Chapter 107: Rin Tohsaka, Deep in Debt

Roland did not ask for Medea's opinion; the fact that she still maintained the contract was answer enough. This silent trust from Roland once again brought a sweet smile to Medea's face. She was not a standard Servant. Having overlapped two legends, her age was caught precisely in the transition between the girl Medea ending and the witch Medea beginning. She did not belong to this era; she belonged only to the Master before her.

"Congratulations, Roland." Before Roland could even turn his gaze toward him, Waver spoke first. He looked at Roland with a resolute expression. "Thank you for letting Rider die on a glorious battlefield. If he had been turned into a puppet consumed by the black mud, that King would surely have complained to me. And as for saving the world—I can never repay this debt."

Having experienced the death of the King of Conquerors and recognized his own powerlessness in the face of all the world's evils, Waver seemed to have matured in an instant, despite his youthful face.

"So, in the days without Rider, if there is anything I can do for you, please tell me. I will strive to repay your kindness. However, please give me some time; I must return Kayneth's Magic Crest."

The moment he decided to take back the remnants of Kayneth's Magic Crest and accept that responsibility, Waver was destined to face many arduous setbacks.

"Is that so? That works out perfectly. What I need you to do is climb to a high position within the Clock Tower."

"Eh? I..." Roland's decision caused Waver, who had just been so resolute, to shake his head in a panic. "My lineage is shallow. Even if I give it my all, I won't be able to achieve anything..."

"You can afford to be more confident. I believe Rider and Kayneth must have told you this as well: you possess the talent; you simply need a platform and an opportunity to manifest it. For instance, by becoming Lord El-Melloi II."

Waver’s expression froze.

"Is there a problem?" Roland tilted his head and asked. "With such a fractured Magic Crest, the collapse of the El-Melloi house is already foreseeable, isn't it?"

Although neither the hotel nor Kayneth’s mana furnace had been destroyed this time, the core issue remained unresolved. The Magic Crest and its successor were the heart of any mage family. Branch families relied on the main house for their crests, sharing mysteries through interests and intertwined bloodlines; but once the source mystery was damaged, maintaining that connection became incredibly difficult.

Either Kayneth or the Magic Crest had to survive for the El-Melloi line to continue. If the Crest were intact, it would simply be a matter of finding a new successor. If Kayneth were still alive, even if the furnace were destroyed and he were buried in debt, it wouldn't matter; the damaged Crest could not hide the brilliance of such a genius. He could have recovered in time, and there would have been no shortage of people willing to invest in his future.

But losing both key factors meant only one thing: the history of the El-Melloi over the past few hundred years had gone down the drain. They would have to start accumulating from scratch. Even with careful adjustment, it would take at least decades to repair, and how much of the original history would be restored was an unknown. In this situation, their position as Lords would become untenable. They wouldn't even need other predatory competitors; the various branches of the El-Melloi would tear each other apart, divide the family's legacy, and scatter like birds.

"That may be true," Waver sighed, "but there are also political considerations and a mountain of other factors. I don't know who will be pushed into the position of family head, nor how much I can gain by returning the Crest. None of that is certain."

"It doesn't matter. I have already decided: you will be the Lord of El-Melloi." Roland spoke with an unquestionable tone, as if the difficulties Waver mentioned were not worth noting. "Besides, ensuring the survival of Kayneth’s family name is exactly what you wish for, isn't it?"

This struck at Waver's soft spot. Roland was right. Since he had already decided to shoulder the responsibility, he was destined to be unable to escape it. In this situation, with someone willing to help—someone capable of destroying even the evils of the world—he truly could find no reason to refuse.

The boy, his sharp edges now smoothed away, lowered his head to Roland in a gesture of fealty. "Yes, Lord Roland."

The colors reflected in Roland's pupils were clear yet indifferent. Planting a dormant piece on the board at the Clock Tower could never hurt, and it was a perfect opportunity to observe the trajectory of the world line. He did not believe for a moment that the Counter Force had truly surrendered this world.

After Waver left, and without Roland needing to call for her, the goddess floating in the air came to him and held out her hand.

"Roland, it is time to pay my reward. Otherwise, I will not rest in peace even if I vanish due to the dissolution of our contract!"

Ishtar, who had been downgraded by the possession state, was quite unique. Without the need for battle, her consumption was much lower than a typical Servant, allowing her to maintain her presence in the world. But she had no intention of delaying any longer. Ishtar watched Roland with a wary eye, terrified that this guy would shamelessly declare, "I am not keeping my promise," again.

If he really did that... she would, she would secretly draw a thousand circles and curse this promise-breaking bastard! Yes, after thinking carefully about Roland's current power and making a comparison, even someone as proud as Ishtar had to admit that the gap between them was a bit too vast.

"Heh..." Roland chuckled, his eyes becoming playful. He clapped his hands, and the Shadow Legion produced the jar of dazzling gemstones once more.

"My gems!" Ishtar, already penniless, lunged toward the sparkling treasures like a hungry tiger, only to have her forehead pressed down by a ruthless hand.

"Wait a moment. Before we settle the bill, let us calculate the payment I owe you."

"So troublesome..." Ishtar reached out reluctantly, but she could never overcome Roland's strength. In the end, she had to agree.

"Don't be impatient, Ishtar. Since this guy is willing to pay, we can't let him off the hook. Even if he took back the seals himself, it is clear to everyone how this mountain range was pierced. He can't renege on that jar of gems," Rin Tohsaka said calmly, staring intently at Roland.

"I am indeed obligated to pay you the jar of promised gems, but before that, let us calculate my losses. Ishtar, and little Rin, I recall my original request was to 'pierce the mountain range of Mount Enzou,' not for you to shatter everything on the mountain, right?"

"Ugh—!" Rin Tohsaka looked stunned. Despite her youth, her mind was sharp. Aside from the value of the mountain itself, there was only one building of significant worth there. "Could it be... you mean the Ryuudou Temple..."

"The day before yesterday, I bought the Ryuudou Temple."

Roland’s heartless words completely shattered Rin's fantasies; she even forgot about Roland's terrifying display earlier.

"Why would you buy a temple! Does this thing have any use for you at all!"

"I couldn't help it. I couldn't find anywhere else to spend money, so out of a habit of collecting, I just bought it."

"You guy!" Looking at the indifferent Roland, Rin eventually gritted her teeth and accepted the debt. After all, it was her own impulsive decision born of the moment; she couldn't deny it.

"I accept it. But a single temple, even if rebuilt, shouldn't cost all the gems. Deduct it from what I am owed." Ishtar gritted her teeth and accepted the debt. Although it was Rin's requirement at the time, she had also gone overboard due to getting carried away. As a goddess, she naturally couldn't let Rin, still a child, bear the burden.

"Ishtar..." Seeing the loyal Venusian goddess, Rin was moved.

"Hmph, besides, the money left behind after I vanish was going to be used to build a shrine anyway." Ishtar brushed it off nonchalantly. She had her own calculations. Although she lost some wealth, she could save Rin's share. Given their relationship, Rin would certainly help her build the shrine—perhaps even provide long-term worship.

But Roland's next sentence made Ishtar feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

"Deducting it all is certainly not necessary. Since you want to calculate separately, then it is your turn, Rin Tohsaka."

"I don't owe you any money!"

"You certainly don't. The one who owes me money is your father, Tokiomi Tohsaka. Of course, after his death, this debt fell to the Tohsaka family. However, you are a minor. As long as you are willing to renounce your inheritance of the Tohsaka house, this debt naturally doesn't need to be repaid."

Rin's breath hitched. "In your dreams! I will definitely inherit the Tohsaka name! Tell me, exactly how much do I owe!"

"The circulating capital of an entire mana furnace."

"Gulp—" A strange sound came from Rin's throat. As a beginner in magecraft, she had long heard of the price of such things. "Astronomical" was the best way to describe it. In the modern era, a mage possessing one was like a Servant with a mana core—inherently superior. The Tohsaka family, at best a mid-tier lineage, wasn't even close to being able to afford one.

*Could her father have been that insane?* ...No, it was actually possible. The monstrous strength of that Golden Archer must have required significant support from his Master, and mana furnaces held their value well. If sold quickly, the loss wouldn't be too great.

Rin pondered for a while, feeling the taste in her mouth grow increasingly bitter. But those were ideal circumstances. The current mana furnace had already become part of the ruins of the Tohsaka estate.

"The real estate the Tohsaka family mortgaged to me is far from enough. But considering you have retained the spiritual land, I assume you can pay it off with diligent management over a dozen years or so. However, for the principal and interest of the first year's repayment, you will have to settle it with these gems."

Rin looked as if she were being strangled, her face filled with disbelief. Finally, she sighed helplessly, her twin tails drooping.

"If we calculate it like this... considering our cooperation was quite pleasant, I'll waive the fractions." Roland took two gems from the jar and placed one in each of Rin's palms. "There. One for you, one for Ishtar. Now, my payment is settled."

"At least we didn't end up paying him..." Rin pinched the gems in her hands, trying to find reasons to comfort her young heart.

"Yeah... no, wait! We've already paid in quite a bit!" Ishtar let out a long sigh, then suddenly realized.

"That's not right. The last batch of gems also came from Roland... you silly goddess, did you forget?" Rin looked confused, not knowing what Ishtar was talking about.

Ishtar's voice grew slightly guilty, and she said bashfully, "Who's the silly one? I'm not talking about that! I'm talking about your own savings! Because you asked me if the gem reserve was enough, I threw in the gems you'd been saving since you were little... Rin, what's wrong... Rin!"

"Waaah! You silly goddess!" Rin could no longer bear it. Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, she ran away from this place of trouble, her little leather shoes clicking rapidly against the ground.

"Remember to pay me back next year, Rin." Roland waved at her departing back, helpfully delivering the final blow.

Hearing this, Rin ran even faster, even summoning Ishtar to possess her, and rode off on Maanna, disappearing in a flash.

"Lord Roland." After all the irrelevant people had left, Kirei Kotomine, who had been staring with glowing eyes, finally spoke. "I think I have a vague inkling of the ritual."

"Do not be impatient, Kirei. Only after my incantation is complete will it be the time to ascend to heaven. You have plenty of time. Now, rather than the ethereal ritual, you should focus on yourself."

"The Church is indeed quite busy lately. With such a massive catastrophe, I fear it cannot be covered up as a simple gas explosion." Kirei sighed, feeling a headache coming on.

Because of the incantation, the "All the World's Evils" had leaked prematurely, before the Holy Grail could even appear. Both the old and new cities had been affected to varying degrees. Ironically, the old city, which was on the front lines of the disaster, had much of the black mud recalled due to Roland's later consumption of the Beast of Six, whereas fires were still spreading in the new city.

"That is not what I am referring to, Kirei. You feel quite satisfied now, don't you? Because of the release of your true nature, because you witnessed my sublimation. But, in the time between releasing your nature and ascending to heaven, how will you manage this sense of distance?" Roland cast an inquiring look at Kirei.

Until the end, Kirei could not provide an answer. After accepting Roland's comfort, he set off on the road home alone. Calling it "home" was merely wandering through the scene of the disaster; the sounds of curses and lamentations spread everywhere, carrying the flames of death.

Kirei stood in the dangerous fire, quietly admiring the scene. To others, it might have been nauseating, but to him, it was like the ultimate pleasure that could only appear in a dream.

"Supreme bliss..." he sighed uncontrollably, stepping over one corpse after another.

Suddenly, he saw a child struggling under the ruins. He was just about to watch the struggle and enjoy the pleasure contained within, but Roland's final advice echoed in his ears.

"Kirei, if you cannot understand, ponder one question: Humans are complex beings composed of innate and acquired traits. In the past, the reason you felt despair was precisely because you possessed a conscience. This conscience conflicted with your nature, which is why you were lost and resistant."

"It is precisely for this reason that when you accept your nature and become a complete human, you will seek the heaven beyond destiny. You are not a monster molded by pure instinct, but a lost traveler. As long as you have a pursuit of a higher happiness within your heart, that self-satisfaction is what will truly bring you salvation."

"Therefore, you may find pleasure, but in the end, my dear friend, you must still walk the thorny path known as restraint."

Kirei stared blankly at the hell of red lotuses, but his feet moved involuntarily, like a wandering spirit wailing in hell. Pleasure and agony were intertwined within him—one gripping his throat, the other pushing his shoulders.

Ultimately, he lunged forward. While suppressing the smile on his face and enduring the torment in his heart, he wore an expression that was neither laughing nor crying. With tears in his eyes, he grasped the hand of the red-haired child and pulled him out of that red hell.

The red-haired child would never forget the expression on the priest's face: trembling, uneasy, a desperate smile flowing alongside twisted tears. He gripped the child's hand tightly, muttering subconsciously, like a believer who had fulfilled a mission.

He looked so happy. It was as if it wasn't the child being saved, but him. Although his consciousness was fading, the red-haired child was so moved that he etched the priest's face deep into his heart, like a drowning man grabbing a life straw.

He had found his motivation to live.

—To become a person just like this priest.