Chapter 109: The Spirit Contract's Escaped Catch

At the funeral of the Tohsaka family, Roland casually held an umbrella outside the cemetery. Dressed entirely in black, Rin Tohsaka emerged, clutching her arm.

“Sister…”

Though it was their father’s funeral as well, Sakura Matou, who had simply followed Roland here, was not dressed in formal black attire. She wore her usual white blouse and pleated skirt, with her small feet tucked into black rounded-toe shoes paired with white socks.

Seeing Rin’s sorrowful expression, although Sakura couldn’t fully accept Tokiomi Tohsaka’s death, she kindly held her own umbrella and stepped beside Rin.

The funeral was nearing its end. Though nominally the head of the Tohsaka family, after the formalities concluded, the mourners gave this young girl some respite.

Kotomine Ryougi, officiating the ceremony, stood solemnly before Tokiomi’s grave, silently praying. Aoi Tohsaka, dressed in black mourning clothes, appeared even more dignified as she quietly stood among the crowd, her gaze occasionally drifting toward Roland outside the cemetery.

“Thank you, Roland. If you hadn’t comforted my mother, I doubt she would have had the courage to attend father’s funeral. And… I will repay the money you lent for rebuilding the Tohsaka family as soon as possible.”

Rin lowered her small head. In a setting like today’s, even she could not summon a smile. After taking over the Tohsaka family these past few days and learning the full situation, she realized what a mess it truly was.

The workshop and main residence had been blown up, debts were everywhere, and there was no liquid capital. The remaining funds were more than enough to maintain a dignified lifestyle, but rebuilding the family or investing in magecraft training was financially tight.

Fortunately, the underground tomes, her father’s Command Seals, and the spiritual grounds as managers of Fuyuki City all remained intact. Otherwise, the Tohsaka family might truly have been disbanded. Her guardians, Kirei and Kotomine Ryougi, wished to help, but compared to the Tohsaka family, their aid was but a drop in the bucket.

To keep the family afloat, Rin had to ask Roland for help again. Luckily, he generously lent her a large sum, allowing her life to regain stability.

Though reluctant to admit it, in such difficult times, Roland’s timely aid steadily elevated the image Rin held of him.

“It’s no problem. Since you owe so much already, a little more won’t matter,” Roland smiled lightly. “Besides, if you can’t hold on, that debt will be truly uncollectible.”

See? He always found childish excuses to ease her burden. Setting aside her father, he was indeed someone dependable. No wonder he had helped her mother recover so quickly…

“Besides, you’re Sakura’s sister and Aoi’s daughter. It’s only right I do this.”

At these words, Roland found himself somewhat nostalgic for Tokiomi Tohsaka. Though not by choice, that man had brought him considerable help in this world.

Unfortunately, the last traces of Tokiomi had been swallowed by the Key of All Souls. All Roland could do was emulate Chancellor Cao’s pledge: “I shall raise your wife and children, you need not worry.” He hoped Tokiomi’s journey beyond would be peaceful.

“Has the Command Seal transplantation been completed?”

“The first part is done.”

“That’s good. This is a gift from Kirei for you,” Roland said, taking from his chest a short sword wrapped in cloth.

After their conversation that day, Kotomine Ryougi had indeed changed somewhat. Even at such a joyful moment, he did not come in person but entrusted Roland to deliver the gift.

“This was a present from your father to him. I hope you can forgive his shortcomings.”

“I understand,” Rin replied quietly. “Kirei has done well—not only managing the family assets on my behalf, but also arranging the inheritance of Command Seals and other properties. He even established an orphanage for children left parentless by the fire. I shouldn’t ask more of him.”

Rin’s expression softened considerably. Though the blow of her father’s death was heavy, her mother and sister still stood by her, providing substantial support.

“I heard Kirei’s own daughter has returned. You should visit her sometime—it’s a good opportunity to pay a return visit.”

“I don’t like that girl,” Sakura said, somewhat huffily. “Especially a fool like you, sister, she’ll definitely toy with you.”

“Sakura! You underestimate me again!” Rin snapped, shaking off her grief as she playfully quarreled with her sister.

Roland watched the scene quietly. Suddenly, a thought struck him as he looked at the Key of All Souls in his hand.

Since digesting the Holy Lord, his authority had expanded. Now the Key’s monitoring range covered the entire Fuyuki City.

Just moments ago, the Key had transmitted a new message to him.

“Number of Command Spirits nearby: One.”

There was still a stray?

Roland’s gaze grew strange. He had scoured all of Fuyuki City before without finding any trace. How could one suddenly appear now?

Moreover, there was absolutely no sign of it. The influence of a Command Spirit was nearly impossible to conceal unless it was a harmless White class, but those never escaped.

Fortunately, he no longer needed to measure the distance to unknown Command Spirits step by step, as he had with Queen Killer.

Knowing the newcomer had just entered Fuyuki City was enough.

Roland snapped his fingers, and a dark shadow stretched out into fine threads, spreading wide.

“Locate all newcomers to Fuyuki City and report their status to me.”

Soon, detailed information arrived.

Seeing a figure he had met just days ago, Roland was surprised.

“So it’s that guy?”

—

At the hospital entrance, Tsuruno Matou sighed while gazing at the dim sky outside.

He was nominally head of the Matou family, but he was not without self-awareness.

Everyone knew who had caused the Matou family’s decline, and who truly controlled it. This was no secret to hide.

The family’s worsening condition, the increasingly twisted heir, and the presence of Zangetsu Matou were inextricably linked. At least, he was the main culprit.

Yet Tsuruno dared not oppose Zangetsu. At the thought of the countless insect dens, mothers and wives rendered worthless after childbirth, fear coursed through his veins. Though lacking talent, as a member of a mage family, he understood how terrifying that monster truly was.

Usually, he numbed himself with alcohol, drifting through each day. Only after news of Zangetsu’s death arrived did Tsuruno realize what it meant to truly live.

When he confirmed Sakura had voluntarily inherited the Matou family under a man’s guidance, he gave up on resistance and planned to leave immediately.

But the man, who might have killed Zangetsu, stopped him and asked him to help manage the family’s assets, offering generous payment.

For practical reasons, Tsuruno agreed. He was prepared to descend into the magical abyss but found it surprisingly easy. As long as he kept to himself, the gentleman demanded nothing more.

“Are there magi like Lord Roland among magicians?”

“I advise you not to trust such misunderstandings. It will only bring harm upon yourself.”

“Lord Roland!”

Tsuruno instinctively stepped back upon seeing Roland emerge from the shadows. Unexpectedly, Roland glanced at him once before shifting his attention to the hospital behind.

“What brings you here?”

“Uh…” Tsuruno hesitated but dared not lie. He answered honestly.

“I’m helping transfer my son, Shinji, to this hospital. According to my father’s wishes, the boy had been convalescing at a rural hospital. Since I’m mainly working in Fuyuki now, it’s more convenient to move him here.”

So this was the origin of the heir’s troubles Zangetsu had mentioned before, Roland mused as he stared at Tsuruno.

“Matou Shinji, why is he hospitalized?”

“Coma,” Tsuruno sighed. “That boy wasn’t meant to be heir. Yet he’s very gifted and interested in magecraft tomes. Zangetsu indulged him.”

“So after Sakura’s adoption, I kept it from him, hoping to ease the boy’s suffering. Until he discovered Zangetsu’s teachings to Sakura and confronted him, only to be mocked. That night, he fell into a coma. Zangetsu couldn’t find the cause. Doctors said it was acute stress, so he was hospitalized for rest.”

“Is that so?” Roland pondered. “Which room is he in? Take me to see him. If all goes well, your son might awaken today.”

“Really… thank you, Lord Roland! Thank you!” Tsuruno led the way, his excitement evident. Roland’s gaze deepened but he withheld further comment.

However, whether this Matou Shinji was truly who he seemed remained another matter.

—

Matou Shinji felt genuine pride in his surname.

Born into a family of mystical heritage, he was destined to walk this path. He bore the responsibility and duty to wield this power.

From a young age, he studied diligently.

Undeniably a prodigy, he excelled in sports, consistently surpassing others. Academically, he barely listened to teachers yet ranked among the top. Even computers, difficult for adults to grasp, he mastered easily, becoming a hacker through self-taught programming.

Had he chosen to study hard, he would have become a scientist. Pursuing art, he’d be a renowned artist. Delving deeper into programming, he’d become a top hacker. A brilliant future lay before him, whatever path he chose.

But he cared for none of these. He only wished to become a magician.

Whenever free, he plunged into the Matou family library, devouring all knowledge of spells and theory like a sponge.

Because he was gifted, he must bear the responsibilities he deserved. Magician was, without doubt, his cherished path.

Until the girl appeared. He only learned after some time she was the true heir.

His father, grandfather, and that girl had kept him in the dark.

How laughable—he had thought the girl was ostracized and tried to use his status to ensure she received more care.

That ignorant kindness probably seemed comical to her. A discarded failure daring to compete with the true heir of the Matou family.

To his grandfather and father, all his efforts were a living joke.

He had searched desperately for answers, only for his father to pityingly reveal the truth.

From birth, he lacked the magic circuits necessary to use magecraft.

Without this talent, no matter how well he understood theory or knowledge, he couldn’t wield the mystical arts.

Shattered pride and surrounded by betrayal, Shinji’s twisted obsession to become a magician twisted into deep jealousy, engulfing him completely.

If he could not fill this void, if his jealousy did not fade, he would surely face a tragic end.

He was certain of this but remained unwilling to accept it. He even dared to ask his feared grandfather for guidance.

But his grandfather’s eyes mocked him.

“Give up. You have no talent.”

Zangetsu Matou pronounced his grandson’s future.

“You only need to live like an ordinary person, without worry. Grow up and pass on the Matou bloodline. The powerless must live as the powerless do. You only need to live parasitically off the talented like a louse to survive happily.”

Everything he had was denied. Shinji sank into despair, accepting his lack of talent.

He could achieve success envied by others, but would never earn the ticket to the path he desired.

Yet even empty-handed, he had wishes.

If gods existed, he would offer everything to them.

“I want to have talent.”

In his dreams, he repeated this twisted desire until he was chosen.

Endless talent engulfed his soul, personality, worldview, and memories entirely. Yet he embraced it willingly.

For his emptiness was filled. Now, he possessed talent.

“As long as this child wakes, I will say no more to him. If he can hold onto hope, I will accept any way he chooses to live.”

Tsuruno looked at his son, his voice heavy.

“Is that so? But this child likely won’t just have hope—he may become hope itself. The only prerequisite is that he finds the savior who pulled him from talent’s abyss.”

Roland gazed at Shinji lying dormant in the hospital bed, withdrew the nearly escaped Command Spirit, and let his eyes linger on the name and the boy.

— Command Spirit [Kamiza Shukuryu, Super High School-Level Hope] has been recovered.

(End of chapter)