After finishing dinner, there were no special plans; they simply sat on the sofa watching television together. As a complete technophobe, Tohsaka Rin didn't particularly enjoy watching TV, but she felt obligated to accompany her daughter if it was what the girl wanted.

Lin Luo felt the same way; television seemed ancient to him, like something he had encountered centuries ago. Still, occasionally indulging in the ordinary routines of common folk with family and friends was a novel kind of pleasure... Of course, he held zero interest in whether the broadcast was a melodramatic evening soap opera or an overly dramatic, niche production. If they were showing a battle between magical girls and tentacled monsters, however, he would certainly pay attention.

As for Tohsaka Sakura, although she was a magus, her involvement with the occult meant she rarely participated in typical high school activities. Consequently, watching television had become one of her few pastimes. The program currently airing was one she generally favored, but... while her eyes were fixed on the screen, her thoughts had drifted somewhere far away.

There was only one thing occupying her mind: the relationship between Tohsaka Rin and Lin Luo.

Ten years ago, because the inheritance of a magus family could only pass to a single descendant, she had been sent to the Matou household. On her very first day, she encountered a terror she would never forget, yet it was at that precise moment that Lin Luo descended like a hero from a fairy tale, rescuing her from hell.

From that moment on, Lin Luo’s image could never be erased from her heart; it was deeply etched into her soul. Naturally, such a sentiment was far from being love—at most, it was admiration and worship, much like how most young girls view their fathers as their ultimate shield. Tohsaka Sakura saw Lin Luo in the same way: a reliable, older brother who could protect her no matter the time or danger.

Nothing more than that.

However, ten years can change a great many things.

During the decade Lin Luo was absent, she grew up bit by bit, gradually understanding more. Once she grasped the inherent cruelty of magus lineages, she finally understood just how earth-shattering the actions Lin Luo took back then truly were.

It was also during these ten years that her feelings for Lin Luo underwent a qualitative shift.

Generally, if a girl’s father is exceptionally capable and serves as a sturdy, reliable tree, most daughters develop an Oedipal complex, instinctively comparing their future romantic partners to their fathers. But Tohsaka Sakura was different.

Regarding her father, Tohsaka Tokiomi, who had personally delivered her to hell, she could understand the truth of the magus world’s brutality and could even forgive it, but she could never accept it. Even after receiving the kindest care from Tohsaka Tokiomi over the past decade, the scar in her heart could never be healed.

She would not hate him. Whether in daily life or while studying magic, she continued to regard Tohsaka Tokiomi as a respected father and teacher, but only that. Beyond maintaining superficial propriety, she no longer engaged in the affectionate gestures or intimate conversation with him that she did in her youth; their interactions had become as stiff and formulaic as mechanical programming. The familial affection that should have persisted between father and daughter had faded significantly in her heart.

For Tohsaka Sakura, the most important male figure in her world was Lin Luo, and him alone.

Thus, as she matured, blessed with an excellent background, demeanor, and looks, she was pursued by countless peers at school. Whenever she considered a suitor, she would unconsciously measure him against Lin Luo.

She wouldn't deny that some classmates were outstanding, but no matter how exceptional they were, none could surpass the hero who occupied the most critical position in her heart.

The more she compared, the more she uncovered their shortcomings, and the more she idealized Lin Luo’s image. Even Lin Luo’s flaws were transmuted into virtues through this lens of yearning and comparison, gradually forming a vision of a man who was utterly perfect in her mind.

Finally, by the time she recognized it, she realized she could no longer fall in love with anyone else.

Just like now, watching Lin Luo speak intimately with Mumei, she instinctively compared him again to Tohsaka Tokiomi... If Lin Luo had been in Tohsaka Tokiomi’s position back then, would he have given her over to the Matou household for the sake of magus lineage?

No, he would not. Absolutely not!

Without any basis, Tohsaka Sakura simply believed it.

Over the span of ten years, her feelings for Lin Luo had completely transformed from initial awe into genuine affection and love. This was not a vague crush nor the tentative romance of a young girl, but a singular, perfect devotion.

Therefore, when Tohsaka Sakura learned that Lin Luo was already married to her sister in all but name, that they had a daughter, and that he even had another daughter with a different woman, she was deeply hurt, profoundly wounded.

It felt as if someone had plunged a knife deep into her chest, causing pain that pierced to the core of her being.

Yet, even so, Lin Luo remained perfect in her heart! Nothing could penetrate that love; no other emotion could find purchase.

Then... then what?

Tohsaka Sakura was troubled, precisely by the 'then what.' Her nature prevented her from resorting to unscrupulous means for the sake of love. If she intervened, putting aside others, her sister would surely be displeased? Furthermore, she wasn't certain what Lin Luo’s feelings for her were, yet she couldn't suppress her own emotions.

What should she do? Her mind was a complete tangle.

"Oh, I’m going out to take a call." Just as Tohsaka Sakura was wrestling with this dilemma, Lin Luo suddenly stood up from the sofa.

Tohsaka Sakura jolted, looking up at him instinctively. As their eyes met, she immediately lowered her head and murmured a soft assent.

Lin Luo smiled faintly. A moment later, he was in the courtyard outside, pulling out his phone. "They contacted me fast enough. I thought it would take until morning at least."

"Of course. Since it's Lin... Big Brother Lin calling, I couldn't afford to be careless."

The person on the other end of the line was none other than Arthur. Because he was executing a plan to control the entire world, Lin Luo could not initially employ too much mystery lest he trigger changes in the world's rules that he wished to avoid. Before arriving in the Type-Moon world, Lin Luo had obtained Arthur’s contact information from Lin Xiaoke; he needed to borrow Arthur's strength in many areas.

As for Arthur, although he was now aware of Lin Luo’s true identity, shifting his address immediately felt deeply unnatural. Coupled with Lin Xiaoke’s instruction to temporarily withhold that knowledge, he was happy to comply, addressing Lin Luo by his former title.

"Mhm. It’s nothing major that I called you for; I just need you to help with something..." Time was limited, so Lin Luo skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. "I have something I need to do here and require some manpower... Well, I’ve already decided who I need, but it’s inconvenient for me to search them out one by one right now, and time doesn't permit it. Since you're idle anyway... the sooner the better. If possible, I’d like all these people found by tomorrow night... Oh, and try not to use power levels that exceed this world's capabilities when doing this. If I could activate my global perception field, I'd handle it myself... That's about the extent of it."

Lin Luo hung up the phone and breathed a small sigh of relief. Changes to the world's rules were gradually taking shape. To prevent this transformation from being disrupted, he had to refrain from using powers that vastly exceeded the world's current standard, such as his global perception—that was strictly off-limits.

However, he couldn't arbitrarily select the Masters needed for the Holy Grail War, nor did he know how many new Hosts had appeared in this world. Finding them all in such a short time was difficult for him alone. Still, he had a general idea of his targets.

Based on the patterns of the World Heart selecting Hosts, priority was given to those with pre-existing bonds with him, followed by compatibility attributes. Therefore, he just needed to lock onto the young women he had interacted with during his previous visit to the Type-Moon world. Masters would also be selected based on this angle, as the Heroic Spirits were all girls from Gensokyo; he wouldn't seek out male Masters for them.

Before coming, he had subtly inquired of Lin Xiaoke and learned that her family and Arthur’s possessed significant influence in this world. Therefore, without recourse to unconventional powers, handing the task to Arthur was the best option.

Whether Arthur could complete it within a day, Lin Luo couldn't say for sure, but Arthur’s confident guarantee suggested he was likely capable.

On the other side of the ocean, after ending the call with Lin Luo, Arthur frowned slightly, then immediately dialed another number. Connecting the call, he stated firmly, "It's time to act. Has your recent global detection satellite finished its deployment? Then start finding some people... What, you think it’s overkill? There are regulations from above? Are the regulations bigger than me? Since you know the situation, just do it. Don't ask why. Get it done now. The deadline is noon tomorrow—not a second later. Remember that."

After hanging up, Arthur paused, feeling it might still be unreliable. Several of the individuals Lin Luo asked him to locate were powerful entities within this world and were constantly moving; pure technology might not be sufficient to track them.

Thus, a moment later, he dialed yet another number. "The Chairman of the Magus Association? What? You're the Headmaster? It’s all the same... Nothing major, just assigning you a task..."

...

Regardless of Arthur's unfolding activities, after ending his call, Lin Luo stood in the courtyard for a while longer, enjoying the cool air, before turning back toward the house. He hadn't taken more than a few steps when he saw Rider standing outside the doorway like a shadow, seemingly standing guard.

This wasn't unusual; it was normal for a Servant to maintain constant vigilance. But seeing her, Lin Luo suddenly remembered something, and he walked over to greet her.

Rider maintained her usual statue-like expression, offering only a slight nod in acknowledgment of Lin Luo’s greeting.

Lin Luo didn't mind and asked, "Did you and Sakura go to the back mountain this evening?"

Rider nodded. "Was there a matter?"

"No, nothing. Just asking casually." Lin Luo shook his head and moved toward the door, but just as he reached the entrance, he looked back. "By the way, you can stop standing guard now. Although the Holy Grail War is brutal, very few people actively attack on the second night. Go inside and rest."

With that, without waiting for Rider’s response, Lin Luo walked in.

The moment he arrived in this world, the world's rules began to shift, causing the seal confining Zouken Matou to fail. Shortly thereafter, Zouken Matou's presence vanished entirely. Coupled with the faint exhaustion visible on Tohsaka Sakura’s face when she returned, Lin Luo had instinctively surmised who was responsible.

Rider’s answer confirmed his suspicion. He had considered resealing the old man, but since matters had reached this point, there was no possibility of reviving him, so he let it go.

Having Tohsaka Sakura personally sever the last thread connecting her to the Matou family was perhaps the best outcome. There was no need to bring it up again.

It was completely dispersed into the void.

Inside the house, the television program had ended, and the two children were rubbing their eyes, clearly tired. Seeing them, Lin Luo said, "It’s getting late; everyone should get some rest... Hmm, there should be enough rooms, right? So, Mumei and Ren will share a room tonight, Rin and I will share one. Everyone to their own rooms."

"Ah?" Tohsaka Sakura’s face immediately changed. She wasn't an innocent girl ignorant of the world; she immediately grasped the problematic nature of Lin Luo’s arrangement. If two young adults shared a room, there would surely be things to do... The thought made her feel deeply uncomfortable.

Tohsaka Rin, of course, understood Lin Luo’s mischievous intentions better. She immediately knitted her brows and said, "You're overthinking things. Sakura and I will sleep together tonight." Saying this, she put her arm around Tohsaka Sakura’s shoulder.

Hearing this, Tohsaka Sakura felt a measure of relief, but also a flicker of disappointment. In truth, if Lin Luo had said, "Tonight Rin will look after the child, and Sakura and I will share a room," she might not have refused... but the current arrangement was acceptable.

Tohsaka Sakura’s disappointment was internalized, but Lin Luo’s was plainly visible on his face, utterly unconcealed. Just then, Rider walked in from outside. Lin Luo immediately pointed at her and declared, "Fine then. You two sisters share a room, Mumei and Ren share a room, and I'll be left alone. I suppose I'll have to squeeze in with Rider... Rider, what do you think?"

Tohsaka Rin combusted internally.

Tohsaka Sakura was stunned silent.

Even the usually placid Rider looked completely bewildered by his statement, unable to comprehend why Lin Luo could utter such things with such apparent justification.

Did this man have any shred of integrity left?

"I don't require sleep," Rider replied as soon as she recomposed herself, then vanished into thin air.

Simultaneously, Tohsaka Rin roared at Lin Luo, "You absolute fiend! Is there anything in your brain besides depraved thoughts? The children are right here, and you can’t even set a good example! Take the children and go!"

"I was just joking! If you take it seriously, you lose," Lin Luo grinned sheepishly, then picked up Mumei and Ren and headed toward the second floor.

Tohsaka Rin let out a cold snort, clearly still annoyed, while Tohsaka Sakura stared fixedly at Lin Luo’s retreating back. In that instant, she felt a strange sense of desolation radiating from him, and she desperately wished she could rush over and tell him: I’ll sleep with you!

However, it remained only a thought; she simply lacked that immense courage.

...

Lying in bed, Tohsaka Sakura found herself unable to sleep, her mind consumed entirely with whether she should confess her feelings to Lin Luo or confess her feelings to Lin Luo. If she confessed, what would be the right moment? The Holy Grail War was so perilous; she didn't know if she would survive. Should she die as a girl or die as a woman? If she intended to offer herself, should she be proactive or passive?

Whether active or passive, she needed an opportunity first. Should she wait for one or actively create one?

As for her sister... while Ren was Rin’s biological daughter, Mumei was the child of another woman. Yet, Rin didn't seem to dislike Mumei; she appeared unconcerned. If that was the case, surely Rin wouldn't mind her own younger sister having similar feelings for Lin Luo?

Thinking, thinking, Tohsaka Sakura was deeply tormented, utterly sleepless. To alleviate this painful indecision, she began persistently asking Tohsaka Rin about where they had been all these years, trying to distract herself.

Tohsaka Rin answered what she deemed appropriate and omitted what she didn't.

However, upon hearing that Lin Luo had many other women around him, Tohsaka Sakura’s expression abruptly changed, and she exclaimed angrily, "How could he? Brother-in-law is going too far!"

Tohsaka Rin found it difficult to explain. "That... our situation is a bit unique."

"No matter how unique, Sister, you are far too lenient," Tohsaka Sakura retorted with an expression of exasperation. "If you keep acting this way, those other women will bully you!"

"You’re worrying unnecessarily. Everyone is actually quite easy to get along with."

"I am not worrying unnecessarily! Even if they don't bully you now, they definitely will later." Tohsaka Sakura stated seriously. "No, I cannot allow my sister to be mistreated. So, I’ve made up my mind."

Seeing her resolute demeanor, Tohsaka Rin felt a surge of emotion and asked, "What have you decided?"

Tohsaka Sakura answered without hesitation, "I am moving in with you too!"

"Ah?"

"Brother-in-law is too easily swayed by women; he can't be left unchecked like this. Therefore, to maintain your status, Sister, you must reinforce your charm. The best method is for me to be with you. As sisters, it will certainly be easier for us to capture Brother-in-law’s attention. That way, he won't show favoritism to other women... Of course, I'm not saying this because I harbor special feelings for Brother-in-law; it's purely to protect you. If we sisters stand together, even if other women try to bully you, our side will have a greater chance of winning. Don't you agree, Sister?"

She finished, looking at Rin with eager anticipation.

"..." Tohsaka Rin was utterly speechless.

PS: Five thousand characters for now; I need to focus on stockpiling drafts.