After constructing a new Lesser Grail using the clay figure and Holy Grail fragments, effectively supplanting Illya's position, Morpheus temporarily stabilized the setup without rushing to the next step.
"It'll take some time. Once Illya loses most of her Authority, we can proceed with the next plan," Morpheus said.
Sakura Matou nodded gently before asking, "If you summon the Greater Grail, what wish will you make, Morpheus-nii?"
"A wish? Depends on the situation. I'll assess the circumstances and decide then. For safety, it's better not to ask the Grail for material things or grand ideals like world peace. Requesting information, though, should be relatively safe."
"Information?"
"For instance, the location of untapped gold or oil deposits feasible with current technology, or knowledge like the principles of the Third Magic. Those should be safe since much of that is recorded in the Root."
Morpheus answered swiftly, exuding confidence, which made Sakura ponder briefly before saying, "So, the Grail's issues stem from people overestimating its capabilities?"
"You could say that. Even without the lingering flaws from past wars, if a wish is unattainable, the Grail will twist it, fulfilling it in a warped way."
Morpheus looked at the girl, smiling. "You didn't come just to ask about this, did you? What's on your mind?"
Sakura hesitated before whispering, "My secret was discovered by my sister…"
Morpheus blinked, then realized what she meant. "You mean your role as the leader of that esoteric group?"
Sakura nodded faintly. "Yes. When I was at the church, she followed me. She thought she was well-hidden, but I noticed her long ago."
Seeing Sakura fall silent, Morpheus spoke. "What are you worried about?"
She remained quiet, so he continued, "You've recently reconnected, feeling like you could rebuild your old bond. But now that your secret's exposed, you're afraid she'll struggle to accept it?"
No response was needed... Sakura's bewildered expression confirmed he was right.
He stepped forward, gently patting her head to ease her unease.
Feeling the warmth from his hand, Sakura's heart calmed slightly. Then, Morpheus's voice reached her, resonating within.
"Don't underestimate her. She's your sister, the heir of the Tohsaka family. Your father may have had his flaws, but he trusted his daughters well.
"I think you can trust her, and she'll trust you too. She's always cared about you. Rather than suspecting you of wrongdoing, she's likely more worried about your safety. If you explain clearly, there shouldn't be an issue."
Sakura mulled over his words. After a while, she lifted her head, letting her cheek brush his fingers, and whispered, "I understand. I'll talk to her tomorrow."
Morpheus smiled. "Why not now? She's probably awake. You two could chat in her room. Sharing a bed is a great way for sisters to bond, don't you think?"
His words froze Sakura in place. Seeing her reaction, Morpheus pushed her toward Rin's room, egging her on. "It'd be fun to surprise your sister, don't you think?!"
He imagined Rin's priceless expression when Sakura walked in with a pillow.
Morpheus was eagerly anticipating this moment.
…
Deep in the night, when all should be asleep, Rin Tohsaka lay in bed, unable to rest.
She vividly recalled the scene at the church ruins, where Sakura had close ties with those mysterious strangers. Their reverence suggested Sakura held a high rank in that secretive group.
Moreover, those people were kin of the victims from the Fourth Holy Grail War. They weren't just anti-Grail... they might oppose the magus families who created it.
Hatred was a terrifying force!
If her sister had fallen into such an abyss, sinking deeper…
Rin couldn't bear to think further. Pain crossed her face as she muttered, "What's going on with Sakura? Could there be bad actors in that group, exploiting her? She's a magus with great talent and a Matou by name.
"Oh no, what if she's been deceived? They might claim they're preventing another tragedy, but really, they're using her to seize the Grail for world domination or something…"
The door suddenly swung open. Rin jolted, looking to see a figure at the threshold.
It was Sakura Matou!
And she was holding a pillow!
Seeing Sakura hesitate at the doorway, gazing at her, Rin's mind short-circuited.
"What's happening?! Sakura's at my bedroom door? With a pillow? Did she go to the wrong room?! No, that's impossible... she wouldn't!
"So what's this about? Does she want to sleep with me? No way! It's been years... she barely talks to me normally!"
As Rin's brain scrambled to process, another figure appeared, pushing the hesitating Sakura into the room. "Alright, you two have a good chat. I won't disturb you!"
With that, the door slammed shut, locking the sisters inside.
Rin recognized the voice, grinding her teeth. It was Morpheus!
"Morpheus!!"
Her sharp tone betrayed her mix of anger and unease. She was already stressed... why was he adding to her troubles?!
But her urge to vent at Morpheus, or to flee the situation by focusing on him, was shattered by a single word.
"Sister…"
Sakura's voice was soft but clear in the quiet room. The word "sister" hit Rin's ears, stunning her.
How many years had it been since Sakura called her that?
Over a decade!
That gentle "sister" made time rewind, as if Rin were back in their carefree days, playing with her little sister.
She fell silent for a moment, then chose not to flee. Smiling at Sakura, she patted the spot beside her. "Come sit."
Her tone was gentle, as if afraid to hurt the girl before her.
Hearing this, Sakura gave a faint smile, nodded with a soft "Mm," and trotted over to sit beside her.
On the bed was a temperature both foreign and familiar... her sister's warmth, forgotten for over a decade but once so constant.
…
Morpheus, listening to the sounds from the room, smiled faintly and headed to his own. Just then, a figure appeared... Medusa.
She looked at him and said softly, "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. It was just a small gesture," Morpheus replied, shaking his head. As Medusa vanished, he sighed at her aloofness and continued to his room.
The Emiya residence was vast, with plenty of rooms, so everyone had their own space.
"Looks like you're aiming to be a therapist in this era," Medea remarked, emerging from the shadows with a playful grin.
"Not quite. Just helping these kids from the perspective of someone experienced... or, well, an adult," Morpheus said. Seeing Medea about to speak, he quickly added, "I may look young, but I've got plenty of life experience!"
As they spoke, both fell silent, staring at the floor.
Black sludge had appeared, flowing slowly yet swiftly, reaching their feet in a blink.
And it was silent, as if it materialized from nowhere!
Morpheus reacted, flinging Medea away. Almost simultaneously, the black sludge touched his feet, creeping past his ankles!
"Morpheus!"
Medea shouted, but he smiled and winked at her.
"Consider this an invitation. I'll check it out. Stay outside, and don't let anyone in."
Medea, having shared many adventures with Morpheus, didn't argue. She moved to the door, saying before closing it, "Be careful!"
"Don't worry. This stuff can't touch me... it's impossible."
With that, Morpheus lowered part of his defenses, letting his consciousness dive into the black sludge.
His surroundings shifted. He was no longer in his room but on a beach, waves gently lapping at the sand, with rain falling from above.
No clouds, yet black rain fell, like ink.
Looking up, he saw a black void in the sky, from which dark water poured, forming the deluge.
"You're the most qualified to claim the Holy Grail. What's your wish?"
A clear, melodic voice came from behind. Morpheus turned to see a woman who fought alongside Kiritsugu Emiya in the Fourth Holy Grail War.
Irisviel von Einzbern, Illya's mother.
But Morpheus knew this figure, despite her appearance, wasn't Irisviel but something else wearing her skin.
He smiled faintly. "Is it fun, deliberately luring people like this?"
The impostor, cloaked in Irisviel's form, smiled back, her tone natural. "Everything I say is true. Isn't temptation just a product of human greed?"
"So scaring Illya was because of her greed?"
"That girl has a right to know the truth, doesn't she? I only told her the facts," the impostor continued. Morpheus smirked. "That's why you're twisted and vile. Sometimes, a kind lie is better. But that's beside the point. Did you come to me because you've run out of options?"
The impostor pressed on. "If I said I'm not evil, would you believe me?"
"Why not? As you said, you only speak the truth. Though twisted and vile, you're not exactly evil in some ways." Morpheus grinned, snapping his fingers. A chair appeared on the ground. He sat, extending his right hand, and a small table materialized beside him, holding a teacup.
The impostor's eyes gleamed with admiration. "Remarkable alchemy. There's likely no better alchemist on Earth. It's almost like materializing imagination."
"Just leveraging this place's unique environment. I couldn't do this outside. I still have much to learn on the path of magic," Morpheus said humbly, snapping his fingers again. A chair appeared behind the impostor.
"Don't be shy. Sit."
In that moment, Morpheus seemed less a guest and more the master of this realm.
The impostor, unfazed, smiled and sat willingly.
Seeing her seated, Morpheus set the teacup aside. "Alright, let's cut to the chase, Mr. Angra Mainyu."
This figure, cloaked in Irisviel's form, was the demon known as All the World's Evil, the dark deity of Zoroastrianism, the source of all sin and darkness, and the eternal foe of the benevolent Ahura Mazda in the dualistic struggle of good and evil.
It was called Angra Mainyu!
***
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