Shinji could see that after a full year of "training," Kariya's physical abilities as a normal person were mostly ruined.
At this moment, Kariya could still walk and talk entirely due to another outcome of his training—the identity of a magician was supporting the bodily functions that had completely deteriorated as a "human."
Because even basic functions like chewing and swallowing were no longer possible, eating mostly consisted of consuming some liquid food or intravenous injections of nutrients.
Shinji found it hard to imagine what kind of willpower could allow an ordinary person who had barely been exposed to magic to endure a whole year of such inhumane training.
In any case, if he were in Kariya's place, he definitely couldn't have done it.
Opposite Shinji, Kariya lowered his head and looked at the back of his pale hand, his heart in turmoil, feeling both joy and disappointment, and even a bit lost.
Shinji's appearance had changed the course of many things.
Originally, Kariya didn't care anymore; he had decided to give his life to Sakura and Aoi, the mother and daughter.
His biggest concern was dying before winning and obtaining the Holy Grail, and then when he finally won the Grail and sent Sakura back to her mother, he worried that her heart would be completely closed off, forever shrouded in the shadow of despair.
But now...
Although he could see Kariya's complex feelings, Shinji didn't point it out but instead smiled slightly, "Uncle Kariya, are you still doubting my identity? Then let me prove it a bit."
"It's not that..." Kariya raised his head to argue, but as soon as he opened his mouth, the boy closed his eyes and began to speak with emotion—
"…Just because this princess was not the one he wanted to save, he didn't linger, but resolutely bid farewell, carrying the heavy magic sword, and set off on his journey again.
He stepped into the wind and sand, his figure resembling a lone wolf. He knew that the princess he had casually saved was now standing on the city wall, gazing affectionately and reluctantly at his departing figure...
But so what? Although she was also a princess, she was not the princess in his heart, so he would not stay for her...
'What a foolish woman...'
In the vast wind and sand, only these words, spoken softly by the man, were left, unsure of who they were meant for."
Listening to Shinji's sincere whisper, Kariya felt the scene more and more familiar—the plot, the writing...
Seeing Kariya's increasingly strange expression, Shinji snapped his fingers and revealed the answer before Kariya could speak, "That's right! It's your great work—'The Dark Swordsman Kariya'!"
"And this is my favorite part of the plot. On the way to save the princess he loved, the protagonist casually saved another princess and escorted her back to her country.
Then, he ignored the love she developed for him during the journey, even resolutely rejecting her plea to stay! He set off on his journey again like a lone wolf! Ah, ah, it's really..."
Seeing Shinji cross his legs again and show a look of emotion, Kariya indeed wanted to punch him or find a hole to hide in.
How did this kid dig up his embarrassing past?
"It's such a pity that this work couldn't be published. I'm sure Uncle Kariya feels the same way, right? But don't worry! In my world, this work has already been made into a movie, and it will be released across Asia next month!"
"Spurt!"
Even if Kariya tried to pretend not to care, he couldn't stay calm after hearing this and spat out a mouthful of blood!
—It was real blood.
"Stop, stop! I believe you! Don't say anymore!"
"And you don't need to worry about copyright issues. I put your name at the very beginning of the movie! In prominent white letters on a black background, taking up the entire big screen!"
"Cough, cough..."
Kariya wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his right eye twitching uncontrollably. He couldn't believe that his nephew from the other world could be so infuriating... Though his arrogant personality was indeed annoying when he was a child too.
"Alright, enough joking, let's get to the main topic."
"So it was a joke..." Kariya patted his chest, still feeling nervous.
"Of course it was a joke. Actually, the movie adaptation of 'The Dark Swordsman Kariya' was released last month, not next month."
"Spurt!" Kariya spat out another mouthful of blood. Damn, why was this kid so aggravating?
"Want to hear the audience's feedback? I have first-hand information here!"
"No need!" Kariya raised his hand and loudly stopped Shinji, "Just get to the point you mentioned quickly!"
...
Actually, Shinji hadn't originally intended to show up or communicate with Kariya, but he couldn't help but reveal himself when he saw Kariya holding Sakura and silently weeping.
His original plan was to deal with Zouken, then have Kariya summon Berserker according to the plan. With his guidance, Kariya could easily make it to the end.
Along the way, they would trick a few people, and eventually, Shinji would win the Holy Grail and use its nearly infinite magic power to help heal Kariya's body.
But unexpectedly, the old worm didn't play by the rules! He directly seized Kariya's qualification to represent the Matou family in the war using his authority as the head!
Although Shinji did his best to deal with the worm and Berserker, now a major problem was in front of him—
Kariya lost his qualification to participate and could no longer summon a servant, Berserker was killed along with Zouken, and it was impossible to re-establish a contract with Kariya.
And Shinji himself was originally Rider's master in his world, so he couldn't summon a new servant in this world either.
Moreover, he had very little life force left and couldn't provide enough magic power for a servant.
In the end, after much thought, Shinji decided to explain the situation to Kariya in this world first, otherwise, he might take some futile actions.
"Shin... Shinji..."
"In this world, call me Shinji. After all, there's another Matou Shinji in this world."
As he spoke, Shinji dipped his finger in tea and wrote the characters for "Shinji" on the table. Although the pronunciation was the same, they were completely different characters.
"Alright, Shinji, I understand the general situation. So, I no longer have the qualification to summon a servant and participate in the Holy Grail War, and your purpose is to win the Holy Grail War, which is why you came to this world similar to your past, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"So you will participate in the Holy Grail War..."
"In short, before Zouken returns, I need you to use the Matou family's power to help me a bit. Since the plan has been disrupted, I need to re-establish the Minotaur plan, which requires a little help from the Matou family."
"Minotaur? What's that?"
"Don't worry about it. Just remember the name and use the Matou family's name to get their help, and it must be kept secret. First, there's the Kobayashi family in the neighboring city. You can use the free use of a spiritual land for a year to get their help, and then..."
"Wait, slow down, I can't remember all that."
...
After listening to Shinji clearly list one unfamiliar family name and location after another, Kariya was a bit stunned. His nephew from another world knew so much about the family's business!
After writing down all the names Shinji mentioned, Kariya finally asked the ultimate question.
"Shinji, what exactly do you want them to help you with?"
"I want them to help me create a legitimate identity in this world."
"Just a legitimate identity?"
Kariya was puzzled. Why would he need so many magic families to help with just an identity?
"Uncle Kariya, it's better to be cautious. There are many weird and dangerous participants in this Holy Grail War, and if we are careless, we might be exposed. If we're going to do this, we need to do it flawlessly."
Although Kariya didn't fully understand, he nodded in agreement, but then he looked a bit troubled, "But, I might not be able to speak for these families. Usually, it's Zouken and your father... I mean, Tsuruno who handle these matters."
"Don't worry, with Zouken gone, Tsuruno can't defeat you. After getting their contact information, you can use Zouken's name to get them to help."
Seeing Shinji nonchalantly say such things, Kariya thought that his nephew in this world was probably not a "father and son in harmony" type of child either.
"And finally, Uncle Kariya, you probably can't wait to send Sakura back to her mother, right?"
Kariya didn't deny it when he was seen through but nodded seriously, "Yes, although I might not be able to personally kill the culprit who caused Aoi's suffering in the Holy Grail War, I must at least send Sakura back to Aoi and Rin!"
"Calm down and listen to my analysis. Right now, you better not do that. Even if you send Sakura back, Tokiomi Tohsaka will soon send her to another magic family. Moreover, he might get angry and start a war with the Matou family because of the Matou family breaking the contract again."
"He..."
Seeing Kariya's emotions flare up, Shinji could only sigh and interrupted him, clearly explaining the unavoidable reasons for Sakura's fate.
...
After learning these unimaginable reasons, Kariya's eyes flashed with struggle, his tightly clenched right fist trembling uncontrollably.
"...So, because of Sakura's magical aptitude and attributes, no matter what, she cannot escape the fate of being sent away by that bastard, facing separation from her mother?"
"Yes, but if it's another family, Sakura's treatment might be different, possibly much better."
"Tsk!" Kariya spat angrily and said with hatred, "No matter the reason, a father who can't protect his daughter is not a father! I absolutely cannot agree that separating Aoi and Sakura in the name of protection is the right thing to do! Absolutely!"