Fate/Magus Path

12 The Benefactor and the Killer

Since the night the Matou family was destroyed by flames, his meeting with Matou Kariya happened much later.

After that day, Tokiomi Tohsaka and the church in Fuyuki City both came to inquire about what exactly happened that night at the Matou household. To avoid implicating the benefactor who had helped him, Matou Kariya explained to the outside world that it was the Berserker he summoned that had annihilated the Matou family.

Although Matou Zouken was a powerful master of magecraft, that power was only significant in relation to other magus. When it came to Servants, even a magus's strength could be hard to exert, let alone initiate a direct betrayal.

Thus, Matou Zouken's death was not something they found difficult to understand.

...

Roy did not know how he found out his address, but one morning, he got called by Matou Kariya.

He said he wanted to invite him out to meet.

To avoid attracting attention, he specifically chose a location at the less frequented side hall of the Ryudo Temple.

The time was also very considerate, scheduled for midnight.

At first, Roy was a bit surprised when he saw this man who had just escaped from hell appear again.

"I didn't expect you to still be in the Holy Grail War."

Looking at the deep red marks on Matou Kariya's hand, Roy's tone carried a hint of surprise.

"Matou Zouken is dead. With Tokiomi Tohsaka's connections, finding a magus to solve the parasite he planted in Sakura is just a matter of time. However, he should learn from this and find a more reliable magical family to adopt from."

"With Matou Zouken dead, your ideal of letting Sakura Tohsaka live safely has been fulfilled, so why are you still dragging this broken body into battle?"

"I don't have any special reason." Matou Kariya said slowly as he removed his hood, revealing the horrific face altered by Matou Zouken. He pointed at his damaged body.

"My body was transformed into something neither human nor beast by Matou Zouken over a year ago. Even if I stop now, I won't be able to live on. Rather than rot away in a dark corner until death, I want to do something meaningful at the end of my life."

"Like participating in the Holy Grail War?"

"Exactly."

Matou Kariya nodded and said, "I want to repay your kindness in this Holy Grail War. The Servant I summoned is Berserker, who has a decent advantage in strength. I will do my utmost to help you in this Holy Grail War."

"..."

"So you're expressing your gratitude for saving Sakura Tohsaka by wanting to assist me in the Holy Grail War?"

"Yes... although I don't know how much I can do, I will do my best to follow your instructions."

"... No need."

Contrary to Matou Kariya's expectations, Roy shook his head slightly and decisively rejected his proposal.

He then rolled up his sleeve and activated the magic circuits within his body, causing the magic crest obtained from Matou Zouken to slowly emerge on his arm.

"What is this?"

"Matou Zouken's magic crest. This was one of my targets when I attacked the Matou family."

"Now that I've received my reward, there's no need for you to go this far."

"But..."

Matou Kariya wanted to say something else, but Roy interrupted him.