Sometimes, Roy really wanted to call the authorities, his thoughts a tangled mess.
Despite his air of control, events often spiraled unpredictably—change outpaces plans.
Roy was the type to consider all outcomes and others' feelings, making allies feel at ease. His foresight and meticulousness handled most things flawlessly, but his knowledge couldn't cover everything.
No surprise there.
This world wasn't a scripted game from his past life with fixed worldlines and plots. Everyone was real, not AI or simulations, so new stories and changes were natural.
But…
"Should this really be here?"
Staring at the golden ring the butler delivered that morning, Roy's eyelids twitched.
It looked ordinary, indistinguishable from a plain gold ring. Even the butler saw nothing special.
But grasping it, Roy's mana and simulated angelic power trembled, resonating with it.
Something was off.
He tore open Lev's accompanying letter, sent via the butler:
[My partner, by the time you see this ring, I'll have left. I found it years ago in Israel, thinking it a mere antique gold ring. But as my research progressed, I noticed its compatibility with summoning and evocation magecraft, especially demon summoning—amplifying or suppressing it.]
[After study, I confirmed its true nature: one of Solomon's rings, the Mage King's, one of the ten God-given rings.]
[I know you're shocked, excited, my friend—I was too, believing it fate, eager to share. But you'd left for a week. It's not too late now. Consider it my gift.]
[Even if you don't want to be the Mage King, sealing this treasure is a waste. For your path to the Holy Son, a divine relic can't hurt. I've been overworked, hallucinating. I'm heading to Wales to explore a mystical gravedigger village for archaeology—a break. Don't worry, I'll return after rest. Your best partner—Lev Flauros.]
"Lev… you've sent me something incredible…"
Fingers trembling, clutching the gleaming ring, Roy felt…
Speechless?
No, exasperated.
Kayneth's Holy Grail War reactor, rivaling the Grail itself, was absurd enough. But Roy outdid him…
Scouring for top-tier relics for the war, summoning Scáthach barely clinched victory against a full-powered Gilgamesh. Now, Lev gifts him this.
One of Solomon's ten rings.
The Mage King's summoning relic.
His eyelids twitched wildly. He wanted to slap himself, wondering why he hadn't checked Lev's stash for relics before leaving.
As an Archaeology magus tied to Demon Gods, Lev likely had better relics.
This was proof.
With this in the war, no need for scheming against Gilgamesh—just summon Solomon and steamroll, Marisbury-style.
Getting it post-war was… absurd.
Still, Roy was grateful Lev entrusted it to him.
After Artoria's Avalon, Gilgamesh's tablet, and Scáthach's spear, this was another top-tier relic.
Not just top-tier—the ultimate, a game-changer.
How Lev beat Marisbury to it was a mystery.
But considering Lev's identity—one of the Demon God Pillars—his potent mystery attracted more. Finding Solomon's ring in Israel wasn't unthinkable.
Recalling last night's dream, Mari's warnings amid their brawl:
"After the King of Heroes, Arthur, and the Queen of the Land of Shadow, another wondrous king is drawn to you, eager to meet in the future."
"He wants to understand how you made an emotionless incubus feel joy, truly wanting to stay by you, devoted."
"He's curious, sharing my plight. Look forward to it~"
Glancing at the ring, Roy's head ached.
He knew Mari's wondrous king.
He'd considered it might be the Mage King but dismissed it, lacking a catalyst and rejecting the Demon God system. He'd sent Crowley agents to monitor the Animusphere family's Middle Eastern acquisitions for the rings, hoping to intercept.
No results came, so he assumed Marisbury had them, giving up.
He never imagined the ring's holder was by his side. The night before Lev's gift, Mari hinted at this king.
With the ring, it was clear—the Mage King, Solomon.
His shared plight with Merlin? Gaining divine wisdom, ten rings, and seventy-two Demon Gods, living as a machine without a true life or emotions.
Others saw Solomon as lofty, omnipotent. But Roy thought of the Time Temple's ordinary doctor—Romani Archaman.
King Solomon… Roman…
Another big shot.
Why do they keep coming to me? Is this a Heroic Spirit wish agency?
Still, he knew how to fulfill this request and didn't mind helping.
"Let's meet in the future, then. For past memories, I'll help you… Dr. Roman…"
Gripping the ring, Roy whispered, unsure if it reached him, but it was a gesture.
"And I'll do my best to create a world where you can live anew, at peace."
"I will."
As his words fell, the dormant ring flickered with golden light.
Following the sensation, Roy slipped it onto his right ring finger—a perfect fit.
"Feels good… not bad. The boost is subtle, not Solomon's omniscience, but my mana feels stronger."
"Interesting…"
Sipping tea Lev brewed, Roy pursed his lips.
His senses told him it was fragrant, but it tasted no different from Tohsaka Tokiomi's or instant tea outside.
For her effort, he drank it slowly.
He set the cup down, shaking his head.
"Was it good, Roy?"
Watching Roy murmur to the ring and finish her tea, Lev, on the foldout bed, pretending to read but fixated on him, asked nervously.
Though trained in tea etiquette, her skills paled against professionals, making her anxious about his opinion.
"Very good."
Roy nodded, giving his standard praise.
To his unique palate, anything quenching was good—even plain water.
"Really? I'll brew for you daily then!"
His casual remark was a huge encouragement to Lev.
Her maids once said, "When Miss Lev finds someone she likes, pursue them. To win a man's heart, start with his stomach."
She hadn't thought much of it, her marriage prospects set. But meeting someone she liked, she understood.
Keep it up, Lev, be a good wife…
Unaware of the truth, she cheered herself on.
Seeing her joy, Roy nodded.
He tasted little, but encouraging kids was right. This was fine.
But…
Lev's letter mentioned a Welsh gravedigger village for archaeology, reminding Roy of Mari's warning about Morgan.
Arthur's sister had schemes in a similar village…
Wales had many cemeteries, but Roy's mind went to a gray-haired girl, identical to Artoria but opposite in demeanor, always hooded.
Looking at Lev, he pictured her future with Gray, shopping, her playfully teasing Gray.
Right…
Lev was a gremlin in the original story, tormenting Waver and Gray. Though harmless, she was lively. Why so demure with him? Was this really that Lev?
Her first meeting with Waver involved hanging him from the ceiling, leaving trauma. Yet with Roy, she was subdued, making him question her identity.
Odd…
"…"
Stare!!
Musing, Roy's gaze lingered on Lev, making her tense, forcing a smile.
"Roy, is something weird on my face?"
"No, just… you're cute. I overthought."
Roy shook his head.
Maybe Kayneth's early death and the Archibald crest's destruction forced Lev's promotion from a branch family, her devilish traits born of pressure. He wasn't sure.
It didn't matter—whatever her personality, he wouldn't dislike her. He had Sakura, too. Rumors said, without the Matou's harsh environment, Sakura's personality leaned toward BB's gremlin.
He wanted to test that. His nurturing surpassed the Tohsaka's.
Devil or not, two gremlins could be fun.
Speaking of, they hadn't met formally.
Kayneth had invited him to pick up Sakura today. It was time to go.
It'd be good for Lev and Sakura to meet, bond as peers.
Then, he'd head to Wales to check on things.
Knowing Lev was a top Brand-rank magus, Roy wouldn't worry elsewhere. But Mari's warning about Morgan, followed by Lev heading to her turf, was too much.
Lev wasn't just Flauros now—he was his human partner.
Roy couldn't let him face danger.
He instructed the butler to track Lev's location in Wales, pinpoint the village, and report back.
This worked out. Roy cared about Gray but had stayed away to avoid attention and due to insufficient strength.
Now, he was ready.
He'd ensure Lev's safety and investigate the village. If possible, he could bring Gray back for training. Mari said they'd ruined Morgan's plans. Since Artoria never died—likely wandering or sleeping—no revival was needed.
The Logos React Replica, possibly with Gray, was a significant asset. The Anchor of the Planet held value for his world-saving plans. With Avalon, the lance was fated for him.
"This belongs to me. Borrowing it, Saber won't mind."
Roy instructed the butler to find Lev and prepare a room for Aozaki Touko, who was supposed to return but was likely shopping, distracted by treasures.
Then, he planned to take Lev to Kayneth's to retrieve his long-absent foster daughter.
(How long since Sakura's last appearance?)
As her foster father, he had to take responsibility, not outsource her care. He'd given Lev more attention than Sakura, his actual ward.
With Lev's nervous gaze, Roy gently lifted her.
"Come, Lev, I'll introduce you to someone important. You'll be great playmates."
Perfect playmates…
Lev froze, realizing who, her face tensing.
"Roy, where are we going?"
"To Kayneth's. He said yesterday was rushed, so he's hosting a welcome dinner with Waver and others, and I'll pick up Sakura."
It's Sakura! I thought I had days to prepare, but meeting her so soon?!
What's my role? Attitude? Say I'm her future mom? Too embarrassing…
As Lev's inner council debated, a black car pulled up.
The driver was familiar.
"Yo, Waver."
Roy greeted his friend.
"Yeah, Kayneth said it's a dinner, so I took off early—or swapped shifts. I just need to finish by midnight…"
Waver's boyish face bore thick dark circles, resembling a sleep-deprived panda.
Seeing his plight, Roy patted his shoulder, abandoning plans to drag him to Wales for Gray. Waver needed rest.
"…"
Waver sighed, hit the gas, and drove them to the Archibald estate.
Rest?
He had a half-meter stack of papers and a third-level lecturer exam. No time for rest.
He wanted to slap his past self, asking, "What were you proving? Becoming a panda?!"
…
At the luxurious manor's gate, Kayneth and Sola awaited, a finely dressed girl beside them, all looking toward the car.
"Not bad, earlier than expected. Your efficiency's improving, Waver," Kayneth said, checking his watch, pleased.
His chosen secretary-tool freed up his time.
"Thanks, I'll keep it up," Waver nodded wearily.
"Roy-nii!!"
Unlike Kayneth and Waver's banter, the long-absent Sakura ran to Roy, who gently lifted her.
"Long time, Sakura."
Hugging her, he asked, "Missed Roy? Been good?"
"Yes! Since leaving home, Touko-nee's gone, so I've been with Kayneth-jiisan and Sola-nee, no trouble…"
"Good girl," Roy patted her head.
"Uncle and Sister…"
Hearing the titles, Kayneth's world crumbled, his face questioning reality. Sola laughed.
Out of courtesy and fondness for Sakura, Kayneth didn't get mad, just doubted himself.
Do I look that old?
Led by Kayneth, they entered the dining hall. The private dinner, to welcome Roy, was intimate, with Eulyphis absent due to rank ceremony duties.
"Long time, Roy," Sola greeted, smiling.
"Long time, Mistress Sola."
The simple title made Kayneth puff his chest, sitting beside Sola, placing Sakura next to him so Lev could sit by Roy.
Before eating, Sakura, seated by Sola, curiously studied Lev.
Noting her hair like Kayneth's and similar features, about her age—five or six—she tilted her head and asked, "Uncle Kayneth, is she your and Sola-nee's child?"
"—Cough, cough!!"
The bombshell made Kayneth choke, Sola blush, Waver gape in horror, and Roy sigh helplessly. Lev's planned mother-daughter bonding tactics crumbled.
Wanting to praise Sakura or urge her on, Kayneth clarified, "No, Sakura, she's not our child. She's my adopted sister, Lev El-Melloi Archibald, five, a year younger than you. If anything, she's your…"
Pausing, Kayneth's face twisted oddly, but under Sola's nudge, he said, "Mother?"
With Sakura at six and Lev at five, he barely held it together.
Others struggled too. Waver and Roy, eating, snapped up at the familiar yet alien word, exchanging looks.
"Cough, cough…"
Both choked, stunned.
Roy was bewildered, Waver horrified, staring at Roy like he was trash, his eyes saying, Didn't expect this from you!
"Wait, I'm not—"
Before Roy could explain, Lev stood, curtsying to Sakura.
"First meeting, Sakura. I'm Lev El-Melloi Archibald, Roy's future wife, and your… future mother."
"…Mother?"
Though understandable, the combined words baffled Sakura.
Scratching her hair, she looked at Lev, then Kayneth, nodding, "Wow, five? A year younger than me… such a young mother…"
"…"
Waver's disdain grew, Sola's laughter brightened, Kayneth looked guilty, turning away.
Roy gaped at Kayneth, his eyes screaming—
professor, I need an explanation!
Look at me, you brat!!
***
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