The Three Founding Families

And then came the early morning of the second day.

"So, Lord Tohsaka, what's our sightseeing itinerary for today?"

Inside the hot spring hotel, Artorius looked brilliant, a stark contrast to the maid who appeared to have just woken up, yawning and all.

"Well..."

Before he could respond, a voice came from outside the room, "Excuse me."

"Come in." Artorius glanced over and replied. The door opened, revealing a man clad in Agravain-style black plate armor and a cloak with a longsword at his side, accompanied by an equally cute girl dressed like a knight of the West.

"..."

"Ahhh!"

Startled by the pleasant surprise, it was Rin, who had been goofing around with Illya just moments ago. The girl beside the man in Agravain's armor was her little sister, Tohsaka Sakura.

"Sakura?!"

Rin got up with a smile and ran over to Sakura.

Watching this scene, Tokiomi's eyes filled with contentment. Although Artorius had promised earlier to reunite them as a family, the actual day of reunion brought him genuine happiness and surprise.

'But at the same time...'

'Being asked to give up the position in the Clock Tower and the Mage's Association to serve the Empire thoroughly... it's not an easy decision.'

Tokiomi found himself torn.

Moving the entire family to the Empire would indeed reunite them, but it would also mean the end of the Tohsaka family's independence. He would be bound to serve the Empire like the Zolgen family, with very little autonomy left.

'Unless, like the Einzbern family, we join the Empire while maintaining some level of independence... but that's highly unlikely since we're not a branch of the royal family. So...'

Pursing his lips, Tokiomi struggled to evaluate the situation.

Meanwhile, Rin had already reached her sister's side. "Sakura, I'm so glad to see you."

Under normal circumstances, Rin would be more composed, but not having seen her sister for a while made her yearn for her even more.

In this emotional state, she abandoned all restraint and rushed to her sister, holding her hand.

"It's great to see you again, Onee-sama."

Unlike Rin's excitement, Sakura, dressed like a young knight, had a solemn and serious expression.

Though she smiled and expressed her happiness, there was something different about her. Rin felt like she couldn't quite recognize her own sister anymore.

It wasn't about the way she dressed; it was more about her demeanor.

Her sister was no longer the quiet, shy, and sweet little girl she once knew. Something else seemed to have taken root within her.

"Sakura..."

Frowning, Rin looked at her sister with a mixture of surprise and confusion, unable to find the right words to say. At the same time, Rudolf Zolgen, standing before Artorius, straightened his body and saluted.

"Your Majesty, Major Rudolf is ready to follow your orders."

"Just relax..." Artorius smiled gently. "I'm here for a vacation, not as an official representative of the Empire, and you're not my subordinate. No need to be so tense."

"Your Majesty is right, but as the Empire's soldier, I must be prepared to give my life for the Empire at any time and anywhere!"

"..." Artorius was slightly taken aback by the fervent response. "Major... who was your mentor back in the day?"

"My mentor was Marshal Agravain!" Rudolf's voice exuded admiration. "Marshal wasn't just my mentor; he was my guiding light, the paragon I follow."

"I see. Sir Agravain, huh? No wonder..."

Artorius had received information during these past days, including the fact that Agravain, along with several other Knights of the Round Table, had survived to this time, so he wasn't surprised by Rudolf's words.

It was no wonder, really.

Agravain was one of the most loyal knights Artorius had ever known, surpassing even the likes of Lancelot or Gawain. His willpower and loyalty reached a terrifying level almost akin to a Reality Marble.

"Well then, good luck, Major."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."

Clearly thrilled by Artorius's words, Rudolf spoke with enthusiasm, but then his expression turned serious. "However... Your Majesty, I must report something to you."

"Go on." Artorius was now curious.

"I'm one of this year's chosen candidates for the Holy Grail War's Master..." Rudolf said, looking earnestly at Artorius. "As a result, I must adopt a hostile attitude towards Your Majesty in this game. So..."

"Hahaha, that's no problem at all." Artorius laughed joyfully. "As you said, it's just a game. What's the big deal?"

"Yes! Thank you very much for Your Majesty's understanding!"

Artorius and Rudolf got along well, not taking the Holy Grail War or anything too seriously. If Kiritsugu were to hear this, he might vomit blood.

'Speaking of which...' Afterward, Artorius looked around, suddenly noticing something interesting. 'The Einzbern, the Tohsaka, and the Matou. The Three Founding Families gathered together, huh?'

As Artorius spoke in his mind, in front of Iri, Rudolf, Tokiomi, and himself, a golden cup appeared, filled with tempting wine.

"Let's have a drink." Artorius raised his cup, "For the prosperity of the Empire."

"For the Emperor, for Humanity, for the Empire!"

The first to respond to Artorius was Rudolf. He seemed so excited that he trembled.

"For the Empire, for Glory!"

Next, Tokiomi elegantly raised his cup like a gentleman. His toast was slightly different from Rudolf's. Though his inner sense of worry increased after seeing Rudolf's behavior and his way of addressing the prince, at least on the surface, he was impeccable.

"For the Empire."

The last to speak was Iri. Her identity and closeness to Artorius allowed her to express her sentiments without the need for explicit words or tone, unlike Tokiomi and Rudolf.

"What?!"

At the same time, in a corner, the small dispute between the Tohsaka sisters reached its peak.

"Yes, just as I said." Sakura, the younger sister, more serious and composed, gained the upper hand. "I will join the Emperor's Bride in the future. So I won't go back home."

"..."

Upon hearing her sister's words, Rin couldn't help but feel aggrieved. Her sister was never wrong. So if something went wrong, it must be the fault of the person who tempted her sister.

With that thought, Rin cast a tearful, pitiful gaze at Artorius, looking as if she were a small, vulnerable, and aggrieved cat.

"Hahaha..."

Rin's expression made Artorius break into joyful laughter. He genuinely laughed with happiness.

At the same time, Tokiomi's expression appeared slightly awkward, Iri wore a gentle smile, and Rudolf nodded in satisfaction, pleased with his disciple's determination.

"For all of us, cheers!"

Saying these words, Artorius raised his cup high. The other three followed suit, lifting the golden cups that symbolized the eternal prosperity of the Empire.

Suddenly, a loud and intense roar of explosion resounded, and the explosion's shockwave shattered the hotel room they were in into pieces.