Fuyuki City, Matou State
POV Zolgen Makiri (Zouken Matou)
I stare at the newspaper that arrived early this morning—a habit I've maintained for years now.
"Red light in the sky over Saitama." A simple headline, yet it speaks volumes.
A Holy Grail War. Here, in Japan. It should be impossible. Despite countless replicas scattered across the world, none have ever taken place here. Whether out of fear of the original creators or simply a lack of incentive, Japan has remained untouched.
But my very soul screams to be there—to summon a servant, annihilate all rivals, and claim the Grail. Even if it failed, a Grail remotely resembling the original could work wonders.
Yet, I restrain myself. I know now the Holy Grail War was nothing more than a beautiful dream—a dream shattered long ago.
After that man stole the Grail, the entire system crumbled.
The Tohsaka family nearly abandoned the ritual; without the Einzberns and me, they would have given up entirely. But I persevered. With my resources, I forged a substitute for the Greater Grail—fragile and temporary, lasting only a single war, but enough.
Then the Einzberns vanished. No, "exterminated" might be more accurate. What happened remains a mystery. Their entire family was wiped out, save for a few survivors who showed no interest in the Grail and refused any investigation. I am certain they were behind the massacre, but there is nothing I can do. They are already dead.
Hope nearly abandoned me then, but through what I can only call a miracle, I created a functional Minor Grail. Using the ancient notes of the Onmyoji Abe-no-Seimei, I ensured the war would take place.
At that time, I struck a deal with the Tohsaka family—I would take one of their daughters as my own blood and allow her to inherit my crest.
Initially, I intended only to make her my vessel, but my focus soon shifted to the new Grail War. I refused to leave this opportunity to my inept sons. I would participate myself.
I summoned a Berserker-class servant, using a fragment of the Round Table. Even the weakest of the knights, combined with my knowledge of the Grail's system, would be enough to win.
Then, that knight appeared. Clad in dark armor, wielding a spear bristling with spikes. They fought Berserker fiercely. I could neither watch nor interfere. In the end, Berserker was slain, and the knight—later revealed as Lancer—vanished.
I tried to rejoin the war—stealing servants, attempting to seize the Grail—but all efforts failed.
Tohkomi Tohsaka's Archer wasn't the oldest servant, but his power was infuriatingly formidable.
El-Melloi and his Saber were too strong for me to challenge.
Even that brat Waver Velvet was a threat, thanks to his Rider.
Ultimately, I gave up.
Ironically, the Grail didn't activate. I believe Lancer's disappearance left it starved of souls.
And in a twist of fate, that brat Waver Velvet won the war. I even witnessed his duel against his teacher—how a nobody like him defeated a lord in a fair fight is nothing short of a miracle. El-Melloi was spared by the kid but died soon after. I never cared enough to learn how.
Then the brat defeated Tohsaka and his Archer. Napoleon was no weakling, but it wasn't enough.
After all that, I abandoned the Grail. I turned my attention to my heir and the future of the Matou family.
A knock interrupts my thoughts.
"You may enter."
A small figure steps inside—black hair with a faint purple tint at the roots.
"Good morning, Grandpa," the girl—Sakura Matou—greets me cheerfully.
"What do you want this time, Sakura?" I ask, feigning annoyance, though there's no real bite.
"Can I go to the Emiya house today? Senpai asked me to help with dinner," she replies with a smile.
"Again? Didn't you just go a few days ago?" I inquire.
"Yup! Is that a problem?" she says, a little shy now.
I know it's an act, but I might as well indulge her.
"You may go—" Her face lights up. "—after you finish your magecraft studies today. You've been slacking."
She pouts but knows I won't change my mind.
"Okay! I'll finish as fast as I can!" She quickly turns and leaves. "Bye, Grandpa!"
Ah, this granddaughter of mine.
[Line Break]
AN: Well, this is a extremely short chapter. It was supposed to be with the next chapter but I decided to do a interlude about it. Just to give more context about this world.
So yeah, "Good" Grandpa Zouken, don't get it wrong, he is still a bastard but he avoided using the worm crest for a bunch of reasons.
Also, because of some problems I may not post next week. Nothing guaranteed, but there is the chance.
I had to leave my state last week so I have a bunch of things to do and I may not have the time to focus on writing. But I will try my best.
And if everything go right, next chapter will be the proper beginning of the war. So be prepared for a few fights.
Fae's out.