Tokiomi gave his subordinate instructions to receive the guests.
However, the confusion lingering in his heart did not dissipate.
Although the outside world still referred to the three great families as Tohsaka, Einzbern, and Matou, the Matou family had completely withdrawn from the magical world since the Third Holy Grail War, and the Tohsaka family and Einzbern family had had no contact whatsoever.
The Tohsaka family wanted to wash away their shame.
The Einzbern family wanted to reclaim the Holy Grail.
The two families had not had any interaction for decades and, to some extent, could still be considered rivals.
Why would they visit him at this time?
Tokiomi couldn't help but become vigilant.
On the eve of the Holy Grail War in Snowfield City, he could not rule out the possibility that the Einzbern family would participate in the battle.
However, even when facing the Einzbern family,
Tokiomi felt it was not a big deal.
He had spent most of his life in hardship, and the bitterness he had experienced in the past seemed to have transformed into his own medals. Tokiomi possessed an unshakeable confidence and authority.
Walking through the corridors of the mansion,
he pushed open the door to the reception room to meet the visiting guests, and as soon as he entered, he saw the most prominent white.
"Remembering the friendship of past allies. The daughter of the Einzbern family from Snow City, I am the current head of the Tohsaka family, Tokiomi Tohsaka. Here, I extend my hospitality as a landlord."
Tokiomi Tohsaka expressed a welcoming attitude.
His demeanor was full of elegance, with not a single flaw to be found.
However, he made a mistake.
In the reception room, two homunculi frowned slightly, serving on either side of Moran and Irisviel.
Tokiomi's gaze lingered on Irisviel.
He only glanced at Moran briefly.
Not being familiar with the other party's identity, he chose to show his etiquette to Irisviel, who symbolized the Einzbern family.
But Tokiomi observed very carefully.
Soon, he noticed a subtle detail that was not easy to detect: the man sitting next to Irisviel was quite extraordinary.
His presence was as steady as an ancient well.
Coupled with the way he was now scrutinizing Tokiomi,
it felt as if he were the true master of this space; even if the man himself had no such intention, his mere existence gave off that impression, like the most brilliant gem in a treasure chest.
If someone with keen eyes were to see this,
they would certainly not be able to ignore this conspicuous brilliance.
"Due to our alliance, we remember our past friendship. I, Irisviel von Einzbern, have come to visit."
Irisviel replied gracefully.
Although she was lively and casual while shopping with Moran outside, now she was dignified like a noble lady, lacking nothing in etiquette and elegance.
Tokiomi nodded and took his seat.
For a moment, it felt like a place limited to the exchange of the elite; a mere mortal would probably not be able to endure even a second.
"Please forgive my impudence. May I ask who this person visiting with you is? As far as I know, the Einzbern family has had very little contact with the outside world.
Now, on the eve of the Holy Grail War, it is no secret that the Tohsaka family wishes to return to the Holy Grail War; you should understand this as well."
Tokiomi Tohsaka spoke candidly from the start.
He did not forget the past and the friendship between allies, openly expressing the current position of the Tohsaka family.
It was precisely because of their bond that he spoke so frankly.
"To this day, does the Tohsaka family remember their initial long-cherished wish?"
Irisviel did not first discuss Moran's matter.
Instead, she brought up a much older memory.
"—The world is indeed beyond salvation. If the ideal world is a destination unreachable by humanity, then we must seek something beyond humanity. We must find a new form of humanity. To eliminate all the evils of this world, we will dedicate our lives to this."
Tokiomi solemnly closed his eyes and spoke.
As if taking out a precious item from the past, he spoke in a tone filled with reverence and devoid of blasphemy.
This was the original pact made by the three great families.
Irisviel smiled upon hearing this:
"Now that the Matou family has perished, only the Tohsaka and Einzbern families remain. The Tohsaka family still clings to the root, while my Einzbern family pursues the Third Magic."
"Indeed, this was the Tohsaka family's original goal. I too remember the ancestral teachings of the Tohsaka family as I move forward. I believe the Holy Grail still favors the Tohsaka family, which is why I decided to participate in the Holy Grail War."
Tokiomi had a confidence that could be described as proud…
As a magus, he was indeed an exceptionally outstanding individual, and he had the arrogance that matched his excellent talents. Surely, he had never doubted his own judgment.
In just these few minutes of meeting,
Moran could see through the essence of Tokiomi Tohsaka.
Indeed, merely relying on the previous information about the Moon World was not enough to grasp the reality.
The feeling of personally witnessing it was the most genuine.
People like Tokiomi—
No matter what situation they faced in life, their ironclad will could move forward in a fixed direction, acting with a clear purpose, all to achieve a certain life goal they had defined for themselves.
He had the arrogance of an elite—an awareness of self that was different from ordinary civilians, someone who bore privileges and responsibilities.
Such "nobility" has become exceedingly rare in modern society; it could be said to be a precious species.
Kayneth and Tokiomi were similar to such nobles.
"The Einzbern family no longer clings to the Third Magic."
"…What? No longer clinging to the Third Magic… what does that mean? Has the Einzbern family given up?"
Tokiomi displayed a look of astonishment.
Although he had little interaction with the Einzbern family, he could glean some information passed down from his ancestors.
This was a long-cherished wish older than even their Tohsaka family.
He couldn't fathom why they would no longer cling to the Third Magic.
He felt it was as if the Einzbern family had given up, just like the Matou family, which had once chosen to perish.
A hint of melancholy welled up within him.
Once, two great allies had pursued ideals together, and now only he remained steadfastly moving forward.
What a bitter irony it was.
However, it was fortunate that Irisviel said this, for it meant that the Einzbern family would not become enemies.
At least, that was what Tokiomi believed.
Yet, he saw Irisviel shake her head slightly, revealing a rather proud and bright smile.
She threw out an extremely shocking truth.
"No, we have not given up on our long-cherished wish. The Einzbern family no longer needs to pursue the Holy Grail; this is not giving up, but rather, we have already welcomed back the Third Magic—Materialization of the Soul!"