Multiverse Adventure – My Journey Begins in Danmachi 79
by TINY FAN FICTIONMultiverse Adventure – My Journey Begins in Danmachi 79
Edited by: Tiny Fan Fiction
Chapter 79 What are those tears of yours?
The moment the name Tohsaka Tokiomi was mentioned, Noah could clearly feel the Breathing Technique and heartbeat of Matou Sakura and Matou Kariya change.
Outside the window, the city was bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, appearing magnificent and resplendent.
Yet that beautiful scene seemed to be isolated by the suddenly frozen air in the room, becoming distant and unattainable.
Although Noah held Matou Sakura in his arms, gently patting her back to comfort her, his gaze towards Matou Kariya held no softness whatsoever.
“From the perspective of saving Sakura, there should be many methods, right? Whether it’s seeking help from other Magus or breaking into the Matou Family to rescue her while Matou Zouken is out, it should be better than directly cooperating with an Old Worm. Moreover, shouldn’t an Ordinary Person first think of finding the child’s parents?”
Although the silver-haired boy was sitting on the Sofa, Matou Kariya felt that those azure eyes were like the gaze of a celestial being overlooking him from the peak of a thousand-meter snow mountain.
Beneath those calm eyes, where emotions were extremely thin and even indifference was absent, he felt not only incredibly small but also that his innermost thoughts were completely laid bare.
Even the dark corners he had never noticed before were exposed to the light.
“……I actually want to ask you, why didn’t you think of looking for Tohsaka Tokiomi?”
Tohsaka Tokiomi.
After learning that Sakura was sent to the Matou Family, this name had been lingering in Matou Kariya’s mind.
No, long before that, even before he met Zenjou Aoi, Matou Kariya had already learned of the existence of this individual, Tohsaka Tokiomi.
Anyone with a slight understanding of the forces in Fuyuki City would know that the Matou and Tohsaka families are the two major powerhouses in this city.
The existence of both parties was like 2 individuals coincidentally walking down the same quiet path in the dead of night, both equally impossible to ignore.
During his early childhood, when he was only receiving basic education, Matou Kariya was told that the reason the Matou Family residence was so remote was that the best spiritual lands in the city had already been claimed by the Tohsaka Household.
In fact, this was not something to be blamed, as the Tohsaka Household had settled in Fuyuki City long before the ancestors of the Matou Family arrived.
Moreover, the Tohsaka Household contributed significantly during the Matou Family’s settlement in Fuyuki City, even sharing the second-best Leyline in the city with them.
The retreat to the outskirts was entirely due to the incompatibility of the Matou Family’s Magecraft with the Leyline Attribute.
However, looking back now, that might have been the beginning of Matou Kariya’s growing rift with Tohsaka Tokiomi… even if it was just his one-sided concern and hostility.
At that time, Matou Kariya had yet to truly witness the true nature of the Matou Family’s Magecraft.
Upon learning that he was the last heir of the Magecraft Family, he inevitably felt a sense of mission to revitalize the Family and an overwhelming superiority complex.
After all, every boy dreams of a day when monsters invade the school, and when the girl he loves is in danger, he reveals his identity under everyone’s gaze and fights back…
Yet, this very Kariya was slightly overshadowed by Tohsaka Tokiomi in terms of Family Inheritance, individual talent, appearance, and demeanor.
However, when Matou Kariya met a girl, he temporarily pushed Tohsaka Tokiomi out of his mind.
Her name was Zenjou Aoi, a well-mannered young lady, beautiful on the outside, gentle on the inside, radiating a nurturing and inclusive aura.
The moment he saw her, Matou Kariya had already named their future children in his mind!
At first, things developed just as Matou Kariya had imagined.
The two of them, like many childhood friends, gradually became closer over time, forming a bond that allowed them to become intimate friends.
To anyone’s eyes, it was only natural for them to confess, fall in love, and step into the halls of marriage as they grew up…
Until the true nature of the Matou Family’s Magecraft unfolded before him.
No matter how much time has passed, whenever Matou Kariya recalls the scene of seeing a sea of writhing insects in the basement for the first time, every cell in his body is overwhelmed by disgust.
Even more terrifying was that on that night, Matou Kariya learned a new term: “Carrier.”
This refers to the descendants of Magecraft families that have declined to the point where they can no longer practice Magecraft, yet still inherit the mysterious factors in their Bloodline.
Zenjou Aoi is the carrier who still maintains excellent Magecraft factors within her body, capable of enhancing the Magecraft Talent of the Matou Family’s descendants.
However, every woman who joins the Matou Family inevitably suffers a tragic fate…Thrown into the worm chamber to be adjusted for birthing superior offspring, only to be devoured by worms after giving birth.
The thought of Zenjou Aoi meeting the same end as his never-met mother stabbed Matou Kariya’s heart with a surge of intense emotions.
Whether it’s Justice, anger, or sorrow…
Anyway, when Tohsaka Tokiomi appeared as Zenjou Aoi’s suitor, Matou Kariya, in his hesitation, almost resignedly accepted defeat.
A vast gap always involuntarily breeds anticipation.
After Matou Kariya became a vagrant fleeing the Matou Family, he no longer thought of surpassing Tohsaka Tokiomi, who fully inherited the Tohsaka Household, but hoped he could replace him and give Zenjou Aoi happiness.
…And that’s why, when Tohsaka Tokiomi sent his daughter to the Matou Family, Matou Kariya was filled with such anger, disgust, and hatred!
“…Tohsaka, Tokiomi! That guy is a cold-blooded Magus who cares for nothing but himself! If he sent Sakura here, how could he possibly come to save her!!”
It was as if the accumulated anger and resentment in his heart erupted all at once, and Matou Kariya, forgetting fear, let out a turbid roar that nearly shook the roof.
Watching Matou Kariya go berserk like a wounded beast, his forehead veins bulging, Matou Sakura shuddered, her eyes wide as if seeing this always gentle and smiling uncle for the first time.
But Noah quickly pulled her into his embrace, freezing Matou Kariya’s surging emotions with a cold gaze.
“Really? Although I’m not familiar with Tohsaka Tokiomi, how can you be so sure he won’t come to save his own daughter without even trying?”
Matou Kariya instinctively wanted to retort, but under Noah’s gaze, he couldn’t utter a single word from his open mouth.
It was as if the deepest darkness of his heart had been brutally dissected and carelessly thrown into the light.
“Ask yourself…Is Tohsaka Tokiomi really as despicable as you say?”
Matou Kariya’s expression froze in an instant, his face as pale as a ghost, devoid of even a hint of Blood Color.
He wanted to loudly proclaim, ‘Yes, that’s right, Tohsaka Tokiomi is indeed that kind of person!’
However, deep down in his heart, there was a strength tearing apart his consciousness, which wanted to go berserk.
It was just like the sun hanging high in the blue sky when he met Akane in the fountain park this afternoon.
Even if he averted his gaze, even if he closed his eyes, or even if he gouged out his eyes, he could still feel it.
It was the happiness that had overflowed onto Tohsaka Aoi’s face every time they met over the past eight years.
It was the heartfelt affection that Rin and Sakura showed on their faces when they called out to their father.
Even back then, when he challenged Tohsaka Tokiomi, that man’s eyes had an unwavering pride and elegance without a hint of pretence…
No, that’s not it.
Like a puppet with its strings cut, Matou Kariya collapsed before Noah, his body as limp as a lifeless doll.
His eyes were bloodshot, hands clutching his head, forehead veins throbbing, and a hoarse cry escaped his throat.
He had to refute it.
He must refute it, otherwise, he, he would…
He wanted to stop himself from giving the answer, but couldn’t prevent the voice from sliding out of his throat.
“…No, it’s not.”
Tohsaka Tokiomi wasn’t a cold-blooded, heartless bastard.
This much, Matou Kariya had ascertained 8 years ago, even earlier.
The answer had always been right before his eyes…
If Tohsaka Tokiomi was that bad, would Matou Kariya, who had abandoned everything for Aoi, lived as an outcast, and even watched her bear children for another man, would he have watched him marry his most beloved woman?
If Aoi had been even a little unhappy these past 8 years, wouldn’t he, who saw her every so often, have noticed?
If Rin and Sakura didn’t like their father even a little, would he have waited until now?
No!
Tohsaka Tokiomi might have many flaws, but he was undoubtedly a good husband who loved his wife and daughters.
The truly ugly, truly vile, truly heartless person had always been himself!
He, who had been surpassed by Tohsaka Tokiomi in every aspect, from family background to talent, who had never won against Tohsaka Tokiomi, who had had his most beloved woman stolen by Tohsaka Tokiomi, had always wanted to defeat that man!!
Never before had Matou Kariya recognized his own ugly heart as clearly as in this moment.
…Actually, I never put Aoi’s happiness first!
I was just using the excuse of fighting for their happiness to vent my jealousy and resentment towards Tohsaka Tokiomi!
I’m as vile as that Old Worm!
Watching Matou Kariya weep and wail before him, Noah couldn’t help but sigh.
In his eyes, Matou Kariya overlapped with another individual’s Figure.
This individual was the Old Worm, Matou Zouken, whom Noah had killed a few days ago.
Or perhaps, it was more appropriate to call him Makiri Zōken.
That individual, hundreds of years ago, possessed Strength and talent far beyond the imagination of ordinary people, but he didn’t use his Ability to indulge in power and wealth.
Instead, he chose to become a partner of Justice, striving to abolish all evil and the evil of humanity in the world.
He left his homeland for this very reason, journeying to a foreign land on the other side of the world after finding comrades, only to watch the woman he loved get juiced like a tomato right before his eyes.
He could no longer tell if he was striving to abolish the evil of humanity, or if he was striving to prevent the death of the woman he loved.
In the long centuries that followed, he forgot even his original purpose, and became a living Monster.
For these people, Noah neither loathed nor disliked them, only felt a deep sense of sorrow.
Noah believed that in this world, every individual had their own place and mission.
The weak struggle in confusion, while the strong bear their burdens with clarity.
If the weak fail to recognize themselves and try to shoulder responsibilities beyond their limits, they often either collapse or become lost.
“Sakura, that’s just how people are. They always misjudge others so easily, harboring expectations towards them…”
Noah’s voice drew Matou Sakura’s attention away from Matou Kariya, and she gazed at the silver-haired youth whose eyes held a hint of compassion.
“…But what’s more crucial is to know yourself, to understand what you truly want. Once you make a wrong step, it’s irreversible.”
During these few days of interaction, the young girl had never seen him reveal such an expression.
More importantly, Matou Sakura looked at the silver-haired youth before her and couldn’t help but recall that dream…
Before Matou Sakura could take a closer look, Noah lifted her from his embrace and stood up from the Sofa.
He went before Matou Kariya and without a word, kicked him!
Matou Kariya was just an Ordinary Person, one kick from Noah could turn him into a Blood Color abstract painting hanging on a wall.
So Noah had to be extremely careful to make sure he wouldn’t kick Matou Kariya to death, but instead send him rolling and flying to smash a bookcase.
“What’s with that expression? What’s with that look in your eyes? And those tears? Can crying save someone? Or help you defeat Tohsaka Tokiomi?”
Feeling like his internal organs were about to burst, Matou Kariya clutched his stomach, his eyes bulging as if they were about to pop out of their sockets.
“…Save, save someone? A scum like me? Am I even worthy of saving anyone?”
Noah’s expression became even more disgusted than before.
“Huh? Who said that acts of kindness with selfish motives aren’t acts of kindness? That Justice with flaws isn’t Justice? If I hadn’t appeared, you’d be the only one who would come to save this child! Why don’t you ask her if she needs a Justice with selfish motives, or a completely impartial indifference?”
Matou Kariya couldn’t help but look behind Noah, meeting the gaze of the Black-haired Girl.
“Kariya, uncle?”
A soft, gentle call, like a ray of light piercing through the endless darkness, illuminated Matou Kariya’s heart.
Tears, once again, blurred his vision.
But this time, they were warm.
“Have you cried enough?!”
A voice as flat as a tsukumogami’s, almost too calm to be called a scolding, sent the tears that had yet to fall back into Matou Kariya’s eyes.
He couldn’t help but lift his head, looking up at the silver-haired boy standing before him, gazing down.
Although the boy’s eyes were as cold as a winter night in Orario, Matou Kariya’s heart couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation, like the warmth of a gentle flame.
His mother had been discarded into the abyss after giving birth to him, so Matou Kariya had never experienced the warmth of a mother’s love, just like a blank slate waiting for its first inscription.
Sometimes, he even wondered if his affection for Aki was due to the gentle, nurturing qualities she possessed, like a mother’s love.
However, despite never having met his father, Matou Kariya had never felt troubled by it, like a knight without a lord.
With Matou Zouken as his nominal father, he didn’t feel the need for paternal love, like a masterless samurai.
But in this moment, Matou Kariya felt a sense of unshakeable resolve from the boy before him, like the unyielding will of a Hero, a presence that seemed to say, “I will not be swayed, no matter the circumstances.”
The boy’s gaze was like a magical Mana, calming Matou Kariya’s turbulent heart, stopping his tears in their tracks, like a spell of tranquility.
“Have you decided what you want to do now?”
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