After boarding the Mystic Eye Collection Train, Rin casually looked over the interior decorations and the guests on board.
"There really are Magi from all over the world!"
Similarly, the Magi from all over the world on the train cast curious glances at Rin's group. After all, traveling with three Clock Tower Lords would be eye-catching anywhere.
Just as Rin and the others had found an empty table and sat down, the carriage door opened again. A figure wearing clerical robes appeared at the entrance, attracting the gaze of most of the Magi—hostile gazes!
Rin and Sakura looked at the incoming figure in surprise and shouted together.
"Grandpa Liyuan!"
Kotomine Risei, who had just entered the carriage, was also stunned. He looked at the two Tohsaka sisters; although he hadn't seen them for nine years, these two girls had left a deep impression on him when they were little, allowing him to recognize them at a glance.
"It's you two, Rin and Sakura!"
Rin and Sakura quickly rose from their seats and went to Kotomine Risei. Ignoring the hostile glares of the surrounding Magi, they affectionately pulled the old man, who had helped their family many times, to their table.
As soon as they sat down, Rin asked Kotomine Risei curiously.
"Grandpa Liyuan, why did you come to the Mystic Eye Collection Train?"
"Oh, an old friend of mine passed away last month. I'm following his final wishes to bring his Mystic Eye here for auction, to leave an inheritance for his descendants."
Rin was stunned to hear this. 'That "African" old man from the original story is dead?'
After answering Rin's question, Kotomine Risei turned his head to look at everyone at the table. 'It seems the little girl from back then has truly soared to the heavens now!' At the same time, Kotomine Risei could feel that the Lords and nobles present did not welcome him; they were only holding back for Rin's sake. So, he stood up, made an excuse, and walked to a corner to sit alone.
Rin also understood Kotomine Risei's choice. She comforted the confused Sakura and then began to chat with the others.
A short while later, a man in a uniform and a woman with her eyes covered entered the carriage.
"I apologize for interrupting your pleasant conversation. I am the auctioneer for this event, Leandra. At the auction three days from now, we will be showcasing many precious Mystic Eyes. I hope none of you will leave with regrets..."
"I am the conductor, Rodin. The Mystic Eye Collection Train will now depart on schedule!"
As the conductor's voice fell, the sound of a whistle blew. Rin clearly felt the train begin to move slowly, then faster and faster. As the train started, the Magi in the carriage also left one by one, heading to the rooms they had been assigned upon boarding.
Marisbury then extended an invitation to Rin, asking her to join him in his room for a talk.
Waver also looked at his teacher, Kayneth.
Kayneth shook his head at Waver, then turned and led Reines out of the carriage.
After instructing Sakura and Fujino to return to their rooms first, Rin followed Marisbury and Olga Marie to their room.
After entering the room, Rin and Marisbury took their respective seats, while Olga Marie stood obediently behind Marisbury.
"Rin, I'll get straight to the point. My invitation explained everything in detail. Will you allow my participation in this Holy Grail War?"
Rin shook her head decisively. She understood that she was not currently in the FGO timeline. If she agreed to let Marisbury participate in this Holy Grail War and face that corrupted Holy Grail, God knows where the timeline would veer off to.
"Is that so? Then this is quite difficult! If I participate through the Association's quota or through the other two families, I'm afraid you would view me as an enemy in this Holy Grail War. It's truly a bother; I really don't want to face you!"
Saying this, Marisbury pulled a stack of photos from his coat and tossed them onto the table.
Rin picked up the photos and glanced through a few; her expression gradually became solemn.
"Actually, after obtaining this information, I gave up on participating in this Holy Grail War. Just now, I was merely holding onto a final sliver of reluctance. As expected of the 'head' of the Three Founding Families who created the Fuyuki City Holy Grail War ritual—with the Servant Da Vinci, the Caster of the Crown Touko Aozaki, plus the local church and the catalysts you've collected over the years, this Holy Grail War is already in your pocket!"
"So, Lord Marisbury, what exactly do you mean? Or rather, what exactly do you want from me?"
"Rin, I have already found a path that leads to the Root. For this, I am willing to pay any price. If you are willing to join my plan, I can pass the position of Astronomy Branch Lord to you. How about it?"
"And the price?"
"I need a massive amount of funds, and all the data you possess regarding Servants and the construction of the Holy Grail ritual! If you can agree to my demands, not only can I sign the documents now to list you as the primary heir of the Astronomy Branch, but you will also become the vice director in the Chaldea project I mentioned. Regardless of whether the plan succeeds, on the day I disappear, you will automatically become the Astronomy Branch Lord and the Director of Chaldea!"
"Can you disclose your plan? Also, how much money do you need?"
"Rin, if you were to obtain a method to reach the Root, would you disclose it to me? As for the funds, I need 500 billion US dollars!"
"500 billion US dollars!"
Rin cried out in shock.
Afterward, Rin stopped her surprise and began to think while biting her thumb. '500 billion dollars! It seems my net worth is only around 1 billion dollars, which means even if I sold myself several hundred times over, it wouldn't be enough. How could I possibly come up with that much money? Even selling the entire Tohsaka Family wouldn't be enough!'
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit Rin as she remembered a certain golden figure. 'Right, that guy Gil! Didn't he say we'd meet again in 10 years? I wasn't even planning on summoning him this time, but it seems this is the reason Gil was so sure we'd meet again 10 years ago. It must be. Just you wait, Gil, I'm going to bleed you dry this time!'
Thinking of the source for the 500 billion dollars, Rin regained her composure and looked at Olga Marie behind Marisbury.
"Then what about Olga Marie? Is she willing to give all this up?"
Olga Marie looked at Rin, who was staring at her, took a deep breath, mustered her courage to take a step forward, and said to Rin.
"I am willing to follow my father's arrangements, but I also have my conditions! The one to inherit all this can only be you; it cannot include your descendants. You must also add the surname Animusphere as an alias to your name. In other words, whether it's the position of Lord or the position of Chaldea Director, it must ultimately return to the Animusphere family!"
"Is that all? You don't seem to have mentioned yourself? If I inherit all this and then kick you out, would that be fine?"
"I..."
At this moment, Marisbury stood up, took Olga Marie's small hand, and walked in front of Rin.
"If you agree to the trade, Rin, we can sign the Self-Geas Scrolls and documents now. However, as a father, I have one more personal request: I hope you can take Olga Marie as your adopted younger sister!"
Rin had actually just been acting on her inner little devil, intending to scare Olga Marie, but seeing the father and daughter take it so seriously, a helpless smile appeared on her lips as she nodded to them.
In an unknown space within the Mystic Eye Collection Train, Dr. Hatres, covered in blood, slowly walked in with a dark shadow.
"Aika! I have summoned the Servant as you requested!"
(PS: This book will enter FGO!)
Book Recommendation: "I, a Tyrannosaurus, Stand at the Top of the Food Chain"
Roughly a story about a Tyrannosaurus with a human soul, fighting various monsters in different myths.
Bell transmigrated as a Tyrannosaurus.
Biting through a Pterosaur's neck in one go, smashing a Dilophosaurus's head with a tail swipe.
Tearing apart Carcharodontosaurus alive, raw-eating Giganotosaurus.
From Cthulhu the giant octopus above, to Fenrir the little dog below.
Fighting across the world without an equal!
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