To Become a King and a Magician

At the Ryougi family dojo, Ryougi Shiki was practicing with the family's heirloom sword.

Five years had passed, and Shiki, now 24, looked no different from five years ago. Time seemed to leave no mark on her, except for an increasingly colder aura.

"Shiki-sama." The Ryougi family butler, Akio Kijinami, knelt at the dojo's entrance and reported to Shiki. "Merry-sama, your friend in England, has sent a letter for you."

*SWISH!*

Her sword sliced through the air, creating ripples and leaving cracks on the dojo's walls. Shiki sheathed her blade, grabbed a towel lying nearby, and wiped her sweat.

(A letter from that succubus…)

(There's definitely trouble again.)

Thinking this, Shiki put on her jacket and walked out of the dojo. As she passed Akio, she took the letter from his hand. "You may go. I won't be home tonight; I'm staying at Touko's."

"Understood, Miss. Take care."

Though long recognized as the next head of the Ryougi family, the official handover was still far off. Plus, she hadn't fully shed her ronin lifestyle of late nights out, so even after moving back to the Ryougi household, Shiki often left at dusk.

Naturally, no one in the Ryougi family opposed her behavior. They had no issue with whatever their Young Lady wished to do; at most, they were slightly concerned about her accommodations outside.

Touko—full name Aozaki Touko—her puppet situation was known to the Ryougi family. Her detective agency, even when praised, couldn't be said to have great conditions. The Ryougi household couldn't fathom why their Young Lady frequented it.

If it was for work, she'd resigned long ago…

[Oh well, let the Young Lady do as she pleases; we don't need to worry.]

Often, the Ryougi servants' speculations ended with this conclusion.

Meanwhile, after taking the letter from Akio, Shiki left the Ryougi estate. Reading the letter, she walked a familiar path she'd taken for years.

[Dear Ryougi Shiki, it's been a while. How have you been lately?]

(Sending me a letter already puts me in a bad mood.)

[This letter is, first, to express the longing in my heart. It's been months since our last correspondence, and this yearning is hard to bear. Yet, with our countries so far apart, I cannot visit in person—such a pity.]

Shiki felt Merry was deliberately trying to annoy her—next time they met in London, she'd slash her.

[Second, to inform you of a major event. The return of our beloved is near, and the Holy Grail ceremony will soon begin. Please prepare thoroughly and arrive on time.]

[P.S.: I've learned to write letters in a slightly more elegant style. How does it feel? Is there a surprising sense of freshness?]

*SREET!*

Casually, Shiki tore the letter to shreds and tossed it into a roadside trash bin, then sighed slightly.

(He's coming back.)

(Five years… I thought it'd be long, but it passed quickly.)

Shiki touched the knife behind her, her steps a bit lighter.

(This time, I should be able to give him one slash, right?)

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

In the private office of the Lord of the Botany Department.

Setting down the letter in her hand, the Lord of the Botany Department—May Riddell Archelot—sighed with a touch of sentiment. "Finally coming back. Disappearing for five years like that, you really know how to run far, Naoki."

"This time, I'm demanding an explanation."

At the Clock Tower, when the Lord of the Botany Department would marry was always a hot topic. After all, she was a globally renowned Magus in an unprecedented way. Though long retired, many Magus admired her—most eyeing her vast wealth.

Yet, despite suitors relentlessly trying various methods, Riddell never gave them a serious glance. Let alone offering a chance, she didn't even let them past her door, blocking them all outside. Even when the Archelot family elders repeatedly urged her to produce an heir, she remained unmoved.

As a result, rumors spread at the Clock Tower. Fortunately, many Magus never married, so after two or three years, talk of Riddell's marriage died down.

Thus, aside from Merry, the master matchmaker, almost no one knew Riddell was waiting for a jerk who'd gone to a parallel world without a word—who told her to be five years late! By the time she reached Misaki City, Naoki and Gray were already gone!

She didn't even get news of their departure!

If Merry hadn't told her later, she'd still be in the dark!

Now, finally awaiting their return, Riddell swore to demand answers and drag Naoki home.

*KNOCK!* *KNOCK!*

A knock came from outside, then the door opened, and a girl entered. "Am I disturbing you, Lord Archelot?"

"I've been waiting for you, Miss Reines." the Archibald family's princess smiled faintly, carrying a box as she approached Riddell. "This is the sacred relic we discussed. It took great effort to obtain. Who'd have thought it'd be in a backwater like the Far East. If not for my brother's tip, it might never have been found."

"Speaking of which, this Holy Grail War's lineup is truly extravagant. Two Lords are participating, and rumor has it the Church is very enthusiastic."

The Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City, in the Clock Tower's view, was merely a regional magical ritual, and in the Far East backwater at that. It was considered decent at best. Even after Lord El-Melloi joined ten years ago and failed, the Clock Tower chalked it up to bad luck and didn't pay much heed.

But this time, not only was it held again after ten years, it also drew two Lords to participate. The Clock Tower could no longer dismiss it.

"The Botany and Astronomy Departments. Two Lords joining one magical ritual, fighting to the death. The Holy Grail War's outcome will surely shake the current landscape. If needed, the Mineralogy Department can offer support—my brother asked me to convey this."

"Thank you for Lord El-Melloi's concern. With this sacred relic in hand, victory is practically mine."

Riddell opened the box, gazing at what looked like the shed skin of some creature inside.

Legend said it was the first snake's shed skin found in Mesopotamia. Ten years ago, in Fuyuki's Holy Grail War, a local Magus used it to summon the strongest Servant.

"King of Heroes Gilgamesh, the formidable enemy who made Brother taste defeat ten years ago, is undoubtedly the strongest familiar." Reines smiled. "Then, I congratulate you in advance on obtaining the Holy Grail, Lord Archelot. And please send my regards to my rarely-seen Second Brother. Brother often mentions him."

"I will."