Chapter 17: Acceleration

"The same goes for you, Kirei. We may seem different from ordinary people, but in truth, we aren't all that special. What brings others peace of mind is money, status, friendship, and the like. For us, it is our own or others' suffering, misfortune, and despair. We can enjoy them, but we must not pursue them too obsessively—doing so would not only distort our true nature but also enslave us to these things. Do you understand what I mean?" Takashi Kuroda said slowly.

"…I understand what you mean, Lord DIO. It's the so-called 'too much of a good thing.'" Since Kuroda's example was straightforward, Kirei Kotomine grasped it immediately. He could enjoy the pain, misfortune, and despair of others, but he must not go overboard—he must not obsessively chase after their ultimate suffering and despair.

"Take this plate of mapo tofu, for instance. It costs only 800 yen, yet the pleasure it brings is already deeply satisfying. But if you excessively pursue that extreme pleasure, then one day, when you look back and taste the very thing that first brought you joy, will it still make you happy? You're a smart man, Kirei Kotomine. Don't let the pleasure you've worked so hard to obtain blind you and make you forget to seek true happiness," Kuroda said.

"True… happiness?" Kirei asked, puzzled.

"That's right—true happiness. In the end, the comfort we find in fleeting pleasures is merely transient. The happiness we should pursue is something akin to the Garden of Eden described in the Bible—a happiness that is eternal. I call it… Heaven," Kuroda declared.

"Heaven?"

"Indeed. Only by reaching Heaven can one obtain true happiness. Happiness cannot be found in an invincible body, vast wealth, or standing above all others. In this world, the true victors are those who witness Heaven." Having said this, Kuroda stood up and looked at Kirei before continuing, "So, Kirei Kotomine, will you follow me and become one who witnesses Heaven?"

"I shall forever follow you, Lord DIO, until the day we ascend to Heaven." Kirei bowed deeply.

Fortunately, the two were in a private room—otherwise, the people around them might have stared and whispered at their exchange.

Ding—

"As the host has successfully deceived a subordinate and made them endure the pain of swollen lips, fulfilling villainous conduct, you are rewarded with 50 villain points. Current villain points: 1180."

The system's voice marked the end of this farce.

...

"Kirei, you mentioned earlier that the Holy Grail War is set to begin in a year, correct?" Kuroda asked as they were about to part ways on their way back.

"Yes, that has always been the tradition of the Holy Grail War," Kirei replied before hesitating and asking, "Does Lord DIO also wish to participate in this Holy Grail War?"

"The Holy Grail War? A child's game, nothing more. Still, it could be entertaining." Kuroda glanced at Kirei before continuing, "But a year is too long. I don't have the patience to wait. So, let me add some fuel to this little play. Kirei, just wait quietly in the church for your so-called mentor's summons."

"Understood!" Kirei replied respectfully.

"Kirei, regarding peace of mind, I shall give you one more thing as a parting gift." Kuroda reached into his pocket, pulled out a folded piece of paper, and handed it to Kirei.

"This is…?!" When Kirei unfolded it, he saw that it was a recipe for mapo tofu.

"This…!"

"Take it and share it with yourself or someone you hold dear. Enjoy the pleasure this dish brings." With that, Kuroda turned and left. Kirei watched him until he disappeared from sight before heading back toward the church. A faint smile played on his lips as he tucked the paper into his robes. He already knew how he would indulge himself.

...

"You three had quite the fun day, huh? Where'd you even get the money for all this?" Kuroda couldn't help but comment as he looked at Little Medusa, who was buried under shopping bags.

"Heh, don't underestimate a goddess's luck! We played that… what's it called… the pinball game, won a ton of money, and bought all this," Euryale boasted.

"You went and played pachinko?! Couldn't you have been a little more careful? There are highly perceptive magicians in Fuyuki—if they caught wind of you…" Kuroda frowned.

"Relax, Master. Modern tricks are nothing compared to the magecraft of the Age of Gods. Besides, with my Presence Concealment skill, there's no way they'd find us," Stheno said confidently.

Kuroda nodded slightly. Stheno's Presence Concealment was A+ rank—practically the highest level. If she wanted to hide, ordinary magicians wouldn't stand a chance. He then casually asked, "But why did you buy so many clothes?"

"We bought them to wear for ourselves, of course. As goddesses, our pursuit of beauty is only natural. Don't get the wrong idea—it's definitely not for someone else to see." Euryale turned her head slightly, her eyes darting toward Kuroda repeatedly.

"Besides, blending in as ordinary humans would be helpful for you, wouldn't it, Master? You've been deliberately keeping us hidden—surely you have plans in that regard." Stheno was sharp. From Kuroda's schemes, she could easily deduce his strategy, so buying these clothes was also part of the plan—making it easier for them to integrate into modern society without drawing attention.

"But why did you make Little Medusa carry everything? Here, give those to me." Seeing the tiny girl buried under piles of shopping bags, Kuroda shook his head and held out his hand.

"Huh? No, I can't let Master carry things!" Little Medusa refused immediately.

"Don't worry. I know a bit of spatial magecraft—I can store all this in my personal space." Kuroda touched the shopping bags, and in an instant, they vanished into his system storage.

"Master is so doting on our little sister. It almost makes us jealous," Stheno said with a smile. Seeing her elder sister's gentle expression, Little Medusa shivered.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, let's head to Mount Enzō." Now that the matter with Kirei was settled, Kuroda was eager to deal with the Holy Grail.

The three sisters had no objections—bickering and teasing each other was just part of their daily dynamic. Kuroda knew this, so he only occasionally comforted Little Medusa to prevent her from being bullied into low self-esteem.

Upon arriving at Mount Enzō, Kuroda easily tapped into the power of the black mist to sense the aura of the Holy Grail. The little thing he had created would be ready in about a month. That was why Kuroda needed at least a month before activating the Grail and beginning the Holy Grail War—not any sooner.

Manipulating the ley lines, Kuroda channeled vast amounts of magical energy into the Greater Grail. Once the energy reached a certain threshold, he stopped. He was certain that this surge of magical energy would soon be detected by a certain "man of elegance," alerting him that the Holy Grail War was about to begin ahead of schedule.

So then… how would everyone react?

...

"Hm?" A man in a red suit, elegantly sipping wine at home, let out a quiet sound of surprise. He sensed the magical pulse from the ley lines—a sensation matching the records left by his ancestors. This was the precursor to the Holy Grail War, a sign that the Holy Grail was about to descend.

"How can this be? There should still be a year left. Has something gone awry?" For a man who prided himself on meticulous planning, this sudden development was far from welcome. Many of his preparations were still incomplete, and now he would have to hastily commence the Holy Grail War.

"No matter… Though the reason is unclear, what's done is done. I must make the necessary arrangements. First, I'll confirm how much time remains before the war begins, then notify the selected Masters."

---

Advanced 30+ Chapters in pat/reon.com/KyokaSuigetsu