Magician in Type-Moon

Page 506

His words were somewhat heavy, as if he were trapped in this endless labyrinth, unable to extricate himself.

Karl is a survivor of the labyrinth, having survived in the spirit tomb Albion, but now he is trapped in the Bureau of Unseen Dissection.

Although he remains active at the forefront of the magic world, the seemingly endless struggles and power games have long since left him confused about the "roots".

“However, that person…” Karl paused, as if pondering a distant memory, “seemed to be looking at something quite different… I think so.”

Matou Ike listened attentively, a thoughtful glint in his eyes, as if trying to grasp the meaning behind Karl's words.

“…I see.” He nodded slightly, as if he understood something.

Yvette, listening from the side, seemed somewhat confused. She turned her head to look at Matou Ike, pondering to herself:

"Did he get any information?" However, she didn't know any of this and could only observe silently.

Matou Ike moved forward slightly on the sofa and finally got to the real reason he had come.

“By the way,” he cleared his throat, “do you two know of the disappearance of Dr. Hartrace’s disciple—a survivor like yourself?”

This time, the topic instantly turned heavy. Silence quickly enveloped the entire room, as if even the air itself had frozen.

Karl sat back a little deeper, a slight daze on his face. After a while, he spoke in a low voice:

"...Of course I know. Because the recently missing Jorek Kurdish was on our team, and he's also my brother."

"I see." Matou Ike paused slightly, her gaze deep, before calmly replying, "Excuse my rudeness—"

“No, that’s understandable.” Karl shook his head, interrupting Matou Ike.

“His surname is different from mine. After leaving the labyrinth, my brother was registered as a member of the Krudeis family.”

Matouchi nodded in realization.

"So that's how it is. It's quite common for survivors to be recognized for their strength and then adopted by families without heirs."

He took a small sip of black tea, his tone calm, seemingly without much emotional fluctuation.

Karl sighed softly:

"Yes, my brother is very capable. He saved my life countless times back in Albion."

He smiled proudly, "No matter what other team you're on, you won't find a partner with such perfect chemistry as me and Jolek."

Ashila chimed in, "Indeed, your teamwork is unparalleled."

Karl smiled, but the smile was tinged with loneliness and a hint of indescribable melancholy.

"That would be wonderful."

His gaze was somewhat unfocused, as if he were lost in memories of Jorek, unable to pull himself away.

As the conversation drew to a close, a brief silence fell over the group.

Just then, Karl suddenly spoke, his voice still steady but carrying a hint of elusive emotion: "Lord Matou."

He stared at Matou Pond with a serious expression.

Matou Ike looked up, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes. "Hmm? Is there a problem?"

Karl asked, "I'd also like to ask you a question. Would you mind?"

Matou Ike nodded without hesitation: "Of course I don't mind." He remained as calm and composed as ever.

Karl looked at his ten fingers, gently opening and closing them a few times, appearing somewhat nervous.

"You must have made a name for yourself by surviving that Far Eastern magical ritual called the Holy Grail War, right?"

The Holy Grail War. The sudden appearance of this term startled Matou Ike slightly.

A complex emotion flickered in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"What happened?" he asked casually.

"No, I just feel that you are somewhat similar to us survivors. In some ways, you are undoubtedly the most successful figure of the new generation on the mystical side."

Karl's gaze darted around, seemingly assessing Matouike's identity and influence.

"So, what are your thoughts on your current position? Does achieving what you have made you feel that the world has become a brighter place?"

Matou Ike did not rush to answer. He remained silent for a moment, his gaze slightly lowered, as if he were thinking.

"I just feel...very tired." He shrugged slightly.

“…Is that so?” Karl responded in a low voice, as if somewhat disappointed, yet also as if he had gained some inspiration from Matou Ike’s answer.

"Is that all there is to it..." He sighed wearily.

Matou Ike nodded slightly, his tone indifferent: "That might not be considered a decent answer."

“No, this is enough.” Karl smiled, his eyes still silent and profound. “Thank you, Lord Matou.”

The conversation ended surprisingly quickly.

It was so fast that Yvette found it unbelievable.

Kirie simply smiled knowingly and didn't say anything more.

Chapter 564 The Legend of the Fairies (4k)

After Matou Ike and Yvette left, the reception room of the Secret Corpse Dissection Bureau returned to silence.

Karl's gaze was fixed on the floor, his brow furrowed, as if he were pondering something heavy.

Her fingers, repeatedly interlaced, unconsciously rubbed together as she murmured, "...Do you think the disappearance of Gesells and the others was orchestrated by the teacher, Ashira?"

Ashira stood by the window, her back to him, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Her smile carried a hint of ruthlessness, yet seemed to see through everything. "It can't be unrelated, can it?"

Her tone was relaxed, yet it concealed a deep calculation.

"That person should have known what we did a long time ago. He didn't show up for ten years, and only now has he appeared on the public stage, and our team has become like this. It would be strange if there was no connection."

Karl's eyes flickered slightly, as if he sensed the unease in her words. "A magician shouldn't utter that word so easily," he said softly, a complex expression on his face. "It means..."

“…That’s right.” Ashira turned around, her steps light yet firm. “Goodbye, Karl.”

Her voice echoed like a stone sinking into the sea, carrying an undeniable resolve. Karl was momentarily stunned, as if still reeling from the conversation. She raised her hand, grabbed her briefcase from the table, and expertly tidied it, seemingly already prepared to leave.

Karl's gaze unconsciously fell on her; he knew that her decision was made and there was no going back.

"You want to leave here?"

His voice was tinged with disappointment, yet also with deep confusion. "However, this is the safest place in London, you should know that, right?"

Ashira smiled slightly, her gaze sweeping over him without lingering.

Even so, I will leave.

She didn't say much, turned around and took a step.

The crisp sound of footsteps echoed in the empty reception room, each step sounding exceptionally firm.

She didn't turn back, nor did she stop.

The door closed gently behind her, and Karl remained staring blankly at the closed door.

Silence fell again in the reception room. Karl's gaze was lowered once more, as if all the secrets were buried in this unspeakable silence.

.........

—The sun is setting in the west. As February approaches, the time of dusk seems to be pushed forward earlier by an invisible hand.

The crimson twilight, like a canvas stained with ink, gradually swallowed up the concrete buildings and villas.

On the street, pedestrians, wearing heavy coats, hurried along, their long shadows crisscrossing and mottled on the pavement, as if gently brushed by the dust of time.

Each shadow seems to quietly carry away past stories, or wash away the dust of time, paving the way on the stone path.

The two emerged from the Secret Corpse Dissection Bureau building and walked briskly southward. After a moment, Matou Ike broke the silence first: "How was it?"

Yvette tilted her head slightly and replied softly, "Anyway, they weren't lying."

A sly glint flashed in her eyes. She quickly checked her surroundings, then pulled up her blindfold, revealing her mysterious eyes.

A finely polished green malachite was set in her eye socket, the gemstone shimmering with a shadowy light like a deep, still lake.

This magical eye can detect the emotional fluctuations of those around them, revealing subtle changes in their hearts.

Emotions are seen through the magic eye.

After battling the chimera, she replaced the gem in her eye on her way to the reception room.

This magical eye can capture changes in people's emotions.

This is one of the reasons why she was able to accompany them.

Yvette narrowed her eyes and replied softly:

"However, they seemed to have some premonition about the reason for the other disciples' disappearance. When you mentioned that question, the surrounding spiritual energy was noticeably turbulent, and that fluctuation was difficult to conceal."

Matou Ike nodded slowly after hearing this, seemingly deep in thought:

"I think that's exactly right."

He looked at the street ahead, his steps unwavering.

"So the key question is what they're hiding. What really happened, and why are they hiding the truth from us?"

Why did they lie? Why were they forced to lie?

Matou Pond fell silent. The air seemed to freeze for a moment, as if everything had stopped, with only the distant sound of the wind gently passing by.

His thoughts raced rapidly in the silence. After a moment, he gently shook his head and whispered:

"In any case, the information we have now is far from enough to make an accurate judgment. We can only glean some clues from their words and attitudes."

He paused, "But at least, we can get a general idea of ​​what Hartres was like."

Yvette raised an eyebrow slightly and asked thoughtfully, "It sounds like... he really is a magician who cares a lot about his disciples?"

"Because magicians are very gentle with their disciples. It's just that in most cases, students are not included in this category."

Magicians are creatures who hold an obsession that sometimes transcends their own lives, only towards those who can inherit their magical insignia or techniques.

In that sense, Hartless, this magician, seems quite exceptional. Or was it the very nature of modern magic that prompted him to do so?