Faced with this unexpected request, Tokiomi was left speechless in surprise.
Becoming the disciple of the Third Magician naturally held far more weight than being adopted into the Edelfelt family.
Not only was the future guaranteed, but being accepted as a disciple by the Third Magician was an immense honor for any magus.
However, Tokiomi could not comprehend this at the moment.
Even if he had lowered his face to this extent, he only dared to suggest that Moran act as an intermediary for Edelfelt.
The idea of letting his daughter become the disciple of the Third Magician was something he had never considered.
Although Tokiomi had great confidence in Rin and Sakura's magical talents, he was not so shameless as to think they could surpass the realm of magecraft.
Thus, he had never thought about this matter from the beginning.
Undoubtedly, if they could become the disciples of the Third Magician, it would be the best choice for Tokiomi.
But this choice seemed too good to be true; he did not believe that such good fortune existed in the world.
"Eh! D-disciples!?"
Irisvielfelt showed an expression of astonishment.
Even she did not expect Moran to pull such a stunt.
"If letting your daughter become my disciple would save a lot of trouble, you wouldn't need to deal with Edelfelt."
"Yes, while I have confidence in the talents of my two beloved daughters, I never imagined they would ascend to the realm of magic…"
"Hehe, do you think it's too good?"
Moran noticed Tokiomi's worries.
So far, the developments had felt too smooth.
And the smoothness made him anxious.
The important thing was that Tokiomi could not fathom Moran's thoughts, which also concerned his daughter's future choices.
"Yes, even I understand the cruelty of this world. Being able to witness your summoning is already an honor for me. Now, you bestow upon me this favor of accepting disciples; the Tohsaka family truly does not know how to repay such a great kindness."
"Tokiomi, this is a choice. Let me put it simply—I'm also going to participate in the Holy Grail War in Snowfield City."
Moran's lips curled into a slight smile.
His scrutinizing gaze fixed on Tokiomi.
Like a sample being observed under a microscope, his gaze exerted a tightening pressure on Tokiomi.
"…"
Tokiomi took a deep breath.
The moment he heard Moran's words, he understood.
Indeed, favors were not so easily given.
Even the kindness bestowed carried the weight of a mountain; a single misstep could crush him.
"Tokiomi, you said you would participate in the Holy Grail War, right? If so, then we are enemies. You agree, don't you? And enemies must meet in battle."
Moran's attitude flipped dramatically.
Although his tone remained incredibly relaxed, it was now laced with a tremendous hostility that had not been there before.
A tidal wave of pressure surged like a tsunami.
The swelling intent to kill rushed forth like a hurricane.
"Um… that's right…!"
Tokiomi faced this killing intent, his face pale.
Yet, he still tensed his body.
He tried hard not to show any weakness in front of this magician; this was the limit of what he could do while maintaining his elegant demeanor.
"Of course, one thing is one thing. Accepting your daughter as a disciple does not prevent me from becoming your enemy. However, I also do not wish to be a master who is hated by his disciples. That would be quite unfortunate. Tokiomi, what do you think should be done? The choice is in your hands."
Moran's smile held a hint of amusement.
He threw out a dilemma for Tokiomi to choose, wanting to see which side he would ultimately take.
"Lord Moran, if I were to throw myself into the Holy Grail War, would you still accept my daughter as a disciple?"
"That's right; I will not go back on my promise. Before the war begins, we can still act as family. But once we step onto the battlefield, will I still consider personal feelings… Tokiomi, do you want to take a gamble?"
"This…"
Tokiomi showed a troubled expression.
He could not see through the depth in Moran's eyes.
In six months, the Holy Grail War would begin.
If he, as a Master, were to unfortunately face Moran, the outcome would undoubtedly be a crushing defeat.
Tokiomi was deeply convinced of this result.
Moreover, with the killing intent he felt at this moment, he was certain he would die at Moran's hands.
"However, even if you die at my hands, you would still die at the hands of the Third Magician. Compared to the humiliation of having the Holy Grail taken from you, such an outcome, in a sense, is also an honor, right?
Yes, the shame of your Tohsaka family can be washed away.
Come now, tell me your choice—will you cleanse the family's shame with blood, or will you choose to stay with your family?"
Moran did not allow Tokiomi to evade this question.
The aura he exuded conveyed this.
He wanted to see what was more important to Tokiomi in his heart: being with his family or the great righteousness of a magus.
If one were to follow the normal thoughts of a magus, it would undoubtedly be to choose the path of participating in the Holy Grail War.
To stop a magus from further exploring the mysteries would be akin to leading a magus to death.
Furthermore, Moran had given his guarantee.
Even if Tokiomi died in this Holy Grail War, he would still take care of his two daughters as their master.
This was a win-win for a magus.
It could satisfy the pursuit of mystery and family honor while ensuring a smooth future for the family.
Nothing could be better than this.
The only downside was that the two daughters would lose their father.
But, familial ties were the least needed for a magus.
At this moment, Tokiomi's heart was undoubtedly in torment, and the beliefs he had held onto were being shaken.
The shame that the family had suffered must be avenged.
This was the duty he was born to bear.
As a magus, he wanted to participate in the Holy Grail War because it was the choice that maximized benefits.
It could satisfy the path of magecraft while ensuring the family's future.
This was simply the most perfect choice.
Tokiomi had always remembered "to become a perfect magus" and held this as a standard, maintaining elegance at all times.
Both of his beloved daughters could inherit first-rate magecraft.
Each would gain the means to forge their own lives, free from the constraints of bloodline causality.
He could also embark on the battle to cleanse the family's shame.
Tokiomi believed that even without him, his daughters would be able to step onto a brilliant future.
Nothing could be better than this.
But, was it really so? The more Tokiomi asked himself this, the more he felt a deep sense of anguish.
For a choice like this, he should not have needed to think at all.
However, as a father, Tokiomi's chest was overflowing with a sharp pain.