Right now, he truly regretted it—regretted it immensely. If he could have a chance to do it all over again, Roy would genuinely want to go back two days ago, before this absurd situation unfolded, and give his professor Kayneth—who had slapped him with the label of a perverted lolicon—a thorough thrashing. He'd demand to know what on earth was going through that bizarre mind of his.
What did he mean by "Sakura's future mother"?
The moment those words were spoken, everyone present understood instantly.
Even though the adoption ceremony and formalities hadn't been completed yet, he could still be considered Sakura's foster father, and thus her legal guardian.
For Roy, who had just turned twenty, treating Sakura as a daughter felt off; she was more like an adorable little sister, a family member. Similarly, when he first met Lev, he simply saw her as a talented girl with a likable personality. Since she was Kayneth's family, it made sense to view her as a younger sister or kouhai, and looking after her was only natural. That's why he brought her home and gave her some books on magecraft, Mystic Codes, and small gadgets.
He swore he harbored no perverted intentions toward little girls.
The main reason for bringing her home was his concern that Sakura might feel lonely when she returned, given the language barrier and Roy's own commitments preventing him from providing constant companionship like a real father. Being alone in a foreign land, having a suitable playmate who could help with daily life would be ideal.
And Roy thought Lev fit that role perfectly.
As Kayneth's adopted sister, the young lady of the El-Melloi faction, and the prodigy heir to the Archibald family, she had many shining qualities. More importantly, she was around Sakura's age, making them peers. Having grown up in London and exposed to high society, she knew more about etiquette and various protocols than Roy did.
With her looking after Sakura, the girl could quickly adapt to life in London and settle into her new routine. When the new semester at the Clock Tower began, they could even enroll together in the Department of General Fundamentals, becoming classmates.
This arrangement seemed like the perfect partnership, a sisterly bond. With such a companion, Sakura wouldn't keep missing her unreliable sister back in Japan.
That was what Roy had thought, and he even considered his idea utterly flawless, perfectly handled. He was ready to properly introduce the two girls, laying a solid foundation for their future friendship.
However...
When he saw Waver spit out his chicken leg nearby, his eyes filled with disdain and suspicion, Roy's heart shattered. He was about to explain when Lev voluntarily declared she would become Sakura's mother, leaving him utterly defenseless.
Seeing Waver's expression turn even more disgusted and shocked, Sola's face splitting into an uncontrollable grin, Sakura's small face showing utter astonishment, and Kayneth awkwardly turning away, Roy knew the lolicon label was stuck on him for good.
But the matter didn't end there so easily.
Afterward, as Lev sat close beside him and kept serving him food, Roy's mood exploded. He barely endured the complicated dinner, and once it was over, he cornered Kayneth, who was trying to slip away, right in the house.
After entrusting Sakura—who was still reeling from the idea of having such a young mother—to Sola's care, Roy dragged Kayneth into the study for a proper talk.
This time, aware of his own fault, Kayneth stood as the professor, while Roy, the student, sat. The atmosphere in the room was intensely awkward.
"Kayneth, I knew you had this idea for a while... but I never expected you'd take it this far."
Faced with Kayneth's maneuver, Roy rubbed his forehead and let out a sigh.
It wasn't so much anger as helplessness.
Looking at Kayneth standing before him with an embarrassed expression, Roy continued helplessly after the sigh: "If you need it, the Crowley family's magical heritage is yours anytime. And as your student, we're already seen as one unit by the other factions at the Clock Tower, so there's no need to pull me in with a method like this, right?"
"Indeed, I know marrying in to absorb bloodline circuits is the most convenient way. But I hope you'll consider others' opinions too. Setting mine aside for now, you should at least ask Lev first."
"..."
Glancing at Kayneth, who seemed about to say something, Roy shook his head and turned to Lev, who looked somewhat uneasy nearby, continuing: "A five-year-old girl, around Sakura's age—we hadn't even met before, and you're forcing her to marry someone like me? That's too much, isn't it?"
"I know this isn't unusual among magus families, but you should still respect others' views. After all, Lev is just a child. Having her future decided like this by you is incredibly unfair to her, don't you think? As your family, she should have her own future, not be used as a marriage tool to bind me for life."
As Kayneth was being lectured to the point of reflection, vaguely realizing his actions might have been wrong, Roy walked over to Lev, patted her head gently, and asked softly.
"Hey, Lev, with me here today, you can boldly say what you really think. You don't want this marriage forced on you, right? You want your own future?"
"It's okay, just say it freely. I'll back you up—even Kayneth can't force you."
"Roy... you brat..."
Seeing Roy disrupt his plans entirely, Kayneth instinctively wanted to scold him.
But remembering what the kid had done for him—recently arranging a safe route to pull him back from the brink of death, returning to London to reunite with his fiancée, handling the aftermath of the Holy Grail War, and solving the biggest cleanup issues so he could sit here peacefully instead of being interrogated by the Policies Department or forced into hiding...
It wasn't just favors; thinking of Roy's talents, achievements, and his unique personality...
In the end, Kayneth's expression softened.
He suddenly felt he had indeed been too inconsiderate.
Focused only on finding a talented successor, he had ignored Sakura and Roy's ages, their feelings, and Lev's as well. It was his failure as a professor and uncle.
...In that case, he could think of other ways later.
His family had more than just Lev as female members; finding another wasn't hard, though their talent wouldn't match hers. But since things had developed this way, he'd have to shelve it for now.
'Really... caring about such things as a magus...'
Roy's values, morals, and personality were utterly at odds with those of a magus. From a magecraft perspective, Lev's talent made her the optimal vessel; any child she bore with Roy would surely be a genius. If it were any other magus, they'd jump at the chance upon seeing such a prime candidate. Kayneth didn't believe Roy's keen eye had missed that.
But...
'Prioritizing Lev's feelings and happiness over magical inheritance? Really... that's not magus-like at all...'
Watching Roy's serious expression, Kayneth sighed inwardly.
All his life, he'd been called an oddity by his family due to his personality, but compared to Roy, he realized Roy was even more of an outlier—almost not a magus at all.
For a moment, recalling Roy's various actions, a faint smile appeared on Kayneth's face.
He now understood why he'd taken him as a student back then. After all, outliers attract outliers...
"If Lev doesn't want it either, then this matter..."
Just as Kayneth was about to let it go, Lev, whom Roy had questioned, suddenly mustered her courage and declared her answer loudly.
"I do!"
Roy nodded, feeling a rush of satisfaction at resolving the issue, then turned to Kayneth happily: "See, Kayneth? Lev says she wants... Wait, what? Wants what?!"
But that was only for an instant. In the next, his eyes widened enormously, his body stiffening.
"Wait, what did you say? Lev... do you really understand what you're saying? You're willing to marry me after just two days together?! No, this is all wrong. Tell me—did Kayneth threaten you?"
The massive information in that short sentence completely crashed Roy's brain; he felt his entire worldview and soul under assault.
Then, Roy looked at Kayneth in shock, seeking answers. But Kayneth just shrugged; he was as unaware of this as anyone, since he hadn't arranged it.
However, upon hearing Lev's response, his inner calm was far from the surface—he was nearly bursting with laughter.
He fully approved of this adopted sister he'd claimed.
'Yes, yes, yes!! As expected of my adopted sister—she has excellent judgment. That's right, exactly! This kid is the greatest fortune of your life; miss him, and you'll never find another. Hold on tight, don't give up easily. As long as you don't, your uncle will cheer you on.'
"You're not joking, Lev?"
Roy pressed, but Lev merely nodded gently, her adorable face unchanged, instead replying with firm conviction.
"I'm serious, Roy."
Lev gazed into Roy's eyes, then answered from the heart.
"I know I'm still young now, and my status is far from matching yours, but I really, truly like and admire you, Roy. From now on, I'll study hard to become a good wife and a good mother, so... please don't abandon me, okay?"
Instead of addressing Roy's question, Lev launched into her own plea with a pitiful look, her teary eyes wrapping around his neck, effectively ending the debate.
"Roy, do you hate me?"
"?"
Roy, already rendered incoherent by the complexity, completely lost his ability to argue or speak. He could only instinctively hold Lev in his arms, then look pleadingly at Kayneth, who wore a delighted expression nearby.
'This drama is delicious.'
Seeking a solution, but Kayneth spread his hands in helplessness.
If he'd forced it, they could stop now. But unfortunately, this was your own doing—Lev seems to genuinely like you. And considering what she might face upon returning, it's normal for her to cling to you, right?
After all, magi like us master-disciple pair—with talent and good character—are impossible to find even with a lantern at the Clock Tower. Lev choosing you is perfectly fine.
Not just Lev—if I wrote your qualities on paper and hung it at the Clock Tower's gate, the Crowley family's doorstep would be trampled by eligible female magi the next day.
So...
'Young people and their youth...'
Seeing the situation resolve perfectly, Kayneth gave a thumbs-up with a pleased smile, then slipped out without disturbing Roy further, leaving the private space to the future couple under his despairing gaze.
"I... you, she... what is this even?!"
Thus, amid the cascade of troubles, looking at the teary-eyed Lev in his arms, Roy could only accept his fate.
However, for his reputation and the absurdity of it all, he still laid out some conditions with Lev beforehand.
First, and most importantly, Lev could only call him Roy from now on—absolutely no calling him husband in public, or he really couldn't show his face at the Clock Tower.
Second, her current affection might just be familial, like for a brother, not romantic love between a man and woman. So any talk of marriage or engagement had to wait at least a decade or more.
Third, she had to be happy and not make regretful choices due to family or Kayneth's orders. If she wanted to refuse, she could come to him anytime; he'd support her and give her a future of free choice.
And so, the ridiculous matter was temporarily set aside.
Lev happily kissed his cheek lightly, accepting Roy's three conditions.
She understood now—he thought she was too young.
But that was fine; she could wait another ten years. In ten years, she'd be fifteen, old enough for engagement. She wasn't in a rush. Instead, the idea of living with Roy for those ten years made her thrilled.
Roy still remembered, as he left the room, Kayneth and Sola's gleeful glances, Waver's shocked look as if staring at a freak, and Sakura's puzzled gaze.
Later, Lev even confidently declared to Sakura: "I'll take care of you from now on. Don't worry, Sakura—I'll be a good mother to you."
It scared Sakura a bit, making her wary of approaching this girl who wanted to become her mother.
Finally, exhausted and with another important matter ahead, Roy returned home with the two little girls. Wanting to get some fresh air to ease his incredibly complicated mood, he immediately took the map of Britain and the routes to Wales from the butler, confirmed Lev's approximate whereabouts, and declined the butler's offer to send someone. He decided to go find him personally.
Originally, Roy really wanted to drag Waver along for the grand adventure, but seeing Waver's disdainful look and his wails about dozens of unprocessed documents and unfinished materials for his third-rank lecturer position, Roy abandoned the idea of tormenting him. He packed some essential Mystic Codes and items, then set off alone.
This time, in a new environment that would become her future home, Sakura felt scared and wanted to go with Roy.
However, recalling Merlin's instructions, knowing this matter likely involved Morgan, and that the cemetery wasn't as simple as it seemed, Roy refused her request. Instead, he left Sakura with her... mother?
(Well, self-appointed by Lev.)
In any case, Lev was to care for Sakura, taking her around London or exploring the Crowley residence together. Lev had a key to the study upstairs anyway, and the dangerous items were stored away, so letting them study grimoires together posed no issue.
With that in mind, Roy donned his hood and Mystic Codes, spreading out all the documents on the location.
His gaze fell into thought as he looked at the marked spot on the map.
He was right— the place Lev mentioned for his Welsh expedition, tomb-raiding? No, archaeological excavation—was indeed what he'd suspected.
—Blackmore Cemetery.
Roy had naturally heard of this strange place, but not after arriving in this world—before that, prior to coming here.
It was a key area from Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files. Early on, while collecting antiques and artifacts for experiments with Lev across Britain, they'd discovered this exceedingly odd village.
Lev's eyes had lit up back then; as an archaeologist and professional treasure hunter, his instincts told him there were valuables—or treasures—beneath the village. He was ready to set off immediately to rescue those buried ancient treasures and bring them to light. But Roy had sensed the village's abnormality and roughly guessed its origins, so he stopped the reckless Lev.
He was a Demon God Pillar's past persona, able to respawn upon death, but Roy couldn't...
At the time, Roy was only a magus of Pride to Law rank, with many Mystic Codes still needing refinement, so he didn't dare venture into that haunted place. He held Lev back, advising caution.
Now, it seemed that while Lev had heeded Roy's advice then, his digging enthusiasm hadn't waned. With free time, he'd promptly returned alone to make up for the missed opportunity.
But he didn't know the secrets hidden beneath that cemetery.
Based on his memories and Merlin's account from last night, Roy knew that while called a cemetery, it was actually a village influenced by Morgan le Fay, secretly pursuing the revival of King Arthur, Artoria Pendragon, for centuries.
The village was filled inside and out with items for reviving Artoria. Various ritual arrays abounded, all prepared for her resurrection.
Honestly, Roy was quite interested in the place, but he planned to delay until he could prepare more thoroughly before confronting that witch. However, with Lev's involvement, he had to move ahead of schedule.
From the map and reports from his informant (Merlin), he learned the cemetery hosted a village existing solely to revive King Arthur. Its villagers fanatically worshipped Artoria and everything related to her, spending centuries creating a vessel for her—a girl named Gray.
Honestly, the revival ritual they used was prepared by the great witch from the Age of Gods, Morgan herself, incorporating ancient evocation magecraft, many divine-age miracles, and even modern alchemical technology in a grand spell. If conditions were met, the success rate wasn't low.
But that revival presupposed Artoria's death. Since Artoria wasn't dead at all—just missing—they couldn't revive her. No matter what they did, even with a true Greater Grail for a wish, Artoria couldn't be revived today.
How could you revive someone who wasn't dead?
Morgan had realized this, understanding she'd been fooled by Merlin and herself.
With a millennium of effort wasted and no sign of Artoria, she wouldn't let it go. Like Merlin, as a mythical witch, her main body was in Avalon per Merlin, but she could walk the earth via contingencies. Blackmore Cemetery was her base, arranged over a thousand years; Roy wouldn't be surprised to encounter Morgan there, and what might happen then... he could guess.
It would be a catastrophic family reunion.
As Artoria's counselor, or rather her primary physician, he'd cured her sister without Morgan knowing and without informing her. When she realized, finding her thousand-plus years of work futile since her sister was fine all along, anyone's mindset would explode—especially unable to find Artoria.
In short, Morgan surely had much to discuss with Roy and Merlin, the two who'd played her like a fool.
Originally, with her main body in Avalon limiting external activity, she wouldn't come knocking before full preparation, giving Roy time to ready himself.
But now, thanks to Lev, he had to enter the witch's mage's workshop, arranged over a millennium—the Arthurian village. This was practically suicidal.
For a moment, Roy's mood was profoundly complex. Rationally, as a magus, not going seemed best.
But—
"I have to go..."
After all, Lev was his golden partner. Beyond their close confidant bond, without Lev, most future plans would stall, potentially with severe consequences. How could he not?
Thus, near a station on London's outskirts, Roy sat in the waiting area with his suitcase in hand, idly studying the map while awaiting the bus.
Though he didn't relish clashing with a mythical-level witch like Morgan, especially in her own workshop. But for Lev, the holy lance, and Gray, he needed to make the trip personally.
His preparations this time couldn't be less than in Fuyuki City; he had to bring everything from when he schemed against the King of Heroes.
"Avalon, the Ten Commandments, the Book of the Law, and the Philosopher's Stone staff—all packed. Plus this... should be fine, right?"
"Hm... I hope my preparations pay off."
Roy mused, fingering a silver cross pendant beneath his collar.
This was a Mystic Code he'd rushed to complete overtime, originally his research for the Crown designation exam. Now, he could only hope this compressed overall sanctuary could counter Morgan's workshop—or even her Reality Marble—in battle.
His goals this time: Lev first for safety; if possible, pack up the Logos React Replica and Gray too.
In any case, caution was key. That village involved not just Morgan, but the Church, the Atlas Institute, and even Dead Apostles.
"Tsk, what a chaotic place."
With a sigh, then—
"Beep beep beep~~"
A harsh, low bus horn sounded from afar, an old bus appearing in his view.
Picking up his suitcase, stowing the map and Mystic Codes, Roy sighed softly.
"I really hope nothing major goes wrong this time. As long as Lev's safe, and we avoid Morgan, that's best... If we meet, let this bumpkin from the Age of Gods taste a little shock from modern Western magecraft systems!"
"After beating King Arthur, then Arthur's professor (Merlin), now beating Arthur's sister too—that completes the set."
Psyching himself up, Roy boarded the bus before him with mixed feelings. He began pondering what kind of person Artoria's sister, Morgan le Fay, truly was.
After all, the Morgan in proper pan-human history differed from the savior queen sister in the Lostbelt. The Lostbelt Morgan was a good person, worthy of her title as savior; it was the faeries who wronged her. So Roy wouldn't prejudge them as the same, nor hold back due to hazy memories.
After all, he'd pummeled Artoria and Merlin with gender equality in mind.
And per Merlin's description, the pan-human history Morgan was capricious, a total madwoman...
Though Roy sensed some subjectivity in Merlin's words, he had to prepare for the worst.
For example: —How does a modern magus can defeat Morgan le Fay in her thousand-year-arranged workshop?
Tutorial needed, online waiting, pretty urgent.
***
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