I, Kenneth, am going to get to the root of the problem today.

Page 49

"Who is this woman? And you bastard, didn't you say you wouldn't lay a hand on Alice?! Why is Alice here?!"

With a thud, Lydia slammed both palms on the table, causing the teacups to shatter. Lydia's expression trembled slightly from the force of the impact.

Suppressing a laugh, Kenneth looked seriously at Lydel, who was enduring the pain but refusing to let go and glaring at him.

"This is Chris, my personal attendant. As for the Western-style mansion in Kuonji, the teleportation spell I left there was activated by those little rascals..."

To avoid the blonde-haired girl being unable to understand, Kenneth began answering Lydel's question from the perspective of the creation of the world. With a hint of doubt, the Coal Witch turned her gaze away and secretly rubbed her hands together under the desk as she propped herself up.

"Humph!"

With her gaze returning to Chris, Lydel pulled up a chair and sat opposite Kenneth. Facing Lydel's attacking gaze, Chris straightened her back and looked down at Lydel with a pitying look that was very similar to Kenneth's.

At this moment, Lydel's rationality snapped. Being mocked by Kenneth was one thing, but even though she was younger, she was still better than him. But Chris was different. This was a crushing defeat in terms of scale, something Lydel could never accept as an heretic!

"Lydel, there are quite a few places to fight around here. I should have taught you a lesson by now!"

Under Kenneth's stern words, Lydel's body trembled violently. After a shudder, Lydel obediently sat back in her chair. Even without his magic eye, Kenneth could feel the overwhelming pleasure.

Looking up, Lydia glanced first at Chris, who was still standing ramrod straight, before turning her expectant gaze to Kenneth. Her mischievous nature kicked in, and Kenneth turned to Chris to discuss today's data.

With her eyes gradually filling with tears, the Coal Witch, who hadn't found a suitable reason to lash out for a while, began to rub her legs uncontrollably against the chair. Seeing Lydel's reaction, Kenneth, who had finished his conversation with Chris, picked up another document on the table under Lydel's pleading gaze.

Chapter 130 Arrival, The New World

In the underground workshop, Kenneth focused his gaze on the wisps of magic emanating from the passageway. Receiving feedback, Kenneth finally breathed a sigh of relief and successfully connected to the parallel world's evil passageway.

"Aren't you bringing more men?"

The passage closed, and the gem sword connecting the parallel worlds was retrieved by Kenneth. On the other side of the room, Morgan, who had been observing all along, stood in front of Kenneth.

"No need. It's just a second-level Mystic Code. Chris is enough. After I leave, the Greater Grail of Fuyuki City will be yours. As for the evil of this world, I'm still very interested in its form of existence."

The Gem Sword was activated, and images of countless worlds appeared on the gem that carried the magic. After the search was completed, the sword light flashed, and a passage with a faint light on the other side appeared in front of Kenneth. With Chris taking a step forward, Kenneth's figure completely disappeared from Morgan's sight.

"What a bossy fellow. That pile of black mud? Looks like I need to go back and check it out too."

With Morgan's disappearance, the workshop was completely sealed off. In the crack between the worlds, a kaleidoscope-like passage opened up two completely unrelated worlds. The distance to the parallel world was far beyond Kenneth's expectations. Stepping into the crack between the worlds, information from the nearby world was constantly being presented to Kenneth through the jeweled sword.

With the jeweled sword at his side, Kenneth observed these parallel worlds as an outsider. He vaguely saw an illusory axis, and the worlds meandered along this axis. With a swing of the jeweled sword, the axis on the outside of the passage was disturbed, but it quickly returned to its original position after a slight deflection.

"The Second Law, Parallel World Interference, so that's how it is. Is this the true power of the Second Law?"

After several attempts, Kenneth withdrew his gaze from the other worlds. As a third-level magic user, his ability to observe these things using the Gem Sword was already at its limit. Frequent attempts would only increase the number of ways for Kenneth's superiors in the other worlds to die, without changing anything in the long run.

As the passage neared its end, the light within the world grew ever brighter. Just before Kenneth was about to step out of the passage, a chilling aura swept over him. A madness far surpassing any evil in this world enveloped Kenneth, making his hair stand on end. With Kenneth's perception far exceeding that of ordinary people, he sensed a pure yet fanatical gaze peering at him from behind.

Stiffly turning around, outside the passage connecting parallel worlds, a face was pressed tightly against the barrier created by the Second Law. The moment their eyes met, a smile spread from the corner of the girl's empty eyes to behind her ear...

"Master, have you discovered something?"

"No, it's nothing, let's go."

Realizing that Chris couldn't see him, Kenneth turned around without batting an eye and pretended not to see her as he walked toward the exit that was just a stone's throw away.

"You can see me, right? You see me, right? Your name is Kenneth, isn't it? Oh, I see. Interesting, very interesting..."

The girl outside the passage followed Kenneth inside like a ghost. As if she had glimpsed something, the expression of the ghost outside the gap between worlds became increasingly distorted.

"Why pretend you can't see me? I long to become one with you. Your story must be so much more interesting than those boring things..."

The passage trembled, the gem sword in his hand vibrated under overload, and visible cracks began to spread rapidly. Magic circuits crawled all over his legs. Kenneth, unable to contain himself any longer, rushed towards the exit with Chris at a speed far exceeding the limits of ordinary people.

The jeweled sword shattered, the illusory passage vanished, and the world cleaved by the magic healed. The girl, her chest pierced and her bare shoulders stained with blood, gave Kenneth a chilling smile before disappearing into the darkness.

"Sajo Aika, how did I provoke this monster? The piercing through my chest, is that the old sword?"

"Master, are you alright?"

Although her voice was calm, Chris had already sensed something from Kenneth's reaction. She summoned her naginata and became wary of her surroundings. She then sheathed the jeweled sword, which was now only in its hilt. After taking a few deep breaths, Kenneth finally recovered from the chill brought on by Ayaka Sajou.

"It's nothing, just a little accident. Come on, come with me to see my good-for-nothing apprentice."

The parallel world Kenneth crossed is none other than the story of a village girl returning home from Higashide's magical pen. The difficulty of the Holy Grail War has increased dramatically this year, and it's really not easy for Kenneth to find a traditional Holy Grail War. Although the story of this world is outrageous, with an even more outrageous Kenneth around, the days in Romania will probably be very peaceful.

Upon arriving in the 21st century, Kenneth felt a familiar sense of modernity. Accompanied by Chris, Kenneth entered the clock tower and, under the watchful eyes of the surrounding new generation of magicians, arrived at the Department of Modern Magic.

After the morning classes ended, El-Melloi II, who was considered by the Clock Tower to be the one who wanted to have his babies, immediately revealed his true colors and stomped his feet after closing the office door. As the Clock Tower's gathering place for problem children and one of the four major evil forces in the Moon World, Waver's students can be described as a mudslide in the Mage's Association.

"master..."

"Hahaha, Grey, look at him, he looks like he's about to die, it's just... Ah! Ah!!"

After a violent shaking, the foul-mouthed Yard, under Grey's punishment, collapsed in the birdcage with eyes bulging. Provoked by Yard, Weber, who was already furious with Flat, stomped his feet even more excitedly.

"Is that guy an idiot?! Why does he mess around with a magic trick that could be done by following the steps?! Is he trying to drive me crazy?!!"

"Oh, I never thought you'd end up like this. How about it, do you feel the pain I went through back then, Webber Velvet?"

As the teasing voice faded, Webber, who was still stomping his feet, paused and looked up in disbelief at the man sitting on one side of the room. Even though his appearance was somewhat different and even though ten years had passed, Webber recognized the man in front of him at a glance.

"Kenneth, teacher, this can't be! Who could it be?!"

Faced with Waver's disbelief and Gray's summoning of Adler to guard against him, Kenneth, who had been waiting for a long time, got up and sat in Waver's boss chair, looking at the tense El-Melloi II with a smile.

"One day, I will show the Clock Tower my talent, and I will change this corrupt world of magic..."

Every single word, Kenneth exposed the boast Webber had made. He beckoned, and Chris, standing behind him, promptly handed Kenneth a cup of tea. Seeing Webber's growing nervousness, and recalling his attitude when he taught Webber, Kenneth, with a mischievous glint in his eye, snapped:

"Weber Velvet!"

"arrive!!"

Out of bodily instinct, Waver, now a monarch, immediately stood up straight like a student answering a question at Kenneth's shout. Faced with her master's unusual behavior, Grey dropped the scythe in her hand with a clatter.

Volume: Volume 3

Chapter 131 Interception and Summoning

In the modern magic department office, Kenneth, an outsider, sat at the head of the table, flipping through the documents on the desk. Waver, who should have been the owner of the office, stood opposite Kenneth, banging his head on his hand like a corporate slave awaiting criticism from his boss. As for Gray, who was already shy and timid, she tightened her cloak and shrank behind Waver, unsure of what to do.

"Gulu, Mr. Kenneth, I wonder when you came into this world?"

Even though there was no Fourth Holy Grail War in this world, the unlucky Ken still died in an accident due to unforeseen circumstances. Although they were not taught by the same teacher, the bloodline suppression still made Waver, a monarch with considerable influence in the Clock Tower, not dare to breathe loudly.

“Well done, Webber. Elmello has developed very well under your guidance. Sit down.”

Receiving Kenneth's approval was like having his graduation thesis approved by his advisor. Weber, who had been tense, finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat down properly.

"I need detailed information about the Yggdrasil Clan, as well as the participants from the Clock Tower in this Romanian Holy Grail War."

Although he did not directly answer Weber, Kenneth's words revealed a lot of information. Having led a school of thought for several years, Weber, being a kind-hearted man, instinctively wanted to advise Kenneth against his somewhat risky idea.

"Teacher, you are interested in the Holy Grail War. The magician representing the Clock Tower has already set off, and..."

Chris's actions interrupted Waver before he could finish speaking. Looking at the core of the furnace radiating a deep blue magic, Waver, with his exceptional eyesight, could estimate its value.

"You don't need to think about anything else. All I need is their information, and it would be best if we could find out what kind of relics they used."

Kenneth had forgotten most of his memories of Ace Combat except for a few key moments, and when he entered this Holy Grail War, the original storyline was just a joke. Kenneth had already attracted the attention of some extraordinary person. In order to determine how much influence he, the butterfly, had, Kenneth had to use the relics to determine how much the Holy Grail War had deviated from its intended course.

Similarly, even if Kenneth didn't have Command Seals, he still had a way to solve the problem. The Holy Grail in Romania ultimately came from Fuyuki City. It had the same origin, the same foundation, and was a product of the Third Law. Kenneth could guarantee that his understanding of the Great Saint Daisy far exceeded that of the Yggdrasil.

"Alright, Weber, I'll be staying in London for a few days. Get the data to me as soon as possible."

Kenneth was faced with a real world, and the information from the past would not change because of his appearance. With this in mind, Kenneth decided to meet Waver of this world after appearing. He got up, patted the pensive man who was deep in thought, and left the Department of Modern Magic with Chris by his side.

As Kenneth walked toward the clock tower's exit, the surrounding students automatically made way for this magician who looked like a formidable opponent. Passing the Summoning Department, Kenneth bumped into a similarly intimidating-looking burly man. Noticing the suitcase in the other man's hand, Kenneth understood what was going on.

"Has it reached that point yet?"

Although the exit was spacious, it couldn't accommodate three people walking together, especially since the other party was a big guy modeled after the governor. In the stalemate, Chris stepped forward and pushed open the door for Kenneth, and Kenneth followed suit and walked out of the clock tower building.

Watching Kenneth and Chris leave, a hint of apprehension flashed in the eyes of Lion Robber Jie Li behind his sunglasses. His bounty hunter intuition told him that the man and woman in front of him were not to be trifled with. He couldn't find any relevant information in his mind, so he memorized their characteristics. With a mission to complete, Lion Robber Jie Li also quickly left the clock tower after Kenneth disappeared.

Upon arriving at their temporary hotel, the appearance of Shishikage Kairi served as a reminder to Kenneth that when Shishikage Kairi arrived in Romania, Saber, symbolizing the last member of the Holy Grail War, would also appear. Furthermore, the mages who had slept through the entire Holy Grail War would soon be summoning Servants, and Kenneth needed to get moving as soon as possible.

His gaze fell on the ceremonial robes, which were modified from the Fuyuki City Church's spirit plate. They symbolized the red Assassin and the black Lancer. The Caster's block was already lit up. Carrying the mercury used to draw the summoning circle, Kenneth left the hotel where he was staying.

On a ley line in London, as Kenneth completed the summoning ritual, a crimson Command Seal slowly emerged from the back of his hand. As a former Master of the Holy Grail War, Kenneth, through the intervention of the Third Law, imitated Hartles in the Second Case Files and obtained a false Master identity.

Meanwhile, in the church far away in Romania, Amakusa Shiro, acting as the overseer, entertained guests who had traveled from the Clock Tower. Behind his affable smile, the allure of ancient poison subtly controlled these arrogant magicians on the spot.

"Everyone, the Holy Grail War is about to begin. I have prepared a summoning site for you. In order to strengthen our power, let's summon as soon as possible."

Following the priest's well-intentioned reminder, the five magicians representing the Clock Tower silently headed towards the church's basement. At that very moment, Kenneth, who was sensing the Greater Grail in London, noticed something amiss. He stood up, and his magical power surged rapidly into the magic circle beneath him. Ordinary magicians would choose to summon on the spot due to limitations in their magical power, but as the holder of the Third Magic, Kenneth's magical power could completely disregard this rule.

The spirit disc monitoring the servant began to flicker. As Romania initiated the summoning ritual, the magic circle in front of Kenneth glowed blue. The pulse-like light grew brighter under the rhythmic incantation. Relying on the magic power accumulated within his body, Kenneth forcibly opened the hole in the connecting seat on his own.

In Kenneth's perception, the familiar Heroic Spirit had already sensed the call from within the world. The magical power within his body surged forth, and the magic circle beneath Kenneth's feet forcefully severed the connection with his Romanian counterpart with the force of thunder. The surrounding leaves rustled under the violent magical power, and illusory spiritual particles gathered into shape. A flash of white light, and Karna's figure reappeared before Kenneth.

"My true name is Karna. Nice to meet you."

"Human, Kenneth, nice to meet you."

Looking at Kenneth before him, Karna revealed a puzzled expression. Under the shared perception, Karna looked at the earring used to summon him, his green eyes flashing a few times.

“Karna, language is the most effective way to communicate. Don’t worry about being disliked by others. Speak your thoughts completely.”

The earrings, and the understanding of his own heart—the already intelligent Karna had already thought of some things. After struggling for a long time, Karna tentatively opened his mouth.

"Master, have we fought together before? I'm so happy that you chose me again."

"Yes, it was a battle where everything was entrusted to me, and it wasn't that I chose you, but that you were my only choice."

A look of astonishment crossed his calm face. This was the truth. Kenneth's words made Karna, who had just appeared in the world, feel a trust that far exceeded words. Although he did not understand why Kenneth trusted him so much, Karna, feeling the sincerity, once again made his vow to the magician in front of him.

"Servant Karna, this is a promise: as long as I have a breath left, I will protect you."

With his eyes closed, Kenneth was transported back to his past memories by the familiar promise. Kalna, tilting his head, stood behind Kenneth as before, unable to understand his thoughts.

Chapter 132 The Threat of the Dead Soul

At the same time that Kenneth summoned Karna, only four Servants appeared on the huge summoning circle of the Romanian church. Faced with this unexpected development, both the Empress and Amakusa Shirou showed expressions of astonishment.

"That's really something, quite a dramatic turn of events."

Amakusa knew very well that a Ruler would descend upon this Holy Grail War, and he, being born with an anomaly, had made preparations for it. But now it seemed that he was not the only one affected; the anomaly of the opponent, who could sever the Holy Grail's summons, far surpassed his own.

"Looks like someone extraordinary has made a move. What are you going to do next?"

"It's alright, how could I give up over something so trivial? What I love most is humanity!"

Somewhat bewildered, Semiramis, known as the Poisonous Woman, seemed to have found something she had never possessed before, staring at the man with the hearty smile before her. As Amakusa and the Empress locked eyes, in the center of the magic circle, a dark-skinned Servant wielding a bow turned his gaze to the northwest, where he sensed the presence of his nemesis.

Similarly, when Arjuna looked toward Karna, Karna, sensing this, also looked toward Romania.

"Have you discovered something, Karna?"

"Hmm, Master, I sense a familiar presence. This time, I think I can have a proper talk with him. (Physics)"

Kenneth paused, already guessing who Karna was referring to. Something was wrong; his mind raced. Kenneth began to worry about whether he could withstand a single blow from the God of Destruction's Hand Shadow.

The incomplete Third Law granted Kenneth infinite magical power and immortality far beyond the mundane, but without glimpsing the complete law, Kenneth sees himself as a tank. Kenneth is confident that he can stand and fight Archer with his massive magical power, but when facing a Servant of Karna's caliber, Kenneth thinks it over and over again and concludes that he can't beat him.

It has nothing to do with law; it's a matter of experience and accumulation. Battles are not a contest of stats; awareness, ability, and timing are the keys to victory. It's an indisputable fact that one's experience is no match for that of a Servant. Relying on the overwhelming power of mystery and magic, Kenneth is confident in dealing with some Servants who aren't very strong, but when facing heroes who have reached the ceiling, Kenneth feels he can only take the beating.

“Masret, now that you have chosen me, I will always stand in front of you. Please do not be confused about the road ahead.”

"It really is you, Karna. You've taught me a lesson again. We've already been through hell, so how could I back down over something so trivial? Last time you protected my future, so this time I'll fulfill your obsession."

Under Kenneth's confident voice, Karna's abilities, which were restricted due to the illegal summoning, broke free of their shackles under the impact of massive magical power. Apart from luck and Noble Phantasm, Karna's attributes at this moment fully deserved his Special A-rank rating, and his already limit-reaching agility reached a terrifying A++ level under the infusion of Kenneth's infinite magical power.

"Let's have a good, big fight, Karna!"

"I will do my utmost to obey your orders, Master!"

Although he didn't know what Kenneth meant by the past, Karna sensed Kenneth's thoughts: his belief that he should face that man in the best possible condition, and his determination to help him fulfill his obsession.

"Master, what exactly did we go through before?"

Burying his doubts in his heart, Karna looked at Kenneth, who was waving at him, and stepped out of the magic circle that had summoned him. At the same time, in the cemetery of Romania, sitting unabashedly on someone else's grave, Shiki Kairi, who had staked everything on the Holy Grail, clutched a smoldering cigarette butt tightly in his hand.

"Can I handle this? No, I can only try!"

He raised his hand, branded with a helmet-shaped Command Seal. The silver ring on his index finger appeared dim in the darkness, and the crimson Command Seal pointed to the fragments of the round table stacked on the altar.

[The covenant of pure silver and iron, earth and stone, my ancestor and master Xiu Baiyin Augu]

The colors for offerings are red and black.

...