KyokaSuigetsu
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Chapter 13: A Chance Encounter with the Mapo Priest
🕑 Added 2025-05-06 11:08:13 +0000 UTC"Ding—Host has just frightened and made the Child of Destiny cry, conforming to villainous behavior. Reward: 50 villain points. Current villain points: 130." The system's voice chimed in at that moment.
"System, that’s not fair. You’re making it seem like I deliberately wanted to make Sakura cry." Takashi Kuroda shook his head.
"This system judges actions and results, not intentions. I am nothing more than an unfeeling villain reward system. As long as the host’s behavior and outcomes fit the definition of a villain, rewards will be granted~" the system replied.
"Oh? Actions and results only, huh? Interesting. I hope you keep your word, then." Kuroda smirked, filing away the information.
"Of course. This system does not go back on its promises," the system declared confidently.
As they spoke, Kuroda finished repairing all the damaged areas before withdrawing the black mist. However, he noticed that as the mist receded, a flicker of longing and reluctance passed through Sakura Matou’s eyes. She seemed eager to see more of the swirling darkness, even hesitantly looking at him as if she wanted to ask something but didn’t dare.
"What’s wrong, Sakura? You’ve been staring at my black mist. Do you like it?" Kuroda asked proactively.
"Sensei… can I learn this magic? I… I want that black mist too." Sakura fidgeted nervously. Despite her young age, she had already been indoctrinated with the basics of the mage world. In their society, requesting to be taught magic was taboo—one could only wait for the teacher to offer. Only because of her youth and their existing master-disciple relationship did she dare to ask. Still, she feared angering him.
"The black mist? It’s something innate to me, not a spell. I can’t teach it to you." Kuroda hadn’t expected Sakura to be so fascinated by his power. Unfortunately, it wasn’t something from this world, nor did he know how to pass it on.
That said, if I hadn’t interfered with Sakura’s fate, by the time of the Fifth Holy Grail War—assuming it followed the Heaven’s Feel route—she would have been corrupted by the black mud in the Grail, turning into that white-haired "Dark Sakura." But now, the Grail’s mud has been replaced by my black mist. Could it be that, due to the causality of Sakura’s destined corruption, she’s naturally drawn to it?
"I see…" Sakura’s face fell slightly.
Seeing her disappointment, Kuroda chuckled. "Actually, I’ve already infused a considerable amount of black mist into your body. It’s lying dormant inside you. Normally, it won’t manifest, but if you’re ever in danger, it’ll come out to protect you."
"R-Really? Thank you, Sensei!" A spark of joy flashed in Sakura’s eyes. Kuroda realized then that it wasn’t the mist itself that drew her in—it was the sense of safety it provided. Just like how she had slept peacefully wrapped in it the night before. What she lacked wasn’t power, but security.
"You’ve suffered a lot, haven’t you?" Kuroda gently stroked Sakura’s head, watching as she leaned into his touch with a content expression. Staying by his side must have given her the comfort she craved.
Once the Fourth War is over, I’ll take Sakura back to the Tohsaka household. Even if she doesn’t return there, anywhere would be better than this place. It’s done nothing but leave her traumatized.
"Now, let’s continue your lessons. The more you learn, the more your talents will flourish," Kuroda said. Sakura nodded obediently, throwing herself into her magical studies.
"System, give me a standard 10-roll. Let’s see what garbage you cough up this time." After finishing Sakura’s morning lessons, Kuroda left the Matou residence and wandered through Fuyuki City. With nothing else to do, he remembered the discount 10-roll summoning tickets he’d bought earlier and decided to test his luck.
"Ding—Drawing now. Results: Fool’s Chains ×3, Love Potion ×2, Blue Black Keys, Green Black Keys, Red Black Keys, Disguise Mask, Passive Skill: Natural Body (C-Rank)."
"What the hell, System?! This is what you call a 10-roll?! What kind of trash is this?!" Kuroda nearly choked seeing the results.
"Hey, host, you get what you pay for. Honestly, pulling a skill and a disguise mask out of this is already lucky," the system consoled.
"That doesn’t excuse this garbage! What am I supposed to do with Fool’s Chains? Upgrade Servant skills? Oh wait—this world doesn’t even have that mechanic!"
"Uh… according to system scans, no, it doesn’t."
"Then what’s the point?! To tie people up? And what’s with the love potions? Are you trying to imply something? Do I look that desperate to you?!"
"Aren’t you? You seemed pretty thirsty this morning."
"You little—%&$#@! (censored ranting)"*
"Host, no item is truly useless—it’s all about timing. Who knows? Maybe they’ll come in handy someday. Worst case, you can feed the potions to those three sisters of yours… though you’re one short."
"That’s not the damn issue! Whatever, I’m done arguing. And these Black Keys—what, you want me to duel Kotomine in a 1v1—oh for fuck’s sake! Speak of the devil!"
Mid-rant, Kuroda’s peripheral vision caught a familiar figure standing at a crosswalk—a man in priestly robes with a prominent cross necklace. None other than Kirei Kotomine himself.
"Well, well… talk about coincidence. I was just wandering around hoping to spot someone interesting, and bam—Mapo Priest himself. Is he just sightseeing, or scouting for other Masters?" Kuroda mused.
"Host, encountering such a key character presents an opportunity. Interacting with him could yield significant villain points," the system suggested.
"Right… but I’ll need to adjust my approach. This mask came at the perfect time." Kuroda donned the disguise mask, altering his appearance entirely.
"Stheno—you three, fall back and roam freely for now. Just don’t get caught." He dismissed his three Servants.
"Understood, Master." They nodded, eager to explore the modern city. Kuroda didn’t want them following him because spiritual forms wouldn’t fool a seasoned magus like Kotomine.
With that, Kuroda strode confidently toward the priest, already plotting.
"Now then… should I teach him the joys of suffering first? Or treat him to some extra-spicy mapo tofu? Either way, it’ll net me villain points. But if I can recruit a natural-born villain like him… now that’d be a jackpot. Alright, Kotomine—let’s see how much pleasure you can bring me~"
