He pointed at the massive boulder that had smashed into the ground. "In that instant just now, I felt the magical energy in your Mystic Eyes erupt like a bursting dam, only to dry up a second later."
"It was as if... something was forcibly extracting your power."
Hearing this, Haruri's body suddenly stiffened.
Her hand subconsciously pressed against her chest.
There, the red worm that had completely burrowed into her body was greedily squirming.
It hungered for magical energy.
It stimulated Haruri's nerves, making her anxious, making her crave the release of power, only to devour that power along with her life force.
Over the past three days of training, every eruption of magical energy was the work of this worm.
It had indeed increased Haruri's total magical energy, even allowing her to unleash greater power.
But the price was that she had begun to lose control over this power, unable to perform the actions she could once accomplish with ease.
Haruri took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the nauseating squirming sensation within her body. She raised her head, her gaze becoming exceptionally stubborn.
"Mr. Asuka, rest assured, I am truly fine."
Asuka looked at her.
He looked at this woman whose body was clearly on the verge of collapse, yet who still forced herself to stand tall and refused to fall.
He faintly guessed what was going on.
That old worm... Zouken Matou.
Although Asuka had no proof, he could smell that familiar, nauseating stench of rot.
It was the exact same scent that lingered on Kariya Matou.
"...Is it because of Sumire?" Asuka asked softly.
Haruri pressed her lips tightly together and lowered her head.
"That child, Sumire, is growing at an astonishing rate. She will soon have to face those terrifying enemies."
"As her mother, if I can't even endure this little bit of suffering, how can I protect her?"
She looked at Asuka. "Please, don't ask anymore... Let me keep training."
Asuka sighed.
He turned around, no longer pressing the issue.
"Since you don't want to say, I won't ask."
"But, Haruri, you must remember one thing."
With his back to her, Asuka's voice was deep and firm. "Sumire is much stronger and more talented than you imagine."
"What she needs isn't a mother who sacrifices herself for her, but a mother who can always stay by her side and watch her grow up."
"The upcoming battles... if you find it too difficult, it's fine if you don't participate."
"I will protect her. That is my promise."
At this point, Asuka paused slightly. "Also..."
"Never, absolutely never believe a single word that old man says."
Having said his piece, Asuka didn't linger any longer and strode toward the manor.
He decided to find Zouken and demand a clear explanation for what he was trying to achieve by doing this.
Watching Asuka's retreating back, Haruri finally dropped her disguise.
She crouched on the ground, clutching her chest in agony, cold sweat soaking her back.
"I'm sorry... Mr. Asuka..."
"But... as long as Sumire can survive... even if I have to become a monster... I am willing."
Asuka searched around but couldn't find Zouken anywhere. Instead, he was informed by a worm familiar sent by the old man to head to the front courtyard immediately.
The sky was gloomy, with thick, heavy clouds pressing down overhead, permeating the air with the stifling heat that precedes a storm.
In front of the gates of the Matou Manor, a few crows perched on dead branches, letting out hoarse caws.
"We have a guest."
Sensing Asuka's footsteps, Zouken didn't turn around, simply pointing his cane at the front gates.
In the shadows outside the gates stood a dark figure wearing a white skull mask.
That iconic attire, combined with that unsettling aura.
It was Assassin.
Asuka rested his hand on the hilt of his sword and stepped up beside Zouken.
"What are you here for? A fight?"
"Well, he said he wouldn't speak unless you and Kariya were also present," Zouken replied.
Before long, Kariya Matou also arrived upon hearing the commotion. Followed by the tall, silent Berserker, he stared at the newcomer with a vigilant expression.
"Do not be nervous, Avenger, and members of the Matou family."
Assassin did not launch an attack. Instead, he stood his ground and spoke in a low voice.
"I am not here to fight, but to act as a messenger, conveying the will of the Holy Church and the Masters."
"A messenger?" Kariya sneered, the worm veins on his face pulsing. "Has that hypocrite Tokiomi Tohsaka finally lost his patience and gone mad enough to ally with the Church?"
Assassin ignored Kariya's mockery, merely repeating his orders mechanically.
"Given that Avenger is an irregular Class that should not exist, and his recent actions have severely threatened the purity of the Holy Grail War."
"By the ruling of the Holy Church's Overseer, and through the joint deliberation of the remaining three Masters—Tohsaka, Einzbern, and El-Melloi."
"A subjugation will be carried out against Avenger tonight."
"Subjugation?" Asuka raised an eyebrow and let out a cold laugh. "That's a nice way of putting it. Don't you just want to gang up on me?"
"Exactly," Assassin admitted without hesitation. "This is the consensus of all participants, excluding the Matou family."
At the same time, this was also Diarmuid's strong demand.
Since they had already decided to gang up on someone, they at least shouldn't sneak around like rats.
They had to issue a formal challenge to a duel, fair and square, like true knights.
Assassin continued to relay someone's instructions. "Tonight, the Church will set up a powerful isolation Bounded Field on the banks of the Mion River beneath the Fuyuki City Bridge, ensuring that no uninvolved personnel are caught in the crossfire."
"At that time, the Masters and knights will be waiting there."
Assassin's gaze swept over everyone present before finally settling on Asuka.
"Whether you cower like cowards or attend the gathering like Heroic Spirits."
"The choice is in your hands."
With that, Assassin's figure dissipated like smoke, leaving only a black invitation letter fluttering to the ground.
"Four Heroic Spirits..."
Kariya picked up the invitation, his hands trembling uncontrollably, his face turning incredibly pale.
"Are you kidding me... Are they really resorting to such underhanded methods?!"
One against four?
Even with Berserker, it would still be two against four.
Moreover, the opponents included that rule-breaking King of Heroes, along with three other legendary kings and knights.
This was practically a public execution.
"These despicable bastards... Is this what they call noble families?!"
Kariya trembled with rage and violently tore the invitation to shreds.
"Don't go, Asuka!" He turned to look at Asuka. "This is a trap! We'll just hold our ground here. Relying on the defensive fortifications of this manor, we might not necessarily..."
"No."
Asuka shook his head, interrupting Kariya.
He bent down and picked up a torn fragment of the invitation. Looking at the gold-stamped crest of the Church on it, his eyes instead burned with a blazing fighting spirit.
"This is exactly what I want."
"If I don't go, they'll come knocking on our door sooner or later."
Asuka spoke calmly. "When that happens, this place will become a battlefield. Although this manor has some defensive capabilities, it probably won't survive a bombardment from the Noble Phantasms of four Heroic Spirits."
"Do you want this manor to be reduced to ruins? Do you want that little girl named Sakura to get caught in the crossfire?"
Kariya froze, unable to utter a single word.
"Therefore, I must go."
Asuka clenched his fists. "Since they want a fight, I'll give them one to their hearts' content!"
He turned around and looked at the Berserker behind him, who had remained silent the entire time.
"Hey, Tenth Division."
"Even though your brain isn't working too well, you haven't forgotten how to fight, have you?"
"Tonight, do you dare to go raise some hell with me?"
A red light suddenly flashed within the dark, hollow eye sockets of the Berserker.
A low roar emanated from beneath his bone mask.
It was a thirst for battle, and an excitement for slaughter.