharda's hair, just above her ear. "A perfect complement to your coloring."
The gesture was casual, almost thoughtless, yet Reinharda's expression softened momentarily before returning to its usual composed vigilance.
"Prepare the tea room for our meeting with the Tohsaka girl," Jin instructed as they continued their walk. "Something impressive but not overwhelming. We don't want to frighten her with too much spiritual opulence at once."
"Of course, my Sovereign. And shall I arrange your afternoon massage before her arrival?"
"Yes," Jin decided. "The special oils from the third realm. I find they help me maintain the perfect balance of alertness and relaxation for negotiations."
Later that day, Jin reclined face-down on a massage table of crystalline stone that somehow adjusted to the perfect temperature and softness for optimal comfort. The room was infused with aromatics that enhanced spiritual circulation while subtly brightening mental acuity.
Reinharda worked methodically across his back, her strong hands applying precisely calibrated pressure enhanced by cultivation oils that glowed with subtle inner light as they absorbed into Jin's skin.
"You're tenser than usual, Master," she observed as she worked a particularly resistant knot between his shoulder blades.
"Hmm," Jin murmured into the face cushion. "Perhaps the dimensional transition affected me more than I realized. This world's spiritual currents flow in unfamiliar patterns."
"Or perhaps you're more invested in this collection process than you're admitting," Reinharda suggested, her tone carefully neutral as she moved her attention to his lower back.
Jin turned his head slightly to glance at her with one eye. "Are you implying I'm actually making an effort, Reinharda? How scandalous."
"Never, my Sovereign," she replied with the faintest hint of dry humor. "Merely observing that you seem particularly engaged with these interactions."
"They're novel," Jin admitted, closing his eyes again as her fingers found a particularly sensitive point. "After dominating our home realm so thoroughly, the simple act of introducing myself to beings who don't immediately recognize my supremacy has a certain... nostalgic appeal."
"You enjoy watching the moment of realization," Reinharda observed. "When they first sense the true extent of your authority."
"Is that so wrong?" Jin asked lazily. "One grows tired of universal acknowledgment eventually. A bit of resistance before the inevitable submission adds spice to the experience."
Reinharda applied a fresh layer of glowing oil to her palms before continuing the massage. "The Tohsaka girl will resist more than the others. Her type values independence above all else."
"All the more satisfying when she eventually recognizes her place in the natural hierarchy," Jin responded. "Besides, I suspect her expertise with jewel craft might prove useful. This world's approach to storing and channeling energy is fascinatingly primitive yet conceptually sound."
As Reinharda's hands worked their way up to his neck and scalp, Jin fell into a pleasant haze of relaxation. The massage was more than mere physical pleasure—it was an essential component of his cultivation technique, allowing his passive energy absorption to function at peak efficiency.
"There," Reinharda said eventually, stepping back. "Your spiritual circulation is optimized, and your meridians are fully aligned."
Jin rose languidly, allowing her to drape a silk robe around his shoulders. "Perfect as always. How much time before the jewel mage arrives?"
"Approximately forty-five minutes, Master. Sufficient time for you to dress and take your position in the tea room."
Jin nodded, moving toward the adjoining chamber where an array of clothing options had already been prepared. "The blue with silver thread, I think. Authoritative yet accessible."
"An excellent choice," Reinharda agreed, already moving to prepare the selected garments. As she helped him dress, her movements efficient and respectful, Jin considered his approach to the coming meeting.
"The jewel mage will require a different strategy than the others," he mused aloud. "Both Saber and the Fox respond to established authority, each in their own way. But this Tohsaka..."
"Values knowledge and advancement above deference," Reinharda completed as she secured an ornate belt around his robes. "She will be more impressed by demonstration than declaration."
"Precisely." Jin allowed Reinharda to guide him to a seat where she began styling his hair. "Which is why I've prepared a small gift that should pique her researcher's curiosity."
From an inner pocket, he produced a crystal that seemed to shift colors depending on the angle of light, containing what appeared to be a miniature cosmos. "A cultivation star from our third ascension period. Capable of storing and processing spiritual energy a hundred times more efficiently than this world's crude receptacles."
Reinharda paused in her hair arrangement, her eyes reflecting the crystal's shifting lights. "A generous gift for a first meeting, my Sovereign."
"Not generosity," Jin corrected. "Investment. The sooner she recognizes the benefits of association with us, the sooner her considerable talents can be directed toward more interesting applications."
Once his preparations were complete, Jin made his way to the tea room—a space Reinharda had specifically designed for receiving important guests. Unlike the overwhelming spiritual opulence of the main halls, this room balanced impressive craftsmanship with subtle restraint. The furniture was exquisitely made but not ostentatious; the spiritual formations embedded in the walls enhanced clarity of thought without inducing awe.
Jin took his position on the host's cushion just as Reinharda announced, "The Tohsaka heir approaches the outer boundary, Master. Shall I escort her in?"
"Yes," Jin decided, arranging his robes for maximum aesthetic effect. "And Reinharda? Let's show her exactly enough of our capabilities to intrigue without overwhelming. I want her curious, not terrified."
Reinharda bowed deeply. "As always, your strategic insight illuminates my path, Master."
Chapter 5: The Jewel Mage's Curiosity
When Rin Tohsaka entered the tea room, her expression was a carefully composed mask of polite interest that didn't quite conceal the sharp analytical assessment in her turquoise eyes. Unlike Saber's formal stiffness or Tamamo's calculated deference, the young magus carried herself with straightforward confidence tempered by cautious curiosity.
"Welcome, Miss Tohsaka," Jin greeted from his cushion, not rising but gesturing to the seat across from him. "I appreciate you accepting my invitation."
"When someone establishes a bounded field powerful enough to rewrite local ley lines overnight, curiosity tends to win out over caution," Rin replied dryly, taking the offered seat with grace despite her wariness. "Though I'll admit, your messenger was... persuasive."
Jin's gaze flicked briefly to Reinharda, who knelt at the perfect distance to serve tea while maintaining protective vigilance. "My guardian has a talent for conveying the appropriate level of urgency."
"Is that what you call demolishing my workshop's defensive formations without triggering a single alarm?" Rin asked, one eyebrow raised. "Talent seems like an understatement."
Jin laughed softly, genuinely amused by her directness after Tamamo's elaborate flattery. "Reinharda operates at a level beyond this world's thaumaturgical framework. I hope she caused no lasting damage to your work?"
"Nothing irreparable," Rin conceded, watching as Reinharda began the tea ceremony with movements of hypnotic precision. "Though I'm curious how she bypassed my bounded field's conceptual triggers. They're designed to activate regardless of the approach vector or magical signature."
"When one exists partially outside a system's fundamental assumptions, its restrictions become... optional," Jin explained vaguely, enjoying the flash of intellectual frustration that crossed Rin's features.
The tea ceremony progressed in silence for several minutes, with Reinharda performing each movement with a grace that elevated the routine to an art form. When she finally presented cups to both Jin and their guest, Rin's researcher's eye had shifted from wary to professionally impressed.
"Your servant's technique is flawless," she observed, accepting the cup with proper formal gestures that indicated classical magical training. "Though I notice she incorporates elements from at least three different traditional schools."
"Reinharda adapts and perfects all she encounters," Jin said with casual pride. "A quality I particularly value."
Rin sipped her tea, eyes widening slightly at the flavor before she controlled her reaction. "This isn't any blend I recognize."
"Spirit herb infusion from our home realm," Jin confirmed. "It enhances mental clarity and spiritual resonance while tasting, if I may be immodest, significantly better than anything this world has to offer."
"And what exactly is your 'home realm'?" Rin asked directly. "You're obviously not a traditional Heroic Spirit, nor any divine entity recorded in our texts."
Jin smiled appreciatively at her straightforward approach. "I am Jin Zhuan, the Heavenly Tyrant, sovereign cultivator of the Thirteen Realms. My world operates on principles you might call 'cultivation'—the systematic refinement of body, mind, and spirit toward transcendence."
"Cultivation," Rin repeated, clearly filing the term away for future research. "And your specific... classification within this system?"
"I transcend classification," Jin replied with a hint of amusement. "Though if your academic mind requires categorization, you might consider me a supreme sovereign existence who achieved my position through revolutionary application of foundational principles."
Rin's eyes narrowed slightly. "That tells me absolutely nothing substantive."
Jin laughed, genuinely delighted by her sharp response. "Which is precisely why we're having this conversation, Miss Tohsaka. I find your direct approach refreshingly different from the usual deference or hostility my position engenders."
"I reserve both deference and hostility for after I've gathered sufficient data," Rin replied evenly, though a hint of humor flickered in her eyes.
"A sensible approach," Jin acknowledged, setting down his teacup. "Perhaps this will provide some of the data you seek."
He removed the cultivation star from his robe and placed it on the table between them. The crystal immediately began to pulse with inner light, responding to the ambient magical energy in the room.
Rin's scholarly interest visibly overrode her caution as she leaned forward, eyes widening. "What is it?"
"A cultivation star," Jin explained. "A storage and processing matrix for spiritual energy, created during my realm's third ascension period. Consider it similar to your jewel craft, but operating on principles that transcend your world's magical limitations."
Without asking permission, Rin extended her hand to hover above the crystal, careful not to touch it but clearly sensing its properties. "The energy density is... impossible," she muttered, momentarily forgetting her composed façade. "And the structural integrity of the containment matrix shouldn't be stable with that configuration, yet..."
"Different fundamental rules," Jin reminded her. "What's impossible in your system is elementary in mine."
Rin withdrew her hand with visible reluctance. "Why show me this?"
"Because you, unlike many in this world, might actually comprehend its significance," Jin replied. "The jewel mage with the most innovative approach to energy manipulation in three generations, according to my research."
A flush of pride colored Rin's cheeks briefly before she mastered her expression. "Your research seems thorough for someone who just arrived."
"Reinharda is very efficient," Jin said simply. "And this brings me to the purpose of our meeting."
"I was wondering when we'd get to that," Rin commented.
Jin leaned forward slightly, his casual demeanor shifting subtly toward something more focused—though still well within his cultivated aura of effortless authority. "I have no interest in your Holy Grail or its war. My presence here is purely exploratory—a diversion from the monotony of absolute rule in my home realm."
"So you're... what? A cosmic tourist?" Rin asked skeptically.
"A collector," Jin corrected. "Of experiences, knowledge, and individuals of particular interest." He gestured at the crystal between them. "I'm offering an exchange. This cultivation star—which could revolutionize your approach to jewel craft—in return for your insights on this world's magical framework."
Rin's eyes narrowed with immediate suspicion. "That's it? Just... conversations about magical theory?"
"For now," Jin admitted. "Though I expect our association might evolve in directions beneficial to both parties."
"I'm already contracted with a Servant for the Grail War," Rin stated firmly.
Jin waved dismissively. "As I said, I have no interest in your ritual or its prize. Your obligations remain your own. I merely seek intellectual exchange with one of the few minds in this realm capable of appreciating the principles I might share."
Rin studied him intently, clearly weighing his words against her instincts. "And if I refuse?"
"Then you miss an opportunity for advancement, and I seek conversation elsewhere," Jin replied with a casual shrug. "No threats, no manipulation—simply potential mutual benefit."
This straightforward answer seemed to surprise Rin more than any elaborate persuasion might have. She glanced at the crystal again, her researcher's curiosity visibly warring with practiced caution.
"I would need to study this first," she finally said, gesturing to the cultivation star. "To understand what I'd be working with."
"Of course," Jin agreed. "Take it with you. Consider it a gesture of good faith."
Rin's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. "Just like that? This clearly priceless artifact?"
"It's of minimal value in my realm," Jin said truthfully, though he neglected to mention that was only because he had long since advanced beyond such basic tools. "And I find that generosity often yields more interesting results than coercion."
After another moment of internal deliberation, Rin carefully picked up the crystal, which pulsed briefly in response to her touch before settling into a steady glow. "I'll study it and... consider your proposal."
"Excellent." Jin signaled to Reinharda, who immediately began clearing the tea service. "Reinharda will see you out when you're ready. Feel free to return once you've had sufficient time to examine the artifact."
As Rin prepared to leave, her analytical gaze swept the room once more, lingering briefly on various details that betrayed her thorough assessment. "One last question," she said, pausing at the doorway. "Why me, specifically? There are other mages in Fuyuki with longer lineages or more established research."
Jin smiled, pleased by her perceptiveness. "Because you, Miss Tohsaka, exhibit a quality I find particularly valuable—the willingness to question established frameworks rather than simply operating within them. Your approach to jewel craft demonstrates innovative thinking that transcends traditional limitations."
For the first time, Rin seemed genuinely caught off-guard by the compliment. A flicker of pleased surprise crossed her features before she masked it with a businesslike nod.
"I'll be in touch," she promised, following Reinharda toward the exit.
After she had departed, Jin remained in the tea room, contemplating the interaction with evident satisfaction.
"She'll return within three days," he predicted when Reinharda rejoined him. "Her curiosity won't allow otherwise."
"Her analytical abilities are impressive for one so young," Reinharda observed. "Though her defensive capabilities would prove inadequate against significant threats."
"Which is precisely why she'll eventually seek our protection," Jin noted. "Once she understands the true dangers gathering in this city."
"You sensed them as well, then?" Reinharda asked, kneeling beside him.
Jin nodded, his expression growing momentarily serious. "Something corrupted lurks at the core of their Grail. And that golden Servant harbors ambitions that extend well beyond this ritual." He stretched lazily, the serious moment passing as quickly as it had appeared. "All the more reason to accelerate our collection efforts. Speaking of which, what's next on our agenda?"
"The white-haired homunculus is scheduled to pass near our domain this evening," Reinharda reported. "And I've detected increased spiritual activity around the Matou residence that bears investigation."
"The homunculus first," Jin decided. "Something about artificial life forms has always intrigued me. Their designed purpose versus their emergent desires..." He smiled contemplatively. "The tension between predetermined function and developing will."
"As you wish, my Sovereign." Reinharda rose smoothly. "Shall I prepare your evening bath before then? The spirit stones should be properly charged by now."
"Yes," Jin agreed, rising with languid grace. "And Reinharda? You performed excellently today. Your adaptability in approach between our various guests demonstrates why you remain irreplaceable."
A hint of genuine pleasure softened Reinharda's usually composed features. "I exist to serve you perfectly, Master."
"And you succeed," Jin assured her, his tone momentarily gentle before shifting back to its usual casual command. "Now, about that bath..."
As they walked through the impossibly beautiful corridors of their interdimensional palace, Jin found himself genuinely looking forward to the coming days. For the first time since achieving supreme authority in his home realm, he felt the stirring of actual enthusiasm—the pleasure of new challenges, new acquisitions, new dynamics to master.
All without ever having to exert himself, of course. That was the true beauty of his cultivation path—the universe would continue to bend around his desires, bringing everything he wished directly to him through Reinharda's perfect service and his own irresistible presence.
This world would be no different. It would adapt to him, not the reverse.
Just as it should be.
Chapter 6: The Homunculus and the Blade
The evening bath had become Jin