[Damien]

[Mana Reserve: 400/1000]

[Recovery Rate: 10/hour]

A recovery of 10 mana per hour… that was the extent of what young Sakura could currently provide Damien.

This didn’t mean Sakura’s mana was vast.

In fact, most of a Servant’s mana came from the Holy Grail system.

The Master’s role was more like a faucet.

The higher the Master’s aptitude, the greater the flow, and the more mana the Grail could supply to the Servant.

Sakura’s aptitude was undeniable.

Across the Fourth and Fifth Holy Grail Wars, aside from Illyasviel, the Tohsaka sisters had the highest mana aptitude.

“With 10 mana per hour, that’s 240 a day.”

With about five days until the Holy Grail War began, plus the seven-day war, that totaled twelve days.

“In twelve days, Sakura can provide 2,880 mana. Adding what I have left, that’s 3,280.”

“Snow Empress and Ogerpon, equivalent to EX-rank Noble Phantasms, require 2,000 mana to summon.”

“Shuna, Shion, and Souei, slightly below Ice Empress, need 250.”

“5,000 C-rank Servants require 5,000 mana.”

“400 B-rank Servants need 4,000 mana.”

“200 A-rank Servants require 10,000 mana.”

“Three A+-rank Servants need 750 mana.”

“One A++-rank Servant needs 500 mana.”

If focusing only on peak combat power, Damien could summon just the A-rank and above Servants.

Even so, he’d still need 13,000 mana.

Clearly, Sakura’s mana alone wouldn’t suffice.

“Shuna.”

Once his mana had recovered sufficiently, Damien summoned Shuna.

[Shuna]

Type: Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm

Combat Rating: A+

Summoning Cost: 250

“Lord Damien.”

“Go to that mountain over there. There’s a temple on it.”

Damien pointed in a direction, instructing, “Occupy it and set up a mana-draining array.”

Ryuudou Temple!

One of Fuyuki City’s spiritual leyline hubs.

Through the leyline, Damien could quickly gather mana, allowing [Monster Kingdom of Another World] to unleash its true potential.

“Three nights ago, the Matou residence was attacked by an unknown force. The entire mansion vanished, leaving only ice shards.”

At the Tohsaka residence, Tokiomi Tohsaka listened to his disciple Kirei Kotomine’s report, his heart filled with unease.

The Matou family, one of Fuyuki City’s two great magus families alongside the Tohsakas, was no less powerful.

Especially Zouken Matou.

Even Tokiomi couldn’t see through that old man.

Yet, the Matou family had vanished overnight, as if erased from existence.

The thought sent chills through Tokiomi.

“Sakura…”

Tokiomi also felt a throbbing headache, unsure how to explain this to his wife.

He had personally handed Sakura to the Matou family.

Now, this had happened.

For the first time, Tokiomi regretted his decision.

“Any news of Sakura?”

Though hope was slim, he wished she was alive.

If so, she could inherit the Matou family’s magic circuits early.

That would be a boon for her magical path.

“Can we determine what kind of magecraft caused it?”

“The Church’s investigators examined it but found no similar cases.”

Kirei recalled the mana fluctuations at the Matou residence.

A bone-chilling cold lingered days later… was that truly magecraft?

“And last night.” Kirei continued, “Byakuya Matou, the current Matou heir, sold off the family’s assets at breakneck speed and fled overseas with his only son.”

The event was so sudden, almost absurd.

What force could have turned the Matou residence into that state before anyone could react?

“Did they flee out of fear of the enemy?”

Tokiomi could think of no other explanation.

For now, he could only prepare for the worst and await the Matou family’s next move.

Who attacked them, and why?

Had Clock Tower magus discovered some taboo of the Matou family and issued a Sealing Designation?

With his thoughts in disarray, Tokiomi couldn’t make a clear judgment.

“And, Kirei, you’re aware of that matter, right?”

“Yes.”

Kirei raised his hand, revealing the Command Seals… the mark of a Holy Grail War Master.

“The Matou incident might be tied to the early start of the Holy Grail War.”

“You mean a Servant?”

“It’s possible.”

Tokiomi was merely speculating.

A pre-summoned Servant destroying the Matou family seemed too far-fetched.

After all, the Matou family was one of the three founding families of the Holy Grail system.

No one knew the war better than they did.

Being destroyed by their own creation was laughable.

“With the Holy Grail War starting early, the relic you prepared…”

“No need to worry, Kirei.”

Compared to his daughter’s safety, Tokiomi cared more about his magus’s ambition… the pursuit of the Root.

Any sacrifice was worth reaching the Root.

Besides, neither Sakura’s nor Zouken’s body had been found, so nothing was certain.

Perhaps they were alive, just hiding.

“The relic is secured.”

Tokiomi’s recent agitation stemmed from the war’s imminent start while the relic to summon the most ancient king was still en route.

But just recently, it had safely reached him.

“With that king summoned, victory in this Holy Grail War is ours!”

Tokiomi was brimming with confidence. The Tohsaka family had awaited this day for so long.

Finally, it was here!!

Meanwhile, at the former Matou residence, a black-haired young man stood outside the caution tape, his face grim as he surveyed the ruins.

Upon learning Tokiomi had given Sakura to the Matou family, Kariya Matou’s hatred for him peaked.

Knowing what the Matou family was, he understood how despairing it was for Sakura to fall into Zouken’s hands.

And Tokiomi, who had pushed his daughter into that pit?

That man didn’t deserve to be a father!

***

Bonus Chapter:

100 Power Stones = 1 BC

300 Power Stones = 2 BC

500 Power Stones = 3 BC

700 Power Stones = 4 BC

1000 Power Stones = 5 BC

***

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