Although they had left London in the morning, it still took nearly ten hours of travel to reach Blackmore Village in the Welsh mountains.
By the time Shiomi got them settled into the hunter's cabin, dusk had already fallen.
He lit the fireplace, and the damp chill that clung to the room slowly faded under the crackling warmth of the charcoal flames.
"There's only instant coffee and some sandwiches I made before we left," Shiomi said, handing Aesc a cup of hot coffee. "Tomorrow we'll probably have to look for food outside the village—or head to the church and ask for something."
Compared to life in London or Fuyuki, their current situation in this remote mountain village was unbearably rough.
"No need for that face. I'm not blaming or complaining," Aesc said quietly, eating the sandwich from the box. "I've lived through much harsher days than this. A few years of comfort haven't dulled my ability to adapt."
"Eh? Is it that obvious?" Shiomi reached up and touched his face.
"It might as well be written on it." Aesc blew on her coffee and took a small sip. "After all, we didn't come here on holiday. You know why we're here."
Shiomi nodded and asked seriously, "Are you really okay with this? Bringing trouble on yourself?"
"It's not the worst kind of fun," Aesc replied naturally. "Life in this era is too comfortable. A little thrill reminds my husband that his wife is no ordinary woman."
"I've never forgotten that, alright?" Shiomi shook his head.
Aesc smiled and shifted the topic. "According to the Mage's Association, the Fifth Holy Grail War is expected to restart in six months to a year, right?"
"Yeah. But since I killed Kayneth in the last war, the Mage's Association has been pretty shaken." Shiomi sat up straight, resting an arm on the table beside him. "The Clock Tower had originally planned to keep the Holy Grail War under wraps. Most Magus thought it was just some regional magic contest in a far-off corner of the East. Only a few knew it involved a so-called omnipotent wish-granting machine—"
As the former Lord El-Melloi, Kayneth had, of course, known it was a wish-granting machine.
Before the Fourth Holy Grail War began, the relevant details were archived in the Clock Tower's library, but only those who deliberately sought them out would learn the full picture.
Kayneth entered the war with partial knowledge—and died.
That incident sent shockwaves through the Mage's Association, prompting a reevaluation of the Holy Grail War's significance.
"I have to say, the death of Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald wasn't exactly a loss for the Clock Tower. It allowed them to reassess the value of the Holy Grail War and increase the number of recommended participants from one to two." Shiomi shrugged. "The Mage's Association is sending two Magus to the Fifth Holy Grail War."
"A real moth-to-flame situation," Morgan muttered, shaking her head.
One more slot didn't mean much. If anything, it just raised the stakes—most of those competing would be from prominent Magus Families or newly rich upstarts.
"Who knows?" Shiomi smiled faintly. He'd already decided he wouldn't return to Fuyuki with Aesc and the children until after the Fifth Holy Grail War ended.
Sakura hadn't gained anything especially useful from the Mage's Association. She had inherited Aesc's entire system of Magecraft and was already showing real results.
If she weren't deliberately hiding her true ability, Sakura would've been promoted to the rank of Pride long ago, just like Shiomi.
—Of course, like him, Sakura's real capabilities went far beyond that.
Even so, she remained a low-key genius within the Clock Tower.
In every respect, she far outshone her older sister, Rin Tohsaka.
"Also, I heard from Reines that the Lord of the Department of Astromancy, Marisbury Animusphere, has already secured one of the spots." Shiomi looked thoughtful. "I wonder who'll get the last one."
He knew Lord El-Melloi II was planning to participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War, but Reines clearly didn't want it to come to that. She was doing everything she could to keep him at the Clock Tower.
After all, Kayneth had borrowed money to purchase a Magical Energy Reactor for the Holy Grail War, and although he died in battle, the loss only affected the El-Melloi faction. The Magecraft Crest was passed down to Reines, and most of the debt had been paid off over the past nine years.
Four years ago, II had invited Shiomi to be Reines's tutor. Now, as long as he could secure El-Melloi's position as Lord, he could finally step away.
"Let's set that aside for now. I've got some bad news you should probably hear," Aesc said. It was rare for him to hesitate so much. "Even if it's only a faint sign at this point."
Shiomi blinked. "What is it?"
"Sakura seems to be planning to participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War." Aesc's calm words hit Shiomi like a bomb.
"What?" He didn't quite process it at first.
But there was no need for Aesc to repeat herself.
In the Holy Grail War, aside from the original Three Families, anyone with a strong enough desire to participate would be chosen. Including the two slots given to the Mage's Association this time, there were still two vacancies left.
Generally, only Magus with a strong will to enter would be selected by the Greater Grail's system and granted a Command Spell, which required them to go to Fuyuki in person.
A typical example was Lord El-Melloi II, formerly Waver Velvet.
Owning a Holy Relic increased the likelihood of being chosen.
Of course, Magus from the Clock Tower could travel to Fuyuki on their own, but that would bring serious political complications, making it an undesirable choice.
If Sakura returned to Fuyuki, her exceptional Magecraft and strong intent to participate would be more than enough to get her selected.
Shiomi covered his mouth, lost in deep thought.
He didn't want Sakura stepping into that deadly conflict—but he also didn't want to force her against her will.
She had grown up doing as she pleased. She seemed obedient, but she was actually very strong-willed.
"If you really don't want to deal with it yourself, I could talk to her and try to convince her to give up," Aesc offered.
"...Let's wait until I get back to talk this through," Shiomi sighed. "For now, we have more immediate concerns—"
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Shiomi instinctively said, "Come in." The girl who had led them earlier cautiously pushed the door open.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Bersac asked me to bring you—"
As she spoke, she caught sight of Aesc's face and dropped everything she was carrying with a loud clatter.