Chapter 541: Separation

Magic exploded in the air!

A huge violet‑black silhouette appeared out of nowhere before him!

Berserker!

It knelt on one knee, surrounded by green‑golden flame, the flame intertwining with its original violet‑black magic, colliding wildly.

After a few breaths, the green‑golden flame was suppressed, and the violet‑black flame regained the upper hand.

Berserker slowly stood up, showing no sign of injury on its body.

Only the pair of V‑shaped red lights flickered once.

Jiantong Shen'er couldn't bother to ask where it had just been, nor could he concern himself with what those green‑golden flames were.

He only knew—his Servant had returned.

That's enough.

He pointed toward the distant mansion, his smile becoming even more mad:

"Kill them all—!"

"Kill everything in the Tohsaka Family—!!!"

Berserker stood there, unmoving.

Jiantong Shen'er didn't care either.

He tilted his head back, spread his arms, and let out a suppressed, maniacal laugh toward the sky:

"Grandfather—! I will avenge you—! Those who caused your death—will all die today—!!!"

The laughter echoed through the alley, sharp and grating.

The atmosphere in the living room remained heavy, but they had already begun to methodically assess the situation.

Yuanban Shichen sat in the head seat, a pipe clenched in his hand, his brows tightly knit.

After listening to Rin's account, he remained silent for a long while.

"That Yan Feng fellow... still hasn't given up,"

His voice carried suppressed rage.

Ten years have passed, and he returns to strike at Rin again.

"Father," Rin lifted her head, "What shall we do now?"

Yuanban Shichen was about to speak—

A Magic device in the corner of the living room suddenly emitted a shrill alarm.

Everyone simultaneously turned their gaze toward that direction.

It was a phonograph‑shaped magical device, embedded with a fist‑sized gemstone.

At this moment the gemstone was flashing wildly, emitting red light.

"Magic Reaction detected," Yuanban Shichen stood up, hurried to the window, and pulled aside a corner of the curtain.

In the alley, a faint violet‑black glow could be seen flickering.

He squinted, and his other hand already gripped the staff set with a ruby.

"Rin, take Mother and Miss Fujimura to the Basement."

Rin was startled for a moment: "Father?"

"Quickly."

Yuanban Shichen did not look back, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Rin clenched her teeth, stood up, and went to support her mother.

Aoi's face had turned pale with fear, but she did not wail, only clutched Rin's hand tightly.

Lixiang also stood up, awkwardly following behind.

Just as they were about to leave, another magical device on the living‑room wall suddenly lit up.

It was a Magic device the Tohsaka Family used to monitor the estate's surroundings; at this moment a scene appeared on its screen—

In the alley, Jiantong Shen'er was going mad there.

He spun in circles, waving his arms, muttering words, his face bearing that goose‑bumps‑inducing grin.

Behind him, that huge violet‑black silhouette stood silently.

Everyone's footsteps halted.

"That is..."

Lixiang's eyes widened, "Jiantong classmate?"

Rin's brows furrowed.

Jiantong Shen'er?

That guy who's always weird and contradictory?

"He is also a Master."

Yuanban Shichen's voice was deep, "And judging by his appearance... he intends to strike the Tohsaka Family."

Saber also moved to the side, her emerald eyes fixed on that massive silhouette.

"Berserker," she whispered.

Her hand was already pressed on the hilt.

"Let me handle it."

Yuanban Shichen raised his hand, signaling her to wait.

He watched the still‑raving young man on the screen, his gaze complex.

The descendants of the Jiantong Family... have become like this.

Rin.

He turned around, his tone decisive, "Take Aoi and classmate Fujimura out through the Backdoor to a safe place."

Rin's eyes widened: "What?!"

"Listen to me finish."

"This is the Yuanban Family."

He said, "It's my home ground. There are barriers, defensive works, and generations of Magic foundation. I can contend with that madman, even negotiate with him—after all, he's from the Jiantong Family, perhaps there is still room for communication."

"What about you, father?!"

"I stay here."

Yuanban Shichen's tone was Calm enough to be frightening, "Miss Saber will also stay. We can cooperate."

Rin shook her head: "No! We must go together! Or I stay to help!"

Yuanban Shichen looked at her, a hint of tenderness flashing in his ice‑blue eyes.

"Rin, you are now the Master."

He said, "But first, you are a daughter of the Yuanban Family. Your duty is to protect Mother and to survive. Leave this to me, understand?"

Rin's tears welled up again.

"But…"

"There is no 'but'."

Yuanban Shichen lifted his hand, gently wiping the tears from her face, "Don't worry, Father doesn't die that easily."

"You go first, find Sakura."

His voice was soft, yet each word weighed like a stone, "Sakura's whereabouts are unknown now; she needs you. You are the older sister, protecting your younger sister is your duty."

"But father—"

"I'll be fine."

Yuanban Shichen cut her off, a curve forming at the corner of his mouth, "The fifth‑generation head of the Yuanban Family doesn't fall so easily."

Aoi looked at her husband, her eyes reddened.

"Shi Chen…"

Shi Chen smiled at her, the smile carrying both apology and tenderness.

"I'm sorry, Aoi. These years have made you worry."

Aoi's tears finally fell, but she said nothing, only gripping Rin's hand tightly.

Lixiang stood up dazedly, not knowing what to say.

She glanced at Miss Saber, then at Shi Chen, and finally whispered:

"Um… Uncle Tohsaka… you need to be careful."

Shi Chen nodded at her.

"Let's go."

Yuanban Shichen gave Rin a gentle push, "Time is short."

Rin took a deep breath and nodded firmly.

She pulled Mother and Lixiang, and hurried toward the Backdoor.

Before leaving, she glanced back.

Father stood by the window, back to her, posture upright, hand gripping the ruby‑set staff.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, coating him in a golden sheen.

Saber stood beside him, her silver‑blue armor glittering in the light.

"Miss Saber," Rin's voice choked, "I'm begging you."

Saber turned her head and gave a slight nod.

"Don't worry, I will protect your father well."

Rin bit her lip, turned, and vanished behind the door.

The living room fell silent.

Yuanban Shichen walked to the wall and placed his hand on it.

Magic surged, lines of sigils appearing on the wall—defensive barrier sigils set by successive heads of the Yuanban Family.

"Miss Saber," he said softly, "Sorry for dragging you into this."

Saber looked at him, a hint of complex emotion in her gaze.

The impression this man left on her ten years ago was only the scene of him collapsing in an alley, screaming in agony, blood pouring from his lower back, his cries echoing through the night—utterly miserable.

But now…

"Aren't you afraid?" she asked.

Yuanban Shichen was momentarily stunned, then smiled.

That smile held bitterness, relief, and an indescribable tenderness.

"Afraid?"

He said, "Of course I'm afraid. But I am a father, the head of the Yuanban Family. What is meant to come will come; you can't avoid it."

He paused, his gaze landing on the family portrait on the wall—photos of Rin and Sakura as children, with him and Aoi standing behind, the four of them laughing joyfully.

"Ten years ago, I made many mistakes."

His voice was soft, "I sent Sakura to the Jiantong Family, trusted Yan Feng wrongly, almost died. Over these years I've kept wondering, if I could start over, what would I do."