Fate/Magus Path

At the moment Shiki Tohno confessed his crime, it was as though the world had collapsed for Akiha Tohno, who had always placed unwavering faith in her brother.

The sheer weight of shock and pressure caused her to fall back onto her chair, unable to maintain her composure.

Witnessing this, the two maids nearby rushed forward to support their lady, but it was already too late.

"Be careful."

A warm voice reached her ears. A sudden, inexplicable gust of wind arose within the spacious reception room. It was reminiscent of the breeze that had lifted Shiki back in the park. This mysterious current gently caught Akiha's frail body, preventing her from hitting the ground.

"Akiha!"

"Miss Akiha!"

Seeing that his sister was unharmed, Shiki Tohno wasted no time. He leaped to her side, pulling her into his arms, while the two maids arrived to assist.

Roy, observing this scene, remained silent, resting his chin on one hand as he carefully chose his words.

"Do not be too agitated, Miss Akiha. Your brother understands the weight of his sins better than anyone."

"Rest assured, I will not wrong him, but I also will not allow his transgressions to be overlooked. The mistakes one makes must be borne by oneself."

"…Yes, it's all my fault. Please, do not harm Akiha or anyone else. If punishment is necessary, I ask that it fall solely on me."

"Master Shiki!"

Facing Roy, whose power seemed boundless, and Arcueid, who had left a lasting impression on him, Shiki Tohno broke his silence. Gently passing Akiha to Kohaku's care, he stood tall, meeting Roy's gaze with unwavering resolve.

In this moment, he was prepared to face death.

Impressed, Roy's lips curved into a faint smile. The boy's resolve and sense of responsibility were qualities he admired... a fitting main character for this peculiar world.

Lowering his gaze slightly, Roy's tone turned playful. "So, you're saying you'll shoulder everything yourself?"

"That's correct. Since it was my wrongdoing, I must be the one to atone for it."

"And how will you atone? With your life?"

Roy's eyes narrowed, his voice cold and sinister.

Shiki swallowed hard. Though fear gripped him, the thought of protecting his family held him firm.

"…Fine. Please, spare Akiha. I'm willing to atone with my life."

"No, Brother! Don't do it!" Akiha cried, trying desperately to intervene.

Even Arcueid, who had harbored resentment toward Shiki, couldn't help but view him in a new light.

Despite being overwhelmed by fear, he still made such a choice. That was the intriguing nature of humanity.

But Roy had no intention of claiming Shiki's life.

Although he was intrigued by the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, their incompatibility with his fighting style rendered them of little value. Moreover, exploiting Arcueid's pain for his gain was something Roy would never consider.

With his goal nearly achieved, Roy decided to end the standoff.

"Relax. I already said I wouldn't take your life. You acted not out of malice, but circumstance. If I had deemed you truly irredeemable, you would not have survived our first meeting."

Shiki froze, his terror slowly dissipating as the suffocating aura lifted. Roy harbored no intent to kill him.

"However, don't celebrate just yet, Shiki Tohno. You took a life, and that debt must be repaid."

Fixing his gaze on Shiki, whose relief was short-lived, Roy declared, "No matter the circumstances, you must make amends to the utmost of your abilities. Taking a life is a grave sin. Do you understand?"

"I'll do whatever it takes to atone!" Shiki responded without hesitation, his voice firm.

"Good. That's the spirit." Roy nodded approvingly. "You possess remarkable potential, Shiki Tohno. Use it to make things right with Arcueid."

"What?!" Arcueid exclaimed, her eyes wide with confusion.

She couldn't fathom how this murderer could offer her any assistance.

Roy delivered his verdict. "While Arcueid remains in this city, you will join us in hunting Dead Apostles. Whether through direct combat or by aiding in other ways, you will compensate for what you've taken. Is that acceptable, Shiki Tohno?"

"Dead Apostles?"

Shiki's confusion mirrored Akiha's, though her furrowed brows suggested a deeper understanding. Unlike Shiki, who had been separated from the Tohno family for years, Akiha had undergone training in magecraft and was familiar with such non-human entities.

The Tohno family, though not a true demon hunter lineage, had long branded itself as protectors against the supernatural. Knowledge of such beings was essential to maintaining that facade.

"Yes." Roy confirmed, tapping the table rhythmically. "Numerous Dead Apostles have infiltrated Misaki Town, treating it as their personal feeding ground. Even now, they're likely feasting in some dark corner of the city."

Akiha's expression darkened as the pieces fell into place... the missing persons, the grisly murders plaguing the city... it was all the work of these inhuman monsters.

Raising her head, she looked to Roy, seeking more information about these Dead Apostles.

However, Roy's faintly mocking smile sent her blood boiling.

In an instant, her delicate face flushed red with anger and humiliation.

As the local protector, she had failed to detect the presence of these monsters, allowing an outsider to expose her incompetence. It was a severe blow to her pride as the head of the Tohno family.

"No wonder there have been so many disappearances and murders in Misaki Town recently." Akiha muttered through gritted teeth. "Those damned creatures deserve nothing less than annihilation!"

Roy shook his head at her outburst. The so-called Four Great Demon Hunter Families had long fallen into decline, with only the Ryougi family showing signs of resurgence under his guidance. The Tohno family, a mere pretender, was hardly worth mentioning.

Yet, even with his vague recollections of the Tsukihime world, Roy was confident. With Arcueid by his side and his own strength, they could handle whatever Dead Apostles came their way... even their Ancestors.

Unless Crimson Moon itself returned, Roy had no doubt he could repel or even crush any opposition.

The greatest challenge at present lay in the shadowy presence of Roa.

Truthfully, Roy couldn't quite recall who Roa had reincarnated into this time. The man's ability to remain hidden was nothing short of exceptional. Even with Kiritsugu and Aoko searching the city tirelessly, they had yet to uncover any useful leads. This was precisely why Roy turned his attention to Shiki Tohno.

Coming to find Shiki wasn't merely about avenging Arcueid, who had been preoccupied with the murderer. The more critical goal was to find a key to breaking the deadlock. As the main character of Tsukihime, Shiki Tohno was destined to be swept into the whirlpool of conflict. Roy vaguely remembered there was some connection between Shiki and Roa.

Since Roa couldn't be located for now, it made sense to keep Shiki nearby and see if he could serve as a beacon to Roa's whereabouts. At the very least, observing the peculiar nature of Shiki's Mystic Eyes of Death Perception was already a significant gain.

As for how Arcueid would deal with Shiki after bringing him back... Roy had no intention of interfering. So long as she didn't go too far, he would turn a blind eye.

After all, no one should preach forgiveness for pain they themselves hadn't endured.

The seventeen pieces of Arcueid's body weren't his burden to bear, and he had no right to decide on her behalf whether she should forgive.

Following a brief explanation from Shiki, Akiha Tohno finally understood why these two strangers had come knocking. No matter how much she wanted to protect her brother, she couldn't deny that this entire situation stemmed from his mistake. That the two had chosen to confront him directly was only to be expected.

In fact, considering their overwhelming power and resources, the fact that they hadn't taken Shiki's life outright but instead offered him a chance to atone was an act of extraordinary mercy.

While hunting Dead Apostles was far from a simple task and rife with danger, it was a responsibility that the Tohno family, as self-proclaimed demon hunters, ought to bear without complaint.

Now that the conversation had reached this point, Akiha's emotions had cooled. She bowed respectfully to Roy, expressing her heartfelt gratitude for his generosity. Even her tone grew more amicable.

"I sincerely thank you both for bringing us this vital information. Rest assured that, as the demon hunter family of this region, the Tohno household will do everything in its power to eliminate the Dead Apostles lurking in the city and resolve this matter."

Demon Hunter family...

She was truly embracing the role, wasn't she?

"Well said." Roy nodded slightly, choosing not to expose the Tohno family's inhuman lineage. Instead, he followed Akiha's lead and replied gently.

"It's good to see such responsibility. As the local demon hunter family, it's only right for you to bear such duties. However, I must caution you... stick to clearing out the minor threats. Digging too deeply into this matter will only lead to casualties."

"And frankly, the Tohno family doesn't have enough lives to spare."

Roy's blunt words made Akiha's body stiffen.

"Are you suggesting...?"

"The enemies here aren't just mere vampires, ghouls, or common Dead Apostles. There are bigger players behind this chaos... figures known as the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors."

"T-Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors?! Are you saying those creatures are involved?!"

Hearing those names from Roy, Akiha shot to her feet, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her hands trembled involuntarily, shaken by the infamous reputations of such monsters.

"That's correct." Roy affirmed calmly. "This particular turmoil is the work of several Ancestors. Known participants include the Tenth Ancestor, Nrvnqsr Chaos, and the one holding the EX seat, Michael Roa Valdamjong, the Serpent of Akasha."

"As for whether more will join, I cannot yet say. But mark my words... this is no simple matter."

With an indifferent expression, Roy rubbed his chin. "That's why I advise you not to get too deeply involved. Because doing so will surely lead to death."

"Dead Apostles… the Ancestors… What are these things?"

Unlike Roy, who remained composed, or Akiha, who was visibly shaken, Shiki was utterly lost. These unfamiliar terms baffled him.

"Brother." Akiha began, attempting to explain, "Dead Apostles are... "

But Roy interrupted with a concise explanation.

"Vampires. Think of them as the vampires from Western fantasy novels. As for the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors, you could liken them to many versions of Count Dracula... exceptionally powerful vampires."

The straightforward analogy made it easy for Shiki, who had no prior exposure to the supernatural, to grasp the concept.

"Vampires actually exist?" 

While Shiki struggled to process this revelation, Akiha cradled her head in her hands. "If what Lord Roy says is true and several Ancestors are in this city, they are far beyond the Tohno family's ability to handle…"

"Precisely." Roy said with a nod. "So proceed carefully. Investigate if you must, but don't overstep your bounds. This is a depth the Tohno family cannot navigate."

"Then… is there anything we can do to help?"

"Of course. As a prominent local family, you're well-positioned to gather information. Focus on finding potential candidates for Roa's reincarnation. Once located, report their whereabouts to me without taking independent action. I will handle the rest."

"That much is within our capabilities." Akiha replied confidently. "The Tohno family's influence in this city is considerable."

"But even so, blindly searching for targets is no different from finding a needle in a haystack. Do you have any characteristics or patterns to identify Roa's reincarnation?"

Akiha quickly pinpointed the key issue.

"Characteristics, hmm?" Roy looked to Arcueid. "Let's leave that explanation to the expert."

Arcueid, the one who had hunted Roa for centuries, began to recount her knowledge. "Roa's reincarnations typically choose individuals from influential families in the area, particularly those with exceptional talents. Such hosts allow him to recover power rapidly and secure dominance with ease."

Akiha's expression darkened as realization struck. She hastily defended herself. "My brother and I couldn't possibly be Roa's reincarnations! If you doubt us, feel free to confirm it yourself."

The idea of being possessed by such a monster visibly shook Shiki, who instinctively took a step back.

"Relax." Roy said, waving off Akiha's anxiety. "I've already tested you both. If either of you were a reincarnation, I would've killed you by now."

Ignoring her unease, he stood up and continued. "In any case, I'm entrusting the task of locating Roa to you. As for Shiki, I'll be taking him with me until he's completed his atonement or earned Arcueid's forgiveness."

He cast his gaze toward Shiki.

"Well? Any objections, Shiki Tohno?"

"N-No."

Shiki muttered, lowering his head. He accepted the verdict and chose to atone for his sins.

"Since that's settled, we'll take our leave for now. If anything urgent arises, you can reach me through Shiki Tohno."

With that, Roy motioned toward Arcueid, signaling their departure.

"Brother..."

Akiha reached out to her visibly unsettled brother, wanting to say something, but Shiki shook his head, gently rejecting her.

"I'm sorry, Akiha. Everything that's happened so far is my fault. I can't avoid it, nor do I want to. I've chosen to follow Roy to hunt the Dead Apostles. Please don't stop me."

"Don't worry, I'll return soon."

Forcing a strained smile, Shiki reassured his sister before hastening to catch up with Roy, leaving the Tohno residence without delay.

"Brother..."

Akiha watched Shiki's retreating figure disappear into the distance. Her hands clutched tightly together in unease, her eyes clouded with worry. She longed to say something more, but all that left her lips was a soft whisper:

"Take care."

The moment Shiki's silhouette faded completely, Akiha staggered slightly. Her body began trembling uncontrollably.

Her raven-black hair started to shift, dark strands giving way to a deep crimson hue. She lowered her head, her expression pained, as if desperately trying to suppress something.

"Lady Akiha, please wait a moment."

Kohaku, who had grown accustomed to such occurrences, swiftly pricked her finger with a small knife, allowing a bead of blood to surface. She then gently extended it toward Akiha's lips.

The moment the blood touched her tongue, Akiha's tumultuous state calmed instantly. She grasped Kohaku's hand, softly suckling the offered blood as though she were a child seeking solace.

The oppressive aura Roy exuded earlier had stirred the demonic blood within her, causing it to churn restlessly. Were it not for her formidable self-restraint, she might have succumbed to her vampiric impulses in the sitting room earlier, a catastrophe that would have laid bare the Tohno family's deepest secret.

After some time, Akiha finally regained composure. She rose unsteadily from Kohaku's embrace, a trace of guilt flickering across her expression as she regarded her weary attendant.

"Sorry to trouble you again, Kohaku."

Kohaku merely shook her head, her tone calm and unwavering. "It's no trouble at all, Lady Akiha. For those of us in the Fujou Clan, our blood carries purifying properties. Serving the Tohno family and alleviating these impulses is my duty."

"Don't say that, Kohaku. You have your own life to live. I can't keep you bound to my side forever."

Akiha smiled faintly, patting Kohaku's shoulder. "Rest assured, the vast world of magecraft surely holds a solution. There must be a way to free the Tohno bloodline from this curse."

"I've already sent people to petition that Witch multiple times, though she's yet to respond. If she would only agree to help..."

My own life...

Kohaku's gaze briefly faltered, her mind involuntarily conjuring a figure she could never forget... a figure she both detested and loathed.

"No... I don't have one anymore..."

"Hm?"

Akiha caught Kohaku's murmur and tilted her head in curiosity. "Kohaku, what did you just say?"

"Nothing of importance, Lady Akiha." Kohaku replied, shaking her head dismissively.

"It's late. You should rest now." Kohaku added, seamlessly changing the subject.

"With Dead Apostles lurking about, how could I possibly sleep?"

Akiha shook her head, determination flashing in her crimson eyes. "I'm going to convene with the branch families and organize a search for the Dead Apostles in the city. The Tohno family won't let itself be looked down upon by visiting magi."

"You may return to rest, Kohaku."

"Understood..."

Kohaku lowered her head, her expression unreadable as thoughts churned behind her placid demeanor.

...

The cold night pressed on, and as the pair exchanged these words, a faint blue butterfly fluttered through the pale moonlight, settling quietly in a corner of the courtyard.

The story was far from over.

___

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