MMMS 78

After their bath, Aoi helped him dry off first. Once they were done, they returned to the room together, one after the other.

Barefoot, Aoi stepped softly across the tatami and sat down beside him on the bed. She gently took his small hand in hers.

“Have you been waiting long, Ryuuto-kun? It’s getting late… should we go to sleep soon?”

The boy looked up at her and shook his head.

She tilted her head. “Hmm? What’s wrong?”

His hair still carried a faint trace of shampoo. That clean scent, paired with his delicate, beautiful face, made her heart flutter without warning. Even without touching him, she already wanted to hold him close and fall asleep like that, with his warmth in her arms.

Then, without warning, he gripped her hand tightly.

“...!”

Aoi’s breath hitched. Her eyes widened, just slightly.

He hadn’t said a word… but somehow, she understood what he wanted.

Her cheeks, still warm from the bath, flushed deeper with color. She bit her lip, hesitating, then gave the smallest nod.

There was no hiding anything anymore. Her feelings showed clearly on her face. The longing, the heat in her chest—it was all there.

Ryuuto could see it. Everything was ready now.

Now it was just a matter of taking that last step.

He looked into her eyes. “Aoi… why don’t you call Tokiomi?”

…

"Could it be, Tokiomi, that you're deliberately provoking me?!"

Gilgamesh's furious voice shattered the quiet of the Tohsaka mansion.

In the lavish living room, the golden King of Heroes sat stiffly on the sofa, his eyes blazing as he glared at his Master like a tiger ready to pounce.

Tokiomi stood nearby, hands folded like a proper retainer, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed the weariness he carried. His refined face, usually calm and composed, was now drawn with exhaustion and bitterness.

It hadn’t even been a full day since Gilgamesh had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of a nameless youth. Worse still, he’d lost Ea—his most prized treasure—in that same battle. Enraged but proud, the king had immediately declared a rematch, vowing to stake his kingship on a final, decisive duel.

But that duel never happened.

Tokiomi had interrupted the fight using a Command Spell. Without warning. Without consent.

And now, the King of Heroes was livid.

Gilgamesh had always found Tokiomi dull, but at least he had served loyally—bowing, flattering, and keeping his place. That had earned him tolerance. Barely. But tonight, the man had crossed the line. No, he had stomped on it with both feet.

By all rights, Tokiomi should have offered up his life as an apology.

But Gilgamesh had no time to waste on punishment. There was something he wanted more than vengeance right now.

To return to Einzbern Castle.

To finish what had been started.

And for that, he needed Tokiomi’s mana.

“Absolutely not!” Tokiomi bowed deeply, his voice earnest, almost desperate. “My king… please, consider the bigger picture. We can’t afford to act impulsively before we understand the enemy’s weaknesses.”

Gone was the composed elegance he usually wore like a second skin. Tonight, he cast aside dignity and pride, lowering himself over and over as he pleaded with the furious king.

Of course, he couldn’t say outright that a second duel would likely end in Gilgamesh’s death. So he could only choose his words carefully, hoping the king would see reason.

“The Church, as the official overseer, has already begun investigating that young man’s background. If they uncover anything that violates the Holy Grail War’s rules… they may authorize a joint subjugation. All participating magi would be ordered to act. Please, Your Majesty, stay here for now. Conserve your strength. Let time work in our favor.”

Tokiomi had spent the entire day at the church, locked in discussions with Risei Kotomine, his ally and the current supervisor of the war. They went over every possible angle, every regulation that could be bent into a weapon.

Because to Tokiomi, there was no doubt—Ryuuto was a monster. One that could suppress even Gilgamesh without using the Holy Grail’s power. If they hoped to bring him down, it would take more than pride or glory. It would take the cooperation of all remaining Masters.

But even Risei couldn’t act without a reason. The Church needed grounds, a breach of rules, some undeniable proof to rally everyone under one cause.

And so the search had already begun.

Tokiomi was digging into Ryuuto’s recent movements. If he could confirm that the boy had left Fuyuki, traveled to Tokyo, or done anything that blurred the lines between man and something more… that alone might give the Church enough of a foothold to move.

If the right truth came to light, it wouldn’t matter how powerful Ryuuto was. The Holy Church would turn every Master in this war against him.

But first, before any of that could happen… he had to find a way to calm the furious king sitting in front of him.

“…Tokiomi, you don’t think I can win against him, do you?” Gilgamesh’s voice was low and cold, but the fire in his crimson eyes made the air feel heavier.

“That’s not it! Absolutely not!” Tokiomi straightened up and spoke quickly, ignoring the cold sweat gathering on his back. “You are the one and only King of Heroes—unmatched throughout history. There’s no enemy you can’t overcome.”

He paused for just a moment, then continued carefully. “However… as you’ve seen for yourself, that young man’s power is clearly beyond the scale of this war. He must have used some kind of underhanded method, some trick that defies the rules. Please, grant me a little time to investigate. I’ll uncover the truth—”

“There’s nothing wrong with his power.” Gilgamesh cut him off without hesitation. Arms crossed, his tone carried a certainty. “If anything, that guy wasn’t even going all out. And yet you’re here making excuses for me.”

His gaze narrowed. “Tokiomi, I’ll say this once. Stop interfering. Don’t try to be clever. This battle is between me and that man alone. This is a matter of pride… mine as a king.”

Tokiomi felt his stomach churn.

How had things come to this?

This war was supposed to be under control. Every piece had been carefully arranged. Countermeasures were in place. The enemy should have been manageable.

And yet now, everything had spiraled beyond expectation.

With nowhere to release the frustration building inside him, Tokiomi clenched his fists, fingernails digging into his palms.

After a moment of silence, he lowered his head deeply, bowing toward the golden figure seated before him.

Staring down at the intricate carpet beneath his feet, he spoke through clenched teeth. “My king… please. Just give me three days. If I fail to uncover evidence of wrongdoing in that time, I won’t stop you. He will be yours to deal with, as you see fit.”

Gilgamesh stared at him for a long second, then stood.

“Hmph.”

With a swirl of golden particles, his body shimmered and disappeared from the room.

His voice echoed behind, cold and absolute.

“Tokiomi, remember this. That was the last time I’ll indulge your nonsense.”