akikan 40. Tanuki. 278-286

Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan 279 Saber: "I need a heir"

As expected, Tamazuki's words touched Saber's nerve, yet how could it not be?

The Battle of Camlann destroyed everything.

Under Arturia's rule, it wouldn't be weird for her kingdom to start to invade Gauls and Frankish. Moreover, her chance of victory would be high, yet

due to the Battle of Camlann, everything disappeared, and all her countrymen died, so she needed to start over.

However, Tamazuki said that this Battle of Camlann was a good thing; how could she not be angry?!

"Calm down and listen to my explanation first."

Tamazuki held Saber's shoulders and forced her to sit down. Even though she was reluctant, she followed his words, but her expression was still far from good.

"If you don't give me a good reason, then don't blame me for getting angry.

Frankly, her threat was kind of cute, but even if she wanted to do unreasonable things, she couldn't do it, and she also didn't wish to. Moreover, even though his words made her angry, she also knew that he wouldn't say something without a good reason.

"I know. I know."

Still, while Saber felt that the Battle of Camlann had ruined everything, Tamazuki felt that it was otherwise.

The Battle of Camlann might destroy all the development that had been done by Arturia, but at the same time, it also cleaned up her Kingdom from the mice, pests, and all other harmful beings.

Arturia's ruler might be good for her subjects and bring them prosperity, yet what about the nobles?

"Nobles..."

Saber's expression became difficult.

She knew that her ruler wasn't absolute and there were many powerful nobles under her. Unlike her subjects, that loved her, those nobles hated her so much.

Why?

It was because she tried to make the position of peasants better.

Those who were the ruler, like the nobles, hoped for their people to be stupid. They hoped that they would continue to live under them without thinking and live day by day without changing, without hope, and continued to be ignorant.

However, Arturia changed all of that and threatened the position of the nobles in her country.

It was also for this reason that Mordred, who was the initiator of the Battle of Camlann, could gather so many people under her. It was those nobles who gave all of their soldiers to Mordred in the hope of killing Arturia, so they could continue to control the stupid subjects and live a comfortable and easy life.

"Do you think as long as you let Lancelot and Guinevere elope, everything will be okay? Even without them, those nobles won't let you go, and your battle with the nobles is inevitable. By then, even if you start over, you will still kill your countrymen."

"....."

Saber couldn't say anything since Tamazuki was correct.

For those nobles, she was a sinner since being a good king definitely wasn't a good thing for their interest.

Probably, many people talked badly about her, like she wasn't fit to become a king or someone who didn't understand the feeling of others was all initiated by those nobles.

Her ruler, reformation, and everything were good for her country, but it was bad for the nobles.

"However, the Battle of Camlann erases all the threats within your country. You are the only voice, and you can comfortably develop your country without worry."

Saber opened her lips and closed them again, unable to say a single word, but she knew that Tamazuki was correct. In her eyes, this battle was nothing but a tragedy, but at the same time, it was also a chance for her to make her country better.

Even though everything had to start over, the future of England definitely was on the right track with the disappearance of those stinky nobles.

However, even if she knew that it was still hard for her to accept everything since her obsession with joining the Holy Grail was to save England, stopping the tragedy known as the Battle of the Camlann, so it didn't happen once again.

Yet, she didn't expect this tragedy itself to be a chance for England to grow even more prosperous.

Saber should have denied him, but she wasn't naive, and she understood that what he had said was correct. It was also because it was correct. She didn't know what to do.

"...Tamazuki, what do you think I should do?"

By now, she believed him, and she knew that she should have a solution to help her.

"First is to have a partner that you can trust, but this isn't a problem for you since you have a lot of trusted people who still serve you and trust you even with what has happened, right?"

Saber thought about those remaining knights under her and showed a soft smile.

"As for those who have left, ignore them and leave them since having someone who can't even be loyal and trust you isn't worth it."

Whether it was Lancelot and those knights who left because they thought Saber was unable to understand human nature, Tamazuki felt that they were stupid!

What is a knight?

They were nothing but someone that was paid by their master!

How dare they touch something that was owned by their master or mock their master?

Tamazuki felt that there was something wrong with their heads, and at the same time, he also felt that Saber was too kind. Moreover, this kindness was something that they were taken for granted, and they felt that they could do anything since they knew Saber wouldn't punish them, yet they forgot whether it was their status, money, or everything was all from Saber!

If they lost that, what would they be?

If they lost all of that, they wouldn't be much different from peasants!

Frankly, Tamazuki felt samurai were better since if they dishonored their master; they would commit "Seppuku," a suicide ritual.

Meanwhile, those knights would run away, cower in fear, or pretend that they didn't do anything wrong.

Though he had a say, while some of Saber's knights were insolent, the majority of them could be trusted, and they were those who could help her to build her kingdom after the Battle of the Camlann.

Saber was quiet as she listened to him. She felt happy since she was understood by someone. While she knew that she should be inhuman to become a perfect king, she was still a human, and it would be impossible if her heart wasn't affected by the betrayal of the people she trusted.

Suddenly, a thought emerged in her head.

Could you come with me?

While their first meeting was awkward, Saber could see that he thought of her, and she was happy to have someone who could understand her to be by her side.

'No! No! No!'

Saber quickly shook her head, feeling slightly hot for some reason, and didn't realize she was blushing. "Then, is that what I only need to do?"

"No, there is one more."

"What is it?"

"You need an heir."

"...what?"

"Heir."

"...." Saber.

"So get pregnant and have a child."

"..." Saber.

Saber wanted to say something, but she knew that Tamazuki was correct. She needed to make an heir. After all, if she died, then her country would be in ruin since it was impossible for her knights to rule England, considering each of them had their own opinions, and they might clash, causing another civil war.

Somehow, she turned and looked at him.

He also looked at her.

The atmosphere between them became ambiguous and their eyes seemed to communicate with each other, but then, Saber's body was tense since the door of the room was opened.

"Ah, um..."

Irisviel was there, looking at Tamazuki with shy, yet complicated mood.

Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan Chapter 278 Tamazuki's outrageous explanation | Patreon

"Your wish isn't hard to realize. In other words, you just want to have another chance to start over, right?"

Start over.

Everything would be restarted from the beginning, where everything had just started.

Saber was stunned, but then she nodded. "Yes. I want to start over." She wanted to start over when she just pulled her sword and began her journey once again, then led her country to become great again.

Yet, she also wondered whether this was okay since it also meant that she wasn't going to respect the lives of others.

Due to her selfishness, they would be killed again since she wanted to start over.

In other words, their lives were nothing.

If it was an RPG game, they were just NPC that no one needed to care about or remember.

Their lives were cheap and could be discarded at any time.

Frankly, Saber's wish was a normal thing.

After all, who was among anyone who didn't have any regrets?

Even those who hadn't passed away would regret their youth, thinking that they could be better or something, right?

Saber's wish was something like that.

"This wish is possible since as long as you get the Holy Grail, you will gain access to the Root, and you can master The Fifth Magic, which is capable of you to time travel to the past, giving you a chance to start over."

With the Holy Grail, Saber's wish was easy to realize.

Saber was stunned since Tamazuki told her that her wish was easy to realize and it was humane enough since there was no need to kill all the mankind that was listed as a threat in the world.

Nevertheless, in the eyes of Iskandar and Gilgamesh, the original disdained such a wish since Saber's wish would make the struggle of the people under her mean nothing, and she did this wish for her selfishness.

Yet, was Saber wrong?

Tamazuki knew that there was no right or wrong in this problem. It was just a matter of position, and could the opinion of others affect other's life?

The life experiences of Alexander, Gilgamesh, and Arturia were different, so their views of life were also different. Nevertheless, whether Alexander or Gilgamesh were kings, so once Arturia's opinion was different from theirs, they would refute her. Moreover, they had an advantage in numbers, so they made Arturia's wish wrong by standing in a high place with a high moral attitude that her wish would trample the lives of her subjects.

However, the reality?

It was them who were wrong, and Arturia's way of ruling was correct.

If Gilgamesh and Alexander were in this present time, then they would have been killed by their subjects already. Lastly, as a king, why should they pretend like they cared about the lives of their subjects?

Frankly, Tamazuki could tell that Gilgamesh and Alexander didn't care much, but a king was impossible not to have self-esteem, and Saber's correct and righteous way of ruling was correct, and their way of ruling was wrong, so they attacked Saber at the same time.

Moreover, in reality, even a king, emperor, czar, raja, and many others must have a regret or two, and if they were given a chance to start over, who could confidently say that no one was unwilling?

"...Tamazuki, do you think is this alright for me to ask such a wish?" Saber asked quietly.

"Why are you hesitating now?"

"I mean... by starting over, then many of those who have died will die once again, and... I don't have the confidence to protect them..."

Even with the knowledge of the future, Saber didn't have confidence that she could protect everyone, especially those who had died. Even in the past, she didn't appear to grieve, and her face was as emotionless as a robot; who knew what she felt inside?

She had to appear so since England needed a perfect king, and that's what she did.

However, everyone tried to force their understanding like they knew everything.

Tamazuki sighed inwardly and thought that Arturia was full of tragic fate.

"There is nothing wrong or correct in your wish. Everyone has their own views, and we are all different, so asking me that kind of question is meaningless."

"....."

Saber fell in silence since Tamazuki was correct.

"So, let me give you a question." Tamazuki was at ease, then asked her calmly. "Do you wish to start over?"

"Yes."

This was the best way, she thought.

"In case you have started over, have you found a way to stop all the tragedy in England and stop its destruction?"

"That's..."

Saber fell in silence for a moment.

If she was given a chance to start over, what should she do?

Would she still do it the same way? Yes.

After all, she felt that her way was correct, especially when she could bring England to a prosperous age with her previous way, so why should she hesitate?

Yet she knew that there was one big problem.

"...I will let Guinevere go with Lancelot."

Everything started because of Guinevere and Lancelot, so as long as she relationship before it was released by the others, then the Battle of Camlann wouldn't start, right?

As long as the matter of Guinevere and Lancelot was solved, then everything was good.

"...so you let your wife elope with your knight?"

"Yes."

Saber nodded righteously.

"....."

Tamazuki's lips twitched.

It was fortunate Arturia was a female.

If Arturia was a male, then he would wish to kill Guinevere and Lancelot, who had betrayed him.

"Arturia, I think that you overestimate the potential of love."

"... overestimate? What do you mean?" Saber was confused.

"Whether Guinevere and Lancelot might appear to love each other, but will they still be in the future?"

"Of course!" Saber felt the love of the two had potential.

"I don't think so."

"Why?" Saber was confused.

"The reason why Guinevere falls for Lancelot is because Lancelot is your strongest knight. He is filled with valor and bravery, but once his status as your knight disappears, what is he? A vagabond. A guy with nothing. Moreover, due to their elope, no one dares to hire them since hiring them means that they are afraid to offend you even though you don't think so. L

"Moreover, Lancelot is the only proficient in the fight. As for the others, can he farm, do business, or do other things? In the worst case, he might become a bandit that causes unrest in your kingdom, and that way, he will be targeted by you and the nobles in your kingdom.

Lastly, who will trust a knight that elopes with the wife of his master?

Who can trust such a man?

"This is Lancelot; then what about Guinevere? As a former Queen who stands above many people, is she going to be satisfied to have a humble life?"

Tamazuki didn't think so since Guinevere was a Queen. Her life was super easy without any problems, and all of her needs were given by Arturia, so in case she was thrown into a hard life, could she bear it?

Well, he didn't deny that there was a miracle where two people could support each other because of love, yet as he had said before if Lancelot and Guinevere didn't have their status from Arturia, what they have?

After all, not everyone could be like him, who could get everything so easily.

If Guinevere lost her status, wealth, and everything, could she still love Lancelot?

Moreover, could Lancelot continue to love Guinevere even if he lost everything from his status, rich, and everything?

There was no way to answer this question.

Even Lancelot and Guinevere also couldn't answer since only time could give them an answer.

Even in primitive civilizations, love needed to be realistic.

"....."

Saber opened her mouth wide as she heard his explanation.

If Guinevere and Lancelot lost everything, could their love be as strong as ever?

Saber didn't know since she didn't have any experience with love, but if she was in such a position, she believed that she could live a humble life with the one that she loved, yet the others were different, especially those nobles who her kingdom.

Lastly, Saber knew Guinevere had a pampered life. Still, she wanted to argue, yet he beat her first, and his words were so outrageous that she couldn't believe it.

"Saber, I know that it might be strange, but I think the Battle of Camlann is a good thing, you know?"

"....."

If possible, Saber wanted to smash Tamazuki's head with the pommel of Excalibur. Unfortunately, she couldn't do it.

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Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan Chapter 280 Irisviel is tempted | Patreon

Irisviel, who had woken up and flinched since that night, was quite rough for her. She was like a lone ship under the storm. Her body wasn't like hers anymore, and it was like she had given her everything to him, screaming, moaning like an animal.

Even when she was with her husband, she had never shown such a shameful appearance, or rather, at that time, she forgot her husband.

During this war, she had been disappointed by her husband many times, but she still trusted him since she was her wife. She was even willing to give her body to Tamazuki, so she could stay alive and help her husband to realize his dream.

World peace.

The world without sadness, cry, and war.

The world that he sought after.

Irisviel wanted to help her husband to realize it, so she had to stay alive.

Fortunately, Tamazuki was lustful, and her plan was successful.

Yet, she was afraid if this continued, she might not be able to leave him, and her love for her husband might vanish, forgetting everything and just enjoying their time together.

However, this thought scared her, and somehow she was glad that the first person she saw when she opened her eyes wasn't Tamazuki. She looked around, and only Scheherazade.

"You have woken up?"

Scheherazade's voice was quiet and beautiful.

"Yes."

While Irisviel was still weak, her body felt better since his semen could give her energy, and she had drunk it several times before with Saber and Scheherazade.

"...has he always been this fierce?"

"Yes." Scheherazade flushed and nodded. "He is good, right? With him around, I have almost forgotten about my husband."

"...you have a husband?" Irisviel was dumbfounded.

"Before I became a Servant, I was married."

While Scheherazade didn't reveal her identity, she told Irisviel that she had married Irisviel. Nevertheless, she knew that Tamazuki loved a married woman, and she knew her position in his heart was irreplaceable.

"...."

Irisviel wasn't sure why, but she felt relief for some reason.

Still, there was one thing that she needed to ask as soon as possible.

"...Saber?"

"She should be with him."

"...with him?"

Irisviel's expression became gloomy since she knew this meant bad for her and her husband. If Saber could be tamed by Tamazuki, then how should they win this Holy Grail?

Or rather, was there even a possibility of winning this Holy Grail from him?

"It's better you should give up. Instead of your husband, who will sacrifice you sooner for his dream, it is better to be with him. You don't hate to be with him, right?"

Scheherazade felt that Irisviel was pitiful.

Irisviel was born for the Holy Grail, and she would die for the Holy Grail.

Nevertheless, her husband had never thought to protect her, and he only thought about his child-like dream, which was simply impossible to realize.

For such a dream, Kiritsugu might as well not wake up from his dream.

Tamazuki told the history of all of the Masters to Scheherazade, so naturally, she understood Kiritsugu's nature. Frankly, for Irisviel's husband to be this man, Scheherazade wondered whether she was born under the unlucky star.

Irisviel lowered her head and didn't say anything.

Kiritsugu was her husband and the one that she had stayed with the most, so it was impossible for her love to disappear from those words, yet this war made her open her eyes to what kind of person her husband was, and she will also be weakened when she thought how he held her before.

"I have heard you have a daughter."

"...what are you doing to do?!"

While her body was weak, as a mother, Irisviel was strong. Her husband aside, her daughter was her bottom line, and someone who dared to touch her daughter, even if they were a god, she would fight them!

"With your situation, your daughter should have inherited the problem in your body. If you become his woman, you should be able to live freely with your daughter without worry."

"..."

Those words seemed to touch her heart instantly.

Irisviel knew that her daughter had a problem, and like her, her daughter's age was limited. More importantly, even if her daughter was in her eight, her body was still small, as if she had never grown.

Even if she wanted to do something, she was powerless, and her father (creator) wouldn't allow her to meet her daughter until she won the Holy Grail War.

Or rather, by going to this war, she had prepared not to meet her daughter anymore.

In this war, she prepared to give up her life, yet someone told her that she could still have a chance to live with her daughter freely, without worrying about the problem with their bodies.

How could she not be tempted?

The only problem was the price.

The price of all of this was to betray her husband and be his woman.

However, if she had to be honest, she didn't have resistance to being his woman. He could tell that he treated her dearly and at the same time also roughly, especially in a bed.

While she knew that it was quite bad for her to say this, she loved to be treated roughly like what he did to her instead of what her husband usually did to her.

"You don't need to think about this matter in a short time. You will be with us anyway."

"...you won't let me go?"

"You should know what is inside your body, right? Do you think he will let you go? For him not to kill you is already the greatest treatment."

Irisviel showed a wry smile, feeling helpless.

However, she knew that Scheherazade was correct, and she knew as long as Tamazuki didn't kill her, it was already the greatest compromise, yet at the same time, she also believed that he could let her go. The only problem was the price.

Well, she had given her body, so whatever he requested, she didn't really mind.

Whatever the posture, costumes, role-play, candle, whip, or anything else, Irisviel believed that she would do her best!

Scheherazade looked at Irisviel from the corner of her eyes and knew that Irisivel didn't give up on meeting her husband. Irisviel was probably going to use a trick or two, but somehow she felt that Tamazuki would allow Irisviel to do so.

She let out a long sigh, but she knew that even if Tamazuki let Irisviel go, it didn't mean he would really let her go. She knew her man had a lot of tricks, and letting go of Irisviel was just one of his stratagems in this war known as a love war.

Frankly, if Tamazuki's target was a single woman, then it might be easy. Unfortunately, her Master's taste was a married woman, so his journey definitely wasn't easy. However, no matter what, she was going to support him.

The two stayed in bed for a moment, trying to recover for a moment before they got up together, walking out to the room.

However, Irisviel was in shock, especially when she saw how close Tamazuki and Saber were.

It was just a single night, yet their relationship had changed so much.

However, Irisviel didn't give up since there was still a chance to change everything.

Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan Chapter 281 Where is the Lesser Grail? | Patreon

"I-Irisviel..."

Saber felt strangely awkward and was unable to look at Irisviel directly since she felt guilty for some reason. She was summoned to the Holy Grail as a Saber, and as a knight, she vowed to protect her Master, yet here she was, being chummy with the opponent.

"Saber..."

Irisviel also felt awkward but, at the same time, disappointed. She thought that Saber might be able to hold on and still believe in her and her husband, but she knew that it was impossible to do, especially when she thought about her husband's conduct and the relationship between Saber and her husband.

Saber and Kiritsugu were like water and fire.

If they talked to each other, then without a doubt, it would lead to an argument.

Nevertheless, Irisviel also wasn't surprised at why Saber had fallen so far. If she didn't have a husband, then she might follow Saber, but she had a husband. Even if she knew her husband's face was like this, she had decided to follow her husband even if Saber didn't follow her.

However, Irisviel also knew it was impossible for Saber to follow her, especially when the contract between Saber and her husband had been lost and stolen by Tamazuki.

"You have come at the right time."

"Eh?"

Irisviel was confused.

"Come here. There is something that I need to take out from your body."

"....."

Irisviel fell in silence before she let out a sigh since she knew this war was already futile. The winner of this war was, without a doubt, the young man in front of her, yet could he really take out the thing inside her body?

"Are you going to kill me now?"

"Huh?"

Saber was confused, then asked, "Tamazuki, what did she mean?"

"She thought I was going to kill her."

His answer was so plain that Irisivel and Saber were confused, making them wonder whether he would really kill Irisviel.

"...kill? Are you going to kill Irisviel?"

Saber was confused since Tamazuki's face wasn't like someone who was about to kill someone, or rather his face was like an exasperated or exhausted face who faced an idiotic person.

"Saber, did you know about the Lesser Grail?"

"...Lesser Grail?"

"Before we summon the Holy Grail, the Lesser Grail is needed to bait and hold all the energy that is absorbed from the killed Servants. So the question is, where is that Lesser Grail?"

His words were clear, and Saber, who wasn't stupid, instantly understood everything. "...Irisviel?"

"Yes, she is the Lesser Grail. She was born as a Lesser Grail of this Holy Grail War, so if you want the Holy Grail and realize your dream, you need to kill her. Can you do that now? To realize your dream by killing the person that you have promised to protect."

"...."

Saber couldn't say a single word since this fact wasn't something that she wanted to hear.

Did it mean that she needed to kill Irisviel if she wanted the Holy Grail?

"...why?"

Saber's voice was shaky as she asked that question to Irisviel.

If she knew about that fact, then what was the point of getting the Holy Grail?

How could she, as a knight would, sacrifice the person that she wished to protect for her selfish desire?

Yet, at the same time, her expression was ugly as she realized many things were hidden from her.

Was she really that unreliable?

Did they not trust her so much?

In the end, what was she?

Was she just a tool for them to realize their dream?

Not only Kiritsugu but Saber also felt betrayed by Irisviel.

Irisviel was quite awkward since she knew her secret was easily revealed by Tamazuki.

The two fell in silence, and neither of them knew what they should say.

"Well, even if she tells you there is nothing that you can do since Irisviel is destined to die in this Holy Grail."

"But you won't let her, right?"

Saber quickly caught his point and looked at him with a knowing smile since she knew his personality well.

"..."

Tamazuki's lips twitched and wondered why Saber trusted him so much.

Did she not remember what he did last night?

Was this Stockholm syndrome?

It was said that the feeling of love and fear were quite similar to each other since they made one's heart beat so fast, so one often mistook the two feelings, and sometimes, people used a fear to make someone fall in love too.

Nevertheless, he should focus on Irisviel first.

"Come here."

Irisviel looked at Tamazuki and wasn't sure what to say at that moment.

Was he going to remove the Lesser Grail from her body?

But, how?

Or rather, wasn't her entire body the Lesser Grail itself?

Yet, facing Tamazuki, Irisviel didn't have a choice and walked toward him obidently.

"Irisviel, did Kiritsugu know about your situation?"

Saber couldn't help but ask since if Kiritsugu knew about Irisviel whose body was created for a Lesser Grail, then Kiritsugu shouldn't stay silent and let his wife be sacrificed for the Holy Grail, right?

"No, he knows."

"...he knows?!" Saber was dumbfounded, then her feeling became that of anger. "He knows, yet he still let you come here? Letting you die?!" She couldn't help but raise her voice and got angry at Kiritsugu.

She knew that Kiritsugu's way of life was definitely the opposite of her and she wouldn't accept such a way of life. His way of life was disgusting in her eyes, especially when she saw how callous he was that he could even sacrifice his wife for so called empty dream of the Holy Grail.

"...don't say that Saber..." Irisivel was awkward once again, but she felt her heart was clenched tightly since this was the truth. "...that man... my husband... he bears something that no one has experienced. He is a pitiful man."

"Even so, it didn't change the fact that he had sacrificed you!"

No matter how tragic Kiritsugu's life was, it didn't change the fact that Kiritsugu was ready to sacrifice the life of her wife.

Irisviel wanted to say something, trying to help her husband, but Tamazuki stopped her. "Let's talk later. I want to take the Lesser Grail from your body first."

"....."

This time, Irisviel fell in silence again and looked at Tamazuki. "Tamazuki-kun, before you take out the Lesser Gral from my body... can you tell me your wish?"

"My wish?"

"Yes, I want to know what your wish is after you get your hand on the Holy Grail."

Tamazuki raised his brows, then said, "I just want to become powerful by getting into the "Root," gaining all the knowledge and phenomenon in the world." It wasn't a wish, but what he planned to do. Moreover, he wasn't like any others, who wanted to rely on others to realize their wish. He only believed in his strength to get everything.

By gaining Holy Grail, and getting access to the "Root," he would become stronger.

That's all.

Whether Scheherazade and Saber didn't feel surprised by Tamazuki's wish since they knew as long as he became powerful, he could help them to realize their dreams, or rather, after talking with him, they realized by his side was probably their wish.

While Scheherazade could be honest with that feeling, Saber was a bit embarrassed since it was her first time to have such a feeling.

However, Irisviel fell in silence once again then said, "Then, if that's the case, can you give the Holy Grail to my husband? I will give you my everything, so please!"

"..."

___-_____________________-_____________________-___________-______________________-_____________________-___________Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan Chapter 282 Irisviel has given up | Patreon

"...."

"????"

After a momentary daze, whether it was Tamazuki, Scheherazade, or Saber, they fell at a loss for a while.

However, Tamazuki quickly calmed down and then asked, "Since you have said, then you think that the wish of your husband must be better, right?"

If there was a reason why Irisviel said something like that, then it meant Irisviel thought Kiritsugu's wish was better than Tamazuki's.

Irisviel was stunned at how ease Tamazuki faced her, yet at the same time, she knew how outrageous her words were. After all, the Holy Grail was as good as his, especially when he got his hand on the Lesser Grail.

"Yes."

"Oh... then, tell me what your husband's wish is."

"World peace."

Irisviel said confidence, as if Kiritsugu's dream would move everyone's heart.

Yet—

Saber and Scheherazade were at a loss when they heard it.

However, Tamazuki was as calm as ever. "That's a good wish. Your husband must have a kind heart to use his wish for others instead of himself."

Was it sarcasm?

Even so, Irisviel decided to ignore it since she thought that Tamazuki didn't believe her, yet wasn't it normal? Unlike her, Tamazuki and Kiritsugu had never met each other, and it was normal for him not to believe in Kiritsugu.

So, to make him believe, Irisivel told him about the story of Kiritsigu from childhood until he became her husband.

It started with a boy who wished to become a hero of justice before being forced to kill his father. Then, he continued on this path, killing, killing, killing, and killing. He killed people to save the others. By killing the minority, he would save the majority. His way of saving people was just simple math. He chose more people instead of the lesser people.

Then, in the end, Kiritsugu was forced to kill his foster mother, then continued his life until he met Irisviel and became a father.

Irisviel felt sorry for her husband and thought that her husband was a pitiful man that needed to be saved.

Yet for Saber and Scheherazade, their expressions were far from good.

Saving a majority in exchange for the minority?

As long as it was for the majority, Kiritsugu could even kill his wife and even daughter.

For such a man... they could only shudder when they thought Kiritsugu might get his hand on the Holy Grail, especially when Tamazuki explained the operation of the Holy Grail when it was going to realize their wishes.

If Kiritsugu wished for world peace... whether Saber or Scheherazade shuddered.

"Irisviel, Kiritsugu can't get his hand on the Holy Grail!"

Saber couldn't control her emotions anymore and stopped Irisviel.

"Huh?!"

Irisviel was confused since she thought that they were going to move, but... why did they seem to be agitated?

"Saber, calm down. Not everyone understands how the Holy Grail operates, after all. Let me explain. You are not good at this."

"..."

Saber pursed her lips, but she didn't argue with him since she knew the matter of feeling was her weakness. If she said something directly, Irisviel might not accept it and even fight her. Their relationship was good, and she didn't want to make it bad due to Kiritsugu.

Frankly, Saber felt that Irisviel might as well be with Tamazuki instead of Kiritsugu since she even doubted whether Kiritsugu loved Irisviel to begin with.

"Irisviel, Kiritsugu's dream is good since with world peace, no one in the world will be crying or sad due to the war and other tragedies."

Irisviel nodded and felt relief since it seemed Tamazuki agreed, but—

"But do Kiritsugu know how to realize his dream?"

"...eh?" Irisviel showed a confused expression. "...how to realize his dream? Don't we just need to ask that wish to the Holy Grail, then it will realize our dream?"

"....."

Whether Scheherazade or Saber fell silent, especially Saber since she realized how stupid she was.

Was there even such a convenient tool that existed to begin with?

To realize the wish of everyone...

The Holy Grail was capable of doing that, but the method...

"How to say... the meaning of that wish is too broad."

"...broad?"

"And Holy Grail can only work where one's wish is detailed. Now, the question is, if Kiritsugu wishes for world peace, what will the Holy Grail do?"

"..."

Irisviel couldn't answer and fell into confusion. "...wh-what will it do?"

"Based on your story and understanding of Kiritsugu, then the answer is simple." Tamazuki calmly looked at Irisviel and said, "Erase all the living beings in the world."

"..."

His tones were plain, yet they sent so much dread and impact into their hearts.

"Wh-Why it is like that?! There is no way that it will become like that, right?"

"Then, do you want the world to erase all the negative emotions in the people, letting them only have a good emotion, so when someone sees another kill another, they will smile and let bygone be bygone?"

"..."

"Or control everyone's minds, so all the people will become a mindless doll that will follow the order?"

"....."

"All of those methods can bring world peace, right?"

"..."

They couldn't argue with him since his words were correct.

All of those cruel methods could really bring world peace.

If Kiritsugu really got his hand on the Holy Grail, then...

Irisviel shuddered and couldn't imagine the future. She wanted to believe that it was a lie from him, but she also knew... was there even a point to lie to her?

For him, she was nothing but a woman that he was interested in. He might get bored with her, and at that time... however, she also felt that it might be good.

"Tamazuki-kun, can you promise me something?"

"What's wrong?"

"I will stay with you. No, I will be yours."

Irisviel had made up her mind to give her everything to him. "I will give you my everything, but I hope that you won't touch Kiritsugu." Even though he might be gentle with a woman, he was ruthless toward the same gender. No one doubted that Tamazuki would kill Kiritsugu.

Or rather, if Tamazuki wanted to, he should be able to kill Kiritsugu immediately.

"Okay, I promise."

Anyway, even if he didn't do anything, Kiritsugu was already dying.

"But... is the Holy Grail really that way?"

"Yes." Tamazuki nodded. "It is without a doubt the Holy Grail can realize your wish, whatever it is, but at the same time, you need to think of the proper method on how to realize your dream. If you just ask that, then depending on the personality of the wisher, then the Holy Grail will realize that wish."

Depending on the personality of the wisher... if Kiritsugu was the wisher, then there was no doubt all the living beings would die, and by then, world peace would be achieved.

Irisviel was helpless. "Then, when are you going to take the Lesser Grail?"

"I will take it now."

Tamazuki put his hands on Irisviel's breasts.

"...." Everyone.

Still, his expression was solemn, so no one said anything.

Then, a bright light illuminated the entire room, and a small cup emerged from Irisviel's body.

Irisviel felt that her body was weak, but then energy suddenly filled her body and erased that feeling of weakness.

While holding Irisviel on his arm, Tamazuki put the Lesser Grail on his body, and it was over.

"...that's it?"

Saber couldn't help but ask.

"Yes."

Tamazuki nodded. "Okay, let's rest. It is morning already. I will prepare breakfast. By the way, can you turn on the television? I want to hear the news."

"Ah, um, how do you turn on the television?" Irisviel asked innocently.

"....."

Scheherazade walked and turned on the television with a remote, but—

"You don't need to worry. The terror of Kiritsugu Emiya is over. We have given him a capital punishment for all the crimes, terrorism, slaughters that he did on the Fuyuki City..."

"..."

The room suddenly fell into a strange silence.

Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan Chapter 283 Maybe this is the best? | Patreon

"..."

While Scheherazade and Tamazuki felt weird, Saber and Irisviel couldn't maintain their calm and sat in front of the television as they heard the news quietly before their expression became ugly.

Saber didn't feel surprised and somehow felt relief.

But Irisviel?

However, this time, no one said anything, and they listened to the news quietly.

"Kiritsugu is a famous killer, mercenary, and a killer in the world. While his purpose in coming to Japan is still unknown, we can be sure that his purpose definitely isn't good..."

Then, the police commander, who was in charge of capturing Kiritsugu, listed all the crimes that had been committed by Kiritsugu.

Everyone who heard those lists of crimes felt a shudder in the beginning before they felt numb since the numbers of crimes were too much!

By then, the police commander had explained how Kiritsugu had entered the country illegally, killing a group of police, bombed the Hyatt Hotel along with the newly built department store, killing hundreds of innocent people before he bombed a Fuyuki church, killing one old priest.

"Our police force won't let such a savage criminal be freed in this country! We are going to protect our citizens! That's why we have to give him capital punishment for what he has done."

Even though the police in this country were quite unreliable, the crimes committed by Kiritsugu were too much, as Kiritsugu had caused much damage in Fuyuki City. If he was let go, no one could tell what he was doing.

By then, he might bomb the entire Fuyuki city, killing everyone in this place.

If he wasn't satisfied, he might go to other cities, bringing more terror to the country.

So, the police didn't have a choice but to give him capital punishment (killing him) directly since they were afraid that more damage was being caused by him.

"We are now investigating all the channels and hiding places of Kiritsugu in case he might keep another bomb, so please support our investigation...."

Tamazuki didn't continue to listen and looked at Irisviel, who was still in a daze. Frankly, if he wasn't around, then Kiritsugu's plan would be smooth before winning the Holy Grail, finding it to be corrupted, then using a Command Spell to order Saber to destroy it.

By then, the Holy Grail would damage and burn halves of the city, bringing another tragedy.

Tamazuki suddenly wondered whether he had done a good thing. Still, he walked toward Irisviel and patted her should. "Go and rest."

Being patted on her shoulder, Irisviel woke up from her stupor, but she was still unable to hide her shock since her husband was killed. Frankly, it was quite ironic since she was using her body to protect her husband and also made Tamazuki promise her that he wouldn't touch Kiritsugu, yet the reality...?

When Irisviel saw the terror and slaughters made by Kiritsugu, she had a shudder, wondering whether this person was really her husband.

On the show, the police magnified the crimes committed by Kiritsugu since they knew that even if killing Kiritusug was necessary, the aftermath of this trouble was troublesome since there were many organizations that hated capital punishment.

In case the police were blamed by those organizations, they would be at a disadvantage, so in the end, they tried to magnify Kiritsugu's crimes, telling everyone what kind of lunatic this person was.

If they didn't kill him, then Kiritsugu might bomb the entire country.

If you dared to support him, then the police would think of them as Kiritsugu's partner, making them into a terrorist organization.

Yet, no one doubted Kiritsugu's crimes were horrible, especially when hundreds of people were bombed, dying cruelly under the explosion.

However, the thing they were confused about, they wondered why Kiritsugu would bomb the church. Yet, no matter what, with the death of Kiritsugu, no tragedy would happen once again.

Then, the commander said that Kiritsugu's body was under the protection of the police, then he made sure that nothing like this would happen again in the future as he swore at the name of the police.

When the news was over, it didn't mean that everything was over since the channel continued to talk about Kiritsugu's life as a terrorist, explained while supporting the police for his action.

Moreover, they also brought the families of the victims whose families were killed during the explosion.

From the expression of the families, one could tell how much hatred they had for Kiritsugu. Some of them even cried in blood and thanked the police for giving justice to their families.

"...I am okay."

Irisviel calmed herself, but she knew that it was impossible.

"Then, stay here. Sit there tight and relax. Don't be alone since you might think depressed things. I don't want you to commit suicide to follow this scumbag."

"..."

Scumbag...

Irisviel wanted to refute Tamazuki, but she couldn't since, from this news, she could see how low a human known as a Kiritsugu was.

This person wasn't emotional.

Only killing people was the only thing that he could do.

Those people who he had mercilessly killed suddenly turned and killed him in return.

Yet, at the same time, Kiritsugu's life was also ironic since he was killed by the majority who he wished to protect.

However, this might be karma from what he had done in life.

Saber shook her head and was strangely relieved somehow since when she saw all the crimes that had been done by Kiritsugu, she was glad that it was over. The only problem was Irisviel. Unlike Kiritsugu, she cared about Irisviel so much. If not, then why should she give her womanhood to Tamazuki?

Wasn't it to protect Irisviel?

In this Holy Grail, the one that she thought of as her Master was Irisviel, after all.

As for Tamazuki? It might be hard for her to answer since a new emotion was born in her heart.

"Should I get your husband's body?" Tamazuki asked.

"...no, it's okay." Irisviel let out an exhausted sigh. "Maybe, this is the best." Maybe, death was the best thing for Kiritsugu since by dying; there was no need for him to suffer.

"When everything is over. Let's get your daughter."

"....."

Irisviel looked at Tamazuki in surprise before trying to suppress her tears, then said, "Thank you."

Yes, she might have lost Kiritsugu, but she still had her daughter.

For her daughter's sake, she needed to stay alive.

As for her daughter's problem, Irisviel believed that Tamazuki could solve it, yet at the same time, his words surprised her since it meant he didn't mind her daughter, so maybe... Illiyasviel would have a stepfather?

"Say, Tamazuki, is it possible to achieve world peace?" Saber suddenly asked.

"It's possible," Tamazuki answered without hesitation.

"...you don't mean by killing all the beings in the world, right?"

"Of course not. It's with a method that you will agree."

"How?"

Not only Saber but Irisviel and Scheherazade looked at Tamazuki curiously, wondering how to achieve world peace.

"It's to have a common enemy."

"....."

Everyone blinked their eyes and fell into a daze.

Tamazuki then looked at them and said, "Are you just going to stay there stupidly? How about you help me to cook breakfast now?"

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Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan Chapter 284 Kirei Kotomine is impossible to stop | Patreon

Whether Saber, Irisviel, or Scheherazade thought about his answer to how to achieve world peace, and as expected, they agreed that this might be the perfect method to achieve world peace.

Especially when it was compared to killing all living beings or erasing all the emotions of mankind.

The only problem was whether there was even an existence that could make the world unite to erase this threat.

Moreover, due to this method, there was no way for the people not to suffer.

In the end, the so-called perfect method didn't exist.

When one was happy, the other was naturally unhappy.

When one thought this was the most suitable method, the other thought that it was a lunatic method.

So, in the end, they stopped thinking about this matter since they knew it was meaningless, especially when none of them wished for the word peace.

However, it was different for Kotomine Kirei.

Kirei stood at the ruined church where he was living and served as a priest in this city.

While this church was a little gloomy, it was still a nice and comfortable place, yet everything was destroyed.

Kiritsugu had bombed this place and killed his father, Kotomine Risei.

Frankly, last night whether Risei, Kirei, or Tokiomi Tohsaka were discussed to erase Kiritsugu as the Master in this Holy Grail.

Why?

Because Kiritsugu's action might reveal the existence of the Holy Grail.

The Holy Grail needed to be done in secret.

No one should know about it, yet Kiritsugu did a big job of bombing two high-rise buildings and killing hundreds of people.

If someone like this can't be stopped, then who should?

Probably, the original Uryuu Ryuunosuke might be better since the number of people that he killed might be less than Kiritgusu.

Though, Kiritsugu might snipe or bomb those people who tried to compare him with Uryuu.

Nevertheless, the action of Kiritsugu might expose the Holy Grail, so they thought to gather all the Masters to take down Kiritsugu together, and the one who could take down Kiritsugu would get the Command Spells which were kept by Kotomine Risei.

The three of them worked together and would use this quest as a way for Risei to legitimately add Command Spells to Tokiomi.

Unfortunately, before they could set up this plan, Kiritsugu was bombed.

However, fortunately, Kiritsugu was killed by the police forces with an encirclement.

Nevertheless, after the police had taken down Kiritsigu, they quickly contacted Kirei, who was the son of Risei.

"I am sorry. Kiritsugu is so vicious. However, you don't need to worry since we have taken down this terrorist."

However, Kirei didn't say anything and just looked at the mingled corpse of his father in silence.

The others thought that Kirei was in shock, so they quietly stepped away and gave him time to calm down.

Kirei kept staring at the corpse of his father and didn't say anything.

While everyone thought that he felt sad and was too shocked by this tragedy, Kirei was rather calm. He didn't feel anything. It was as if the person who had died in front of him was nothing but a stranger, yet at the same time; it also broke the guise of his heart. It was as if the limiter that stopped all the malice in his heart was no longer there.

"Excuse me, can I see Kiritsugu's corpse?"

While the police hesitated when they heard Kirei's request, in the end, they agreed since they knew Kiritsugu had killed Kirei's father, so it was normal for him to have such a request. Frankly, they shouldn't agree since it might cause a lot of trouble, but Kirei used hypnosis, so he could quickly meet Kiritsugu's corpse.

Under the guidance of the police, Kirei saw Kiritsugu's corpse. His body was riddled with bullets, and his expression was filled with regret, unwillingness, and shaking.

Watching this expression, Kirei couldn't help but giggle and laugh. Fortunately, he was alone, or else everyone would think of him as a lunatic. Yet, watching the dying expression of Kiritsugu, he felt so much fun!

It was so much fun!

'Oh, Lord... why do you make me so sinful?'

Kirei felt that he couldn't control this happiness that was born from the bottom of his heart anymore.

He knew that by now, it was impossible for him to suppress this evilness.

Still, at the same time, he felt regret since he didn't follow Assassin's advice to kill Kiritsugu.

If he followed that advice, then he wondered how delightful it was when he saw the despair on Kiritsugu's face.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Yet, at the same time, it wasn't too late.

Kirei had realized his inner self, and he also started to embrace it. He knew that he was a degenerate, so he might as well enjoy it, especially when his father had passed away.

With this understanding, he knew that there was one thing that he needed to do.

He walked out of the police station, then communicated with Tokiomi about his father's death.

"I see... that's a shame. You should get some rest, Kirei."

Tokiomi said those words with some regret and kindness, yet the truth? Who could tell?

"Yes, teacher."

However, Kirei didn't care and continued to walk to his hiding place.

As expected, there he saw a familiar figure.

"Oh, Kirei? Is it only me, or have you met something happy?"

Gilgamesh asked curiously since Kirei's face was like a child that was about to go to an amusement park with his parents.

"Yes, I am really happy."

Kirei took a wine actively and poured it into the glass by himself before he drank it, feeling addicted and intoxicated, feeling the taste of the wine today was even more delicious.

Meanwhile, Gilgamesh laughed since he knew Kirei was so much fun!

So, the two of them drank their wines and started their secret plan.

Nevertheless, Assassin, who had been silent, communicated with each other and made up their minds to change their master tonight.

---

As expected, the death of Kiritsugu was known by all the Masters of this Holy Grail.

Berserker's Master, Kariya Matou, didn't care since he had never had much interest in Kiritsugu. His only purpose was to make Tokiomi regret his decision to throw Sakura away.

Only Weber Velvet and Kayneth El-Melloi had a reaction, but while the former sighed, the latter snorted and felt schadenfreude at Kiritsugu's tragedy.

Still, no matter what, it was good that Kiritsugu had died since this person was nothing but a troublemaker, especially in his bombing act.

However, they knew that even though Kiritsugu had been eliminated, the change Saber eliminated was almost zero since, by Saber's side, Einzbern's homunculus, Irisviel, was there.

The only problem was Caster since the identity of this servant was still a mystery until now.

Still, they didn't know Tamazuki had targeted them and he was going to take them down slowly, one by one. However, at noon, when he was resting at his shadow place, he saw a notice at one of his houses.

"Hmm? Aoi?"

One of the water-like screens on midair, he saw the picture of Aoi Tohsaka standing in front of one of his houses, seemingly nervous and uneasy, yet... also excited?

"..."

Tamazuki didn't expect this housewife to come to visit him, but it was good, right?

Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan Chapter 285 Aoi Tohsaka keeps making mistakes | Patreon

"Tamazuki-sama, who is that?"

Naturally, when Aoi rang the bell of one of his houses, it attracted the attention of Scheherazade and others. The appearance of Aoi made them confused, and they wondered who she was.

"It's a bit complicated. I will explain it to you later. I need to go out for a while."

Tamazuki then left to meet Aoi.

Nevertheless, Scheherazade had a guess who Aoi was, and at the same time, she zoomed the hands area of Aoi on the screen, then, as expected, she saw the ring on her left hand.

"...married woman?"

Saber and Irisviel were speechless.

"So, he likes a married woman so much?" Irisviel asked.

"Probably?" Either way, Scheherazade would be lying if this wasn't fun, so she decided to observe Tamazuki and Aoi quietly.

Irisviel and Saber looked at each other and thought that they might as well follow Scheherazade since they didn't have anything to do.

---

Aoi stared at the house in front of her and didn't know what she was thinking. She knew that she might be crazy, especially when she knew what kind of a man she was about to meet.

Yet, even so, she decided to come here.

Why did she come here?

Aoi stared at the crystal ball that she held in her hands in silence.

It was one of the things given to her after he left.

Among those things, without a doubt, this crystal ball was the most precious one since it was capable of seeing anything that she wanted to see.

During those days after she got this crystal ball, she used it to see Tamazuki, watching what he did, and also watched her husband, who was at the Tohsaka residence, facing something that she didn't know.

Holy Grail?

Frankly, Aoi didn't know about this, and she didn't care much either since she only cared about her family.

Still, the reason why she came here was because she wanted to return this crystal ball since it was so precious. Moreover, she didn't feel that it was correct for her to receive this item. Lastly, she was afraid.

She was afraid that she might use it to see her second daughter, which was given to the Matou family.

Even though she knew that her husband had told her to forget about Sakura, she knew that she couldn't, yet at the same time, she was afraid to see what was happening to Sakura.

If she looked at Sakura, then she was afraid that she might ask her husband to return Sakura.

Still, fortunately, she didn't since if she saw what had happened to Sakura, then she might commit suicide due to the shock.

Nevertheless, to erase this urge, she decided to return the item to Tamazuki, and that's why she came to his house.

Still, it might be strange for her to be able to find the location of his house, but everything was due to this crystal ball. She often peeked at him, watched him work, and did various things. She also knew when she went out and when she returned.

It was also why she decided to come at this moment.

She pressed the bell of his house, then waited for a while and observed his house.

"Yes."

His voice made her heart shake, and her body trembled slightly as she quickly remembered the memory of that night.

Then, the person that had made her crazy that night was seen.

Tamazuki opened the door of his house and was also surprised. "...Aoi-san?"

Aoi nodded gently while showing an awkward smile. "...Tamazuki-kun."

"....." 2x

The two fell into awkward silence before Tamazuki broke the silence.

"Sorry, it's rude of me to let you stay outside like this. How about you enter first, Aoi-san?"

"I..."

Aoi hesitated, but then she nodded. "Okay." Then, under his guidance, she entered his house and looked around curiously.

"Sorry, I have just moved, so it's still messy."

"No, it's okay. I am the one who suddenly comes without any notice."

"So, is Rin okay?"

"Rin..." Aoi thought of her daughter helplessly, then lightly blamed him. "She was crying when you suddenly disappeared."

"...I will apologize later."

"You should."

Those conversations were like it was something natural for him to visit Aoi's house once again to meet Rin even though what had happened to them. Yet, it was like this. They talked to each other, pretending like nothing had happened.

However, inside?

Who could tell?

The two entered the house and talked for a while, but Aoi quickly woke up and realized her purpose was to come.

"Um, Tamazuki-kun. I am sorry, but I will return all of these."

From her bag, she took out the two items given by him previously.

As for the martial art book, while Aoi thought about returning that book to Tamazuki, she changed her decision when she saw her daughter crying. Whether it was her sister who was adopted into the Matou family or her father who went for the dangerous war, she had never shed tears, but when Tamazuki left, she was crying like any other children too.

While Aoi was stunned, she was also sad and strangely happy since it felt like Rin had released all of those emotions in her heart. However, Rin only cried for a moment before she took Tamazuki's books and learned everything with her.

Watching her daughter who had gone practicing, Aoi didn't have the courage to take that book away since she could tell that her daughter treasured that book that much or her connection with Tamazuki.

Yet, with her relationship with Tamazuki, Aoi also felt conflicted.

Even though everything was done partly due to the alcohol, Aoi knew that if she didn't invite him, nothing like that would happen, and their relationship wouldn't be so awkward.

"Are you sure?" Tamazuki asked.

"Yes." Aoi nodded. "Those items are too important, and I can't have them."

"I see." Tamazuki nodded and didn't force her to keep those two items.

"Then, I will go back now."

"Okay." Tamazuki stood up. "I will see you off."

"...yes."

The two stood next to each other as they walked to the entrance of his house. However, unlike before, this time, they were quiet, and neither of them talked. It wasn't until she was about to put on the mules she talked about.

"It's enough for you to send me here, Tamazuki-kun."

"Yes, Aoi-san."

Aoi put on her mules then she faced Tamazuki.

They fell into silence as they stared at each other.

Then, at that moment, Tamazuki moved his lips forward.

Aoi was calm as she leaned into him, letting him kiss her.

Then, in the end, he brought her into his room and continued her second mistake.

---

"....." 3x

"...she is a married woman, right?"

"Un."

"I wonder who her husband is."

"...should it be one of the Masters of the Holy Grail?"

"...."

"...probably?"

"Then, do you think it is one of his strategies to take down the opponent's Master?"

"..."

"...probably not?"

In the end, they stopped thinking and watched how Tamazuki took down another married woman.

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Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan Chapter 286 The next target isn't a married woman, right? | Patreon

"Keep those things since you might need them."

"...okay."

Aoi lay on his chest and felt at ease. Unlike before, this time, she was the one who took the initiative. Everything was done because of her decision. It wasn't his fault, even though he was the one who took the initiative to take her lips.

As expected, she felt guilty, and her chest almost burst, but she knew that she sought this since it made her forget about many things.

Still, she didn't stay too long since her daughter might return from school soon.

The two washed each other in the bathroom before she left.

Before she left, she even asked him whether he had trouble with money. If so, then she would help him.

Naturally, he said no, but as expected, it felt weird since it felt like he was a toyboy for some reason.

Yet, he might have one, especially when Aoi was the wife of a rich husband.

Still, he knew that this wasn't the end, especially when Aoi still kept his crystal ball. According to his prediction, the tragedy would happen soon, but before that, there was something that he needed to do.

"What's wrong? Why were you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing." 3x

The three of them were in synch.

Still, whether Saber, Scheherazade, or Irisviel, the three of them had made up their minds to keep silent since it was impossible for them to tell him that he had peeked at what he did with Aoi.

Yet...

"Whose wife is that?"

"..."

Tamazuki looked at Irisviel, who asked that question innocently. "...Tohsaka Tokiomi's wife."

"..."

Irisviel blinked her eyes, then asked, "The head of the Tohsaka family?"

"And Archer's Master."

"...."

Hearing that answer, they wondered whether this was part of his strategy or was due to his lust.

"So, what are you planning after this?"

Leaving the matter of Aoi aside, the night was about to come, so the Holy Grail was about to start.

Even though Tamazuki had gotten his hand on Saber and Irisviel, and Kiritsugu was eliminated, the Holy Grail still continued, and there were many Servants that they needed to defeat.

Tamazuki fell in silence for a moment and had made up his mind.

Yesterday he had taken Saber, so this time, he was going to take down another Servant.

"Are you going to take another Servant like Saber?" Scheherazade asked.

"Huh? Really?" 2x

Whether Irisviel or Saber knew how magical he was, but they were still surprised at his plan to gain another Servant.

With Saber, Caster, and his power, they were simply at an advantage, but he didn't feel satisfied.

"...is it another married woman?"

"....." Tamazuki.

"No, let's take down Lancer."

"Lancer?" 3x

If possible, Tamazuki had made up his mind to take down three Servants tonight from Lancer, Berserker, and Assassin.

However, if there wasn't enough time, he might as well get Lancer and Assassin first.

Assassin aside, the reason why he decided to go after Lancer instead of Berserker was because of Saber's sinew. Her sinew was still severed due to the curse of Lancer's Noble Phantasm.

If Saber wanted his condition to be fixed, then she could only defeat Lancer.

Still, to be honest, Tamazuki wanted to devour Lancer and got the ability of Lancer's Noble Phantasm. Even though the ability of Lancer's Noble Phantasm was rather plain, they were effective.

One had the ability to cut off magic, and the other had the ability to give a permanent wound that couldn't be healed.

If he got Lancer's abilities, he believed that he could become stronger, so he decided to go after Lancer first.

Though, if possible, he also wanted to take down Berserker since the identity of this Servant was the source of the misfortune of Saber.

Still, hearing about his decision, Irisviel and Scheherazade looked at Saber since they thought it was his decision to take down Lancer due to Saber.

"If it's about my wound, then you don't need to worry."

Saber shook her head, but she would be lying if she wasn't moved.

"...."

Tamazuki felt speechless by their misunderstanding, especially when they looked at him with a warm and soft gaze, but it worked in his favor, so it was all good.

"It doesn't really matter. Either way, I need to take down the rest of the Servants." Tamazuki looked at Saber and asked, "I will be the one who fights him, and you can hide in the world of shadows."

While Scheherazade and Irisviel nodded without hesitation, Saber had a hard time accepting it, especially when her duel with Lancer would end just like this. Yet, she also didn't refute him, especially when she thought about her condition. If she was allowed to use her Noble Phantasm, then Lancer's fate was already determined, but would Lancer even allow her to use her Noble Phantasm?

Moreover, her sinew...

"...can I watch you close?"

"Sure."

"Then, when my sinew is recovered, I will be the one who is fighting. Especially that Berserker."

Saber still remembers how Berserker suddenly went on a rampage and attacked her. If possible, she wanted to cut that Servant down by herself.

"What's wrong with that expression?"

Saber thought that Tamazuki would agree, but she saw his expression become weird.

"No, it's okay. If you want to take down Berserker, then I won't say anything."

If it was the former Saber who knew nothing and still naively believed becoming king was to be inhumane and also took all the blame for all the ruin on England, he wouldn't let her meet Berserker.

However, her current was different.

Saber had changed, especially when she became a woman.

This change was a good thing, at least, in his eyes.

Still, Tamazuki felt that being killed by Saber itself was a reward for Berserker, so if possible, he didn't want Saber to kill Berserker. Instead, for such a person who couldn't even feel regret for his mistake, he thought he might as well be the one who took this Servant down.

Then, when everything was over, he thought that he should save Sakura since he also thought of devouring Matou Zouken, the ancestor of the Matou family.

Matou Zouken might be disgusting, especially his insects, but there was no doubt his knowledge and his original magic, the law of water, was a good thing. Moreover, he was also the one who designed the Command Spells for this Holy Grail.

With all of that in mind, why should he ignore Matou Zouken?

Nevertheless, with the decision that had been made when the night came, they would start their move.

Still, at the residence of Tohsaka, Tokiomi, and Kirei met each other as they heard the news from Assassin.

"Caster?"

"Yes, we have met Caster and his Master. If you want to, we can take him down."

All the Assassins were present, bowing their heads as they waited for their order.

Kirei didn't say anything and looked at his teacher.

Tokiomi fell in silence, then asked, "Are you sure that you can take down Archer?"

"Yes, we believe we can do so."

There was no doubt in their voices.

Tokiomi also believed in them. "Then, use your everything to take down Caster and his Master, Assassin!"

However, Assassin didn't say anything and looked at Kirei.

"Yes, go follow the teacher's orders."

"Affirmative."

All the Assassins disappeared and followed their orders respectively.

When Assassin left, Tokiomi was, without a doubt, in a good mood since Caster and his Master were about to be defeated soon. As for Kotomine Risei? If he died, then he died.

"Then, teacher, I will go back first."

Kirei looked at his teacher for a moment before he said those words.

"Yes, Kirei."

Tokiomi nodded, but then he stopped Kirei. "Wait, Kirei."

"What's wrong, teacher?"

"Tomorrow, come to visit me again. As your teacher, I haven't given you a gift. I will prepare something for you tomorrow."

Tokiomi's face was kind and elegant, like a teacher who truly cared about his student.

"Yes, teacher."

Kirei was the same as a good student who followed his teacher's words.

Yet, what Tokiomi didn't know, malice had spread and wrapped around Kirei's body stickily.

Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan Chapter 287 Are you really handsome? | Patreon

When the sun was about to set and the night was to come, all the Masters that participated in this Holy Grail walked out from their hiding place, ready to start their battle.

Among them was Lancer's Master, Kayneth, who also got ready to walk out and start his hunt.

His aim was obvious, Emiya Kiritsugu.

This dirty bastard didn't follow the rules of the "Mage" and bombed his hotel. Fortunately, with his "Magecraft," Volumen Hydrargyrum: Marrow of the Moon Spirit, he was saved.

Yet, even so, he couldn't wait to cut Kiritsugu into several pieces.

His Magical Workshop within the Fuyuki City Hyatt Hotel's top floor, fortified with a twenty-four-layer Bounded Field, wasn't cheap. It was extremely expensive, or rather he almost took out half of his family treasure to win this tournament.

Yet, that lunatic destroyed all of them.

It was also the reason why he was saved; he wanted to fight Kiritsugu without hesitation. Unfortunately, he wasn't alone. He brought his fiancee to this place, so to protect her safety, he went to the outskirts of Fuyuki city to create a new basement.

As for the new Magical Workshop, it was simply impossible since he didn't have any more treasures anymore. All of those treasures he brought from his homeland were destroyed by Kiritsugu's bombing after all.

So, in this place, when the city had not yet been decided as an emerging residential area, he chose a place used for something like lumber as his base camp. The location should have been abandoned by developing trends, forgotten by emergent flourishing streets, and quietly stood in the heart of the small hilly area overgrown with lalang.

Yet, it was a perfect place for hiding.

Moreover, there was no need for him to be bombed any more.

Nevertheless, his revenge was useless, especially when he received news that Kiritsugu was killed by the police.

Kiritsugu's action was already too much, especially when he had killed so many people in this city. Even though everything was for world peace, no one would understand such a method where he could kill the minority for the majority.

Still, hearing this news, even though Kayneth was a bit annoyed since he couldn't use his own hands to take down Kiritsugu, he also felt delighted toward Kiritsugu's misfortune. While it wasn't his character, he laughed so hard when he thought that Kiritsugu died in the hands of those stupid mortals.

"Hahaha..."

Sola Ui, Kayneth's fiancee, who had been in a bad mood after her living place was bombed, also felt happy inwardly since Kiritsugu was dying.

For a Mage, while they looked down on someone like Kiritsugu, he was a troublesome opponent to them since he was like a rat who was hiding in the gutter and only came out when no one realized.

Fortunately, that rat was eliminated and died.

Still, this time the fiance and fiancee, who had always been at odd, seemed to be in synch, especially when the enemy that had caused their place to be destroyed died.

As expected, to get two people to be together, the fastest was to have a common enemy.

Nevertheless, Lancer felt a bit unsettled. "Then, Master, do you think Saber will also be eliminated in this battle?"

Everyone knew that Irisviel, who had been on Saber's side, was nothing but a fake Master.

Master's real Saber was, without a doubt, Kiritsugu.

Frankly, Lancer never cared much about Kiritsugu, especially someone who used a dirty trick. After all, as a knight, he hated such a sneaky method so much, or rather, for all the knights type of Servant, Kiritsugu's existence was like vomit.

This guy was disgusting.

Yet Lancer was cornered about Saber.

If Kiritsugu died, then what about Saber?

Was she dead?

Was she eliminated along with her Master?

That was the question that Diarmuid wanted to ask.

The battle he had with Saber hadn't finished, and he wished to complete it.

The fight used all of their powers, where they gave their belief, blood, and everything.

If Saber lost and disappeared just like this, wouldn't it be a little regrettable?

"Hmm..."

Kayneth didn't answer Lancer's question immediately but fell into silence. "Probably not. The homunculus from the Einzbern is by her side. There is a chance that homunculus might become the new Master of Saber."

"Then, Master..."

Lancer was excited to hear this answer.

Kayneth nodded. "When the night comes, let's visit the Einzbern castle. It will be unfair if we don't pay them a visit, right?"

That answer was clear, and it meant that they were going to the Einzbern castle when the night came.

Whether Saber had been eliminated or not, they needed to confirm it, and the fastest way was to visit the Einzbern castle.

If Saber is eliminated, then that's it.

However, if Saber still lived, then they were going to kill them.

Especially when Saber was still cursed by Lancer's Noble Phantasm, so she should be at her weakest moment.

This time, there shouldn't be an interception, and no one would bother them.

By then, they could fight while giving their everything.

Whether Lancer or Kayneth, they anticipated the battle tonight.

Unfortunately, Sola couldn't share that excitement and only kept her lips shut, saying one or two critics to Kayneth, causing his spirit to dampen slightly, yet it didn't stop the blazing spirit in his heart.

Nevertheless, Kayneth didn't realize the gaze of Sola on Lancer was slightly wrong.

However, suddenly, their bodies were tense since their Bounded Field told them that someone had come to their base camp.

"—?!

Even though Kayneth lost all of his treasures, it didn't mean that he couldn't create a basic Bounded Field.

As he made this place into a basecamp, he used his "Magecraft" to enhance it. Nevertheless, based on his standard, this place was below his standard, and it wasn't suitable to be called a living place, but he could only bear it.

However, there was no time to explain this matter since an opponent came into their door.

"Lancer!"

"Yes!"

Due to Bounded Field, they noticed two presences that came right into their door.

"Sola, stay here."

Sola was silent, but she followed Kayneth's words.

Meanwhile, Kayneth and Lancer walked out from the basecamp, then saw their invader, and they were surprised when they saw a familiar Servant.

"...Saber?"

Lancer was dumbfounded.

Kayneth showed a smug smile. "It seems we don't need to visit the Einzbern Castle to take down Saber." Then, he looked at Lancer and said, "This time, don't disappoint me again, Lancer."

"Yes, I won't let you down, Master."

Lancer held his spears as he was ready for his second battle with Lancer.

However—

The figure on Saber's side, who they thought as Irisviel, took off the hood of his mantle, showing his appearance to everyone.

"....."

Both Lancer and Kayneth were stunned in place.

However, Sola already had a heart-shaped pupil when she saw him.

Nevertheless, the three of them had a similar thought.

'This guy... is so handsome.' 3x

Tamazuki also glanced at Diarmuid and thought that he was more handsome.

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