Chapter 16: The Declaration of War

Words : 702 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

On a peaceful holiday morning, warm sunshine bathed the park's grassy fields. Children ran and played, while parents watched them with smiles. Citizens strolled through the streets, enjoying the usual calm of Fuyuki City. Ah, the serene Fuyuki City. However, the rumbling of a motorcycle engine injected an unusual tension into this peaceful atmosphere. A young man, clad in a black suit embroidered with gold patterns, his posture honed from years of training, riding a sleek, futuristic motorcycle through the streets and alleys of Fuyuki City. Even his helmet couldn't conceal his blazing golden eyes. "Mom, there's a Kamen Rider!" A child by the roadside exclaimed excitedly, catching a fleeting glimpse. "Where?" The mother didn't turn, but the father did, only to find the young rider's figure had vanished, leaving only the resonant engine roar in the air. Where had this mysterious rider gone? To Fuyuki City's most famous Ryudo Temple, the historic Miyama Town, the rumoured "City of Dreams" forest, or the pristine, aloof Shinto district? Did he race across the ocean bridge, taking in the city's beautiful scenery? By noon, the gathered crowd realized through conversation that the rider had traversed the city in mere hours, visiting its every corner. Ah, would he appear again in the afternoon? That charming, mysterious young man on the motorcycle? People eagerly anticipated a ripple in their peaceful fate. But their hopes were soon dashed. By afternoon, the silver-green motorcycle was already parked at the foot of a hill in Miyama Town. Removing his helmet, Sakatsuki gazed at the two equally grand mansions atop the hill, then began his ascent. He intended to disrupt a ritual. He intended to attend a funeral. He intended to declare his presence. *** To Fuyuki City's magus, the two mansions atop the Miyama Town hill were always focal points, as they housed the city's mysterious leaders—the Tohsaka and the Matou families. For years, any magi stirring trouble in the city, tampering with its leylines, or coveting its mysteries would fall before the family's guardians. Some even had their magic crests stripped, dying as mere mortals in obscurity. This blood-earned reputation made Fuyuki City a peaceful heaven in the mysterious world, deterring even the most audacious magi from causing chaos, lest they face the guardians' wrath. Occasionally, magus would murmur: Were the Tohsaka and Matou families overreacting? Why respond to every minor disturbance? "Even so, what can you homunculi teach my daughter? Homunculi-making techniques? The Tohsaka family does not need such skills." "I can teach her many things." In response to Tohsaka Tokiomi's inquiry, Sakatsuki summoned a blade with his left hand, embedding it in the ground. His right hand closed around a dazzling purple gem. "Moreover, I promise to protect her, even if she refuses to become a magus." "Projection magecraft, mastered to such a high level... How terrifying." Amid Matou Zouken's sinister laughter, he acknowledged the young man's skills with grim praise, aware of Tohsaka Tokiomi's likely decision. "Though your magical prowess is impressive, these are merely the basics of magecraft guidance, aren't they?" As expected, after a brief surprise, Tohsaka Tokiomi declared with authority. "Then this gem will serve as the Tohsaka family's gift to the Einzbern family. Now, envoy, please depart." To Tohsaka Tokiomi, in terms of magical tutelage and proximity, the Matou family far surpassed the self-isolated Einzbern. Moreover... "Can the Einzbern family, like the Matou family, entrust their magic crest to my daughter?" The Tokiomi's query was like the final hammer at an auction, determining the girl's fate. "Sigh..." The young man sighed regretfully, then turned and left without hesitation, leaving behind a forewarning of the coming storm. "I promised her freedom, a future, even the blessing to escape the shackles of magic for a peaceful, happy life." "Yet you chose to reject my hand." *** "Then my kindness has reached its limit." Looking at the hilltop from its base, Sakatsuki smiled at the two towering mansions, the hunting pistol in his hand gleaming coldly. "From now on, only endless night remains." From the beginning, he never intended to achieve his goal through such means.

Chapter 16: The Declaration of War

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