Magical Gift – Seal Designation Enforcer
The image displayed on the card depicted a striking figure—"Bazett Fraga McRemitz," one of the notable characters within the Type-Moon universe, often referred to affectionately as Master of the Multi-Reverse Punch.
Though Bazett typically presented herself with a strong and masculine demeanor, the sheer potential she embodied as a character could not be underestimated.
The abilities of this equipment were simple yet devastatingly effective: it enhanced the power of the user's fists and kicks, allowing each strike to deliver the maximum possible damage. Simply put, every attack landed would be a critical hit.
For Chihiro, who had honed his hand-to-hand combat skills over years of training, this equipment was practically tailor-made.
It seemed like today was turning out to be a very lucky day.
Next, Chihiro opened the final golden treasure chest.
Magical Gift – Vengeance from the Underworld
This gift's effects were equally incredible. When equipped, it granted the Heroic Spirit an ignore invincible state for a limited duration and boosted the damage output of their Noble Phantasms by 15%.
Chihiro was truly fortunate. Two powerful items in one day.
After basking in his excitement for a while, fatigue finally caught up with him. He decided to rest and lay down to take a short nap.
About an hour later, Chihiro awoke, feeling refreshed. He headed downstairs to discuss their next course of action with Zhang Jiao and the others.
Zhang Jiao was the first to speak. "So, I suppose our plans will have to change once again."
"Yes," Chihiro replied seriously. "I initially planned to focus on other factions, but now that we know Matou Zouken is still alive, he can't be allowed to linger any longer. That man is a threat to everyone."
"An evil creature like him will only bring disaster the longer he's left unchecked," Zhang Jiao agreed, his expression darkening. "But the problem is, where could he be hiding now? After the setback he suffered last time, he'll likely burrow even deeper into the shadows."
"The only lead we have is that Zouken must have contact with Matou Kariya," Chihiro mused.
The situation made sense now. Last night, Matou Kariya had suddenly allied himself with Emiya Kiritsugu, expressing a desire to target Chihiro's group. At the time, the decision had felt puzzling, but with Matou Zouken re-entering the picture, everything became clear.
It had to be Zouken's orders.
Considering Kariya's relationship with the old worm, it was almost certain that Zouken was manipulating him. But how exactly was he controlling Kariya?
Chihiro pondered for a while but couldn't identify the leverage Zouken had over him.
"Maybe we're thinking about this from the wrong angle," Zhang Jiao suggested. "Why don't we consider it from Zouken's perspective instead?"
"You're right," Chihiro nodded thoughtfully.
By putting himself in Zouken's shoes, thinking like a manipulative schemer—the answer began to take shape. If Zouken wanted to control Matou Kariya, what would he use as leverage?
The only people who could emotionally sway Kariya enough for him to comply were the Tohsaka mother and daughters.
But simple threats likely wouldn't be enough. Zouken was the type to act, not merely threaten.
Yet, Chihiro had seen the Tohsaka family members yesterday, and they had appeared unharmed. Was it possible Zouken had done something in secret?
Rin was likely safe, given that she was constantly accompanied by Ishtar. Attempting anything under the watchful eye of a goddess would be nearly impossible.
Sakura, however, might be a different story. Chihiro had seen her yesterday, but if something subtle had been done to her, it was possible that Zhang Jiao had missed it.
Then there was Aoi Tohsaka.
Thinking back, Chihiro realized he hadn't seen Aoi Tohsaka at all yesterday—not since the raid on the Matou estate. Among the Tohsaka family members, she was the most likely target.
But what method could Zouken have used to manipulate her without anyone noticing?
Chihiro began analyzing Zouken's known abilities, quickly narrowing it down to one possibility.
In Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel, Zouken had used a mosquito-like magical familiar to replace a person's heart. This allowed him to control their body without them realizing it. Zouken had used this technique on Kuzuki Soichiro, and when Medea discovered the parasite, her attempts to remove it only caused the familiar to self-destruct.
If Zouken had used a similar technique on Aoi, it would explain everything.
Without wasting another moment, Chihiro decided to confirm his suspicions immediately. Speed was critical—if he guessed wrong, at least they could eliminate one possibility.
---
At the Tohsaka estate, Tokiomi looked at Chihiro with surprise. "Why have you come so suddenly?"
"Please stay calm," Chihiro said. "I need to check on Aoi."
Tokiomi frowned. "Aoi? She's been in her room and hasn't come out much lately. Why do you ask?"
Chihiro carefully explained his theory.
"What?!"
Rin almost jumped from her seat, her face pale with worry.
Tokiomi clenched his fists tightly. "Are you certain?"
"This is just a hypothesis," Chihiro admitted. "That's why I need to verify it."
"How do you plan to do that?" Tokiomi asked, his voice trembling.
"I'll have Zhang Jiao investigate," Chihiro replied. "As a Caster, he's most suited to this kind of task."
Reluctantly, Tokiomi agreed and pointed out where Aoi was staying. Zhang Jiao immediately shifted into spirit form to observe discreetly, with Hassan of the Hundred Faces accompanying him for backup.
Meanwhile, Tokiomi sat silently, his face buried in his hands. Time seemed to crawl as he waited, his mind a storm of emotions.
"If this is true…" Tokiomi whispered bitterly. "If this is true, then I've failed my family completely."
He felt like the worst kind of husband and father. He had almost sacrificed his daughter Sakura once, and now his wife Aoi might have been targeted under his very roof.
Minutes later, Zhang Jiao returned, nodding grimly to Chihiro.
Chihiro's worst fears had been confirmed.
Zhang Jiao had detected a faint trace of magical energy emanating from Aoi's heart. As an ordinary person, Aoi shouldn't have had any magic within her body, meaning something foreign was implanted inside.
Tokiomi collapsed onto the sofa, his spirit crushed.
"I'm a complete failure," he muttered, staring blankly into space.
"Chihiro, what should we do now?" Rin asked, her voice trembling. Beside her, Sakura clung to her sister, equally frightened.
Chihiro turned to Zhang Jiao, but the Caster shook his head helplessly.
"I'm not well-versed in this kind of parasitic magic," Zhang Jiao admitted.
Chihiro cursed silently. If only someone specialized in exorcism magic was here. His own expertise wasn't enough, and he didn't know anyone skilled in this particular field.
Suddenly, Rin spoke up, her voice cutting through the tension. "Wait—what about the system store?"
Everyone turned to look at her, realizing she might have found a solution.
Displayed on the system panel was a potion labeled:
[External Force Expelling Potion: Removes all foreign entities from the user's body, including curses, toxins, parasites, and magical effects. No side effects guaranteed.]
Tokiomi's eyes lit up. "This is exactly what we need!"
Looking at the price again, it was 50 Saint Quartz.
It really wasn't cheap.
After participating in the question-and-answer sessions these past few days, Tokiomi had saved nearly 40 Saint Quartz.
"Father, do you think this will be enough?"
Rin and Sakura also offered up their own Saint Quartz.
With this, it was more than enough.
The Tohsaka father and daughters suddenly found themselves back to having almost nothing.
But to them, ensuring Aoi's safety was worth every bit of it.
Their resentment would now be directed entirely at the old bug, Matou Zouken.
***
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