Indeed, it seed like the affection points had been misplaced...
Recalling Saber's eerie smile before she left and her attempt to tousle Sakatsuki's hair, the young man couldn't help but shiver.
If she had fallen in love, Saber should have felt shy, right? Could it be that the descriptions in 'Fate/stay night' were inaccurate, and the Red Dragon of Britain was actually a carnivorous girlfriend?
Using a slightly teasing guess to numb himself, Sakatsuki watched the retreating figures of Saber and the others, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table.
He had already inford Kiritsugu about the rger of the Matou and Tohsaka families. Compared to the Einzbern Castle, which had lost its master, the peaceful Fuyuki City was clearly more suitable for their lives.
Saber would follow Kiritsugu and the others to Fuyuki City, settle down completely, and then end this journey, returning to the hill of her defeat.
The legend of King Arthur would thus co to an end, but the story of the girl knight was just beginning.
Just like Sakatsuki now.
Behind the contemplative young man, the magical circuits activated, and pale blue magical particles flowed through the intricate pipes. The strange phenonon of technology and magecraft intertwined illuminated the dim workshop.
"Kiritsugu and the others have left. Let us continue our previous discussion—tell , where is the Third Magic?"
"Haven't you realized it yet? The Third Magic you have been tirelessly pursuing is right before your eyes." Sakatsuki turned around, smiling at the massive central system that lacked a human form. "Acht, or rather—Jubstacheit."
By now, few knew this secret: in fact, "Jubstacheit" was the artificial intelligence created by the disciples of the Third Magician to control the castle's central system. It was also the father of all homunculi created by the Einzberns, while "Acht" was the eighth-generation humanoid terminal created by "Jubstacheit."
His personality no longer existed. At best, he was an entity that operated the castle, implanting the necessary "humanity" into each generation of humanoid terminals, allowing them to mimic human behavior. His essence was that of an automaton that "could never progress but would continue to function forever." His existence was like an ancient clock that recorded ti every mont, fading from people's mories long before its own destruction.
Another secret was that when Illya, the homunculus representing the pinnacle of Einzbern's technology, also failed, Jubstacheit would abandon the Greater Grail, shut down its power, and completely end the mission of the Einzbern family.
Now, the winner of the Fourth Holy Grail War did not belong to the Einzberns, and Illya, who carried the hope of the Fifth Holy Grail War, had been taken away by her parents. If Sakatsuki had not found the core of "Jubstacheit" in advance and proposed a deal, the Winter Castle would have already beco a dead zone.
Only one thing could make the AI central system change its rules—the supre magic its creators sought: the Third Magic.
"So, you are the holder of the Third Magic?" The AI's voice was emotionless, but the accelerated mana particles in its 'veins' indicated that it was increasing its computational power. "Based on your current combat performance, you are inferred to be an Imaginary Number Magus, with no traces of the Third Magic."
"Then, how about now?"
As the voice rang out, a white-gold light desepelled the darkness from the workshop.
Before Jubstacheit, the young man bathed in the miracle known as 'Magic,' gradually revealing a tall and straight figure. The immaturity on his face faded, returning to his most powerful youthful form.
The Third Magic—Materialization of the Soul.
This was the result of Sakatsuki's exploration last night. If this body was truly what Sakatsuki had hoped for, then the manipulation of the soul would also be reflected on the body—yes, this instantaneous transformation from adolescence to peak condition was the miracle that the Third Magic could achieve.
"Then, does this et your approval, Jubstacheit?" The young man, now identical to when he participated in the Holy Grail War, bowed with a deanor that could not be ignored. "Do you acknowledge that I can carry the torch of those seekers?"
Without the need for contemplation, the central system that maintained the entire Winter Castle answered:
"Then, we acknowledge the validity of your existence. You shall carry the long cherished wish of our creators and continue to pursue the star hanging in the sky."
With the AI's final declaration, its light dimd, as if exerting its last effort to deliver a chip infused with countless intricate patterns to the young man's hand.
"The century-old wish of the Einzbern family hereby cos to an end. The magical barrier will be lifted in twenty-four hours, and everything in the Winter Castle will self-destruct. If you have any needs, feel free to take them."
With that, the central system in this secret workshop fell into eternal silence. After tomorrow, the story of the Einzbern family would be like a dream discarded upon waking.
"Farewell, Jubstacheit." Sakatsuki put away the chip, turning away without hesitation.
Aside from the location indicated by the mysterious treasure map, this chip would be Sakatsuki's greatest harvest—it was the highest authority key of the Einzbern family, storing all the magical knowledge of the Einzberns. It was also the key to unlocking the storage vault. Over the past century, the precious magical material reserves of the Einzberns were sothing only soone who could witness with one's own eyes could truly appreciate.
Of course, the treasures of the Einzbern family were not limited to these inanimate objects. The homunculi created with precious materials and technology also held imnse value.
For example, being bought by magi to beco servants, tools, test subjects... Sakatsuki's golden eyes darkened for a mont.
He had never underestimated the cold-bloodedness of magi, but the mystery of these homunculi also did not allow them to circulate into society.
So—could he adopt these homunculi?
"Or rather, am I willing to adopt them?" Sakatsuki shook his head as if mocking himself.
In the past, he might have taken in a few homunculi servants to take care of his daily needs.
But after obtaining the second component from the Einzbern Castle in the mysterious treasure map, he had abandoned that thought.
To Sakatsuki, homunculi were now worthless.
"Co forth, Shadow of the Imaginary Number."
A horned beast's shadow rose from the ground, growing larger as Sakatsuki walked down the corridor. The beast's head silently laughed, eventually devoured even the flickering candlelight on the walls.
Struggling to conceal the indifference in his eyes, Sakatsuki, gradually reverting to his youthful form, softly said:
"All organic life forms in the Winter Castle are yours. Devour them and reduce them to their most fundantal state."
...
...
...
Several hours later, the white-haired, golden-eyed youth slowly walked out of the Einzbern Castle, his footsteps echoing endlessly in the hollow castle.
"Then, the next destination is... here, London, England, the Clock Tower."
***
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