Chapter 27: Arjuna!
A few days ago, Tohsaka Rin summoned a Servant.
Arjuna, a character from Indian mythology (Mahabharata), along with another great hero from Indian mythology—Karna—are half-brothers, born of the same mother but different fathers.
However, when these two brothers meet, they see each other as their ultimate adversary.
Karna was initially an abandoned existence, adopted by a poor family, and raised in hardship. As he grew, he saw the struggles of the downtrodden, which led him to better understand human nature, earning him the admiration of many. He was given the title of "Hero of Charity."
Arjuna, on the other hand, is a "Heavenly-born hero," favored by the gods since birth. He grew up by the side of a king and witnessed the undercurrents of conflict, so everything he did was driven by his sense of "honor," placing it above all else. He also harbored a secret, a darker side to his personality.
In short, the two brothers represent light and darkness. They will forever be at odds.
Tohsaka Rin's summoning of a Servant, however, was kept a secret from her family. Not even her mother knew about it.
But now that Sakura has appeared, there's no need for secrecy anymore. Tohsaka Rin decides to use her Servant's power to seize Sakura from her current captors.
Tohsaka Rin is very confident in Arjuna's strength, considering him a legendary figure from Indian mythology. As long as he acts, defeating a mere mage would be effortless.
Hearing Tohsaka Rin's words and seeing the red command seal on her back, as well as the man standing behind her, Rizel remains silent. He wonders why he's being treated like a criminal.
Sakura is equally shocked, realizing that her sister not only has a command seal but also summoned a Servant, and is now treating Rizel as the villain.
Tohsaka Aoi slightly lifts the corner of her mouth, surprised at the sight of Tohsaka Rin and her Servant.
Arjuna is no fool and quickly realizes that Rizel harbors no ill intentions.
He was about to remind his Master, but before he could, Tohsaka Rin directly called him forward.
Arjuna felt exhausted. When he was summoned and saw his Master was just a child, he began to feel that his future was bleak.
But he couldn't make a move yet, as everyone stared at him. The situation was awkward.
At this point, Sakura, afraid, spoke up: "Sister, you misunderstood Rizel. It was Rizel who saved me."
Sakura quickly slipped out of Rizel's arms and ran to Tohsaka Rin's side, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward Rizel, towards the sofa next to him.
Upon hearing this, Tohsaka Rin misunderstood and appeared a bit embarrassed. Blushing, she followed Sakura and sat next to Rizel.
At this moment, Tohsaka Tokiomi hurried back, panting heavily.
Rizel furrowed his brow and smiled slightly, saying, "Mr. Tohsaka Tokiomi, you're not doing too well. Seems a bit weak."
Rizel glanced meaningfully at Tohsaka Aoi. "Even Madam Tohsaka is quicker than you."
Tohsaka Aoi, who was being stared at by Rizel, flushed slightly.
Tokiomi awkwardly walked over and sat on the sofa across from them. He glanced at the field, noticing Arjuna, and felt curious. He could sense that it was a Servant.
But now wasn't the time to discuss that; after all, the Holy Grail War hadn't started yet.
Rizel then began to explain the situation with Sakura to them.
Tohsaka Aoi, hearing that her daughter was nearly humiliated by a pair of malicious insects, turned pale, her entire body tense. She rushed to Sakura's side and hugged her tightly.
Tohsaka Rin, hands on her hips, glared with eyes wide like two small bells, angrily huffing and cursing the Matou family. At the same time, she shot a furious look at her father, wondering why he had wanted to adopt Sakura into another family. It almost led to Sakura's harm.
Tohsaka Tokiomi's face darkened, his gaze cold. He hadn't expected Matou Zouken to deceive him.
Their Matou family Magic Crest was supposed to be inherited through the insects.
Tohsaka Tokiomi's gaze shifted to Rizel. "Thank you for saving Sakura. If there is anything you need, the Tohsaka family will never refuse."
Tohsaka Tokiomi stood up, bowed slightly, and lowered his head to Rizel.
Mages are often seen as cold-hearted, but it must be said that Tokiomi, although pursuing his lifelong goals, wasn't too harsh on his wife and children.
In order to not delay his daughter's future, he was willing to have her adopted by another family to inherit their Magic Crest.
However, he knew that he hadn't fully understood the situation with the Matou family and hadn't investigated it thoroughly before agreeing to let Sakura be adopted by them, which led to a series of tragedies. It's fair to say that Tokiomi was at fault here.
Tohsaka Aoi also bowed to Rizel, thanking him. "Thank you, sir, for saving my daughter."
Rizel waved his hand. "No need. I saved Sakura purely out of goodwill. There's no need for thanks."
Tohsaka Tokiomi, hearing this, didn't know what to say. He sighed deeply.
"Matou family... How did it end up like this?"
"Haha, old trees live long and eventually rot, let alone people." Rizel smirked, wiping the corner of his mouth as he mocked.
Tokiomi was speechless, unable to respond.
At this moment, Tokiomi noticed the command seal on Rizel's hand. His pupils slightly contracted.
"Mr. Rin, are you also a participant in the Holy Grail War?" Tokiomi asked seriously.
"Yes, I am also a participant."
"Not just me, your two daughters are also participants, right?" Rizel said, the corners of his mouth curling into a slight smile.
Tokiomi then looked at Sakura and Rin, noticing that they both had command seals. He then glanced at Arjuna.
What was going on? Why were my two daughters also participants in the Holy Grail War?
He then turned to ask Rin.
Tohsaka Rin answered Tokiomi's question.
After hearing this, Tokiomi and Tohsaka Aoi exchanged a complex look toward Tohsaka Rin.
To participate in the Holy Grail War for her sister? Rizel thought, observing Tohsaka Rin's contemplation.
It truly was in line with Tohsaka Rin's style.
Sakura, with tears in her eyes, looked at Tohsaka Rin with deep gratitude.
Her sister cared more about her than their father did.
Arjuna, however, didn't care at all. He wasn't interested in the purpose of it all. What mattered to him was the chance to fight against that man.
He could sense that the man he sought would appear in this Holy Grail War. This time, he was determined to defeat him.
"So, Sakura, if you don't have any other matters, will you continue participating?" Rizel smiled and patted Tohsaka Rin's head.
Tohsaka Rin, seeing Rizel's intimate gesture, felt the warmth of his hand on her head. Her face flushed slightly, and her heart skipped a beat.
"Of course, to help my father achieve victory." Tohsaka Rin said. Although her father had almost caused harm to Sakura, he was still her father, so of course, she wanted to help.
"Sakura, you should come back and help too." Tohsaka Rin's eyes gleamed as she looked at Sakura.
"No, sister. I want to help Rizel-nii to seize the Holy Grail." Sakura flatly refused, her expression unchanged.
In her heart, she didn't want to help Tohsaka Tokiomi; this man had nearly pushed her toward hell.
"Regarding this matter, let me explain." Rizel continued.
"The main reason I brought Sakura back was because she wanted to visit her mother and sister, to see them again."
"Also, I need to inform you that Sakura is now under my adoption."
Tohsaka Aoi's expression turned slightly troubled upon hearing this.
After hearing this, Tohsaka Tokiomi's face darkened.
"Why, Sakura, don't you want to return home?"
"Has this man threatened you?" Tohsaka Rin angrily pointed at Rizel.
"Sister, please don't say that about Rizel-nii."
"If it weren't for Rizel-nii, you wouldn't be able to meet me now." Sakura's face darkened, her gaze indicating she wouldn't tolerate anyone speaking ill of Rizel-nii.
"Besides, didn't I already become adopted? How could I go back?" Sakura said, her expression tinged with sadness.
"Sakura... You..."
Seeing Sakura's condition, Tohsaka Rin didn't know what to say.
"Fine, even though we have adopted her, they are still Sakura's family. Isn't that enough?"
Then Rizel revealed that he was the head of the Einzbern family and had removed Hōseki Okina from the picture. Tokiomi then agreed.
"So Mr. Rin is the head of the Einzbern family, and a disciple of the Mage-General. Thank you, Mr. Rin, for adopting Sakura." Tokiomi said.
"Pfft, so what? The Holy Grail will still definitely belong to us." Tohsaka Rin arrogantly glanced at Rizel.
Although she no longer had any concerns about Sakura's adoption, she still couldn't stand Rizel, thinking that just because he was handsome, he could do whatever he wanted.
Rizel didn't care. Let her be arrogant, but when the time comes, don't come asking me for the gem.
Rizel knew that with Tohsaka Rin's calculating nature, all he'd need to do was present a specially crafted projection of the gem, and the girl would obediently listen to him.