Chapter 542: Advance!

Saber said nothing.

"Now I understand."

Shi Chen turned, looking at Saber, "Some things can't be escaped. But at least this time, I can protect my family."

Saber was silent for a few seconds.

Then she spoke, her voice carrying a hint of respect:

"You've changed."

Shi Chen gave a wry smile, "Just got old."

He turned and took several prepared gems from the cabinet.

His movements were unhurried, as if preparing an afternoon tea.

"Mr. Tohsaka."

Saber lifted the Curry Stick, the blade shimmering golden in the light, "I swear in the name of a knight that I will fight alongside you."

Shi Chen was startled for a moment, then smiled.

In that smile lay a decade's accumulation, a release toward the past, and a calm facing the upcoming battle.

"Thank you."

The barrier sigils on the wall grew brighter, and the entire manor gently trembled with magical resonance.

Yuanban Shichen took a deep breath and straightened his back.

What must come, will come.

This time, he will not run.

Jiantong Shen'er stood before the Yuanban Family's main gate, taking a deep breath.

He lowered his head to examine himself—the school uniform immaculate, hair smoothed with water, his expression adjusted to a perfectly polite smile.

The twisted, frantic demeanor he had shown in the alley vanished entirely, replaced by that of an ordinary male high school student.

He raised his hand and pressed the doorbell.

"Ding‑dong—"

The intercom on the door was silent for a few seconds, then Yuanban Shichen's steady voice came through:

"Who is this?"

Jiantong Shen'er cleared his throat, speaking in the most sincere tone:

"Mr. Tohsaka, hello, I am Jiantong Shen'er of the Jiantong Family, Sakura's classmate."

The other side of the intercom was silent for a moment.

"Is there something you need?"

Jiantong Shen'er had already prepared his excuse:

"Here's the situation: Sakura took a leave today and forgot her workbook in the classroom. The teacher asked me to deliver it on my way, since the Jiantong and Tohsaka families aren't far apart."

He added, "Sakura's coursework has been tight lately; this assignment is due tomorrow, and I'm worried she'll miss it."

The other side was silent.

It remained silent for a long time.

So long that Jiantong Shen'er's smile began to stiffen.

Then Yuanban Shichen's voice sounded again, his tone carrying an elusive hint:

"Sakura is not here."

Jiantong Shen'er was taken aback.

"Huh? Not here?"

"She went out with a friend," Yuanban Shichen said calmly, "Just leave the assignment at the door; I'll have the servant collect it."

Jiantong Shen'er's smile almost cracked.

(Leave it at the door? I went through all this trouble to come, and you want me to leave it at the door?!)

He took a deep breath, striving to maintain his expression:

"Um... Mr. Tohsaka, this assignment is important; the teacher specifically instructed that it be handed to Sakura personally. Could you let me in and wait a moment? She should be back soon, right?"

"Inconvenient."

Yuanban Shichen's reply was crisp and decisive.

Jiantong Shen'er's mouth twitched.

(Old thing... you wait...)

He clenched his teeth, softening his voice further:

"Mr. Tohsaka, I know an unexpected visit is presumptuous, but this truly is the teacher's request. Could you open the door so I can give you the assignment, and you pass it to her?"

"I said, leave it at the door."

Yuanban Shichen's tone remained calm, now edged with undeniable authority.

Jiantong Shen'er fell silent.

His hand at his side clenched into a fist, nails digging into his flesh.

(Alright, alright... you won't let me in, right...)

He inhaled deeply, and when he spoke again, his voice carried a hint of impatience:

"Mr. Tohsaka, that's not very proper, is it? I kindly came to deliver the assignment, and you won't even let me in? Is this the Tohsaka family's hospitality?"

"Jiantong family's youth."

Yuanban Shichen's voice suddenly chilled, "Are you sure you're here to deliver the assignment?"

Jian Tong took a deep breath, continuing in that polite tone:

"Uncle, please don't do this. I'm just here to deliver the homework, not to do anything bad. By locking me outside like this, you're putting me in a difficult spot..."

"Difficult?"

Yuanban Shichen's voice carried a cold edge, "Then don't bother. Leave the homework at the door, you may go now."

Jian Tong fell silent.

A light sigh came from the communicator.

"Go back."

Then, with a 'Snap', the call cut off.

Jiantong Shen'er stood outside the door, his whole body like a tree struck by lightning.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

His expression began to contort, the corner of his mouth twitched, and the blood vessels in his eyes rapidly spread.

That normal-looking flesh seemed torn from within, revealing a frenzy of fangs underneath.

"Heh... heh heh..."

He let out a low laugh, which grew louder and sharper.

Then he lunged at the doorbell, pressing it wildly!

"Ding dong ding dong ding dong——!!!"

"Open the door!!! Open it for me!!! Yuanban Shichen, you old thing!!! You think I don't know where Sakura is!!! You think I don't know that Rin the scoundrel is inside!!!"

His voice had completely lost control, turning into a beast-like roar:

"Let me in!!! Let me in!!! Today I'm going to kill you all!!! All of you!!!"

Inside the Tohsaka Residence, Yuanban Shichen stood in the foyer, watching the figure on the screen that had completely stripped its disguise, and remained silent for a few seconds.

Then he sighed.

"Miss Saber."

He turned toward Saber, who stood beside him, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, "It seems we can't avoid it today."

Saber nodded, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword.

"Do you need me to go out and deal with him directly?"

Yuanban Shichen shook his head.

"Let him come in."

Saber was startled for a moment.

"Mr. Tohsaka?"

"If he keeps causing a ruckus outside, it will disturb the neighboring residents."

Yuanban Shichen adjusted his collar, regaining his composed and elegant demeanor, "Moreover, this is the Yuanban Family. A hundred years of legacy is not a place a single madman can run amok in."

He pressed the main door switch.

"Come in, young master of the Jiantong Family."

The iron gate opened slowly.

Jiantong Shen'er stood at the doorway, watching the door slowly open, his expression shifting from madness to triumph.

"Ha... that's more like it... it should've been like this from the start..."

He smoothed his disheveled clothes and strode inside.

His stride was overtly arrogant, his neck held high, his chin nearly pointing to the heavens.

He passed through the front yard, stepped onto the stone steps, and finally stood before the main gate of the Tohsaka Residence.

The door was already open for him.

Jiantong Shen'er strode inside, stepping onto the foyer's wooden floorboards, which let out a 'Creak' sound.

Yuanban Shichen stood at the far end of the foyer, holding in his hand the staff embedded with a ruby.

He wore a deep crimson suit, his tie fastened meticulously, looking as if he were heading to a noble banquet.