Fate/Magus Path

149 I'm not locked in here with you

Roy sank his consciousness into the mental realm.

"So this is what your mental world looks like... How utterly... bizarre."

Roa's voice echoed in his ears.

"Strange, strange... truly strange. Are you even human?"

Roy lifted his gaze to the man attempting to seize control of his body.

For Roa, Roy's physical form had been an object of envy for some time. Ever since that fateful night when Nrvnqsr Chaos had been mercilessly crushed by Roy, Roa had set his sights on this nearly perfect vessel.

Endless reserves of magical energy, an extraordinary magic circuit, unique techniques, and even a reality-bending ability like Marble Phantasm. To say he wasn't tempted would be an outright lie.

However, the demise of Nrvnqsr Chaos served as a stark warning, confronting Roy directly was a fool's errand. If Roa wanted this body, he would need a more calculated approach.

Yet, Roy's strength wasn't his only concern. The formidable allies surrounding him... the Magician of the Fifth Magic, the Grand Pupperter, the White Princess, and even the Tohno Family... were all significant obstacles.

Thus, Roa devised a meticulous plan.

He sought out Vlov Arkhangel, the perfect pawn, baiting him with the prospect of killing the Princess. The goal was to lure her and Roy into his trap, dividing their forces and isolating Roy. Although Merem's unexpected interference complicated things, it ultimately didn't matter.

Through careful observation, Roa had uncovered Roy's fatal flaw.

Compassion.

In battle, Roy would always avoid harming civilians, unwilling to drag innocent lives into his conflicts. He would even grow angry or mournful over their deaths... a weakness Nrvnqsr Chaos had confirmed with his life.

This weakness was the key.

If Roy were a traditional magus, cold and indifferent, Roa would have struggled to outmaneuver him. But with his compassion, the strategy became clear.

The plan was set in motion:

Step one: Direct waves of Dead Apostles to attack Alice Kuonji, forcing Aoko Aozaki to defend it.

Step two: Ambush Touko Aozaki and the girl accompanying her along the way.

Step three: Ignite chaos within the city by setting fires and turning civilians into Dead Apostles, forcing the Tohno Family into a desperate defense.

The aim was simple: weaken Roy and Arcueid by eroding their support system, isolate them, and force them to face Vlov Arkhangel. Roa would then intervene at the opportune moment.

He had promised Vlov that they would work together to eliminate the Princess and Roy, with Vlov gaining the Princess's heart to lift his curse, and Roa claiming Roy's body. They had even agreed to set aside their grudges temporarily.

Of course, Roa had no intention of keeping that promise. Instead, he deliberately misled Vlov, ensuring the Princess was drawn away and delayed elsewhere. As for Vlov's confrontation with Roy, Roa made no effort to disclose information about his Reality Marble.

Aware that Roy might avoid using his Reality Marble to protect civilians, Roa banked on the resulting handicap forcing Roy into an exhausting battle against Vlov.

Roa didn't mind if things didn't go as planned. If Roy unleashed the Reality Marble and won, Roa could escape amid the chaos or die and prepare for the next reincarnation. Either outcome was acceptable.