"So… you really brought me to Japan."
Caren's soft murmur lingered for a moment in the cold night air as her eyes wandered curiously over the house in front of her.
"And… we're in Fuyuki…" she added.
"Do you want to see your father?" Arthur asked, turning his gaze toward her. "If you want to meet him, I can take you there."
"...We'll talk about that later."
Caren replied after a brief silence, her expression taking on a more complex tone.
"Besides, didn't you say he's also one of the Masters participating in the Holy Grail War? He should be hostile toward you."
"So what?"
Arthur shrugged, as if they were discussing something completely trivial.
"Go see him if you want. As for hostility? That doesn't concern me… I could crush him."
His tone wasn't arrogant—it was factual. Simple, direct, and absolute.
"Ah…"
Caren was left speechless for a moment, her brows knitting slightly.
"I hate wild men, and you still haven't told me how you know I'm his daughter."
"Just to be clear, I'm not wild—I can be quite gentle sometimes. And to answer your question, I saw the future," Arthur replied. In truth, he had only seen one possible future, but that didn't matter right now.
"Alright, let's go inside. Starting today, this will be your home as well. If you need anything else, just let me know. There's less than a year until the Holy Grail War begins—once it's over, I'll send you all to school."
"Eh? We're going to school too?"
Kohaku's voice rang out immediately, full of excitement, her eyes shining with anticipation.
"Of course."
Not in this world, but that doesn't matter right now, he thought.
He had already decided that he would take them with him when he left this world.
"I took you away from the Tohno family so you could live the life of ordinary girls, without having to worry about the twisted desires of a disgusting adult… and to take care of your special condition."
"Condition…"
Kohaku and Hisui fell silent for a moment.
Despite her age, Kohaku knew exactly what awaited them if they had remained in the Tohno residence. Makihisa had already made it very clear what he would do to them—or rather, to her—in exchange for leaving Hisui alone.
"It's alright." Arthur placed his hand on Kohaku's head, gently stroking it.
"I know you're mature enough to understand things. I'll make sure you can live as normal girls."
Kohaku lifted her face, watching him closely… then tilted her head slightly.
"Why do you only pat my head and not Hisui's?"
"Eh?"
Arthur blinked, genuinely surprised by the question.
"I noticed that Hisui trembled whenever I touched her, so I avoided unnecessary contact."
For a brief moment, silence returned.
"…Thank you."
Kohaku murmured, her expression softening before blooming into a radiant smile that seemed to brighten everything around her.
"Hisui and I will help you take care of the house. After all, our original role was to be maids!"
"My sister and I will help with the housework," Hisui added as well, her voice quiet but firm, as if gathering her courage to say it.
Arthur observed the two of them for a moment, then smiled.
"Then I'll entrust that responsibility to you both."
His gaze slowly shifted to Fujino.
"Fujino, your situation is a bit special, so I'll cure your condition first… and then I'll teach you how to use your power."
"My power…?"
Fujino repeated, as if the word itself felt unfamiliar.
"…I understand." She nodded.
Arthur watched her reaction with satisfaction.
"Then, first of all…"
He lifted his gaze to the now fully dark sky, where a few stars were beginning to timidly appear.
A faint smile formed on his face.
"Let's get something to eat. We still have a year before the Holy Grail War begins," Arthur said.
---
A year.
That was how long I had been in this world since my sudden summoning.
I still hadn't discovered the exact reason for my summoning, nor how I had been summoned.
I had so many questions—but no answers.
No matter how much I tried to look into the future for clues, I never found anything relevant.
Or rather, I found many relevant things… but none of them were answers to my question.
For example, I saw myself—or rather, an extremely arrogant version of myself, arrogant enough to make me want to punch him.
A red-haired guy who looked like he was stuck in middle school.
A beautiful pair of— I mean, a great warrior summoned as a Lancer.
And a repulsive man I fully intend to kill.
During that period, I gathered everything I needed.
Information about the three founding families of the Holy Grail War.
I also turned my attention to the so-called Clock Tower, the central organization of modern magi… a cluster of arrogant old men clinging to the past while pretending to understand the present.
It wasn't anything surprising—or anything that could truly concern me.
Still, knowing the board is essential before crushing the pieces.
But… interestingly, what occupied most of my time wasn't my enemies.
It was them.
Sakura, Hisui and Kohaku, Fujino, and Caren.
My adoptive sisters, as they liked to call themselves.
Kohaku and Hisui quickly adapted to their new lives.
The former was loud, lively, and always smiling—energetic like a Siamese kitten, constantly trying to do more than necessary.
The latter was gentle and docile like a British Shorthair. Unlike her lively sister, Hisui was much calmer and more observant.
Both came to see me as someone indispensable in their lives.
Kohaku, in particular, would often argue with Sakura over who had more right to receive head pats.
Watching the two of them interact always made me laugh.
Fujino was almost the complete opposite of them—calm and affectionate like an adorable Ragdoll.
Whenever she had the chance, she would rest her head on my lap without me noticing.
Her power, however, was dangerous and unstable, as she had almost no control over it.
But it wasn't impossible to control.
With enough time—and some persistence—I managed to teach her how to understand her own ability.
As for Caren, she was like a Maine Coon.
Despite not showing it openly, she loved attention and never refused affection.
Even though she clearly showed her jealousy whenever I didn't give her enough attention.
Despite her sharp tongue, she was actually quite sociable.
Sakura was like a Birman—calm, sensitive, and very affectionate with everyone. She also loved it when I patted her head.
But when I didn't give her enough attention, she showed her jealousy even more clearly than Caren.
Of course… not everything was so peaceful.
The Tohno family didn't take long to try to capture Kohaku and Hisui again.
And, as expected, they began sending people after them.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Eventually, I completely lost my patience.
So I personally went to their residence once again and had a… "peaceful and pleasant" conversation with the head of the family, Makihisa Tohno.
Since then, they never bothered us again.
A wise decision, I'd say.
During that year, I also taught them magic—not the magecraft of this world, but magic from my own.
And, just to be safe, I granted them a few abilities that would help them use those spells.
Nothing extravagant.
Just enough to ensure they could protect themselves in case something happened in my absence.
I don't like relying on luck.
Especially when it comes to what belongs to me.
And now, the Holy Grail War was approaching.
Fuyuki would soon become a battlefield.
And although I had no issue taking part in it…
I couldn't simply leave them in the middle of a war zone.
So I made a decision.
"Girls, we're going to travel for a while."
I said, looking at all of them gathered in the living room.
Sakura was the first to react.
"Eh? A trip?!" Her eyes lit up instantly.
Fujino tilted her head slightly.
Caren simply crossed her arms.
"Where?"
she asked.
"We're going to Germany," I replied calmly.
"To the Einzbern family's residence."
A brief silence filled the room.
"Einzbern…?" Fujino murmured.
"That's right."
I crossed my legs, resting my chin on my hand.
"You'll be staying there for a while."
"Eh?!"
Kohaku leaned forward. "What about you?"
"I can't just leave this place. I have something to settle with one of the summoned Servants," I answered plainly.
"The Holy Grail War is about to begin."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Even if they didn't fully understand, they knew they couldn't change his decision.
"So you'll stay somewhere safe until all of this is over."
My tone left no room for argument.
"You're pushing us away from you," Caren said directly, arms crossed.
"I'm making sure you stay alive and safe," I replied. "As much as I hate to admit it, I can't stay by your side all the time."
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
"Hmph… do whatever you want." Caren snorted.
"Don't make those faces." I laughed as I patted each of their heads.
"Pack your things. We leave tomorrow morning."
---
(End of Chapter)