Fate/Magus Path

141 Overture of Destruction

"Born of darkness, nourished by the flesh and mana as per the envoy's invitation. Grow, sprout... Child of Einnashe."

With a chant steeped in obscure, ominous syllables, the crimson seed, along with the heap of flesh and blood at his feet, was ruthlessly kicked into the crevice of the earth.

Rumble!!!

A tremor surged beneath him, violently shaking the ground. The forest around him began to twist and distort, as though coming alive.

"Hah, it seems to be working better than expected. With this, not even the Magician of the Fifth Magic can escape unscathed."

After completing his preparations, Roa lifted his gaze toward the dense forest in the distance, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The seed had been planted, and the cage had been constructed. Now, it was only a matter of time before the prey fell neatly into his trap.

With the first step of his plan complete, Roa glanced at the elite Dead Apostles behind him, a smile still lingering.

"All right, everyone, proceed according to the plan. Any questions?"

"..."

The Dead Apostles said nothing, merely bowing their heads in submission.

These elite soldiers, raised by the White Wing Lord, bore unparalleled loyalty to their master. Orders were absolute, even if it meant marching to their deaths without hesitation.

Though their true master wasn't Roa, the White Wing Lord had temporarily ceded command to him. As such, their loyalty extended to him without question.

Nodding slightly in approval, Roa observed as the Dead Apostles began their movements. The group divided into two teams... one heading toward the witch's mansion nestled within the forest, the other making its way toward Misaki Town. Their actions were swift and efficient.

"A truly elite force of Dead Apostles... Even in a suicide mission, there's not a shred of hesitation." Roa muttered as he watched from the hillside, clicking his tongue in both admiration and regret.

It was a shame.

If he could have brainwashed them, he would have seized the opportunity to claim such a formidable force as his own.

But alas, their loyalty was bound by the White Wing Lord's spell, rendering them impervious to manipulation. Since that was the case, Roa decided to treat them as expendable currency.

After all, this so-called cooperation was nothing more than mutual exploitation. When Arcueid was finally eliminated, these "allies" would be the first to turn against him.

The White Wing Lord, self-proclaimed King of Dead Apostles, would surely seek to eliminate him. Vlov Arkhangel already bore irreconcilable hatred toward him and wouldn't hesitate to strike.

Thus, even as he advanced his plans, Roa remained vigilant, constantly preparing his escape routes.

"..."

From his investigations, Roa had learned that the Magician of the Fifth Magic, Aoko Aozaki, shared a close bond with the so-called Pure Witch, Alice Kounji. Years ago, they had fought side by side in this very city against Aoko's elder sister, Touko.

Their relationship was one of unshakable trust, forged through life-and-death struggles. If Aoko learned her friend was in danger, she would undoubtedly return to the forest without hesitation.

As for the Witch herself, her power was no trifling matter. These Dead Apostles couldn't kill her in a short time.

But then, Roa's goal was never to take her life.