Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover-Chapter 226: [] Caren Hortensia and Illyasviel (Magical Girl Edition)

Chapter 226 - [226] Caren Hortensia and Illyasviel (Magical Girl Edition) 

This is what happened in the Ainsworth family after Sakatsuki was transported to the Fate/Zero timeline.

"You're saying there was a temporal fluctuation at that moment?"

"Yes. At first, I thought it was an effect caused by Ea, but later I discovered that this fluctuation shares the same essence as the waveform that appeared in the Grand Hollow."

"Is that so... Hmph, so he didn't die but escaped instead."

"I've already locked onto that timeline. Should we pursue it?"

"No, there's no need to concern ourselves with where that man went. The priority now is to retrieve the Holy Grail—by using Emiya... no, Sakatsuki's timeline, we can perform a reverse calculation on where the Lesser Grail escaped to and deploy Class Cards to that location. By utilizing the fate pulsations they create, we can connect to that world."

"Understood."

"Hmph, that guy would never expect that his shameful act of fleeing would end up pushing his sister back into hell."

Thus, the interlude at the Ainsworth household came to an end.

And now, the gears of fate have begun to turn once more.

***

Vatican City.

Amusingly, not long after returning from Rome in the Singularity, Sakatsuki found himself back in the Holy City, just a few kilometres away from Rome.

Even Nero could never have imagined that five hundred years later, Pope Stephen II would establish the very religious state she despised right next to her capital.

"Though, I truly didn't expect that the identity documents given to me by the Marshal of Magecraft would be related to the Holy Church."

Bathed in the radiance of the Holy City, Sakatsuki, with his white hair and golden eyes, walked leisurely into the Basilica of St. Peter, accompanied by Katou Danzou.

As soon as he entered, he bumped into someone who was about to leave.

"Oh my, whose child is this? This isn't a place you should be wandering into."

A voice as clear as a silver bell rang out. Sakatsuki looked up slightly and saw a petite, fair-skinned girl.

She had the same eye colour as Sakatsuki, but her hair was a more lustrous silver-white. Though her chest wasn't particularly full, the curves it outlined were still tantalizing. Her seemingly cold face hid all traces of desire, but Sakatsuki knew full well what kind of seductive and unrestrained attire lay beneath her solemn nun's habit.

In the church adorned with colourful paintings and sacred statues, she appeared like a devout nun, concealing an unfathomable darkness within her.

"Caren Hortensia."

Some might not be familiar with her, but they would certainly recognize her father—Kirei Kotomine, who abandoned her when she was young. Her mother, Claudia, committed suicide, so she was raised by strict priests.

At the age of nine, her unique constitution was exposed, and from then on, she was treated as a tool by the Holy Church, barely gaining the qualification to act under its name.

Of course, this is her background in 'Fate/hollow ataraxia.' In this world, information about her is scarce, and discrepancies are to be expected.

"You know my name?" The girl's eyes flickered slightly as she took a few steps back, looking around in surprise. "But I don't remember meeting you anywhere, and someone your age shouldn't be involved in my work."

"Don't bother guessing. You'll find out my identity soon enough," Sakatsuki said, shifting his gaze away from her and walking off without another word.

"Stay here and don't move, Danzou. That includes you, Caren."

"...What a strange boy." The silver-haired girl shook her head and turned to leave, only to be blocked by a figure.

"Apologies, but my master has instructed you to stay here. Please wait a moment, miss."

"Master?" Caren looked at the truly expressionless doll and raised an eyebrow, but she obediently stood still. "Alright, then. Let's see just who has the audacity to stop someone at the entrance of the Holy Church."

After all, as someone about to be sent off to a small city thousands of miles away, she was destined to have no connection with a 'noble' who had a maid and such an extraordinary demeanour.

With that, she casually yawned and leaned against the wall, waiting to see what would happen next.

A moment later...

"In the capacity of overseer and executor, Father Sakatsuki will travel to Fuyuki City to monitor the leyline. Additionally, Sister Caren Hortensia will accompany him. All matters are to be confirmed by Father Sakatsuki."

As Cardinal Joseph, her superior's superior, personally came out to deliver this message with a reverent expression, as if proclaiming a divine decree, Caren's initially nonchalant expression gradually stiffened.

"Huh?"

"What do you mean, 'huh'? From now on, I'm your boss," the boy in priestly robes, who had somehow appeared beside her, patted her shoulder, unable to hide the gleeful smile on his face.

"Now then, let's go, 'lovable' (Caren) miss."

***

Though he had become her direct superior through some bizarre means, this boy priest didn't show anything particularly special. Instead, he followed the usual routine: taking a taxi, entering the airport, and boarding a plane bound for a city in the Far East.

"..." Caren silently followed behind Sakatsuki, who was even shorter than her, scrutinizing him without hiding her confusion.

She didn't recall the Holy Church ever having a new authority figure, but given how even a cardinal had treated him with such reverence, it was clear that this child's status was extraordinary.

No, she shouldn't think of him as a child. He might be some ancient monster with an absurdly long lifespan.

"I feel like you're falling into the same misconception as some others, Miss Lovely," Sakatsuki quipped without turning around. "By the way, I'm under thirty, a genuine young man."

"Who knows if that's true," Caren said, crossing her legs and closing one eye.

"Heh, whether it is or not, you're destined to be under my control."

"Oh? A noble young master is interested in a mere nun like me?"

"Do you really have no confidence in your own charm, Hortensia?" This time, the boy priest finally turned around, looking at her with a teasing smile. "A saint not blessed by the Lord, but by demons."

The beautiful boy's smile was radiant, enough to captivate everyone in the cabin, regardless of gender. Yet, the silver-haired nun's face remained impassive. She even yawned nonchalantly.

"I'm sleepy. I'm going to sleep. If you have any wicked intentions, just don't wake me up and do as you please."

"Heh, who would be interested in someone who reeks of blood and is into bondage play?" The white-haired, golden-eyed boy sat back properly. "I'm fine just holding onto my Danzou. No... just kidding, Danzou, no need to come over on your own."

"Understood."

Amid the playful banter between the doll and the priest, the silver-haired nun silently fell asleep.

When she woke up, it was already the next morning. The sky was filled with leaden clouds, and rain was falling in a steady drizzle.

Caren rubbed her sleepy eyes and, after a moment, lifted the blanket that had somehow been draped over her. She stood up and walked out of the plane, which had already landed at the airport.

At the entrance, the boy in the deep black priestly robes, seemingly low-key yet undeniably eye-catching, was smiling as he spoke with a small girl with silver hair and crimson eyes.

"So, you're not interested in me because you're a lolicon?" The nun walked over to the silently standing ninja and spoke in a mocking tone.

However, Katou Danzou couldn't detect the sarcasm in Caren's voice and answered matter-of-factly: "When we got off the plane, it started raining. Master noticed the girl didn't have an umbrella and was asking if she needed help."

As soon as she finished speaking, they saw Sakatsuki, with his left hand behind his back, project a beautifully patterned umbrella and hand it to the little girl. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"Thank you, Father!" The girl took the umbrella and bowed shyly. "My name is Illya, Illyasviel von Einzbern. I'm a student at the elementary school of Homurahara Academy!"

"Mm, such a good girl," Sakatsuki said, his eyes flickering slightly as he noticed the maid, Sella, who shared the same hair and eye colour as Illya, rushing over from behind.

"Well then, farewell for now."

With that, the overly young priest faded into the crowd like a shadow. Moments later, he reappeared before Caren and Danzou, speaking casually.

"Let's go. First, we'll visit the local church."

"You seemed to approach her deliberately. Is there something special about that girl?" Caren asked, watching the two who looked like twin sisters gradually walk away.

"Is there, or isn't there? Who knows?" Sakatsuki responded with a smile, though inwardly, he was puzzled.

In another world, he had obtained the highest authority key to the Einzbern family from their central AI, Jubstacheit.

Even in a different timeline, this key should have some effect on the homunculi from the Einzbern family.

Yet, when facing Illya, the highest authority key showed no reaction. However, when Sella, another homunculus from the Einzbern family—who was killed by Gilgamesh in 'Fate/stay night'—appeared, the key transmitted her information and a prompt to take over 'control.'

"It seems I'll need to find this world's Irisviel and Kiritsugu..." With this thought, Sakatsuki began to walk.

***

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