Chapter 168: Changes in the Matou siblings

The Emiya household was bustling with activity.

This was because the Matou sisters were now staying overnight at his house. Matou Sakura, of course, didn't need much explanation. She had long been a part of the household, often taking charge of the cooking. 

Thus, Matou Shinji realized that among the guests staying here, he was the only one who didn't quite belong.

"Damn it…" he muttered under his breath.

The previous day, he and Matou Sakura had been busy dealing with the aftermath of the destruction of the Matou residence. The incident required the Matou family to step forward. With the help of Tohsaka Rin, the incident was officially attributed to a gas pipeline explosion. The only victim was Matou Zouken. To outsiders, this was an unfortunate but fortunate outcome.

As the head of the Matou family, Matou Zouken had various assets and properties that needed to be inherited. Matou Shinji, as the eldest son, was the natural choice to inherit these assets. He had been busy with this matter, and with the help of a notary, most of the Matou family's assets were transferred to his name.

This ensured that the Matou family wouldn't be left destitute after losing Matou Zouken.

However, there were still complications.

"The Clock Tower is going to be a problem. With Matou Zouken's body completely gone and the Magic Crest destroyed, as that magus claimed, the Clock Tower might not recognize the Matou family lineage anymore," Tohsaka Rin said, looking exhausted. She had also been busy with the Matou family's affairs. Although the Matou family had settled in Fuyuki City for nearly two centuries, the local authority in Fuyuki was still the Tohsaka family. For example, if someone needed to register a person without a household registration, the Tohsaka family could easily handle it. In comparison, the Matou family couldn't do the same.

The Matou family's influence was primarily in the magical world and financial matters.

Tohsaka Rin continued, "I have no idea how to preserve the Matou family's lineage with the Clock Tower now. I don't even know how many generations of the Magic Crest that guy prepared for Sakura, or how complete it is. If it's viable, there might still be room for negotiation."

Her own Magic Crest had been inherited with the help of the Clock Tower. Of course, this was also part of the legacy left behind by her father, Tohsaka Tokiomi, at the Clock Tower.

Although the Tohsaka family was located in the remote Far East, Tohsaka Tokiomi had a modest reputation at the Clock Tower. Even now, Tohsaka Rin still received patent fees from the Clock Tower that her father had left behind.

Matou Sakura asked, "Do we really have to join the Clock Tower?"

"Sakura, we absolutely must," Tohsaka Rin immediately began explaining the importance of the Clock Tower.

Emiya Shirou sat silently nearby, saying nothing. His understanding of magi was even less than Matou Shinji's. The Clock Tower? He had no idea what it was.

But sitting next to him was Matou Shinji.

"Shinji, what's the Clock Tower?"

"It's like the MIT of the magus world," Matou Shinji succinctly explained.

Emiya Shirou nodded, suddenly understanding. So it's a place for advanced studies? That does sound important. And it's the top school in the world, right?

Thanks to Fujimura Taiga, who taught English at his house, Emiya Shirou had some knowledge of world-renowned institutions.

"By the way, Shinji, I wanted to ask you something. But it might be a bit sensitive."

"Just say it. Honestly, why are you being so hesitant?" Matou Shinji said, his temper not exactly mild.

But almost immediately after he spoke, he noticed Matou Sakura looking at him, a harmonious smile on her face.

He backed down.

Almost overnight, his sister's personality had undergone a dramatic change. Just yesterday, when he had been a bit harsh with Emiya Shirou, she had added some "special ingredients" to his food to teach him a lesson.

And he couldn't even complain.

Because Rider was standing by her side.

Was he envious? Jealous? Of course. But the magus from Mount Enzou had made it clear that he would only teach Shinji magic if Sakura approved.

Matou Shinji didn't think the magus was lying to him. There was no need. What value did he, Matou Shinji, have that would make the magus interested in him? If there was any, the magus could have easily exploited it back in the cave using magic.

Kindness—

Matou Shinji felt that the magus was, at his core, not much different from Emiya Shirou.

"Why is Shinji suddenly so afraid of Sakura?"

"Emiya, if you don't know how to talk, just don't talk, okay?" Matou Shinji snapped.

Emiya Shirou looked at Matou Shinji. The two of them could be considered friends, though Shinji was always a very prickly person. But now, Shinji had changed.

It was after learning about the destruction of the Matou family and the death of Matou Zouken that Shinji had begun to change. Amidst the chaos of the previous day, Matou Shinji had actually shown the demeanor and vision of an eldest son.

It was as if he had grown up overnight.

Or perhaps, it was like a great mountain had been lifted from his shoulders, allowing his once-bent back to straighten. Sakura had also changed, becoming much more cheerful.

Emiya Shirou thought back to the night before last, when he had seen that magus amidst the ruins of the Matou residence.

At first, he had been furious. Destroying someone's home, taking someone's life—wasn't that the act of a villain?

But… as time went on, he began to understand the cruelty of magi. And then, the changes in the Matou siblings confirmed it.

Matou Zouken was the grandfather of the Matou siblings, but he was also a magus. And the indifference of magi was something Shirou had come to understand.

—From the very first night, when he had been killed by Lancer, it was clear.

Even if there were magi like Tohsaka Rin who seemed normal, it didn't mean all magi were like her. From the state of the Matou siblings, it was clear that Matou Zouken's presence had been a heavy burden.

Killing him had actually helped them.

Was this justice? Emiya Shirou thought of Kiritsugu, who had once seemed to dislike such methods, believing they weren't just.

So what was "justice"?

At first, he had believed that the magus's actions were unjust. But now, he felt that the magus's actions might have been just.

Li Mo, was it?

During breakfast, Emiya Shirou was lost in thought. Of course, the others noticed.

But the next moment, no one paid him any attention.

Because a guest had arrived.

"Good morning, everyone. Has the hole in the roof been patched up already? You work fast. Ah, is it breakfast time again? Is the Tiger of Fuyuki not here?"

The door opened, and the young magus stood at the entrance. From the looks of it, he had just jumped down from the roof.

Wait, why does he keep coming in through the roof?!

Emiya Shirou couldn't help but wonder. In the meantime, the magus had already entered the house.

Matou Sakura asked, "Have you eaten breakfast, Li-kun?"

"I have. Koyanskaya's lovingly prepared breakfast," Li Mo replied casually, then found a quiet corner in the room to sit down.

Then he asked, "Is Medusa not here?"