Multiverse Adventure – My Journey Begins in Danmachi 78

Multiverse Adventure – My Journey Begins in Danmachi 78

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Edited by: Tiny Fan Fiction

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Chapter 78 Matou Kariya

When he heard the shout from the living room on the first floor, Noah was sitting on the newly moved, oversized sofa, flipping through a research notebook on Barrier magic.

He was studying this because he was preparing for the upcoming Grail War, a battle royale where Masters and their Heroic Spirits would clash.

For Noah, the biggest problem right now was his Mana, and without enough of it, discussing strategy was meaningless, much like a Level 1 Adventurer trying to take on the Dungeon of Orario.

A Heroic Spirit’s Mana could only come from the Holy Grail and their Master, and Noah was no exception, just like how a Servant relied on their Master’s magical energy.

In essence, the Holy Grail was what summoned the Heroic Spirit, while the Master’s Rite simply constructed a Mana circuit between the Heroic Spirit and themselves, sustaining the Heroic Spirit’s presence in the world, much like how a magical circle connected a Magus to their summoned creature.

Therefore, when a Heroic Spirit was summoned, it was granted a sufficient amount of Mana by the Holy Grail, and could also receive 3 opportunities to replenish its Mana through the 3-line Command Spell, a valuable asset in battle.

Although Noah still had a surplus of Mana after the destruction of the insect sea in the basement, it was being used up, and he couldn’t afford to waste it, just like how a party had to conserve their resources during a long dungeon crawl.

Without a way to recover or replenish his Mana, no matter how much he had, it would eventually run out, rendering him unable to fight, much like a party without a healer.

Therefore, Noah had to find a way to recover his Mana, a task that was just as crucial as finding a rare drop in a game.

In this world, the sources of Mana were mainly divided into small sources and Great Sources, 2 categories that were as different as a 1-star and a 5-star Quest.

Small sources referred to the life force within humans, which could generate Mana autonomously, and most Modern Magi accumulated Mana in this way, bit by bit, over time, much like how a player would grind for experience points.

Excellent Magi could store more Mana, while mediocre Magi couldn’t store much, a difference that was as clear as the distinction between a top-tier and a low-tier Adventurer.

Although it was possible to extract Mana from one’s life force in times of crisis, doing so excessively would shorten one’s lifespan, or even lead to immediate death, a risk that was as great as facing a powerful boss without proper preparation.

The idea of obtaining Mana by extracting human life force… flashed through Noah’s mind in an instant, only to be discarded, much like how a player would dismiss a weak strategy.

Because efficiency was a major problem… even if he drained a person completely, how much Mana would he really obtain, a question that was as relevant as asking how much experience points a player would get from a weak enemy.

It was like not liking to eat small lobsters, where one would spend a lot of effort only to get a tiny amount of meat, not worth the trouble, much like how a player wouldn’t bother with a quest that offered little reward.

So, he had to look for another method… the Great Source, which was the key to a more enjoyable and efficient battle, much like how a player would prefer a game with a good balance of challenge and reward.

The Great Source was the life force of the world, which would overflow through ley lines, the atmosphere, and other pathways, and its scale was vastly different from that of small sources, a difference that was as great as the distinction between a small and a large Dungeon.

However, the reason this world had declined from the Age of Gods to the Modern era was precisely because the Great Source had receded, a fact that was as undeniable as the decline of a once-great Guild.

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Even the birth of the Holy Grail War is related to the waning of the Great Source.

For in the notebook, Noah discovered that the essence of the Holy Grail War was not a wish-granting machine, but a rite seeking a path to the Root.

In the age of the abundant Great Source, Magi and Magi were with the Root, the Fundamentals had no need to seek the Root.

Fortunately, though the methods were few, after undergoing Riveria’s demonic tutelage, Noah possessed a certain degree of Magic knowledge and still found one or 2 ways to draw Mana from the Great Source.

The only issue was that to draw Mana from the Great Source, one must set up a Barrier, which would undoubtedly attract the attention of many in the Magecraft community.

Such a move was out of the question in Fuyuki City, so Noah considered trying his hand elsewhere.

It couldn’t be too far, preferably a place with legends of the supernatural…

Mifune City.

Just as Noah delved into this place, a shout from downstairs drew his attention back.

In Noah’s perception, it should have been a very ordinary middle-aged man.

And, he was looking for Sakura?

Noah couldn’t help but glance over at Matou Sakura, who was lying on the sofa nearby, flipping through a storybook while shaking her white silk stockinged little legs.

After a few days of being together, Matou Sakura seemed to have barely stepped out of her previous shadows, at least she no longer clung to him all day.

“Kariya, uncle?”

Kariya?

Oh, Matou Kariya, the brother of Kelp Head.

“Is he an acquaintance of yours? Should we go meet him? It seems he’s here to save you.”

Subconsciously opening her cherry lips, Matou Sakura looked at Noah, but half a day passed without a word coming out.

Although Noah didn’t know the reason, he felt some hesitation and conflict in Matou Sakura’s heart.

As Matou Kariya’s shouts grew louder downstairs, with an intention to come up, Noah had no choice but to leave the study first.

By this time, Matou Kariya was already at the staircase, his face twisted in displeasure, even showing some aversion as he glared downstairs.

This scene piqued Noah’s curiosity,

“Hey, isn’t he your brother? Why do you seem to hate him so much?”

Coming to his senses, Matou Kariya instinctively showed respect, but due to the lingering aversion on his face, it made him look a bit comical.

“This, this, Lord Cifer, you don’t know that the young one has been abnormal since childhood, and doesn’t even have respect for his older brother like me.”

Although Matou Kariya spoke with righteous words, Noah saw a hint of jealousy, envy, and resentment in his eyes…

People like Matou Kariya were all too familiar to Noah, and he could almost instantly understand what they were thinking.

His own older brother was just an Ordinary Person, while his younger brother possessed superior Magus qualities, and was even designated as the heir to the Matou Family from a young age.

Moreover, this younger brother also had the Spirit of Rebellion that he himself lacked, daring to defy even the terrifying Old Worm, and ultimately succeeding in escaping the Matou Family to live a free life.

It was likely that he was both envious and resentful, feeling far inferior, and thus couldn’t help but harbor dislike to suppress that sense of inadequacy.

Most people were like this, neither extremely good nor thoroughly evil.

They knew what was right, but due to desire and cowardice, they couldn’t take that step, and lived with distortion and repression.

Once again, Noah felt a sense of disillusionment with the reality of the Matou Family, and he couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

You people, with your so-called “family harmony” and “brotherly love”, are truly something.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but think of a problem – after he left, who would educate and protect Sakura?

The options were limited.

Leaving her in the Matou Family?

No way.

This Kelp Head might not have malicious intentions, but with his lazy and cowardly personality, even if he was just giving advice, he would likely lead Sakura astray.

Moreover, without the support of the Magecraft community, the Matou Family would probably decline rapidly.

Sending her back to the Tohsaka Household?

That’s even more out of the question.

For a child, no matter the reason, being sent away would only be seen as abandonment by their parents.

Even if both parties pretended nothing happened, the emotional distance would only grow deeper.

Living in such an environment would be mentally suffocating.

In other words, Noah had to find someone with Magecraft talent who could definitely protect Matou Sakura.

To find a nanny-level individual from the already mostly cold-blooded, lacking a sense of good and evil Magus crowd, this mission is probably no simpler than winning the Holy Grail War.

Where in this world can you find so many moms with Elf Princess origins!

Ah, really annoying.

The frustrated Noah waved his hand, interrupting Matou Kariya’s endless chatter.

“Alright, alright, you figure out a way to send him away, don’t expose my existence, and best to act as if everything is normal.”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

Upon receiving the order, Matou Kariya, a man in his thirties, stood up straight like a chuuni, feeling like he was about to salute.

For Matou Kariya, these past few days could be said to be the happiest days of his life since birth.

Just the fact that his father had passed away was enough to make Matou Kariya laugh for 3 days and 3 nights, and he wouldn’t have minded becoming a penniless vagabond.

Not to mention, he was still the head of the Matou Family and could continue to enjoy a life of luxury.

Even though his life was still in someone else’s hands, Noah’s attitude towards him was like watching an ant, always ignoring him and not caring about his private life.

Matou Kariya, who felt like his life was filled with sunshine for the first time, hadn’t even drunk alcohol in the past few days, and was preparing to make a name for himself as the head of the Matou Family!

As he watched Matou Kariya walk away with a radiant face, looking much younger, Noah didn’t leave, but instead continued to listen to the sounds in the hallway.

He wanted to see if this highly-rated Matou Kariya could be a suitable guardian for Sakura.

“Hey! Kariya, what are you doing back here?”

“Tsuruno? I’m here to find Zouken! Call him out! I don’t believe he’s not here!”

“You, I’m the head of the Matou Family! I’m your brother! Look me in the eye when you talk!”

“Zouken! I know you’re here! I’ve come to make a deal with you! I’ll participate in the Holy Grail War in your place! In exchange, spare Sakura! Do you want to wait another 60 years?”

“Look at me!!!!”

Matou Sakura, who walked out of the study, saw Noah slowly close his eyes after hearing this.

Children who are not favored tend to be more perceptive, and Matou Sakura was one of them.

What she saw on Noah’s face was not indifference or contempt, but a complex expression.

It was similar to the expression he had when teaching her to make fried eggs, but she failed over a dozen times, but with a hint of disappointment.

This made her little head spin, why would her big brother be disappointed?

As Matou Sakura was thinking, Noah suddenly looked down at her.

“Sakura, I need to talk to Matou Kariya about something, do you want to go back to your room?”

Noah didn’t explain, but Matou Sakura could sense that it was probably related to herself.

And it would also be related to her mother…

Matou Sakura didn’t say a word, but instead walked to Noah’s side, held his hand, and pressed it to her delicate face, rubbing against it like a affectionate cat, narrowing her eyes and tilting her head.

“Ugh, how can I put my mind at ease seeing you like this?”

Pinching Matou Sakura’s soft little face, Noah looked down at the scene below.

Matou Kariya was almost wrestling with the approaching Kelp Head to stop him.

But Noah could tell, this Kelp Head wasn’t trying to complete his assigned Mission, but was merely angered by being ignored by Matou Kariya.

What a messed up way of thinking!

“Tsuruno! Enough, bring him up here!”

Noah had thought he’d need to say a few more words to snap the brothers out of their heated argument.

But fortunately, the two with bruised and swollen faces soon arrived upstairs.

“Sakura!”

It was a black-haired young man in plain sportswear, who should be relatively young in age, but seemed worn down by life’s hardships, his skin somewhat rough, looking even older than Matou Kariya beside him.

But even so, the strong and sharp aura emanating from his eyes was absolutely incomparable to that Kelp Head.

Seeing the little Figure in the purple dress In an Instant, Matou Kariya seemed to forget the bruises on his face and rushed towards Matou Sakura with a look of wild joy.

“Sakura! I’ve finally found you, come with me!”

With his mind clouded by joy, Matou Kariya didn’t even see Noah standing there, only wanting to rush up and take the girl away, just like before.

But Matou Sakura Agility took a step back, hiding behind Noah and hugging his thigh.

The girl’s complex eyes, mixed with a hint of caution, sobered Matou Kariya, who then noticed the silver-haired young man looking down at him from above.

No, although tall enough, his overly handsome face was somewhat too young to be called a youth.

From the example of Matou Zouken, Matou Kariya knew that most Magus had methods to maintain their youth.

But when he saw the clear eyes of the silver-haired youth, he was certain that the other was definitely not an old Monster, but a young man who matched his appearance.

But it was this young man in a cheap shirt, just standing there quietly, who exuded a majestic nobility that made him want to kneel and worship.

Even Matou Kariya, who never lacked courage in front of Matou Zouken, couldn’t muster the thought of confronting him at this moment.

Matou Kariya soon found the reason… Distance, there was a distant distance between them, not to mention crossing it, not even being able to see it clearly.

The other party was like a solitary snow-capped mountain standing under the sky, just standing there quietly, making him clearly aware of his own insignificance and humbleness.

This is a powerful being, even more terrifying than Matou Zouken, someone who could probably kill you with a single glare.

Saving Sakura from his grasp would be incredibly difficult.

Now, Matou Kariya has completely stopped thinking about Matou Zouken.

Like Matou Kariya, the instant Noah appeared in Matou’s mansion, he knew that Old Worm was most likely dead.

Noah could faintly sense the turmoil in Matou Kariya’s mind just from his gaze.

Giving Matou Kariya a ‘Go play in the dirt, don’t bother me’ look, Noah took Matou Sakura towards the study.

“Yoru-sama, please come in.”

Although Matou Kariya rarely came to this study, seeing the silver-haired youth welcoming him like the master of the house still felt somewhat strange.

But what was even stranger was that he didn’t feel the slightest resistance, only like a child following an adult to visit another family, he followed behind awkwardly.

After sitting down on the chair opposite the new sofa, Matou Kariya heard the young man speak.

“To cut to the chase, Matou Zouken is dead. In my personal opinion, I hope Sakura can stay away from the conflict and find a place to live peacefully…”

Before Noah could finish his words, Matou Sakura beside him suddenly grabbed his arm, even squeezing it quite tightly.

It wasn’t painful, just a bit tight, but it proved that the girl had quite a bit of strength.

But what followed was Matou Kariya suddenly standing up.

“Then! Then please give Sakura to me! I will take her away from Fuyuki City and give her a stable life!”

In the next second, Matou Kariya’s excitement was easily extinguished by a single look from Noah.

“I did consider it, but I gave up just now…because you’re too stupid.”

Matou Kariya’s face flushed red instantly, his eyes almost bursting with fire.

“What did I just hear? You’re saying you’re going to make a deal with that Old Worm? I’m genuinely curious how stupid you have to be to make such a decision…Just one question, if Old Worm goes back on his word, what will you do?”

Like a bucket of ice water thrown over his head, Matou Kariya’s face instantly paled.

“You have to understand that if I hadn’t come, this world might have only had you to save this child. But you actually handed over the power to decide your own life and death to the Enemy? That old worm, even if he violates the deal, what can be done? Who can punish him? The only price he might pay is probably laughing to the point of tears over your Corpses, right?”

The heartbroken Matou Kariya let out an angry roar.

“What can I do then? I can’t use Magecraft! What else can I do besides this?!”

But Noah just casually glanced over, freezing all his anger in an instant.

“Really nothing? Then why don’t you try explaining the situation to Tohsaka Tokiomi?”

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