Fate/Magus Path

*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!!

Though his magecraft was useless against him and his limbs had been destroyed, there was still hope.

He had long forsaken his humanity for immortality; as long as he could survive this ordeal, he could just switch bodies afterward. As long as the worm was still on Sakura, he still had a chance for resurrection.

With this thought, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes as he opened his mouth to chant a spell, attempting to trigger the self-detonation of the worms within him to escape.

However, the Count, already informed by Roy, would never allow him to have his way. The fiery palm pressed down directly on his head, interrupting his self-detonation magecraft.

"Kill… kill me." Matou Zouken whispered in despair. "I can give you anything you want; please, grant me release."

Release?

"Oh? Even someone as inhuman as you seeks release?"

The Count leaned down, speaking in a low tone.

"Is this your way of seeking death? I know your worm is planted on that girl in the basement, isn't it? And what you most want now is to die quickly to avoid me, and then switch bodies to revive, right?"

"You!!"

Upon hearing the Count's words, Matou Zouken felt an immediate sense of dread. His pupils constricted, staring in disbelief at the avenging spirit.

This was his most important secret; not even Matou Kariya knew. How could this guy know?

In that moment, a fear of death enveloped his heart.

Looking at the Count's sinister smile, Matou Zouken's damaged body trembled with a chill as he fell into despair.

"No, no! Don't do this! You can't… you can't do this!!"

"Krahahahahaha, yes, that's the look! The despair of someone about to die! Now that you've shown that expression, it means I've hit the mark, you filthy bug!"

"That was just the beginning; the real show is yet to come!"

Looking at the Count's sinister smile, Matou Zouken's heart trembled, and in the moment of death, he began to curse wildly.

"You! You demon! Unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable! You hypocritical captors of justice, all you do is tarnish my ideals with your boring, false morality! I will never forgive you! Never! I curse you! I curse you all... Arghhh!"

"You're talking too much!"

With a crunch, the count easily crushed the old worm's skull underfoot and reached out toward his body.

"Disgusting worm, I am a vengeful spirit from hell. Your little curses are nothing to me."

As he spoke, black flames continuously burned in his palm, starting to consume Matou Zouken's body, sizzling the parasitic worms within.

"However, how dare you curse my master! You lowly creature, don't be so self-righteous! If it weren't for the fact that the crest on you still holds some value, I would have already left you without a grave!"

"Now, let your rotting body and that lowly soul turn to ash together! Krahahaaha!"

Accompanied by demonic laughter, the black flames erupted, engulfing Matou Zouken's remaining body entirely. Only the piece of skin bearing the magic crest was stripped away by the count in advance, allowing it to be preserved.

"Ugh..."

The man lying on the ground twitched his eyes amidst the searing flames.

"Hey, pitiful bug, you should have heard that girl still carries the worm of this old worm within her."

Casting a glance at the still half-conscious Matou Kariya on the ground, the count kicked him up.

"Ah!"

The sudden pain in his abdomen made Matou Kariya's teeth chatter, and his dazed mind began to clear.

"Yes..."

Yes, in his half-asleep state, Matou Kariya had indeed heard the count's conversation with the old bug.

Although the old bug's screams before death were quite pleasant, upon hearing that Sakura still carried that old man's worm, the original joy vanished instantly.

Damn it! That cursed old worm had to leave something like this even in death...

He curled up, looking at the man before him, who resembled a demon, and lowered his head to plead with him.

"Please..."

"I refuse. That little girl's body cannot withstand the flames' erosion. I can indeed eliminate that disgusting bug, but the girl's life would end with it." Knowing Matou Kariya's intentions, the count directly refused him.

"How can it be... Sakura?"

Seeing Matou Kariya kneeling on the ground, the count snorted coldly, placing Sakura before him, and as he left, he said, "Go find a professional magus in this field. The modifications this girl underwent aren't too deep; there's still a chance of recovery."

"Find a magus, huh..." Hearing this, Matou Kariya's eyes gradually regained some light.

...

Compared to the fiery chaos still raging at the Matou household, the Church has been busy covering up the truth, while the police are actively trying to manage the situation at the Matou residence. Roy and the Count, this master and servant duo, decisively left the scene, keeping their achievements and names hidden.

The people have been saved, but the worms remain. After all, the Count isn't a legitimate magus; he can't unravel Matou Zouken's magecraft. Extracting the worm without harming Sakura is simply impossible.

However, Roy isn't worried. Sakura's transformation isn't deeply rooted, and that worm hasn't settled firmly in her body yet. For Sakura's sake, Matou Kariya will ultimately take her back to Tokiomi Tohsaka, since among the magus he knows, only Tokiomi can save her.

Given Tokiomi Tohsaka's connections, finding a magus skilled in healing shouldn't be too difficult. Unlike other magus, Tokiomi still retains a basic sense of empathy as a father.

He'll probably feel a bit guilty about pushing Sakura into danger, especially since he has always despised rogue magus, yet this time he has harmed his own daughter. He will regret his foolish actions.

However, considering his personality, he will likely still transfer Sakura to another family. After all, he values the identity of a magus too much, and Sakura's unique nature means she cannot lead an ordinary life.

Let's hope Tokiomi learns from this lesson and carefully checks the background and character of anyone he considers for transfer in the future, so he doesn't repeat this mistake.

But that's no longer something he needs to think about. He has done all he can do, and whatever happens next will be their own choice.

Allies of justice do exist, but they cannot always prevent tragedy in time.

Glancing at the Count walking beside him, Roy smiled and softly spoke.

"Thank you, Count. Let's go home."