Abnormal Type Moon

Chapter 14: Lend Me Hayasaka Ai

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This group, backed by their influential families, acted arrogantly in Fuyuki City. They frequently opposed Rin, competing with her for control of the city's management. They even audaciously declared their intent to claim the Holy Grail as their own. From that point, they considered the Holy Grail the private property of the Magic Association, barring any outsiders from involvement.

Their actions did not go unnoticed. Magus families from around the globe began sending their own representatives to Fuyuki City, further complicating the city's already precarious balance of power.

Among Japan's four major base cities, Fuyuki City had earned a reputation as a notorious quagmire of political intrigue and power struggles.

Rin had lost count of how many times she'd been plagued with headaches because of it.

"Anyway, you don't have any useful clues, and that magician hasn't returned, so that's my answer," Rin said, placing her empty cup back on the table and standing to leave.

"Whatever," Roy replied with a casual shrug.

He had never cared much for the Magic Association or its internal machinations.

"By the way, do you think the person who broke into the underground cave might have been Zouken Matou?"

Just as Rin was about to leave, Roy suddenly seemed to recall something. He turned to her, his expression serious.

"Zouken Matou...?"

Rin's expression froze, her brows furrowing in thought.

"It's true he was one of the three great families that created the Holy Grail War, and his stronghold is deeply entrenched in Fuyuki City. If it were him, it wouldn't be impossible for him to enter the underground cave unnoticed."

She paused for a moment, holding her breath.

"But that old man was destroyed along with the Matou family three years ago..."

"And it was you and the magician who made sure of it," Roy reminded her, tapping the table calmly.

"That's right," Rin admitted, nodding. "I complained to Aoko, and then Aoko personally went to the Matou family and wiped them off the map."

One day, three years ago, the Matou family's house had been obliterated.

Zouken Matou himself was blown to pieces by a magic cannon, and swarms of insects erupted from the ruins, darkening the skies.

Rin had a younger sister, Sakura, who had been adopted by the Matou family years earlier under the guise of "future prospects," as arranged by their father.

It wasn't until that day—when swarms of insects filled the air—that Rin finally understood the depths of the Matou family's depravity. She realized then just how grave a mistake she and her father had made.

After Sakura's adoption, she had endured eight years of relentless torment. Submerged in a sea of insects day and night, she was bitten, tortured, and violated in what Zouken Matou cruelly called "cultivation."

That day, it was Roy who had stood amidst the ruins of the Matou estate and carried Sakura out of the underground insect chamber.

And it was Roy who set fire to the Matou family's remains, reducing the insects and their home to ashes.

Since that day, the Matou family had been completely erased from the magical world.

No one dared to defend them—not when the family's destruction had involved a magician of Aoko Aozaki's caliber.

Additionally, the Matou family had long been shunned within the world of Magus, their reputation far from honorable. After their annihilation, their assets were quickly looted, and their surviving members—Matou Tsuruno and Matou Shinji—were reportedly assassinated.

Not a single trace of the Matou bloodline or wealth remained.

This was three years ago.

Since then, it seemed as though Zouken Matou had truly died that day, never to resurface.

But both Roy and Rin knew just how resilient and cunning the old immortal could be.

Whether he was truly dead or not remained a mystery.

"In that case, the intruder must be Matou Zouken. I'll report this to those old fools at the association branch later!"

Rin suddenly snorted, a malicious smile curling her lips.

"If he's dead, that's for the best. If not, let those old guys fight amongst themselves!"

"Excellent!" Roy nodded enthusiastically, clearly approving of Rin's plan.

Kasumigaoka and Hayasaka stood silently to the side, exchanging uncertain glances but saying nothing.

"By the way, about my sister..."

"In Misaki City, you know that."

"Do you think she'll return for this Holy Grail War?"

"I don't know," Roy answered calmly.

"Yeah..."

Rin sighed deeply, her expression clouded with a mix of regret and guilt.

"Thank you. If it weren't for you, I'd still be in the dark. And Sakura... who knows how much longer she would have been tortured. My family owes you a great debt, and I'll repay it one day."

"You don't need to thank me," Roy replied with a faint smile, his tone light. "It's something I wanted to do."

Roy's gaze shifted to Hayasaka, and his expression suddenly sharpened with interest.

"By the way, if you want to repay the favor, how about lending me your servant for a few days?"

Hayasaka's head shot up in surprise.

Huh?

Why am I suddenly the topic of conversation?

Kasumigaoka also looked puzzled.

"Hayasaka? Lend her to you for a few days? Why?" Rin asked, her confusion evident as she studied Roy's face.

"Are you in dire need of a servant? Or..." she smirked knowingly, "...have you finally hit puberty and awakened some... urges? Is one beautiful girl no longer enough for you?"

Roy sighed, ignoring her teasing.

"My attendant, Kasumigaoka, probably hasn't done this kind of work before. She's unfamiliar with the responsibilities and still figuring things out." He gestured toward Kasumigaoka, who was quietly standing behind him.

"I noticed your attendant, Miss Hayasaka, seems very professional. I thought she could help train Kasumigaoka. Don't worry, she can return as soon as Kasumigaoka becomes proficient."

Kasumigaoka lowered her gaze and began silently counting the lines on the floor, clearly flustered.

"Well, Hayasaka, what do you think?" Rin asked after a brief moment of thought, shifting her gaze to her maid.

While she personally had no objections, the decision ultimately rested with Hayasaka.

- Can I refuse?

- I really don't want to work outside my usual duties!

Despite her inner turmoil, Hayasaka maintained a flawless smile.

"No problem. It would be my honor to assist Lord Roy!"

Curse this damn maid instinct!

"Very well, as long as you're willing," Rin said with a nod, then seemed to recall something.

"Hayasaka, come with me for a moment. I need to speak with you privately."

"Yes, Rin-sama."

Rin led Hayasaka into an empty room, her demeanor suddenly serious.

"Hayasaka, Roy is generally easy to get along with—especially when he's wearing his glasses. He's approachable, tolerant, and even a little lazy. But once he takes off his glasses..."

She trailed off, her expression darkening.

"Try not to engage with him too much when that happens."

The more Hayasaka listened, the more uneasy she became.

Why does Roy sound like he has a split personality? He seems so dangerous!

Can I take back my agreement and just leave?

"When you're staying here with Roy, there's only one thing you absolutely must remember," Rin continued, her tone grave.

"Never, under any circumstances, bring up anything about his past from three years ago."

Rin's sharp gaze bore into Hayasaka's eyes.

"That is a forbidden topic for Roy. If anyone brings it up, stop them immediately. And if you can't, get as far away from Roy as possible. Do you understand?"

"...Yes," Hayasaka responded softly, her voice filled with dread.