Facing Roland's declaration, Matou Zouken felt a chill run down his spine.
He mentally replayed their conversation. He hadn't said anything particularly revealing, so how had this boy suddenly realized he doesn't want to be a human?
Was he about to snap?
Considering Roland's combat prowess, if he did go berserk, he might just raze the entire Matou residence to the ground. That would counter Zouken's lifelong style: staying hidden in the shadows and manipulating others from a distance.
With that concern in mind, he gave a few dry coughs as a signal. A black-haired girl quietly stepped out from behind the door.
"Her magic circuits are fully open," Zouken said with deliberate calm. "Though she's still young by magus standards, she's more than sufficient as a magical energy source. Caster-class Servants can collect mana on their own, what the Master supplies is just to maintain their presence."
As if fearing Roland might be dissatisfied, Matou Zouken emphasized the girl's value with a rare urgency.
But Roland didn't even glance at him. His eyes were fixed first on the girl's hair, then, without realizing it, lingered on her hands.
"This child is Matou Sakura, originally adopted from the Tōsaka family. She hasn't been implanted with my familiars yet, so you can rest easy. She's yours to use however you see fit. If she survives the Holy Grail War, you can hand her back to me for disposal."
Noticing Roland's gaze, Zouken let out a laugh thick with malice and sadistic pleasure.
Now, Kariya's punishment was complete. After all his desperation and sacrifice, discovering that the very person he struggled to save had been handed over so casually, what a delicious twist. Zouken could already picture the look on Kariya's face when that fragile mask of justice finally crumbled.
"Oh, right. Here's your catalyst." Zouken handed over a small box. "This one's tied to the best Caster I possess. Once the war begins, I hope you'll uphold our agreement, Darnic is your top priority."
"The Matou family is summoning a Berserker this time. If all goes well, I hope you'll offer some assistance as well."
"I understand. It's nearly eleven. I need to rest," Roland replied flatly. Without another word, he turned and left the Matou estate. Sakura, already briefed on what to do, followed closely behind. Despite being passed between two people once again, her expression hardly changed. She didn't look like a six or seven-year-old girl at all.
With her lifeless gaze and puppet-like composure, Roland unconsciously slowed his pace. She mirrored him precisely, keeping just the right distance between them.
But it was unnerving. This girl, quiet and as delicate-looking as a doll, showed no fear of walking alongside a complete stranger.
Had she already seen horrors worse than this?
Roland glanced at her eyes. They weren't filled with the dull numbness of someone merely used to pain, they were truly lifeless. She hadn't even entered the worm pit yet. If not physical torment, was the mental damage already irreversible?
Still, Roland had no intention of playing savior. So, in a voice devoid of warmth, he finally spoke.
"Your name is Matou Sakura, right? I'm Roland."
Sakura lifted her head just slightly, staring at his back. Her expression remained blank.
He didn't seem to care whether she responded.
"First, understand this, your grandfather has given you to me. That means you are now under my authority. I'll be needing you for a while. I won't ask for anything beyond your capabilities, but you'd better not cause trouble."
He turned to face her, eyes calm and unwavering. "And just to be clear, even if you were foolish enough to hope otherwise, I won't let you leave. Not back to the Matou family. Not to the Tōsaka family. Nowhere."
Logically, he should have offered her some comforting lie. Told her that once the war ended, she'd be free.
But he refused.
He had risked his life to secure this source of magical energy. He wasn't the cause of Matou Sakura's suffering. He owed her nothing.
"I get it. You've been through a lot. And maybe, as an adult, I should say something righteous, like promising you freedom after the war."
"But I won't."
Roland looked her straight in the eye. "I never give away what's mine unless I choose to."
Maybe it was due to his childhood or his family, Roland had always been possessive. Even in games, he hoarded items he never used, unwilling to discard anything he'd earned.
"....Maybe I haven't grown into a proper adult."
He laughed at himself and looked back down at Sakura. "So be ready for that, Miss Matou Sakura."
Perhaps because his words were so unexpectedly personal, Sakura blinked in surprise. Then, a faint smile bloomed across her face, almost too perfect, too practiced.
"Yes, Lord Roland. As long as you need me, I'll never leave your side."
"Ah..." The response was too mature, too unnatural. Roland tilted his head, both exasperated and curious.
Earlier, they had kept several meters apart. Now, Sakura trailed behind him like a loyal little shadow. Did that count as progress?
What was going on lately? Kirei, Ryunosuke, now this... Why were people getting closer just from him stating his honest thoughts?
Shaking his head, Roland gave up on finding an answer and kept walking.
Eventually, they reached his residence. He waited a bit, then sat on the sofa with Sakura beside him.
"We're going to summon a Servant now. Your grandfather told you what to do, right?"
She nodded.
"Then wait for me a moment."
Having confirmed that everything was ready, Roland no longer delayed. Tonight, he would seize the key to eternal peace of mind with his own hands.
Key of All Souls, grant me the Contracted Hoky Lord's soul.
As the command echoed in his mind, Roland's face turned deathly pale. The Key of All Souls in his hand pulsed with silver light, then slowly sank into his body.
Suddenly, all his senses expanded exponentially. It was as if his soul had been cast into the vastness of space. His vision blurred, his thoughts scattered, and every blink brought waves of fatigue and sleepiness.
"This... was a mistake. It's different from Kira Yoshikage. He's... definitely a red-class Contracted Spirit..."
And then Roland collapsed.
His body swayed twice before falling forward—right onto Sakura.
"Lord Roland?" she whispered in alarm, raising her hands instinctively, but paused midway.
Because even unconscious, Roland's eyes were half-open.
And from this close distance, Sakura saw it clearly: his eyes were no longer dark.
Now, both sockets blazed with a deep, unnatural red.
There was no white, no pupil, just an ominous glow. Chaotic, flickering, alive like a flame. It pulsed rhythmically in his eyes, like breath.