Fate/Magus Path

10 Sin and Salvation

*Boom**Boom**Boom*

Fire from hell descended without warning, instantly painting the night sky in orange and yellow flames.

Accompanied by a burst of demonic laughter, the entire Matou family was completely obliterated in a haze.

"Krahahahahaha! What's wrong? Is this the extent of the Makiri Zolgen from the three great families?"

In the searing sea of flames, the Count stepped on Matou Zouken's head with a heatwave, relentlessly trampling the ugly head beneath the hard heel of his shoe. On his shoulder was the small figure of Sakura, just brought out from the worm nest.

As for Matou Kariya, that foolish idiot was knocked unconscious and tossed aside during their first encounter to prevent him from causing trouble.

His body could barely hold up, which is why he hadn't summoned his Servant earlier. According to the plan set by the old worm, he would summon it on the eve of the Holy Grail War to conserve as much fighting stamina as possible.

This lack of Servant protection allowed the Count to kill his way through the Matou household as if it were an unguarded territory.

Even if Matou Zouken had summoned a Servant, he wouldn't have helped the old worm deal with the Count.

Given their supposedly harmonious father-son relationship, he would only relish the opportunity to deal a lethal blow to the old worm while watching him get beaten up; how could he possibly come to his rescue? A false family with no real emotions harbored no genuine father-son bond.

"Who exactly are you? Why are you attacking the Matou family!"

Matou Zouken pressed to the ground, was filled with rage and confusion. He had merely been drinking tea at home when this unknown Heroic Spirit broke through his defensive spell and intruded, moving with such eerie speed that he hadn't even had time to react. Within just a few breaths, he found himself pinned to the ground.

As for his swarms and the worms he had cultivated, they were utterly powerless against the flames fueled by the Count's hatred, instantly engulfed by the scorching fire before they even had a chance to retaliate, reduced to ashes before they could even reach the Count's clothing.

The Count was no saint himself. Compared to the A·venger Angra Mainyu who had tainted the Holy Grail, he was the true embodiment of vengeance. He showed no mercy to vile individuals like Matou Zouken. A swift strike from his hand sent black flames easily severing Matou Zouken's limbs, forcing him down beneath his foot.

"Arggghhhhhhhhh..."

The intense pain made Matou Zouken's decayed features twist into a more grotesque expression.

"Hm? Be quiet, old man."

Hearing Matou Zouken's agonizing wails beneath him, the Count frowned, pressing down harder with his foot, as if he could crush the old worm's dried-up head at any moment.

"You bastard! Arggghhhh..."

Matou Zouken wanted to curse, but the black flames continued to burn him like maggots on his bones, making him wish for death.

The King of the Cavern... this was the name or title of the most famous avenger in the world. The flames, born from the hatred of hell, burned not just his body but his soul; even though he was no longer human, he still felt the searing pain of this flame.

This guy was more like a demon than himself!

No! he must endure; his lifelong wish is not yet fulfilled. He cannot die here!!