In Germany, hidden within a forest with no human traces, lay a mysterious ancient castle that had been passed down for over a thousand years.
Einzbern Castle.
As one of the Three Founding Families of Fuyuki City, the Einzbern family's main stronghold wasn't in Fuyuki City, but in this ancient castle.
In terms of long heritage, status in the magical world, and wealth in secular society, the Einzbern family actually far exceeded the other two families. The ritual foundation of the Holy Grail War was established by the Einzbern family.
They also owned their own castle in Fuyuki City's suburbs.
Each time participating in the Holy Grail War, the Einzbern family would dispatch their Master to Fuyuki City to participate.
Mastering the Third Magic Heaven's Feel through the Holy Grail War ritual had been the Einzbern family's greatest wish for hundreds of years. Now, although there was still about a year before the official war began, the Einzbern family was already making preparations as always.
At this moment, in the castle's center, the Einzbern family head Achteon stood with a serious expression in the main hall's center.
On the table before him sat an extremely mysterious box.
In front of the table, a silver-haired, red-eyed girl who appeared about seventeen or eighteen years old with an innocent expression was curiously examining this box.
"Irisviel!"
The stern old man called out the girl's name.
"Yes! Grandfather."
The girl immediately withdrew her gaze and assumed a serious attitude, though her peripheral vision clearly still lingered on that mysterious box.
"This Holy Grail War, we have fully absorbed the lessons from last time and absolutely cannot summon such a useless Servant."
The old man ignored her expression and spoke directly.
As a participant in the Third Holy Grail War and former Master of All the Evil of This World, Angra Mainyu, he had deep feelings about this mistake.
To put it bluntly, the Heroic Spirit he summoned might not even have been able to defeat him, the Master.
After painful reflection, he reformed his family's strategy.
"For this purpose, I specifically spent a fortune to acquire a very special holy relic. If we use this holy relic as a catalyst for summoning, even the worst result would guarantee a first-class Servant."
In Heroic Spirit summoning rituals, holy relics had a high influence on summoning results.
As long as the holy relic's corresponding Heroic Spirits were all above-standard warriors, it could provide guaranteed-level combat power.
However, holy relics meeting such requirements were truly rare.
"What holy relic is so amazing?"
Irisviel blinked and asked quite curiously.
"This is a holy relic just excavated from Cornwall—Avalon."
Without any intention of keeping suspense, he directly opened the lid, displaying the incredibly gorgeous scabbard within.
"Avalon? Isn't that King Arthur's scabbard?"
Irisviel, who was very familiar with Celtic mythology, quickly reacted.
King Arthur's fame wasn't low globally, and was especially high in Europe.
Even as a homunculus, hearing this news made her eyes light up.
"Doesn't that mean this time, we might directly summon the legendary Knight King?"
Apart from those cheaters in mythology, a Servant of the Knight King's level could be said to be top-tier among normal Servants.
If placed in previous Holy Grail Wars, they could practically dominate.
"Even if it's not King Arthur, other Knights of the Round Table are also first-class Servants."
The Family Head was clearly very confident in his decision this time.
"As the Lesser Grail, your magical energy supply capability is already first-class. With good cooperation, this Holy Grail War will surely be our victory."
"To fulfill the Einzbern family's long-cherished wish, Irisviel, this Holy Grail War is entirely entrusted to you alone!"
Besides fixing the bug where the summoned Servant might be too weak, he also fixed the bug where the Lesser Grail broke easily, directly having Irisviel herself bear the Lesser Grail's function.
Therefore, there were no extra concerns about magical energy supply.
With so many improvements, he felt that this time, their side would surely win.
"Yes! Grandfather!"
Regarding head's order, even knowing this meant sending herself to death, the homunculus Irisviel showed no hesitation.
She was born for the Holy Grail War's victory—death held nothing particularly fearful for her.
Seeing Irisviel's response, he nodded.
"Then take this scabbard and begin the summoning ritual! Besides summoning a Servant, it can also ensure your bodily functions operate normally before the Greater Grail appears, placing our side in an undefeatable position!"
Saying this, he reached toward the box.
Then, he grasped empty air.
"?"
The box itself was fine, but what about its contents?
"Where's the scabbard?"
Unable to determine what had happened, he immediately looked at Irisviel.
Of course he wasn't suspecting Irisviel had taken the scabbard—not only was there no need, Irisviel completely lacked such ability.
He just wanted possible intelligence.
On this point, Irisviel, who had been watching this gorgeous scabbard the whole time, indeed had something to say.
She described with a bewildered expression:
"Grandfather, I just saw the scabbard whoosh and directly disappear."
"Space magic was used within the castle barrier's range?"
Family Head's expression immediately changed.
"Full alert, all homunculi mobilize together and search for intruders!"
Without any hesitation, he immediately issued such orders.
The entire castle suddenly became lively, with various detection techniques activating, yet they couldn't find even a trace of intruders.
If the thief was truly some great mage skilled in spatial techniques, they had probably long since vanished without a trace.
Of course, there was an even more terrifying speculation—that the opponent hadn't come in person at all, but had cast spatial transfer techniques from a distance.
However, this situation was generally not considered, as apart from the Second Magic user Zelretch, no one could develop spatial techniques to such a degree.
It couldn't possibly be a deity descending, right?
Seeing the fruitless search, Irisviel didn't have too much regret.
Although curious about the thief who could steal under Grandfather's nose, there was a more important matter at hand.
Looking at the long-prepared Heroic Spirit summoning circle, she asked with pure innocence:
"Grandfather, the holy relic is gone. What should we do about the Servant summoning next?"
"..."
The Family Head finally felt deep exhaustion.
Holy relics were extremely precious items even in the magical world, and holy relics associated with famous Servants were even more precious—not something that could be casually purchased.
If it had been stolen years ago, he would have had time to prepare a second holy relic.
But at this timing, nothing could be done in time.
If the person who stole the holy relic just happened to choose this timing, that would be one thing.
But if they did it deliberately—
"This Holy Grail War seems more dangerous than any before..."
With a deep sigh, Irisviel could only be rushed into service and perform an affinity summoning directly.
On the other side of Earth, in the Far East island nation, Fuyuki City.
"I finally got my scabbard back! Thank you, Master!"
Artoria excitedly held her long-lost scabbard, her ahoge standing upright with excitement, looking at Ryuga with gratitude-filled eyes.
"Mm."
After casually responding, Ryuga turned to look at Rin.
"Is Ryuga-sama going back?"
Tohsaka Rin immediately guessed his intention.
"Yes, the business I needed to handle is complete. I'll return when the Holy Grail War begins."
Ryuga explained thus.
"Oh!"
Tohsaka Rin nodded, wanting to ask him to stay but unable to say anything.
At this moment, Sakura, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly stepped forward and courageously grasped Ryuga's sleeve, speaking somewhat haltingly:
"Ryuga-san, I—I can sweep floors, do laundry, and cook a little. I can learn other things I don't know..."
The young girl, only five or six years old, looked up with anxious eyes.
"So... could you take me in? I eat very little and don't mind being hungry."
The little girl tried to minimize her conditions as much as possible to avoid becoming a burden.
Her only firm will was wanting very much to leave together with Ryuga.
Hearing this, Artoria was somewhat stunned, not understanding the meaning.
Rin was briefly startled but quickly understood her sister's thoughts.
"Sakura, you don't want to go home—"
Halfway through her dissuasion, she closed her mouth herself.
Although the Matou family had been destroyed, Father had already personally stated he was severing ties with Sakura.
Even if she could return temporarily, Father would probably soon find another adoptive family and send Sakura away again, right?
Since that was no longer home, there was no need to return.
For the current Sakura, only two people were worth trusting.
One was her sister Rin, the other was Ryuga who had saved her fate.
Her only choice was hoping Ryuga could take her in and let her stay away from her previous family.
Thinking of this, Rin didn't know what to do and could only turn her gaze to Ryuga.
Facing everyone's attention, Ryuga stated his long-prepared plan.
"I'll say this first—I don't have time to take care of you, and don't currently need your care either."
Hearing this, Sakura's eyes dimmed and she hung her head, with no intention of pestering.
At this moment, Ryuga's tone changed.
"However, if you're willing to accept it, I can introduce you to a teacher. Her name is Pandora. You can study magic together with her—after you finish your studies, I can consider letting you become my assistant."
Before coming, he had already thought of how to arrange for Sakura.
As a mage, Sakura possessed rare imaginary number attribute qualifications, with magical talent no less than Rin's.
If she developed, whether as an assistant or test subject, she would be quite excellent.
And coincidentally, he had an idle Earth Mother Goddess Pandora. Entrusting Sakura to her would not only solve the talent cultivation problem but also solve Pandora's personality issues.
Having a disciple to divert attention could well alleviate Pandora's fear of loneliness and overly clingy problems.
For Ryuga's research, this had all benefits and no harm.
"No problem, I can do anything!"
Hearing Ryuga's response, Sakura immediately raised her head and repeatedly agreed.
Actually, she didn't know who Pandora was or where she would be going.
But wherever it was would be better than that previous home.
What she didn't notice was that hearing Ryuga's conditions, her sister opened her mouth wide, nearly dropping her jaw in shock.
"Miss Pandora?"
Wasn't that a goddess?!
Rin was incredibly shocked inside.
Although she hadn't met this goddess, she had heard Ryuga introduce this creator of Campiones before.
That is to say, if she accepted Ryuga's conditions, she could become a goddess's disciple?
Where could such a good opportunity be found?!
"Ryuga-sanma actually I could too!"
After hesitating, Rin spoke bashfully.
"Sister?"
Hearing this, Sakura was stunned for a moment, then turned and grasped Rin's hands.
"Sister, you don't need to do this. You already brought Ryuga-san for my sake—there's no need to continue sacrificing yourself for me. I really don't want to go back home—to the Tohsaka house."
She thought Tohsaka Rin wanted to switch with her so she could stay home.
Out of gratitude to her sister and her own aversion to the Tohsaka family, she naturally didn't want Rin to sacrifice herself again.
"No, Sakura, you misunderstood."
Hearing this, Rin showed a bitter smile.
She wasn't sacrificing herself—this time she genuinely wanted to go enjoy good fortune with her sister!
That was a deity-level teacher!
"Sister, don't do foolish things! Fath—that man still loves Sister very much."
Sakura naturally didn't want Rin to run away from home too.
She clearly knew that aside from herself, the Tohsaka family was still a happy family of three.
"Alright..."
Although unable to clear up the misunderstanding, Rin didn't insist excessively.
After all, she was still young, and her dedication to the magical path wasn't enough to make her abandon family.
Not being abandoned herself, she truly couldn't just give up on her parents like that.
"Then remember to listen to Ryuga-san afterwards, and if anything happens, don't hide it from Ryuga-san!"
In the moment before parting, Rin assumed a motherly eldest sister attitude, continuously instructing her sister.
"Yes, I understand."
The always obedient Sakura nodded repeatedly, listening patiently.
Artoria, knowing the Tohsaka family's situation, also sympathized with the little girl before her. She took the initiative to hold Sakura's hand, then said to Rin:
"Rest assured, in a knight's name, I will take care of her."
"Yes! Thank you, Ryuga-sama! Thank you, Saber-sister!"
To her two benefactors, young Rin bowed deeply.
When she raised her head, the three figures had completely disappeared.
Looking at the Matou residence in the distance where the flames had died out, then at the mountain path beneath her feet, as the mountain wind blew, the girl of only six or seven suddenly remembered something.
This place was dozens of kilometers from the city center—how was she supposed to get back?!
To be continued…