Written as Tax Evasion, Read as Joy

Standing at the doorway was none other than the head of the Tohsaka family, Tokiomi Tohsaka .

"So late at night, coming to see me—what's the matter?" Kaguya turned around, sat on a chair nearby, and crossed her legs as she spoke.

She was very interested in his daughters and wouldn't mind a little side story with them, but when it came to him, she'd rather not bother.

"I apologize for disturbing you at such a late hour," Tokiomi Tohsaka walked over gracefully and smiled as he spoke, "There were some matters at the dinner table that were inconvenient to discuss, but I'm eager to know the answers, so I've come to seek your advice. I hope you can understand."

"For something to concern the head of the Tohsaka family, it seems like it's not a simple question," Kaguya said with a smile.

"Perhaps for you, it may not be a big issue, but for me, it's quite pressing," Tokiomi Tohsaka said with bright, focused eyes, "In fact, I've asked this question before: What exactly is your purpose in coming here?"

"Purpose?" Kaguya said playfully, "What if I told you I came here just to eat?"

"If you truly came as a guest of the Tohsaka family, I would naturally be more than happy to welcome you," Tokiomi Tohsaka slightly bowed and smiled, "It would be my honor to converse with someone as strong as you."

"How hypocritical," Kaguya snorted lightly, "Humility is a good thing, but if you take it too far, it seems fake. Alright, let's not beat around the bush anymore. I didn't come here for anything else; it's for the Holy Grail War."

"So it's just as I thought," Tokiomi Tohsaka's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't seem surprised; it was something he had already guessed.

"Aren't you curious?" Kaguya asked.

"Curious?" Tokiomi replied, "If you mean the fact that there should only be seven Servants, but now there's an eighth, then yes, I do find that troubling. It's never happened before."

Kaguya picked up the teapot and teacup from the table and smiled as she said, "Just because it didn't happen before doesn't mean it won't happen now or in the future. If things truly stayed the same forever, this Holy Grail War wouldn't even be happening."

To her surprise, Tohsaka actually had some top-quality tea leaves in the house, which was an unexpected delight. Kaguya had only a few hobbies—one was eating dumplings, and the other was drinking tea.

"So, what is it exactly that you wish to gain?" Tokiomi asked seriously.

"Gain?" Kaguya thought for a moment, "If I had to say, perhaps it would be victory in the Holy Grail War."

"Victory in the Holy Grail War?" Tokiomi Tohsaka paced a few steps and said, "It's not impossible to win, but as a Servant, your magical power is limited. It seems that winning the Holy Grail War wouldn't be easy."

"Of course, I know that relying on myself alone would make it difficult to win the Holy Grail War," Kaguya smiled softly, "And that's precisely why I came here."

Kaguya's delicate fingers snapped, and a flame appeared around the teapot. In just a moment, the water inside began to boil, and the fragrant aroma of tea filled the air.

Tokiomi Tohsaka's eyes narrowed instantly. To be able to manipulate magic with such precision and ease—this wasn't something even he, with his affinity for fire magic, could do easily. Yet, the silver-haired girl across from him, who seemed only ten years old, did it effortlessly, as if it were a trivial task.

"So, what are you suggesting?" Tokiomi Tohsaka's expression grew more serious.

"My suggestion is simple. We share a common goal, so why not become allies?" Kaguya laughed lightly as she picked up the teacup from the table, "Wouldn't that make things much easier for both sides?"

"Allies?" Tokiomi Tohsaka was slightly startled, "Do you mean—"

"No, no," Kaguya waved her hand, "I know what you're thinking, but I would never become someone's Servant. I can't accept that, not even if you begged me on your knees."

"So, what are you proposing?" Tokiomi Tohsaka began to understand her intentions.

"We become allies, and together, we eliminate the other six Masters," Kaguya took a sip of tea and smiled.

"There's something I don't understand. Why are you so determined to win the Holy Grail War?" Tokiomi asked seriously, "Is it to make a wish upon the Holy Grail?"

"Making a wish on the Holy Grail?" Kaguya chuckled softly, "Do you really believe that the so-called Holy Grail can truly fulfill people's wishes?"

"Of course, the Holy Grail—"

For some reason, as Tokiomi Tohsaka looked at Kaguya's faintly smiling face, he suddenly fell silent, swallowing the words he was about to say.

Kaguya knew well that the so-called Holy Grail had long been corrupted. While it could indeed grant wishes, it did so in a twisted and distorted way, completely contrary to the wisher's original intent. Even if the wish were fulfilled, what would be the point?

Moreover, the Holy Grail wasn't omnipotent—it had limitations. Otherwise, people could simply wish for access to the Root through the Grail, and that would be that.

In the end, the Holy Grail War was nothing more than a ritual designed to open a path to the Root.

"As for the true purpose of the Holy Grail War, I believe the head of the Tohsaka family, one of the three founding families of the Holy Grail War, knows it better than anyone else, doesn't he?" Kaguya lightly tapped her fingers on the table as she smiled.

Tokiomi Tohsaka's pupils contracted. Very few people knew the true purpose of the Holy Grail War besides the heads of the three founding families. Yet, this silver-haired girl, who seemed like an outsider, appeared to know something.

"So, if you're not seeking to make a wish on the Holy Grail, then what are you after by winning the Holy Grail War?" Tokiomi Tohsaka asked seriously.

"What am I after?" Kaguya tapped her fair finger on her smooth chin. Then, her face lit up with a radiant smile as she said, "Maybe it's to evade taxes."