Matou Mansion.
Underground Library.
'This place is indeed well hidden.'
Looking around at the dazzling array of books, Ayato sighed. 'Without Matou Zouken's guidance, finding this place would probably require destroying the entire mansion.'
"Devil Uncle, this place is so boring."
Sakura dragged over a small stool and sat on it, swinging her legs.
"Here, these are for you."
A magic circle flashed in Ayato's hand, and a large pile of snacks covered the floor.
"Hooray for Devil Uncle!"
Sakura cheered, her eyes sparkling.
"Kids will be kids."
Murmuring to himself, Ayato casually picked up a book and began flipping through it.
[Origin +5]
[Origin +10]
'As expected of the long-established Matou Family, they had quite a lot of magical knowledge.'
Watching the continuously appearing notifications, a smile played on Ayato's lips.
"Huh?"
After finishing another book, Ayato's expression focused as he raised his left hand.
A strange sensation flowed over the back of his hand.
The next moment,
As if an invisible force converged, a faint mark began to appear, eventually becoming clearly visible.
"This…?"
Looking at the mark in his hand, Ayato was slightly stunned.
'Could it be that this was precisely the time of the Holy Grail War?'
'And I had been chosen by the Great Holy Grail as one of the Masters, granted Command Spells.'
"But, I am a Devil, though?"
Ayato murmured to himself. "Or is it because of the Origin Magic?"
In this hodgepodge world, many things had patches.
For instance, there had never been a precedent for a Devil participating in the Holy Grail War.
'But then again, it might not be bad.'
'Could the Heroic Spirits be converted into Devils?'
'And what about the corrupted Holy Grail, the evil of this world? Would that count as Origin?'
...
A spacious living room!
A huge magic circle radiated light.
Ayato stood upon it, his left hand raised high.
[I hereby declare!]
[Your body shall serve under me... My fate shall be your sword.]
[Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail......]
[If you will submit to this will and this reason…Then answer.]
As Ayato's low voice echoed, the light on the magic circle grew increasingly brilliant.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Before long, the sound of clear footsteps echoed.
From within the light of the magic circle, a tall figure slowly emerged.
She had very striking, floor-length purple hair.
The most eye-catching feature, however, was her eyes, firmly covered by a blindfold.
"Servant, Rider, answering the summons."
The woman turned her head. Though her eyes were covered, they still seemed sharp.
"Rider?"
Ayato looked her over, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.
The class didn't matter at all.
Even if she were a Berserker, as long as she hadn't lost her reason, it was fine.
Most importantly, he had recognized her identity.
The mythical monster, Medusa.
This Servant was very nice, very smooth.
"I get the feeling you're thinking something very rude."
Medusa frowned slightly. "And as a Magus, your magical energy is exaggerated."
"Magus?"
Ayato's expression was strange. "No, I'm a Devil."
"Don't be ridiculous. How could a Devil participate in the Holy Grail War?"
"It's true, you know?"
Ayato grinned.
With a whoosh,
A pair of black bat-like wings unfurled from his back.
An incredibly sinister aura filled the entire hall.
Behind her blindfold, Medusa's pupils rapidly dilated, her mind somewhat blown.
'A Devil?'
'He really is a Devil?'
'What was happening?'
'How could a Devil participate in the Holy Grail War?'
"Either way, I'm very satisfied with you."
Ayato looked her up and down. "I was initially worried I might summon a man."
Medusa snapped back to reality and asked instinctively, "What difference would that make?"
Ayato said, "I'm a Devil who wants a harem. I'm allergic to men."
Medusa was stunned for a moment, then said speechlessly, "You truly follow your desires."
"Of course."
Ayato smiled. "And you're also my target. Because you're my type."
"..."
Medusa didn't answer, but her cheeks flushed slightly.
Being confessed to like this... was a first for her.
She instinctively looked down at herself.
'But does he really like it? I'm too tall.'
'Only petite and cute is beautiful.'
'But since he said so... I suppose giving him a chance wouldn't hurt.'
'Speaking of which, even if he is a Devil, he really is handsome.'
'No, what nonsensical things am I thinking about a man I just met?'
Medusa's face grew redder and redder, as if about to drip water.
"..." Ayato.
'This woman seemed to have a very rich inner world.'
'Could she be a shy-on-the-outside, wild-on-the-inside type?'